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UPDATED 11-17-08
CRAZE
Swept
Away
Rarely have I
been so engrossed in every moment of One Life to Live as I was this past week...
but not everyone seems to feel that way!
 Howdy. My
mailbox was flooded this week with a wide range of passionate
diatribes on a variety of subjects. I received a huge response to
the Blair article from last week, with about half of you agreeing
with me and the other half saying Blair needs to remain a good mom
and not get her manipulative, slutty claws sharpened again. I think
Blair's become stale and needs a new direction or she'll become
irrelevant. She doesn't drive story anymore and I want that to
change. Kassie DePaivia should have some outstanding reaction
material next week which might give us a big hint as to the future
direction of the character. If she just kind of soaks it all in and
chooses to remain the fourth wheel in the Todd/Marty/John saga, I
think it will be the nail in her character's coffin.
Many of you
also sent mail about the two big sweeps stories: The reveal to Marty
that Todd raped her and has deceived her all this time, and the
Bessica baby switch. Many of you found the implausibility of the
baby switch too much to overcome and therefore gave the story a
thumbs down. I have to say that I was able to suspend my disbelief
because the emotional impact of everyone finding out Starr's baby
"died," provided some of the most extraordinary, Emmy-worthy acting
on the show in years. I think the baby switch is truly inspired by
the Soap Gods, though of course the logistics of the switch were
beyond ludicrous. But I understand why the writers couldn't resist
this ultra-soapy device which affects nearly everyone on the canvas
and ties the show's two biggest stories together. They should have
just emphasized more that Tess was further along in her pregnancy,
and made that allowance even though we knew she got knocked up way
after Starr. They also should have written Tess' delivery more
believably. But these gripes aside, I thought the entire thing was
phenomenal and controversial.
 What could be
more controversial, though, than the Todd/Marty scenes? I was
riveted to my seat for the entire week watching Susan Haskell earn
herself an Emmy nomination, and listening to Todd's absolutely
spine-tingling admissions. I completely understand why many of you
(including the divine Marlena De Lacroix, whom I respect so much but
disagree with on this one) are offended and insulted by this story.
Many of you seem to think Todd was above sleeping with Marty; but in
my estimation, he's been unredeemable for so very long now that the
sex did not even phase me. Though the Marty/Todd/John reveal scenes
and the reveal that Starr's baby had "died" were the explosive
events that drove November Sweeps, they also combined to create that
coveted umbrella effect that tied most of the canvas together.
The Shitsies were hardly on at all, and it just goes to prove that they
are not what's working on this show - in fact, they're just in the
way.
A special
note: I'm sad to lose Andrea Evans just she's begun to hit her
groove as Old School Tina. She has finally recaptured the pace of
the character completely, and I will miss her. But at the same
time, I don't think the writers know what to do with Tina and there
isn't really a man on the canvas that suits her at this time (Tina
is one character that needs a man, because that and money are the
only things that motivate her). They'd have to put her in the mix
with Bo and Clint, and I think it's gross to think of her playing
around with Cord's father and uncle. I hope to see Tina and Andrea
Evans back on the show in the future, and I hope TPTB think of
something appropriately juicy for her next comeback (as well as
finally bringing back C.J. into the mix). Tina's hijinks with the
Vegas in Mendorra was a huge slap in the face to Evans and to her
fan base. TPTB need to make it up to us, and to her, in the
future. Now let's dive in to these episodes because I had to print
more of your comments than usual - wish I could have printed them
all! Keep writing!
Monday,
11/10
"THE BESS IS YET TO COME"
 -The baby playing Hope is SO cute... though it certainly doesn't
look like a newborn!!!
- For a second there, I was afraid Janet was going to kidnap that
baby. She sure is nutty.
- Bess, talking
to herself: "A-squared plus B-squared equals C-squared." Okay,
Einstein.
- I'm STILL hung
up on the fact that Natalie and Jared never thought to hide from the
bomb in the bathroom.
- Loved Marty
pointing that gun at John!
- Loved the Natalie/Viki teary reunion.
