Up to June 9th, 1992.

🐍

 

"The Crocodile Tears of Bluebeard's seventh wife."

🔷

Sunday night was a binge-OLTL-marathon. Finally. The fairytale of Llanview continued. 

 

So what is going on right now?

🔷

And it is a fairytale! The not-so-good princess Blair chose to become Bluebeard's wife.  She chose money, power... and revenge... discarding love at the door. She left Joe's ranch like a cuckoo bird... without saying a world... only leaving a note "Goodbye". Asa's blackmail succeeded. However, this fairytale will take on a darker tone. Max woke up to complete silence, Blair - nowhere to be found... and Joe... breathing his last breaths. Completely devastated - he lost everything at once. Everyone warned him this will happen - Luna, Tina, Joe... but he wouldn't listen.

🔷

Andrew's father, Sloan... has a secret. Nobody knows what is is, but the fact that he made a new will... hints that he may be suffering from some kind of a disease. His verbal battle with his son painted a very depressing picture - a controlling, narcissistic father who wants to shape and correct his son to match the macho image of himself. The sensitive and not so macho Andrew triggers something deeply hidden in his father... Sloan hides the fact that his other son - William... died of AIDS. Not only that - he denies it. I'm beginning to suspect that Sloan is scared Andrew may be gay too. 

🔷

The entire family got a call for an important meeting at Asa's place. That's where one of the best scenes so far in the entire saga... took place. The family members took turns expressing their disapproval and disgust at Asa's decision to marry Blair Cramer. Blair tried to act like a victim, but we all know half of her tears are fake... and half of them are for Max Holden's pee-pee. Victoria finished the scene off perfectly. Cry your crocodiles tears, dear... because soon they will become real. 

🔷

Later, during the custody hearing... in a brutal climax, Asa's wealth overshadowed justice... (the judge was bought) when it was announced that Blair would be the sole guardian of her mother. Dorian Lord did not accept this defeat sitting. She confronted Blair and said something very sinister and foreboding - Your torment is only beginning, my dear... because you have no clue how you'll repay what Asa just bought for you. (I'm paraphrasing) The WAR of the Cramer Women is far from finished.

🔷

Alex Olanov got the mayor drunk and then proceeded to take pictures of him next to prostitutes.  She plans to use these incriminating photos to blackmail him into marrying her. He is not agreeing to it so far, but we all know how persistent Alex could be. One thing I can say that I'm noticing about Alex - they need to tone down her antagonizing-comedic scenes. When I first started watching she was far more menacing and creepy and lately I think they've been giving her too much comedy, which... yes, Tonja does well, but still... we don't want a caricature in the end, do we?

🔷

In a cute collage, we had Luna visiting the radio-show she and Wanda have been listening to - "The Love Bug"... where she used her wits and charms to wow the listeners and later made a connection between Wanda and that naughty restaurant owner who stole her recipes and her heart. It was really endearing and I loved seeing Wanda spread out her wings a little. I adore the actress. And I love that they are keeping her active in the show - she creates this homely, nice atmosphere. A woman that we all knew at one point in our lives. Hashtag-weloveWanda!

🔷

Aaaaaand before I forget - it seems that Jason and Dorian are definitely not over. Once again, feeling the cold shoulder from Leanne, Jason responded to Dorian's advances. This time... my little fox knows exactly who her adversary is - Leanne Demerest (Buchanan, but not for long if you ask me). She vowed to get Jason back. I didn't think we'll see a Dorian-Leanne feud, but I'M here for it. The writers LOVE to write for Dorian and it shows!

🔷

I'm not gonna comment on the Sarah-Bo-Julia-Media-Carlo-Hesser murder stuff, because Thank God it looks to be finishing up. I want it wrapped up and forgotten. 

Overall - 10 out of 10 -  AMAZING! 

Clip of the day!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 The entire family confronts Asa and his new fiancée. - EPIC! 

 

 

Thanks @Maxim 

I hate those arm-grabbing moments with men and women on soaps. There are so many, especially with characters we are meant to find "good." Way too many on AMC... 

