Maxim

I loved reading this. Thank you! The Annie stuff is very creepy. A shrine to Josh! I suppose this is the new Annie... after Watros left, if I'm not mistaken. I wanted to ask you... but I always forget... out of the years you recently saw... which has been the strongest in your opinion?

The second episode was sublime. WOW. Thanks for sharing @DRW50. That scene at the 8 and half minute in particular was really good. I also detected the note of flirtation at the beginning. The chemistry is there. It almost feels more modern than what we see today on our screens. Not a note of camp... very nuanced acting, memorable dialogue... even the thunder outside and the menacing little music... set the tone so well. "Get what you want out of life... before it's too late." This is really my motto in life.

Up to January 14th, 1993 🦩 "A jealous sociopath in Llanview." 🔷 Here we go again. The show is getting slightly better. It's not up to their full potential yet, but that's completely fine. Compared to the soaps of today, it's still masterpiece-hour. Let's get to it step by step. 🔷 We have the reactivation of Marty Saybrooke. That despicable, tortured, broken piece of sh-t that we are supposed to understand... because she doesn't have parents and her aunt is a neglectful witch. Yeah, I was neglected too in my childhood, but I didn't become a raging sociopathic evil... Cathy Ames from East Of Eden... CREATURE. John Steinbeck would have appreciated Marty Saybrooke. So now that she's seeing Andrew and Cassie happy, planning their wedding, the tr-ll is starting to lose it. She is self-destructing, drinking vodka and not taking her lupus meds. I can't predict her next move - perhaps she'll spread a rumor that Viki abuses her kids... or that Cassie is having sex with her mother. ANYTHING vile and repulsive this deceitful creature can concoct. Now... despite (or maybe BECAUSE of) my strong dislike for her... I MUST acknowledge the incredible actress who is EXECUTING HER ROLE perfectly... portraying a complex antagonist. Honestly, Susan Haskell is likely the most talented younger actress on the show at this moment. 🔷 We had these two slightly cringe... but still fun... bachelor/bachelorette parties going on simultaneously. The guys were at the roadhouse dump while the women were at Max's house playing games and smoking cigars. I really liked how they switched things up, making the girls seem like the tough... macho group. I also found the cartoonish twist of the stripper actually being a clown that Joey accidentally booked for the party... hilarious. It was definitely something different, even if it probably read better in the script than it appeared on screen. Sometimes they bite more than they can chew... trying to be overly original, but I give them credit for the effort. I'm not usually into these kinds of Woody Allen-style comedy routines, but I understand the appeal. 🔷 Now, let's dive into Anna Karenina. The Male Brooke Logan (Sloan) managed to make Viki jealous enough that she FINALLY dropped her cold facade. She turned madly bitter, and her usual high-and-mighty attitude was replaced with a more earthy... bitchy vibe. I loved witnessing how, when provoked, she could unleash her wild and dirty side. Her BRUTAL take on Dorian... how pathetic she was, how she was going to get dumped again... made me laugh. These moments in soaps are what I live for. Naturally... they had to escalate things and had Dorian throw her drink in Viki's face. That felt a bit excessive, but it was in line with Dorian's character. I would have preferred to see Viki react differently, though. It seemed a bit anti-climactic after that. She should have delivered a sharper comeback. Or maybe Renee should have had security escort Dorian out like a dog. Still... the Anna Karenina plot keeps on delivering. Now that I think about it, maybe it was for the best that Viki didn't react excessively... it made her appear like a victim in Sloan's eyes, which got his attention. And that was probably her main goal all along. 🔷 Other than that... we had Blair continuing rummaging through Asa's stuff. Seriously - why would he leave his things so accessible to her, knowing what she's capable of? This really irks me. I've lived with millionaires, and I understand how they value their privacy. You don't just leave your cabinet unlocked for your unstable soon-to-be ex to waltz in whenever she wants. You set up cameras, change the locks. You take the necessary precautions. It's just foolish to give Blair so many options to exploit. Honestly, it feels like cheap plot-driven writing. It would have been way more interesting if Blair couldn't just enter that house and had to find someone inside to help her out. Maybe she could have bribed the maid or threatened to report her for theft (like saying she saw her stealing something, anything to make the maid complicit) to gain access to the restricted areas. There are countless smarter ways to handle this instead of going for something so basic and sitcom-like. What a missed opportunity! Overall - 8/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clip of the day Dorian throws a drink in Viki's face!

