| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….There was some interesting stuff on One Life To Live last week, but for me, it was all about John, Natalie, Evangeline and Cristian. Oh boy…where to begin!
First of all, I was surprised that Layla tipped her hand so easily and came right out and told John what she thought about him “hiding files in his apartment.” I haven’t seen a face drop likes John’s did in ages. I shouldn’t really have been surprised at Layla…she can’t keep her big mouth shut for anything so why start now? If she really had a brain in her head she would have copied the DNA test results and returned the file to John’s closet. It wouldn’t have bothered her to break in again, that’s for sure…but I guess at that point she didn’t care.
The biggest shock for me was Evangeline’s behavior. I have to say…I was sitting with my mouth hanging open most of the week when she was on screen. Let’s start with her visit to Cristian. I got the distinct impression from the minute she sat down with Cris that she didn’t care much about what he had to say…she was only concerned with trying to convince him to get his life back and get his wife back. Isn’t it strange that all of a sudden her main concern is truth, justice and seeing that Natalie’s life turns out right? I was wondering when Cris was going to catch on to the fact that Evangeline wanted revenge against John and didn’t give much of a hoot about his and Natalie’s happiness. I’m sure that in some way, since Evangeline is basically a decent person, that she felt it was wrong to keep the secret about Cris’ identity…BUT…NOW WAY was her goal to make things right for Natalie and Cristian. Her goal was to get revenge for what she THINKS was done to her at the hands of John McBain. When she told Cris to “take back your life and take back your wife” it was as if she were fighting in court and not really caring about Cris. I think using his family to sway his decision was pretty low also.
I am the first one to admit that there is no way that John should have agreed to keep Cristian’s secret from Natalie, Carlotta and Antonio. I think John should have told Natalie the truth, even if he had to tie her down to make her listen. There’s no way he should have taken Natalie to bed before the truth was out in the open…BUT…I don’t believe that John kept the secret for his own gain. I think he really believed he was honoring Cristian’s wishes and keeping Natalie from suffering with her husband in prison. Whatever your opinion may be, I don’t think it was any of Evangeline’s business to be the one to take this situation into her own hands. If anything, she should have gone to John first. When Cris agreed to let her help him get out of jail, I saw a pleasure in her eyes that was equal to vengeance…not the satisfied look of an attorney doing right by a client.
It’s obvious that John feels guilty about keeping the secret. I like his honesty about his feelings where Natalie is concerned. He’s not comfortable with her letting him off the hook for not speaking his feelings and he told her so, admitting that he feels stronger about her all the time. Maybe the fact that she doesn’t pressure him will allow him to open up…I hope so.
I was shocked by Evangeline’s behavior when she went to John’s apartment. The things she accused him of and the things she said to him were ridiculous, let alone mean and nasty. I guess she thought it was a good idea to start off the conversation by calling him an S.O.B. Yeah, that was constructive. I thought that accusing him of using her all along to keep Cristian locked up so he could have Natalie for himself was a really low blow and as far from the truth as she could get. John never took his relationship with her lightly and he had real feelings for her. John knew right away that she was acting out of anger and hurt and he takes responsibility for that, but let’s not forget (and someone should keep reminding Evangeline as John did) that she broke up with John long before any of the recent trouble that’s been going on. John NEVER used Evangeline. She stayed in that relationship with her eyes wide open and when she couldn’t see a point where she’d get what she needed out of it, she cut her losses and walked away. Yes, she still loved John, but he never promised her that he’d be able to give her what she wanted. She has to take responsibility for staying with him and waiting for him to change.
And one thing I find very interesting is….lots of people think that Natalie is immediately going to run to Cristian’s arms and want to be with the “man she really loves.” I seem to remember when Cristian came back the last time…when everyone believe he was really Cristian…and although Natalie was with him and was trying to make it work, she was always thinking about John and putting herself in his orbit and she was never able to stop thinking about him…even with the return of her long lost love. I remember her talking to her mother about it many times and Viki always saw the conflict that Natalie had over her feelings for John even though she got Cris back. I think Natalie’s conflict when she finds out the truth will be over John lying to her…not over where her true feelings lie…but we’ll see, won’t we.
I did like the way John stood up to Evangeline. I found it more than harsh on her part when he told her he would take responsibility for keeping the secret and that he deserved anything she wanted to throw at him and she told him, “a grenade would be too good.” Is this a woman who wants to see a wrong made right, a man’s life returned to him, or is this a woman who wants revenge for something that she has no right accusing John of? I liked when John told her, “Don’t even tell me you’re concerned for Natalie.” How right you are, John. Evangeline got such pleasure out of letting him know that she was going to help Cris get out of jail and when she said, “And you can kiss the tortured hero thing good-bye” it felt like another person had entered her body. I’d never believe that Evangeline could stoop to that kind of behavior and I was saddened and disappointed to see a character like her, whom I like and admire, take the route she took.
Moving on….so, what happened to Margaret? I guess we’re supposed to assume she’s dead. I was getting tired of seeing that boat sitting out there on the water. I wanted to see he washed up on shore, or drenched to the skin out on the road hitching a ride. That would be so much like Margaret. And how stupid is Todd? Does he think that he’s going to just get everyone to believe that they can let their guard down because he says Margaret has left town? Wake up Blair! I hope Starr blows him out of the water because she’s too smart and knows too well that her family has been through enough to let her father get away with sticking his head in the sand, thinking everything has just gone away.
It is becoming more and more obvious to me that Spencer is going to do something disgusting like “father” Kelly’s baby. There have been too many references made already, like “Spencer is going to give us a baby” and “Can you believe that because of Spencer I’m going to have your baby.” I get nauseous just thinking about this. What else could he be plotting where Kelly is concerned? And he’s certainly proud of himself that he’s gotten her to go along with his plan to help her get pregnant.
