| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….So, have you figured out yet who killed Paul Cramer? Don’t even ask me…of course I haven’t figured it out. I have a feeling that once Tico dies this week no one is even going to care who killed Paul. Everyone will be so overjoyed that Tico is gone that they won’t even remember Paul’s name. Well, maybe some of them will remember his name.
Actually, if we go by the theory that it’s never the person you most suspect, then I’d have to take a closer look at Lindsay and Jen. I thought all along that they both had enough motive to kill him, but I also figured that Jen probably wouldn’t go that far. Having Lindsay kill Paul, after she’s already killed Sam while aiming for Troy, would be kind of…shall I say, “overkill.” Now I don’t know what to think of those two after Nora confronted them about their alibis. I think it’s funny that both Jen and Lindsay think they are protecting each other. And what about RJ? He’s loyal to Lindsay and he’s also loyal to Dorian. Hmmm…interesting.
I was even thinking that the eyewitness who claims to have seen a woman with Paul in the cemetery before he died could have been paid off by someone to come forward and lie. And how surprised were you when at the end of one show, the eyewitness picked out #4 from the lineup, who was obviously Natalie…and then they surprised us the next day by saying that Dorian was the one the eyewitness pegged? It sure surprised me. I was also surprised that Kelly was conveniently left out of that lineup. I know she was out of town but no one even mentioned that she was a prime suspect just like the others. And I thought it was interesting that in the lineup there were two redheads, Natalie and Dorian…and two blondes, Lindsay and Jen. I’d say that any defense lawyer could rip that eyewitness’s testimony to shreds by asking how she could identify one redhead or blonde from the other when it was dark in the cemetery.
Are you getting a bit tired of Lindsay always blaming Nora for her problems and Dorian always blaming Viki? Boy, these women need to get a life and take some responsibility for all the murder and mayhem they always seem to be involved in. Wasn’t Lindsay just a bit obvious when she booked a trip for Jen and Riley and insisted they leave right away? Hmmm…too bad Lindsay hasn’t grown up half as much as Jen. It seems like the roles have reversed with these two…and it was especially evident at the police station when Lindsay kept trying to blame Nora for her woes and Jen got so tired of hearing it she said, “Mom, shut up, please!” Thank goodness one of those Rappaport women has grown up.
Kudos to the writers for bringing back the fondest memories and the best laughs of past Thanksgivings when Nora and Lindsay tangled over the turkeys and tried to have peaceful holidays that were never going to happen. I still fondly remember the Thanksgiving when Nora and Lindsay tore up Viki’s kitchen while Nora tried her best to do the impossible…cook dinner…and Lindsay at the same time invited the same group of people to dinner at the country club. Of course, those were the most fun days for me because they involved my favorite brothers, Sam and Ben.
OK…all of you non-Bo and Nora fans turn the other way for a few minutes. I loved the scenes between Bo and Nora on the day before Thanksgiving. Again, memories of past holidays were great, especially Bo remembering all of Nora’s failures in the kitchen. I think these two are definitely coming closer to realizing, even if they won’t yet admit it, that they are meant to be together. It was very cute when Nora asked Bo to watch Matthew while she went away with Daniel for a weekend…Bo pretended it didn’t bother him…and then said he couldn’t watch Matthew because he and Paige were going skiing. I was a bit surprised when Nora went on about Bo and Paige hardly knowing each other enough to go away together…but my biggest shock was how well Bo covered his true feelings. I truly believed he and Paige had plans to go away and I just about died laughing when that sneaky little devil called Paige after Nora left and asked her if she wanted to go skiing. I didn’t know Bo had it in him…that was adorable! I hope it’s not too much longer before Bo and Nora realize what they’re doing and just drop their defenses and go for it together.
And Natalie’s woes continue to pile up. Now she’s got Cristian back…the supposed love of her life…and she can’t get John out of her mind. It was very telling when she was dreaming about Cristian and he suddenly changed into John in that dream. As if this storyline didn’t have enough turmoil, now we have Cristian back and he only knows John as the horrible FBI agent who got Natalie into trouble in the first place and caused his own disappearance. Even though Antonio tried to tell Cristian that a lot has gone on and John is a good guy and a friend, I think it’s going to take a lot for Cristian to accept John’s existence in their lives, especially because if he has any smarts at all, he’s going to see very quickly that Natalie has serious feelings for John and vice versa. I feel very sorry for the position Cristian is in and he’s really the last person I want to see hurt. I’m very interested in seeing how the next couple of months play out.
