"Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live

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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….So, Kevin brought Ace back to Llanview. That was very smart…NOT! I guess Kevin doesn’t think Ace has been bounced around enough so he decides to go uproot the kid again. Is he deluding himself? Does he think this is the way to put his family back together? I hate the way he is trying to manipulate Kelly by playing on her emotions every time she sees the baby…pushing her to hold him and feed him. I’m so tired of Kevin and his selfish ways. I wish the old Kevin would come back and rid us of this alien. Ever since the day he stepped back into Llanview he’s been into one scheme after another…and I’m sick of him throwing around the “I’m the Lieutenant Governor” line.

The only good thing that has come out of this baby stealing storyline is that we are getting back the old Kelly, the one who knows right from wrong and has a sense of ethics. She was on a destructive course for a long time and I’m happy to see her stand up to Kevin, especially when he asked her to be on his side of the custody battle and she told him she was on the baby’s side. Good for her. I’m still trying to figure out what kind of a leg the Buchanans have to stand on when it comes to custody of Ace…especially now that another DNA test will be done. I hear that Kevin is finally going to tell Kelly that he knows that the judge was bribed and that’s how he got custody of Ace from her. That’s going to go over really big with Kelly…don’t you think?

And how far into Adam Chandler’s pocket is Daniel Coulson? Gee, it’s too bad. I was really getting to like Daniel a lot and now he seems to be reverting back to the old idiot District Attorney I couldn’t stand when he first came to Llanview. Now he’s making his veiled threats again about the fact that someone (Jen) better watch “her” step because her head could be next on the chopping block for Paul’s murder. Daniel’s tactics are getting old. When was the last time we had a D.A. on a soap opera who wasn’t out to annoy every innocent person in town. I think it was Hank Gannon…too bad he’s gone.

I could have smacked Daniel when he told Riley that Jen was still attracted to Rex. What’s his problem? I can’t wait for his dirty secrets to come out. I feel sorry for Nora when they do…she can’t seem to find anyone who doesn’t have a hidden agenda.

And how lovely…Jessica pointed the finger at Antonio for pulling Tico’s plug. I could have sworn she’d finally tell us it was Cristian. Supposedly Cris is going to make a monumental confession pretty soon, but poor Antonio is going to be arrested for Tico’s murder. Jessica really needs some help. I wish Viki would drag her to get some very soon.

And speaking of Viki…she remains the voice of reason and truth on the show (aside from Addie, of course…lol). I love the way she gives Natalie total understanding when it comes to her upset over her relationship with Cristian and her fears…and I love the way Viki calls a spade a spade when she keeps bringing up the fact that Natalie continues to bring John into her situation no matter what. Natalie finally had to admit to someone…and I’m glad it was her mom…that she still has those feelings for John and doesn’t know what to do about them or what she wants, even though she loves her husband. I was glad that Viki was honest enough to tell Natalie that it’s obvious to her that John has feelings for her as well and that he’s not just looking out for her safety…and also that even though her feelings for Cris are not the same as her feelings for John, it is possible to love two people at the same time in different ways. I do wonder though if that was indeed the best thing to say to Natalie, who is already more confused that she needs to be.

That brings me to John. I never mind talking about John, but he’s getting very obvious, isn’t he? Has anyone noticed that every time he is thinking about Natalie too much or dwelling too much on what’s going on in her life, he sets up something or distracts himself by turning to Evangeline. It was obvious to me the other day when he was so involved with the situation with Natalie and Cristian and all of a sudden he decided to call Evangeline and have her come running to his office for an impromptu dinner and some heavy duty smooching. Now, don’t get me wrong…with any other couple it would have seemed like a very romantic gesture to me…but it’s very obvious to me that John is trying to convince himself that he has a life and that it doesn’t revolve around Natalie. And we all know that just isn’t true.  Natalie sees it…she knows there’s something between them…and she told him so when she asked him if he’d leave her alone if it turned out that Cristian was really himself. He said he would and she said she didn’t believe him. I don’t believe him either…and he knows he was lying when he said he would leave her alone.

And you know we can’t let a week go by without talking about Margaret and Todd. Let me just say this…Tara Signor deserves an Emmy for her portrayal as Margaret. She is so over the edge it’s a wonder to me that she hasn’t fallen off it yet. I don’t think I’ve laughed as hard in ages as I did when she put on that wig and dressed up like Blair and did her lip synching routine to Blair’s song to Todd. I was just happy that we got to see her doing it in three scenes…I could have laughed all night long. The southern accent was a beautiful touch…I don’t know how Trevor and Tara were able to get through those scenes without dying of laughter. I would have loved to be on the set for the taping of those scenes.

