soapfave06

That would be interesting and set the tone for what was to come (for worse)

Mari-Lynn also lived in the carriage house, right? She would actually be ideal to involve Megan and Viki if that was the goal.

Ha! Really shows what an icon Roger was. I was waiting on Doug to have a big moment in the costume. Oops, I wish we had closing credits for the spellcheck reasons. There is no balance to Cassie faking the insanity, she isn’t quite coming off as a strong woman which considering she battled Mitch Laurence and was nearly burned alive tied to a tree doesn’t add up. Also, the way she says Sarah kills me, I’m not hating on it though. I have made it to episode dated 11/8 (the dates don’t add up though when I checked the weekly ratings) and I see what you mean about Jane and Roger. I wouldn’t have hated if Jane was less one note, she could’ve been a background character, longterm waitress, something. But I won’t miss Jane or Roger. Not hating the story though. Roger confronting Viki in her office and Blair coming to her aid was quite chilling, the background score was great. I’m actually missing Jason, he’s gone more to the background, and the scene where LeeAnn called out for Max as he sat vigil with her in the hospital made me feel for him. This actor is phenomenal. I am LOVING the ongoing work life at The Banner and Blair making her moves. Cord comes off icky flirting with Blair constantly, although I would’ve liked to see them in the absence of Andrea Evans. Yawn at Max vs Asa. PS- Stephanie is now leaving, they are making moves fast. Kevin left for Texas, I’m assuming that’s the end of that Kevin? Also, were their any other characters pre-1991 that could have taken the place of Jane and/or Roger to avoid them being randoms?

I have made it through the 11/5 and I really can’t get over how on fire the show is. I think they are handling the transition from old to new and getting their bearings while keeping Llanview feeling like a community and it still feels like a soap, I really don’t get all the hate from the press at the time. I loved the Halloween episode: the costumes, LeeAnn and Luna, Jessica as Dorothy and getting spooked by Addie, Roger in the clown costume to track down Jane, etc. Cassie faking her breakdown to lure out the stalker is both interesting but moved at odd pacing. I wasn’t expecting the charade to continue through an episode and a half and thought it would just be one big moment. She did take it a bit far, poor Bo, Herb and Dorian. The fire at Llanview was very cinematic, especially the exterior rooftop window scenes and everyone slowly running down the alley. Great work by cast and crew. Max’s return from start to current has been great-loved seeing him back with Megan and then reaching LeeAnn and at her side.

I appreciate that! I am glad I made it through the hurdle and am now enjoying an era I have long ignored.

The playlist I am using has back tracked incredibly, so I have gone from arriving to the Halloween costume party to moving prior to Max returning I believe. This led me to watch the Viki exposes Cain/Tina visits her pirate past life episode again and I think it really may be one of my favorites of all time. Karen Witter has me laughing out loud and Erika slays those scenes exposing Cain, I wish it was a bigger moment but I know he has more up his sleeve. I can now quite literally not get enough of Jason Webb. This man is so real. He broke my heart when he realized he gave Wanda the wrong medication and I could only laugh when he taunted Kevin that “Mommy’s here!” as Viki paid a visit to LeeAnn, which were also nice scenes. I am back and forth on the Bo and Cassie stalker story. Maybe it’s the editing, but also the episodes move very differently, and it could be the pacing of the show as they experiment. I actually love how well used Viki is across the canvas, this could’ve done well for them in later years even in simple ways. She has exposed Cain Rogan, aided Bo and watched Porter die, confronted LeeAnn, gotten herself involved in the Jane Ebert drama and unknowingly tied into Blair’s upcoming schemes. I don’t mind this Kevin, but he’s just there, and I imagine a lot of his scenes with the upcoming Kevin (Kirk) playing them and I think they would hit a lot better. She is used well so far, but my only complaint is that Sheila Price/Valerie Pettiford should have been a LEAD on this show. I will never drop it.

I can’t wait to see those Mia Korf scenes. I love your very organized reviews. I have never seen the Bo scenes but often forget as they aren’t discussed often in the grander history of the show, as far as I know, barely mentioned on air.

PS-hoping to catch up to November and looking forward to seeing your reviews again!

I tried to keep up with some previous posts but I find it difficult to search through on mobile, I re-read often as this is my favorite soap anyway haha JDP is absolutely killing it though, Asa depressed back in Llanview is yawn worthy.

I am diving back in now: 1) The scenes of Jason opening up to LeeAnn about his stepfather were absolutely heartbreaking, and I’m really warming to both characters. Jason never comes off sanctimonious, he is very very real. 2) I am not hating the Jane story even if it rushed and of strangers, at least it brings several characters together, the show is incredibly fast paced considering Wanda had a random heart attack prior now their all facing domestic abuse. I just made it to the scenes of Troy calling out Viki for “doing her best” via The Banner (since she wrote an article on the hospital drama involving Sheila and now the Eberts) 3) Any thoughts on Max doing the ritual with the Native American? His return has been great so far. I just absolutely, so incredibly despise Asa and Max together in any form. Rather it’s 1990-1991 or 1991-2001 I quite literally absolutely do not care. There is nothing interesting about someone older finding their father: Jack Abbott on Y&R and Rex Balsom later on. Boring and unrealistic.

Do you think things just blew up in October due to their constant experimenting or was there another push? I don’t think I know what’s coming up with Cain (I know he works for Asa and ends up with Tina) so that sounds interesting! I saw Max at the brothel in the tub but not yet his face and yeah, I think it’s great actually, felt like 80s Max!

