Santa Barbara Discussion Thread

[redontop4]

 

Yep. SB had b@lls. This was not your mother's soap, which made it exhilarating to watch for awhile.

[Faulkner]

OK. As I'm watching, I've begun to remember the controversy surrounding the identity of Eden's rapist. And yeesh. I totally understand why viewers might have been grossed out, and it's adversely affecting my appreciation of the story.

[amybrickwallace]

Who was writing SB at that time?

[Faulkner]

I believe it was Chuck Pratt (which makes total sense) and Anne Howard Bailey. 

[amybrickwallace]

 

Thanks. That explains a lot!!

[Carlos Abad]

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2 excellent episodes. But I still think Mary died too soon. Mason and Mary made a great couple, even if I sometimes cannot stand her attitude.

[redontop4]

 

Yes, the conclusion of Eden's rape storyline is one time I think the Dobsons would have reined in CP and steered him towards a resolution that was less sensational and over-the-top and more emotional and character-based. Then again, it was the Dobsons who, on their return in 1991, had Augusta out to seduce her sister's rapist, which was pretty repugnant in its own right and led to the loss of Louise Sorel.

[amybrickwallace]

I admire Louise Sorel (now more than ever) for expressing her disgust at the storyline, even at the expense of her job. Now that's integrity.

[j swift]

Did you ever notice that characters rarely get an exit scene in Santa Barbara?  Pearl, Janice Harrison, Greg Hughes, Casandra Benedict and Nick Hartley; all major characters, from different writers, with storylines that just disappeared.  Maybe Santa Barbara really was like the Twilight Zone?  A place where people don't leave town they just are never spoken about again... 

Edited December 18, 2017 by j swift

[Faulkner]

Someone pointed out the hypocrisy of having Marcy Walker give that PSA at the end of each episode asking victims of rape to report the crime to authorities and then having Eden's rapist

 

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It's vile and undercuts the entire story.

 

But, again, the more I watch and the more it seems like Eden and Cruz are in their own little corner of Santa Barbara. Julia makes her appearances as do Sophia and Keith. But where's Mason and Kelly in this story? Perhaps the person who edited this story together cut out their involvement?

Edited December 19, 2017 by Faulkner

[redontop4]

 

I disliked the revelation that Eden's doctor was her rapist as much as anyone. It sent a bad message to women who have trouble trusting gynecologists already and may forego important health care because of those fears. However, I don't see how this undercuts MW's message that rape victims should report their crimes. That is true no matter who the attacker is.

 

Yes, the show was very Cruz & Eden-heavy at this point. Thankfully AM and MW had the talent to carry it. It would have been nice to see Eden's support system, specifically the Capwells, at work. But it was around this time that Mason had turned into Sonny and Kelly was being played by Kimberly MacArthur, who (mercifully) was given little to do while the producers tried to find a new new Kelly. So it may make some sense that we don't see much of those two.

[Faulkner]

Sure, but the very authority she reported the crime to was shown not to be trusted. It's just a very mixed message.

[amybrickwallace]

Plus, MW may not have even known who Eden's rapist was at first. Even so, the message to get help cannot be underestimated. 

 

The ultimate reveal of the rapist would probably resonate even more in today's world post-Weinstein. Of course, that’s just my feeling.

[j swift]

I agree with how distasteful Eden's rape was handled.  Least we forget the recasting of Leigh McCloskey as Ethan Asher.  During the introduction of the character, Eden was treated that as though she was nuts for thinking that Ethan reminded her of Zach; which just further victimized her character. 

Also,  not to minimize the cause, but sexual assault was awards-bait for soaps in the late 80's so every woman on daytime was assaulted.  Five years later every leading lady would have to shave her head for a cancer story in the mid-90's. 

[amybrickwallace]

SB probably had more females raped/assaulted on daytime until Passions destroyed that record years later.