Knowing these are her last episodes... I'm trying to savor every single scene she is in. She is still giving 100 percent, even though at this point I'm sure she knows she is being replaced. If the situation is how people say it was... they did her dirty. I have to dive and look for her other roles. I saw she had a part in DAYS and I would love to see that. I just love her so much. She's become one of my favorites of all time. I feel like I'm starting to subconsciously hold a grudge against the show, because I know my two favorites are going away. I don't know how I'll be able to stomach seeing a white blonde woman play Blair in a few months. This thought already disturbs me. Nothing personal against the actress that is coming... haven't seen her yet. Yeeees! Thank God. Now as I think about it... the only reaaaaaaaally long period they flopped was around the Carlo murder mystery storyline. I was shocked to write it myself. 😁 Great intro, wrong character - is a great description! Restricting Luna's world to Max was a huge mistake. A year later it's even more apparent it was a mistake. It was more believable in the beginning actually. When she had that impossible crush, but was still in her own quirky world. It all went to hell... when they wrote that crazy Death storyline in order to fake some kind of "destiny" between the characters, when it was obvious all along she was a second choice. Not even a second, actually... more like that friend you kiss only when hardcore drunk and then don't even remember. This storyline reminds me of these girls/women I used to know in my hometown when I was a teen - couple of them would be in love with the town's playboys and just wait their turn for years and years... and when that playboy finally gets older, uses up all the popular girls he wants to be with... starts balding slightly... and craving a home cooked meal... then these "waiting in the corner" girls would suddenly become their girlfriends. So it's not like it's not possible, but there is a certain amount of anti-climactic ANTI-romance... pity factor... that depresses me. Especially in the scenes when Luna looks desperate to serve and obey him. All the cooking, let me massage your feet scenes are cringe. Having in mind this is the same girl with the Goddess spiel. I know they'll make it work because I see Susan Batten giving her ALL, but still it's one of the show's weaker spots. We have enough of romantic heroines, we didn't need Luna added in that mix.

Watching the next few episodes on the TV... It's cozy and snowing outside... and it's already... times and times better. Thank God. We are back to the Anna Karenina storyline and Dorian just threw a wine glass in Viki's face. Viki is now in the position of the one staring at Sloan from a distance and fantasizing about him. He is playing her like a violin, sitting quietly next to Dorian. The Slut From The Valley style.

Up to January 11th, 1993 🦩 "Something's OFF with the entire show." 🔷 I believe this will be the lowest rating I assign this show since I began watching. A lot is happening, yet none of it feels coherent or natural, in my opinion. It is quite apparent that the show is preparing to say goodbye to two of the main actresses, which is impacting the quality of the narrative. Let's discuss it step by step. 🔷 First, Dorian and Cassie found themselves in this incredibly contrived conflict regarding Blair's invitation to the wedding. It's clear the writers are trying to set things up... in order to send Dorian away before Strasser comes back. Dorian's histrionic behavior towards Blair in public, which disrupted Cassie's party, even though somewhat in character... felt RUSHED and lacking prior beats. I always believed Dorian was more clever than this. Why would she choose this particular event to bicker with Blair and then accuse Cassie of favoring her? It simply doesn't make sense. Dorian has done EVERYTHING she could to make herself close to Cassie and they've gone through so much bigger sh-t than this. How is that all of a sudden this (inviting Blair) is so WRONG and so OFF-PUTTING to her that she can't control herself for one day? Didn't she wish Blair happiness and prosperity during the Holidays? LOL. Furthermore, why would Cassie act so stupid and make Blair her matron of honor at that precise moment, seemingly to provoke her mother even more? They are behaving as if Blair is Cassie's DEAR beloved cousin, which is far from the truth. Why not pick someone else to stand by her side? Anyone would be a better choice than Blair. Even Alex Olanov would be a more suitable option. Just as they appear to manufacture artificial plot-driven tension to create a rift between Viki and Clint, they have done the same here. It's unfortunate, as this show has generally followed character-based storytelling to a significant extent. P.S. I appreciated the later scene where Cassie and Dorian talked it out. I loved the exploration of Dorian's insecurity and fear of being chosen over by others. That reflects a borderline/narcissistic personality trait, which she certainly possesses. 🔷 Moving on to the second complete idiocy. In a silly twist... we see Blair returning to Asa's manor... like SHE OWNS IT... rummaging through his drawers, searching the entire house and behaving like Cruella DeVil. Chile.... don't tell me that Asa, the MILLIONAIRE Buchanan, wouldn't change his locks and would just ALLOW that monster to ENTER simply because they are still married?! When he returned... he accepted the fact that Cruella was there... without much resistance and, of course, chose to meet his business associates for work... just when it was clear even to my dog... that Blair is doing something nasty behind his back. The real Asa Buchanan would not compromise himself just to keep the plot goin. They are just giving Blair opportunity to fight back... come up with that secret card, she could play at the trial. Once again, foolish plot-driven writing designed to keep the door open for the character. And of course Asa decides to choke her in that EXACT moment he is leaving the house... ignoring the maid who is standing and observing everything. Okay, maybe he didn't see the maid. But it's just so foolish. Now Asa is a wife beater?! ANOTHER character we have to dislike so much?! We have accusations of homophobia, racism, sexual harassment and now domestic abuse flying in this show like it's NOTHING. I hate this sudden drop in the characters' intelligence just to serve what they want to tell plot wise. HATE IT. 🔷 And now the BIGGEST lunacy is Mortimer, who was stuttering and a virgin... getting jerked off under the table... weeks ago... now acting like HE IS THE powerful Carlo Hesser... trying to scare the whole town, buying restaurants to gift Renee and etc. I CAN'T WITH this nonsense anymore. It's a complete disgrace to have this storyline and to keep trying to push it again and again. What do these people want us to believe now? That Mortimer was really Carlo? Or is this some kind of philosophical idea I don't understand? It's not as foolish as it seems, for sure... but it's not as profound as the writers think it is. This isn't a Pygmalion type of story where Alex creates the perfect mob boss. It's a messy plot-driven writing to fix the killing of a major character. They love to create problems for themselves and then spend months trying to resolve them. Which can be a good thing, but here - it's not. UGH. 🔷 On a brighter note... Luna and Max's story is getting a bit easier to stomach. I appreciate the conflict that arose from his desire for sex and her reluctance to rush into it. At least this gives Luna some character depth, or else she might just be Max's servant/YES woman. AT LEAST that. Susan Batten delivered a beautifully nuanced performance that elevated the script. Her tears upon realizing that Max is still making excuses to sleep with her... were touching, even if the situation is somewhat reductive at this point. I still can't believe this is Luna Moody. She seems to have no other interests or topics in her life besides Max. Max this, Max that. It's too much. She's become like Tina, which was her biggest fear. 🔷 Oh and... Sloan is spending more and more of his free time with Dorian, which is pretty strange, since she was the one who took the pictures of him and Viki and he promised to make her pay just weeks ago. We know that he is using her to make Viki jealous, but still... it makes Sloan come off as the male Brooke Logan and less like a serious man... a general. But this I can accept as part of his GAME for Viki. So... OK. Dorian is getting used again... and will get dumped again. 🔷 Yikes. 1993 better get better soon. I hope this is just a short confused moment. They've had them before and quickly managed to improve. Overall - 4.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clip of the day

