OLTL: How would you fix Todd Manning

[catsmeouch]

Word, Doyen!

But it would be fun to see Roger as the "new" Walker Laurence for a little bit.

[Mr. Vixen]

Whoops, my bad at misspelling his name.

It isnt that i dont think TSJ is a good actor, I think he is a pretty good actor. But there is something about him as todd that just isnt RIGHT. Maybe it's just the writing, but for me RH will always be Todd. And the fact that nothing very substantial or memorable has happened in these 7-8 years since TSJ took over just makes me think the writers agree.

And my refference to 1993, wasn't saying that was the only time I liked Todd, or even when I thought Todd was at his best, because it wasnt the only time. I simply picked that as a random year for him to lose his memory up until, I was simply saying that for ME to fix todd, I would have to create a scenario in which he would (at least temporarily) forget EVRYTHING that happened from 2003-2010, therefore givign the character of Todd a chance to redeem himself, and helping all of us forget the MESS he has become today.

[Khan]

First of all, in order for a Todd-finds-redemption arc to work, you must bring him to a point where everyone, including even Viki, washes their hands of him. It'd be tricky, b/c, what hasn't he done over the years to give everyone reason to cut him out of their lives? Nonetheless, if it's heinous enough, then Todd will have nowhere to go but up.

So, let's say that happens. Let's say, in order to keep Danielle and Matthew apart, Todd does the most despicable thing ever, browbeating and manipulating his own daughter into claiming Matthew forced himself on her. (Actually, Danielle's ticked off @ Matthew already, on account of her suspicions that he's fallen in love with another girl @ school. However, even after Todd realizes he misconstrued Danielle and Matthew's physical confrontation entirely, he chooses to keep silent.) Danielle, goaded by Todd, files charges against Matthew.

Danielle and Todd's act has a ripple effect on the entire Llanview community, with many forced to choose sides. Naturally, Tea wants to believe Danielle, as do Starr and Marty, who is there to counsel the young "victim." (In one chilling sequence, Todd goes so far as to use Marty's own testimony during her rape as a means of coaching Danielle!) Because Matthew is, after all, a Buchanan, Dorian allies with them, as well. However, Addie, Blair, Kelly, and even Cole & Langston are not entirely convinced of Danielle's shaky account of the incident, thus creating serious rifts within the "House of Cramer." What's more, the further John looks into the matter, the more he suspects Todd has coerced his daughter into lying, causing tension between him and Marty (and pushing him closer to Natalie); and although Viki tries staying neutral, supporting both Danielle and Matthew, nevertheless, this has her caught in the crossfires among Todd, Nora, Bo (who criticizes Viki for always wearing blinders where her relatives are concerned), and even Clint.

Eventually, we get to Matthew's trial. Because Nora is Matthew's mom, she must recuse herself as district attorney. In her place steps a new character, a recently appointed ADA, played by Cady McClain (ex-Dixie, AMC; ex-Rosanna, ATWT). McClain's character will have some impact down the road as Asa and Pamela's illegitimate daughter -- but that's down the road. In the meantime, Todd is cranking up the pressure on Danielle, whose conscience has steadily become more burdened as she realizes the gravity of her lies. Danielle wants to confess that her injuries resulted from pushing Matthew away during their fight, and that he never actually attacked her. Todd, however, is too consumed with wanting Matthew out of the way to realize what his machinations have done to Danielle's psyche. When Danielle begs Todd to let her tell the truth, Todd snaps, and he slaps Danielle. Although Todd realizes instantly what he has done and apologizes, he isn't ready to back off from prosecuting Matthew. Nevertheless, the damage has been done: when court reconvenes, and Danielle is recalled to the witness stand, she stuns everyone by recanting her entire testimony. Todd openly accuses the Buchanans of coercion, but Danielle nips that in the bud by revealing how Todd worked on her to get her to press charges against Matthew.

Matthew is cleared of all charges, but Todd's reckoning has truly begun. The Cramer women mutually agree that Todd is never to step foot inside La Boulaie again - and Blair promises that this time, she will stop him from having anything more to do with their children, and she will succeed. Tea, as well, vows to keep Todd out of her and Danielle's lives once and for all (and eventually leaves town with Danielle to ensure they live as far away from him as possible); and Bo and Nora promise that Todd will have his day in court for what he tried to do to their son. However, the pivotal confrontation happens between Todd and Marty, who realizes Todd essentially used her own ordeal in order to "coach" his daughter. When a defensive Todd makes reference to "Marty the Party Girl" being so high-and-mighty, Marty takes a swing at him and falls. She is taken to Llanview Hospital, where she learns she has miscarried her and John's baby (and that she probably won't be able to have any more children). If people weren't upset with Todd before Marty's miscarriage, they are once it happens.

With nowhere left to turn, Todd goes to see Viki @ Llanfair. This time, however, Viki lets him have it with both proverbial barrels, comparing her brother to Victor Lord and calling him a "monster" for going so far as to abuse and brainwash his own children into doing his bidding. Citing his years of misdeeds and machinations, Viki tells Todd, in no uncertain terms, that she wants him out of her home, and out of her life. Todd thinks Viki is bluffing like always. However, Viki has a surprise for him - namely, two Llanview P.D. officers who appear behind Todd inside the living room. Viki calmly asks the officers to escort her brother off the premises, but Todd waves them away, saying he can walk out just fine on his own. "Next time you see Niki Smith, sis," says Todd, "tell her I said hey." He exits.

(More to come...)

[Bright Eyes]

No. Not Cady McClain. PLEASE. I BEG OF YOU!