I am honestly going to have to rewatch it, October has been absolutely wild, so I want to make sure I did not miss a beat. And it’s a fantastic wild! I’ve seen a good chunk of 1990 and early 1991 and these might be my favorite episodes since early 1990.

I have not advanced very far but I did find some other material and was actually quite impressed: 1) Tina discovering her past lives and going klepto around Llanview had me absolutely rolling, especially poor Megan demanding Luna’s help. 2) Viki using her German to expose Cain was absolutely great - but was there any build-up? Did Viki just enter this room and boom while Megan got a phone call? 3) I also get to see Blair getting her dual apartments for her “jewelry business” so probably for Addie. Looking forward to seeing more of this era I have long ignored!

I literally get a headache watching the later seasons, it’s so devastating. I don’t mind the wild plots, it just lacks anything involving the word character.

I will look forward to those Halloween scenes! I really enjoyed the scenes of Blair at the boarding house making her jewelry while keeping Addie calm, compared to September, the show really started rocking in October. I lowkey would have loved the boarding house to be revealed as Ina’s and just having these lost souls staying there, I treasure that vibe of late 70s Llanview. Does anyone know where LeeAnn and Jason are living? It seems they live in the same place. I left off last night with Jason opening up about his abusive father and had to force myself to turn off the tv as he faced a broken mirror. So good!

I will say I enjoyed Karen and John honing the material, especially those Greek god scenes, I missed the pirate scenes and do intend to go out of my way to find them, it just doesn’t fit the show, and I can’t say how since I enjoyed the more wild 80s stories. I think soaps miss out not having more “work place scenes” which for me helps the pace feel more natural and avoids stagnant scenes: Luna and Wanda chatting between customers, Eddie and Quincey giving Cassie a hard time, Viki returning to The Banner after the Porter caper surrounded by everyone and learning the assistant quit versus repetitive recap dialogue scenes. There also is much more diverse under fives or background actors since Gottlieb took over which is nice to see.

Seasons 1 and 2 and early 3 are television gold for me. It’s truly a tragedy how plot driven it became. And very few shows learned this lesson in the decades to come.

I have made it through 10/18 and into the Jane spousal abuse plot. I am not if episodes were missing but wow they dove right in randomly introducing these folks at Wanda’s, then in their home, then suddenly Viki and Sheila were involved. I’m a little lost, so surely some of the sequence is missing. After nearly a month they have overdone Tina and her past lives. I’m over it. It was nice to use Luna as both a friend to Tina and to evaluate her relationship with Cord but this is ridiculous and not an aspect I’ve ever enjoyed peeking into Malone era Llanview (coming from someone who loved Eterna and 1888) The scenes of Asa attacking and berating LeeAnn at the party were astounding, made me see more in LeeAnn than prior. The following confrontation with Stephanie makes me wish Stephanie more outwardly caused trouble and shows she must be flirting with Joey to get to Kevin which is rather wild. Not even sure what to make of Jake and his tormentor harassing him. Some of this is wild. PS-I really enjoy the “everyday people” aspect with Eddie and Quincy at The Banner and Wanda, Luna, LeeAnn and Jason working at the restaurant. I was shook to see The Banner with an actual staff and Blair coming in.

I am looking forward to seeing this Dr. Jonas. When did he first appear? I had no idea Gerald Anthony was scheduled to appear, what a shame, I would’ve loved that. I can’t imagine Todd and Jason couldn’t both fit. Maybe I’m too caught up in the moment but I shall fantasize for now, and what an easy way for Wanda to appear again for Jason.

Did you feel there was still story left for Jason, or none at all? I did read through your previous reviews and enjoyed them very much, it’s hard to recall everything between binge watching and binge reading.

Oh lastly, can anyone explain the ages? How old are Kevin, Jason, LeeAnn, Joey, Stephanie supposed to be?

I have made it to Blair’s arrival, such good scenes. You can really see the new era kicking in as her first scenes are with Luna, new Tina and new Cassie (at the time) John Loprieno in the Ancient Greek fantasy Tina had, 🥵 I had no idea that Bo, Viki and random officer man tracked Alex and Porter down and did NOT see her shooting Porter in the back coming and definitely not her killing the police officer. Wow! Porter’s death scene was actually pretty good and the scoring to Alex holding Bo at gunpoint was chilling. I would still gripe that maybe there isn’t really umbrella arcs. Alex would add more to the Sarah mystery, Carlo remains blah, Viki randomly got added into the Sarah tale. Why on earth is Cain Rogan targeting Megan? The scenes aren’t bad but it comes off messy when A) it should be Marco (copied that from Bluesky honestly) or B) Andrew whom I thought was more vital to her send off in just a couple months. Lastly, the character of Jason has officially captivated me. Wow. Not sure what was left for the character longterm, but compared to what I have seen of Suede, Dylan and others Jason would’ve been a great antagonist to Todd and his mane of hair.

I am still enjoying your reviews (and Vee’s!) and I hope to catch up! Ultimately this era is one of the few successful reboots of a soap opera IMO.

I do actually remember those scenes, where she had a scar on her face, and was wondering where that would go, the next thing I know Joey is pursuing her 😂 I will say what I presume to be the build-up of Jason’s learning to read and his frustration at how LeeAnn is treated and concern for Wanda is making me a fan of him. The actor is great and raw, not sure he ever has chemistry with anyone though?

I wish we had interviews with the hired writer, and how far the collaboration went.