| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on One Life to Live | |
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REFLECTIONS BY JILL….Usually I save the “I can’t believe how great she is” comments for Erika Slezak and of course she always deserves those comments….but this week, all the glory goes to Bree Williamson for her amazing portrayal of Tess. I was glued to my screen and floored by how great she was. We waited a long time for Jessica’s secret to come out…to find out what actually happened to her when she was a little girl…and we waiting equally as long for Tess to have to deal with everyone finding out that secret. I couldn’t have imagined the intensity of the performance we saw from Bree when Tess walked into the library at Llanfair and saw that tape with her name on it lying on the desk. Watching Tess break down when she realized what the tape was…and watching her reaction when Viki and Clint tried to tell her that they wanted to help her was amazing. It was as if Tess was transported somewhere else where nobody really understood how devastated she was. That was evident when Viki tried to talk to her and Tess screamed, “I don’t want to be a part of Jessica’s life…I have a life of my own.” You could feel her terror and how alone she felt.
As powerful as the scenes at Llanfair were, nothing could compare to the scenes where Tess confronted her abuser, a broken Norman Leeds, in his hospital bed. We could feel every emotion pouring out of her when she spoke to him and told him how he ruined her life. And when she tried to smother him with the pillow, I couldn’t help but want anything for her that would give her some peace. Her pain was palpable when Nash found her, pulled her off the man, and she cried, “Please, let me finish…he deserves to die.” All I can say is that if I had to pick a scene for Bree’s Emmy reel next year, I wouldn’t have a clue where to begin.
I also give a huge amount of credit to Forbes March who made me feel Nash’s pain down to the bone. He was also incredible in portraying Nash’s pain for the woman he loves when he sat and watched the tape…realizing what Tess had been through. He was amazing in the scene with Jerry ver Dorn as Nash vented his anger and pain at Clint for not being there and not doing anything to prevent what happened to Jessica/Tess as a child. I don’t know whom I felt more pain for…Nash or Clint…when Nash asked him why he let it happen and said, “You were her daddy…you were supposed to take care of her.” I felt horrible for Clint when Nash held the tape up in his face and said, “I may not know anything about being a father, but I can do better than this.” I can only say that I admire Nash even more than I did before, because after he got his rage out, he went to Clint and apologized for lashing out at him. Nash’s “I’m sorry, sir” was a true testament to the gentleman and decent man that he is and I hope he stays around for a long time. My heart also went out to Clint, who took every bit of criticism and condemnation Nash dished out to him. Jerry has fit so well into the canvas as Clint.
Were you as shocked as I was when Dorian told Tess she’d go along with her plan to destroy Viki and help her win Clint…and then Dorian went behind Tess’s back and called Clint to tell him everything? Wow, I was surprised at Dorian. She has certainly done worse than what Tess had planned in her past. I really thought she’d help Tess out…but I guess for once in her life she had the foresight to imagine what Clint would think if he ever found out that she helped Tess in that way and that she’d then never have a chance with him.
And speaking of second chances, I continue to find it ridiculous that Dorian refuses to give David a second chance. It’s so obvious that they love each other and she doesn’t even do a halfway decent job of pretending she wants to blow David off. She could only think that he planned his whole visit to her so that he could make her jealous about another woman…and she was blind to what he was trying to tell her.
One thing that David said should have made Dorian drop at his feet and be grateful he still wants her and that was when he told her, “I love you…I don’t only love you, I like you.” I don’t think there is another person in Llanview who can say that to her, do you? Even “her girls” can’t say that because she never stops meddling in their lives. And if it is not evident to her girls, it is certainly evident to me that Dorian has no real life and that’s why she is always trying to run the lives of Blair, Kelly and Adriana. How could she possibly be a good judge of what’s good for them in the men they choose when she has made such horrible mistakes in her own life?
I wanted to give Bo a big old kiss last week for the way he stood up to Spencer when he told him, “Keep your smug mouth shut around Paige.” I love it that Bo has Spencer’s number…but I hate it that Spencer always comes off like he couldn’t give a damn what Bo or Paige says or wants. Not only does he show he doesn’t care, but he actively baits Bo and Paige every chance he gets. I hate that about him and I want nothing more than for someone (hopefully Bo) to wipe that smirk off his face. The man’s ego is like a shield of armor. I hope that David and Paige team up with Todd to get Spencer. I’m amazed that no matter how many people hate Spencer…and he knows he’s hated…he can still look at David and say things like, “David, leave me alone, can’t you see I’m preoccupied saving lives?”
My heart when out to Starr last week when she was tormented by those kids in the park making comments about her father being a baby killer and her mother being a tramp. When is poor Starr ever going to be able to lead a normal life like other kids her age? She’s been through a lifetime of trauma and upset with the parents she was dealt in this life. It’s only a matter of time before little Jack starts to feel the effects of being Blair and Todd’s kid. But you have to give Starr credit. Being who she is, she wasn’t going to take any guff from those kids. I love the way she stood up to them in the beginning and finally punched that obnoxious kid in the nose for what he said to her. GO STARR! It’s just too bad there were three or four of them and only one of her. But the kid has a great right hook. I’d like to see her use that move on Spencer when the truth about him finally comes out. She might even be able to give Cristian some pointers…especially about keeping his eyes and mind on a fight when he’s about to get his brains bashed in.
Yes, Cristian…dumb move watching Natalie while you’re in the ring fighting to keep your pretty face in tact. Obviously he couldn’t keep his mind on the fight with Natalie bouncing around the gym making deals with thugs.
