So much for the brotherly love... (ABC) Thoughts & observations of Port Charles happenings.
The Corinthos Clan & The Jerome’s
I am tired of the imbalanced writing between half-brothers Michael (Chad Duell) and Morgan (Bryan Craig) Corinthos. The siblings have been in discord since Michael started a romantic relationship with Morgan’s girlfriend and former wife, Kiki (Kristen Alderson), and it’s only heightened since Morgan joined a rival crime family, the Jerome’s, to take Papa Sonny (Maurice Bernard) down for revenge. Angry that Morgan’s actions could’ve gotten their father killed, Michael met Morgan on the docks on 11/11 and the pair physically fought. Michael beat Morgan to a pulp while deeply insulting him. Once Kiki arrived and distracted Michael, Morgan decked Michael, he hit his head on a pole and fell unconscious in the water. Morgan refused to help Kiki get Michael out. Later, Michael lied about how he obtained his injury to his mother, Carly (Laura Wright). Kiki was stunned and noted that Morgan would’ve left him for dead (which wasn’t rue; Morgan was hiding around the corner). Michael expressed he still cared about his brother’s safety and was worried about him being in the mob. Such irritating scenes to watch.
Morgan has a gambling problem, lied to Kiki about her parentage, pulled Sonny into his deceit and is now conspiring with his father’s enemies. Michael did indeed steal his brother’s mate and obnoxiously thinks Morgan should just be okay with it and get over it. Michael is indeed entitled; the lines “Did you ever think that we (he and Kiki) belong together and you didn’t deserve her, not at all?...why would she love you anyway? …a little sniveling, back-stabbing traitor…” said it all. How is he more deserving of Kiki? Those sentences showed he believes he’s inherently better than Morgan. I wonder what Kiki would’ve thought of Michael then, had she heard that and seen his teeth; see him pulverize his brother. Michael thinks he’s done nothing all that bad, telling Morgan he has “pathetic jealousy” and that two kisses were “all we did to cheat on you.” That’s all? Oh, okay, it’s fine then. Another sign of Michael’s oblivion: “what happened to the brother I used to love?” You broke his heart. That’s what. You really don’t understand that (when Michael argued that he’s tried to protect Morgan, Morgan yelled “from everyone except yourself!” I thought those 4 words were so powerful and I wish there was more time given to explore the emotional layers of them)? Michael is indeed favored by his parents (there are too many examples of that to mention). All of these “indeeds” and facts, and yet, the writers are still pushing this one-sided, “good guy, bad guy” concept and trying to get the audience to buy that Michael is on the higher road because in his brushes of faux-brotherliness, he doesn’t rat Morgan out and worries about him a little. There’s been speculation that the writing team is trying to reinvent A.J. vs. Jason, which wouldn’t be fair to do to these characters. Not to mention, A.J. had no real reason to be spiteful towards Jason. What valid reasons Morgan has for his anger are being downplayed and dismissed in writing, making him seem like a bratty villain without a cause. I shook my head at Michael being the overwhelming winner of the fist fight. This “Michael, the Revered” thing is patronizing to the audience because we know that both brothers have their share of sins and most of Morgan’s were birthed from Michael’s. If things were written more evenly here, viewers might be more invested in this part of the show because they’ll feel conflicted and won’t know whose “side” to take, like in the Maxie vs. Lulu storyline.
In discussing whether or not Michael vs. Morgan is A.J. vs. Jason 2.0, a friend of mine said “Michael should’ve been the bad one, if someone had to be.” For anyone who knew there’d be a future feud the moment Morgan was born, I think that’s what we all pictured. Michael had such a dark side when he was young; he played with guns, wanted to join the mob, suggested Sonny kill people if there was trouble and he tried to suffocate A.J. to death with a pillow. His parents worshipping and awing at his every breath, we thought Michael would be Damien on wheels and maybe eventually become at white collar criminal at ELQ. He was raised by Sonny Corinthos and has A.J.’s DNA. Michael should’ve been spewing venom from his head, so it’s interesting that he’s being put in the angel role right now, while the son who was adopted the sleek Jasper Jacks and sent to boarding school is in the mob.
