I have made it to December 12th. I can’t explain why, but I am simply not connecting to the material surrounding Cord’s presumed death. Perhaps because Tina and Cord essentially ended when AE (my #1) left and were no longer leads at this point.

Viki comforting Clint while preparing to tell Megan she needs a kidney is great; JB is fantastic as Jason, taking offense to Dorian trying to school him on how to dress and eat. Andrew as the voice of reason is also great, he is a great addition.

My ears have reached exhaustion hearing LB’s Cassie saying Sarah, I can’t take it once more and while I am trying, I am not getting attached to nuSarah, not even in scenes with Megan.

To be honest, Sarah returning with Cord dying and all the contrived Bo/Cassie drama is much too much and would easily be balanced with, I’m sorry I am saying it again, the use of the community in it’s entirety: giving Larry, Sheila, Wanda, etc. more to do. It feels like the same characters every episode and I am looking forward to seeing more of Blair and Sheila and the additions of Hank, Rachel and Marty in the next year.

I will avoid commenting on Max vs Asa again but wow, pairing that with the family gathered at the Lord library for news of Cord’s death was a lot.

It’s still worth it to see the transition period so I am going to try to move through it.

Best scenes of maybe the entire year (that I’ve seen) just might be Megan learning she is sick after Andrew takes her to the hospital and Larry assumes Viki has already told Megan. Jessica Tuck killed it as Megan went in on Larry then broke down in Andrew’s arms.

I really, really loved Max with Megan and Gabrielle but I don’t like anyone with Max, save Blair since I’ve seen some of 1992. I was just liking Lee Ann when she went back to him and now here we are with these cringe scenes of Max and Luna bonding. Doesn’t feel like Luna at all, especially knowing Lee Ann is with him.

Nice to see some balance to the drama with Cain Rogan sneaking about in a jam.

Now up to December 19th, holy cow! Megan should have been a troublemaking hot mess and they completely wasted her through 1991, her getting drunk and hitting the town, spanking Herb, dancing with (and unknowingly taunting) Andrew and running off with Cain to Atlantic City, that confrontation with Viki and then dancing around the crowd post meltdown before collapsing in tears has been an astonishing performance. I haven’t tracked how many episodes this has gone on for but I would happily take more of this, and more conflict between Viki and Megan before we get to those hospital bedside weeks.

Back to Megan being a mess-what a wild ride 1989-1991 could have been if Viki and Megan didn’t make up in 2.5 seconds and she became a heroine.

Edited yesterday at 03:43 AM1 day by soapfave06

16 hours ago, Maxim said:

You guys are just too sweet! 🥰 All I can say is... I'm flattered that anyone misses them/me. I shall return to Llanview very soon. Having some time off from the show really made me miss it. I blame Malone inspiring me to read Anna Karenina, which I just had to finish before continuing. @soapfave06 - I caaaan't wait to read more of your reviews as well. Can't wait till you hit February 1992.

OMG... Is this what I think it is! Viki Buchanan, you naughty girl! Thanks for posting @DRW50.

1993 is a heavy year so you were right to take some breaks. Take whatever time you need as the show will always be waiting.

12 hours ago, soapfave06 said:

Thanks for sharing, I’ve never seen! Kind of insane Viki had affairs that nearly ruined her marriage so close together. In hindsight, I wish Roger and Sloan shared a similar backstory (as one character instead of two) I can’t judge the chemistry of Sloan and Viki, but man Roger and Viki had no chemistry.

This is random but they also failed in casting Prince Raymond-no chemistry with Megan. I equally love realism and fantasy in my soaps and the Mendorra tale could have been something if they just had chemistry.

I am very curious in the casting I initiatives at this time.

On paper, a Clint/Viki/Roger triangle should have been dynamic. The show was partly to blame for likely not wanting to rock the boat about Clint and Viki, but Larry Pine was miscast - he did well in smarmier or darker roles but was not a romantic leading man.

Thanks for your newest recaps. I agree about how limited and tiresome a lot of that material felt. As for Megan, they may have made her a little too nice too quickly, but I think she would have been exhausting if she'd been written too much like Marty was in 92-spring 1993.

