| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….We got some very good material last week on One Life to Live, but none better than Viki’s storyline. Actually, I’m not sure I should call it Viki’s storyline because I do believe that the main thrust of this storyline is the mystery that Michael and Marcie are wrapped up in…Viki’s health is a casualty of the whole mess. My problem with this is that although I used to have a real liking for Al and Marcie, I don’t have the same kind of reaction to them and affection for them since Al became Michael and I find the whole premise of Michael and Marcie being super sleuths and trying to nab Dr. Long pretty silly. Here we have Dr. Long who is up to his eyeballs in illegally trafficking donated organs…and then we have Michael and Marcie doing a very bad imitation of Starsky and Hutch trying to bag the bad guy.
I’m just as good at suspending my disbelief as any loyal soap viewer, but are we supposed to sit back and accept Marcie borrowing a lock-picking kit from a cop so she can break into Dr. Long’s office? I’m sure Bo would be very happy to know that one of his officers gave that to Marcie and showed her how to use it “for her book research.” It’s one thing to try to get us to believe something and it’s another to just put silly material on the air. They know that Dr. Long is a serious criminal, yet we’re expected to believe that Michael and Marcie pull their silly antics without a care and when they get caught Marcie stands there babbling away like a kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar. Dr. Long set them up like the fools they are and they fell right into his trap. Not that Dr. Long is any smarter than they are. He’s watching them like a hawk but he’ll probably regret not using that gun in his desk to silence both of them. I could believe this storyline a bit better if Michael was on duty and was discreetly investigating with Dorian and having John run the show…but this storyline is just ridiculous…from Marcie sneaking around in a long, blonde wig to Shannon taking pictures on the roof…and the only good thing that has come out of it is a string of wonderful performances from Erika Slezak…as usual.
So…I don’t believe it’s really Viki’s storyline…rather, it’s a showcase for Michael and Marcie, which is not working as far as I’m concerned. I’m sure a lot of people don’t agree, but to me it’s just silly and not even funny when it’s meant to be.
The only thing saving this storyline is Viki and isn’t it just too bad that she has to be sick in order for us to see some great acting? Somewhere along the line, TPTB have lost sight of the fact that Erika is just as good, if not better, when Viki is healthy and happy. She touches my heart and makes me cry every time she’s in a scene. Maybe I should start billing ABC for my Kleenex.
There wasn’t a scene Viki was in last week that wasn’t wonderful. I loved her scene with Jessica in the hospital when Jessica told her she’d been accepted into the journalism program. That was a great mother-daughter moment. Too bad Antonio wasn’t as excited. Anyway, we’ll get to him later. Viki and Starr are a joy to watch. Poor Starr, wondering if her running away made her Aunt Viki sicker. I love that there is someone who Starr is totally devoted to and respects and what better person than her Aunt Viki?
The scenes between Viki and Dorian were incredible. There is almost nothing better than watching these two women go at each other and then realize how much they have in common in their devotion to their families. I loved that Viki, after being so exasperated with her family for babying her, was thrilled that Dorian had the guts to duke it out with her about Todd. I remember back when Viki was going through her chemo treatments and Ben was talking to her about his situation with Renee. Viki was thrilled to be treated like a real person and not like a patient then…and she feels the same way now when she’s doing battle with Dorian. She hates being treated with kid gloves. What an incredible line when Dorian left Llanfair after their argument about Todd and Blair and Viki said, “Dorian, if I die, who will keep you honest?” Dorian’s silence spoke volumes as she walked out the door. No way does she want to lose Viki.
And were there any better scenes than Viki and Todd’s? They were amazing. I find it hysterical that Viki has much more of a sense of humor now that she thinks she might be dying than when she had cancer. She’s amazing. Isn’t it just like Todd to be sitting at Viki’s kitchen table gulping down a plate of muffins while poor Viki is starving and can’t eat before her test? When Todd kept talking about food and Viki yelled at him not to use the “F” word, I nearly died laughing. And I loved the way she got furious when Todd told her that Dorian made him promise to leave Blair alone. How funny was Todd when Viki questioned whether or not he would keep that promise and he said, “What kind of pills are you taking? Viki Lord Davidson telling someone to break a promise.” I thought that was pretty cool myself. I adore the relationship between Viki and Todd. It’s more fun and more heartwarming to watch than any other relationship Viki has…other than with Ben, of course….OF COURSE!