The Corinthos Clan & The Jerome’s
I am tired of the imbalanced writing between half-brothers Michael (Chad Duell) and Morgan (Bryan Craig) Corinthos. The siblings have been in discord since Michael started a romantic relationship with Morgan’s girlfriend and former wife, Kiki (Kristen Alderson), and it’s only heightened since Morgan joined a rival crime family, the Jerome’s, to take Papa Sonny (Maurice Bernard) down for revenge. Angry that Morgan’s actions could’ve gotten their father killed, Michael met Morgan on the docks on 11/11 and the pair physically fought. Michael beat Morgan to a pulp while deeply insulting him. Once Kiki arrived and distracted Michael, Morgan decked Michael, he hit his head on a pole and fell unconscious in the water. Morgan refused to help Kiki get Michael out. Later, Michael lied about how he obtained his injury to his mother, Carly (Laura Wright). Kiki was stunned and noted that Morgan would’ve left him for dead (which wasn’t rue; Morgan was hiding around the corner). Michael expressed he still cared about his brother’s safety and was worried about him being in the mob. Such irritating scenes to watch.
Morgan has a gambling problem, lied to Kiki about her parentage, pulled Sonny into his deceit and is now conspiring with his father’s enemies. Michael did indeed steal his brother’s mate and obnoxiously thinks Morgan should just be okay with it and get over it. Michael is indeed entitled; the lines “Did you ever think that we (he and Kiki) belong together and you didn’t deserve her, not at all?...why would she love you anyway? …a little sniveling, back-stabbing traitor…” said it all. How is he more deserving of Kiki? Those sentences showed he believes he’s inherently better than Morgan. I wonder what Kiki would’ve thought of Michael then, had she heard that and seen his teeth; see him pulverize his brother. Michael thinks he’s done nothing all that bad, telling Morgan he has “pathetic jealousy” and that two kisses were “all we did to cheat on you.” That’s all? Oh, okay, it’s fine then. Another sign of Michael’s oblivion: “what happened to the brother I used to love?” You broke his heart. That’s what. You really don’t understand that (when Michael argued that he’s tried to protect Morgan, Morgan yelled “from everyone except yourself!” I thought those 4 words were so powerful and I wish there was more time given to explore the emotional layers of them)? Michael is indeed favored by his parents (there are too many examples of that to mention). All of these “indeeds” and facts, and yet, the writers are still pushing this one-sided, “good guy, bad guy” concept and trying to get the audience to buy that Michael is on the higher road because in his brushes of faux-brotherliness, he doesn’t rat Morgan out and worries about him a little. There’s been speculation that the writing team is trying to reinvent A.J. vs. Jason, which wouldn’t be fair to do to these characters. Not to mention, A.J. had no real reason to be spiteful towards Jason. What valid reasons Morgan has for his anger are being downplayed and dismissed in writing, making him seem like a bratty villain without a cause. I shook my head at Michael being the overwhelming winner of the fist fight. This “Michael, the Revered” thing is patronizing to the audience because we know that both brothers have their share of sins and most of Morgan’s were birthed from Michael’s. If things were written more evenly here, viewers might be more invested in this part of the show because they’ll feel conflicted and won’t know whose “side” to take, like in the Maxie vs. Lulu storyline.
In discussing whether or not Michael vs. Morgan is A.J. vs. Jason 2.0, a friend of mine said “Michael should’ve been the bad one, if someone had to be.” For anyone who knew there’d be a future feud the moment Morgan was born, I think that’s what we all pictured. Michael had such a dark side when he was young; he played with guns, wanted to join the mob, suggested Sonny kill people if there was trouble and he tried to suffocate A.J. to death with a pillow. His parents worshipping and awing at his every breath, we thought Michael would be Damien on wheels and maybe eventually become at white collar criminal at ELQ. He was raised by Sonny Corinthos and has A.J.’s DNA. Michael should’ve been spewing venom from his head, so it’s interesting that he’s being put in the angel role right now, while the son who was adopted the sleek Jasper Jacks and sent to boarding school is in the mob.
