Something Positive
My first column was all about saying at least one positive thing about each soap. Since then, I've been struggling to pick something out that one thing for each soap. But, lately I've seen a lot of things that have me taking notice and scooting forward in my seat. Isn't that what soaps are all about? What better time for a positive column? The chance may not present itself again for a long time.
All My Children: While there is, no doubt, a lot wrong in this Bianca/Michael story, nothing, and I mean nothing, is wrong with the renewed focus on Bianca and Maggie's friendship. Nothing was more touching, surprising, real, and heartfelt than the moment it dawned on David and Maggie the severity of what was plaguing Bianca. And speaking of David, that has been pretty amazing as well. Writers have been struggling to figure out how to make David a sly character without his being an out-and-out villain. In his recent work with Bianca, I think they've struck that balance -- for the moment.
As the World Turns: The aftermath of Susan and Rick's confrontation in the motel room has been one of the strongest things the soap has done in ages. Marie Masters has delivered Emmy-worthy work as Susan reeled from the realization that she had been targeted by Rick from day one. As she was haunted by visions and dreams of Rick and then finally confronted him, she eventually had to face herself and realize that she was walking through her life in a daze, which was making her the perfect victim. The writing for this was incredibly well done. Considering how many times in this story alone writer Hogan Sheffer has proved that he doesn't know a lot about these long-term characters, he hit the nail on the head with Susan's vulnerability to a user like Rick. I appreciated that. But, there is yet another amazing positive, Jennifer Ferrin, the new Jennifer Munson. In a story that runs hot and cold, usually cold, Jennifer has been the only thing that has taken this far-fetched love triangle and made it viable. Her chemistry with Dusty is raw, real, and electric; her frustration with her mother is frenetic and believable; and even her naivete despite such a mature and often cocky look shines through once and awhile.
Bold and the Beautiful: With odd twists and turns to storylines recently, there is one thing for which I want to pat the show on the back. Stephanie and Sally's pow-wow, which led to the hilarious drunken haircut, was probably the most smartly written event the show has done in ages. What I'm most impressed with is that the ultimate goal was, of course, ridding Susan Flannery of that coif that she's been burdened with for ages. Usually, when a soap tries to write in anything based on the real life actors, whether it is a pregnancy or an unexpected short-term exit, they fail miserably. Here they not only managed to make the write-in somewhat plausible, but they made it entertaining and IMO an instant classic scene from the soap. This was no lazy throwaway explanation for the hair change; writers actually put some thought into it and made it funny and compelling. And Flannery, like always, threw herself into her part as an unglued and plastered Stephanie. Darlene Conley offered probably her best work in ages, perhaps ever, as she momentarily became her best buddy. This wasn't just a funny unimportant event; this scene actually managed to be character-driven.
Latest Articles