- All throughout
this episode, I felt sick to my stomach about the forthcoming dead
baby revelation.
- WTF was that
comment from Marcie that it was the first time "in her life" that
she wasn't feeling hungry! That's just wrong.
- Wow, for a
second there I thought (and hoped?) Marty actually shot John. Maybe
that would wake him up.
- How great was
it that Marcie referenced Dr. Conklin? Remember the olden days of
squeaky, kinda psycho Marcie?
 - The baby switch
is so absurd, yet so awesome.
- Easton is
having moments of believability and moments of... post-lobotomy
coma?
- Bess sure did
take her sweet time switching out that baby.
- The GH
commercial for the forthcoming 12th Annual Port Charles Mob War
looked like a video game, not a soap opera. It looked like Grand
Theft Auto, in fact. Who knew ABC would let a rogue writer turn its
top show into a cheap male fantasy, as stale as the oatmeal that's
been hiding in the back of my pantry for three years? Note to GH: You are wasting your talented cast on a cycle of really boring,
soulless drivel.
- Could Janet be
Marcie's mom?
- John: "He
raped you." Oh. My. God.
- This episode
rocked my damn world.
T uesday,
11/11 "DARKNESS
ON THE EDGE OF TOWN"
- Wow... another insanely awesome OLTL commercial!!!
- This is the
most excited for a single episode I've been since Todd's execution!
- Is Janet
going to end up taking the fall for the baby's "death?"
 - If it
wasn't for Todd's evil plan, Bess would not have taken Hope. Think
on that.
- Funny how no one called 911 for the poor bodyguard John just shot
and presumably killed.
- The Dr.
Joplin/Janet scenes are outstanding! I am getting SO nervous for
Dr. Joplin to tell Starr the baby is dead!
- I feel for
Dr. Joplin even though she has done such horrible things - Bess'
actions have made Joplin and Janet more sympathetic.
- The
Clint/Natalie reunion was nice, but I really hope Clint doesn't
become boring again. I was LOVING Big Bad Daddy Clint!
- TPTB need
to bring Lindsay back into the mix, and I'm never going to shut up
about it.
- Once Mike finds out the baby is dead, he'll take Marcie back.
Just watch.
- I thought
it was great that Mike knew the baby was dead solely from the
expression on Joplin's face.
- Look out, folks: Hurricane Kassie DePaivia finally got some
decent material and she is making the most of it!
- Blair is
going to sue the pants off of this hospital!
 - But nothing prepared me for Kristen Alderson's performance.
Please pass the tissues.
- So, Tessica
and Nash's house is... a construction office? And they haven't
changed the locks? Huh?
- Natalie
sure had a lot of make up at her disposal in that secret room! And
clearly, Jared had access to a hair dryer!
- Why hasn't Natalie asked about Rex?
- I want Messica to pay HARDCORE for this. I hope she rots in jail
or St. Anne's for YEARS.
- Today I
realized that Susan Haskell and Kristen Alderson will be OLTL's top
Emmy contenders this year (if there is justice, which usually there
isn't).
Wednesday,
11-12
"I
WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE'S GIRL"
- Hah - best episode title ever!
- This is by FAR Kristen Alderson's finest hour. The Starr/Cole
scenes are mesmerizing and heartbreaking.
 - Tina's 5-minute
explanation to Cain about her situation was priceless and
true-to-form, vintage Andrea Evans.
- The
Todd/Marty/John scenes are some of the most satisfying ones I can
ever remember.
- Isn't it funny
how, when Todd admits to his lies, he tries to make it seem noble -
as if he's actually telling the truth for a reason other than he has
no choice? Todd is one twisted sicko, and Trevor St. John finds a
way to make sense of it.
- When Marty
realized her memory of Cole was real, Susan Haskell's acting was so
powerful that I felt like I was going to pass out.
- I also was
blown away by John's realization that Todd was planning to take
Starr's baby.
- I NEVER thought
I would be saying this, but I was hoping and praying for John to
beat Todd to within an inch of his life.
