DRW50

@Soapsuds@Broderick@DramatistDreamer@soapfan770@victoria foxton@Vee@Mitch64 @j swift @Joseph A January 1991 episode, only incomplete due to a press conference on Desert Storm. Early 1991 episodes seem hard to come by, and this one turned out to be momentous, as a huge showdown between Angel and Henry Lange is packed into the same timeframe as a deeply sad divorce proceeding with John and Lucinda (who only very reluctantly lets go after John makes it clear why nothing, including a final night of passion, will lead him to stay with her). Liz Hubbard is often accused of OTT performances, but this is all very tender work from her, heartbreak dangling from the sleeve. Wonderful performances from Michael David Morrison (reminding yet again why he was the only one who could inhabit Caleb), Alice Haining and James Rehborn in extremely difficult to watch material. The general view of how staid the P&G soaps were, lacking the social issues tag of Agnes Nixon or Bill Bell works, along with this story not involving any "big" characters (due to Martha's Lily being gone at the time) tends to obscure just how daring the story was, as this episode alone shows. A numb and helpless Lily and Holden, Caleb being haunted by Angel aborting "his" child (a child actually conceived by her rapist father), a terrified Angel being pursued and gaslit by said father as her self-loathing brother Barclay is passed out drunk, unable to hear her pleas - incredibly harrowing material, even more now than at the time. For some slim comic relief in Marland's very dark final years, you have a fun bitchfest with Lisa and Susan (Lisa clearly happy to fill in for Lucinda during her sojourn from Oakdale). https://archive.org/details/l-1-t-2-v-8-9-soap-operas-guiding-light-as-the-world-turns-jan.-1991

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Natasha-Lyonne-movie-shot-in-SF-All-About-Evil-17235472.php

I think he was on FC's last season.

Abby's Choice is one of the episodes that resonates with me to the point where I kept it in my back pocket for later years when the writing for the Karen/Abby relationship (and anything related to Karen) becomes much more one-dimensional. The visual of Abby refusing any gratitude from Karen but Karen still showing some, when Abby was sleeping, is very touching, and a statement on both characters. The montage in this episode with Abby staring out at the waves, cutting to Val in her chair at home, also deep in thought, is beautiful, such an effective example of the power of montage. Clearly someone at the show agreed, as it stays in the opening credits for years.

Emmerdale is now in the position Corrie and EE used to mainly have where the panels know they will likely pick up viewer-voted awards so they use slots to for less popular shows. I cannot get through Emmerdale these days. I'm happy for the cast and crew, some anyway, but I'm not sure what other shows I would have chosen. The soaps are truly in their last days...like so much else. I'm torn between being horrified at the clown show that was Meena winning an award, and being happy for her considering how ugly the atmosphere on the set allegedly was. Sorry to hear they barely acknowledged Sheila Mercier's passing.

I was watching an episode from a few weeks ago Australia pace (late April UK pace), and when Chloe and Terese were talking about generating buzz for an event, they mentioned Edward Skylover, and said the buzz he made was huge. Edward created a big fan petition to try and save the show. I am not sure if that's the same @Skyloverwho posted here, but either way, nice that they honored a dedicated fan that way.

I would have given it to Chris Chittell as Emmerdale is turning 50 and they have never gotten any of these, but I'm very happy for Letitia, who is always there, pitching in, even with awful material for eons. Lovely to see Anita too, playing along with the audience and bringing some glam. And it made me smile that she asked Anita to stay up there with her.

This is the Ciji singing moment I mentioned as my favorite of the season. I just love the buildup to Karen ugly crying. It's the perfect blend of music and character-led drama, helped by not being edited to death the way so much TV has been in the last 20-30 years.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a40255583/eastenders-adam-woodyatt-changes-ian-beale-story/

You can tell how heartbroken David is here.

I knew about some of the stuff surrounding her in the revival, but I'm glad she got to come back, however briefly. I had no idea of her struggles. I hope she is at peace. She was the purest conduit of emotion in Twin Peaks, the purest, along with Sheryl Lee, conduit of Lynch's vision. Her scenes, especially the performance in the killer reveal episode, are among the finest works on TV. Here is her SNL performance, where she (called in at the last minute to replace Sinead O'Connor) was one of the few bright lights of a very ugly episode.

Madonna's face looks a bit more natural here, compared to the last few years, so that's nice.

Of all the grifters and "free thinking" fascists to join the truly dangerous Matt Walsh in his virulent crusades against lgbt people, I think I hate Taibbi the most.

@Veeglad you are keeping these chugging along. Not only do they remind me of story beats I had forgotten (like Abby's involvement in Richard's restaurant), the psychological insights also add more value to characters I was too irritated by to study (like Lillimae).