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Thoughts & observations of Port Charles happenings. Alexis & Julian, Molly & TJ, Ric I love it when things shake up with the Davis girls as a whole! Alexis and Julian have been having heart-to-hearts and near sexual encounters, Molly is being fast, Ric is back in town and Sam is oblivious to it all (I can’t wait ‘till she finds everything out)! I really like how the writers have developed ‘JuLexis (Alexis and Julian);’ they’ve gradually built the pair and given context for their closeness and chemistry, unlike with Britt and Nikolas (they’re supposed to be madly in love, but you don’t know why and their entire relationship has been on fast-forward). I also like how I feel completely conflicted about them as a couple: I love and hate the JuLexis concept, which translates into me keeping close watch to see which side wins out. Loves: the characters gel very well interpersonally and it’s sweltering. Hates: Julian (William Devry) is 90% snake and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) has been written as a hypocrite long enough (about 10 years or more). She’s cried ‘slut’ at other female characters and vilified organized crime, but she can’t resist easily dropping her panties at the whims of a mobster or shady Grady (not to mention she’s a mob lawyer). I’m still hoping there will be a scene where Alexis’ ex, Sean, who got dumped for being Sonny’s hitman, calls her out for playing with Julian. After which, she should get chewed out by her eldest daughter, Sam (Kelly Monaco), as Julian selfishly bartered with Danny’s (Sam’s infant son) life to avoid Sonny’s bounty for his head (Julian’s marrow donation cured Danny of cancer). It’s been all quiet on the western front for Alexis and Sam after years of turbulence, but smoke is bound to fill the air again with Julian and Alexis’ ex-husband, Ric (who cheated by having a 1-night stand with Sam), on the turf. The thought of Ric brings me to their precious daughter Molly…. Following a good year of not-so-subtle hints, TJ (Tequan Richmond) finally got his way: Molly (Haley Pullos) said she was ‘ready’ to have sex. With the help of an overly relaxed Olivia, TJ rented a room at the Metro Court and the teens were ready to start their engines. Rafe (Jimmy Deshler), who’s unsuccessfully vied for Molly’s heart, spotted them in the lobby and ran to Alexis’ home to give her the 411. Alexis dashed out of the door with Julian and arrived at the hotel room before any sex could occur. Molly had the nerve to stand in her teddy (I tweeted “Oh look, it’s an infant in lingerie”) next to a shirtless TJ and disrespectfully challenge her mother, bringing up Alexis’ youthful indiscretions. Alexis took Molly to task and thankfully didn’t back down; it was a fantastic scene. When the shock of Ric’s (Rick Hearst) presence wore off (he’s been away from PC for 5 years), Alexis hoped to get some parental back-up with Molly, but Ric decided to brown-nose and pretended to support Molly’s actions (which included lying about going to SAT prep with a female friend). Just as I was basking in the glow of Alexis asserting herself, it was in the script that she backpedal and start to believe everyone else’s opinion that she overreacted. “UGH! I hate how they always have Alexis feeling bad for doing her job and being a PARENT. She shouldn’t regret her actions at all,” I tweeted. I have so many frustrations with how this great character, portrayed by an incredible actress, is scripted. Alexis rarely stands up for herself, and when she does, she ends up bemoaning it. Thoughts & observations of Port Charles happenings. Well…I was going to post this on January 20th, but not a whole lot happened, so I waited an additional week and…things are still in the same position, so forgive me if this edition of LIPC seems abbreviated. You would think I had plenty to say since a psychopath is now the hospital’s Chief of Staff, an exciting gay love triangle is brewing and Carly (Laura Wright) has been kidnapped and drugged, but as noted in “Why 'General Hospital's' 50th Year is its Least Remarkable,” bombs explode in such a settle fashion in Port Charles, it’s like there wasn’t a bomb at all. Michael, Carly, Franco & Heather In this corner of the show, I eagerly waited for 2 things: 1) For Carly to tell Michael (Chad Duell) that she’s dating Franco (Roger Howarth), the man partly responsible for his rape in prison, and 2) For Carly to find out that Franco killed his mother, Heather (Robin Mattson). I was raring to go for these plot-points because I expected a great fallout, but as I have to say too often in my articles, no such thing. Michael’s reaction to ‘Farly’ or ‘Carco,’ or whatever Carly and Franco are called, was good, he was angry, but not angry enough. It didn’t quite go over the hill. There were great lines like “I thought you were smarter than this” and “I’ll make you [Franco] pay for what you did to me,” but I really wanted Michael to nearly renounce Carly. He should feel hurt and betrayed that his mother would desire a man who’s harmed him so and caused irreparable damage. Let’s