- Is this the
best episode of all time? No, but it's up there.
- For all this
talk about Tina wanting to be a real mom and be with her family, she
hasn't mentioned C.J. once.
- This episode
was so good that I refuse to delete it from my TiVo. I am not
afraid to admit that I sobbed like a baby through most of it.
Thursday 11/6 "GETTING
MAD VS. GETTING EVEN"
- Oh
NO! The SHITSIES are baaaaaaaaaaaack!
- I really hope Detective Dorian is the one to figure out something
is not quite right about Hope's "death."
- It would be a great twist for Dorian to be the one to expose
Jessica's crime and take the baby from Viki's family and put it back
in the Cramer clan (if in fact, Starr decides to keep it which I
think she absolutely WILL!).
 - What was UP
with Blair defending Todd so passionately to Dorian today? That
made me nervous for another round of Todd/Blair.
- Todd is frickin'
nutso.
- Isn't it time
for Bo to start a new relationship? I have a suggestion: Roxy.
Come on, TPTB, give it a chance. I really think it could be good.
- I actually
thought Todd loved Marty in his own sick way. But today I realized
he doesn't. He just wanted to lessen his guilt, that's all.
- Cristian wants
to get rid of Sarah, if you ask me.
- Talia is a
non-entity. She is wasting space and wasting my time.
- Marty: "You
raped me all over again." One of the best line readings ever. I
had chills up my spine. Can you say, "Emmy clip?"
- Poor Viki
didn't realize that her thanking Dorian would translate into owing
Dorian a favor.
- Did you notice
that the clock at the LPD was accurate for Eastern Standard time?
- Another great episode, even with the sprinkling of Shitsy on top.
Friday 11/7 "AN EYE FOR AN I"
 - Wouldn't Tamara Braun make a great Kelly Cramer?
- Tina doesn't
know how to boil water? Hilarious.
- Okay, Marty
needs to be sedated. She is starting to frighten me! Susan Haskell
is taking it to the freaking limit!
- How refreshing
- and different - to see Mike act as though he actually cares about
Marcie.
- I could have
done without the Natalie/Jared "playing doctor" scene.
- Nice reference
from Nora about Todd "holding hostages before."
- Michael Easton has had some nice moments this week, but COME ON! Today he is standing there so casually, leaning against the wall
while trying to talk Marty down from shooting Todd. At least he
took the gum out for once, but still... he is giving line readings
as if he barely cares about this at all. His face is utterly
expressionless. What the... ? I just don't get this guy.
- Marcie is being
so wonderful to Starr. The bit about the locket was really sad.
- Thank God Marty
has finally left Todd's house. Now we get to see Haskell mix it up
with everyone else in town.
- I didn't expect
Viki to outright disown Tina! But can she really kick her out? I
thought Tina owns Llanfair just as much as Viki does? In any case,
I feel bad for
 Tina even though she basically deserved this.
- But the Tina/Viki
relationship cannot be left on this note. I feel horrible that Viki
is already losing it and she has yet to find out about all of Todd's
heinous betrayals. She is going to need to be sedated soon,
also!
- The ending of this eppy, when Marty and Cole came face to
face, made me get really emotional for some reason. They didn't say
anything, but something about the expression on both of their faces
tells me we are in for an emotional roller coaster. More tissues
next week!
MAIL
REPORT
"Wow, I'm in a tailspin from this week's episodes and
it's only Tuesday! I have been so torn throughout the
whole "Todd rescues/kidnaps Marty" storyline. I have
thoroughly enjoyed this story, even though I often found
myself peeking through my fingers because I had covered
my face in disbelief at what Todd was doing at the time.
I am a big fan of the character of Todd, I really don't
know why but I have found myself rooting for him for
years. Even throughout these past months when Todd was
outright deceiving Marty, I still found myself on his
side. All the old arguments would cue up...he had a
horrible childhood, he has never really found true
happiness, he is trying to right the wrong with Marty.