OK…on to Starr…thank goodness she’s been found. Although the scenes in Central Park weren’t the most exciting or as realistic as I’d hoped they’d be, they weren’t bad and I did enjoy the interaction between Blair and Todd. Heaven help me…am I routing for these two to get back together? Yet again?? I had a feeling that Starr would be the one to just about save her own neck and she sure did when she stole her phone out of Laser’s pocket and let her dad hear the carousel in the background. Who knows when those Keystone Cops would have found her? Once again, Kristin Alderson more than holds her own in scenes with “the big guys.” She’s an amazing little actress and I love watching her.
Now, on to Atlantic City…you know…the town that’s across the street from Llanview…LOL. John is in Llanview and finds out that Natalie is in Atlantic City and before she has time to walk the distance from one slot machine to the next, he’s at her side. But hey, I’m not complaining…him being at her side is okay by me. Things seem to heat up and cool down between John and Natalie faster than they can travel from the slot machines to his apartment. Just when I was sitting back enjoying them finally getting down to business…WHAM…Caitlin slips in between them. John is kind of taking one step forward and two steps backward and I loved the conversation where Natalie talked about Caitlin’s pictures being right there in the drawer with John’s shirts. It was great that she pointed out that he starts every day going to that drawer and seeing Caitlin’s photos. What a great point that was. And John sure had to think about that later on when he opened that drawer. I hope he starts turning in the right direction…but will Natalie get in over her head with Paul before that day comes? Probably so.
And now, sadly, on to Roxy. I was so disappointed in her last week. She’s got a bad gambling addiction and someone ought to point her to the nearest Gambler’s Anonymous Meeting. I couldn’t believe that she lost all of Nigel’s money, especially after she knew that he sacrificed his prized antique coin collection to get the money for her. Big mistake letting her go alone to make the payoff, but poor Nigel trusted her. What really made me angry with Roxy was that she let Paul play her like a violin. As soon as he saw that wad of money in her purse, she was at his mercy. I figured she’s tell him to put his plan where the sun doesn’t shine when he suggested that if he married Natalie, her money problems would be over. One thing about Roxy that I always liked…no matter what scheme she was into, she did usually look out for her kids. So when she suggested to Natalie that getting together with Paul wouldn’t be such a bad idea, I was really angry at her….gambling addiction or not. She’s been pushing Natalie and John together for months and all of a sudden the promise of a little money turns her head. Did Roxy forget for a minute there that Natalie is, as she puts it, the “fruit of her looms?” And how outrageous was Roxy’s line to Nat when comparing John to Paul she said, “I think he’s got more fun in his joystick than Mr. Straight and Marrow?” She is unbelievable. I couldn’t believe she got away with that line…too funny.
Little Matthew…he’s a cutie…and he learned so well from Starr, didn’t he? I thought that was a pretty slick move when he invited Bo and Nora separately on that camping trip…telling Nora it was for mothers and sons and telling Bo it was for fathers and sons. He’s getting way too good at being sneaky and with that cute little innocent face, he could have his mom and dad walking down the aisle by the Fourth of July.
And speaking of Bo and Nora…I am really enjoying the little comments they exchange…especially when Bo teases Nora about Daniel Coulson. And what kind of fairy dust did they sprinkle Daniel with anyway? He was sure a sweetheart with Matthew last week. I think the whole Bo/Nora/Daniel/Matthew storyline is going to get very interesting. I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
Is Kelly trying to get caught by Kevin? Why on earth did she have Todd meet her at Asa’s house when she knew Kevin could walk in…stupid girl!
And I can’t wait to see Antonio working at the strip club while Jessica, Jen and Marcie are having their girls’ night out at the same club.
Could RJ have been any more of a baby when he got mad that Evangeline didn’t want to move in with him? I’m with Evangeline…when did that relationship move to that level anyway? Same old RJ…gets what he wants or stamps his feet…or gets someone killed…LOL!
And of course, the best line of the week…Kelly to Todd: “Get rid of Paul.” Kelly should have thought of that the first time Paul tried to squeeze money out of her. Finally Kevin is investigating someone who deserves it. Is Paul going to be the victim of the big upcoming murder in Llanview? Rumor has it that Kelly finds his body. Could it be true? Could we be getting rid of Paul so easily, or are we being set up for even more misery from that weasel? Stay tuned….
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Jane writes: “I've heard Viki mention a sister named Eugenia but has never mentioned what happened to her. Was she on the show when it first premiered and if so, what happened to her? It's too bad she can't be brought back; Viki having a sister would make a cool story line.”
