carolineg

The way Claudia was killed off was particularly violent. Unfortunately, she was written so far into the corner at that point I didn't care. And if I had to see the flashback of Michael swinging that axe one more time I was going to scream. First Drew Garrett's Michael had the flashback 1000 times then CD's Michael did lol. The mistake with Claudia was boxing her with Sonny. She was so good with a lot of other people on the canvas, specifically Nikolas. I know super random right? Anthony sold Claudia off to Gino and he raped her. I don't even know......that's horrifying and no wonder she was nuts. I actually wouldn't have minded some Soleitos coming back including Carla. It was just the wrong time on the show. It was in the middle of the OLTL stuff and the Connie/Kate/Joe Scully stuff too. There were so many new characters running around at that point, but the idea isn't half bad.

I looked it up it was Gino Soleito. When the show was doing that City crossover stuff with Tracey. I really wanted to say Trevor Lansing or Joe Scully, but I was off. They all were kind of involved around that era. But, anyhow, poor Claudia. Her life was really messed up.

Honestly, I can't remember if I suspected she was Johnny's mother. They just seemed odd. But the whole family dynamic was dysfunctional. I don't remember who Johnny's dad was. But I do remember things like Johnny saying he was 6 when Claudia was sent away at 16, so I probably didn't suspect it lol.

The fact that Claudia retroactively became his mom later made it that much weirder lol. What a bizarre re-write. SJB is barely 5 years older than BB lol. What about Kristen/Tony from Days? The actors weren't blazing hot together or anything, but no one in town found it creepy they were step-bro/sis. I know it's all strangely retconned now or something, but both Kristen and Tony called the same man dad and got married. That's effing wrong. And no one really cared about that.

I know Lisa Rinna said they hooked up, but it's called acting. They were weirdly touchy feely. But the writing had her do strange things like sing songs dedicated to Austin, which was just inappropriate. lol I almost said Dante/Olivia, but I think it's more of the lack of age difference than an actual vibe. But I would add Claudia/Johnny to that list. They were weird... I remember Johnny hooking up with Lisa and saying she reminded him of his sister. WHAT!!??!!

Most of my favorites are already taken. On Days- Gwen/Jack Charity Rahmer's Belle/John Kate and both BD's Lucas and AP's Austin back in the day. Her protectiveness over their love lives was downright creepy. Are you being helpful or do you want them for yourself? Also, this one goes way back, and I am not sure why it bothers me so much, but AS Sami and WN's Roman after the Affair came out. The way Sami would cling on to Roman and act like she was his wife and not his daughter used to creep me the eff out. It's honestly probably just me, but her and him post-Affair used to weird me out even after multiple viewings of the story PM's Austin/LR's Billie-It felt like Billie was hitting on Austin sometimes GH DG's Michael/Kristina-when they were cast I seriously thought they were going to pair them JMB's Lulu/Ethan-I am not saying they had chemistry but they had them kiss before we knew they were siblings. Ewww..

She was supposed to be. They haven't explained it yet. Probably has to do with the doctor Michael Lowry was playing, but I have no idea. That's why Belle didn't immediately jump to the Jan conclusion and accused Sami of setting her up instead.

I thought today was pretty good. Sami was hilarious with Belle/Jarlena and Lumi/Chloe. It's true Sami would never set up someone as lame as Belle for murder lol. Also, one of my biggest pet peeves is when they bring up Sami selling Belle on the black market. I know it happened, but with SORAS was Sami 5 years old? Not to harp on Ava's cooking again, but weren't Rafe and Ava eating what looked like dinner in yesterday's show, but it's apparently morning in Salem? Whatever, show. Ava and Rafe actually don't bother me. Seems like a waste of TB though. Bye Ciara! Spend all the time you need in Africa!!!!!