This is just unacceptable. And so toxic to work in such environment. I can't imagine how she must have felt. Now I have even more respect for her professionalism. Thank you for sharing.

That's how it feels to me as a viewer actually.

A few weeks ago, there was this scene between Bo and Viki where Viki justified the emotional affair with Sloan by blaming Clint's homophobia... And yeah... it was hard to root for him when he was calling Billy "that sick kid" and forbidding Joey to ever talk to him again. He did apologize on Christmas, but the damage was already done. And now Kevin suddenly accuses him of being a racist, which seems like a deliberate move to push Viki back towards Sloan. I would like if they don't do this, because the drama is a lot more interesting when you can root for both of the guys. It's a harder choice. If they make him out to be this homophobic racist pig in the end... I won't even care what Viki chooses. It's counter-productive. But I also get they need to give Viki more and more reason to drift from him. P.S. Very interesting information and tea about Clint Ritchie. Thanks for sharing guys. I now have a clearer understanding of the situation. I'm shocked to read that he threw a chair at Erika Slezak.

I think (that's my personal take and I don't expect people to agree with it) Bradley used that Deke character to get a little bit of publicity and the "first gay male couple" articles around the internet. Of course exploiting a community (the gay community) who he hasn't given a f-ck about... Because yeah... A show based in LA with no gay males for 40 years... Lol... How not homophobic! So... using that same community for clicks and clout. Nothing more. If he had any real plans for him, he wouldn't have paired him with a perv and a sociopath... (The half of that mesmerizing first gay male couple) And not only that but hint in dialogue that a gay man in the closet may become psychotic and dangerous because he is in the closet. It is a disturbingly ugly, absurd and outdated message that we should be way pass in 2025. But this degenerate show clearly isn't. And knowing who is behind the scenes... I'm not surprised. Shame for their better sets and production values. It doesn't change absolutely anything, it makes the vile smell of garbage writing even stronger when you have everything else working to make a visually okay show.

I totally agree! Their "relationship" is so pity based... it's almost embarrassing to watch. A guy who got rejected by the woman he reaally wants, and to soothe his bruised ego, he lets his eccentric best friend think they’re an item. She treats him like he’s some kind of deity, acting as if he’s God and everything he touches turns to gold. This is what they call "romance" . And now... after Luna lost everything because of Max's tired penis... she’s still the one going to lawyers to save his precious Serenity Springs. Everyone seems to have forgotten she lost her radio gig too. Why isn’t Max out there fighting for her show? Maybe because it’s not his problem, he is so selfish... just like Blair. And as you pointed out, he’s no prize - just a fading playboy. I actually liked the other actor better, the one I saw during the Alex Olanov hysteria - he was a darker, classier version... while THIS right now is supposed to be this "HOT", cute butt in a denim-guy that makes women lose their marbles with one wink. UGH. Luna should be dumping him and getting back to her radio show. Being the outsider looking in... the role she had in the beginning. Why do we need YET another romantic heroine is beyond me. We have ENOUGH of them.