And how is Spencer going to use Ginger now that he has something to hold over her head? Catching her with that money in her hand was just about the worst thing that could have happened to her…but was it? Rumor has it that Ginger is somehow Spencer’s daughter…I don’t know anything about this…but people are talking about it. Hmmm…who would be her mommy?
Well, some little girl has found her backbone…hmmm…Adriana was quite the little spitfire last week. Not a very pretty side of her, was it? I guess she’s totally fed up with Duke ignoring her and choosing to work over being with her…and I’m sure that her anger has more to do with the fact that she’s very attracted to Rex and feels guilty about it. She sure laid it on Duke when he came over to confront her about kissing Rex, didn’t she? She really did behave like Dorian’s daughter, that’s for sure. And Duke, oh boy…what kind of fool is he? I think he would have been better off shooting himself in the head than telling Adriana that maybe Asa was right about the crazy Cramer women. Not very bright of you, Duke. I would imagine that robbing a bank would have gotten you in less trouble than saying that to Adriana.
I didn’t mind seeing Adriana in action with Dorian. Dorian deserved it when Adriana said she hated her for what she did. Out and out blackmail of your own daughter is about as low as you can get and the fact that Dorian just figured she’d get over it was a gross miscalculation on her part. But Dorian doesn’t look too unhappy that her daughter hates her now, does she?
I’m not sure I agree with Kelly not wanting to commit to marriage but committing to having a baby with Kevin. I guess I’m old fashioned…but don’t put the cart before the horse. If she has doubts about the commitment of marriage, she should hold off on the idea of having a baby, especially when she’ll be going through so much to have a child…if she can. If she’s willing to go through all that with Kevin but won’t marry him, then something is very wrong, in my opinion.
I’m getting tired of Tess grabbing her head when Jess tries to get out. I say get her back to Llanview and let’s get Viki involved in this storyline before we all get too bored with it to care. It’s been hanging too long over the summer and needs to move on.
Marcie and Hugh are a really cute couple…more as good friends I think, than potential lovers. I think it’s time for Marcie and Michael to get back together. And why doesn’t Michael just get his butt between Marcie and Hugh and say what he wants to say to her. He’s not the type to back off…so why do it now when everything is at stake? Make a move, Michael! Marcie needs to know how much he still loves her.
And finally…isn’t it always the case. Roxy turns out to be the one to alert everyone as to what’s going on. I loved the way she told John that Layla had been in his apartment when she said, “I thought your apartment was being ran-sucked!” Where would the people of Llanview be without Roxy to let them know what’s really going on?
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Vera writes: “I love Nat & John together. He seems to be more relaxed and even smiles once in a while (too cute) BUT Layla is another story she just is not needed on this soap. I don't know how much longer I can stomach her. Do you think the "suits" will let her go "for storyline" reasons (LOL)?”
Dear Vera: I couldn’t agree with you more about John. I like the way he’s starting to open up with Natalie…well…as much as John can open up, of course. It seems to be a lighter relationship without the stress that was involved in John’s relationship with Evangeline where her expectations of him were always hanging there and he could never live up to them. I’m not saying it was wrong for her to expect what she wanted from him, but maybe with Natalie giving him the “no pressure” attitude, he’ll be able to open up one of these days. Of course we have no clue what’s going to happen with Cristian thrown into the mix, but I’m anxious to see what the future brings.
Suze writes: “I LOVED last Thursday's show with lots of HUGH!.... WE WANT MORE HUGH! I know he's meant to be a love triangle for Marcie and Michael, but let's face it... Marcie and Michael belong together. So who will Hugh end up with? There's something about a man in a suit, with a boyish grin and twinkle in his eyes that makes my toes curl! TPTB - please keep him on screen!”
Dear Suze: Oh yeah…I think Hugh is one adorable guy and I always love to see him get airtime. I agree, Marcie belongs with Michael but I’m sure that a friendship between Marcie and Hugh will continue to be a wonderful thing and I have no doubt that TPTB can find a great girl for Hugh…and NOT, I hope, the Super Model type he’s been having no luck with thus far.
Peggy writes: “I sent you a e-mail last week and suggested that you must have had a brain fart when you picked John and Nat as a couple. Since it really upsets me to see them together I have started taping the show and fast forwarding when they show them together. This way I don't have the urge to throw something at the TV.”
Dear Peggy: Gee, I’m sure I didn’t get your e-mail last week, because I never would forget having seen an email that described my opinions in such a colorful, if not tacky, way. It’s too bad that it makes you so upset to see John and Natalie on the show together so much because you’re probably going to wear out your fast forward button. I don’t think they’re going away any time soon. But never fear, VCR’s are really cheap these days.
Linda writes: “What ever has happened to Larry Wolek? He used to appear at least occasionally enough to let us know he was around but he hasn’t been on for a while? Did I miss something or how did they write him off? Did he die? Take another position? At least they dealt with it when Max left town for good. What’s up?”
Dear
Linda: They never dealt with Larry leaving Llanview. Up until a couple of years
ago, whenever anyone on the show was in the hospital we got to see Larry come
out of the woodwork for an episode or two, but we stopped seeing him when that
storyline appeared where Dr. Long (the organ stealing doctor) was in the
forefront. Since then, we’ve had Paige, Michael and unfortunately, Spencer
Truman handling hospital duty and no word has even been given as to why we never
see Larry any more. Maybe Spencer has him tied up somewhere…lol. I miss him and
he’s always at the top of my list when I discuss old characters that I miss
most.
© Copyright by Katherine
Thurston, 2005
