REFLECTIONS BY JILL for December 3, 2007

Dear Nanny: While I am a firm believer that Tommy would have been much better off with Michael and Marcie, I am so sick of this storyline that I don’t really care much any more. I just want Marcie to be found and for it to be over. Todd has never proven to me that he is a good parent and although I think Blair has the makings of a good mother at heart, many times, like Dorian, she flies the coop to attend to something that serves her selfish nature as well as Todd’s sick wishes and the kids suffer, staying behind with whomever is available. Now we’re going to have a new actor playing Michael McBain and it remains to be seen how the fans will react. I’ve never been one to watch the show for only one storyline, so I can’t relate to turning the show off because one actor will no longer be around. I’m never sure I’ll like the changes and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. I never thought I could get used to the “Al becoming Michael” storyline and I came to like Michael and Marcie quite a bit. I know that even though I’ve never loved anyone on the show as much as I loved Ben (big surprise) and no one could play Ben better than Mark Derwin, I miss him so much in Viki’s life that if TPTB ever decide to recast the role, I would give another actor a chance in a heartbeat if he had even half the chemistry with Erika that Mark did. Notice that I said half the chemistry because to me, no one could replace Mark Derwin, but I think someone else could at least give it a good shot. I like Brian Kerwin and Charlie and Viki are cute together, but so far, I am enjoying the cuteness and the fun Viki is having, but I’m not sure about the romantic chemistry.

Janebyrne7 writes: “I wish they didn't let Michael go. He played such a good part. I feel so bad for Nathaniel. There have been too many changes in the cast of One Life to Live.”

Dear Jane: There have been a lot of changes on the show and I think there will be more to come. I know that you feel the same way as the fan above about the role of Michael, but personally, although I am sorry to see Nathaniel go because I really liked him as Michael, I don’t see where the powers that be had much choice in the matter. I think what Nathaniel got involved in was very serious and it was not the first time. I believe in second chances as much as the next person, but I can’t blame the show for not wanting to give it a third shot. I can definitely understand all the fans that are writing in and campaigning to bring Nathaniel back, but, I’m sorry, I don’t agree with minimizing the incident that caused his dismissal.

Patti writes: “THANK YOU JILL! I want to scream whenever someone writes in and starts by saying "I and all the fans hate/love so and so." Speak for yourself and not everyone else, PLEASE! I like Todd but he has disgusted me with this Tommy storyline. I have four kids, three of my own and one adopted and I would die for all four of them. How is Marcie supposed to act? She has had this boy since he was born. Her love for him is obvious. Todd on the other hand never wanted this baby until now. Tommy is a piece of property to Todd. Sure he may come to love him but look at Starr and Jack. Star is turning into a sweet girl but not because of Todd and poor little Jack feels like a lost soul already. These kids are raising themselves. Mom is too busy chasing Dad and Dad is a space case. I really think the judge made a big mistake on this.

Dear Patti: Well said. I couldn’t agree with you more. What I dislike most about Todd is that he shows no compassion at all for Marcie and Michael’s feelings about Tommy. If he would have gone about getting Tommy back in a different way and kept Marcie and Michael a part of Tommy’s life, maybe I could have tolerated him a little bit better, but of course we’re talking about Todd so compassion is out of the question. It doesn’t even ring true for me now that Todd has offered to find Cole just because Starr cares about him. It seems totally out of character for Todd and very plot-driven as far as I’m concerned. If the writers were being true to Todd, they would have him appear to find Cole to appease Starr, but show that he really doesn’t give a hoot if his daughter ever sees Cole again. To me it seems like the writers make Todd as horrible as they possibly can for a period of time and then they throw a crumb to the fans who want a reason to love him by having him do something kind for Blair or one of his kids. The crumbs never wipe away all the bad, as evidenced by the fact that Todd can’t stay decent or kind for more than a few minutes at a time. He went from consoling Starr and promising to find Cole, to holding Michael at knifepoint a little while later. I rest my case.

Alison writes: “I could really picture Rex and Gigi together, if that is coming to pass. Antonio and Talia have been coming together in the very slow (and welcome, for me) fashion. The build-up is slow, but the payoff is great. I really like these two together and hope it will happen soon.”

Dear Alison: I agree that Antonio and Talia would make a good couple. Obviously, Antonio is not nearly ready to get involved in another relationship so soon after what happened with his marriage to Jessica and I give Talia credit for laying her cards on the table as well as Antonio for being careful in future relationships and putting Jamie first. Good for him. As far as Rex and Gigi go, I am curious to see how they will write out Adriana, if and when Melissa Gallo leaves the show (which I hear is probably going to happen). If they kill off Adriana, it is going to be heartbreaking for Rex since he’s already lost Jen that way. It would be devastating for him to go through that again, so if Gigi could heal him, maybe they could build a relationship. I like Gigi a lot and I have always like Farah Fath, the actress who plays the role. I think she’ll be good for the show.