Y&R: Episode Discussion for the week October 19

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Adam needs a year or two in prison, and then a good recast when he comes back. They really screwed this character up, both in writing and recasting.

[alphanguy74]

Well, I don't think it's neccesarily over-used... but Mark's a shrink... so he likes to she psychological drama, it's interesting to him... I have no problem with that. Just like me being a farm boy, Hope/Cliff and the whole Kansas SL interested me a TON. I could identify with it, and it was written and played with total ACCURACY (I still don't know how they pulled that off with such authenticity)

[DRW50]

If they ever had any plans to get rid of JT I certainly hope they don't now. Luckinbill may not be Olivier, but he's a dependable actor, easy on the eyes, and, aside from Amelia Heinle, he generally has chemistry with most of the people around him. He's also basically a decent man, he doesn't screw around on his wife, he doesn't rape or assault women, he doesn't go around destroying everyone for his own ego. I'm sure to someone like Hogan, this means boring boring boring, but to me, it is vital to a soap opera.

Aside from Noah, every other youngish male character on the show is either a criminal, a slut, or a psycho. JT is a desperately needed exception, and if they want to rebuild this mess, then he has to be part of the process.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Can Victoria come back from her New York trip with a better actress in the role and better writers, please?

They're laying this insta-friendship between Sharon and cartoonAdam a little too thick. Again, I do not by anyone of these relationships or bonds. These people never interacted in the weeks or months leading up to this inane and stupid baby switch.

I see Michele Stafford is fully back to her gigly heifer routine, and again, today proved Nick and Phyllis's entire relationship is based on cheap sex.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Which means this writing team will probably go for it. LOL!

[DRW50]

Y&RWT, didn't you love it when Phyllis said "eyes on me, eyes on me" to her employees before she quit Restless Style yesterday? I can see her in dominatrix gear, whipping those poor souls.

[MarkH]

Alphanguy has it right. It's not that I want to see an abusive step parent per se, but I do love psychological drama. Plus, and this is the big one for me, properly written it CAN help explain how Adam is today. I also agree that a less Snidely Adam would be a good thing.

Agreed on Viki. Maybe the actress just wants to stay home and raise some babies?

I'm actually enjoying the Sharon-Adam connection. Sure, it's a little fast...but it's less Machiavellian than a lot of other things. The hook, for me, is if Adam develops GENUINE feelings (not just romantic--friendship, family, whatever) for Sharon and/or Ashley. Then, like his breakdown on the stairs, we'll see him TORN between what he does and the kind of man he wishes to be.

THAT is what I watch soaps for.

I don't love giggly-Phyllis, but I do love Nick-Phyllis sex. So, I'll take that for a few days...until they find some new direction.

I'm just so happy "Shick" are not together. I still look forward to them reuniting on the show's final episode...probably "Phack" too...but I want it to be a looooooooooooooooong journey. For example, for the next few years, I'd like the long journey first to lead to growing tension that Faith will be reunited with her parents. After that day comes, then that can start the long journey of Nick and Sharon bonding further as parents....

[Y&RWorldTurner]

That would have all been nice, MONTHS ago. Now they've gone too far with this cartoon villain and it's hard to go back. We can't erase the past few months, they happened. Adam tortured a pregnant woman, burnt her fetus, and gave a baby to the wrong woman, while letting its biological mother believe it was dead.

I don't care how conflicted he is in the future, he needs to be held accountable for his actions in order for this story to get any story of payoff and for Ashley and Sharon to get their humanity and sense of self back as women.

This writing regime has not only killed my interest in all these relationships, but my interest in all the individual characters invovled. I now want to scream every time I see them on my screen. I'm sick of them, especially after all the badly written stories they've had this year alone.

[DRW50]

I just don't think I can buy this Adam having genuine feelings for anyone.

I did like Sharon's face when he told her he "seduced a gay man". She looked embarrassed and slightly bemused. I'm glad they didn't go for the jaw drop.

