DRW50

There's some fan speculation that Gemma Oaten only came back so they could tie up Rachel's loose ends. I don't know, but with this and with Rachel and Ali soon to clash over Rachel getting more money while in Ali's job, I wonder. Lisa has seemed much more unpleasant and shouty in recent years, although she's been a little better lately. I liked the scene with Zack and Belle and Sam with the pigs, talking about the old days. The Dingles don't really feel like Dingles anymore, as they have no spirit and are all very disconnected in storylines, but that was a nice throwback. I think they have either extended the Robert/Aaron story or are making changes - just guessing, as the hitman stuff feels silly and random. They had gone on and on in interviews about how Robert may "kill again" and how once you kill it becomes so easy, but this didn't really play out that way. I wonder if they wanted to remind us of how dangerous Robert is but also wanted us to see him choosing to stop it. It's too bad, as there were some lovely, well-acted and written scenes peppering those two episodes, with Aaron/Paddy, Robert/Chas, even the one with Aaron/Robert. I also have to wonder if the Whites were supposed to be this way. Lawrence is just a nasty man, and Chrissie is all but a dumb victim. Lachlan is the worst, but he's the one they will likely spend the most time redeeming. As much as the Sharma story is obvious filler, the scene where Georgia let Rishi down was lovely. Of course it went back to silliness on Friday, but you take what you can get, I suppose. I just wish I didn't have to be shocked when Priya interacts with other people. I wish we got more of her and David with the baby.

Her name's Rachel. She's Ali's sister. She and Jai had a one-nighter when he was married to Charity. She passed the baby off as his father's for a while, but Charity eventually found out. By this time Rachel was dating Sam. Charity and Jai split and to get Rachel back, after Declan Macey set fire to Home Farm, she framed Rachel for it and made Rachel go on the run for a year. She fled with her and Jai's son, Archie. Rachel returned to help send Charity down. The time away has, I guess, made her colder and harder, and she doesn't want to share Sam with his family. Doesn't excuse her horrible behavior though.

A lot of the criticism started after the Cersei/Jaime rape scene, which I do think was a horrible misstep, one that significantly lowered my interest in Jaime as a character. By the end of the season most critics seemed supportive enough again, at least of what they always like (rah rah Arya, Tyrion, The Hound, etc.). What it has never been cool to like (Jon's story), they continued to tut-tut. I read a few reviews for the new season, but stopped when every one of them had to include, "They're moving away from the books and that's so good and shows how brilliant they are because the books are so complicated!!!" Even if that's true, it sounds oddly defensive to say it over and over, and I can't say that made-up material is something D&D have excelled at. And if the spoilers/rumors are true about

That's how it always is with critics, especially in recent years. If it's "hip" to like something, then views will be shaped around that. AV Club rolls around in this - almost all TWD reviews are wholly negative, while Shameless reviews are almost always gushy and positive, even as many fans tore the show to shreds this season. Many critics care about their own egos, nothing else. That's why you have so much endless bullshit about "The Golden Age of Television" because if THEY like it, it MUST be the best. And now that they can't fawn as much, suddenly it is the SILVER age, because it's just not good enough for them anymore!! They're a joke.

I asked this but it was bumped to another page. Can someone tell me about the Mike and Valerie story?

Some old ads from an early October 1999 TV Guide.

March 1978 Daytime TV

I think amybrickwallace had asked for more Rod Arrants articles. March 1978 Daytime TV

Not sure if this helps you any - looks like she hasn't been in a lot. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0116454/ What did you think of this Nicole?

I'm really not happy with a lot of this Alicia/Lachlan storyline. I feel like it if were on another show besides ED I'd be tearing it apart. I worry that women will not go to the police because of this storyline. I'm also wary of the idea that we should wait until we see remorse from Lachlan. Thomas Atkinson is a very good actor but I don't know if I can take a story where they tell us Lachlan is the true victim, or he is a victim too, especially since Alicia will probably be the one to comfort and support him.

Someone with the Google/Youtube name Terry Davis replied to my comment. I asked if it was the Terry Davis and said we still talk about EON episodes now. She hasn't responded back.

I don't see her as worth hating either, but I think a lot of it ends up being projection.

Judging by the ratings declines, they don't, although I don't really think that's why Nene is popular anyway. A lot of fans do hate Kenya (she's very polarizing), but Nene is likely popular because she has charisma.

They are worse, yes, as the DiMarcos were never really the main family. They were also far better integrated. Anyway... http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2064384 Can’t say I will miss him that much (although I will miss that beautiful ass), but it’s too bad, as he’s the only man I ever liked Roxy with. At least this probably means no “who the daddy” story. I should be grateful for small favors. Now I hope Ronnie eviscerates Roxy and Charlie with laser beams from her eyes.

I'm sorry about that I wish they'd cast Bonnie Langford as Angie's long list sister. I still miss Angie...

If she's carrying spinoffs I can see why she gets a raise, but I do wonder if Bravo realizes just how irrelevant it's threatening to make itself by relying entirely on a fading franchise. Bethenny will be on Ellen's show today.

Can someone tell me what the story with Mike and Valerie was about? Who was in the role at that time?

On the positive side of today’s scenes: - There was far more caring, loving Robert than I’d expected. Don’t try to tell me that he’s just manipulating Aaron or only wants him for sex. It’s become far more. It’s also obvious to me that if he pulls away it’s not down to being fickle, and it’s not what he wants to do. - Lucy and Ryan were both very good. It’s always better to see Chas with bite than whining and pouting, and Robert was genuinely panicked and desperate throughout the episode. - The location work was wonderful, especially the faraway shot after Robert put his coat on Aaron. - I didn’t mind the Bob/Carly scenes as much as many did. I thought they were an interesting contrast to Aaron and Chas, and I actually think this is a case where less was more with Aaron/Robert/Chas. - I'm still invested in Laurel's story, and having so much of it be about lack of trust along with her drinking problem makes sense. On the negative side: - I still don’t believe Robert would kill Chas. Whoever directed this episode pared it down as much as they could to try to make us see that it was pure rage and in the heat of the moment - and that is in character for Robert - but it is still just rushed. And I still have no idea whether they are doing these things to make us see Robert as a villain or beyond redemption, given that he has many other moments of caring. It just feels like a stunt and along with Danny’s new interview, makes me continue to believe they have no real idea where this story is going. - Chas’ character is really being sacrificed to add to drama. She’d never do all that smirking while trying to find her missing son, and she’d certainly never say all those “You’d better give Chrissie one last kiss goodbye,” theatrics while her son is unconscious and being taken away in an ambulance. She would be far more concerned than she was today. It was baffling. This isn’t real life but you can still write characters true to their nature. Otherwise we lose our connection to them, and to the show. - My eyes went back in my head when Finn was talking about being tired of Darren texting him so much. He and Darren have only been back together a few days and already it's moved on to Finn wanting to break up. What is WITH the writing in this story? It's just terrible. I've rarely seen a soap relationship that takes place 98% offcamera.

There were also rumors about RSW having issues with HBS. I think RSW may have had a certain "type" (young hottie or what have you) and struggled otherwise.

Does Jenn also spend all her time whining about her parents?

That's neat. I always like seeing soap actors pop up in these ads. I had never seen Terry in one so it was a pleasant surprise.

Thanks for all the extra info. I would have loved to have seen Holly Hunter on a soap. So much young talent in NYC at this time - just shows again what the industry has lost with the death of NY soaps. Considering that NBC was pretty much done with the show by this point it's amazing that they were still interfering to such a heavy degree. No wonder the cast felt demoralized. It sounds like the NBC of this era never would have allowed a Rita Lakin type writer. It's sad.