Edited yesterday at 06:23 AM1 day by DRW50

@soapfave06 - Thank you for sharing your latest impressions. They truly highlight (for me) how this period pales in comparison to what I experienced in early 1992. Now as I think about it... starting with the October 1991 episodes gave me an advantage, as I had nothing to compare them to... making everything intriguing, regardless of my perspective. However, after watching more and more material... I can now see, with the help of your insights as well... just how rocky this period was. I recall how random Cord's death seemed... it felt as if they were developing his relationship with Blair... going for a future affair, and then... flatline.

7 hours ago, DRW50 said:

1993 is a heavy year so you were right to take some breaks. Take whatever time you need as the show will always be waiting.

It's truly wonderful to know that this topic and all of you are here, alongside the show. It has nearly become an integral part of my viewing experience... coming here to express my thoughts and feelings with you all. Reading your insights and comments. As soon as I relieve that itch for literature... I shall return... just like Dorian Lord in the ski lodge. ❤️

I am close to the end of 1991 and things are back on the upswing. I agree Cord’s death came out of nowhere, they must not have thought JL would be leaving and I see now that they pivoted quickly from Cord’s death to the focus of Megan’s illness.

Unfortunately, Megan ended up passing out and woke up completely back to her normal self with a 2.5 second apology scene to Viki for her meltdown. Jessica Tuck is really giving some of the best performances of 1991 (I’ve primarily only watched September-December but this year doesn’t give much) and certainly her entire time on the show. I will admit I almost thought Ruby Bright came back 😂

Megan and Andrew have something special-so many calm conversations about life that I become entranced by and the way he looks at her so lovingly but unable to have her, I can feel the torment in his heart. I don’t care for Megan and Jake, and of course she was never staying past her contract but I wonder what the two would have been like. Probably best to love each other deeply but never together.

Major 1992 plots are being set up: Blair and Cassie had a great late night talk at The Banner which led Blair to meet Asa, see his power and become quickly thirsty + Addie spooking Cassie when she visits Blair; Max and Luna with Serenity Springs; Lee Ann pregnant; Cain Rogan back.

Troy (who is so effing dull my god) and Sheila are treated like less than background characters. Sheila had the blip of the racist play and a less than supporting role in the Jane Ebert plot, a brief newspaper drama as a source against LH for Viki at The Banner and has barely been around since.

JB’s Jason continues to steal the show. I have no opinion of Jason and Dorian overall but his hurt over getting Lee Ann the necklace and her mistakenly believing Max got it out of love and his later confrontation with Dorian on Llantano Mountain, looking down at Llanview the way people look down on him, whew his acting was phenomenal.

Question: was Jason ever popular in viewer feedback or magazines at the time? He feels so quintessentially 90s I could have seen him on the show through the end of the decade (I know he got usurped by Todd but I would rather not waste my time focusing on that)

PS-OLTL just oozes wasted potential sometimes. The 70s erased for the Buchanans with no longterm characters lasting; most of the 80s characters being temporary; then longterm there is Carla, the Jason’s and Sheila’s of the 90s and the Layla’s and Fish’s of the 00s.

45 minutes ago, soapfave06 said:

Major 1992 plots are being set up: Blair and Cassie had a great late night talk at The Banner which led Blair to meet Asa, see his power and become quickly thirsty + Addie spooking Cassie when she visits Blair

The Blair/Dorian storyline is just beginning... and you'll just love it... I'm sure of it. So excited for you!

P.S. I just watched 2 new episodes from 1993... so I'm officially back in business. They were WILD. Jason and Dorian slapped each other. I think this is the first time I've seen a man answer a slap with a slap on a soap. I'll either wait for a bit more material or just jump straight into a review tomorrow morning, since I think there was plenty material to cover. The Viki Buchanina storyline is also back in full swing... there is talk about this legendary train and Viki going on the last ride... without knowing that Sloan is going to be there too. GOD I love things like these and again that train motive... is so Anna Karenina. Today I've been going back to all the soaps - BTG too. It feels like I'm back in my favorite world... Long live soap operas.

26 minutes ago, Maxim said:

The Blair/Dorian storyline is just beginning... and you'll just love it... I'm sure of it. So excited for you!

