Reflections by Jill - A Weekly Commentary for OLTL for September 29, 2008

Major rant here! It’s bad enough that we have to deal with the budding romance between Todd and Marty (which is totally sick and disgusting). I guess it’s not enough that we have to deal with one completely unrealistic storyline, because now we have to deal with the ridiculous case of Langston and her uncle Ray.

Do the writers think we are stupid enough to believe that ON ANY PLANET a judge would give Langston’s uncle custody of her? I’m betting anything that Mini Asa (Clint) paid off that judge to rule in Ray’s favor, just in case he had any ideas about doing the right thing by Dorian and Langston. We knew that by some streak of magic, Ray’s conviction would be overturned and the charges against him would miraculously be dropped. Clint wouldn’t be so careless as to think Dorian wouldn’t have Ray investigated immediately.

This storyline is so off the wall and unbelievable that it ranks up there with the worst courtroom debacles I’ve seen on a soap opera. It was bad enough when, after very heartfelt pleas from Dorian, Langston and the whole Cramer clan, the judge awarded custody to Langston’s Uncle Ray, but the biggest travesty of all was when the judge didn’t even budge when Ray said he would be taking Langston back to Colombia. And how convenient is it that Langston has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Colombia? Are you kidding me? Twelve-year olds sometimes get the right to say whom they want to live with when their parents break up. Do they expect us to believe that a sixteen-year old girl who obviously loves her family and friends doesn’t have the right to decide where she wants to live? This storyline is ridiculous and I will be shocked if Clint is not behind the outcome of this hearing.

I have to say that surprisingly enough, this was the first time I can remember that I actually liked and supported Dorian for more than a day. I think this is the nastiest thing Clint could have done and he doesn’t even care who he hurts. Langston is just collateral damage to him. Even when Ray called him from court to say it was a done deal but that Langston was begging him not to take her away, Clint said “So what!” Clint is ashamed to even let Bo know what he did because he knows it was a disgusting thing to do and although he says it might be unethical but not illegal, I beg to differ. Since when is bribing a prison warden nothing more than unethical? And let’s face it; Clint didn’t have his eye on the ball very closely if Dorian was able to go behind his back and mastermind her plan to take over B.E. He was stupid to think she wouldn’t take revenge after he dumped her. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am behind Dorian in this mess. If Clint wanted to go after her “man to man” so to speak, that would have been fine by me, but what he’s doing to Langston is horribly wrong. Dorian showed just how much she loves Langston and her family and it was just too bad that she lost her cool (who wouldn’t?) and threatened to ruin the judge. LOL, that wasn’t the smartest move, especially since it landed her in jail with a contempt charge. All in all, the judge’s decision was ridiculous and it’s too bad we have to be subjected to such terrible plotline twists. Putting a teenage girl in the hands of a strange man who hasn’t had any contact with is family in twenty years is just tacky and more than unbelievable.

Aside from the travesty in the courtroom, let me just say that I think A Martinez is doing a great job as Ray Montez. His stern demeanor is very convincing and I can’t wait to see where the writers take this character. When Mr. Martinez abandons that tough as nails persona and breaks out in a smile one day, you will see a whole new person emerge. Note to writers: Don’t drag it out and mess this one up!

And isn’t it lucky for Clint that he has Dallas to support him in his dirty work? Hey, she can have the creep. Nora would be well rid of him. I had to laugh when Dallas was pulled aside by the hotel manger at The Palace. I thought he was going to tell her that her credit card was no good and she had to get out. Well, she had to get out, but for some lame reason like leaky pipes or bad plumbing. I couldn’t believe that Clint invited her to stay at the mansion. At least Dallas reminded him that the house now belongs to Nora, but that sure didn’t stop Clint. He’s so sure that Nora will welcome Dallas into HER home. And isn’t it convenient that Nora is out of town. Now Dallas has seen Ray at the house with Clint and knows he is part of Clint’s master plan, but Clint is comfortable and trusting when he tells her to keep it to herself. But now Cole has come back home to find Ray in the living room talking to Clint. Will Cole make his presence known or will he hang back and eavesdrop to find out what their unholy alliance is all about? I vote for eavesdropping! It would be priceless to see Clint busted by a teenager.

So, Marty is dreaming about John and can’t figure out why in her dreams he’s a good guy. Maybe she ought to give that some more thought. Instead, she lets Todd manipulate her and they grow even closer. Can this storyline be any ickier? Every time I see Todd get close to Marty and start kissing her, I get this picture in my head of the rape and my stomach turns. How could he be so horrible as to think he can get away with what he’s doing? It is amazing that he never stops to think about what will happen when she gets her memory back. Thank goodness something made him stop when they landed on the bed and it looked like they were going to have sex. Marty sure was ready to go for it. Ewwww! When Todd said he stopped because he didn’t have any protection and didn’t want her to get pregnant, I was thinking, sure, that’s all he has to worry about. Never mind the fact that the last time he had her in bed he was raping her. This is just repulsive! Come on writers; I eat dinner while I’m watching this show!