I agree. One of my initial complaints... and they are still doing it too much... Lazy writing.

Yeeees BTG

No. Not on my end. It stopped that same day.

Same.

Up to January 7th, 1993 🦩 "The Re-Invention of Blair Cramer." 🔷 Here we go... I'm 4 episodes in 1993 and I must say - I am really enjoying the enhanced quality of the source. It's 200 percent better, and the audio quality is what makes the biggest difference. Even my husband joined me and had no trouble watching (he couldn't tolerate the pixelated 1992 episodes, even though I remind him that we should be thankful all of this is available on YouTube). 🔷 Just when we thought Blair was cornered and about to lose her company, an idea came to her. She plans to accuse Asa of raping her. Yes, you heard correctly. There was the sort of perverted almost escort-ish thing going on, but she intends to escalate the situation and produce a false witness who can back up her claims of getting raped in Asa's house. Specifically, someone Asa fired - a person who could be bought and holds a grudge against him. It's getting really crazy. Mia Korf is going to be leaving this show very soon... and I can't see how, since Blair is center stage in every single moment. I wonder how they did the change. 🔷 Blair's path of destruction isn't restricted to one person or location. She is set on making everyone else suffer with her. Her next target was Max. She wants him to lie at her divorce hearing and claim he never slept with her after the marriage, never even met her privately at the spa. Luna found out about this and confronted Blair. That unexpected moment when she grabbed Blair at the end was very soapy. 🔷 The character assassination of Clint (to make Viki more likely to cheat with Sloan) has started up again. They are repeating the same type of thing they did months ago. But this time... creating an issue for Viki and Clint to fight... out of thin air. The new problem is about Kevin dating Rachel. They took it further by having Kevin accuse Clint of being a racist. I don't understand what this actor did to cause the producers/writers to first portray his character as a homophobe and now suggest he might be a racist, forcing him to DENY it... but YIKES, YIKES, YIKES. I'm a bit upset because I want Clint to be with Viki. But here they go again, making him unlikable and having Viki argue with him about it. AGAIN. Oh... and before I forget - Viki saw Dorian leaving Sloan's bedroom after "putting her clothes on" and misunderstood the situation. Her usual QUEEN MASK fell apart, revealing a very disturbed, jealous woman, almost crying in front of the house. L-O-V-E-D this. Oh, Viki... do it already. 🔷 The other person accused of being a racist, Hank... is facing an ultimatum from his daughter - either accept my relationship with Kevin or LOSE ME! He refuses to back down, even going so far as to confront Kevin and threaten him to STAY AWAY from Rachel. I wonder if the producer/writers are not writing themselves in a corner by making so many characters unlikable. This contributes to the overall DARK and TWISTED atmosphere of the show, which I usually enjoy (as a huge fan of Dostoevsky, I thrive on misery). The positive - I really appreciated Rachel standing her ground. She's my favorite character at the moment. And seeing her torn between her parents is fascinating. 🔷 I brought this up in a previous post and talked about it with you all. Todd Manning is here now, but he is not that active at the moment. The actor has presence... I give him that. I haven't heard more than a few lines from him yet, but his face is memorable even at such a young age. Overall - 7.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clip of the day Luna vs Blair!

This. They haven't had a decent storyline since that moment.

I decided to change the Christmas tree, because I saw one I liked and wanted to recreate and enhance myself. So... I bought a new one... so huge it's bigger than me... and had to decorate it for 6 astronomical hours going back and forth to the store to buy additional ornaments. Now I'm so sore my whole body aches... But the tree is sublime. It has hundreds of ornaments. I haven't eaten since this morning. More than 9 hours ago. I'm literally beaten down by a Christmas tree. 😂

😂

Thank you. When Rachel and Kevin sat at their table at the roadhouse... I instantly started worrying if something is not going to happen to Rachel. But then I saw that Todd and the other hooligans had their attention set at Marty. She is the easiest prey - drunk and using drugs, with no support system... They've been giving her even more negative and toxic moments... Now we saw her stealing stuff and being a kleptomaniac. I still think she is undescribable trash, played by a one of a kind actress and I won't ever forget the pain and hysteria she caused with accusing Andrew of pedophilia. That's why I found it absolutely shocking when Cassie and Andrew had her in their Christmas list. It was a bit too much even for a man of God. Even though I get it's part of their condescending friendliness with people they pity... similar to how Viki operates with enemies.