Do you think Todd got just a little bit angry when he saw Starr and Jack on the television and couldn’t get himself free? And now he’s set the cabin on fire. Oh well…if this fire is anything like the avalanche then the place will be in perfect order the next day. Could you believe that after what we saw of that avalanche…with all the snow pouring into the cabin…that we’re supposed to believe that the dynamite only blew the porch off the cabin and Todd was safely back in bed and the snow cleared away immediately? That was ridiculous. Margaret should have had enough of a mess in that cabin to make snow cones for a year.

And what about Adriana standing up to everyone…acting like a real “Cramer Girl?” She’s really getting some guts, isn’t she? And how funny is it that the tougher Adriana talks the more Dorian loves it. Could she be any prouder of her baby girl…talking like a true offspring of her trouble-making mama?

I think that February sweeps might just be enjoyable to watch this year. Goodness knows it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to say that and to be optimistic about the writing. I sure couldn’t say it last year when the writers decided to rip my heart out on Valentine’s Day by bringing Ben back for a few words…never to awaken again. Gee, was that a whole year ago? I think it’s almost time for someone on the show to come back from the dead…I mean, come on, it’s been a while since anyone has done that…and rumor has it that they are looking for a 40-ish actor to play a love interest for Viki. Gee…it would be so easy. Enough time has gone by and as Roxy says, “The past is water under the fridge.” I’d be happy to write the storyline…free of charge!

See ya next week...
Jill Berry

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

William writes: “I would like to know how Todd goes to the bathroom? I mean through this lllllllooooonnnnngggg storyline he must have had to relieve himself and you know you would think he could overpower Margaret when he does. How long must this go on? I am enjoying the various other things about OLTL, but the stories still seem to drag.”

Dear William: Too funny! I actually had this conversation with some friends about a year ago when Dorian and Viki were stranded after the plane crash and we came to the conclusion that, of course, people on soap operas don’t go to the bathroom. They don’t have the same bodily functions as the mortal world…lol…and therefore they can lie in a ditch or stranded and tied to a bed for months on end and never even have the urge. William, I’m surprised you didn’t know that little fact. Think about it. When was the last time you saw someone on a soap opera doing anything in a bathroom except a sexy shower scene? Hard to think of one, isn’t it?

Dennis writes: “I have written you before, got no response, however I still love ya....As for the John, Natalie, Evangeline thing. I am SICK OF IT. Every time you turn around, they are feuding, practically breaking up, and then kissing and making up. JUST SICK, SICK, SICK OF IT. John acts like he is the big cheese and owns Llanview.”

Dear Dennis: I appreciate your writing to me and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to answer when you’ve written before. I’m surprised and flattered with the amount of mail I get each week and since I can only answer a few e-mails every week, I don’t get a chance to answer everybody even though I read every single one. I can see that you are SICK, SICK, SICK of one of my favorite storylines. Sorry about that. You’re right though…they need to come to some kind of decision as far as who is going to be with whom where John, Natalie and Evangeline are concerned. Do you really think John acts like the big cheese? Isn’t he? Kidding…can’t help it…I really like John, even though many times I want to smack some sense into the boy.

Betty writes: “I don't understand why everyone is on Kevin. He thought all this time Ace was his and Kelly is a liar. I would be furious if I were Kevin. I would have shot her. What happened to love? Though he is adopted, Kevin doesn't love Clint any less for not being his biological father. Clint would have killed for his kids. And has everyone forgotten how Kevin tried to stay away from Blair and now all the problems are Kevin’s fault. Give him a break and let memories come back. It’s the writers who are making Kevin look bad.”

Dear Betty: I can very easily explain to you why everyone is on Kevin. Very simply, he has become a real creep…that’s why. Ever since he came back to Llanview a couple of years ago he hasn’t been the same. It’s like aliens have invaded his body and soul. Yes, Kelly lied to him about the baby. She was wrong and she was desperate to hang onto a husband who was blatantly running around town chasing after her cousin. I’m just wondering…when was Kevin trying to stay away from Blair? All of a sudden we are expected to think that Kevin is a devoted and loving father to Ace when all he’s done is use the baby to get back and Kelly and further his political career. He knows how he won custody of that baby (by Tico bribing and then killing the judge) and it didn’t bother him in the least to rip Ace out of Kelly’s arms…just like he did to Babe. Sorry, I have no sympathy for Kevin’s so-called problems and there is no comparison between this situation and Kevin’s adoption by Clint. Kevin and Joey are Viki’s kids, raised as young boys by Viki and adopted by Clint when she married him…all above board, legal and loving. Clint wasn’t keeping Kevin from being with a parent to whom he rightfully belonged and who wanted him back.

 © Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2005