titan1978

One of the reasons the Cassadine return story worked with Nikolas for me was just that- it was a window with plausible deniability in what the audience would know. And in watching those scenes recently, they match up pretty well with the story they told. Laura did act like she was maybe not going to say anything to Luke. She seemed more mature and sad, which was expected with what she had been through. But Nikolas also easily fits there emotionally and story wise. And as Genie used to say- Laura does have a off switch when things get too hard to handle. This story with Rick was just ill fitting all around. I almost wish that if it had been molestation memories resurfacing she was mistaken, and ultimately discovers the memories are not about Rick and the Webber home but something that happened when she was with the Vining family.

Wasn’t there a scene when Laura is in the attic with Robin and Lucky early in their return to the show under Labine that she got the chills looking around? I wonder what was going to come of that, and I was surprised when it came back up and was revealed to be this mess.

To me that was Val over compensating because everyone always assumed she was going to be with Gary again so she felt like she had something to prove. Again- I’m team Gary/Abby and Ben/Valene. Those relationships just work better for me overall. The Danny story was awful all around as far as I am concerned.

Valene unhinged and hardly threatening

I still prefer Gary with Abby. And those scenes with Jill were incredibly scary and effective. Poor Val.

He may not have watched the show, but I clearly remember him saying he read all of Marland’s bibles, and thought they were incredible. So he did do some research. It lead to some shallow characterizations lol.

You know, she really did grow into a good performer and I think her no longer being a main cast member has been a loss for the show. And I could not stand her in the 80’s! Lots of soap performers start out a little rough, especially the young ones. Some of them kind of find a groove that works for them, some never improve, and some turn into actual actors. People like Alfonso were much better than they were when they started, but I wouldn’t say they became more than talented charisma performers. Jacob Young really did surprise me. He was awful as Lucky, and he was much more compelling as JR during a really rough few years on AMC. I also think Victoria Rowell grew into an incredible actor for Y&R. She became one of those people who you could see thinking in character on the show without saying a word. Which is not to say she wasn’t competent at the beginning. She just grew into her justifiable place as a lead in my eyes. And again, another sorely missed character.

I remember watching this and being excited by all the new characters and then like a month later all I could think was where did everybody else go? Because Bill Eckert ain’t it ya‘ll. I even liked Jenny at first lol. Later on I enjoyed Tracy running her down.

I think it suffered from the Stefano disease. It felt like they wanted him to be Stefano without giving credit to the actual type of character and stories James was in. If anything, I think Paul being driven to the dark side as time went on would have been more compelling than James returning. It also was a Barbara crutch- don’t know what to do with Barbara? Let’s resurrect James.

I used to be so attracted to Tyler.

Who knows? Because the plan was changed before the killings were done. The earlier victims believed they were fired, and I am pretty sure I read that they had to sign them to new contracts when they returned. Plus Cassie never re-signed, which is why we barely saw her once they were revealed in Melaswen.

Agree. And truthfully, I hated the original Jerry casting as well as his relationship with Bobbie. Other than Carly Guza really didn’t do anything good for Bobbie that I can recall (although I would love to see his original story with Stefan and Bobbie play out). 💀 Anne written in blood is a classic moment. If Robin had not taken off as Heather I can’t imagine she wasn’t the original killer. I found those ATWT scenes with Margo and her rapists a little on the gratuitous side and now that I have seen more of HBS I am so glad she didn’t have to play that. Maggie’s death was so awful. Hard to watch because it was Maggie and also because the actress wasn’t shy about how sad she was to be fired. Knots Landing was on fire then. And Ginger was no Ciji…

Soaps have had many harrowing moments over the years. One that still evokes an emotional response is when Liz was grabbed in the park on GH. I appreciate how much care was put into this story when it started. BH really acted the hell out of this story, and the production was not gratuitous or pandering. It was shocking and sad when Lucky found her, but the scene of her being grabbed was really haunting and terrifying. Something about the scene just after, the quiet snow and the empty bench really stuck with me.

I would really like to see what Constance Towers could have done with Alexandra Spaulding. But ultimately, I don’t think anyone brings all the layers at once that Beverlee did- petulant, vulnerable, deeply committed to family, at times almost desperate and easily disappointed.

Lucas is close enough- GH 💀💀💀

I think if MB had gotten the kind of recognition of let’s say Tony Geary, he might not always bring up what a good actor he is. It kind of reeks of insecurity instead of humility or even ego. Because he spends so much time talking about how weak others were before they started working with him. Not to say Tony didn’t have an ego- but at least he often commented on scene partners making him better, not the other way around lol. Even 17 year old Genie.

I really enjoyed this one.

Their demos were so good that they were a cash cow with advertising. Not quite as much as Monty’s GH, but still very strong in a way any show would like, even back then.

I thought he had great chemistry with FL as well, better than he did with Kassie. I really miss Tea and OLTL.

Closing credits- I preferred the single image with slightly altered, slower music- like GH (Monty era the credits rolled over the hospital image, Riche it was character stills). I used to really love those holiday episodes when the credits listed everyone that worked on the show during the year.

There is something to that slow fade out and hold on black that Y&R used that just seems like classic soap to me. Especially if it was a really dramatic moment and the music carried the scene out.

The one thing JFP did that I actually loved! They used to film people all over that hospital set pre-covid. The hallways, the stairs heading up to that upstairs landing, looking over the landing, etc. But I haven’t seen them use it fully in a long time.

At least they are celebrating on set it appears.

Didn’t he act the same way when he was paired with fake Kate?

I remember thinking when she wasn’t even nominated after Lucky died what else does she have to do? Because both the scenes when Luke told her and then later in Lucky’s room by herself were heartwrenching. Especially the scene in Lucky’s room- that felt like watching someone really grieving and lost. Even glory hog Kim Zimmer said in a soap mag that she felt that was criminally overlooked that year. Even when the writing for her was awful, I never saw her personal opinion in the performance. Geary- all the time. And I like TG and Luke, I just think he is at his best when surrounded by grounded performers- Genie and Jackie especially. Also- wouldn’t Luke’s death have been a perfect time for flashbacks and Laura to spend time evaluating her life- from as early as they could find scenes with Lesley, to fighting with Bobbie over Scotty, through Luke and her kids to today with Kevin. You know, an organic way to celebrate 45 years based on the current storyline. Jesus how did these people get so bad at doing soaps?