Lol. I was thinking she was Days Olivia Falconeri now... TB plays Ava now like a really watered down version of Carly

I assumed they would drag out the reveal of Jan as the murder a little longer? Maybe have the John stuff drag out longer? Make him have to make a statement against Belle? Have Belle blame Sami longer? And then do the reveal. So weirdly paced and it's not really a bad story. Ben continues to be a psychopath. I have no sympathy for him and trying to rope Claire into it? No. Re: Theo. It's not the best look for him, but I understand it. Ciara wants out and it's clear Ben will not give her space in Salem. Plus, now Hope will be there too. Honestly, there really is no guarantee Ciara will ever get her memories back (we know she will), but John never did lol. Should she put her entire life on hold? I would have gave it a couple of months at least, but whatever. Rafe/Ava don't bother me, but is Ava a master chef or something? She's always cooking lol. I get it's the only set they have, but Ava's presence continues to be weird on the canvas. I love Jan! Can we keep her and not Kristen? I am pretty sure it was the lighting, but it did look gray. She and John looked like they had matching hair colors

I think re-casting Hope is just more trouble than it's worth. Missy left a bad taste in everyone's mouth so it was easy to accept something new for Jennifer. KA seems obnoxious, but never really did anything wrong. I think they could easily find an actress that's as good as KA, but she is Hope. And if I were Days, I would just bide my time until she decides to come back.

That's fair. I wouldn't say Days has a very awesome track record with recasts. But I am fine with it. I would hope they go more of a Drake Hogestyn route (as in you have great chemistry with DH) instead of a Stephanie Cameron route. But it's time to cut your losses. Ciara has been made way too important to just let her leave with Theo, everything unresolved.

The Hope stuff sort of reminds me of when WN's Roman left and no one could find him while he was missing life changing events of his ex-wife and children lol. It's odd and poorly explained, but I assume she will eventual re-unite with Ciara off screen. And I don't really miss Hope that much I love GV, truly, but any hunky actor around 40-45 who looks like Ali Sweeny and Deidre Hall could play Eric. I don't think him and AZ were that great together. I am fine with Eric/Nicole, but they need to either break them up or recast.

I like VK and think she is a beautiful girl with lovely hair, but I'd be fine with a recast. The story should play out on screen. I don't think VK has made that significant of impact on Ciara to be irreplaceable. The only thing you would really risk losing is her chem with RSW and I think most people would be fine with her moving on from Ben. On another note, I feel the same about GV as Eric. It's time to re-cast. He didn't bring anything groundbreaking to the role and Nicole is running around doing nothing, butting into other peoples lives. I get not re-casting Hope, although it is a noticeable absence, but pretty much everyone else is fair game to me.

RSW is so hot. I don't like Ben but I genuinely hate Ciara more. She's being a screeching harpy that is leaving the country to avoid her problems. And dragging Theo into it all. I know Theo is willing, but everyone probably just needs to take a breath on this and not make huge life decisions. I know, I know VK is leaving, but she was better off dead. Ben with Claire is not a good idea at all. They are as exciting as Allie and Tripp. And even though I am not a huge Claire fan, she deserves more than rapists and Ciara's leftovers.

I would be hesitant to say he suffered from Sarah Brown syndrome. His role lasted almost a decade or more. Sarah Brown has never had that. He was just sorta there, but I think he was very popular with Liz. He is Sarah's father and Noelle's. And he served some sort of purpose as the resident MD. He was never Roman, Steve, Bo, John, etc but I do think a soap needs that character that is very steady or just ordinary.

LOL! The show is manipulating me. I don't want to sympathize with Ben at all. And he is creepy and not a viable romantic lead, but ruining Ciara like this is unfair. It's not like she had much of a personality before, but ugh...I am not liking her at the moment. It's just so obnoxious the show is doing this.

I can't even deal with Kate's blue hair streak today. Didn't she lose it for awhile? It looks awful. Even if she was only 25. I know she's had it for at least a decade, but some days it looks a lot worse than others. I know Ben is the worst, but I actually thought Ciara was really cruel to him today. I just don't think Ciara leaving the country is a solid idea when she has mental issues. And, sure, let's jump into something with Theo. Idk, her points weren't wrong but the way she delivered the news to Ben was so smug and unsympathetic. I don't want to side with Ben in any capacity but Ciara was being unnecessarily terrible to him. I mean I get it but, Ciara, you were the idiot that married him in the first place. Lumi continue to be the best part of the show. Love them so much!!

I definitely don't think it gained long term fans. At BEST they stuck it out through the Secret Room. Days jump lasted less than 5 years. GH was strong through the entire decade. But I feel like Laura has always been tied to Luke and I do think Marlena can stand on her own. I never felt any writer outside Labine tried to make Laura anything other than a Luke appendage.