Well, with all the debate in the potpurri thread over whether people are "appreciative" enough of Traci's return, I will say that she made me cry a little today I am going to miss her so much. She is such a gracious woman -- that she said what she did to Victor, about protecting Faith and being Faith's godmother, and she did not say this to twist the knife, but because she actually meant it -- that is the type of sincerity which you really do not have on soaps very often. She's a good person. She's not a "good" person, going around killing and torturing people and then they have everyone talk about how great she is and how bad the others are, like you get on most soaps. I hated when Ashley dropped that huge anvil: "Do you think she will ever be back?" No, Ashley, I don't.

I also really liked the moment early in the episode when Ashley and Traci were having a personal moment, and Adam butted in, and Traci ever so slightly had her guard up against him.

Other than that, I liked getting to hear more from JT's POV, although they have a lot more problems in their relationship than Deacon.

I thought the Katherine/Jack scene was, by the show's current writing, strong, as Katherine laid out in a way which did not seem overly talky or forced exactly what problems Jabot is facing, and then she said what has been obvious for a long time -- there really is no Abbott family legacy, and it's time to move on. I noticed that Jeanne Cooper's voice broke a bit during that line, which was a good touch.

[MarkH]

I consider today the second of two strong episodes in a row. Today was noteworthy for being all "A-Team" players...which is an interesting choice for a lower-rated Friday.

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I begin by noting the bouquet given by the writers. (Begin posting nasty pictures about wilted flowers here, okay?). I believe the writers were telling us that corporate interference is back in control, and they share our pain. Now, please don't throw sh!t at me. But I really interpreted this dialogue as a message to the fans...I've made a few changes (in italics).

Wow. Just wow. Talk about laying it out! I liked it, actually, because it was a reminder from the creative team that we're all on the same side. Don't like Hogan? He's a Sony plant, and he ain't going anywhere.

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Eric Braeden seldom puts himself into his scenes, and that lack of caring shows up in his mannered, repetitive use of stock phrases.

Today, Beth Maitland got to him. It was a beautiful moment. Each moment with Braeden is more palpable to me these days.

Those glory days are over.

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I'm disappointed that Nikki is just automatically with Victor. Which is why I like that she stopped him from saying more (about the future).

I do hope, in all of this, Nikki can retain some dignity and growth. No matter what the future holds.

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I like that JT has found some strength in all of this, even if there is contrivance in his breakup. I will miss JT in New York...his wife, not so much.

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Sharon and Adam work for me (although her stifled laugh at his "gay" admission was...unexpected). I like that Muhney plays some sincere regret...even though we don't fully know if he's playing her.

For me, I don't need a lot of law-and-order for a soap redemption (even with a burnt fetus). Adam did not intentionally kill that baby...his prank to gaslight Ashley went too far. He has tried--is trying--in his warped way to make amends. If he shows genuine remorse, and suffers some, and tries to do compensatory good at some point in the future....I'm good. I realize that's just me.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

This show better be glad they have some vets and if any ever leave, and we're forced to live with new characters all the time, the show would be worse than it is.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Come on Mark, this show has been this way for months now and was never like this before this regime. Bloom was still at CBS and Kent was still at Sony when Alden/Smith and Latham were there. Their show was nothing like this crap we have now. Is this another attempt to pass the blame onto a third party?

Like it or not, this is creative vision of this writing regime, blaming Sony or CBS for all of this isn't going change that. CBS and Sony aren't holding a gun to their heads telling them to write these outlandish and hallow stories.

And what proof do you have that Sony hired Sheffer?

You're reading a little too much into this...

But he didn't stop at burning the fetus, he kept on pushing it, and he continues to do it...

That's partly why, along with Muhney in this role, I need for him to pay, and pay hard.

[DRW50]

Wasn't Ashley bleeding and had to go to the hospital a few days before he pulled the trick with the Sabrina dress? He knew she was in danger of losing the baby.

They aren't over for Eric. Sadly I do think they're over for Beth

I think this team just sees Nikki as a Victor appendage.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

Ashely was warned repeatedly leading up to her miscarriage that she should avoid all stress and that her pregnancy was risky. Adam knew this and pushed on...

[Soapsuds]

I saw some of the scenes with Victor and Traci. The scenes were nicely done especially by Beth Maitland. She is an awesome actress. I don't know why she isnt offered a contract. It was nice seeing Nikki and Katherine too. But that's all I saw of the show. Too bad Y&R doesn't have better writers. I might see it on Soapnet again tonight.