(By the way before NuMarty came on the scene, Todd and
Marty had mended fences and I don't know why the writers
have chosen to ignore this). As I watched today's
episode and watched Marty being completely devastated by
the news that she was a mother, it finally hit me all
the wrong Todd had done. Even though he didn't
physically harm her, what he did was worse...he
emotionally manipulated her. TSJ was right on with his
portrayal of a very disturbed Todd. His excuse why he
didn't tell Marty she was a mother..."I didn't think I'd
fall in love with you". WTF! As John was trying to tell
Marty the truth and she still defended Todd, my heart
broke for her. Susan Haskell was on fire in these
scenes, I absolutely ached for her. I think because
these two were kept pretty much separated from
everything else on OLTL, I was separated right along
with them. Today, those two separate worlds smashed into
each other, causing damage that will never be repaired.
For awhile, I had thought that once everything came to
light, Marty, in time, would forgive Todd. I figured
that her background as a psychiatrist would give her
insight into why he did this and would make her more
willing to look beyond his awful behavior. But, after
today's episode, I seriously doubt that after completely
trusting Todd, Marty will ever get past this as I am
sure now she feels even more violated by him than she
did when she was raped." - Melanie
Melanie's
thoughts echo my sentiments precisely. I somehow got swept up in
Todd and Marty's relationship, but once everything came to light, I
felt crushed for Marty and wanted Todd to suffer. I still do!
"Trevor St.
John was devastating... Todd has come to terms with his past... with
his present... he knows he has done wrong and he wants to make it
all right again. To watch Todd try to understand that his world is
exploding into a million pieces, just as he believes he has put it
all back together, was heartbreaking...there was a "little boy"
quality to these scenes...an innocence...I know it sounds crazy when
speaking of Todd, but Trevor sold it...he didn't raise his voice
once...it was amazing work. For me, what was so compelling, about
the beat down by Keanu McVain given to Todd, is that Todd didn't
fight back. He didn't even try. It seemed as though Todd believed he
deserved it all...he deserved to be punished...and punished in front
of Marty." - Trevor Fan
Yeah, St. John
did some really great work this week. What I admire most about him
as an actor is that he NEVER makes the conventional, obvious
choice. The way he played the scenes with John and Marty was really
bone-chilling. Todd's calmness and matter-of-factness in admitting
to such heinous acts was just further proof that Todd is in serious
need of extensive, long-term psychotherapy. This is a very sick man,
with the emotional maturity of a five year old, and the logic of a
serial killer. Yet St. John tricks us, at times, into almost rooting
for Todd before we realize that while he's entertaining, he's also a
monster. St. John's Todd definitely wants to be punished and wants
to perhaps even die, but he also doesn't exactly feel the remorse
that he should. I'm not sure he feels anything other than anger and
envy. What Todd needs, honestly, is spiritual healing. But this is a
soap so it ain't gonna happen!
"You state in
this week's article that the way in which Blair is being written is
a "disgrace to the character's history." I agree. So how can you not
see that the same injustice is being done to Todd in the "rapemance"
story? Todd has spent years being guilt-ridden over his rape of
Marty, doing everything he could, including taking a bullet, to try
to somehow "make up" for what he did. In fact, the last time Nora
threw it up in his face in front of Evangeline, he even said that he
would never hurt a woman like that again. Do I buy that he would
have taken Marty in her amnesiac state and kept her away from Cole
and John as a form of revenge? Absolutely. But to kiss her, when he
was barely comfortable around the woman, and then go all the way and
have sex with her, knowing that she would be repulsed by his touch
if she knew who he was and what he had done? No way in the
universe! And, finally, to say that this is one of the best
stories in decades, when it seems to be sending the message that a
rapist can "find his humanity" if he's given the chance to have sex
with his victim, when it has laughed in the face of the show's
history and destroyed one of the lead characters simply for shock
and awe? Wow, Jeremy, you have totally lost me." - Angela