Dominic Zampronga as Dante Falconeri (IMBD) Dante, Lulu, Spinelli & Maxie
I so enjoyed watching the custody trial. Some of the best soap opera elements were used: low-down mudslinging, heartfelt pleas, moral toss and turns and martial tension. Lulu (Emme Rylan) was so desperate to hang on to baby Connie that she even preyed on Maxie’s self-inflicted guilt in her cousin Robin’s “death” (Maxie unknowingly pulled the gas line that caused the explosion Robin was presumed dead in. They don’t know Robin is alive) to defame her character, much to Dante’s disgust. Lulu also perjured herself and lied about telling Maxie (Kirsten Storms) that she considered going on the run with the baby. Mr. Truth and Justice Cop, Dante (Dominic Zampronga) would do no such thing as he admitted his wife lied on the stand. Due to Dante and Lulu not being the infant’s biological parents and Maxie clearly having bad judgment, Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) was awarded custody and Maxie was barred from seeing the child for 6 months (her case will then be re-evaluated). Lulu blamed Dante for the outcome and held his past perjuring against him. Realizing Sonny was his father after a gun-clash, Dante testified that Sonny didn’t shoot him to keep him out of jail. Lulu angrily accused Dante of caring about his mobster father who injured him more than his immediate family. Dante finally drilled it into Lulu’s head that Connie is not, in any form, their child; as much as that reality hurts. Storms effectively pulled on my heart strings as she sat in devastation that she still won’t be able to interact with her daughter. What I love most about this storyline is that, as I mentioned earlier in the Corinthos & Jerome section, there’s no clear “winner” or “bad guy” to root against; you feel for and are watching every character involved. I’m suspecting things are only going to get more interesting with this group. Dogmatic Dante saw a vicious side of Lulu he’s unfamiliar with and Lulu doesn’t feel her husband is on her team. It’s going to be a challenge for the enmeshed Maxie and Spinelli to be a part and follow the court proceedings. Also, when Maxie finally gets to be a parent to their daughter, it will likely make things murky for Spinelli’s relationship with Ellie (Emily Wilson).
Carly, Franco, Heather & Scotty
On 11/8, Heather (Robin Mattson) told Franco (Roger Howarth) in front of everyone at his art show that she’s his real biological mother and newly appointed District Attorney Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner) is his father. While this explains Heather’s protective obsession with Franco, there are a lot of other gaps. Why would Heather let Franco believe he was Jason Morgan’s twin—which lead to him stalking and tormenting Jason and his loved ones for years? In the dialogue, Heather explains it was to punish Sam (Kelly Monaco) and let her and Jason think that Franco impregnated her after staging her rape, because she didn’t deliver a letter to Steve as promised. However, Franco’s studies of Jason started long before the letter snafu. Another gap: it was all in the script how Franco’s brain tumor was similar to Jason’s. History was re-written (Jason’s brain tumor originally resulted from a long ago car accident) to make that correlation. When the tumor was at work, Franco even thought he was Jason. I’m as happy as a lottery winner that Franco is no longer a Quartermaine, but for the story’s sake, the gaps need to be filled in, clarified and explained, otherwise this Franco paternity situation will be blatantly showing for the shallow plot device that it is (head-writer Ron Carlivati said in a recent TV Guide interview that switching Franco’s parents was to link him with characters that are still on the show). Franco wallowed in shock, and of course Carly licked his wounds until he licked her back and they had sex. I guess Franco being down and out and feeling identity-less was supposed to make me feel sorry for him or see his “human side,” but no. It didn’t work. The scenes were more campy than tender.
