The Doctors

[danfling]

The actor whose voice was heard as the television commentator was Mel Boudrot. He later appeared on All My Children as Tom's friend Father Tierney.

[Avatar610]

Just when you think you couldn't hate Nathan Bunker more........ What's with Bill Winters? Can't he see Ruth is disintergrating before his eyes?

[amybrickwallace]

Not only that - he keeps alcohol IN THE HOUSE and tells her HE needs a drink??? It's a miracle she hasn't had a drink in all that time. When he went to the cabinet where the booze was and saw it partly open, he looked like he had daggers shooting out of his eyes until he realized that Ruth hadn't opened the bottle. Then he proceeds to enjoy his drink right in front of her face, practically.

Speaking of clueless people, why didn't those moron police or at least Matt (I think Bill had left by that point) order Mr. Bunker out of the hotel room where Liz was so upset? Why was he let in there in the first place? IDIOTS!!

[TimWil]

The actress who plays Ruth Winters has an odd accent-I keep hearing traces of British or Irish in there from time to time.

[amybrickwallace]

I could find next to nothing about Ann Whiteside (Ruth) on the web. It is interesting, however, to see James Noble portraying a darker character when I've only seen him in comedy, mostly as Gov. Gatling on Benson.

[Paul Raven]

IMO,something about James Noble's acting brings an underlying weakness to his characters.Of course I've only seen him on TD and Benson.

I can imagine his Don Hughes was the same on ATWT but have no idea about his character on A World Apart.

Hope Memorial seems to operate with no patients or visitors.We mostly see staff roaming the tiny corridors and going in and out of that elevator.

Interesting how formal everyone is eg talking about Carolee as Miss Simpson.

At first it looked like the extra in the opening clip was on a cell phone until I realized it was a portable radio!

[DRW50]

They've shown a few patients here and there, mostly interrupting conversations in the clinic.

Does anyone know exactly what the specialities of each doctor is? I know Nick is a neurosurgeon and a researcher, but some of the others are vague to me.

[Paul Raven]

This show is really so far ahead in attitudes for the time - in fact more so than today's soaps.

Althea is treating her pregnancy and miscarriage in a calm rational manner.No wailing or pity party,or trying to trap a man.

She doesn't even have her daughter with her (neither does Maggie? Where is Greta?) Yet she is not painted as a neglectful or bad mother.

Then we have a disabled character whose disability is not the focus - he is even allowed to be an unsympathetic character.

Was Rita Lakin given free reign with the network and C/P supportive?

[soapfave06]

I agree Paul Raven. Its incredibly pathetic that a show airing 46 years ago is more mature and progressive than the daytime soaps of today.

I've finally caught up. So glad that Althea is back even though only briefly so far. As mentioned above I'm really happy Matt Was the one to save Liz and I can't wait to see Nick's reaction. Hopefully its calm and not his usual yelling.

I seem to enjoy Ruth's breakdown story as long as it stays on the back burner. I get tired of it fast. Wouldn't it have been usual for Bill to drink in front of her in those days? Wasn't alcoholism treated differently then?

[soapfave06]

Oh, forgot to add how much I loved Maggie's line about how someone are born to do housework and she and Althea were born to play with stethoscopes. Another example of their being progressive.

[Avatar610]

I just want that creep Joe Finch to be found- Lord knows how many other women he's attacked. It would be very wrong for Ms. Lakin to let him go unpunished. Still waiting for Polly's nieces to come to Madison. BTW, how much longer does Bethel Leslie have left on the show before Lydia Bruce shows up, and were there any other actresses filling the gap between the two?

[amybrickwallace]

Right now we are in February 1968. Lydia Bruce became the third and final Maggie in August 1968 and stayed until the show's finale in December 1982.

Wait till you see Liz in the next two episodes. Good grief!!!

[Paul Raven]

Variety reported that in August 68 that Lydia would be taking over full time as Maggie after filling in,so she should appear earlier.

[amybrickwallace]

Does anyone know how long Robert Cobert's theme song was used? I know TD used several themes from the late 70s to the end of the show in 1982.

[Avatar610]

Well, after seeing Liz being rejected by Nick again (when will she grow up???), I think I know what's going to happen. With her prediliction for doing without thinking- here's my fearless prediction: expect her to make a beeline to Nathan Bunker's office to spill the beans about her, Nick, and Althea. Payback's a bitch, and her name is Elizabeth Harriet Wilson!!!

Edited October 30, 2014 by Avatar610