Once again I laughed my head off when Natalie ran to Lions Heart once she realized that Tico knew who Cristian was…when she approached the door, turned the knob and walked right into the house. Not only was the door unlocked, as usual, but why is it that every time someone wants to sneak into that mansion the butler is never around to catch them? We all know that if Tico had his usual reaction to his help being lax, that butler would have been dead a long time ago. And you’d think that on the biggest night in Tico’s master plan, while he’s got his biggest bargaining chip tied up in his house, he’d at least make sure his door was locked and someone was watching over Cristian. It’s totally hysterical what the writers expect us to believe.
I sure do wish that Viki would give Tico a big kick in the shin every time he puts his hands on Jessica. It makes my skin crawl…I know it makes Jessica’s skin crawl and it’s just about all Viki can do to keep her mouth shut about Jessica’s marriage. It would be so great if Viki even had a clue of what Tico was up to…but Viki is too busy trying to figure out what her daughters are up to.
Now, of course I have to close with comments about my favorite scenes of the week. I took such a wonderful stroll down memory lane when Natalie was hiding Cristian in Viki’s attic. I couldn’t help remembering all the great scenes from when Viki was hiding Ben in the attic. We all know that for me, Cristian is no Ben, but it was kind of funny to see how much Natalie thinks like her mom. When Viki found the attic door locked and knocked on the door, I think it would have been wonderful to see her give a little bittersweet smirk and remember when she was up there with Ben and Jessica and Will came up and found them together. I also think Viki gave up much too quickly when Natalie wouldn’t let her into the attic. Viki sure knows what can go on up in that attic, doesn’t she? Oh well, some flashbacks of Ben and Viki would have been lovely…but I’m sure it was too much to hope for. I will never see the hallowed ground of that attic and not think of what a shame it is that we don’t see the great fun and romance we used to be treated to on a regular basis.
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Since it seems that everyone’s favorite topic these days when it comes to One Life to Live is the Natalie/Cristian/John/Evangeline “situation” (at least that’s what the majority of my mail has been about lately) I thought I’d give equal time to both sides and let everybody sound off.
Helen writes: “I have to agree with you. I, too, believe that there is a lot more to come with John & Nat. I think that John is more comfortable with Van because the relationship is not as deep as the one he has with Nat and the feelings he has for Nat scare the heck out of him. I had to laugh on Friday when Nat was trying to get rid of him and he was very interested in her rings. I think John will be very jealous if he can't continue to play hero to Nat now that Cris is back.”
Dear Helen: I don’t necessarily think that John’s relationship with Natalie is deeper than the one he has with Evangeline. The two relationships are very different. I agree that John’s feelings for Natalie scare the heck out of him…they always have. It always seems to me like he enjoys being with Evangeline, but even though he keeps saying he’s devoted to her and wants to be with only her, his actions don’t say that, like the other day when she found him with Natalie’s file even though the police are concentrating on Dorian. It’s my feeling that John will back off from Natalie if he realizes how Cristian feels about him, but Cristian isn’t stupid…he’ll be able to see that there is something between John and Natalie.
Robbie writes: “I just wanted to comment on the Natalie/Cristian non-chemistry you see. I don't know, maybe I was THE only one who felt sorry for Natalie when she first came to Llanview. And then when Cristian befriended her and eventually fell unconditionally in love with her. That just made my heart melt. She was a beaten down child-woman who had no loving figure in her life, especially from her mom (Roxy) and she had walls of steel around her heart. It was Cristian that made it through those walls. It was Cristian who constantly took up for her and it was Cristian who ultimately helped her love herself. All that bells and whistles chemistry stuff you gotta watch out for. Just like a fire it can be long gone the next day. Cristian and Natalie have a foundation of true friendship then true love, that' s the best chemistry ever!!! (Kinda like Bo and Nora). John is too wishy washy, he wants what he can't have and then if he gets it he doesn't want it anymore, so juvenile. I still say Nora needs a new last name. (Hanen, Gannon, Buchanan)!!”
