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

FAN FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS

Leland writes: “I don't like the pairing of Todd and Marty. I hope she gets her memory back soon and see this relationship blow up! But why are Luke and Laura (GH) so accepted as a "dream couple? After all, it started out with Luke raping Laura?”

Dear Leland: To say that I don’t like the pairing of Todd and Marty would be a gross understatement. I think it is disgusting and I think the writers have to be desperate for ideas to scrape the bottom of the barrel this way and come up with such a despicable storyline. I was a big fan of the Luke and Laura era on General Hospital back in the 1970’s and the big difference to me between these two couples is that Laura, although very young, was completely coherent and aware of her situation. Whether or not people considered what happened between Luke and Laura rape, they went into their relationship with their eyes wide open. Marty has no idea who she is, what her life was before the accident and for an intelligent woman, is completely relying on what Todd tells her as the truth about her life. Marty is a helpless victim who is being manipulated by Todd. Luke and Laura fell in love (whatever you may think of that) and although their first intimate encounter could definitely be considered rape, I don’t think it compares in any way to what that group of young men did to Marty.

Sheree writes: “I just wish the writers would give Blair a storyline instead of having her as support for Todd, John, Starr and everyone else. I would love to see her helping John. She could suggest they go dumpster diving in Todd’s trash for fingerprints and DNA. Blair could "question" Janet without revealing who she is. Blair WAS a reporter after all.”

Dear Sheree: I think I am enjoying Blair’s role right now more than I have in a long time. She has finally (hopefully forever) distanced herself from Todd; she is concentrating on taking care of her children (even loving Sam who isn’t even her child); and she has an honest and mature relationship with John, where she’s not hovering, demanding, scheming or doing anything Blair-like. I like this Blair a lot. Sure, I’d get a kick out of seeing her and John go after Todd, but right now I think she’s doing just the right thing.

Lfvalen5 writes: “Marty hasn't seen a newspaper, TV, or heard of any news except what Todd told her. For a shrink, that's unusual to have no curiosity.”

Dear Lfvalen5: It is very strange that Marty has been content to lie in that bed and be at the mercy of Todd. However, let’s not forget that he is a pro at manipulation and he has, in his slimy, charming way, convinced her that he cares about her and will protect her from everything that might hurt her. He worked on her enough to convince her that John is a terrible threat to her, so everything he does just shows her how much he cares about her and is protecting her. Yes, she is a shrink, but she’s human and thinks she is alone in the world and Todd has made her totally dependent on him. Even when he offered to give her his phone and let her leave, she was convinced that she had nowhere to go and needed him. And he knew she would react exactly that way. Pretty sick, huh?