Guiding Light Discussion Thread

[P.J.]

who wrote GL during the strike?

[Soapsuds]

Reunion

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[BoldRestless]

I love it! If only Rick Hearst were there. That's my GL.

[NothinButAttitude]

Ooo! This upsets me to this day. It boggles my mind how MADD never saw that great story potential of writing in Zaslow's illness into the show. It would've further humanized Roger while giving Holly a proper ending with Roger. 

It was my dream story to have Roger learn he has ALS and become a hermit over it. Holly would've assumed Roger ran off over her choosing Ed at that time. Blake would've stumbled across a sick Roger and learned of his ailment. Blake would've kept Roger's secret but fall into a tizzy over learning ALS is hereditary. She'd have herself and the twins tested (secretly), but hovers over them at all times. Rick would stumble across Blake testing the kids for ALS and confront Blake. Blake would somewhat throw him off her track, but Rick would share his concerns with Holly. Holly would've hassled Blake over why she did that until she stumbles across the truth when finds Blake with a sick Roger. (SN: Blake spiraling at this time would've given her a better reason to fall victim to Ben, Ross' brother, as he'd be a nonjudgmental ear for her to lean on regarding her father's pending doom).

Holly (being Holly) would've been skeptical at first until learning Roger isn't lying. Holly would struggle over learning there's no cure for ALS and that the man she saw as indestructible was crumbling before her eyes. We'd have Roger, who shared the same feelings, deal with his terminal ailment too. Over time, Holly sneaks out and cares for Roger, raising Ed's suspicions. Michelle would quell Ed's suspicions, but worry herself what is going on. Michelle soon learns about Roger and Holly and accuses Holly of cheating on Ed until she notices Roger is sick. Remembering how Roger saved her life in previous years and how Maureen had a soft spot for Roger, Michelle becomes another person to come and help care for Roger. 

Eventually, we have Ed learn about Roger's sickness and is p*ssed that Holly, Blake, and Michelle are caring for Roger and keeping it secret. Ed would confide in Ross and Rick about his findings, which nosey Alexandra would overhear. Being a skeptic, she'd look into the matter too and is stunned to see Roger deteriorating. Alex would flee (initially), disturbed to see Roger how he is. How could her ex and formidable foe be nearing his end? She'd have a moment of weakness and share the news with Alan, who'd (in turn) leak the news to the media rag. Roger would be distraught over his secret being revealed to the world, while Holly is livid that Ed is the reason Alexandra learned the truth. This would draw Holly even further into Roger's corner. 

Ed would have to come to terms with letting his hatred for Roger go. He'd realize that his hatred for Roger at this point is pointless. Ed would reach out and try and seek help to find a cure. Alexandra, feeling disgusted that Alan leaked the info, would reach out to medical professionals for advancements or cures. 

Basically, we'd see Roger make amends with all his foes. Roger and Holly would make admissions of love, and Roger would tearfully apologize (again) for his actions towards Holly decades ago. Holly would put Roger at ease by telling him she'll only truly forgive him if he lives a long, healthy life. 

We'd play out cute scenes of Holly and Roger as long as possible until MZ passes. Holly would find Roger dead. Springfield would mourn Roger and rightfully had given the character a send-off to remember. And if we want to keep the Nursey Rhyme story to follow, Holly would've simply spiraled and kidnapped the kids b/c she wanted to surround herself the youthful children, who have long lives ahead of them. 

End of my fanfic. 

Edited October 13, 2024 by NothinButAttitude

[kalbir]

That I don't know. 

We have Les Moonves, Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin, and Paul Rauch to blame for that.

[P.J.]

As treacly as most of Vanessa's illness is (no doubt thanks to the horrible writing of McTavish and Brown and Esentsten) there is one moment I'm glad I watched---Vanessa breaking down with Nola immediately after finding out her diagnosis. Maeve and Lisa sell it for all it's worth.

And not to beat a dead horse, but Matt is even more obnoxious as Josh's default "bestie" after Vanessa's "death" than he was as her blue-collar, all knowing husband.

Edited October 13, 2024 by P.J.

[chrisml]

I'm glad they didn't get rid of Frank and Lillian. It's those sorts of characters who are important to the fabric of the show. We need the characters who may not be the leading characters, but who we know so well. Tina Sloan was highly underrated as an actress. I won't say the same for Frank D. but it was nice having him there and I would have preferred him over Buzz. 

[j swift]

Tina Sloan in the final week of episodes was heartbreakingly good.  It really showed what an underused resource she had been the whole time.  I follow her on social media, and she's having a splendid retirement, so it all works out in the end.

[Mitch64]

I like it, but they would need Roger to have a final f*ck you to Springfield...and they would need someone to come in and fill out some of Zaz material when he wasn't well or if he passed suddenly. That would be a mysterious guy doing Rog's errands (kind of like Seb only better) maybe being an activist shareholder at Spaulding, inciting a revolt over all the shady Spaulding crap going on over the years. Only, Roger would say it was his son, but the guy would believe he was really Alan's kid with Roger, getting revenge on his father, but it would end up being Ed's kid..therefore Rog gets the last laugh on his two enemies. 

 

Very true!!! I was watching some of those scenes..after Rauch is there Matt trades his jeans in for a jacket and tie, which makes no sense, and he sits around with Josh drinking coffee and bitching about Annie..like two old hens. 

I think Sloan is having a splendid life period. She is rich, she still looks great, she was doing a job she liked for fun, she is writing books (how well I don't know..) I think it's nice as it looks like she and Beth C are still close. 

[P.J.]

I like the idea of Roger giving Springfield a final FU too. Roger thrived on showing up the "good" citizens of Springfield. I didn't need him to have some epiphany and try and mend fences with his victims. It's awkward enough to have Vanessa (by now on the mend) try and advise him not to marry Amanda if he didn't love her, as he'd "loved" Holly. 

Ugh...I kind of skipped around '96-'97, and to have Vanessa gush over eating chili dogs with him is just....very sad. And I did catch a couple of scenes with Josh--and it's like "Mr ExManWhore on his first marriage is advising Josh on how to handle his new marriage to Annie? The HELL you say.."  It's funny...Josh picks lousy friends when Billy's out of town...Will and then Matt. RME. And while I hated how quickly Billy got chummy with Kyle, at least his friendships with Hamp and Ed made sense.

[kalbir]

To me, Roger didn't care about what the rest of Springfield thought of him. The only person who's opinion of him mattered to Roger was Maureen.

[Mitch64]

He didn't care about their opinions...but he sure would like to take the air out of his old enemies Alan and Ed!

 

I hate when they try to paint both Roger and Holly and Jeva as "Twu Wuv" ...true passion that is going to blow up and hurt the people around them...yes.  I also hated that they had Amanda, who seemed amoral to the core, pine over him. It would have been much better if these two people were using each other for their own ends, and they both know the other would betray them in a second and it turns them on.

[NothinButAttitude]

Don't know if this has ever been posted, but I thought this was cute!

 

[DramatistDreamer]

That is very nice to have a photo with all the Christina/Blake actresses. I wonder if any of them have kept in touch?

[DRW50]

I'm still surprised any time I am reminded of that photo. People used to be a decent magazine, for what it was, in the '80s and '90s. That they even got the first Blake involved is so nice. 

You have to respect Elizabeth Denehy for being willing to participate even after being fired.

Sometimes I forget just how young Sherry was when she took over as Blake.

Edited October 15, 2024 by DRW50