REFLECTIONS BY JILL Thank goodness the snow cleared and we have put that ridiculous Winter Festival behind us. It was a complete comedy of errors, which actually wasn’t very funny at all. I think the highlight for me just might have been Langston decking Brittany in the snow. What does that tell you? And honestly, I know that Cole and Starr were wrong to sneak up to the mountains and spend the night together when they knew their parents would skin them alive for it, but let’s be honest. How many of us didn’t go behind our parents’ backs when we were teenagers and do crazy things in the name of love? Everything is desperate at that age and Starr and Cole are not the problem; their idiotic, battling parents are the problem. You just knew the world was going to explode when Marty burst into the room and found that condom on the nightstand. Ouch! And Marty couldn’t wait to get downstairs and show that condom to Blair and Todd and anyone else in the room. She could have been a bit more discreet about that. It’s too bad that Blair, Todd and Marty don’t realize that the more they put their own differences on their kids, the more trouble they’re going to have.

And then we have that whole ridiculous Layla/Cristian/Evangeline mix-up. I have to say that even though I had nothing good to say about Layla when she first arrived in Llanview, she has become someone I really like since she has washed her hands of Vincent and gotten herself a real life. I like the way she stands up to Evangeline and I like the fact that she sees everything for the way it really is, even if Evangeline continues to be confused about her life. And as far as Cristian and Evangeline go, it doesn’t seem like they will ever get it together. I think Cristian was nothing but stupid to sleep with Blair and I think Evangeline is at least as stupid to think that she can blame Cristian for the break up when she insisted upon keeping a negative influence like Todd in the middle of their relationship. There is blame on both sides. Throwing Blair into the mix just adds to the “ick” factor.

On to the robberies. When I read in the spoilers that Foxy Roxy’s was going to be held up, I smiled to myself before I even saw the show because I just knew that I would be laughing my head off with Roxy involved in something like that. Having Dorian there to get a manicure for her date with Clint was just the icing on the cake. I started laughing when Roxy was doing Dorian’s nails and said, “The last time I had a high falutin’ client like you the circus was in town” and I didn’t stop laughing all the way through. A good soap opera robbery always needs someone like Dorian who refuses to give up the goods. And hey, they wanted her diamonds, so what’s a materialistic girl to do? That’s a crime worse than murder to Dorian. The thing that surprised me was that they left her with her fur coat. But the best line was Roxy’s when Dorian was yelling at the robbers who held them at gunpoint and Roxy covered her mouth and told the robbers, “Hey, you have to forgive my friend. She has Roulette’s Syndrome and she can’t shut up.” I’d love to meet the writer who comes up with Roxy’s lines. And wouldn’t you know; Roxy was the one who identified the guys from the mug books at the police station, but not before she gave everyone her commentary on how many of the thugs she has known and known well. You have to love that woman.

And then the robbers show up at The Palace. Could there be anything funnier than Dorian being robbed at gunpoint twice in one day? And did you notice that she had earrings on before the robbers held up the place and they conveniently disappeared when they were collecting wallets and jewelry, only to magically reappear after the robbers were apprehended? And what about innocent, sheltered Miles causing the diversion than allowed the robbers to be caught? Good for you, Miles. I’m not even going to get into the John/Natalie/engagement ring subject this week. I’m sure we’ll have plenty to say about that next time and I’m sure it’s not going to be pretty.

And Blair got shot. Is there ever a bad situation she doesn’t get caught up in? I’m sorry, I really had to laugh when Cristian was pulling the macho routine on Todd and Blair just stepped out of her hospital room and blurted out that she and Cristian slept together. It’s so stupid that it’s laughable.

I am getting very tired of listening to John’s drivel about his relationship with Natalie. His side of the conversation with Michael was ridiculous and the only one who made any sense was Michael. Big Surprise! I am tired of hearing John say he’s crazy about Natalie and doesn’t want to be without her and in the next breath he says he doesn’t know if he can be with her. You know, for all the times Natalie is a pain in the butt (and they are many) we can all safely say that John has known what she’s all about from the very beginning. Natalie doesn’t pull any punches and what you see is what you get. She didn’t act like a demure little lady to get his attention. John fell in love with that woman and the only surprises he’s had are the ones where he realizes that he really does love her and wants to be with her. That’s what he can’t come to terms with. Michael is right. John needs to come to grips with the fact that he needs to grow up and have a real relationship with Natalie and all that it involves, or cut her loose. The days of John being indecisive should have been over a long time ago and if he continues the push and pull with Natalie, I, for one, will lay the blame of the failure of their relationship solely at his feet. He says he’s crazy about her and he tells her he doesn’t want to be without her, but he can’t take the last, mature steps.

And let me just say this about Natalie. Who the heck did she think she was getting in Talia’s face when she was questioning Vincent? Natalie really needs to be squashed in situations like that. I was appalled at her behavior and Bo would have been, too.