July 15, 1968 - January 2012

11 minutes ago, soapfave06 said:

One more question, do you know the start date for Luna? If it’s close that maybe I’ll start there to be fair. 

Luna parachutes herself into Llanview at the end of September 15th 1991.

56 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Yeeeeees. It was a nice touch to have here there with Bo. It would have been stupid if they ignored the history. A part of me wishes they would re-ignite the obsession, even though I know it won't happen. (giving Morty a public handjob is a sign she has other priorities now) Still... it was so fun seeing Alex fake her own stalker, talk on a voice distortion device and send herself death threats. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. That's why I recommended April to the person wanting to start somewhere in 1991... because the build up to Loon Lake is very entertaining. Tonja was so in her element.  

P.S. I have this lovely promo that I don't know if it's uploaded or not, but it was in one of my folders of 1991. 

Thanks. 

Loon Lake - very on the nose.

With that "dad" outfit Bo looks even more like Cassie's father...

4 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Luna parachutes herself into Llanview at the end of September 15th 1991.

Thanks, maybe I will skim through those episodes. 
I have previously binged late 1985 through early 1987; April-June, August 1992 (I skipped Carlo Hesser murder trial), Jan-March 1995 and I began watching in 2006. I just struggle to stay consistent with routines especially binging routines haha 

I found the problem with the Labine era was that the show lost some humour when the Labines came on and it could be dull. They also didn't seem to understand some of the characters. As others have said, it looks fantastic in comparison to the next regime but I just remember boredom being the primary response.

3 hours ago, Maxim said:

Blair's first episode is October 10th, 1991... that's where I started off with only going back to see Alex's storyline from spring-summer 1991. Excited for you! Have fun! 

 

Do you have Addie’s first air date??

16 hours ago, cassadine1991 said:

Do you have Addie’s first air date??

Addie was just a presence she was talking to... till December 20th, 1991 (on youtube it's named December 22, 1991, but I know it's a wrong date, since that was a Sunday). At least that's how I've noted it to myself months ago. 

 

18 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks. 

Loon Lake - very on the nose.

With that "dad" outfit Bo looks even more like Cassie's father...

I guess it confirmed the name of the lake after that attempted drowning accident. 😄

Edited yesterday at 08:47 PM1 day by Maxim

Up to December 7th, 1992.

  🦩

"Grief, mental illness... and a handjob."

🔷

Let's get done with the hardcore drama first... before we continue with the lighter stuff. Bo's condition worsened after the hot psychiatrist gave the risky idea to SHOW him Sarah's body. Dr. Jonas is triggering these people into catastrophes every day. It's almost like he gets pleasure out of this. Well... they did show him Sarah and the result was BAD. Bo went into a crazy meltdown, locked himself with the corpse... and started putting blankets on her to warm her up. Disturbing scene... yet powerful work from Robert S. Woods. Bo's resolve came at the end of December 7th's episode when he let Viki come inside and talk to him. I've chosen this as the clip of the day - anyone who ever underestimates or puts down soap actors, just because they are working in a soap... should see this. And then we'll talk. Very powerful.

🔷

 Viki did what she does best - performed a miracle almost, getting Bo to open up and let the family in. And after that... everyone was looking at her like she is God. The children... Clint himself... everyone standing by the door expecting "savior Viki" to continue being the mother figure they desperately need. But Viki is also a woman. Woman, whose heart is no longer in that house with Clint... She wants to be with Sloan so bad... she has started looking at her husband in a different, colder way. He even came to her bedroom in his robe, probably expecting Viki to invite him in... but he got a chilly response. 

🔷

Alongside Bo's terrifying breakdown... there were some grim events unfolding at Asa's house as well. Dorian and Blair's fighting made Addie become aggressive towards Asa of all people. She attempted to stab him with a pair of scissors. Asa then finally said "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!". It's either the baby or your sick mother. She must make a choice. What he doesn't realize... is that there is no baby. When he decided to contact Blair's doctor to inquire about her pregnancy... she knew she had to act FAST - likely fake a miscarriage. Jesus Christ, Blair! 

🔷

This leads me to the storyline that consistently disappoints and undermines the overall mood of the show. Just picture having these intense storylines - involving... family, breakups, betrayal, grief, mental illness, and manipulation... and then suddenly, you see Alex giving Mortimer a handjob in the Buchanan Palace restaurant amidst all these other powerful scenes. Some might argue that this is precisely why such moments are there - to dilute the drama and darkness... but the result is far from enjoyable. It turns the entire show into a circus. You can't expect me to be emotional in one scene and then witness Alex reaching into Mortimer's pants... without cringing. It's a bit too abrupt... too early. It ruins everything and makes me despise... despise the characters involved. It's pathetic.  

