Reflections by Jill - A Weekly Commentary for OLTL for Jan. 21, 2007

So, Blair is going to live. Well, that’s not much of a surprise, is it? On one hand, I have to say that I really dislike being so manipulated with all the gloom and doom when TPTB want us to think that someone we love is really dying on the show. When it gets down to giving the patient the last rites, then I think it may be a bit over the top. But on the other hand (the hand that loves soaps), I have to say that I do really love a good soap opera cry and they do get me every time. I mean, come on, who isn’t driven to the biggest box of Kleenex when a family is saying their last goodbyes, sad music is playing and a montage of the sweetest memories flashes by us?

The flashbacks of Blair and Todd were nice, but what destroyed me was the montage of Blair and Starr and then Starr talking to her mom about how she wanted to remember all the good times they had because even though they had plenty of bad ones, the good ones always outweighed them. And I was really touched when Todd didn’t want to say goodbye to Blair, and Starr reminded him that they should say goodbye because she remembers when he was in prison and about to be executed and she had a chance to say goodbye. She reminded him that this might be their last chance to say goodbye to Blair. I am always so impressed with Starr. The writers have done such a wonderful job of growing this character and I can’t say enough about what Kristen Alderson brings to the table. She is always a joy to watch.

Of course it took standing over Blair’s deathbed for Todd to admit out loud that he can’t live without her and was pushing her away because he couldn’t give her the power of knowing that fact. Pssst, Todd, Blair knew that all along. These are the times when I can tolerate Todd the most, when he shows his human side and is not afraid to let his guard down for fear that someone is going to stomp all over his heart.

Didn’t you love it when Todd brought Addie to the hospital? She’s always so adorable and hits the nail right on the head in her own innocent way. She brought quite a few tears to my eyes when she stood over an unconscious Blair and said, “Mamas are supposed to go first.” Boy, there sure isn’t anything wrong with the way her mind works.

I did find it odd that when Blair was talking to Todd later on, she told him that it was him that brought her back. That was nice, but I would think that everyone had a hand in it, Dorian, her kids talking and singing to her, and of course, her mother. And who could question Todd’s confusion after Blair admitted the he brought her back when she refused his marriage proposal? This couple has been through so much in the past couple of years, where both of them have been through hell and it doesn’t surprise me that Blair is so worn out from everything from Margaret, to Spencer, to the execution, to the present turmoil, that she just has no energy left in her heart and soul to deal with anything else. Todd is just going to have to understand that just because he has decided he’s ready to give the relationship his all, it’s not going to be that easy.

And of course, Spencer knew just where to put that bullet in his chest so that it wouldn’t kill him and would just delay his reservation at Wingdale. I have to say that whenever anyone gets a chance to get a shot in at him (not literally, unfortunately) I enjoy it immensely. I loved it when Paige and Bo went to his room to confront him about shooting himself and get his statement and all he wanted to know was if Blair was dead or not. He deserved it when they just walked out and didn’t tell him what he wanted to know. And the best shot was when Todd came by and told him that not only was Blair alive and doing well, but that he was going to propose to her that day and Spencer would be on his way to rot at Wingdale. Gee, that didn’t sit too well with old Spencer, did it? Spencer is going to get in one last parting shot before we’re rid of him, so stay tuned.

And what is Spencer up to with his lawyer? I had to laugh because it appears that even his lawyer can’t stand his guts. So now Spencer wants his lawyer to draw up papers giving him power of attorney. Hmmm, what is Spencer’s next trick going to be?

I thank Spencer for the only laughs I had this week watching the show. Those scenes where he imagined that Blair was in the room with him and they were plotting against Todd were just hysterical. And with Rex there to witness it, I couldn’t stop laughing. Here’s my one compliment to Paul Satterfield. He is a heck of an actor. He makes me hate Spencer and laugh at him all at once. But I still want Spencer gone yesterday.

And can we talk for a minute about Marty Saybrook? This woman needs some help. Obviously, she was traumatized by being taken hostage by Spencer. That is more than understandable, especially since she has already been in one situation (with Todd) in her life where she was not in control and was dominated by a man. I think as a supposedly good psychiatrist, she should realize very quickly that she needs help and that maybe her judgment isn’t the best right now. Even after breaking down with Antonio, she still stands by her original assessment of Spencer’s mental health. Honestly, Spencer’s behavior seems insane most of the time lately, and anyone who can take such pleasure in hurting people is truly not “all there”, but I still say he deserves prison and all the fun that entails for a guy like him. Yes, he’s crazy; crazy like a fox!