I am very impressed with the writing for Viki in that scene with Blair. The way she shuts Cain down. The way she clearly has no use for the woman, but she can see said woman is in clear pain. This just makes the choice even more damning for Blair - viewers can see that she is willingly walking into hell. 

What a performance from Mia Korf. Even just in that mournful sax portion (the days of the little bird music cue dead and buried). 

Regarding Alex...unfortunately this is going to be the norm in writing for her, although some stories work better than others. This one is a road to nowhere. 

Wanda is a dear. One of the best of this type of character ever on soaps.

@DRW50This was a bit ago, but in relation to Cain, Chris Cousins was so charismatic on OLTL that I enjoyed Cain even when I had no idea what his storyline was about. I even liked the upcoming storyline with Susan Diol who I thought was highly underrated on the show.  I am also with you about men "manhandling women" or women slapping women. I hate it. I know someone will come in and defend it by saying it happens in real life. That's all well and good, but soaps are notoriously bad at dealing with these sorts of issues that I would rather they not deal with them. They end up making a mockery of domestic violence.

@Maxim if I was not so swamped with other projects, I would want to revisit this time on OLTL. I remember it so fondly, and your posts are bringing back so many memories. 

12 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks @Maxim 

I hate those arm-grabbing moments with men and women on soaps. There are so many, especially with characters we are meant to find "good." Way too many on AMC... 

I am very impressed with the writing for Viki in that scene with Blair. The way she shuts Cain down. The way she clearly has no use for the woman, but she can see said woman is in clear pain. This just makes the choice even more damning for Blair - viewers can see that she is willingly walking into hell. 

What a performance from Mia Korf. Even just in that mournful sax portion (the days of the little bird music cue dead and buried). 

Regarding Alex...unfortunately this is going to be the norm in writing for her, although some stories work better than others. This one is a road to nowhere. 

Wanda is a dear. One of the best of this type of character ever on soaps.

Ah, I hate men grabbing women like that too. Alex Olanov, for example, has been man-handled brutally by so many males on this show so far...  Carlo and his sado-masochistic tendencies to tie her up and choke her... now the mayor grabbed her by the throat till she bled. Some of these scenes look so real and violent... I'm shocked they aired on tv back in the day. I, of course, won't be clipping any of this, because I don't want to trigger people. 

And yes - what a performance by Mia Korf! She gave an even stronger one in the clip I'm going to be uploading later in my review. I've never seen such picturesque crying... since watching 40s Joan Crawford. The tears were flowing. And yes, I know crying is not a big deal... not the hardest expression... but... the times I have cringed from soap actors struggling to tear-up and fake-crying. And not just soap actors! (Sarah Jessica Parker, we are yet to see a tear coming down your face...) 

About Wanda - I love her. I especially adore her devotion to Jason. She really sees the good in him and wants it to shine. A truly empathetic, good person, which we need on our soaps. And I love that she is not naively good, she has a snappy, auntie side to her... suspecting people of misdeeds all the time. That makes her so much more real. The actress is sublime. She can make a scene out of everything. 

8 hours ago, chrisml said:

@DRW50This was a bit ago, but in relation to Cain, Chris Cousins was so charismatic on OLTL that I enjoyed Cain even when I had no idea what his storyline was about. I even liked the upcoming storyline with Susan Diol who I thought was highly underrated on the show.  I am also with you about men "manhandling women" or women slapping women. I hate it. I know someone will come in and defend it by saying it happens in real life. That's all well and good, but soaps are notoriously bad at dealing with these sorts of issues that I would rather they not deal with them. They end up making a mockery of domestic violence.

@Maxim if I was not so swamped with other projects, I would want to revisit this time on OLTL. I remember it so fondly, and your posts are bringing back so many memories. 

Great to hear that my reviews are triggering such nostalgic feelings in you. @chrisml I would love, love, love to hear your thoughts and experience more of this era together with you and anyone else who wants to join in. This period of the show is truly spectacular, even with it's bumps on the road... it never fails to excite, inspire and make you feel raw emotions... while also intellectually stimulate you. And what more do we need from our soaps? 💓

Edited July 15Jul 15 by Maxim

Up to June 11th, 1992.

💍

 

"Speak now or forever hold your peace!"

