| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….The roller coaster ride continues in the quest for a solution to the Music Box killings. Last week the “whodunit” finger was pointed right at Dr. Haver. Does everyone believe he did it? They seem to be tying him up in a neat little package just like they did with Troy. Is it too obvious? I think so, although I do believe Dr. Haver has a lot more secrets connected to Troy and this case than we have found out so far. He was cool as a cucumber when Jessica gave him the information that the police were no longer sure that Troy was the killer…but his persistent interest was more than obvious. I don’t know what it is about Matthew Ashford, but I was so used to seeing him as Jack Devereaux on Days Of Our Lives for so many years…and he was such a goofball character on that show, that I find it difficult to take him very seriously as an expert in the field of psychology. I don’t usually have that problem with actors going from one show to another, but he was so strongly identified with his former character that it’s a bit weird for me.
After not caring much about her one way or the other, I am now sorry to see Flash go. I really enjoy her scenes with Asa. They are much more fun to watch than her singing or trying to deal with Riley. He has really become annoying and his name, as well as his father’s, has been tossed around a lot as far as possibilities for the killer. It was so cute the other day when Flash met Asa in the Palace Bar and told him he was a hottie. Funny, that’s not the word that usually comes to my mind when I think of Asa. It sure did seem to tickle his fancy. It’s fun to see the interaction between the veterans and the young people. Too bad Flash will be leaving town once she narrowly escapes death by the Music Box Killer. Poor Officer Parrish…he’d better hope he’s not strung up by Bo for letting Flash out if his sight.
Did anyone else want to smack Jen when she came home from the hospital after almost dying of alcohol poisoning for the SECOND time and was miffed because no one wanted to join her in a beer with her pizza? I’ve had just about enough of her stupidity already. I was embarrassed for her when she let herself get so plastered with Ron at Ultra Violet. I sure don’t look forward to Ron and Jen being paired together. I had a glimmer of hope when she claimed to be tossing Rex out of her life, but she can’t stick to her guns for five minutes. As soon as he told her he was involved with someone else she couldn’t stand it and had to know who it was. She wants the negative attention much more than she wants to be a “good girl.” Time for her to have some therapy and get herself straightened out. I don’t even think Marcie can help her…and how much did you laugh when Rex called Marcie “Nurse Ratchett?” I can’t wait for Jen to find out about her mother and Rex. And I am so disappointed in Lindsay. She could do better than Rex standing on a street corner.
So Kelly and Kevin are working it out….amazing. I hear she’s really going to be pregnant. All of a sudden no one is talking about the fact that she could die carrying a child…well, no one except David. And I never know when to take Kevin seriously. Last week he showed us some of the Kevin he used to be but he’s done that before and then fell into Blair’s arms. I am glad he turned in his resignation as Lieutenant Governor…at least he’s got some conscience left…and we know he gets that from his mama. It’s going to be very interesting to see what comes out in Todd’s trial and how it affects everyone. I hope Nora keeps digging to find out what Kevin meant when he said that he told Blair she was playing with fire. Nora is too smart and knows Blair too well to think this is an open and shut case. And lots of people wrote me saying that there’s no way Blair could have been raped and then turn around and come on to Kevin. Like I said, we don’t know the truth yet, but in my opinion, Blair is not going to win this one so easily. Even if he’s guilty, I think Todd can win by just keeping his mouth shut and letting Blair bury herself.
Speaking of Kevin…and Todd…that fight they had in Dorian’s foyer was a riot. I think someone should tell the prop people to tighten the railings on that staircase and also the hinges on the doors. I thought any minute those guys were going to fall over the side of that staircase the way those banisters were shaking. And have you ever seen mansions with front doors like Llanfair and La Boulaie (I can’t say that with a straight face)? Those doors shake when you lightly knock on them. A burglar wouldn’t even need a credit card to break in to those houses…a matchbook would do just fine.
Don’t you love the way Viki handles Starr? Don’t you love the way Viki handles everyone? I love the interaction between Viki and Starr. Starr certainly has no respect for anyone else but her Aunt Viki, even though Viki doesn’t cut her any slack. She handles her with gentle firmness and respect…something Starr has never learned from either of her parents. I loved Viki helping Addie to beat David at Scrabble. I never tire of watching Viki cut down the biggest baddies and con men with the smoothness of silk.
Once again I have to state my annoyance at TPTB for refusing all this time to let Viki have Ben back, even as a recast. Dorian can have David (I wonder if he’s even younger than Ben)…and now we have to watch Lindsay rolling around with Rex…ewwww…is anyone out there enjoying that? No, don’t even tell me if you are. I guess it’s out of the realm of possibility for Viki to have a relationship with her younger husband…a relationship that encompasses the fun and banter that Dorian and David are allowed to have along with a deep and abiding love that exists nowhere else on the show. Does the relationship have to be totally off the wall…or disgustingly sordid for it to be given airtime? I wish someone would explain this to me…it continues to baffle me.
I did feel a little bit creeped out when River and Adriana were hiding in that old abandoned theater. I was half expecting Mitch Laurence to pop out and sling a rope around someone’s neck. Good for Roxy telling them they were crazy for thinking about getting married. Sometimes Roxy does give good advice…well, this once anyway…lol. I hope she has more influence over them than sneaky Paul does. He is only pushing them to get married so that Adriana will not be the single, unmarried young woman who can be a threat to inherit Aunt Betsy’s money. I’ll bet the old lady doesn’t have a nickel…what do you think?
