| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….
So, what did everybody think of the fantasy episode last Wednesday? Personally, I liked it…not as much as the other special episodes we’ve seen, but it was still very good. For me, as is becoming the rule, little Kristin Alderson stole the show with her number with Kassie DePaiva from the show “Chicago.” That little girl has talent to spare and it’s just a shame we didn’t get to appreciate Kassie in a number of her own because she is more than wonderful when called upon to perform anything in front of the camera. It was just hard to stop watching that kid for a minute.
RJ was a total riot in the show, which is a perfect example of someone who doesn’t get to spread his wings nearly enough. Lindsay and Tad were cute, but Nora took the cake and I’m sure had every fan cheering at home when she admitted that she was wrong about everything…lol. Only in a fantasy would we see that!
I enjoyed Clint’s return in his scenes with Natalie. It’s just too bad that the actor refused to come back for the several episodes he was offered last year. Natalie really could have bonded with Clint then.
I must say that the best thing running consistently through the show was Erika Slezak taking us through the whole thing. Not only does she look ageless, but you can see her devotion and love for the show after all of these years in her eyes and in her smile. I don’t believe we can just chalk that up to acting. Her enthusiasm always seems genuine.
Now, on to the rest of the week. The biggest thing going on had to be the return of Victor Lord. I know, lots of people didn’t want it to be him. Neither did I, but now that we know it’s him, I can’t wait for him to be taken down…so it’s kind of fun. It’s really getting too hard any more to decide who is the biggest creep on the show. It used to be Todd for me because there is nothing he won’t do to get what he wants…and trading Natalie for Blair was a horrendous thing to do. (I know, I know…he had a plan to save them both….as if that would have ever worked!) So now it’s a toss-up between Mitch and Victor. One would kill his beloved granddaughter and take her heart for his own survival…and the other would personally cut it out of her to steal Viki’s fortune. Hmmm…tough decision! Mitch creeps me out like no villain has done in a long time. I used to cringe at the awful things Stefano DiMera would do on Days Of Our Lives, but he was a pussycat compared to Mitch.
I love the way the new Jessica and Joey are meshing into the show. It’s been a wonderful transition and the mystery having to do with Flash only adds to it. This week Flash is supposed to ask Joey about CJ Roberts, Tina’s child….why???? Tune in…we have no idea.
Here’s a questions that’s been bugging me all week long. Remember when Bo had Todd at the police station and showed him the gun. He asked Todd if that gun was his and Todd said it was and that he had a permit for it. Tell me this…who in their right mind would issue a gun permit to a lunatic like Todd? Bo should lock that guy up right along with Todd.
I have to say that the star this week for me was Erika Slezak. No matter what she’s doing…no matter what scene she’s in, she makes me feel whatever she’s feeling. When she opened that trunk filled with her father’s things I could feel her terror at the thought of seeing them again and her reaction when she finally did open it was so real. She has also seamlessly fit together with Bree Williamson as the new Jessica as if they’ve been together a long time. She was, is and always remains the best thing that ever happened to daytime television.
OK…all of you Bo and Nora fans…I hear that really, really big news is on the way for your favorite couple. It appears to be true from what I’ve read and from what Brian Frons has said that Bo and Nora will be reunited. I never thought I’d see the day, but you guys much be crawling out of your skin in anticipation. If it happens, I say Good For You…you sure waited long enough…and faithfully. That’s how I feel about Ben and Viki…so I do understand. A friend of mine once told me that there was something she wanted very badly in her life and it seemed like she’d never achieve it. She wanted to give up many times and someone said to her, “Don’t give up 5 minutes before the miracle.” She didn’t give up and keeps trying. The Bo and Nora fans may just be getting their miracle. See, you never know what’s going to happen.
