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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….I think last week was a great lead-in to February sweeps. Lots of good action going on!
I guess I’ll start with poor Todd getting the death penalty. Notice I called him “poor Todd.” Can’t help it…I feel sorry for the guy. I’d like them to let him out for just five minutes, but only if he promises to use that time to pummel Spencer.
I thought it was heartbreaking that Blair showed up at the prison and then couldn’t make herself go in to see Todd. The heartbreaking part was that he knew she was there and it would have been so much less hurtful to Todd if she hadn’t come at all. It was sad to see her standing outside up against the wall with Todd knowing she was there and waiting for her to come in. Obviously, she was in great pain because she still loves him (even though she used the word “loved”) and can’t quite reconcile her belief that he killed Margaret and the baby.
Hmmm…were any of you surprised that good old Margaret is alive and well and waiting for Spencer to come deliver Todd, Jr.? I hear that Spencer is going to have some trouble delivering the baby. Will complications drive him to a hospital and expose him? I’m sure not! At least not yet! And are we going to have to see Todd with the needle on its way into his arm before everyone finds out that you can’t execute a man for killing a woman and a baby who are alive? I guess if they can sentence Todd to death in such a short amount of time (unheard of), they can execute him in about 2 weeks, right? That seems about right for soap years since it takes at least 10 years to execute someone on death row in real life.
And I was really annoyed that Todd’s sentencing coincided with Niki Smith popping out so that Viki couldn’t be in court with Todd. That was awful planning on the part of the powers that be, if you ask me.
I guess now we have to talk about Niki and Tess. As usual and as always, Erika Slezak gave a stellar performance last week as Niki. She was funny, scary and annoying all in one and equal credit has to be given to Bree Williamson as the ever-intriguing Jess/Tess. It was amazing to watch how Niki kept working on Tess and finally convinced her that Nash was in love with Jessica. The way Niki badgered Tess in the car was really hard to watch. Viki would be so upset to know what Tess was going through at the hands of Niki. I was hoping that Tess would spill the big secret and tell us just what happened in that bar when she was “born”, but no such luck. And to top it off, Niki’s opinion about Nash was confirmed when Tess finally got him on the phone and when he knew he was talking to Jessica he said, “Honey, are you alright?” Niki had Tess so worn down that she’d believe anything at this point about her “little old wine maker.”
It was really creepy the way Niki was able to get out. That argument with Clint was just what Niki needed to push Viki over the edge. And that was some humdinger of an argument between Clint and Viki. Quite enough honesty if you ask me. Viki sure didn’t mince words when she told Nash that he was hurting the situation and when it comes to Jessica, “You, sir, are not a part of her world.” You wish, Viki. But that led into such a fight with Clint…wow. Clint had a lot of stuff to throw at Viki, didn’t he? Too bad all or most of it was true…I’d say all of it was…from him telling her that she is more afraid of Tess than Jessica is…to him telling her that she doesn’t want Jessica to need Tess the way she needs Niki (ouch, that hurts)…to him telling her that he is as right as she is in his opinion because he knows what it’s like to love someone with her problem and he can sympathize with Nash’s feelings. It’s a good thing he left the house when Viki told him, “GET OUT!” I have no doubt that she would have thrown something at him if he stayed and said one more word that she didn’t want to hear.
So Clint winds up with Dorian. Oh, Clint and Dorian…this couple makes my day. They are too funny together. It was a riot watching the two of them matching shots and getting drunk in the bar together. Clint is in his own little world dealing with his family and Dorian is trying to blot out her pain over David by throwing herself into a big party with Clint. I died laughing when Dorian wanted to know where she and Clint were heading after they got a room in the hotel and shared some drinks and food and Clint looked her in the eye, dead serous and said, “Just because I’m eating cheese with you doesn’t mean I want to have sex with you.” That was hysterical…just like when Clint told he she used to be a good dancer and she said, “I’ve still got my mojo.” Yes you do, Dorian. I think the funniest part of Clint and Dorian’s “relationship” is the way everyone else looks at them when they are together…like the expressions on David’s and Bo’s faces when they opened to hotel room door and saw Clint and Dorian together. And how about when they were all at Llanfair trying to figure out how to find Niki and Tess and Dorian stopped by to offer to help. When Clint asked Dorian to come in I thought Bo’s teeth would fall out. Did you see his face…it was like, “Nah, he couldn’t be interesting in go there, could he?” The way his eyes just followed Clint in disbelief was hysterical.