Dear Robbie: I definitely agree with you…it was Cristian’s presence in her life that helped Natalie turn her life around…no question…and I certainly agree that the bells and whistles don’t last forever…but on soaps, when it comes to romantic couples, most fans live for the bells and whistles. Of course friendship is the best basis for a lasting relationship, but when I watch a couple on my soap, I want the bells and whistles. When they get to the Renee/Asa stage, then the can settle down…lol…but I definitely do not think that hot chemistry and true love are mutually exclusive. I think that Natalie and John became friends first. It took a long time for Natalie to get over hating John and blaming him for Cristian’s death. Once she finally saw John for the good person he is and accepted the fact that he felt bad enough about Cristian’s death without her constantly reminding him of it, they went to another level. They were friends and even without a real physical relationship, they sizzled on the screen. Just my opinion, but Nora and Bo still have the sparks. They play games with each other all the time and dance around their true feelings. I think their relationship still has a lot of sizzle under the teasing.
Teri writes: “Is it my imagination or what …??? I was surprised at the reaction of Natalie and Antonio when Cristian “came back from the dead.” Everyone seemed just a “little” surprised. Not overly excited. Seems Jessica showed the most emotion of anyone. Oh, and Natalie has been carrying Cristian wedding ring with her everywhere? For a year? I guess I missed how where she got his ring back. You would think there would have been a lot more emotion going on in Llanview.”
Dear Teri: As I said last week, I didn’t find much heat in the Natalie/Cristian reunion, but I don’t agree about Antonio. I think he was overcome with emotion at seeing his brother, forgetting about his feelings that Cristian was no longer his brother because he is now a Santi. I think that’s about as much emotion as Antonio shows except for when he’s raging and breaking furniture. And about the wedding ring…she always had her ring…she took it off when she was about to get serious with John a while back…but Antonio gave her Cristian’s wedding ring when he “died.” It was sent to Antonio and he gave it to Natalie. I guess she has a big enough purse to carry all the rings around…lol.
Clara writes: “I need someone to explain something to me. First of all, I love JoVan. They have respect for one another. Someone please tell me what is wrong with Natalie? Each time she has approached John about the two of them he simply states they are just friends. Does she need a hearing aide to understand that? Cristian who is supposed to be her soul mate is back and all she has shown me is that she is a liar. What happened to "I will not act on my feelings?" She makes me want to puke being so needy. Doesn't anyone believe in strong women? Someone please let the girl grow up!!! Also are the writer's blind? Do they not see the emotions between John and Evangeline? I am so tired of every single time there has been a mixed couple (black & white) on this show one or the other does something stupid or becomes so insecure they break up. John should tell Natalie in no uncertain terms, that he is in love with Van. There is a big difference between loving someone and caring for them. I am not alone in my opinion. Our whole fan club, which is bi-racial feels the same way I do to the tune of 300+ women.”
Dear Clara: Do you really believe that John feels he and Natalie are just friends? Does it seem strange to you that he would risk his career for someone who is just a friend? Maybe Natalie never believed that John was just her “friend” because he never said it with any kind of conviction. One minute they were ripping each other’s clothes off and the next minute he couldn’t go further with her because of his hang-ups about his deceased fiancé. He’s been more than a friend to her since the day they met. And yes, Cristian is back but he’s been gone for a year…a year in which Natalie has lived a lifetime…a year in which she formed a relationship with John and made a horrible mistake with Paul. I don’t find it inconceivable that although she still loves Cristian very much, she has honest feelings for someone else. Regarding John and Evangeline…in all the mail I’ve gotten about the John/Natalie/Evangeline triangle (and I’ve gotten tons of it), I have not even received one e-mail where race even entered into the fan’s feelings about either couple. It’s always about their couples’ feelings for each other and how deep the relationships really are that people are talking about. If the writers are of the opinion that they shouldn’t keep a couple together because of racial differences, they’re just ignorant, but the Natalie/John/Evangeline triangle has never been portrayed as having anything to do with race. And I have one question for you. How can John admit to Natalie that he’s in love with Evangeline when he has never acknowledged that to either himself or Evangeline? Did I miss his declaration of love to Evangeline?
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2004