On that note, the forever-devoted Ben and Viki fans wait patiently to find out the future of “Life With Bonnie” which will probably determine the immediate future of Mark Derwin. We all want the best for Mark and many of his fans, like myself, love his new show…so we wait to see what the future will bring. All I can say is thank goodness, no matter which way the decision goes, we will get to see Mark every week. I’ve got everything crossed ABC…how about a miracle????
See ya
next week...
Jill Berry
FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Stacey writes: “I'm in love with Joey Buchanan played by Bruce Michael Hall!! I was wondering if there’s a good place I can get information and pictures of him! Do you know? Also, do you know what’s going to come of him and Flash? I agree about seeing the Good Boy/Bad Girl combo! I love it! I really want to see something happen between them! Could ya help me out here?”
Dear Stacey: I’m
sorry to say that I don’t know where to get pictures of Bruce Michael Hall at
this time. I did look to see if he has a website and it looks like he will
shortly…the website says “Under Construction.” I checked at ABC.com and they
don’t have him listed on the cast list yet or have any photos posted. I even
went to the Passions website because that’s where he came from, but they
have removed him from their website already. As soon as I find out any other way
to get photos or information, I’ll put it in print for you. I, too, find Joey
and Flash very interesting. It’s way too early to know what will become of
them…so we wait and see.
________________
Tearose1012 writes: “Dear Jill, first of all I want to say that I enjoy what you write every week. At first I couldn't understand why after every column you went back to your favorite Ben. I realize now how you feel with how the writers have written Todd and Blair lately. I know that RH is leaving. I just wish that this storyline would end better. They are always pushed apart. Granted most of the time it's Todd's fault but everyone knows that he loves Blair and the kids. I know that if the TPTB would let them stay together (longer than 24 hours) it would work. I mean Viki was happy with Ben (they were married). Why can't it be for Blair & Todd? And why do they have to rush her into another relationship every time Todd leaves. You don't see that with Viki. She always thinks of Ben and I know that if your wish comes true and Mark Derwin comes back she'll be waiting for him. She won't be crying on someone else's shoulder. Am I the only one who feels this way?”
Dear Tearose1012: Thanks,
I’m glad you enjoy the column. There is a reason why you couldn’t understand why
I always go back to Ben in my column…it’s because I love him to pieces and I can
be obsessive about feeling he was so underused by Gary Tomlin that I could
scream…along with his other fans. As far as Todd and Blair are concerned, I
wonder if they were given more than 24 hours together, would Todd behave
differently? I’m not so sure. He has to learn how to just be normal and react to
things like normal people and then, of course, he wouldn’t be Todd. I doubt that
Viki would be waiting an eternity for Ben if he behaved like Todd….kind of
silly, no? And I guess you really can’t compare Blair and Viki, except for the
way they love their children, because Blair is very needy when it comes to the
attention of a man and Viki stands on her own as a strong, self-sufficient
woman, with or without a man at her side.
________________
Mary writes: “In the fantasy preview from today's episode, we see a clip of the Clint Buchanan character say Natalie's name. Where has the actor been who has played Clint for years? I remember reading something about him going to jail and something involving his grandchild but I am afraid I didn't catch much of it. Will this be the beginning of his return to the show? Any info you have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!”
Dear Mary: I don’t
know much about the personal life of Clint Ritchie. He left the show several
years ago and last year when it was determined that Natalie was a Buchanan, the
actor was offered a deal to come back to the show for 5-10 episodes and he
refused the offer. I don’t have any information on whether they will bring back
the character of Clint permanently. I don’t see much of a need for him now, but
it was nice to see him in the fantasy episode.
________________
Marti writes: “Why did they replace Jessica? She grew up on that show and was so much a part of that character. Did she get another offer?”
Dear Marti: Erin Torpey had been with the show for many years and yes, she did grow up on One Life To Life. She did not leave the show for any particular offer that I am aware of. She said it was just time to try other things in her life and that it was time to move on. She is now living in California and I can’t wait to see what she tries next. I think we’re lucky to have such a good replacement for Erin, even though we will always miss her.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2003