I so enjoyed watching the custody trial. Some of the best soap opera elements were used: low-down mudslinging, heartfelt pleas, moral toss and turns and martial tension. Lulu (Emme Rylan) was so desperate to hang on to baby Connie that she even preyed on Maxie’s self-inflicted guilt in her cousin Robin’s “death” (Maxie unknowingly pulled the gas line that caused the explosion Robin was presumed dead in. They don’t know Robin is alive) to defame her character, much to Dante’s disgust. Lulu also perjured herself and lied about telling Maxie (Kirsten Storms) that she considered going on the run with the baby. Mr. Truth and Justice Cop, Dante (Dominic Zampronga) would do no such thing as he admitted his wife lied on the stand. Due to Dante and Lulu not being the infant’s biological parents and Maxie clearly having bad judgment, Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) was awarded custody and Maxie was barred from seeing the child for 6 months (her case will then be re-evaluated). Lulu blamed Dante for the outcome and held his past perjuring against him. Realizing Sonny was his father after a gun-clash, Dante testified that Sonny didn’t shoot him to keep him out of jail. Lulu angrily accused Dante of caring about his mobster father who injured him more than his immediate family. Dante finally drilled it into Lulu’s head that Connie is not, in any form, their child; as much as that reality hurts. Storms effectively pulled on my heart strings as she sat in devastation that she still won’t be able to interact with her daughter. What I love most about this storyline is that, as I mentioned earlier in the Corinthos & Jerome section, there’s no clear “winner” or “bad guy” to root against; you feel for and are watching every character involved. I’m suspecting things are only going to get more interesting with this group. Dogmatic Dante saw a vicious side of Lulu he’s unfamiliar with and Lulu doesn’t feel her husband is on her team. It’s going to be a challenge for the enmeshed Maxie and Spinelli to be a part and follow the court proceedings. Also, when Maxie finally gets to be a parent to their daughter, it will likely make things murky for Spinelli’s relationship with Ellie (Emily Wilson).
Carly, Franco, Heather & Scotty
On 11/8, Heather (Robin Mattson) told Franco (Roger Howarth) in front of everyone at his art show that she’s his real biological mother and newly appointed District Attorney Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner) is his father. While this explains Heather’s protective obsession with Franco, there are a lot of other gaps. Why would Heather let Franco believe he was Jason Morgan’s twin—which lead to him stalking and tormenting Jason and his loved ones for years? In the dialogue, Heather explains it was to punish Sam (Kelly Monaco) and let her and Jason think that Franco impregnated her after staging her rape, because she didn’t deliver a letter to Steve as promised. However, Franco’s studies of Jason started long before the letter snafu. Another gap: it was all in the script how Franco’s brain tumor was similar to Jason’s. History was re-written (Jason’s brain tumor originally resulted from a long ago car accident) to make that correlation. When the tumor was at work, Franco even thought he was Jason. I’m as happy as a lottery winner that Franco is no longer a Quartermaine, but for the story’s sake, the gaps need to be filled in, clarified and explained, otherwise this Franco paternity situation will be blatantly showing for the shallow plot device that it is (head-writer Ron Carlivati said in a recent TV Guide interview that switching Franco’s parents was to link him with characters that are still on the show). Franco wallowed in shock, and of course Carly licked his wounds until he licked her back and they had sex. I guess Franco being down and out and feeling identity-less was supposed to make me feel sorry for him or see his “human side,” but no. It didn’t work. The scenes were more campy than tender.
Franco gets a new mommy (ABC) Heather sent Carly a death threat to stay away from Franco and Franco taunted that he would kill Heather if she didn’t back down. This added yet another incongruous level to the characters and story arches of Franco and Carly. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, this romantic match-up is completely inconsistent with who these characters are and how they think. If Franco were going to murderously threaten Heather, it wouldn’t be over Carly. If his macabre tendencies were going to resurface, I don’t see it happening this way, on top of him giving Heather the cold-shoulder for months. The writers are trying to give the impression that Franco’s trying to clean himself up post-tumor (which is impossible) and distance himself from any shadiness (which includes Heather), but if you remember, he called himself righting wrongs as soon as he got to Port Charles, and Heather assisted him in that. Heather has been some sort of spirit guide for Franco and now that he knows she’s his mother, his reaction should be more irresolute, rather than flat rejecting. We all know why Carly should be behaving differently in this situation. It’s not surprising that she’s hit the sheets with another dangerous mess of a man, but (at minimum) Franco’s harmed her children. That’s usually a deal-breaker for her. I was surprised when she actually brought up Franco’s hand in Michael’s rape recently. I thought “Oh, you remember that?” but she’s still all wrapped up in him and conveniently left him out of her “you tortured Jason and Sam” rant to Heather. If a tumor is enough to give Franco a pass for his actions, why isn’t mental illness sufficient for Heather, Caroline?