I don’t care what anyone says…I’m a fan of Natalie’s as much as the next person is, but I wanted to give her a good wake-up smack. Hasn’t she been through enough? Hasn’t she had her life threatened and almost lost it more than once? Hasn’t she realized that she needs to put the scheming aside and let common sense take over for once? She was totally wrong to get involved with that thug as a means to helping John with his father’s case. I guess now that she’s been studying forensics for two days, she’s the expert on what kind of help John needs. Of course, ridiculously, she’ll be the one who makes the contact that solves the case. I get a bit sick of that happening. I think John has enough to deal with and there are plenty of other effective ways to support him without having him distracted from the case to save her butt…once again.
I can’t say I was sorry when I heard that Duke will probably be leaving town. Somehow I don’t see anything interesting about him being in love with his father’s fiancé…and when he kissed Kelly the other day I just gave a big old yawn. It certainly didn’t help the situation and of course now Kevin is off the deep end knowing that his son is in love with his fiancé and thinking that Kelly wants to be involved with Duke so she can become pregnant and pass the child off as Kevin’s. It was pretty disgusting of Kevin to imply that she would, yet again, try to pass a baby off as his, just so she could give birth to a Buchanan baby.
I’m finding that the discussions between Michael and John are more effective than the ones John has with Crosby, his department shrink. Michael is never afraid to tell John the truth and John is able to take it from him most of the time. I found it interesting that when John told Michael that his father’s case was running his life, Michael told John that he was trying to fix himself so that he could get Natalie back. John denied that, but I think there is a lot of truth there, even though John had major issues with his dad’s death way before Natalie was in the picture. I also like that there can be a tremendous amount of normalcy between these two brothers, which was evident when Michael asked John to be his best man and John said it would be an honor. Sometimes it looks like it’s completely painful for John to smile….I love it when Michael drags one out of him.
Please don’t tell me Adriana has a stalker. Who is the creep who bought every copy of Belle magazine with her on the cover? It’s probably another person Dorian hired to mess up Rex and Adriana’s relationship and probably that person has his own agenda. OR…could it be that obnoxious agent person who has been annoying Adriana? What’s his name? Georgio…something like that.
And finally, Nora is waking up. Some may not be too thrilled….me, I’m one of the happy ones. I think Matthew’s devotion to his mother has been priceless and I am going to love watching him help his mom get back on her feet. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens when Nora gets some of her thoughts back in order and sees more in Paige than a new love for Bo. Nora is a bulldog where the well being of Matthew is concerned and she’ll be on Paige about her secrets before Bo can figure out what hit him. I’m looking forward to that.
See ya
next week….
Jill Berry
FAN
FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS
Cordell writes: "I have enjoyed whatever it is between Todd and Evangeline, I am well aware that Todd is dedicated to Blair, but you have to admit that whatever that is between him and Evangeline is not just an attorney client relationship, I enjoy watching them together. He seems different somehow. I look forward to reading your comments on this topic."
Dear Cordell: Todd and Evangeline are certainly an interesting duo as "partners in crime." Lots of people like these two people together and see a romantic future for them. Me…not so much. I think their relationship is fun and I wouldn't mind seeing them giving romance a go, but I think it would be mostly a rebound relationship for both of them. Evangeline is still very much hung up on John…and Todd's heart has been newly devastated by Blair and Spencer's relationship. Maybe there is romance down the line for Evangeline and Todd, but something tells me that for Todd and Blair, it will never be over. And personally, I like the chemistry between Evangeline and Cristian.
Jo writes: "When are we going to see more of Michael and Marcie together? I am so tired of seeing the same people day after day. It is getting to be too much. I would love to see those two together. I hear Kathy Brier is leaving the show."
Dear Jo: Believe me…I'd love to see more of Michael and Marcie, too. There are not many happy scenes on the show these days and that's why it makes me mad to see Michael and Marcie fighting over their wedding…even if they are cute about it. True, we see a lot of Tess, John and Natalie and Todd…and…ICK…Spencer, too…but honestly, the only one I get tired of watching is Spencer. Bet you could have guessed that! I don't know anything about Kathy Brier leaving the show. I hope that rumor doesn't prove to be true.
Carla writes: "We already have Dorian. Do we really have to get Nora back too? It's time for some upbeat writers…too much sadness and drama. We need more love and kindness."
Dear Carla: Although I couldn't agree with you more that we need more love and kindness on the show, I have to say that I'm looking forward to seeing Nora back in the swing of things and I'm glad she finally woke up. I love her relationship with Matthew and I can't wait to see what happens with Bo and Paige now that Nora will be coming back into the picture. I also loved Nora's friendship with Viki and I hope that in time the writers will bring that wonderful relationship back to the viewers. Viki and Nora will both need a good friend…and very soon.
Wanhar1007 writes: “If there is a possibility that Natalie will wind up with neither John nor Cristian, I'm all for it. The reason any man would want such a silly and impulsive woman like her must be waaaay over my head. Where's Paul Cramer when you need him? Or what about that lowlife at the boxing ring??? Puhleeeze writers.... break up Todd and Blair for good. Blair is such a nitwit…she deserves Spencer. Todd deserves a woman who believes in him. Did I just say Evangeline??? Those two have chemistry that is much stronger than what she has with Cristian. I want to more of it.
Dear Wanhar1007: I think that after all we’ve had to go through watching
Natalie, Cristian and John, I would be furious if she didn’t wind up with one of
them. Yes, sometimes Natalie is silly and impulsive…call me crazy, but I think
her heart is always in the right place, even if her common sense isn’t. And do
you really think we need Paul Cramer back? LOL…thank goodness he’s gone…and if
I get my wish, Blair won’t have to worry about staying with Spencer since he’ll
be leaving Llanview in handcuffs…or something worse. Well, I can dream, can’t
I?
© Copyright by Katherine
Thurston, 2006