Okay, let me
go point by point here. This entire storyline is about Todd's
guilt. The guilt that was there before has not dispersed. Todd's
guilt is what drove all of his actions, as is evident by his
confession this week. I do agree that the Todd of three years ago (Higley
Todd) would never have taken Marty prisoner. Heck, he was hanging
out with the woman just last year while searching for Marcie and
Sam. But Ron Carlivati completely changed this character -
COMPLETELY. This is the same Todd that has no problem bloodying and
brutalizing teenagers, shoving his pregnant daughter down a flight
of stairs, or hanging a boy on a meet hook. The "rapemance"
storyline fits this Carlivati Todd like a glove. In fact, there is
more of a redemptive quality to the Marty storyline (because he
actually understands why he did what he did, and that it was wrong)
than there ever was to his multiple counts of child abuse. Todd's
plan to take Starr's baby, probably even more so than his rapemance
of Marty, proves that this man is a flat-out psychopath. This
storyline has not ruined Todd - it is just continuing Ron
Carlivati's vision of Todd. The ONLY way, in my opinion, this
character can remain on the canvas, is if he is forced to have
extensive, on-screen psychotherapy. Otherwise, I say it's time to
kill Todd off or send him to jail for a long time. But I'd prefer to
watch Trevor St. John play a really in-depth psychotherapy storyline
and stay at St. Anne's, and maybe watch Todd really hit rock bottom
for once. But I completely stand by my statement that this has been
one of the best storylines of all time. It has had the best acting
and storyline beats of anything since Todd's execution, and it has
flowed perfectly with the Bess baby switch and the secret room
stuff. And it does NOT send a message about rapists being
redeemed. That is what TODD wanted it to be, but that's been
shattered.
"Your comments
regarding Blair's character are so right on the mark. I loved the
old Blair. This one makes me want to fast forward. I do think there
is much potential for her once she founds out that Marty is alive,
that Todd is in love with her and John is her savior. This should
bring out the anger in Blair so much so that she will not think
first, just react. The doctor should watch out as well. The old
Blair would not accept the fact that the baby just died. Blair
should do whatever is possible to investigate the death of Starr's
baby." - Wanda
You know what
else might bring about the wrath of Blair? When she finds out
Jessica stole Starr's baby and caused all of this pain. I wouldn't
mind seeing Blair tell Jessica off in true old school fashion. I
realize Jessica is mentally ill, but I think she should have to pay
for her alters' crimes, and pay big time.
"I think they
have done the right thing by pushing the reset button on Blair.
Starr's tumble down the stairs in Atlantic City was a wake-up call
for Blair to reevaluate her priorities and I think they have been
working that pretty close to the mark. No one believes Blair and
John will last forever, but in this interim of the final half of her
daughter's pregnancy it had been a workable situation. The day she
went through his closet and found – gasp – one navy blue item among
the black was delightful. She likes John because he is boring, and
that has allowed her to detoxify after the aberrant control freak,
Todd. Her scenes with Starr this past month have been wonderful and
she seems to have reclaimed her brain. Blair has been close to where
she should have been; a couple more mother/daughter scenes with
Addie would have hit the bull's eye. That said, I do think that now
that the baby has been born and Marty is finally out of her jammies,
yes, it is time to let Blair be a Cramer woman and cause some
serious damage again." - Laurel
I don't think
Blair has been portrayed offensively over the past year, which is
probably improvement enough for some compared to the debasement of
Blair under Higley. But at least under Higley, Blair was driving
story. For over a year now, she has been demoted to a barely-there
supporting player. She no longer drives story, she just responds to
it. She is passive and non-essential. I thinking making her bad
again is the only way to make her relevant, I'm afraid. Kassie
DePaivia is excellent no matter what they give her, but they haven't
given her much under Carlivati. In lieu of turning her bad, the only
options I see for her on the front burner are a medical (AKA cancer)
storyline or finding her birth father.