P.S. I just watched 2 new episodes from 1993... so I'm officially back in business. They were WILD. Jason and Dorian slapped each other. I think this is the first time I've seen a man answer a slap with a slap on a soap. I'll either wait for a bit more material or just jump straight into a review tomorrow morning, since I think there was plenty material to cover. The Viki Buchanina storyline is also back in full swing... there is talk about this legendary train and Viki going on the last ride... without knowing that Sloan is going to be there too. GOD I love things like these and again that train motive... is so Anna Karenina. Today I've been going back to all the soaps - BTG too. It feels like I'm back in my favorite world... Long live soap operas.

I am so excited to see Blair’s ongoing arc and especially the Cramer family coming apart especially following the manufactured drama with Cassie through the fall.

I have officially seen Blair and Max’s intro and was not expecting the over the top stare from across the room, split screen and dance but I have to say I enjoyed it (not sure if others thought it was cheesy) and I felt immediate chemistry, finally after that gross pairing with Lee Ann.

Was I the only one thinking Cain Rogan’s return and unraveling would have been theatrical? I was expecting more hijinks or drama especially with more than just Tina involved. I will say for the first time though I was really enjoying Cain (I did enjoy his alter egos though) and Christopher Cousins is dashing.

Oh!! I’m on January 3rd and I have finally seen the infamous Dr. Jonas everyone has been referring to. In the same episode, we see Blair coming out of her shell and twisting a front page interview with a future Governor candidate, I will give them credit for keeping Blair interesting and waiting for her darker side to unravel.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by soapfave06

Of September-December 1991 I have to say Megan’s entire meltdown from the hospital kidney diagnosis with Larry through passing out in the bed in Atlantic City were my favorite sequences in addition to Viki exposing Cain’s fraud as Heinrich using her German knowledge might be my favorite scenes. I also enjoyed Luna parachuting into Llanview, the ongoing scenes of work life at The Banner and Wanda’s Place and Andrew and Megan’s conversations. I am sure I forgot more but these stand out and from past dipping in, I thought only Alex going after Cassie at the wedding would make the list.

Production wise, I was fascinated to see a TWO DAYS LATER… used after the New Year’s episodes.

Were they testing Megan’s doctor as a new character? All of these months where they needed new characters and he’s getting some odd focus out of nowhere since coming in to the point Larry has threatened to go to the board for the operating room mishap.

Speaking of, with Troy and Jon still being used as romantic options, the show is in desperate need of romantic leading men which makes the new opening laughable (this opening had never bothered me, but seeing its debut now I really see how it doesn’t fit at all)

Going back to Cord’s death, and seeing Maxim’s recaps of Tina and Cain, and the little I’ve seen of this era, I wish they had written Tina out when AE left, gave Cord a new leading lady and then let him leave to search for Tina instead of dying. I did enjoy the Jaba City venture but his death, even if it was just a couple episodes and then forgotten, really threw things off. I do enjoy Karen Witter though and think she would have fared better as a different character with comedy.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by soapfave06

7 hours ago, soapfave06 said:

Going back to Cord’s death, and seeing Maxim’s recaps of Tina and Cain, and the little I’ve seen of this era, I wish they had written Tina out when AE left, gave Cord a new leading lady and then let him leave to search for Tina instead of dying. I did enjoy the Jaba City venture but his death, even if it was just a couple episodes and then forgotten, really threw things off. I do enjoy Karen Witter though and think she would have fared better as a different character with comedy.

Unfortunately... Tina hasn't really done anything for me since Cord "died". Not that she was all that captivating before... just a cliche of a repressed wife (I'm referring to the few months I watched before Cord left the show)... but what they did with her post-Cord... was just strange. They turned her comedic side up to max volume to a cringe level. I won't go into details... to avoid spoiling anything for you.

Actually... Tina just became intriguing to me... for the first time since I started watching the show... and we're almost at April 1993. Once again... Cord's character coming back... brought in more genuine conflict for her, and she's facing real problems for the first time... instead of just being a sidekick to a con artist or putting on her own circus show. It was a mistake pairing her with Cain so fast after Cord leaving. Now in 1993... I really enjoy watching a bad mother dealing with the consequences of her irresponsibility. It's classic soap opera... and as a fan of Brooke Logan (yes, I'm ashamed)... it's one of my favorite themes. 😄

3 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Unfortunately... Tina hasn't really done anything for me since Cord "died". Not that she was all that captivating before... just a cliche of a repressed wife (I'm referring to the few months I watched before Cord left the show)... but what they did with her post-Cord... was just strange. They turned her comedic side up to max volume to a cringe level. I won't go into details... to avoid spoiling anything for you.

