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 Wednesday 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 Wednesday 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

Thanks for the clips and mini-reviews @Maxim . I appreciate that you also recap the moments you don't show.

I didn't realize the hot therapist stayed around this long. I suppose it makes sense to keep bringing him back to unwittingly cause chaos. About a year before this Another World had an evil female psychiatrist, plotting to get a man. There was something in the water in those years as the big screen and softcore movies loved that theme too.

The scene with Viki and Bo is moving, but I wish they'd brought up Viki's late husband, Joe. Like Sarah, he also "died," returned from the dead, and died for real. I guess they may have thought connecting to recently deceased Megan was more organic, especially as Sarah was her sister.

The Dorian on display here is who we'll be getting for a while to come, just in a much more outwardly neurotic and histrionic form once Elaine Princi is gone. I don't love when the show uses Dorian this way, but I know they need her to move the plot along. The moment where Viki nearly snaps is great.

Your mention of the "circus" with characters like Alex reminds me of how some fans talk about novelas, and the cores of them. They too are critical of some that have a "circus" atmosphere. Alex would probably fit into that type of show. Actually, much of OLTL at this time does remind me of them - Blair's schemes with Asa, Addie and the scissors, Clint/Viki/Sloan, Dorian, Luna and Death, Marty, Suede, etc. That high octane, operatic feel.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by DRW50

9 hours ago, DRW50 said:

The Dorian on display here is who we'll be getting for a while to come, just in a much more outwardly neurotic and histrionic form once Elaine Princi is gone. I don't love when the show uses Dorian this way, but I know they need her to move the plot along. The moment where Viki nearly snaps is great.

I just found out (from a reddit post) that Robin Strasser returns in February 1993. That soon. I can't believe my time with Elaine is ending. It's soooo disappointing to see her go after all she's done with and for the character. She WAS Dorian. Being center stage almost half of 1992 makes it hard to believe they are replacing her. The character grew so much - facing Blair and Addie/going back to her childhood/re-experiencing past trauma. I wish I could read an interview from that time to understand her feelings after leaving. If one even exists.

I've been watching the German 1980 episodes and enjoy RS's Dorian... A LOT... she does have a different energy. RS's Dorian feels more pretentious and self-absorbed (and a little bit adorable)... while EP's Dorian was darker, moodier, a bit like a broken bird... I like both. Of course a lot of these impressions are influenced by the writing for the character and not only the portrayal. I can't say which is better, but I connect more with EP's Dorian. Maybe I'll change my mind when I start watching RS in English. (I can't judge properly when it's dubbed over in German.)

Edited 54 minutes ago54 min by Maxim

10 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I didn't realize the hot therapist stayed around this long. I suppose it makes sense to keep bringing him back to unwittingly cause chaos.

Jonas is back maybe a year later when the traumatized Cord returns. The Buchanans want him to consult on the sly and he proves no help.

I will always remember one of the last times they brought up Joe on the show, when Nash died in '08. He was about to kick off in the OR and everyone knew it, and they knew Jessica was pregnant. My first thought was the same as Viki's, which she said out loud: "He's never going to see that baby." Then she added, barely audible through Erika Slezak's sobs, "just like Joe." That stays with me, not just because of her wonderful work but because we were both thinking of Joe Riley and I was glad the show went there. Soaps can do that for decades.

Edited 12 minutes ago12 min by Vee