Yes, I feel like I know Marlena better than the writers, but I grew up with her lol Again, with the Possession, it did it's job. It was campy and got buzz, but it was never a positive thing for Marlena's character. It's never even been a truly relevant thing. It happened and was basically never spoken about again. It probably saved Days from cancellation in a trying time, but it didn't evolve anyone in the story. But I would never rewatch it. It makes me cringe and is embarrassing. It's just a really obnoxious story coming off very emotional stories like the Affair and Masion Blanche.

I knew there was something specific about her not being religious, so thanks for clarifying. I am sure people change and I think? she converted to marry Roman in the church, but she was never shown to be exceptionally devout. That was just never her narrative. Her and RoJohn both struck me as pretty loose with religion. Didn't John get Tori pregnant after he found out he was priest? Idk, Austin (AP's version), Greta, Eric, Shawn, Caroline, Marie even Belle to extent were shown to be more religious on the show. It's not a huge deal but it was an odd character choice for a person that was very good and a heroine, but not overtly religious. I dislike the Possession, but I am not knocking it's impact. It's just not my favorite and not because it isn't based in reality. I just think it's a bizarre choice of story for Jarlena, even if it's a lovestory at the end. Maison Blanche, Aremid, even stupid underground Paris are better stories.

I don't mind religion in soaps, but it felt weird JER tied it to characters that never seemed that religious? Again, I just think Jarlena were a bizarre choice to make uber religious when 99% of their choices were not following really any views of Catholicism. John was a priest, was so good he saved Doc from the Devil, but then wanted to impregnant his girlfriend Kristen less than a year later? His married girlfriend lol Well by the time Franco died, Marlena and John were definitely a thing again and I don't get the sense Marlena would cheat on John like that. And that would take away Don's biggest tie on the canvas. I was thinking post-WN's Roman leaving and pre-reuniting with John. Maybe Jack's trial for Peter's murder? Idk, I just can write a fanfiction where Don helps Marlena save John at the last minute and they fall back in love when John goes back to Kristen and Jarlena secretly long for each other. I really can't write fanfiction, but I could see the story lol. Let's be real, it would have been a hell of a lot better of an idea than Josh Taylor as Roman.

At the time Alex North was her husband in the eyes of the Lord and Roman was married to Anna first! And had a child with her. Yeah, it's weird how JER clinged to the idea Roman/Marlena were married in the eyes of the Church. That's fine, but the woman already was married and had a child before she married Roman and then proceeded to marry someone else she thought was Roman, and have an affair and child out of wedlock. And was Possessed by the Devil! JER was probably not honing in the important reasons Marlena needed forgiveness in the Church. But, aside for JER has anyone even portrayed Marlena as being particularly religious? She was fine living with John for YEARS without being married. Idk, I think she's a Christian, but she really has never had any qualms about pre-marital sex or judged anyone else about that or shown going to Church unless it was for weddings, funerals, holidays, or crisis. That's a whole other topic about how weirdly religion is played on soaps. Anyhow, Don just could have had some cool possibilities on the canvas. And I always thought it was slightly sexist, I guess, how Marlena had to sit on the sidelines of John/Kristen for years without even a date. And Don, as a lawyer, had a legit job and purpose. You totally could have had Marlena call him when John was on death row to help. Listen, he could have hooked a with Laura, a woman who didn't have a date her entire 90's run on the show!

I think I have said this before, but I always thought it would have been cool for Don to come back in the 90's. Lord knows Mickey/Maggie had nothing to do and he could have been involved with Marlena post-Roman. I know Marlena never lacked story, but I think it would have been a much more realistic story to reconnect with Don and interesting to see them raise little Belle after DJ. Instead of Marlena getting kidnapped/possessed every year and staring wistfully at John. Don could have mixed it up with Maggie or Julie (when she was around) or gotten involved with Vivian or Kate. He always could have been helping Mickey on one of his various cases like Jack's trial or John's. Aside from Victor, the show was sort of lacking that older leading man back then. Oh well, he is most likely a character JER would never had been interested in or JER would have made Jed Allan a new character that was Marlena's other abusive first husband or something.

It's a strange thing to bring up 40 years later lol. There has to be more to the story. Maybe he didn't get paid, but GH's use of it helped it become popular, therefore helped record sales. Idk, it seems like the actual use of it on GH and the popularity and eventual record sales would be worth more than royalties from a soap opera? I guess ideally he'd get both, but GH certainly doesn't have the money to pay him now lol