Y&R: Episodes discussion, week of September 21

[Paul Raven]

The same propping went on,when we had Lily the focus of Colleen's trauma.

Colleen may be dying,but don't worry kids-our heroine will recover and have children!!

[Greg's GL]

IA Julia. Everytime I see Beth on the show, I remember how much I miss her on this show. She should be the moral compass of the Abbotts that John used to be.

Aside from Gloria/Kevin/Deacon/Amber, I enjoyed today's show. IA with alot of what alphanguy said regarding the episode, and I have to say that MM stuck out like a sore thumb in that scene with Victor in the hospital. For cryin' out loud, he delivered his lines the same way! Whether he was saying "I brought you your book, etc. etc" to "Wake up and see what your bad seed son has done". That's what struck me as waaaay out of touch with the character. It all ran together, the same tone, the same expression, the same everything. Who does that???

The other thing about this episode is that it was so dark. Surprise, Surprise. I remember when there were some lighter moments weaved in with the heavy emotional stuff. Those days are gone. All that being said, I thought the episode wasn't bad. Not great, but not bad.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

As Carl pointed out, Traci is better off just coming back for periodic stints. We wouldn't want to see her constantly victimized, without a personality, or becoming a one-note psycho. That's exactly what would happen if she's on this show on a contractual basis.

[Greg's GL]

I understand, Alvin. But don't you think this show is missing someone like Traci? I would hope - HOPE - that she would not become a victim...but with this regime you never know. Traci could be the "tent pole" character as Maureen was on GL. And Beth Maitland is so completely mezmerizing (at least to me) when she's on-screen.

I say bring her back!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

"tent pole" characters are only good when shows are heavily rooted in family dynamics. As far as I'm concerned, Y&R hasn't been rooted in family dynamics since Kay Alden's tenure, the show lost some of that direction under Smith, and Latham tried but failed, and this regime has killed it.

The Abbots only come together when one of them is hurt or dead, other than that, they seem to never really interact on a consistent basis. The Newman's are a DISASTER. The Winter's are a travesty, and they tried with the Chancellor's/Jill, but it hasn't worked, I hate what they've done to the Jill character.

If Y&R was a multi-dimensional show that wrote for nurturing/strong female characters, then Traci would have a place. Since they're not interested in that or in exploring real family dynamics, I shutter to think what Traci would become if they kept her on full-time.

Y&R has no heart anymore, it's just one big black hole.

[DRW50]

I certainly love Traci, but Sheffer loathes characters like her. If she stayed, she would either be killed, or become a very cold, bitter woman who lives to make Ashley and Billy look better.

Better to have our memories, then perhaps she can return when the people who hate family and friendship are finally kicked out.

[BadZoe]

A daughter named Colleen.

[DRW50]

Does this Abby remind you any of the brief Sarah Aldrich Victoria recast?

I always liked Sarah when she was on PC. I wouldn't mind seeing her return as a Grace recast. I don't like Jennifer Gareis and she seems to be the big leading lady at B&B anyway.

[Greg's GL]

Well, I can't really debate the fact that every family on this show rarely interacts unless there is a crisis of some kind. ICAM with you on that point.

However, if the show is ever to get it's heart back, isn't the Traci character the perfect place to start? Don't get me wrong, I am not wearing rose-colored glasses where MAB and Co. is concerned, but I would hope that they could at least write ONE character (Traci) in a better light. I have nothing to base that on, by the way. So I suppose my argument is moot.

OTOH, if y'all have read that article of Hogan's ATWT and his comment about giving men their "balls" back, it's pretty scary thinking he's writing this show now.

[DeeeDee]

A LOT of them look like they need breaks.

But that would require TPTB to write for someone like Jess, Bryton, Tracy Bregman or Kristoff which they don't wanna do.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

The only way this show will get any heart or any of its real identity back is if we get people running it that want that, since we don't, it'll probably never happen.

You know it's bad when I think even Megan McTavish's writing on various soaps had more heart and depth to it than this s.hit.

Ideally, Traci should have been back in a more permanent basis ages ago. Since John Abbot is killed off, she could provide a stabling force in the Abbot family, but that's not going to happen, especially since the show seems to be going in a direction where heart and family doesn't matter.

Hogan has never really cared about family dynamics or about giving heart and humanity to any of his shows. I'm not surprised he's bringing that crap to this show.

[DeeeDee]

[DeeeDee]

Not really.

Maria's wasting other recurring vets like Tonya, Tracy, Tricia, Greg & Thom too.

[DeeeDee]

Y&R used to have such strong female characters.

Now they're all either dead, crazy, gone or dependent on a man.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

And the sad thing about those actors, they're on regular recurring and can appear more often, yet they're neglected.

I excused their neglect in the beginning, but there's no excuse for why those characters aren't being used more regularly now.

But the funny thing about most of those characters is that they're strong professional women, you know, the type Y&R doesn't recognize anymore.

It's sad.