Up to January 11th, 1993

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"Something's OFF with the entire show."

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I believe this will be the lowest rating I assign this show since I began watching. A lot is happening, yet none of it feels coherent or natural, in my opinion. It is quite apparent that the show is preparing to say goodbye to two of the main actresses, which is impacting the quality of the narrative. Let's discuss it step by step.

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First, Dorian and Cassie found themselves in this incredibly contrived conflict regarding Blair's invitation to the wedding. It's clear the writers are trying to set things up... in order to send Dorian away before Strasser comes back. Dorian's histrionic behavior towards Blair in public, which disrupted Cassie's party, even though somewhat in character... felt RUSHED and lacking prior beats. I always believed Dorian was more clever than this. Why would she choose this particular event to bicker with Blair and then accuse Cassie of favoring her? It simply doesn't make sense. Dorian has done EVERYTHING she could to make herself close to Cassie and they've gone through so much bigger sh-t than this. How is that all of a sudden this (inviting Blair) is so WRONG and so OFF-PUTTING to her that she can't control herself for one day? Didn't she wish Blair happiness and prosperity during the Holidays? LOL. Furthermore, why would Cassie act so stupid and make Blair her matron of honor at that precise moment, seemingly to provoke her mother even more? They are behaving as if Blair is Cassie's DEAR beloved cousin, which is far from the truth. Why not pick someone else to stand by her side? Anyone would be a better choice than Blair. Even Alex Olanov would be a more suitable option. Just as they appear to manufacture artificial plot-driven tension to create a rift between Viki and Clint, they have done the same here. It's unfortunate, as this show has generally followed character-based storytelling to a significant extent.

P.S. I appreciated the later scene where Cassie and Dorian talked it out. I loved the exploration of Dorian's insecurity and fear of being chosen over by others. That reflects a borderline/narcissistic personality trait, which she certainly possesses.

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Moving on to the second complete idiocy. In a silly twist... we see Blair returning to Asa's manor... like SHE OWNS IT... rummaging through his drawers, searching the entire house and behaving like Cruella DeVil. Chile.... don't tell me that Asa, the MILLIONAIRE Buchanan, wouldn't change his locks and would just ALLOW that monster to ENTER simply because they are still married?! When he returned... he accepted the fact that Cruella was there... without much resistance and, of course, chose to meet his business associates for work... just when it was clear even to my dog... that Blair is doing something nasty behind his back. The real Asa Buchanan would not compromise himself just to keep the plot goin. They are just giving Blair opportunity to fight back... come up with that secret card, she could play at the trial. Once again, foolish plot-driven writing designed to keep the door open for the character. And of course Asa decides to choke her in that EXACT moment he is leaving the house... ignoring the maid who is standing and observing everything. Okay, maybe he didn't see the maid. But it's just so foolish. Now Asa is a wife beater?! ANOTHER character we have to dislike so much?! We have accusations of homophobia, racism, sexual harassment and now domestic abuse flying in this show like it's NOTHING. I hate this sudden drop in the characters' intelligence just to serve what they want to tell plot wise. HATE IT.

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And now the BIGGEST lunacy is Mortimer, who was stuttering and a virgin... getting jerked off under the table... weeks ago... now acting like HE IS THE powerful Carlo Hesser... trying to scare the whole town, buying restaurants to gift Renee and etc. I CAN'T WITH this nonsense anymore. It's a complete disgrace to have this storyline and to keep trying to push it again and again. What do these people want us to believe now? That Mortimer was really Carlo? Or is this some kind of philosophical idea I don't understand? It's not as foolish as it seems, for sure... but it's not as profound as the writers think it is. This isn't a Pygmalion type of story where Alex creates the perfect mob boss. It's a messy plot-driven writing to fix the killing of a major character. They love to create problems for themselves and then spend months trying to resolve them. Which can be a good thing, but here - it's not. UGH.

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On a brighter note... Luna and Max's story is getting a bit easier to stomach. I appreciate the conflict that arose from his desire for sex and her reluctance to rush into it. At least this gives Luna some character depth, or else she might just be Max's servant/YES woman. AT LEAST that. Susan Batten delivered a beautifully nuanced performance that elevated the script. Her tears upon realizing that Max is still making excuses to sleep with her... were touching, even if the situation is somewhat reductive at this point. I still can't believe this is Luna Moody. She seems to have no other interests or topics in her life besides Max. Max this, Max that. It's too much. She's become like Tina, which was her biggest fear.

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Oh and... Sloan is spending more and more of his free time with Dorian, which is pretty strange, since she was the one who took the pictures of him and Viki and he promised to make her pay just weeks ago. We know that he is using her to make Viki jealous, but still... it makes Sloan come off as the male Brooke Logan and less like a serious man... a general. But this I can accept as part of his GAME for Viki. So... OK. Dorian is getting used again... and will get dumped again.

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Yikes. 1993 better get better soon. I hope this is just a short confused moment. They've had them before and quickly managed to improve.

Overall -  4.5/10

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Clip of the day

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Maxim

Watching the next few episodes on the TV... It's cozy and snowing outside... and it's already... times and times better. Thank God. We are back to the Anna Karenina storyline and Dorian just threw a wine glass in Viki's face. Viki is now in the position of the one staring at Sloan from a distance and fantasizing about him. He is playing her like a violin, sitting quietly next to Dorian. The Slut From The Valley style.

I am shocked to see the low rating, Maxim! I’m glad to see it improved quickly.

I am nearing the climax of the Doug Eber arc and what was the consensus of Jane, Tina and Luna coming to the rescue? If it was supposed to be told realistically, it’s gone batty at this point and poor Troy looked stupid. Sheila has also completely vanished from this story. Erika and Jessica are giving amazing performances as Megan falls ill and Viki fights for her.

I already don’t like Luna liking Max. They met, great intro, wrong character plus Luna knows Lee Ann has Max so why do your friend like that? Disgusting!

Did anyone else think that John Loprieno and Mia Korf had good chemistry? The scenes of Ilsa holding them at gunpoint and Blair tending to his wounds after, wow, maybe John just looked too good or maybe they had great chemistry.

I find this November Sweeps interesting though, as it uses Rauch era music and Gottlieb era music for two high suspense tales. Ilsa makes the Jaba City plot utter camp regardless of the potential for realism using The Banner while the domestic violence plot is more realistic but went insane with the botched police rescue. With that said, the Rauch era was full of villains and Gottlieb era not too many besides one. I will say I thought Rauch did a better job of displaying a villain, Doug is nowhere near as menacing as say Austin Buchanan.

Thanks @Maxim

I agree it doesn't make a great deal of sense for Cassie to fight so hard for Blair. I suppose the idea is that she's the good Cramer trying to bring the family together, which is preferable to the times she comes across as sanctimonious.

Elaine Princi gives a beautiful performance, especially the end when she asks Cassie, like a child, if this means Cassie isn't choosing Blair over her.

I always had mixed feelings about Laura Koffman's Cassie, and I'm reminded why here. I don't think she plays the scenes right. She's very shallow - her line readings at the end are more like something a mother says at the end of a sitcom episode.

12 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

I always had mixed feelings about Laura Koffman's Cassie, and I'm reminded why here. I don't think she plays the scenes right. She's very shallow - her line readings at the end are more like something a mother says at the end of a sitcom episode.

Very spot on LOL!

Happy to hear it was a quick blip and things are getting better @Maxim .

I love LB but they didn't always give her the best material, especially early on.