"Loved your
column this week. Just last night, when I was watching OLTL on
SoapNet with my 11 year old, I said “Damn! What have they done to my
girl Blair?” I think this was after hearing Blair say for the
umpteenth time something along the lines of “Isn’t my daughter a
freakin’ SAINT?????” I thought, this is what Blair Cramer has been
relegated to, a midwife’s assistant and lead cheerleader to a
pregnant teen." - Laura
Ha! That's a
very good way to put it. Blair is GREAT as Starr's cheerleader and
midwife, but come ON! She HAS been relegated to that duty. It's not
just a part of her - it's all there is to her these days. That's
what bugs me.
"Do they not
have any sort of medical advisors on OLTL? First of all, the Jess/Tess
baby was born too early, it would have been a tiny baby, Star's baby
was full term and would have weighed more than a preemie. A doctor
would have noticed that. Secondly, when Lee and Dr. Joplin went in
and discovered the baby was dead (I agree, worst fake baby ever), it
had to have been dead for quite some time and would have been very
cold, if Star's baby had just died it would have still been warm for
some time. Also, the hospital uses something to kind of fuse the end
cord together, the Jess/Tess baby would not have had that. Hello
three flags right there and probably more!!!" - Dee
I know. The
suspension of disbelief required for the baby switch is enormous.
However, I am willing to go along with it so long as someone smart
such as Dorian starts to figure things out. It's still a ridiculous
stretch, but it's too good of a story to get caught up in details, I
think.
"My sister has
two kids and let me just say that security at Llanview Hospital is
pretty lax. In real hospitals the baby is usually followed
throughout the hospital... normally the baby has a security monitor
placed on their ankle as a precaution. The monitors are usually
tagged so they can be matched to the mother's ID bracelet and the
only way the child is given to anyone is if the last names on the
bracelets match. In that case, Starr's bracelet would have to be
matched to baby Hope's by the name Manning! Oh, and let's see...
Jessica gives birth to the baby and then drives herself to the
hospital where she snags Starr's baby? Ummm...I know people have
told these writers were babies come from but has anyone told them
where they come out?! I mean I don't care if it's an alter but could
someone please explain to me how the heck Messica gives birth to a
severely premature baby, looses it and then gets to the hospital?! I
didn't miss, right? I'm assuming she drove herself! HOW DOES THAT
HAPPEN? SERIOUSLY?" - Dawn
It doesn't.
Not in real life! Also, I'm still waiting for an explanation about
how IMAGINARY Niki cleaned off the baby, cut the cord, and wrapped
it in a blanket before handing it off to Tess. That is the strangest
mystery of this entire situation! LOL.
"I sat there
and watched the most stupid baby switch ever! First of all, Jess/Tess's
baby was premature. Second, it had been dead for a while. A
premature baby would be smaller and this one should have been stiff
and purple by then time Bess got it to the hospital and made the
switch. Dr. Joplin must be an idiot to not see this, or the writers
to expect us to not think of it!!! Will no one in the hospital know
that this baby was never in the neonatal intensive care unit? It
was totally ridiculous. I put up with a lot of "over the top"
writing, but this was totally idiotic to believe."- Jerilyn
The emotional
impact of the baby switch, for me, did not rely on the suspension of
disbelief factor. I COMPLETELY understand why it distracted others,
and I'm not sure why it didn't bug me as much as it usually
would. But yes, it's completely idiotic to think that Bessica could
have possibly pulled this off. HOW did her baby get cleaned off and
handed to her? How did she clean up her own mess after delivering a
baby fully clothed? How did she drive to the hospital and walk in
there holding a dead baby? How did she get away with convincing
doctors the babies were the same when surely they would have looked
nothing alike, not to mention the differences in color and
temperature? Of course I realized the lunacy of the writing, but it
didn't detract from the impact for me.
That's
it for
this week. Please
send your OLTL thoughts, complaints, suggestions, and desperate
pleas to:
Robert Iger, President of Disney (ABC Parent Company)
robert.a.iger@disney.com
Anne Sweeney, President of ABC
anne.x.sweeney@abc.com
Brian
Frons
brian.fron@abc.com
Until
next time - don't forget to feel the Craze!
Jeremy in Chicago
Take our poll survey and vote
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JeremyInChicago@soaptownusa.com
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