think about this in the context of real life: its 1 thing to forgive because of the tumor, but to sleep with?! Date?! I’d have so much rage towards my mother! I’d be in tears (in addition to worrying about her safety, which Michael was)! Oh, and why was Kiki there? Why did Carly invite her to such a personal, mother-to-son moment? All she did was make offensive comments that should’ve vexed Michael more, like “You’re not being fair at all” and “He [Franco] saved your life.” Maybe trouble in ‘Miki’s’ paradise as it relates to Franco will arise, as Kiki (Kristen Alderson) lied to Michael about harboring Franco in their apartment to protect him from arrest. As usual, Ava (Maura West) stole a scene that wasn’t even about her when she put Carly in her place just before Michael sat down with his not-so-dutiful mother. I was giggling with delight. I heart Ava. So much. After Carly’s failed lunch with Michael, she was kidnapped by Heather, who Franco doesn’t know survived his murder attempt. Heather’s goal was to kill Carly and frame Franco for it. I rolled my eyes. Just when I thought Michael and Carly would have this severed relationship (at least temporarily) and Franco would go back to being interesting, that was blown to smithereens and the writers cooked up another story where Franco will likely come out victorious and we’re supposed to feel sorry for him because he’s been victimized. Michael will no longer care who Carly is dating, because he’ll just be glad to have her back. Carly won’t be concerned if Franco still has a taste for the morbid, because she’ll just be glad to be alive. Franco stabbing his mother in the stomach will be looked at as chivalrous! Oh, my knight in shining armor! Michael will end up apologizing to Franco for accusing him of kidnapping. My stomach is turning already. I don’t know how many times I have to say it, but Franco is better as a villain. Will I hate him less? No, but it’s more aggravating to me to watch his forced sanctification! Also, him moping around and gushing over Carly is just plain boring. Another missed beat within this frame? Sonny (Maurice Bernard). Everyone else is frantic with worry that Carly’s dead, but Sonny’s been chill and having sex with Olivia. Lastly, how hard did you laugh when Carly told Michael he’s the “fairest person” she knows? Right, because “fair” people steal their brother’s girlfriends. Yes, I’m still on that. ...Because everyone spills their guts, literally & figuratively, at Pier 52. January 20, 1995 marks the 1st appearance of one my absolute favorite characters, Emily Bowen, a youngster adopted by doctor-couple Monica and Alan Quartermaine after her biological mother died of cancer. Thanks to the (mostly) heartfelt and riveting writing of the character and the beautiful portrayals of Amber Tamblyn and Natalia Livingston, Emily was a joy to watch develop for many “General Hospital” fans, as she blossomed from a troubled orphan to a literal princess-and doctor-who was the calming glue of the often quarreling Quartermaine family. It seemed like there was never a dull moment in Emily’s storyline: she abused drugs, was in the center of a murder investigation and blackmailed, had a couple of boyfriends from the wrong side of the tracks, was paralyzed, kidnapped, beat breast cancer, dodged murder attempts, survived two train crashes and was sexually assaulted by someone physically identical to her husband. Plots play a central role in seizing a viewer’s interest, but seductive, captivating and/or relatable characters are what propel a story. In my opinion, Emily Quartermaine is one of the most well-written female leads. A symptom of societal gender politics and stereotypes, most female soap figures are either warm-hearted pushovers or immoral and a bit icy. Every now and then, there’s an Anna Devane, who’s a powerful match of brawn and dogma. Emily had all the right ingredients. She was a happy medium between the extremes of a Robin Scorpio and a Carly Benson. Emily was kind and noble, but she’d sass you and get you together if she needed to-verbally or physically (Carly is a hard person to shut-down and Emily was doing it when she was barely legal). She was respected by most, but wasn’t self-righteous or boring (the girl had some edge). She loved with all her heart, but the men in her life never became her identity. She gave you a girl-next-door image, but she could turn on the sex. Her super-couple love affair with Prince Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher) was equally well-composed. Their relationship started under unusual circumstances, (he was avoiding an arranged marriage and she was recovering from cancer and wedding vows made on her deathbed), but they were such a perfect fit, that all their other pairings are pale in comparison and are barely discussed, which is rare in soap-fan land. Even the infinitely-famous Luke and Laura had other pairings people debate over. Definitely princely, Nikolas was handsome, debonair, romantic, a pure spirit and a brute protector, ideal for the poised and smart heroine heiress. Unwaveringly dutiful to and enamored