| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….
Wow, there was so much emotion packed into One Life To Live last week. It’s gratifying to see that the influence of our new Executive Producer is already evident in the quality of the shows we’ve recently been seeing. It does seem like Frank Valentini is really going to turn around what needs to be fixed. Isn’t that refreshing?
I don’t know about you, but I am still feeling the sadness of Erin Torpey’s departure and the wonderfully real emotional upheaval between she and Erika Slezak in their final scenes together. You could feel these two being torn apart from each other and I haven’t been moved by the beauty of their scenes together like this since Jessica lost baby Megan and played out the scenes with Viki in the gazebo, when she first realized the baby was gone. The scenes last week were heart wrenching, but I didn’t actually lose it until that final scene at the airport when Jessica came back to give a final hug to her mom. That’s when I was completely gone. You could feel the real emotion pouring out of both of them…Erin’s from leaving someone who was like a second mom to her…and Erika’s from having to let go of a wonderful young woman whom she watched grow up before her very eyes. We all wish you the best, Erin.
As if those scenes didn’t yank enough tears from me, then we had the scenes with Viki and Natalie back at the house where we listened to a heartbroken Viki tell Natalie about all the family she has lost and how devastated she will be if she has to say goodbye to Ben. I better stock up on my Kleenex over the next few months. Isn’t it amazing that Viki is still standing after all she’s been through? She’s had about ten lifetimes of gut-wrenching drama and she shines through it all. Erika, you are amazing.
And was that real emotion and were those real tears we saw coming from Jen Rappaport? My goodness, I think the answer is “yes.” I am so glad she finally came clean with Sam. She was so way over her head trying to be her mother and manipulate everyone around her to get what she wants. Jessica Morris showed some quality acting last week. I can only wonder what trouble she will be getting into next. I’m sure Mitch isn’t finished with her yet.
Speaking of Mitch…everyone is talking about a murder mystery coming up. Any thoughts on who puts out Mitch’s lights? Is Mitch the victim? Boy, I hope so. I was hoping the other day that Nora and Viki would each take one of his legs and just pull in opposite directions. That would wipe that ugly, smug grin off of his face, wouldn’t it? Well, there I go, wishful thinking again. I read a spoiler that said Natalie was preparing to give Mitch what he wants in order to get out of the marriage and that means she’s thinking about consummating it. If they go that far, I will be on sick leave for about a month…don’t come looking for me…LOL! Now that we’ve got Allison back and she’s “heeding the messenger” I have even more reasons for wanting to bump off Mitch.
Lots of information flying around the Net last week, including the true report that Barbara Nivens (Liz) and Larry Lau (Sam) will be leaving the show. I feel badly for both of them because having come onto the show under the jurisdiction of Gary Tomlin, neither one of them was properly placed in a storyline that was likeable or believable. From the moment Larry Lau’s name was mentioned as the replacement for Kale Brown, fans were buzzing about how badly he fit the role and how unlike Kale he was. I was willing to put all of that aside and accept him as Sam because I loved the character of Sam, even though I didn’t think anyone would easily fill Kale’s shoes as Nora’s love interest and as Ben’s beloved brother. When he first came on the scene and had a few scenes with his family, especially Ben, I could see it as a bit of a stretch, but I believed that with time he would be an acceptable Sam. However, the scenes with Ben soon came to an end, as did any hope of him being with Nora and his son and that’s when GT let it all fall apart. Bringing Troy between Sam and Nora destroyed it all and putting Ben on the screen at all became an afterthought for GT. Sam and Blair surely never clicked and the writing was on the wall. I’m sorry Larry didn’t join the show with a better chance of fitting in.
As far as Barbara Nivens goes, she walked into a ridiculous storyline where I, for one, found it very difficult to be sympathetic to her. The storyline is disdainful and tasteless and I don’t know how GT ever thought it would work out. I wish her luck and a fighting chance the next time she undertakes an acting job.
And Hallelujah…we are finally getting the Buchanan brothers back. Bruce Michael Hall will be joining the cast as Joey Buchanan the week of February 3rd and I could not be happier. Word has it that Kevin will not be far behind.
What’s this I hear about Clint Ritchie coming back to reprise his role for one episode? Wasn’t he the one who turned down a 5-day stint last year? I think we needed him back more when Natalie first came on the scene than we do now, but I’m curious enough to see what they do with him.
To the subject of comedy for a moment…wasn’t it a hoot to see Roxy and Rae plotting against Asa and Max? I died laughing when Rae put the kissing attack on Max…Linda Dano needs a good storyline again…I hope they keep her on the screen.
We sure have lots of interesting things to look forward to…some people leaving Llanview and the promise of new ones to come. The show is much more watchable these days…and I hope it remains that way. It sure seems to be headed in the right direction…FINALLY!
See ya
next week...
Jill Berry
FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Gina writes: “I think that the show should fix Roxy up like Cinderella…you know get rid of the ratty hair and tacky clothes and let the women of the town help her get her man.”
Dear Gina: That sounds
like a great, fun idea. They could have Renee treat her to a day at the Serenity
Springs Spa…give her the works…and let her loose on Llanview as the newest hot
chick in town. What a great idea.
________________
Old Bear writes: “I hope that Roscoe Born will be out soon and it can't be soon enough for me. The Mitch Lawrence part is so evil that I can't stand to watch it. Either he goes soon or I give up the one soap I watch. It would make for a good murder mystery because he has so many enemies. I can't stand Lindsay either and to see Troy crawl into bed with her after all she has put him and Nora through makes me want to throw up. Lindsay need to go back to jail and stay there forever. She can take that little clone of hers with her.”
Dear Old Bear: I
would love to see Mitch gone tomorrow, but like all of his beloved fans say, he
sure does make things more interesting. I can’t stand him a bit, but I’m sure
someone will end his miserable life…it’s just a matter of when. Don’t quit
watching yet…you might just be sorry. And as far as Lindsay goes…that was
another stupid plot twist from our old management…putting Troy back in bed with
Lindsay…it just cheapened his character and reminded everyone of his disgusting
brother Colin. Troy is ruined in my opinion.
________________
Dudeshaft13 writes: “Is it just me or do you think that Todd is behind the shooting of Suzanne, Blair's nanny? Just think, it is a perfect way for Todd to stay connected to Blair, as we all know he still loves her and there is a good way for Todd to explain his way out of it, such as "I did it because I couldn’t stand to see Blair happy with another man, especially someone as boring as Sam". Only my opinion. Let me know what you think.”
Dear Dudeshaft13: I
don’t really think Todd would be behind the shooting of Suzanne. Do you think
even Todd would be stupid enough to do that after the horrible mistake he made
giving away his son? I guess anything is possible with Todd, but I’m sure he
could find lots of ways to get between Blair and Sam, which is exactly what he’s
doing now. It won’t be long before that dysfunctional couple, Todd and Blair,
are back together again.
________________
Theresa
writes: “I had sent you an email regarding a question, listed
below. Can you please get back to me with an answer; I would very much
appreciate it. I was wondering if you could tell me what is the name of the man
who played a mobster who was stalking Jessica. He was on the show about a year
and a half ago and was only on for six episodes. He worked for Gina. Do you
know his name? Please let me know.”
Dear Theresa: I’m very sorry I didn’t get to answer you sooner. I do know whom you’re talking about, but I haven’t found out yet what his name is. I remember him befriending Jessica at school and wearing an earpiece so he could get his instructions from Gina on following Jessica. I am trying to find someone who has tapes of that part of the show and maybe I can find his name in the credits. If I find out I will surely print it for you. You also might want to email ABC at their website. They would surely know his name.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2003
