Reflections by Jill - A Weekly Commentary for OLTL for January 21, 2008

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Lynn writes: “I would like to voice my opinion regarding your hatred of Todd, if you don't mind. Let me say for the record that I love Todd. On that note, I do agree with you 100% about Todd and his five minutes of compassion, but on the other hand, Todd's character has ALWAYS been written this way and I don't see OLTL changing him, sorry. I do know how you feel, because I have my own LOATHING of Dorian, which probably matches or exceeds your hatred of Todd!”

Dear Lynn: I don’t know if I’d use the word hate to describe how I feel about Todd. I don’t really hate anyone. I just can’t stand the guy and am sick and tired of his disgusting behavior. I loathe his behavior and I don’t see that changing because I don’t see Todd changing. I know, as you say, that he’s always been this way and that’s the reason I can’t stand him. He has his five minutes of remorse for his deeds and then he reverts right back. I do understand your loathing of Dorian. Most of the time I can’t stand her either, but even though she behaves really badly a lot of the time, she shows enough vulnerability for me to give her a break every now and then. Dorian is terribly insecure and jealous of Viki and that’s what makes her do terrible things. It’s actually pretty sad and pathetic but she does such mean things that it’s often hard to see past the meanness.

Sheree writes: “I think Blair deserved a BIG thumbs up for the way Starr and Jack have turned out. Except for the Spencer Truman debacle, Blair has ALWAYS been there for her kids. Sure, Viki gives good advice but when it comes right down to it, Blair is there for the nightmares, the crying, the temper tantrums and the everyday stuff.”

Dear Sheree: I strongly beg to differ. Because of the way Starr and Jack’s daddy has always behaved, running off, getting into trouble and disappearing for months at a time, Blair has missed tons of things that her kids needed her for. Every single time Todd gets into trouble, Blair is on the next plane out to assist him in his capers and many times she doesn’t even let the kids know before she takes off. She leaves that to Dorian. She most recently did it three times; when she showed up on the plane and followed Todd to Chicago on his wild goose chase to find Tommy; when she ran off with Marty to track down Marcie with John and Todd and just the other day when she flew to Texas to be there when Todd got Tommy back. These past few trips alone were at times when her kids needed her, especially Starr who is dealing with so much because of Cole losing his mother. And let’s not forget that Dorian had to step in and beg the social services to let her be Langston’s foster mother because Blair had once again run off and shirked her responsibility. I know that Blair loves her kids and when she’s there for them, she’s a good mom, but she always puts Todd first and leaves the kids behind to be taken care of by someone else. And let’s face it; the Spencer Truman debacle, as you call it, was Blair at her most selfish and I am referring to the time before she realized that Spencer was dirt.

Sadie Jean writes: “I hear they are bringing back Alison Perkins. Why are they always bringing back old characters that were bad? WHERE IS BEN? I would like nothing better than to tune in every day and see his gorgeous self again. We are only the viewers so I guess our opinions don't count. I find myself turning the channel more often now because of the ridiculous storylines, and I have watched OLTL for 15 years.”

Dear Sadie Jean: I hear you girl! Of all the characters I’d like to see return, Alison Perkins doesn’t even register in my mind as a possibility. Lots of us who have watched the show for a long time are upset about some of the storylines these days and although I’d like nothing better than to see Ben’s face every day, I don’t see it happening right now unless we get a recast. I have stopped holding my breath on that one but I am eternally hopeful. Maybe we’ll get back some old characters we loved. We can only hope.