| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….I suppose the biggest story of the week is the breakup of John and Evangeline. As you might imagine, plenty of people have written with their opinions and all I can state is my own opinion. I’m glad she called it off once and for all. I’ve been saying for some time now that despite the fact that I still do love John, Evangeline deserves better than to be with a man who can’t give her what she needs most. The wisest words came from Michael last week when he told John that if you’ve been sleeping with a woman for a year, you need to say the words. And honestly, I don’t think it has as much to do with Natalie as some people do. Of course Evangeline was driven by what she thinks John said to Natalie, but that was just the last straw in a long line of so many frustrations and disappointments Evangeline has suffered in her relationship with John and in her quest to have a normal, grown-up, forward-moving relationship with him. To me, the fact that he could stand there silently and see how badly he hurt her and still not be able to give her what she needs and deserves said more than a thousand words. I at least admire John for admitting to Michael that he wants to find love again but just doesn’t know how to do it. He never lied to Evangeline and she can’t blame him. This was just the point where she knew it wouldn’t get better and had to face it. Good for her. I’m looking forward to finding out what it is in John’s past that Michael keeps alluding to that will explain why John can’t let himself love anyone.
And Natalie…I continue to wonder why her character is being written as the vindictive, immature little girl we’re seeing these days. Natalie has a lot more heart than they are giving her credit for and having her throw herself in John’s way and push him right after what he’s been through with Evangeline was just awful. Shame on Natalie. If the writers are trying to get Natalie’s fans to turn away from her, they’re doing a good job. They need to turn her around…and soon. I was glad that John yelled at her, “Natalie, Enough!” when she kept pushing him about Evangeline two seconds after they broke up and Evangeline left in tears.
OK, on to a pleasant surprise. I loved seeing Jackie McNaughton back in Llanview last week. Of course I could not see him without having some wonderful flashbacks in my mind of…who else…dearly departed Ben. It was interesting that Antonio wanted to make use of his services to get the goods on RJ and even more interesting that Jackie had any loyalty to RJ. I guess I like to remember Jackie from the Ben days when he was a “good bad guy”…LOL! But Antonio is right…when the chips are down and the money is scarce, RJ will surely take the illegal way out. I hear that Antonio is going to buy Capricorn. Oh boy, I can’t wait to see the repercussions of that move. It’s interesting that now Antonio has the thing RJ covets and needs most…lots of money.
And now we have good old Asa down in Argentina plotting with Carlo Hesser to kill Blair. Yawn, Yawn! It’s fun to have Carlo back…I’m kind of sick of Asa and his antics though. And can someone tell me how Adriana went from finding out from tracing his phone call that Duke was in Argentina, to finding out exactly where he was and getting there so easily? Of course, we all know about the creative geography they use on the show. New York is five minutes from Pennsylvania…Las Vegas is about twenty minutes away…so I guess Argentina might take a whole hour to reach…no?
I don’t know about you, but as much as I love Renee, I wanted to give her a good shake when Duke was arguing with Asa about what he did to Blair and Renee said, “Blair is ok and Asa did no irreparable damage.” Wake up Renee…your old cowboy has snowed you enough times that you shouldn’t be defending him at this point…especially since he just kidnapped you, too. Jeez, what is wrong with that woman?
I’d say Tess is getting a bit sloppy, wouldn’t you? Now Todd is onto her and I can’t wait to see what she has to say to him now that he has confronted her.
And talk about history repeating itself. Do you think Llanview Hospital needs to get some psychiatrists on the payroll that actually know what they’re doing? Did Dr. Jameson go to the same school and take the same course in hypnosis as Rae Cummings. Oh wait, I don’t even think Dr. Rae took that course. It was like seeing history repeat itself right in front of my eyes. Did anyone have any doubt that once he brought Tess out he wouldn’t be able to get her back in? That was just plain ridiculous.
Is anyone out there fond of Dr. Spencer Truman yet? Hmmm…no hands raised here. He’s quite an obnoxious and smug jerk, isn’t he? Too bad he doesn’t have more arms….he could juggle more women than just Blair and Kelly. Hey, maybe he can do it anyway. And tell me writers…how did he get Kelly’s cell phone number after just meeting her in The Palace restaurant so that he could invite her to dinner? Just a question I know has no reality-based answer.
Could I love Rex and Bo any more? Those two are priceless in their scenes together. I loved it when they were talking at the police station and Bo asked Rex what he was going to do with himself. I died laughing when Rex said he was tired of the dark side and said, “I know, I’m growing on you” and Bo said, “I’ll have to ask Paige if she has an ointment I can use for that.” Bo and Rex are the best pairing I’ve seen on this show in a very long time.
Why can’t Michael and Marcie just get back together already? I don’t even understand what is keeping them apart. Whatever the reason is…it’s stupid and not even believable…that’s all I can say.