And here’s to another “poor” lonely guy….Yes, although he got himself into this mess, I feel so bad for poor, sorry, David. Dorian is having so much fun at his expense. She won’t relent even a little when he tries to get back in her good graces. All she cares about is that he humiliated her in front of all her society buddies in town, even though she knows how ruthless Spencer is and that he would put David behind bars without a second thought. Dorian didn’t spare a speck of David’s feelings when she told him that she and Clint were economical equals. That sure made David feel small. Bad Dorian!
There sure was a lot of honesty on the show last week. How refreshing was it for Kevin to come right out and tell Kelly the truth about his sterility? I was shocked because usually that’s the kind of thing that someone on a soap would hide so as not to hurt, or even lose, the other person. Good for Kevin! It’s hard to see him in such an insecure state of mind. That’s just not Kevin and when he got so sensitive about Kelly confiding in Duke, I could have smacked Spencer for lurking at the bar and being so proud of what he’d done to Kevin.
OK…let’s get to it…John/Natalie/Evangeline and Cristian. First of all, let me just say that no matter what anyone says, I see tremendous chemistry between Evangeline and Cristian. They have great conversations together, care about and respect each other, and that dance looked mighty nice from where I was sitting. I had a good chuckle when Natalie was at the bar with John and saw them dancing together and just couldn’t resist marching right over to try and cut in. She is so transparent…that’s one thing she really has to work on, don’t you think? I was glad that Cristian blew her off and didn’t let her cut in. It was great when he told her that he had her penciled in on his new calendar but she wasn’t interested, so he penciled in his friend Evangeline. Whoa, go Cristian! That sure shut Natalie up, didn’t it?
And John…what can I say? I love this guy. I love the way his character is evolving and last week…hallelujah…the boy starting listening to what people were telling him. It took Michael, Evangeline and finally Natalie talking to him to get him to realize that even though he won’t change him mind about what happened with the shooting in the church, what he did could have had horrible consequences and just maybe he needs some help. Oh sure, he is telling everyone that he has decided to go into therapy to get them off his back, but he wouldn’t do it even for them if he didn’t think that to some extent they were all right and that he needs some help.
Although everyone was brutally honest with John, it finally was his conversation with Natalie that convinced him to get some help. I loved his scenes with her where he asked he why she didn’t just walk away from him and she said, “I can’t do that.” He opens up to Natalie more than anyone else…like when he told her that he’d do the same thing all over again that he did what he did at the church because he was keeping a promise to his dad. I was surprised when he told her that of all the people in his life, she is the last one he expected a kind word from. I don’t know why that surprised him. She loves him and that didn’t just go away, even though she is not ready to face it. Of course, she’s not ready to face that she still loves Cris either…but it seems like she’s about to move in one direction…BUT WHICH ONE???? The thing about John and Natalie is that they speak very plainly to each other. When she thought he should go for the therapy, all she said was, “I’m not saying you need it…but hey, it’s worth a try…why not?” She just gets him…that’s my opinion.
And the best conversation of the week was John’s conversation with Michael where he…I know, unbelievable….apologized for what happened in the church and was so relieved that Michael forgave him for what happened and for what could have happened. It was very touching when he told Michael that he couldn’t live with himself if he had ruined their relationships. I love these two brothers. They have such a great relationship…they are so different…and there are so many ups and down between them…but they have such a strong love for each other and I love that.
Hey, I just heard that Bob Woods signed a new 4-year contract, so contrary to rumors, our beloved Bo Buchanan isn’t going anywhere any time soon. To some people’s surprise, Kamar de los Reyes also signed a healthy contract. Hmmm…I guess he’ll be tangling with someone for quite a while, too…but who will it be?
