Y&R episode discussion

[DRW50]

SFK, NOTHING can ever top that baby switch. The best part in that for me was Donna Mills, especially the part where she accidentally got a cohort to take Val's babies away from her. That was brilliant. And the part where she was the one who told Val the truth. Credit to Donna Mills -- she was upset over the initial story, which had Abby knowing all along, and they rewrote it for her. She was right.

I've seen some spec at other soap boards like TWOP that the original script MAY have had Patty plan to shoot at Jack, with Victor taking the bullet, but that Braeden refused to play that, as it would make Victor look weak, so instead they rewrote the scene for Victor to lunge at her and she shoots him. Do you think that could have happened?

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Even so, they're still writing it as if Victor willingly took three bullets to save Jack's life, when that didn't happen. If Braeden refused to play and it was rewritten, why didn't they change the aftermath of it all? Instead everyone seems to be under the impression that Victor willingly took those bullets to protect Jack. More sloppy writing, I guess. No one writing this show cares about continuity or quality writing anymore.

[DRW50]

I think they believe if they repeat themselves often enough, viewers will go along. The same way that we have the endless references to Victor AND Jack being responsible for Patty Jane's return and for Colleen's death. Even poor Peter Bergman has to recite that party line in press for the show. I hate it! I hate that they believe viewers are so easily manipulated and they barely bother to keep us in mind.

They think we're rubes and the latest murder or assault will be enough to keep us away from the ironing.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I heard something funny, that Maria Arena Bell actually blames the fans for not enjoying her stories, and the spoilers that magazines and other sources post as a contribution for this.

While a certain spoiler may deter someone from watching, how does that explain fans hating the overall storylines, the character writing, and the day to day writing?

How does it mask her and her writing team's inability to properly pace and execute storylines and to come up with character driven storylines that aren't stunt or shock heavy and completely hollow?

If it's true, not only is her ego massive, but she has some nerve for blaming the viewers who keep her show on the air for her and her writing team's lack of storytelling talent.

[DRW50]

My only response to that is that you don't need spoilers from soap magazines to hate these stories. Who didn't know we would have a baby switch? MONTHS AGO this was telegraphed.

If she hates the fans and the soap press that much then can she please stop the fawning from Nelson Branco and company? Just have the press ignore the show altogether.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

^I agree.

I think she's in denial that most people hating this show right now (which seems to be the majority of fans on every message board) actually watch it everyday and care about its direction. She's shown that she and her writing team are not equipped to handle this show or daytime.

[classicmoment]

Things to make me wonder are there are three overatted minds at work within controlling these character's objectives and all I see on my screen are buzz storylines from other soaps. Now the storylines probably wouldn't be as bad as they are being received if the stories were more character driven but they seem to put so much into these plots that they compromise these characters with (by the shows own standards and history) sub-par exceution that is why the backlash is growing. They need better organization

[alphanguy74]

News flash! fans confront MAB in the garden!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqqjlu4oFQ

[BadZoe]

Why couldn't Patty have kidnapped Victoria and have her being the one lying dead with Victor to blame and JT being the one to decide. Heather Tom used to be able to pull off Victoria acting like Victor but AH just comes off as a loser.

[DeeeDee]

Y&R as a whole has been a huge strategic error since Paris.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Touche.

The Katherine/Marge stuff and having Jeanne Cooper frontburner a lot late last year/early this year masked a lot of this horrible writing regime's shortcomings. Even though it got ridiculous by the end, when that story ended, the show plummeted creatively and hasn't recovered. Though the problematic flaws of this writing team was evident even then, and those obvious flaws (which I've written about in detail all around SON LOL!) have only gotten worse with time.

[DeeeDee]

Pretty much.

Maria needs a Come To Jesus Moment ASAP.

[alphanguy74]

Well, I've just seen all of today's.. a few thoughts:

1: Fire Hayley Erin NOW. Last week she had a couple of scenes which were acceptable, then I lost my head and gave her a second chance. very much misplaced.

2: Muhney looks like doggie doo next to Rubenstein. Rubenstein is burying him in these scenes.

3: Sharon Case did well today. I HATE the SL, but she's selling it the best she can.

4: I like Billy Miller today. He's saying what all the viewers are THINKING, and he looks SO good in that littel hoodie shirt he's wearing. I want to cover his chest with honey and lick it off.

That opening sequence looked CHEAP. Rauch dropped the ball on that one!

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I think part of the reason this baby switch doesn't work is because the Adam character is so weak, his motivations are so non-existent, Muhney just sucks, and Adam with this writing is not an interesting "villian."

Kimberlin Brown and Sheila sold the hell out of the early 90's baby switch. Back then, Sheila was a complex villain and Kimberlin managed to infuse a lot of depth, vulnerability, and sympathy into the character that made you care. Sheila was an interesting villain back then, and though Lauren was a b!tch, this storyline also made you care for her and want to see her get her baby back. You couldn't help but be entertained by Sheila and even feel sorry for her, but at the same time, you wanted Lauren to get her baby back.

[MoTheGreat]

Maria never going to have a Jesus Moment if the ratings goes up for this week. She going to have a pat on the back moment.