Actually... Tina just became intriguing to me... for the first time since I started watching the show... and we're almost at April 1993. Once again... Cord's character coming back... brought in more genuine conflict for her, and she's facing real problems for the first time... instead of just being a sidekick to a con artist or putting on her own circus show. It was a mistake pairing her with Cain so fast after Cord leaving. Now in 1993... I really enjoy watching a bad mother dealing with the consequences of her irresponsibility. It's classic soap opera... and as a fan of Brooke Logan (yes, I'm ashamed)... it's one of my favorite themes. 😄

I have watched a fair bit of 1990 and early 1991 and there wasn’t much there, I’ve enjoyed certain scenes but nothing making it worth keeping Tina in town, especially if it took a year and half of viewing for you to be intrigued.

No complaint on Karen Witter though, and she’s a fine recast (I’m biased and saying that) it’s primarily the writing.

I am approaching to mid-January 1992:

Max and Blair have stolen the show for me since their NYE dance, I feel like I am watching a classic romance with Blair wanting more and telling Max she can’t be with a dreamer. The scenes of Blair with Addie, caring for her, do so much for her character. I am hoping Blair goes back to The Banner, but I also respect her stance and it doesn’t make Viki look foolish. I guess she is headed to work for Dorian, whose door she just knocked on.

Cain Rogan has done one major thing for me: giving Asa something to do. I wasn’t feeling him at all the last three months but the moment Asa hired him and Cain overheard Luna about Serenity Springs + Blair, Asa feels alive again.

I think the show writes Jason / Lee Ann / Kevin almost realistic as can be-but wow is Kevin bonkers for Lee Ann. I don’t particularly enjoy that.

Wanda and Luna making assumptions about Jason, and his going off on Wanda, this actor kills every scene and I never EVER hate Jason whereas today he would be a hypocrite [!@#$%^&*]. Jason feels possibly the most real character on the show.

Andrew confessing his love to Megan and ripping the letter just before she doubles over in pain, wow, these two are so intriguing. These hospital scenes of everyone surrounding Megan as she needs a transplant and through Viki receiving one nearly put me to sleep. I was not entertained.

I have never seen Marty with Megan, or early Marty, and wow I was so impressed, she hit the ground running.

Eddie and Quincy from The Banner made it into 1992, telling Blair off for getting the night editor fired; I also thought Megan went broke (the way she began dressing in ‘91) and was no longer on FR but she actually is since she called out of work due to illness.

The show is very good, very enjoyable! Lows for me are Sarah, Tina overall outside of say those past lives scenes, Cord’s death, Max until he got with Blair and the lack of viable relationships-I would of rather seen Larry get a love life, Sheila get better suited prior to Hank coming, more community or friendship scenes. I know the coming year is hit or miss but they do get a ton correct.

Up to March 26th, 1993

🦩

"The DEVIL is watching."

🔷

Ask and you shall receive. Guess who's back! ❤️ Once again I’m discovering that taking a little breather from something you love (soap watching) makes coming back to it... all the more delightful. It’s like indulging in sweets... sometimes you just have to hit the pause button before the flavor fades and you feel icky. So, stepping back into Llanview felt like coming home... reuniting with old friends and enemies. I was happy to see... they haven’t changed a bit! Still deep in their dramas and intrigues. Let's start, shall we?

🔷

My darling Society Slut has made her grand return to town, and... she’s not just back... she’s on a mission to reclaim her throne, aka "The Banner". While she was off riding Sloan and then licking her wounds in Paris... the game at the newspaper changed. A new HBIC was clawing her way up the ladder and... up Clint’s heart (or more like pants). The deliciously menacing Lindsay, rearranging the newspaper to Clint's orders, marking her territory. But the ex-Saint, the paper’s owner, is not giving up control easily. Little Miss Innocence... Viki Buchanina... wants to have her cake and eat it too. She likes getting penetrated by men in hotel rooms at ski lodges, yet she expects the situation at the paper to stay just as it was. No, no... sweetheart. You'll pay a price for your decisions. Clint drew a line in the sand - If you don’t like how I'm running things, then FIRE ME! But of course, the ex-Saint won’t do that, she’s clinging to whatever dignity she has left… or maybe she’s just terrified her kids will despise her even more. She's selfish even when she appears selfless. That final shot of Viki and Lindsay glaring at each other was everything! No words needed - just venom flowing through the air. And... I looove how Lindsay has completely ditched the friendly fake persona! She’s making it crystal clear she’s got some serious INTENTIONS and she's not here to play anymore. The sheer hatred radiating from her eyes. I AM OBSESSED WITH HER! Anna Holbrook is a Goddess.

