The only blatant recycling/rewriting that I think Ron is guilty of involves the upcoming 40th anniversary stuff, but that seems to be more in the line of an homage ... or just plain fun.

There will always be stories that ring a familiar bell, and I have to say that I agree with the people who say the true test lies in the execution and follow-through. For example, Michael Malone wrote the brilliant DID storyline in 1994-95, introducing Jean, Tori, Tommy, etc., and delving into the Victor Lord murder. Certainly, some might have said this was a redux of Viki-Niki and the secret room from 1985, but Malone made it a new and different story. Similarly, Viki discovering that Natalie is the child she didn't know she gave birth to is similar to Viki discovering Megan is the child she didn't know she gave birth to (imagine a mother popping out two kids and not remembering them ), but again, completely different stories.

I think we have already seen a lot of originality from Ron as Head Writer. Most notably, as someone already pointed out, the story of Viki in Paris, Texas. He did what no one has done since Jill Farren Phelps and Pam Long (sorry), which is to write a real, new love interest for Viki, as has long been promised. And not only that: it was an actual STORY of her own, taking place in a diner far away. And the big one for me is that it appears we may FINALLY

get a glimpse into the history of Blair's biological father

, and this may not be original from a soap point of view, but it's definitely new for OLTL viewers, and something that a lot of Blair fans have been wanting to see on screen for years.

And to further add to the euphoria, I just need to say that Carlivati has done what many writers haven't really been able to do... integrate new characters into a very tight Lord/Buchanan/Cramer canvas. Characters like Jared, Charlie, Gigi, and Langston have become FIRMLY embroiled in the drama and were so delicately woven into the canvas it's like they've been here for years (at least for me!)

Bringing new characters into a canvas is a very delicate operation, but it was done very well. And even better was the rare occurrence when the leading diva who has been in a storyline slump for years can be given a story in a town that isn't the setting of the show, with strangers, and it works to set up a rejuvenation for the character when she returns home. I think a good example of such a formula failing is Erica Kane behind bars on AMC, but Viki in Paris Texas did so many things for Viki and the show.

It got back to the heart of who Viki was. It established new regulars in Charlie and Gigi. It tied the new regulars to the existing canvas via Jared and Rex, establishing conflict for Jared's existing story, and a new love interest for Rex once his current one exited the canvas. Then Llanview stories infiltrated Paris (Marcie on the run, Asa's death/will reading) and was a catalyst to return the leading lady back to her home town and draw the new characters there as well. It's HARD to make a story fly when it's set outside of the established hometown of the soap, but Viki's was executed BRILLIANTLY.

And to further add to the euphoria, I just need to say that Carlivati has done what many writers haven't really been able to do... integrate new characters into a very tight Lord/Buchanan/Cramer canvas. Characters like Jared, Charlie, Gigi, and Langston have become FIRMLY embroiled in the drama and were so delicately woven into the canvas it's like they've been here for years (at least for me!)

Bringing new characters into a canvas is a very delicate operation, but it was done very well. And even better was the rare occurrence when the leading diva who has been in a storyline slump for years can be given a story in a town that isn't the setting of the show, with strangers, and it works to set up a rejuvenation for the character when she returns home. I think a good example of such a formula failing is Erica Kane behind bars on AMC, but Viki in Paris Texas did so many things for Viki and the show.

It got back to the heart of who Viki was. It established new regulars in Charlie and Gigi. It tied the new regulars to the existing canvas via Jared and Rex, establishing conflict for Jared's existing story, and a new love interest for Rex once his current one exited the canvas. Then Llanview stories infiltrated Paris (Marcie on the run, Asa's death/will reading) and was a catalyst to return the leading lady back to her home town and draw the new characters there as well. It's HARD to make a story fly when it's set outside of the established hometown of the soap, but Viki's was executed BRILLIANTLY.

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.

Brilliant post!

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.

Word, Ryan.

Oops posted in wrong thread.

Edited June 23, 200817 yr by 2shane8

I love them. Especially because it builds the suspense. Like, every time the second or two before it's about to cut to commercial, the little insignia of ABC or SoapNet fades then the screen goes black. Looking for this marker was delightfully frustrating particularly during the Adriana/Rex wedding and Dorian's takeover episodes because it seemed like every single scene ended in a cliffhanger LOL. So, I'd look down and either feel like my heart would stop because it'd go to commercial or ecstatic because it wouldn't.

Anyway, I love it. And the brief sound effect is also quite effective.