Other Notes
Robin & The Wyndemere Bunch, Patrick & Sabrina
I am beyond glad to see everything finally unraveling at Wyndemere with Robin (Kimberly McCollough) on her way home because it was really starting to drag and I was over certain characters, like Nikolas, not using their neurons (Nikolas was unbothered about 2 psychopaths running around in the walls of his house, why?) and hearing Robin say unlike-Robin things such as “This horrible Sabrina person moves in my family.” By all accounts, Sabrina wasn’t ‘horrible’ or conniving (like Britt) and she didn’t ‘move-in’ on anyone. Didn’t she tell Patrick (Jason Thompson) to move on, on DVD? Didn’t she half-way suggest Liz (Rebecca Herbst) replace her if she died at 1 point? Anyway, the million-dollar question is…how will Patrick and Robin be reunited? I’m hoping we don’t see the usual soap-wedding interruption, because not only will that be overplayed but it will saw Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) in half, and most of us don’t want to see that happen. It’s going to suck regardless, but it doesn’t need to be that bloody. I actually thought Sabrina would find out Robin was alive before the wedding, get desperate and hide it from Patrick. That way, Patrick would have the out of feeling betrayed. Sabrina would still be hurt losing Patrick, but as a viewer, I would feel less bad for her, haha.
AJ’s Trial & Ava Jerome
Finally, the trial over Connie’s murder begins. How long it will be before everyone knows Ava Jerome (Maura West) is really Connie’s killer? I also wonder where the writers will go afterward; I don’t see Ava sitting in prison because she’s 1 half of the Jerome organization and a fairly popular character. Sidebar: Although some observe West’s classic 1940’s Hollywood air and look to be unnecessarily dramatic, improperly placed or too much like soap performances of old, I find it to be very sexy, glamorous and charismatic. Ava carries a certain elegance and subtle, simmering heat we haven’t seen in a female GH character in a long time, making her noticeable and someone I want to know more about. I can’t wait until the writers start peeling back Ava’s layers and getting into her psychology.
Welp, that's my time...Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ;)
Other Notes
Robin & The Wyndemere Bunch, Patrick & Sabrina
I am beyond glad to see everything finally unraveling at Wyndemere with Robin (Kimberly McCollough) on her way home because it was really starting to drag and I was over certain characters, like Nikolas, not using their neurons (Nikolas was unbothered about 2 psychopaths running around in the walls of his house, why?) and hearing Robin say unlike-Robin things such as “This horrible Sabrina person moves in my family.” By all accounts, Sabrina wasn’t ‘horrible’ or conniving (like Britt) and she didn’t ‘move-in’ on anyone. Didn’t she tell Patrick (Jason Thompson) to move on, on DVD? Didn’t she half-way suggest Liz (Rebecca Herbst) replace her if she died at 1 point? Anyway, the million-dollar question is…how will Patrick and Robin be reunited? I’m hoping we don’t see the usual soap-wedding interruption, because not only will that be overplayed but it will saw Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) in half, and most of us don’t want to see that happen. It’s going to suck regardless, but it doesn’t need to be that bloody. I actually thought Sabrina would find out Robin was alive before the wedding, get desperate and hide it from Patrick. That way, Patrick would have the out of feeling betrayed. Sabrina would still be hurt losing Patrick, but as a viewer, I would feel less bad for her, haha.
AJ’s Trial & Ava Jerome
Finally, the trial over Connie’s murder begins. How long it will be before everyone knows Ava Jerome (Maura West) is really Connie’s killer? I also wonder where the writers will go afterward; I don’t see Ava sitting in prison because she’s 1 half of the Jerome organization and a fairly popular character. Sidebar: Although some observe West’s classic 1940’s Hollywood air and look to be unnecessarily dramatic, improperly placed or too much like soap performances of old, I find it to be very sexy, glamorous and charismatic. Ava carries a certain elegance and subtle, simmering heat we haven’t seen in a female GH character in a long time, making her noticeable and someone I want to know more about. I can’t wait until the writers start peeling back Ava’s layers and getting into her psychology.
Welp, that's my time...Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ;)
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