🔷

Two fresh new episodes from last night.  And boy, were they packed with drama and surprises!

So what is going on right now?

🔷

Let's begin with the important part. Blair and Max shared a passionate moment (or two... or three) right before Blair came down to marry Asa. The previous scene was really intense - you could feel how conflicted Blair was. @DRW50 - Mia Korf delivered an incredible performance. I've included it in the "clip of the day" section of my review. Joan Crawford called... asking for her cinematic... beautiful tears. She wanted them back, but Mia Korf has them now! I can't understand why this woman wasn't nominated for an Emmy?! She's way better than 99.9 percent of soap opera actors.

🔷

Alex Olanov's scheme to blackmail Mayor Callison didn't go as planned. Herb revealed his nasty side when he nearly choked her to death and left her bleeding. Moments before that... Alex blew up Cassie's car... as a warning to Herb. I suppose the dreams of becoming Mrs. Mayor will have to wait.

🔷

Out of nowhere, Cassie is kissing Andrew, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I still believe the Reverend has better chemistry with the other guys on the show. Plus... wouldn't Cassie and Andrew be... super dull together? They're both really nice and good people. That makes for boring couples lots of times. And so predictable. Unless Cassie turns BAD GIRL in the future, which I can totally picture happening. We'll just have to wait and see.

🔷

Let me rewind a little.  After sleeping with Max, Blair left him with the impression he should wait for her in his apartment. That she was DONE with Asa. Proud of his pee-pee, Max  started dancing his way home. Blair, however, did the complete opposite. That's her modus operandi at this point. So... she began applying her makeup and put on the wedding dress. Still feeling upset and struggling with what she was about to do... she went downstairs and shocked all the guests (who were starting to laugh at Asa, telling him that she had abandoned him at the altar). Blair arrived more stunning than ever.  I actually said - WOW. 

🔷

Dorian Lord went to see Leanne and made her a deal. She offered to sponsor Leanne with all the money she needs to fight for custody of her unborn baby... (when the inevitable custody battle happens) and in exchange, Leanne would have to stay away from Jason. Leanne was really upset about this and tried to get rid of Dorian. In her anger... she called her an old witch or something like that... and Dorian actually SLAPPED a pregnant woman. Wow, I've only seen stuff like this on Bold. Hitting a woman is bad enough, but hitting a PREGNANT woman is... insane. Dorian... what is wrong with you?

 Clip of the day!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Blair sleeps with Max minutes before her wedding with Asa. 

 

 

Edited July 15Jul 15 by Maxim

57th Anniversary

 

https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/32843/kassie-depaiva-one-life-to-lives-cancellation-todd-blair/

 

Kassie DePaiva Reflects on ‘One Life to Live’s Cancellation & Todd and Blair’s Ending (Exclusive)

Thanks for the Kassie interview @dragonflies. I didn't know she had auditioned for Amanda Cory. She would have been a good choice. 

@Marco Dane Hard to believe it's 57 years as the show still seems more modern. Then again that's the OLTL of my mind more than what the actual show often was. I still wish it was around.

Thanks @Maxim. Andrew and Cassie do seem sudden. They have their moments, although they were never a favorite pairing of mine. I think Andrew would have been more compelling with someone very different to him.

I had no idea of Herb throttling Alex, or I just watched those clips a very long time ago. A sad end to an underrated character.

The Blair clip is great. You can feel the chemistry with Mia and JDP, even if I think Blair was better off without Max. I did laugh at Max, who clearly wanted to bone Blair, taking his chance to do so after she expressed some sympathy over his friend dying. 

Edited July 15Jul 15 by DRW50

I always enjoyed Wortham Krimmer and the character of Andrew. So underrated. and he was quite sexy. Mia Korf was so sensational. Kassie DePaiva is a  great actress, but she is a conventional soap actress. 

Gottlieb's OLTL just feels exciting and fresh because it didn't always play by the rules. There's something exciting about never knowing where a storyline may go. It's only when the show became more conventional towards the end of the their run that I sort of lost interest. 

Wortham Krimmer and Wisner Washam are two of my favorite male names in the soap industrial complex. There's something so inherently soapy about both names; I am actually surprised a writer like RonC didn't name a character after one of them.

