REFLECTIONS BY JILL for May 14, 2007

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Lale writes: “I so agree with you on the darkness we have been subjected to on OLTL. I find myself not caring if I miss a few episodes because I am losing interest. It has definitely been too "dark." Like you, I am disappointed with the horrible situation Jessica is faced with. Not only does she have to deal with telling her husband that she cannot continue in their marriage, but the devastation that it has created for Jamie, and now with the Hep C that could potentially have medical repercussions for Bree, Antonio and Nash, is not what I signed up for as a nice break from a 60 hour work week and a family life. I want more romance and happy moments!!!”

Dear Lale: Amen! I want more romance and happy moments, or at least one or two a week. I think they have gone way overboard with all that has been heaped upon Jessica lately. I could understand if they wanted to give her an illness just to make it more interesting (which is what all soaps do when couples are getting too close to happiness like Jess and Nash), but giving her something like Hepatitis C, which has such seedy implications is over the top as far as I am concerned. On top of everything else that’s going on, does Jessica need to have Tess’s bad behavior come back to haunt her in this fashion? Not to mention the fact that it is ripping apart everyone around her in the process. It’s just wrong.

Fred writes: “In regards to your comments about Cris and Evangeline, yes Evangeline is independent but IMO she is too independent. I am enjoying her relationship with Cristian and I think to make a relationship successful you have to compromise. I do not want to see her in a relationship where she rules it and the man loses himself and his manhood for her. I love that Cristian pushes her to face herself and her faults. That is the beauty of Cris and Evangeline. And that Evangeline pushes Cristian to show him that he can let go some of that male pride and just be loved. What they have is real and not some contrived plot point. They are both making mistakes but I hope they can grow from this experience and learn to love one another more and forever.”

Dear Fred: Do you see this couple living happily ever after? It doesn’t seem to me like they will ever be able to work out their differences. Evangeline will not give up worrying about her “suck the life out of you” friend Todd and Cristian cannot put his temper and machismo aside long enough to stay out of his brother’s life, let alone let down his defenses and try to work things out with Evangeline. Those Vega boys are two explosions waiting to detonate. At least Antonio has a right to his anger these days. Cris dumped Evangeline (I don’t blame him) and his right to pass judgment on what she does no longer exists. I once thought I saw a spark of hope for these two. I haven’t seen that in a long time.

Joe writes: “So, we last saw the character of Asa on April 26th. I guess I was assuming too much when I thought there would have been some sort of closure for the character and the fans. A tribute to the character would have been nice using flashbacks to give the character a nice send off. When I first heard the Phil Carey was not staying on the show, I thought that Asa might die. Is the character of Asa going to be recast?”

Dear Joe: I have no idea what they plan to do about Asa or Phil Carey’s hasty departure. I think most people were surprised that Mr. Carey refused to accept the offer of recurring status. After all, he wasn’t even on air as much as some recurring characters when he was under contract either before or after his illness. The sad thing is that David Vickers will be back in town at the end of this month and unless the storyline was rewritten, he is Asa’s son, so it makes Phil Carey’s departure even more distasteful, at least for me. I don’t know if the role will be recast or if Asa will finally meet his maker and be given a good sendoff. I guess we have to wait and see.

Cynthia writes: “What are they doing with Evangeline? Will she be pregnant or in a coma?”

Dear Cynthia: If you’ve been watching the show lately, you know that Evangeline is not pregnant. When contract negotiations went south with Renee Goldsberry, Evangeline’s storyline changed so that she will be hurt and in a coma very soon. This is a typical solution that is used when an actor’s future with the show is undecided, but many people think that Renee’s departure is a done deal. The last we heard, the negotiations had broken down and she had left the show. I don’t have any information, but I’d think they would recast the role since Evangeline has been so much a part of show. It’s another case of wait and see.

Jason writes: “I have seen recently where some fans do not like Jessica and Nash together. I really don't understand this.... Nash and Jessica together are HOT!!!! Antonio is SOOOOO boring; he needs a diaper change like the baby. Just thought I would give my side.”

Dear Jason: Oooohhhh, I so agree with you. I love Jessica and Nash together. I do feel sorry for Antonio. It seems like it’s his turn to be the man out in the cold these days, which is what Nash was for so long before Jessica’s integration. But you’re right that lots of people don’t like Jess and Nash together. I don’t get it either, but just as many, if not more people want them together.