Once again, the laugh of the week comes to me from Roxy. My goodness, Ilene Kristin is priceless in this role. I nearly fell off my chair when Roxy walked into the diner and asked Carlotta for a cup of “that tea with the anti-accidents in it.” Ilene Kristin deserves her own nighttime sitcom…except if it ever happens it better be taped in New York…One Life To Live can’t afford to lose Roxy.
And still, we wait with baited breath….at least I do…for any word on what’s going to happen to Ben. Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know everyone still thinks he’s going to die but I still haven’t seen one official word anywhere about that being true. I also thinks it’s terribly strange that we haven’t heard a word yet about the plot for Ben’s “return.” I know I’m insanely naïve….or at least I allow myself to be where Ben and Viki are concerned…but do you really think they’d kill the guy on Valentine’s Day? Not only is Valentine’s Day special for all couples, but it’s especially meaningful for Ben and Viki. Could they be so cruel to such a devoted fan? I’m leaning seriously toward Ben’s scenes being part of the Fan February episode where the reunion is part of Viki’s fantasy, leaving Ben in the coma until someone in charge WAKES UP and decides to recast the role. I don’t believe Derwin will return on a permanent basis…sad as it makes me…but WE MUST HAVE A BEN…NO MATTER HOW WE GET ONE!
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Mumis writes: “Even with what's gone down between Blair and Todd, I'd still love to see these two get back together. I just love Trevor St. John, which is a surprise for me, as I never thought I'd accept anyone else as Todd. Regarding the music box killer, is it maybe just a little too obvious that the focus has shifted to Dr. Haver? How about Daniel Colson? Could he be the one?”
Dear Mumis: I think a lot of people feel the way you do about Trevor playing Todd. I, too, was surprised that he could do such a good job as Todd…I never really enjoyed watching Todd played by Roger, but Trevor adds a bit of vulnerability that I like, even if he is still a maniac…lol. As far as the Music Box Killer goes, I think every week, until the killer is revealed, we’re going to be thrown in another direction. This week Dr. Haver looks like the guilty party…next week, who knows? The Colson, Daniel and Riley, are definite possibilities.
Jamie writes: “Just a thought on who the MBK could be. I don't think that it is Dr. Haver because that would defeat the purpose of bringing on a character as good as Matt Ashford and then not giving him a good storyline after that. He supposedly signed on to a 4-year contract, so what happens when he is revealed to be the killer? They put him in St. Anne's or Statesville only to be seen on special occasions twice a year, like Ty Treadway? I personally think it could be Rae Cummings. After all, Linda Dano is confirmed to be leaving the show and there is no word on her exit. She also works with prisoners and could have some mind control over Troy. Let me know what you think!”
Dear Jamie: Like I said above, I have no clue as to how this storyline will turn out and I have not heard that Matt Ashford signed a 4-year contract. The last I heard was that he was on recurring status and hadn’t signed a contract…but I don’t know the actual facts. In any case, a 4-year contract, or any contract for that matter is only as good as the next 13 weeks…then the actor can be released no matter how long the contract is. When actors come from New York to California, or vice versa, and they have spouses and families, I always wonder how serious they are about staying…about uprooting their families, etc. As far as Rae goes, I think they have ruined the character enough…I don’t want to see her be the killer.
Tearose 1012 writes: “It seems you believe that Todd could have raped Blair. I must ask this questions though…if he indeed rape her, why she is coming on to Kevin again? I mean if she was so horribly violated by Todd wouldn't she stay away from men for a while? I guess I am taking the wrong side here but I just don't believe with the way Blair is acting that it was rape. It was rough yes but if she were really raped she would have acted totally differently. Maybe I am wrong. It seems everyone believes the worst of Todd because of his background. But I ask you this… if the writers make it out to be rape he will be in jail for a long time - so why did they bring him back in the first place, make him go through his love story, have him turn out to be Todd, have him marry Blair one more time - if only to make him a rapist and send him to jail? I just don't understand this storyline.”
Dear Tearose 1012: Yes, I do believe that Todd could have raped Blair…and I also believe that he could be innocent. I never did take sides…I stated that we only know the stories that we’ve seen so far from Blair’s and Todd’s individual point of view. And may I say that neither one of them is sane enough for me to believe either one without proof. I also would never be so presumptuous as to know what Blair would be feeling after possibly being raped, just as thankfully I cannot put myself in the shoes of any woman who has gone through that brutality. I do feel that aside from her love for her children, which often gets put aside out of her own selfishness, Blair gets all of her self-esteem from her knowledge of the way she affects men. I don’t think Todd can be assumed to be innocent…and I think Blair was angry enough at his charade as Walker to go to insane lengths to get back at him. As far as why they would bring Todd back to go through all this…it’s a soap opera and if it made that much sense, I’d be shocked…wouldn’t you?
Rachel writes: “You mentioned in your commentary that you heard Marcie's brother Ron was possibly going to be paired with Jen. Well, isn't Ron gay? I thought so anyway. Remember when Michael/Al was bashing gays & Marcie was so upset about it? Maybe I'm thinking of some other character, but I've been almost sure it was Ron.”
Dear Rachel: The brother Marcie was referring to when she had that argument with Michael was her other brother. I believe his name is Eric and we have not met him. Ron is not her gay brother.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2004
