Reflections by Jill - A Weekly Commentary for One Life to Live for July 25, 2006

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Mary writes: “Todd does care about Evangeline, but he needs to keep his attentiveness in check. Cris and Van are in a budding new relationship and they don't need or want a 3rd party. Two is company, three's a crowd. So go take care of your unhappy, insecure children, Starr and Jack; be a responsibly focused father. They need him, Van doesn't. She has herself, Layla, and Cristian.”

Dear Mary: I agree about Todd and Evangeline. In so many ways, Todd is still the same old Todd. He has always thought that he could get away with anything by just throwing some money around. I think he’s met his match in Evangeline because she’s not the type to sit back and watch two guys fighting about which one can take better care of her. She doesn’t want to be taken care of by either. She wants a partner. I think it is really admirable that both Todd and Cristian want to help her out with paying for her surgery, but rather than discuss things with her, they just go and try to take control of the situation on their own. That will never sit well with someone as independent as Evangeline. Todd needs to ease off and be her friend and Cristian (if he hopes to get anywhere near a future with her) needs to put aside the Macho Vega stuff. Both guys want only the best for Evangeline, but they are both going about it the wrong way.

Sheree writes: “So you are fed up with Kevins' drinking? I'm fed up with Starr and Todd’s behavior toward Blair. First, Blair is Starr's mother and I don't care what Blair has done, Starr should NOT disrespect her mother. Blair has done NOTHING but keep Starr and Jack safe and secure all their lives. Yes, she's a teenager and as such always has issues with her mother. Second, I'm fed up with Todd verbally abusing Blair. I don't CARE how angry he is, he should not be saying those things in front of Starr because Starr is now copying his behavior, verbally abusing her mother. It's not cute or funny. It's ABUSE!”

Dear Sheree: I just can’t seem to place any blame on Starr for the way she behaves. She’s a product of two insane people and I am a firm believer that you have to give respect to earn it, even for children and parents. Starr has grown up a lot better than I thought she would, especially when I look back at what a holy terror she was as a young child. I don’t think Blair did much to keep Starr and Jack safe when she continued to ignore what everyone kept telling her about Spencer and continued to keep him in her children’s lives. I agree and I spoke about it in my last column that Todd was totally wrong to fight with Blair in front of the kids, but I certainly can’t call what Starr says to Blair abuse when Blair had sex with Spencer out in the open in the living room of that cabin with her kids sleeping in the next room. Taking up with another man at all was wrong of Blair when Starr and Jack were dealing with their father being on death row. Blair’s behavior doesn’t command respect from anyone these days.

Cathryn writes: “While I like most of the characters on the show, I have to agree with you about Claudia. Her storyline is stupid. Her father is dead now (thanks to her) and she should be written out now that he's no longer around to torment Nash. Her obsession with Nash is nauseating and she needs to move on now. Todd should never forgive Blair and this cat n' mouse game they play with each other is OLD. Evangeline and Cristian are awesome together and I hope they go further with this storyline. It's romantic, it's fiery and it’s passionate (even without sex) - yet! It was refreshing to see Adriana and Rex sharing a fun "romp" and laughing a bit. I miss Tess and Nash together and the chemistry. It's something Jessica and Antonio don't possess and never will in my opinion.”

Dear Cathryn: I was very sorry to hear that Claudia would be staying on the show for a while. Just when Nash and Jessica seem to be forming a good relationship, we’re just waiting to see how Claudia is going to try to wreck it. You’re right; she is nauseating and I’d love to see her gone. As far as Todd and Blair go, lots of people are finally wondering if this will be the last straw for them and finally they will be done with each other. I wouldn’t mind seeing that happen, but like I always say, who else deserves these two maniacs? I was very happy that Adriana and Rex finally got together, but I’m not totally overwhelmed by them. I hope to see more depth to their relationship as they grow together. And although I do miss the chemistry between Tess and Nash, I think the person that Jessica is becoming will be great with Nash. Jessica has more of Tess’s spunk every day and I don’t see her being with Antonio for the long haul either.