We do have to consider that if Allison had won the suit, Chris would have been fired and Memorial stuck with a huge penalty, so I wasn’t expecting her to win.  The show is not going to remove Chris from the hospital, he is obviously being positioned to assume more duties there, when and if Don Hastings decides to stop working. The show has to have at least one Hughes at the hospital. It was kind of the same way that Tom Hughes eased in as an attorney when the actor who played his grandfather cut back on appearances. But I did expect everyone to realize that Chris is a slimy creep. 

Chris had no grounds whatsoever to keep Allison from working with his patients as a nurse’s aide. He made that decision after observing Allison doing an excellent job with one of his patients, and it was apparent that Chris wanted to punish Allison. Then when he held her against her will, he definitely harassed her, and that also should have been presented. But Bonnie ignored both of these points.  In fact, the trial was over so quickly I thought I’d missed something.

So why did we go through this silly little mini-storyline? I’m guessing that Allison and Chris are not done yet. They have been in love, out of love, friends, enemies, acquaintances, buddies—every description a person could think of. I predict that we will see them together again soon, probably as a couple, falling in love, forgetting their past, and so on and so forth. As I said above, yawn.

The other big story of the past week was Holden and Carly doing the nasty in a camp bunk during a thunderstorm! What are these writers smoking? First, I attended summer camp many, many summers ago, and parents did not just drop in whenever they wanted. Have things changed since then? Second, my camp did not have accommodations for parents that included clean cabins, beds neatly made up, and other comforts. Third, Carly and Lily are best friends. When this comes out, and you know it will, Carly will lose yet another female friend and will look again like a sneaky conniving woman. Fourth, Holden is sick of Lily because she lied to him; Carly’s reputation as a liar is well-known. And finally, doing it with Holden? Come on, if Carly was going to get it on with anyone, I sure wouldn’t pick boring Holden. This story is just wrong in so many ways. And what are we going to call this non-couple? Colden? Horly? Carho? 

If writers paid attention to fans (and to the actors; Michael Park has voiced his dismay in interviews) they would start working Carly back to Jack. Looking back over their history we find that their entire relationship is a series of breakups and reunions, each more dire than the last. The writers need to learn how to write for a couple who share 3 children, yet are still both sexy and sexually active themselves. Carly and Lily could have gone into business at Metro together, so Carly could show what a strong woman she is. Jack could have slowly warmed back up to her, while frequenting Metro more and more. But however they did it, the writers need to know that Carjack fans are legion and want their couple back together again.

Finally I have a comment about the daytime Emmys. IMHO Trent Dawson will never win an Emmy until the writers give him a good story. I have occasionally watched GL and Y&R, and the nominees from both these shows are involved in big storylines. Kristoff St. John, the best supporting winner, is on Y&R almost all the time. When I spoke with Trent at his Martinis with Henry fan party in April, he pointed out that the supporting category is filled with actors who need to move up to the best actor category, and St. John is one of those actors. I don’t want to take anything away from St. John’s win, but if Trent is going to compete, he needs to be in a better storyline, one that allows him to display his immense acting chops. Trent could easily walk away with this category if the writers would do him justice!  Just MHO, mind you.

Nan wrote in, “Our family has watched ATWT for many, many years and after reading some negative things about Chris Hughes (Dylan Bruce) I would like to say we like him very much. Of course the writing for him hasn't always been the best but we like how he had handled the material given to him being they made a 180 degree turn in the storyline with Allison. We have been impressed with him and loved his scenes on the 6/17 show with his dad and mom…and then on the 6/19 show with his brother. We think he blends in great with his family and hope they show more of them all together as we haven't enjoyed a week like that in a long time. As far as Emily goes, we almost gagged when she compared Chris to one of her Johns.  Chris knows she was a hooker but has kept quiet about it, maybe that should be a headline in her paper. After all the many things she had done to Dusty (yet he forgave her and left her money), Paul (attempted murder) and tried to have Dusty's murder pinned on Chris, put sleeping pills in his coffee and could have harmed a patient (why wasn't Susan outraged with her about that) why was she never held responsible for any of her actions. She should look in the mirror to see herself before she condemns anyone. Thanks for reading my comments. We just thought we would like to let you know another side to what some viewers think of the show.” 
Two excellent points, Nan. Dylan Bruce told me that he hopes Chris gets more scenes with his parents, and that Chris should be good to his mother especially.  As far as Emily goes, don’t get me started—to late!!! Emily’s crimes, some of the worst Oakdale has ever seen, have not brought her one iota of punishment, which really ticks me off. She whines and yaps and always gets away with everything. Emily is, imho, a tired, worn-out, overused character who is done and needs to leave. As much as I like Billy Magnussen, who plays Casey, I FF through their scenes because I just cannot stand Emily. Yes, I know she was nominated for an Emmy, but there is no accounting for taste, and she is tasteless. Casey is wasted with her; he should have been paired with Ameera.

Judy commented, “Chris Goutman is an idiot for not listening to what the fans like and want. Does the moron not realize that it's because of the so-called fans that this show is still on the air and were it not for us fans he would be out of a job? His writing has the show tanking in the ratings. Proctor and Gamble needs to wake up and smell the coffee and get the holier than thou CG away from atwt immediately before it's too late.” 
No arguments here, Judy!