Y&R Episodes Discussion, Week of October 5, 2009

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Adam would have worked so much better as a gray character that was the obvious black sheep of the Newman clan. It was unnecessary, stupid, and lazy to make him into a sociopath with little to no motivation.

Of course, they need to get the casting right. Muhney is a little too theatrical in his annunciation of some of his lines. They need someone that looks age appropriate and someone more natural for the Midwestern farm boy Adam is.

Nothing about this story has made sense from day one and it's only gotten wore with time. Then again, this writing regime has also gotten worse with time, so...

[alphanguy74]

That's EXACTLY it. Too THEATRICAL. That's the crux of the problem. I don't hate theatrical... hell look at Dickson.... BUT for this role, he's just WRONG.

[DRW50]

They let Traci sing? That's nice. I guess this really is the last appearance for her on this show ever.

I'm surprised they remembered Dina. That may be the last mention for her too.

[alphanguy74]

Oh... I don't believe for one minute that it's the last wev'e seen of Traci. She had an exit in the 90's that was quite poignant, and you see how that turned out. She's too good of an actress, and has been too well received for them to write her off for good. When the song started to play over the scenes, I was thinking... "Oh, NO!!! what horrible song have they chosen for this? " and then when Beth's voice came out fo my TV speakers, I was FLOORED. I totally lost it. What a brilliant manuever on the part of TPTB, heaven knows we haven't had enough Brilliant maneuvers of late, it's nice to get this one.

[DeeeDee]

Today's last scene was pretty good.

[lmfan]

Mark,

What is so irritating about the Baldwins when they are rarely on and never have story? Seriously, how hard is it as a viewer to deal with characters you see for five minutes twice a month? I get why you want the Scoobies to jump in the lake but should Michael and Lauren go just because they are related to Kevin and Gloria?

And I am so tired of people lumping the Baldwins into the lousy Fisher and Scoobie story. They are not part of any story and haven't been for 6 months so for however lousy the Scooby story is, the Baldwins are not part of it. Showing up twice a month to warn these idiots not to do something stupid is not being part of the story just as Michael showing up to make a few calls about a heart for Victor or Lauren and Michael babysitting Summer does not make them apart of the Newman or Phick story.

I don't know what the hell MAB is even doing with Michael and Lauren. Does she actually want to keep them as this happily married couple that shows up on screen a few times a month and never gets story, or is she just taking an incredibly long time trying to break any viewere attachment for them as characters and as a couple before getting rid of them?

The Scoobies aren't going anywhere. They are the fourth core family now. The Newmans, Abbotts, Chancellors and Scoobies. The Baldwin-Fishers don't exist. Sadly Michael and Lauren are to the Scoobies what Esther is to the Chancellors except Esther had more story this year.

[lmfan]

I don't either. She won't be a regular but the show gave her material to play and she shined more than anyone else in this neverending Colleen death story. They may have wanted to make this more about other characters, but Traci was the heart of this story for the viewers. They will bring her back when someone else in the family is facing a drama. They have used her before in scenes unrelated to Colleen. It was nice to hear her sing. She has a beautiful voice.

I don't understand though why the writers don't seem to get that the reason viewers connect so much to characters like Traci and Nina, when they appear, is not because of their stellar writing, but because these characters provide heart, something sorely lacking in their stories.

I must admit though that Thursday's show felt different, almost like a transition that they might be ready to lighten up the show. Well, except for Adam stealing Baby Doe's ashes. That was just asinine.

[DRW50]

I think the positive reaction to her might make them less likely to bring her back, since I think they may have expected most of the viewer sympathy would go to people like Billy, or Victor, not to Traci. I think they might just see her as more of an afterthought, as they have with Nina once her part in finding Phillip was over.

[MarkH]

I enjoyed a few things today.

There were two bits of really nice dialog...unusually nice.

and

When Victor was seizing, and the music was playing at the end, Nikki was talking to the medical team (we couldn't hear it). They told her to get out of the way, and she said "He's my husband". Very interesting!

I also really liked Billy Miller today. The best moment was when Kevin stood up to say something. He did a little thing with his arms that just spoke volumes--hilarious exasperation. He really is very good. It was also interesting to see Jack at peace...but Billy and Ashley fuming about Victor. The tide seems to be turning.

I am enjoying JT connecting with the sense of how wrong his union to the Newmans is. I hope he gravitates toward Sharon, although I could tolerate it being Mac.

I thought Lauren should have been there...since she reconciled with Traci.

Kevin annoyed me. Rikaart's delivery is increasingly glib. I sensed no emotion from him. He's bored, and it reads on screen. Daniel and Phyllis' presence was also pointless, and I could have done well without Colleen's story.

I was pleased that Victor had a seizure. That is a nod to his history and the reality of his chronic medical condition.

Victor's letter was a massive letdown. Where was the apology??

The balloon bit was interesting, but I confess I felt sorry for the birds that would die, choking on that rubber.

I found myself disappointed, in the previews, to see the return of Patty, and the return of Adam to corporate shenanigans.

[DRW50]

That's a good summary. I didn't hear that line from Traci. It's very well-written.

I wonder if this is part of phasing Jack out and having Billy as the new nemesis for the Newmans. I'm not really sure who Billy will feud against, as none of the Newman kids are that believable in rivalries. I just hope this rivalry is more exciting than the one with Cane, I thought that fell flat from the start. Much too contrived and not based on history. At least this might be less contrived, I guess.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

I heard something rather ridiculous on how they plan to keep Haiduk on this show, it borders on Passions territory (then again, Y&R's been leading up to something as stupid as this all year long anyway). Emphasis on Haiduk, not Patty...

[DRW50]

We find out that Patty and Steve Williams are the same person, wearing different masks. Steve returns and rapes Jack for November sweeps.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

A really bad storyline involving

is coming up, because people care so much about

.

More about pimping Billy as their shiny toy, and contrived as hell.

[BadZoe]

Adam had to write Baby Doe. Adam might know now that Sharon was planning to name her Faith, but I don't think Dr Taylor did and it was Dr. Taylor who was going to "take care of it".

I seriously doubt that morticians keep filled urns in their office display cases. They charge an absolute fortune for them so why would they give one to some unknown baby doe, baby doe would get a box at most. Do they take them out as an example? Here look how nicely the ashes of Aunt Dot fit in this one, it will be perfect for your brother, father, mother............

I kind of hope the writers continue to forget about Lauren. Otherwise she'll be featured heavily in late December/Early January so they can kill her off so the writers STARS of that family can have some good Emmy submission scenes from the memorial.

[BadZoe]

All I could think was Lily is an animal killer and then everyone joined in.