 

However, few may surpass my actual favorite name, Tudi Wiggins.

Edited July 16Jul 16 by j swift

err

Edited July 16Jul 16 by j swift

 

7 hours ago, DRW50 said:

 

Thank you @DRW50 !

11 hours ago, chrisml said:

I always enjoyed Wortham Krimmer and the character of Andrew. So underrated. and he was quite sexy. Mia Korf was so sensational. Kassie DePaiva is a  great actress, but she is a conventional soap actress. 

Gottlieb's OLTL just feels exciting and fresh because it didn't always play by the rules. There's something exciting about never knowing where a storyline may go. It's only when the show became more conventional towards the end of the their run that I sort of lost interest. 

Absolutely agree. Just when I think I can see where a storyline is going... somehow they always surprise me. 

Up to June 17th, 1992.

🦇

"Till death do us part. (Or a good divorce lawyer.)"

 So many things to talk about. Where do I begin?

So what is going on right now?

🔷

 And they said "I do!". Blair and Asa are officially married. Their most important guest was Max Holden... who watched in the distance like a sad puppy. But this farce of a wedding is only a glimpse of what's to come. Asa and Blair's first night together was a bust. Blair refuses to be intimate with her new husband, but he is not budging. The old goat wants copulation, he thinks he is entitled to it now. He also wrote some absurd rules about their marriage.

1 - She is not to communicate with his family, who betrayed him. 2 - She is not to see Max Holden ever again. (I wonder if sleeping with him counts.) 3 - She should do whatever her asks. 😂 4 - She should go to 3 vacations a year with him. 5 - She should sleep with him. 

I think there were more, but I lost count.

Jesus Christ. It's almost like Asa thinks he bought a premium escort service. But... we all know it's not gonna be so easy. The old goat will have to up his heart medicine to survive this woman.   

🔷

Renee is suffering in silence, watching the man she still loves and cares about... make a fool of himself. She and Blair had a beautifully snarky conversation at the restaurant. "I should  think you would be home, caring for your new husband. If you are not there, who is going to supply him with whiskey and alienate him from his family?" 😂

 Renee is trying to make a life for herself and as the new owner of "The Buchanan Palace" she is overhauling the hotel. I'm wondering where she will go from here, storyline wise. I think she has some chemistry with Sloan... but I suspect he will be strictly Viki-territory. But we'll see. All I know is I care about Renee and I want her to succeed after everything she went through.

🔷

Joey went on a date with this girl, whose name I can't remember. Before going out with her, Billy instructed him what to do and how to act. Then we got the strong impression that Billy is hiding something and that Joey will soon find out. I think I know where this is going. The show is very bold to attempt this storyline, especially with such young characters. I admire their courage, but I am also scared how they will tell it. I definitely think they are planning it very carefully, writing with a velvet glove, every beat so far has been on point. 

🔷

Alex Olanov's revenge against Mayor Callison... was sending his "drunk with prostitutes" pictures to a dirty tabloid. The scandal that followed... let to him announcing his resignation. Alex was on top of the world. Cassie didn't take this sitting down, she went to confront Alex and...  punched her out to which Alex replied "This is getting ridiculous." 😂 The people in this show beat this woman every single episode! In just a week... Alex has been hit on the head by Sarah, strangled and left bleeding by the mayor (ex mayor) and now punched by Cassie. She doesn't get a break. 

🔷

Dorian ran into Blair at the Buchanan Palace restaurant... and quickly got a sense that something is very wrong. She gloated at the fact that Blair looks unhappy and even questioned her motive when Blair offered her to see Agatha while she and Asa are on their honeymoon. The battle for Agatha is not over. Honestly, seeing how sad and disturbed Addie is in Asa's house... I think that she will be better off with Dorian. I hope she is out of there soon. Poor Addie. Living in the same house as Asa Buchanan is enough to drive anyone mad. 

 Clip of the day!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Dorian vs Blair! 

Edited July 17Jul 17 by Maxim

Thanks @Maxim I like how Mia Korf plays that scene - you can see Blair can't even keep up the facade. And Dorian can't resist prodding, even when it potentially keeps her from seeing Addie.