| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
|
REFLECTIONS BY JILL….
Wow, I can’t believe Christmas has already come and gone. I hope everyone had a great one. At least I got a good rest in that blizzard on Christmas Day after all that last minute shopping.
I thought this week that I’d go through the mail we received and see what everyone really wanted for Christmas and if by some miracle, they got it. When was the last time you got your wish when it came to our show? I think I’ve gotten a lot of little satisfactions…no real biggies, so I’m going to put everyone’s wishes down and let’s see if any of them came true. Maybe I’ll even toss in a couple of my own (you know you’ll be able to recognize them). I have to say I had a lot of the same wishes as everyone else, starting with….
Mitch Lawrence – If I tally up all the votes, the amount of people who want him gone still far outweighs the ones who can’t get enough of him. I know, I know…he’s a great actor…no argument here…he’s the greatest and meanest villain on soaps…no argument here…his face and that holler he’s got so down pat that it makes my heart stop are enough to scare me into the next century…NO ARGUMENT HERE! However, I think the writers have let him go too far when he tells Jessica that her mother hated him more than she loved her…and most disgusting and vile of all…when he told her that her mother gave her away because she couldn’t stand the sight of her. No one is going to convince me that this was necessary…it was cruel beyond belief and I felt so bad for Viki I could have cried when she overheard him say those things. I hear Mitch is going to be around for quite a while…good for those who love him…more time for me to contemplate who should knock him off. I don’t think it will be too much of a stretch for Viki to do it if she’s pushed much further. If I get my wish, this will all be a hoax.
Bring back Dorian – Now more than ever, Dorian should be brought back. Everyone seems to agree on this one. Wouldn’t she be a great addition to the current storyline, as well as just being a constant pain in the butt in Llanview? I say get Robin Strasser back at any cost…when it comes to needing a taste of history on the show…she’s the one we need.
Natalie and Cris – Lots of people want this relationship to work out and I am on that list. These two people should be given some quality time on the show to establish their relationship. Aside from a few kissing scenes, we’ve really only seen them as good friends who would do anything for each other. Let’s see some romance between them…but first, let’s see how she’s going to keep away from Mitch and how she’ll get that annulment. Cris and Natalie have too much potential to waste.
Did someone say Ben Davidson? – Well, you know you weren’t going to get through this list without seeing this name, didn’t you? OK…here’s my personal opinion…I don’t really think Mark Derwin will be back full time on One Life To Live. I’m not that much of an optimist. I think even without the greatest ratings, Life With Bonnie will be renewed and Mark’s career will continue to take off. However, I do think it’s possible, if not likely that we can get him back for some appearances…in what context, who knows? I just hate that we lost him the way we did. I think the issue of Ben lingering in a coma would be realistic to discuss between Viki and the rest of his family, especially the fact that I don’t believe Ben would ever want to remain in his current state with little or no hope. Just my humble opinion. I don’t want Ben back if he’s going to be wallpaper like he was before. The magazines are already talking about how many veteran great actors are scrambling to be the new Ben…I guess it’s something we need to consider and I’d go for it with the right actor.
Larry Wolek – Everyone wants Dr. Larry to be back with a good storyline. Maybe we can have him start his return in Switzerland, calling Viki to tell her Ben is coming around. Ok, just kidding…but I have wanted Larry back forever…I never hear from anyone who leaves him off of a list of who they want back on the show.
Bo and Nora – There is still a huge fan base for this couple that never stops hoping they will reunite. At this point, I could live with anyone who separates Nora and Troy. If we don’t get Bo and Nora back as a couple, let’s at least get them together for a few dances every year…those were always the most fun to watch.
Nora and Troy – Here, too, there is a big fan base. I don’t get it, but it exists. No matter what else happens to this couple, I will never be able to get past the fact that Nora is hopelessly in love with Colin’s twin…it’s just too icky.