Dear Jane: Eugenia was Viki’s mother, who died when she was a very young girl. Viki’s sister was Meredith, who was part of the original cast of One Life To Live. She was married to Larry Wolek, hence the close relationship between Viki and Larry to this day. Meredith died of a serious illness many years ago. She and Larry also had a son, Danny, who was on the show for a while and lives away from Llanview at this time.
Alison writes: “I just had to comment about the rumor that Viki will get Ben's heart. You and other readers feel that this is a terrible idea, but I have to say I find it very emotional and appropriate. It reminds me of a real-life story many years ago of a woman who died whose heart went to her father. In any story of a heart or other organ transplant, there is always the sense of the deep appreciation and closeness that the recipient feels for the donor. If Ben cannot be alive, then I do feel that sharing his heart is a befitting closure to the story and would allow Viki to always feel that Ben is with her. I honestly see nothing wrong with this storyline. In fact, when I read about it, I thought it was a beautiful way to bring them together if they cannot be together in life. Thank you for reading my side.”
Dear Alison: Now you made me mad! Just kidding! When I began reading your email I thought, “Oh, here’s another person out to get my goat.” However, as I read on, I thought you were so polite and seemed so heartfelt in your opinion that you ruined the fun I was going to have blasting you. Okay, since you have appealed to my nicer side, I will politely say that although I will never budge in my opinion that this is the most vile storyline I’ve heard of in a long time (if it comes to pass), as always, I value and respect all opinions and post opposing views all the time. The way I see it, there is no reason to kill Ben so it’s just an easy way out for TPTB that “Ben cannot be alive.” I won’t even go into the unrealistic part of the whole storyline wherein Viki would never be a candidate for a heart transplant with her medical history…or the fact that by some flip of a magic wand his heart would be a match. I am very well able to suspend my disbelief when necessary. I feel that if they were planning to remove Ben from the canvas, they should have done it a long time ago and they certainly should not have given his fans the hope that they gave them on Valentine’s Day. I don’t think a heart transplant does anything to bring together two people who have so much life left to live together. It’s a sad and sorry substitute for Viki actually having Ben in her life and it’s an insult to me for TPTB to think that this will make me happy and that I would want Viki and Ben to be together this way. For me there is no satisfaction in that. Thanks for voicing your opinion…I always love a chance to talk about Ben…no matter what.
Susan writes: “I was wondering if you know if Michael Easton is a cigarette smoker? He seems to be chewing the heck out of some gum lately and maybe that's how he gets through the filming schedule without a puff? As much as I despise cigarette smoke, I have to say that Mr. Easton would be welcome to blow some in my face anytime!!! I think he's the best addition to the cast of OLTL since Roger Howarth years ago! I know of another addition/replacement that I could have done without and my son agrees with me; David Tom as Paul. We think all he can do is whine, and open his eyes wider and wider no matter what the occasion!! I have to wholeheartedly agree with you about Kathryn; she is totally boring and adds nothing to the canvas whatsoever. I hope the FBI sends her to Alaska on an extended assignment! Thanks so much for your comments. I have been watching OLTL for about 33 years and my son has "watched" ever since I was pregnant with him, and he is still hooked at age 21, LOL!”
Dear Susan: LOL…I have no idea whether or not Michael Easton is a cigarette smoker and although I agree with you about the appeal of Michael Easton, I’m not sure I’d go so far as to let him blow smoke in my face…but I certainly do get your point and have to agree that he is quite easy to watch. Although I have no comment about David Tom, the person, I do agree that Paul Cramer is one despicable character and I wouldn’t mind seeing him go, along with Kathryn who just grates on my last nerve every time I see her. I think it’s cool that your son “watched” the show from the womb…LOL…now that’s what I call watching in comfort.
Crystal writes: “I recently read that this baby switch storyline was going to end before they originally planned. Do you know when that will be? Frankly, when I heard about the story before it broke, I thought it would be intriguing and fun to watch, but I was sorely wrong. I watch both AMC and OLTL every day and I am enjoying the Starr storyline more than anything right now. I never though a 12 year old actress would make me want to come home every day to watch that day’s episode on tape.”
Dear Crystal: I, too, heard that the baby-switch storyline would be cut shorter than originally planned and I couldn’t be happier. I don’t know when it will end, but obviously Kelly’s secret won’t last much longer with Kevin’s suspicions raging. The storyline is a bust as far as I’m concerned and just forces us to watch endless scheming, plotting and deception every single day. That’s gets to be a bore after a while. I couldn’t agree more about Starr. I’ve been singing that young girl’s praises for years and she gets better every day.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2004
