| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
|
REFLECTIONS BY JILL….Well, last week was a short week for One Life To Live, but definitely not a bad one. I don’t know what I dislike more…finding a soap opera rerun on Thanksgiving Day (which I don’t watch) or watching college football on the day after. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love football…I just have a preference for the NFL and as rotten a season as they’ve been having, I love my New York Jets and never miss a game. I just prefer a new episode of my soap to college football. Oh well!
It was very interesting to see what happened when Tess emerged during that mega-kiss from Nash. The character of Nash, for me, gets better every week. Funny, he’s become the levelheaded person in this situation. He certainly could have taken Tess’s suggestion and been on the next plane for California without a glance backward, but it was great to see his reaction to her wanting to run away. It’s obvious that Tess has changed also, in that she’s proving herself to have somewhat of a conscience and is at least willing to listen to Nash, rather than take off with or without him. She sure doesn’t want to deal with having that baby and all that it represents. She called the baby a colossal mistake. It tears down everything she thought she was and everything she thought she wanted to do with her “new life.” It’s obviously her love for Nash that had her even slowing down to listen to what he had to say. The fact that she didn’t blow up and lose her mind when Nash told her that he wouldn’t leave town with her because he made a promise to Jessica, was huge. Oh, she didn’t like it that Jessica had that much control over Nash, but she did deal with it. The old Tess probably would have hauled off, hit him in the head and run as fast as she could to get as far away as she could. Although I still have my doubts about the need for this DID storyline, I think it’s being done very well and it is sure giving Bree Williamson a chance to strut her stuff as an actress. She doesn’t disappoint.
And Niki Smith is out. Well, well…as I have always done…I alternate between wanting to smack her and laughing my head off at what she says and what she does. I can’t say I was surprised that she left Dorian lying on the floor in Victor’s crypt, not knowing if she’d really be okay. I have to say that once again, Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser provided an incredible clinic in acting for anyone who was interested in seeing how it’s done. They are incredible together and as Dorian and Viki they charge up the screen like no other actors are able to. It was incredible to watch what happened when Viki finally annoyed Dorian enough to play her game and get down and dirty in order to bring out Niki. When Dorian gets revved up there is no stopping her and I was watching open-mouthed at Viki’s reaction to Dorian’s tirade about every dirty little detail of what Victor did to her. It was amazing to watch Erika’s face change, contort and cringe at every horrible word Dorian spewed out in detail about what Victor did to Viki and how he abused her time after time…until it was inevitable that Niki would come out to ease that pain. You could see the nausea bubbling up in Viki. No two actors do it better than these two and they are never better than when their characters are going at each other.
Niki did provide me with a lot of laughs. As much as I hated the idea of Niki coming back, I love seeing how much fun Erika has playing her and her irreverence. I had a major laugh when Niki was informed by Dorian that Clint was in Llanview and Niki said, “Clint? Don’t tell me he’s back. What happened to Benji? The last time I saw him he took a bullet but he’s a big strong guy.” I laughed at her surprise when Dorian pointed to Ben’s monument and Niki realized he was indeed dead. (I say that for storyline purposed, but of course, I don’t believe Ben is dead…lol!)
Nothing is funnier than Niki’s visit to Foxy Roxy’s. What a pair…Niki and Roxy. Roxy noticed that something was off right away, but of course, she’s easily distracted, especially when a bottle of booze is involved. I was hoping that Roxy would give Niki a more dramatic makeover, but knowing Viki, Roxy kept I pretty tame. I wonder what Roxy is going to think when she realizes that the money from her cash box is gone. She did think she was being robbed until she found out it was “Viki” in the shop and not a robber…so what will she think when she finds the money actually missing?
And how funny was Niki when she saw Rex and said, “I know that guy. He’s the one with the dog’s name.” Can you just see Rex and Niki partying together?
In all seriousness, I read a comment made by Head Writer Dena Higley where she said that we are going to find out soon that indeed Jessica’s DID was caused by something Niki did, but we won’t find out what it is until May sweeps. Ms. Higley did say that it was going to be something very bad. She said that most of the times soaps stay away from something like this that is not palatable, but they are going for it. I’m not happy to hear that. It can only mean something disgusting for Jessica to deal with, not to mention what it could do to Viki…which I hate. I wonder just how dark an alley we’re going to go down with this storyline before it is over. When the Head Writer gives a warning like that, watch out.
And over to the prison riot. Say what you want…but I feel sorry for Natalie. Hasn’t she dealt with enough after her ordeal with Hayes? I can’t imagine how she’s going to figure out her feelings now…and before she gets a chance to do that, she’s going to be in Carlo’s clutches. This gets nastier and nastier, doesn’t it?
So John and Cris admit that they don’t like each other…big surprise. The funny thing is that if they weren’t in the situation they’re in, John and Cris probably would get along really well. At least they acted halfway normally when Cris said that once they got out of the prison, if Natalie decided she wanted to be with John he wouldn’t stand in her way…and John said that Cris is her husband and if she wanted to be with him he would back off. Very mature boys…now let’s see what really happens.
TV Guide says that Renee Elise Goldsberry’s pregnancy won’t be written into the storyline. Funny, Renee said that she was glad because if Evangeline were pregnant on the show it would not be true to the character because it would mean that Evangeline had a one night stand some time after she broke up with John. I say that’s funny because the way soaps are written, I just assumed that if they wrote the pregnancy into the show they would make it that she was far enough along for it to be John’s baby. They’ve done so many things that are more unbelievable than that….I never gave it a second thought that it wouldn’t be John’s baby.