And in closing, with all the drama, there continues to live a wonderful sense of humor in our sweet, lovable David Vickers. He can make us feel his pain while at the same time we are laughing our sides off. I couldn’t contain myself when Dorian threw that drink on him and he told her, “This jacket costs $15.00 to clean and this sweater costs $9.00 to clean…you owe me….$28.00. And then when she told him he was being ridiculous and that this wasn’t high school, he replied, “Are you kidding….the year I spent in high school was much worse than this.” I think we need a full comedy hour one day with David and Rex cutting up all over Llanview…that would be a treat!
See ya
next week….
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Brooke writes: “Please help all of us OLTL fans figure out the drama with Jessica and the mystery baby she will soon have! It has to be Antonio or I will totally give up on happy endings. I honestly don't think their family could get through all this if it was Nash's or someone else’s she happened to meat at a bar and slept with?”
Dear Brooke: I think all of get caught up on the drama of who is the father of Jessica/Tess’s baby and we don’t think about all the men Tess has slept with. Wouldn’t it be a riot of the baby’s father was neither Antonio nor Nash? Now that would be a great plot twist, but I’m sure we’re going to find out that the baby belongs to either Antonio or Nash. I can’t agree that the only way we could get a happy ending would be for Antonio to be the father. I think that interesting things are happening between Jessica and Nash and when Jessica is integrated, Nash just might be the one she wants and if he turns out to be the baby’s father, it would all fit wouldn’t it? And as for Jess’s family…after all they’ve been through in their crazy lives in Llanview, having Antonio not be the father is small potatoes as far as I’m concerned.
Vera writes: “All that you said about Michael Easton (aka: John McBain) was so true. I just love this character. Not since Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) has an actor truly played his part with such emotion. I, too, like his pairing with Natalie. I only hope that since he has just about lost everything dear to him that he & Nat find their way back to each other and have the kind of relationship that true love has to offer. As for Rex...he is fabulous. His wit and expressions are so cute. He will do well as a P.I and will be able to work with his father figure, Bo. As for Rex being the son of Paige...nah, I totally think it's Hugh, I'm probably wrong but that's my guess.”
Dear Vera: I love the job Michael Easton is doing on the show and I am fascinated watching John evolve into a consciously feeling person…even though he has a long way to go. I love the connection between John and Natalie…but whom will she choose? I can’t wait to find out. Ah, Rex…totally adorable. I hope Spencer is not his daddy but it would be incredible to watch the conflict in Rex…finally knowing his father and knowing what a total creep the guy is. I’m happy watching Rex’s relationship with Bo evolve….they are as good a son and dad as you can get.
Sheree writes: “With all Todd has put Blair through the past few years, is it any wonder Blair wants to lean on someone else, forget everything and lose herself in another person? As far as she knows Spencer has been a stand-up guy and doesn't show his dark side. Everyone has been telling Blair for YEARS that Todd is bad etc. She doesn't listen to them and a lot of fans think TnB are SOULMATES (yeech). Dorian, David and Paige know what Spencer is REALLY like, why isn't anyone blasting them for not saying more to Blair and everyone else in town.”
Dear Sheree: I don’t believe in using a lot of excuses for Blair. She’s been the consummate con-woman for years. Yes, she’s a pretty decent, stand-up person now, but she’s been down in the dirt with the best of them in Llanview and if she needs someone like Spencer to hold her up, she’s just dumb and blind…oh, and she’s deaf, too, because Dorian and David have tried to drill it into her head many times that Spencer is dirt and she doesn’t care to listen. Paige hardly knows Blair and she has enough of her own dirt in her past to deal with without worrying about Blair. Blair should be able to spot Spencer as a smooth talking snake from a mile away…she just doesn’t want to.
Lynn writes: “Last Valentine's Day Evangeline sang a BEAUTIFUL song "All in Love is Fair" or something like that. Can you tell me the name of it, who originally sang it and IF there is a recording of Evangeline singing it that I can buy? I have the original CD of One Life To Live Songs and would LOVE to have another with Marcie & Evangeline singing!”
Dear
Lynn: I don’t know if there is a recording out there that you can buy of Marcie
and Evangeline singing, or of Renee singing that particular song, but that
beautiful song was written by none other than Stevie Wonder. Many singers have
covered it, including Barbra Streisand and I’m sure you can find it on lots of
CD’s.
© Copyright by Katherine
Thurston, 2006
