All My Children Tribute Thread

[Khan]

I'm not @Jonathan, but I would've LOVED to have written a breast cancer storyline for Erica/Susan Lucci.

Mona had battled cancer years before; and as we all know, having a history of cancer in your family places you at a greater risk of developing cancer as well.  Also, Erica was the ideal character to tell that story as far as what you SHOULDN'T do when you suspect you might be ill: ignoring the telltale signs, preoccupying yourself with work and with other matters, hoping it'll just "go away."

I wanted to explore each and every beat with Erica: from her finding the lump in her breast, to her immediate denial that it is anything serious and concentrating instead on some major project happening at Enchantment (something that would've involved Bianca and Kendall, of course), to being forced to confront the issue (by none other than Brooke English!) and undergo a biopsy, to Erica's worst fears being confirmed (and being tempted in the moment to self-medicate with pills or alcohol), to her fears over how the cancer and course of treatment might affect her beauty (and the admission that, for all of her life, she has taken her beauty for granted to the point where she isn't sure whether she could BE anything else), to major milestones, such as undergoing the mastectomy, beginning chemo/radiation treatments, losing her hair, etc.; to receiving a cancer-free diagnosis; to her attempts at getting her life and career back on-track as a cancer survivor; to learning that, in fact, the cancer has returned (and perhaps spreaded to some other area, such as her lungs); to her vowing once more to beat it (even as she fears privately that she might not); to her actually beating it a second time (and hopefully, this time, for good).

And with her every step of the way (aside from her loved ones, of course) would be Brooke, of all people, as the two longtime nemeses would develop a bond of sorts, as Brooke would end up helping Erica through what might be her biggest crisis yet (with one consequence being Opal, as Erica's sole female friend up to that point, feeling jealous and resentful for awhile).  One scene, in particular - where Erica accuses Brooke of not understanding what it means to feel alone and scared, and Brooke admits (publicly, for the first time, I think) how she had to undergo an abortion after getting raped by Eddie Dorrance - would be pivotal in Brooke and Erica reaching a new understanding with each other.

More than all that, however, and because I've always adhered to Agnes Nixon's belief that storytelling should entertain AND educate, Erica's breast cancer battles would provide the impetus for a new romantic relationship with the doctor assigned to her case - ideally, he would've been played by Robert Urich - and maybe the first man in recorded history NOT to fall immediately for Erica's considerable charms.  In fact, he might be the first man ever to admit that he can't stand her!  So, of course, you know it's only going to end in romance, lol.

Jack would be nibbling around, of course, once again playing the rival for her affections.  He even goes so far as to buy Erica another engagement ring.  Then, he witnesses a moment between Erica and the doctor - not a kiss or a passionate embrace, but something. 

Later, Erica finds the ring and accepts Jack's proposal before he's even actually proposed!  However, Jack tells Erica what has been apparent to many except her: that she's actually in love with her doctor...and he's just as crazy about her.  Although Erica insists that there is nothing in common between her and her doctor and that she is as committed as ever to reuniting with Jack, he, on the other hand, tells her he'll always be there for her, and they part as friends.

In a way, that ties in with my post-cancer plans for Erica.  Specifically, she starts The Mona Foundation.  Named in honor of her late mother - herself, a cancer survivor - it would've been a non-profit organization, promoting cancer awareness for women, and older woman in particular.

[Contessa Donatella]

I just want to interject a somewhat different point of view. They devoted a part of every year  for 18 or 19 years to writing an Emmy-winning storyline for her. The rest of those years she was a regular member of the cast. With those priorities, was character growth even something they aspired to? And, I do not know the answer!

[DRW50]

This is a wonderful idea. I appreciate you laying out every step.

[Maxim]

How despicable of Travis to come in and instead of help Erica and Jackson... (who were in quite a rough shape after surviving a plane crash, snake bite and horrible weather) accuse them of sleeping together and then torment them, demeaning Erica and beating up Jackson! How jealous, how selfish, how evil... he was in that moment! And all OF THIS after he refused to give Erica another chance and disposed of her.

AND... that little Scarlett O'Hara moment at the end of the episode really made my day! Tell him, Erica! Show him what you are made of. He didn't even want to leave them FOOD and WATER and Jackson had to reason with him that Erica was recently bitten by a snake, so he will have SOME empathy.

Travis's real face has been revealed - self-obsessed, ego-driven, cruel, vindictive, jealous man. And I pray and hope to God Erica listens and remembers her OWN words... that she is going to MOVE ON and BE FREE of him. I don't want to see her humiliate herself more than I've already SEEN.

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Edited February 15 by Maxim

[DRW50]

I had no idea just how low they had Travis go in that story. They did this with Dimitri later on as well, but they brought Dimitri back from the brink. I'm not sure they ever managed with Travis, although I know he still has a year or two to go.

[Maxim]

Being raised by a person very similar to what Travis is showcasing these past few episodes, it's haunting. He expected Erica to beg and sit there waiting for him like a dog... instead of SURVIVING and doing everything she can... to keep her head up high. I saw glimpses of this Travis even in 1988. I can only imagine what kind of nightmare they will put Bianca through when fighting over her in the future. And that IS going to happen, I'm sure of it. 

Even now Travis was telling Erica how he doesn't trust her in raising her child. 

Well, who are you going to raise the baby with, Travis - the homicidal sociopath Skye or the borderline Barbara? 

[Maxim]

I am finishing up with March 1989! 

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How sadistic of Travis to threaten Erica that he will sue for custody if she doesn't return Bianca to Pine Valley immediately, because he was not informed that Mona took her to see her mother in the hospital. Her mother, who just survived a plane crash and getting bit by a snake. Travis is selfishly and stubbornly putting the desire for revenge before hid child's needs - sending the innocent baby back on an airplane after she just got there is just - cruel. And incredibly petty. The show is becoming very interesting once again. 

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[Contessa Donatella]

@Maxim you are adding a whole 'nother new dimension to these characters & to the basic story. Spoiler Alert, the latter. 

[Maxim]

Oh that makes me sooo happy to hear if you find it so. Thank you for the words

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I am happy that my scribbles are interesting to someone.

[VelekaCarruthers]

Not sure if this has ever been posted but here's longtime AMC writer, Victor Miller's career timeline in which he explains each of his moves between and among the soaps.  New info for me: Mary Munisteri hired him at GL but she was fired before he got there. He makes a funny comment about Sheri Anderson/Joe Manetta.  Other cool writing drama tidbits in the Q&A as well.

https://victormiller.com/autobiography.php

[Contessa Donatella]

Well good because they are.

[Efulton]

On the reboot did they explain how Billy Clyde survived the explosion that supposed killed him? I thought his dead body had washed up and was found. 

[Contessa Donatella]

That was so much fun!!! Thanks! I really mean it.

 

[Efulton]

I just finished this entire thread.  I only began watching in 1982 so I knew very little about the first 12 years.Thanks to all of you for filling in the blanks.  In my opinion the biggest mistake Agnes and her protégés made was not giving Anne, Linc and Chuck a few children each. The Tyler’s were fascinating and entertaining. The Kanes and Martins were prominent at the end but there were no Tyler’s left in Pine Valley. 

[Maxim]

Thank you soo much for sharing! 

Edited February 16 by Maxim