with each other, Emily and Nikolas (AKA “NEm”) were nothing short of a fairytale. It took her rape by Connor Bishop to pull them a part, and still, they eventually found their way back to each other. Emily’s familial and peer bonds were just as endearing and special (particularly those with brother Jason and friends Lucky & Elizabeth); a dynamic noticeably missing from GH today (I want to see more close friendships!). Thoughts & observations of Port Charles happenings. Robin, Patrick & Sabrina December 1-6 had a lot of “first time in a long time” moments. For the first time in a long time, I was glued to my screen for an entire week of “General Hospital” as Robin (Kimberly McCullough) finally reunited with her husband and daughter, Luke Spencer and Jerry Jax (Anthony Geary, Sebastian Roche) had a face-off (with Bobbie in the middle) that ended in falling over the Metro Court roof and Anna and Robert (Finola Hughes, Tristan Rogers) brought Robin’s prime captor to a dark fate of justice (loved all the action!). Starting with Robin’s return (long story short, she was held captive to brew a cure for an ill villain and her family thought she was dead for 2 years), the second “first time in a long time” was that a drawn out episode was (so) worth the wait. On 12/2, we watched in agony for the whole hour, as Robin stood outside of the chapel doors and quietly gazed at Patrick (Jason Thompson) going on with his wedding vows to Sabrina (Teresa Castillo). Just before they were pronounced husband and wife, Robin’s daughter, Emma, saw her and said “Mommy??” The little bundle of cuteness ran down the aisle into her mother’s arms (in slow motion of course; it was a nice GH history nod to Anna reuniting with a young Robin years ago) and Patrick looked on frozen in shock. Sabrina, although happy for Patrick and Emma, was devastated and collapsed into Felix’s arms on 12/3, assuming that Patrick would leave her; especially after the passionate kiss he and Robin shared. Robin literally had to remind Patrick that he was in the middle of getting married. When she mentioned it, he had this “What? Getting married? Oh, yeah…” look on his face. Very little was wrong with how these episodes were written and it gave these fabulous actors an opportunity to earn some Emmy nods (Jason Thompson rocked that ish like no other!). Every minute was so emotional; I was on the floor and couldn’t take any more! I was elated to see the writers come up with a happy medium (it was past a happy medium; it was gloriously joyful) to Robin’s reunion that didn’t A) drag the storyline past the ceremony, B) involve a cliché` wedding interruption, C) have Patrick coming off like a butthole and D) involve unnatural reactions from the characters (except for the very unusual calmness the wedding guests had to a beloved “dead” woman appearing and the lack of consoling offered to an audibly sobbing Sabrina). My heart still broke for Sabrina (as anticipated) and I loved the tender, relatable friendship scenes between her and Felix (Marc Samuel). Felix said everything I could imagine my friends saying in that kind of situation. I particularly liked “You’re allowed to hurt. This isn’t fair, you can say it: This. Isn’t. Fair.” There were so many lines that made me feel worse for Sabrina than I already did; the most rending one was “After everything we had to overcome to get here, Patrick still isn’t mine and he never will be!” Patrick eventually spoke to both Robin and Sabrina privately and told them he needed time to think about what and how he was going to do things; obviously he couldn’t be with both of them. I about died of laughter when, despite not making a decision, Patrick expected Robin to come home with him and Robin flatly told him no. I don’t blame her a bit for saying that! Dr. Drizzy also got a snapback from Sabrina when he tried to have his cake and eat it too, which I have to say, I like this sudden feisty and assertive side of Sabrina (a side that also came out in a woman-to-woman talk with Robin, which I’ll get to). It’s understandable that Patrick wouldn’t make a choice instantaneously, but to try to have 1 woman come home with you and convince the other there’s still a chance is just wrong. On 12/19, Patrick showed up at Sabrina’s apartment after having a conversation with Sam about how he already knew what to do, he just had to do it (I like the friendship the writers have built between them, by the way). It appeared he had chosen Sabrina (effective holiday cliffhanger), but he was there to inform her that he was going to be with Robin (it was sad, but yay Scrubs!). Just when we thought the worst was over, Sabrina abruptly got nauseated on 12/27 and thinks she may be pregnant (Patrick just asked Robin if she wanted to have another child too). It wouldn’t be a soap opera if Scrubs (AKA Patrick and Robin) didn’t encounter immediate drama, but a romantic tug-of-war with Sabrina is not the way to go for a couple of reasons: A) if the writers wanted us to believe that Patrick’s heart is close to split even between Sabrina and Robin, they should’ve laid the ground work much earlier. Out