OLTL: Discussion for the week June 16-20

[DavidEvanSmith]

I think there's a clear distinction between recycling stories (repeating a formula, which is what I consider recycling a story to mean), and creating parallels within stories to enhance the dramatic effect.

In recent months, there have been parallels. David Vickers, who once posed as an heir to a wealthy family (the Lords) only to get romantically entangled with a woman (Tina, another Lord outsider) who he was supposed to be related to, is now revealed to be a legitimate (or illegitimate, LOL) heir to another wealthy family (the Buchanans), but David will be the last to know, thanks to the handywork of another con man (Jared) who has been posing as the heir, only to get romantically entangled with a woman (Natalie, another Buchanan outsider) who he was supposed to be related to. That can be viewed as recylcing, but I find it to be symmetry, balance... karma.

It also adds a layer for Natalie, who was cheated out of a life as a Buchanan when someone kept her true biological identity from her for her whole life. Now she has chosen to play God the same way with another long-lost Buchanan. Should build her character if she ever realizes what a hypocrite she is being, and it should give Natalie pause to realize what an ingrate she is as well, throwing over this family she fought so hard to be a part of, for a man.

Nash's death is completely original and a result of brilliant planning and multiple story pacing, IMO.

Starr's pregnancy is pretty original and built entirely on a very RICH history between Todd/Marty. Rape has been a consistent theme that has kept the Todd/Marty characters connected, and I think that's why Todd was so quick to jump to the "Cole raped my daughter" conclusion, because of the guilt. Meanwhile, it has also brought it full circle because while Todd violated Marty back in college, he's basically mind-raping her now, and taking advantage of her mental vulnerabilities. It shows that Todd has truly NOT changed very much from the man he was all those years ago, or at the very least he has regressed.

While stories may echo, the consistent history-referencing moments are the best touch. The writers remembering that Dorian had an alcoholic love of her life as she compromised another's sobriety was poignant, but also very damaging to Dorian's character. It showed Dorian's strength (her conscience, her fierce loyalty and love) and her weakness (her ability to willingly do what she knows is wrong and rationalize it) at the same time. The constant ways that Asa is coming alive again in his successor, Clint, is being brilliantly executed. The threads of love, rape, unexpected pregnancy, and adoption that are echoing in all the Cramer relationships (Blair/Addie, Blair/Starr, Dorian/Langston, Starr/Langston) are making all the relationships stronger.

History is informing current, original stories, and the parallels between the characters' present actions and their (or their rivals') actions of the past are enhancing the drama, giving us insight into how much (or how little) these characters have grown and evolved over the years.

I find it clever and masterful, and proof that the people behind the scenes have a clear understanding of who these characters are and who these characters are SUPPOSED to be. OLTL is embracing its history and playing it for all its worth, and the audience is generally very satisfied because of it (from what I read in this thread). Other soaps that try to alter their history or ignore it to tell a story it just feels like telling should take a lesson.

[Juliajms]

Nothing wrong with using history?? Well, I sure as hell hope not. I just wish someone would send a memo out to the writers of GH and let them know it's not against the law. Isn't building on history the whole point of having a show that's been on 30+ years??

BTW, great post DavidEvanSmith. You said it all much better than I could have.

[rhinohide]

Very eloquent, and I agree. Your take on Natalie as always, I disagree.

[DavidEvanSmith]

Thank you!

Just curious, what's your take on Natalie in relation to mine?

[EricMontreal22]

Yep He played Paul who doesn't really have a solo song but does have the most famous monologue (I think it was largely cut from the awful movie) about being gay, doing drag, comign to terms with it, etc

[Ryan]

Great post David.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Dont even try it. You neither Toups. I'm the biggest OLTL fan on this bitch, but it's true. Vee, you named about three stories that havent been recycled. Here are more than three that have.

The B.E takeover- Dorian did this years ago

Lindsay and Bo

He ripped Alice's T.V show for the Bonjour cafe

He ripped David/Tina/Lord for Jared/Natalie/Buchanan

Jamie Lynn Spears and Juno for Starr

When Dena took storylines from the news, for the Laci Peterson story for example, we ripped the bitch for not being original. Using Alice's and Jamie Lynn Spears as inspiration is not honoring history. It's using outside resources to write socially relevant stories. Dena did that, to a degree, and that shouldnt have been a bad thing.

Please I'm not knocking him. He is my favorite writer out there. I am just stating facts, and facts speak for themselves. Honoring history isn't doing the story all over again. I do understand it, because in a way, all writers recycle because all stories have been done hundreds of times.

[rhinohide]

In this specific case, I don't agree that she's an ingrate. I should have said I don't generally agree instead of "as always".

I think David made a strong case that there's a big difference between recycling and whatever you want to call what RC is doing. I don't think he's retelling the same stories (although I'd be hard pressed to distinguish between the Bo/Lindsay story of today and that of yesteryear). Some people think

That's an entirely different story using a plot device that has been used before.

[rhythmchyc]

I find it incredible that even when someone is doing something right, there are still haters.

[Ryan]

She may have done that years ago, but was her motivation jealousy? Her jealousy and anger towards Clint and Nora's relationship after she was unceremoniously dumped? We all know she harbors much hatred for the Buchanan's, but this was pure vengeance.

Lindsay and Bo's relationship this time started as platonic (on Bo's end). He looked out for Lindsay and took her in (took responsibility for her) when no one else (besides RJ) would. Lindsay had feelings, but was afraid Bo would reject her.

Teen pregnancies have been done on soaps before. I don't see how he copied them.

Ripped from the headlines stories are nothing new, it's the execution of the story. No one ripped Dena for that, they criticized her execution and follow through.

I know you aren't knocking him, but I think we're confusing "recycling" with "similiar, yet different". Many writers have said there are no "new" stories in daytime, but I disagree. People choose to wash, rinse and repeat the same story.

Recycling - Any story Robert Guza has told involving the Mob where Sonny & Jason meet a threat, they battle back and forth, Jason and Sonny are down for a bit, but come up back and eradicate the threat.

Recycling - Sonny meets woman. Claims she's the bestest. Carly is threatened even though she's "with" someone else. She growls and hisses at the woman. Woman breaks Sonny's trust. Sonny screams betrayal. Sonny fecks Carly. Sonny and Carly talk about how they can't be together. Sonny returns to his whore. Eventually he leaves her for Carly.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

Well guess what, unless he is doing it perfectly my friend, there are always going to be haters. I hope your not referring to me as one of those haters either.

[Juliajms]

People have different tastes, so it's always going to be impossible to please everyone. I'm satisfied with the fact that OLTL is generating so much buzz. Seems to me the show is at least moving in the right direction.

[Dr. Jay S.W.]

I've been watching this show for a looooong time. When the first thing I think about regarding a story is another story from years ago, It leads me to believe that the motivation comes from that prior story. Ron is retelling all of his old favorite stories with a 2008 spin, and like I said before. Nothing is wrong with it. I just think some of us are a little blinded and dont want to criticize him in any way and must fight against anyone who says something different and automatically deems them a hater.

[rhythmchyc]

It seems more nit-picky to me.

And people have a right to criticize. I suppose it makes writers better. But I'd support him as much as possible because he's the ONLY effective writer in daytime and JUST STARTED. Unless you've read spoilers, we don't even know how his rehashing s/l will turn out. I believe we may truly judge him when the resolutions occur.

[Ryan]

I agree with you Jay