Lindsay – I never thought she’d get so crazy that she’d actually let herself believe she was in love with and wanting Troy again. Lindsay, even you have more pride than that…please go for something else.
Al Buchanan – Well, no one writes much about him lately, but I have to say that I am thrilled that he has finally come to see the truth about Jen. He’s not a character that I care much about, but he has earned back a little of my respect. I also like his relationship with his parents, rocky as it sometimes may get. I really liked the scenes the other day where he was taking care of Jessica…he was the old Al for a while and I hope he stays that way.
Asa and Renee – Yes, yes, Renee is way too good to even let Asa wipe his feet on her doormat, but I can’t help but see these two together for the rest of their years. He’s an old coot who deserves to be alone…she’s a wonderful woman who deserves the best. I don’t understand it, but the chemistry is there and I still want them together. Am I crazy?
The Buchanan boys – I am sick and tired of asking for this, as is everyone else who writes to me about them. We need Kevin and Joey back. I did read that Joey was coming back…I’ll believe it when I see it. People are debating over who should play Kevin if he comes back. My preference is Tim Gibbs…I adore him…but whoever it is will be better than Viki not having her boys at all.
Rae – I have one thing to say about Rae – Hook her up with Hank or bring back John Sykes…I prefer the latter.
So, are we going to get our wishes answered for the New Year? Do I ask this questions every year? Do I get any answers?
I want to wish you and all of your families a very Healthy and Happy New Year…Enjoy!!!
See ya
next week...
Jill Berry
FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Nancy writes: “Sorry Jill; Trying to be optimistic in the beginning and to give Mark Derwin a chance but... I have to say the more I watch The Bonnie Hunt Show, the more it really sucks. My 2 sons and hubby (who are not soap fans) don't like the show at all. It's too bad really as B.H. is quite funny but they've missed something here.”
Dear Nancy: Tell me how you really feel…lol!
I understand your feelings, although I thoroughly disagree. I think the show has
gotten progressively better every week. At first I thought I only liked the show
because Mark was in the cast because of course, I’d watch him turn a doorknob
for 30 minutes any night of the week, but the other night he was hardly on the
show and I found myself laughing my head off at the rest of the cast…that’s how
I know I really like the show and it’s not just Mark.
________________
Wayne writes: “My name is Wayne. I have been a big Mitch Laurence fan for around 20 years now. His performance on today's episode was absolutely incredible. When he yelled at Viki my heart got stuck in my throat, that's how convincing he was. When Mr. Born displays anger you can really see it in his eyes and in his facial expressions. He is an incredible actor! Mr. Born truly deserves to win the daytime Emmy for best soap opera actor. No one in daytime soaps even comes close.”
Dear Wayne: I’ll agree
with you about almost choking when he screamed at Viki. He sure does have a
presence, doesn’t he? All that’s missing is the fire shooting out of his eyes
and ears…oh yeah, and the pitchfork in his hand. I wonder what kind of backup
system he has this time around…for instance, does he have an army of soldiers
doing his dirty work, tracking down his prey…or is he working alone?
________________
Stephlukas writes: "I wonder if the writers will deal with Viki having to go back in to their bedroom, knowing that Niki pushed him out of the window, and that she'll be sleeping in that big bed without the love of her life. Those would be some powerful scenes! And I am so impressed with the way Erika portrays Viki's determination to get through the things she had to do, but the look of exhaustion for all she's been through is in her eyes. Part (and only part) of Erika's and Mark's chemistry was that you can read their emotions on their faces, in their eyes, they don't even have to say anything.”
Dear Stephlukas: Wow, I could not agree with you more and in a previous article I mentioned exactly the scene you imagined…Viki in their bedroom, walking around looking at their photos, lying alone in their bed. I don’t think I’ve seen their bedroom since Ben went flying out that darned window…what a waste. It’s so true that these two don’t need words to express what they feel…you could see and feel it every time they were together in a room and I miss them terribly, as I’m sure you do.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2002