🔷

Just as I told you... Marty Saybrooke made YET another move on Andrew as soon as she got back into the house. The demon was all touchy-feely with him on the piano... which triggered the Reverend... and finally he did what had to be done - kicked her out for good and told Cassie about her latest seduction attempt. I hope Cassie learned a lesson. Naturally, the trash couldn't resist going back to her old ways of seeking attention and self-sabotage - she hit the bottle and ran to the sleazy Roadhouse where Todd Manning was lurking. He, of course, tried to pick her up... and she was ready to jump into his arms at any moment... but Jason stepped in. Then we saw a hilariously trashy brawl - the guys were borderline fighting over this low-life rumor starting alcoholic tramp. STILL... I can't help but adore Marty for what she is - a crazy troublemaker, a character that stands out. It's like when she's around - anything can happen, which is pure GOLD for soap operas. We absolutely need more unpredictable, chaotic characters like her in soaps. And of course... she’s bound to evolve into a heroine sooner or later... they’re just taking their time with her character development and transformation.

🔷

Sometimes I find myself wondering... why is a woman like Dorian Lord wasting her time with Jason in these rundown places where people like Marty and Todd Manning hang out? But then it hits me - Dorian isn't really that much different. The show highlighted this. When Marty and Jason were discussing her... it struck me that Marty was starting to perceive Dorian as an older version of herself - a woman who is afraid of being alone, someone with deep-rooted childhood issues and a fear of being abandoned and rejected. It was interesting to see that parallel, because yes... Dorian and Marty share a lot of similarities, even though they have totally different vibes. But back to Dorian - she just couldn't stand watching Jason play the role of prince charming to Marty... and slapped him. Then he slapped her back. Hmm. This is honestly the first time I've seen a guy react to a woman like this on soaps, and to be honest - I'm really let down by how they're doing Jason dirty. He just isn't that type of guy. He NEVER was. But now he is... and there's no turning back. I'm not saying it's more acceptable for a woman to hit a man, it just felt off... the whole scene. Even if it fits into their sado-masochistic dynamic.

🔷

Tina's whole life is unraveling. 😁 She picked Cain, and now Asa, the quintessential chauvinist of Llanview is OUT TO destroy her. That guy just waits for a woman to be in a weak position... and then he strikes. Watching him verbally spar with Tina and threaten to take her kids away reminded me of how he treated Leanne. And Renee. And Blair. And pretty much all the females on the show. That funny element of the whole staff watching from a distance... the maid laughing in the background while they are fighting... was hilarious. Honestly, this is the first time I actually care about what happens to Tina. I enjoy seeing her squirm. Meanwhile, there's the clown Alex Olanov plotting something nasty against her and Cain... wandering around Asa's house with a wig... I guess we'll find out what that's all about soon. I still can't stomach Alex 50 percent of the time.

🔷

I nearly forgot... Kevin and Rachel's relationship is evolving... and there are some red flags for future problems. We saw that weird guy Manning visiting Kevin and trying to flirt with Rachel. It was really strange, and she seemed super uncomfortable. That guy is so creepy, the actor has this natural CREEP face. Sometimes he reminds me of Ted Bundy. It gives me chills. I just hope nothing bad happens to Rachel, because I'm going to be FURIOUS if they do anything to her. FURIOUS. Rachel is my girl.

Overall -  10/10 - How can I give it less, when I'm so happy to be back!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

Viki vs Clint and Lindsay

(I love the overhead camera work.)

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Maxim

I'm way behind on all this because I've been preoccupied by IRL and the current soaps (as well as some classic GH). But if anyone is dying for yet another take on late 1991 I'm sure mine will come sometime soon.