Personally, I’m glad there won’t be a baby involved in this storyline because this storyline should be about the characters making decisions on whom they want to be with and not what’s best for an unborn child. Of course, what’s best for the child always wins out…as it should be. I’m glad that element won’t come into play. And to the person who wrote to me last week saying that I was unfeeling about Renee’s pregnancy because I said “Oh no” when it comes to the storyline….please, give me a break. Of course I’m happy for Renee and her husband and their coming blessed event. Can we say “separate reality from Soapland?”
On to Mr. Todd. I loved the fact that finally, even Viki, Blair and Starr, the only people who ever stood behind Todd have doubts about his innocence. Finally, he has told enough lies that the few people who truly love him are finding it hard to believe him. Maybe that will finally make him see the light. I doubt it though. It was hard to see Starr visit Todd in jail, trying to convince him that she believes he’s innocent when it’s obvious she has major doubts even though she loves her father desperately.
So, what’s the deal with David and Paige? When David told her that Spencer threatened him with revealing that he’s a murderer, Paige said, “If you’re a murderer, then so am I.” Just what did these people do?
And this week poor Ginger is going to bite the bullet. The car accident will prove to be fatal, even though lovely Spencer will try to save her life. How responsible was Spencer? I can’t say I will miss Ginger. I wasn’t looking forward to watching her try to seduce Duke and watching Adriana’s immature reaction…and I certainly wasn’t in favor of seeing Spencer get more air time because of his involvement with her.
And in closing…Bo is going to be shot at the prison…and it gives me the creeps that Spencer will be involved with him at the hospital. Maybe Bo can share a room with Nora so Spencer can really annoy Paige by playing God over both of them. The word is still out on whether or not Nora will wake up. Wouldn’t it be funny if she woke up just in time to see Spencer trying to do something sinister to Bo? Spencer would probably wriggle out of it by saying that Nora’s brain is malfunctioning and she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Hey, I’m doing everything I can to think of ways to get rid of Spencer. I don’t think Paige and David are going to kill him….hmmmm…do you?
See ya next week...
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Sharon writes: "WHY in the world would Viki bury Ben in the same mausoleum with her deranged father, Victor Lord? Now I really hope Ben is alive instead of spending eternity with that sicko! I don't know why they had to drag up this Niki Smith stuff again, but I guess we're stuck with it until the May sweeps. They say that the outcome is going to be very bad! I wonder if maybe Niki molested Jess. That's about as bad as it could be. That will drive Viki right over the edge. I wish Evangeline would leave Natalie alone about her feelings for Cristian. Natalie is confused enough. Evangeline is so hot for John that it's making her needy. She is acting more like Layla every day."
Dear Sharon: I have asked myself a zillion times and written about it when Ben died and I can't for the life of me figure out why Viki would have Ben wind up with that horrible creature, Victor Lord, for all eternity. The only answer I can come up with is that Ben is not really dead. That's the only way I can live with the fact that Viki put him there. I didn’t think Niki would have molested Jess (but you never know) but I agree, the secret can't be good and I'm sure we're not going to enjoy hearing about it. As far as the John/Natalie/Cristian/Evangeline wars...they continue and will for a long time, I'm sure.
Susan writes: "I have to agree with you. I found Evangeline asking that question inappropriate, but I'm of the opinion that Miss Evangeline wants John (Heck, she should have never broke up with him if that was the case). What awful thing did he do to her to warrant getting dumped? Nothing! I think Christian will manipulate Evangeline, and she will end up scheming for John's attentions, but I believe John and Natalie will prevail!"
Dear Susan: Of course Evangeline wants John back. She didn't deny it when Natalie accused her of wanting John back…she just said, "No I don't...not like this." John didn't do anything awful to Evangeline. She broke up with him because he couldn't make the commitment to her that she wanted and hung around for. I don't blame her for breaking up with him because she was smart enough to know she wasn't going to get what she wanted and decided to stop wasting her time. When all the poop hit the fan and Cristian's secret came out, I think Evangeline was hurt and angry and nothing was going to make her believe that John didn't deceive her all along. I think John had true feelings for her but he could never quite put Natalie behind him. I don't blame Evangeline for finding it difficult to get over John, especially in a town like Llanview where you can't go out for coffee without stumbling over the whole town.
Regdelvont writes: 'I have one question Jill. Do you really think John loves Natalie? If John loved Natalie don't you think he would have told her about Cris?"
Dear Regdelvont: Yep, I do think that John loves Natalie. Let's remember that I am the first one to admit that John is far from perfect. He is screwed up emotionally in many ways and I don't think he knows what love is in the true sense...or he doesn't know how to express how he feels. However, I think he really believes that he was keeping Cristian's secret because Cristian make him promise to do it. Sure, John was human enough to make the mistake of not telling Natalie in part because he was afraid he'd lose her...and I’m not saying he was right, but yes, I think he loves her or he would have told her and easily accepted that he could lose her.
Carol writes: "Let me know where I can send my donation to the "Get Rid of Spencer" fund."
Dear Carol: Oh boy, if
only there were such a fund. I'd be a major contributor. There should be some
kind of relief for those of us who have that illness caused by Spencer. I think
it's called the "Skin Crawl."
© Copyright by Katherine
Thurston, 2005