of nowhere, Patrick repeatedly said “things weren’t the same” in regard to Robin and that he couldn’t just start where he left off with her, but up to the minute of his attempted marriage to Sabrina, he was looking for Robin and hoping she was still alive. He only removed his old wedding bands, ripped up plane tickets for a trip never taken and proposed to Sabrina after pressure and boasting from her rivaling ex, Carlos (Jeffery Vincent Parise), and disappointed glances from the young nurse. Robin practically had to make Patrick go to Sabrina to talk when the wedding crashed and burned. B) We didn’t wait all this time for Robin’s arrival for her to not be with Patrick and C) this isn’t a real love triangle. The best triangles are those in which both pairings are viable, unique, significant, have history and create fierce debate among viewers. Photos of the cast (past & present) that I just love. Feel free to email your favorite photos at JSaysOnline@Live.com; they might be in the next edition of PC Paparazzi! :)
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. Photos of the cast (past & present) that I just love. Feel free to email your favorite photos at JSaysOnline@Live.com; your submissions might be in the next edition of PC Paparazzi! :)
Thoughts & observations of Port Charles happenings. Maxie, Spinelli, Dante & Lulu/Brad It’s been a daunting month for these characters. After Maxie (Kirsten Storms) gave birth and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) discovered that the child she bore was biologically his, the two struggled with keeping the secret that the baby wasn’t Dante and Lulu’s (Dominic Zampronga, Emme Rylan) embryo as planned to avoid breaking their close friends’ hearts. They didn’t have to struggle for too long; Brad (Parry Shen) outed them at the baby’s christening, with the goal of “doing the right thing” to impress Felix (Marc Samuel). Another long-awaited reveal done all wrong. Like a Grade-A steak presented on a garbage can lid (“Cosby Show” reference), the writers have a horrible habit of ruining whatever great plot-lines they’ve developed with poor and cheap execution. A life-changing secret like this should’ve been exposed by someone closer to the situation to provide both logic and emotional poignancy to the scene. The paternity secret was just blurted out with no context. If Brad really wanted to impress Felix, he should’ve outed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), or at minimum, that he wasn’t the father of Britt’s child (she’s been telling gradual truths, so why not?). Why it would matter to Felix if Brad told something he overheard about people Felix has no affiliation with? How would Brad appear to be a do-gooder if he’s still telling lies himself? It was fast-food execution. An outsider swept in, dropped a bomb without significant or logical cause, and exited. I was also dissatisfied with how Lulu’s reaction was written. Considering her relationship histories with Maxie and Spinelli, Lulu’s response should’ve been a balance of anger, confusion and brokenness, but it was excessively venomous instead. Verbally throwing dagger after dagger, Lulu slapped Maxie and called her a selfish, cruel human being and accused her of being devoid of love. Even if Lulu’s retort was deemed realistic and fair to the story, the fact that she has yet to ponder Maxie’s reasoning isn’t. When people feel betrayed, they often try to decipher what drove someone to their choice. Maxie almost died on the birthing table, and even after that, she was willing to let go of a child that was biologically hers. There has to be more to Maxie’s choice than just being cruel. I’m not saying Lulu should be ready to forgive (if ever), but this black-and-white approach to what should be an emotionally complicated tale is mismatched and isn’t believable. Believable was further out of reach when Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) called Maxie and Spinelli every name in the book upon seeing them in the Metro Court in the most childish of manners. Yes, Olivia would be heated on behalf of her son, Dante`, but being an older and wiser person whose kept a paternity secret herself, I expected her to be more motherly: chastise them and then ask why they did what they did. It was annoying. Lastly on this point, I so desired that on 10/22, when Lulu pressed Spinelli on why he was with Maxie on having their child back, he would’ve passionately said something to the effect of “I found out I have a child. I’m a father. She’s my daughter. How can I just walk away from that?” and emphasize how he was in the dark too. Anything to try to soften Lulu to him and get her thinking. It’s one thing for her to want to keep the baby from Maxie, but Spinelli? He is a victim of Maxie’s lies too and Lulu hasn’t realized that she’s denying parentage of a child he has just learned of. Photos of the cast (past & present) that I just love. Feel free to email your favorite photos at JSaysOnline@Live.com; your submissions might be in the next edition of PC Paparazzi! :)
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