The scene where Nora convinced Riley to go into rehab was terrific. She really got to him when she kept telling him about how Matthew looked up to him and needed him as a big brother and that she didn’t want to have to tell him that Riley ran away from his problem. I wouldn’t mind seeing Riley come back whole and learn to deal with what has happened. He sure got a bum deal from his disgusting father.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens between those loving brothers, Spencer and David….not to mention what Paige’s involvement in the whole thing turns out to be. I think Nora is going to find out what Paige’s story is and will debate whether or not to tell Bo. I’d hate to see Bo hurt by a woman yet again, but honestly, I can’t stand him with Paige. I can’t remember another relationship on the show that had less oomph than theirs. What a snooze. Let’s get Bo back with Nora…let the sparks fly.
I loved Kevin’s jealousy when he realized that Kelly was going out to dinner with Spencer. I think a little competition is just what Kevin needs. And it was even funnier when Viki came by and rubbed the fact that he was jealous in his face. She’s such a great mom and she knows exactly how to push Kevin’s buttons, that’s for sure.
And in closing, although I know that the John/Natalie/Evangeline mess was very serious and very emotional last week, I have to give Roxy credit for lightening my mood when Natalie told her that John and Natalie broke up and she told Natalie, “John’s free and clear and he’s going to be looking for a place to hang his nightstick.” Oh my goodness…my hat is off to the person who writes her lines…I nearly died laughing. I laughed almost as hard when Natalie first rushed in and Roxy said, “What happened, did someone try to deep fry you again?” LOL…nothing like the worry and concern of a dedicated mom, huh?
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Glynisramey writes: “I came across your commentaries and I must say that you have no problems showing your biases. You have never given any support to Renee Goldsberry. I understand this is your column and your write what you feel, but you can't deny what she has brought to this show. Researching comments and synopses of the show, Michael Easton and Melissa Archer didn't get this much exposure prior to adding her to the story. Once again I know this is your commentary, and you write what you wish. Just wanted to add my comments also.”
Dear Glynisramey: I appreciate your comments and yes, you are correct in saying that I have no problem showing my biases, whether they be with regard to Evangeline’s storyline or any other on the show. Where we fail to agree is at the point where you say I have never supported Renee Goldsberry. Actually, I have always said I liked and had a high regard for Evangeline. I have like her from the beginning…I like and admire that she is a strong woman personally and in her career…I think her friendship with Nora is a great addition to the show and I like that she’s one of the good guys. What I don’t make any bones about is my opinion that she’s wasting her time with John and that she deserves much better than what she’s gotten from him. She needs what he can’t give her and it has on many occasions made her seem insecure and needy and I don’t think she should allow herself to be made to feel that way. Ending the relationship was what she needed to do for her own self respect and she was smart to do it. As for Michael Easton, he got plenty of exposure as John before Evangeline came on the show. When he joined the show he dominated the airtime and he still does. For tons of fans his charisma is unmatched which is why so many fans followed him to OLTL in the first place. Melissa Archer had tons of storyline as Natalie before Evangeline’s character was introduced. She burst onto the show in a major storyline with Natalie’s involvement with Viki and Jessica, followed by her relationship with Cristian, not to mention Mitch Laurence. There’s no doubt that the John/Van/Nat storyline has dominated a lot of airtime, but I don’t see Evangeline as the one providing everyone with storyline.
John writes: “I have a few questions & maybe
you'll know the answers.
With Roxy's (Ilene Kristen) current Emmy nod--- do you think they (the higher
ups) are more willing to see what a star they have in her and bring her back on
contract??? I don't know how you feel about Cat Hickland but I love her and love
Lindsay- sorry to see they dropped her to recurring status too! What do you
think they'll do with Rex - now that Jen is out of the picture?? Clean him up
and make him a cop?? And last but not least-- do you think they will ever finish
off Viki's family and bring back Tina??? I'd love to see a Tina recast.”
Dear John: Since I have no idea what the higher ups are ever thinking, I can’t say that Ilene’s Emmy nod will make a difference in her status. I can say that it would please me tremendously if it did make a difference. We always need more Roxy. I think Catherine Hickland is great. I’ve never been a big fan of Lindsay, but Cat sure does a great job of making me want to give her a good smack sometimes, so as an actress, she gets high marks from me. As for Rex, I’d love to see him in the Police Academy, wouldn’t you? Hey, it worked for Sophia…and there would be so much great material for Rex and Bo that the writers could go on forever. Hmmm…Tina…I really never missed her much and honestly, don’t you think Viki has enough crazy family members to deal with without worrying about Tina? If you know anything about me, you know that there’s only one member of Viki’s family that I believe HAS TO COME BACK….and just to bug the tons of fans who think I mention him too much, I’ll do it again…of course, it’s Ben!
Jim writes: “I love the song that Evangeline sang on the show on Valentine’s Day. Can you tell me the name of the song and where I can buy it? Ever since I heard the song I haven’t got it out of my mind and her voice is like an angel singing it.”
Dear Jim: Yes, it is a beautiful song…and one that’s been around for a while. It was written and sung by Stevie Wonder and is on an older album of his called “Innervisions.” Wait until you hear him sing it.
© Copyright by Katherine Thurston, 2005