 Overall -  6.5/10 - it would be a perfect 10 if you removed Alex and Mortimer. But I can't do that and I've decided it's enough giving them (the writers) slack about this. It's annoying, not funny and needs to end. If this was Bold... I would have been tearing them to pieces... but just because they've given me so much good material... I've forgiven idiocy time and time again. I have nothing against handjobs (quite the contrary actually), but I can't see them in the midst of a man crying over a corpse and a mentally ill woman attacking someone with scissors. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

Viki consoles grieving Bo.

 

Edited yesterday at 09:42 PM1 day by Maxim

I just watched the 3 strongest episodes of the show so far. In terms of consistency, nuance and dialogue quality. I'll have to clip more than 1 scene of the day, since it's literally soooo good. Dorian harassing the Buchanan family at the funeral... clashing with Viki... Viki vs Marty... Viki breaking it off with Sloan (at least for a day 🤣)... Bo lashing out at the whole world. So much to talk about! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah. AMAZING. Just when I was about to say I'm getting annoyed by the lack of consistency, They did it again. ❤️

Up to December 10th, 1992

🦩

"An intruder at the funeral."

🔷

At Sarah's funeral, like a vulture circling the corpse of a dead animal, Dorian Lord was reveling in everyone's misery. She had a little something to say to all of them. Striking them right where it hurts the most. Jody Claman, say hello to your soap opera version. Dorian seems to be especially toxic lately, more than usual. I'm starting to understand what people have been telling me about her. The wretchedness is more evident than before. The first half of 1992 had Dorian center stage, almost a heroine-like... someone you could easily root for. A good girl in most situations. Not that you can't root for her now... but the vibe has shifted, and I’m here for it. It was about time we had a clever active villain who isn’t crazy or part-time comedian. And she's not some young opportunist either. Dorian is powerful and dangerous.

🔷

As I'm talking about villains... Marty SATAN-Brooke was not thrilled about Andrew and Cassie's engagement. She went off on one of her usual toxic rants, acting disrespectful to everyone in her orbit... which finally pushed Viki to confront her. The way it was written - the subtlety... the air of superiority Viki had over her - SUBLIME. Once again, Viki took the high road, smothering her with kindness instead of lashing out... and that pity.... it completely shattered Marty. This woman is like a demon fixated on the holy Andrew. There's some deep symbolism at play here.

🔷

Bo Buchanan is past the denial stage... but that's not good news. Now he's aggressive and scary, taking it out on the whole world. When Cassie went to see him, he flipped on her. It was pretty terrifying to watch, borderline abusive, throwing things at her... could have hurt her. Then, after the funeral... and a heart-to heart with Nora (who I suspect might be the next love interest... I mean... these people MOVE FAST on soaps)... he went to the bar and ended up in a brawl with the guys Marty was dancing with. He clearly needed to vent that rage. It's a very authentic depiction of grief and even PTSD. I'd totally give him an Emmy just for these scenes.

🔷

Blair was pushed to her breaking point. With the clock ticking and Asa waiting for her to set up the meeting with the doctor... she had to scramble and DO something. So, she resorted to her usual tricks - trying to bribe a doctor and fake the miscarriage. Little does she know, Alex Olanov has been keeping tabs on her and is now aware of her scheme. Oh, and by the way... Alex had this pretty disturbing scene with Addie, where she showed up dressed as a nurse and pressured the poor woman until she admitted that Blair isn't pregnant. I usually can't stand seeing people with mental health issues treated this way... so that scene was a bit much for me. Thankfully, Alex was restrained and didn't physically abuse Addie or anything like that. But it was definitely disturbing! The first time I've seen Alex be scary in months.

🔷

We were talking about Luna... and I have to confess something I wasn't ready to admit. This whole dynamic with Max is surprisingly working. She's not the same girl anymore... yes... she's turned into a typical heroine now... but I’m noticing nuance and dept in her character development over the last few episodes. I enjoyed watching Max get jealous of her bond with Suede, and I told my husband - this is the first time the three characters feel like real human beings. Sure, it’s your basic love triangle scenario... but at least it’s executed well so far. And I've grown to like Luna. The actress is stunning in her own incomparable way. A face that you don't forget. So, I’m focusing on the bright side of things. I guess the "Inner Goddess" Luna is gone for now.

🔷

Last but not least... Leanne is incredibly jealous of Rachel's relationship with Kevin. Once again... a classic soap opera triangle. I'm rooting for Rachel! Leanne did everything possible to destroy Kevin's love for her... and NOW, the moment he shows signs of moving on - she suddenly wants him back. Selfish TRASH. You had your chance! Now move out the way and leave Rachel and Kevin alone.

🔷

P.S. The part about Viki/Sloan/Clint I'll leave for tomorrow's commentary, because it's very long and very important to me. If I write it here... it will be way too long.

Overall -  10/10 - BRAVA, writers. Not a dull scene, not a bad line.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

Dorian harasses Viki at Sarah's funeral