3 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Thanks for uploading those great scenes. I suppose they moved Alex away because they knew she wouldn't be viable in that state. The question is, while Tonja was very charismatic, sexy, etc. was there really a need for Alex in what she became once they toned her down. She does have some fun moments from about 1992-1994, but I'm not sure.

At this point in late 1992... IMO Alex is an unnecessary circus monkey character that dilutes the quality of the show. I don't know what they'll do exactly with her in the future... even though I just got a hint from a comment above... 😁but there needs to be a loooooot of work done for her to appear as anything closely resembling a human being. Right now she is just a Cruella Devil from temu. Tonja has so much more to offer, she's shown it time and time again. (Even when she overacts there is a desperate vibe in the air... the feeling that she is struggling to make gold out of nothing. It's almost hard to watch.) The writing for her confuses me. It's almost like they want her to fail with the stupidity they constantly give her... but that's just speculation. Who knows. It's bizarre. The editing with the carnival music doesn't help. I think I'll cut a scene like this in the future just to exemplify bad editing and how it could turn actor's performance into a joke... by constantly repeating the same "laugh at this melody" tune. 

And oh... Mortimer's mother just said to Alex - You deflowered my son! How could you do it... I don't know how Tonja kept a straight face. 😂

Edited November 15Nov 15 by Maxim

3 hours ago, DRW50 said:

The question is, while Tonja was very charismatic, sexy, etc. was there really a need for Alex in what she became once they toned her down. She does have some fun moments from about 1992-1994, but I'm not sure.

I think Alex ran about as long as she could on contract, if not slightly longer. They moved her from power base to power base to keep her insulated from full crashout, and that's why it worked. At least I thought so at the time. Some/many of the stories were silly but they never lost sight of her being a psycho at core. She has always been my model for how to keep a villain like her running long-term (something I have incessantly cited in the GH thread re: Ava Jerome - maybe let Ric run for DA or even Mayor, unseating Laura temporarily, and have her be his bickering spouse).

Edited November 15Nov 15 by Vee

Sorry about the spoiler😅😅😅 I cant wait for you to watch 1993, too!

Just now, mar4331 said:

Sorry about the spoiler😅😅😅  

Nooo... now I'm even more interested in Alex than I was. I thought they were going to let her be this boring mob wife... but you surprised me. I can't wait to see the old goat's world rocked by the crazy blonde! (Even though I feel in my heart that Renee and Asa belong together. I just adore their disfunction. It reminds me of my parents in some unhinged way.).

1 minute ago, mar4331 said:

 I cant wait for you to watch 1993, too!

❤️

Alex and Asa is what I remember as a kid, and I really loved it.  

I totally forgot mentioning something that really made an impression on me. The change in the writing for Luna is like night and day! Yes, you could make an excuse and say that she's grown... and that she's a brand new woman now that she's basking in Max's "love," but honestly, it's like we're dealing with a whole new character here. The comedy (she was one of the few characters that actually made me smile now and then, because I could totally picture someone like her saying the wild stuff she used to) and her quirky charm have practically vanished, and she's morphed into this typical soap opera dramatic lady. You know... less the sidekick and more leading type... she's sweeter, sugary. I almost find myself missing the wacky Luna of last year... the one who would  ramble non stop and make me crazy. I didn't know I liked it till it was gone! I can't wrap my head around why they decided to turn her into yet another heroine who’s all about love and men... but man, that’s just a letdown. That other version was waaay more modern and daring. The actress has so much more to offer than being stuck in love triangles! I really hope they don't restrict her to crying about Max and suffering about love dramas in the future. 

P.S. It feels like the whole show is taking on this Josh Griffith vibe too... I can't help but notice. Not that it's a bad thing right now... it’s just that Malone usually has this intellectual flair (loves his long, meaningful dialogues)... he’s way less melodramatic... and now I’m sensing that the episodes are getting a bit more soapy and over the top at times. The heroines are crying in corners more. But hey, at least the cliffhangers are getting better. Again, not a critical comment. It's a good mix... for now. The show feels more feminine and there is this operettic scent of cheap perfume that wasn't there back when it was only Malone writing. When he was alone... it was a little more rough and raw (which I like). Who knows, maybe it's all in my mind. But it's different. 

 

Edited November 16Nov 16 by Maxim

Can a character like Luna work in a front burner romance on a soap opera or better served in the Wanda type role as supporting?

Interesting notes on the addition of Josh Griffith. 

2 hours ago, soapfave06 said:

Can a character like Luna work in a front burner romance on a soap opera or better served in the Wanda type role as supporting?

Luna was always a character I could take strictly in very small doses.  Her and Max's relationship never should've progressed beyond, say, a one-sided crush on her part. 

2 hours ago, soapfave06 said:

Can a character like Luna work in a front burner romance on a soap opera

Yes, I think she did.

40 minutes ago, Vee said:

Yes, I think she did.

Would you say it hurt Max longterm? Was her death harsh given her archetype?

Luna was annoying! I was so glad that she was killed off. The audience demanded it. 

2 hours ago, Khan said:

Luna was always a character I could take strictly in very small doses.  Her and Max's relationship never should've progressed beyond, say, a one-sided crush on her part. 

I agree. I appreciated her most in small doses when she offered the eccentric, but unique perspective. The "no bow down to men, find your inner Goddess, check your horoscope and your planets and just rock on..." stuff. Irritating, yes, but at least somewhat different. I appreciate when writers attempt to have unique characters. Now... she resembles countless other slightly boring women crying about men on soap operas. And I also agree that her relationship with Max should have stayed the way it was... I hate seeing people being happy with getting someone else's leftovers.

Edited November 16Nov 16 by Maxim

Up to December 4th, 1992.

  🦩

"AFTERSHOCKS."

🔷

1-2-3 months pass... and someone in Llanview... DIES. 💀

🔷

According to the Kübler-Ross model... the stages of GRIEF are as follows - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Bo Buchanan is at the denial stage. With a shade of psychosis. So while Cassie and Andrew are overjoyed... sharing their engagement news with their family, Bo is in SHAMBLES. His mind... filled with disturbed thoughts that seem nonsensical. Elaborate hoaxes about secretive groups who allegedly conspired to take Sarah from him. It was a nice touch to have Alex come visit him. If she wasn't so fixated on Mortimer, I might have thought they were going back to her past obsession.  

🔷

The aftermath of Sarah's horrific death is impacting everyone, including Viki. We saw her rushing to the hospital phone, only to be interrupted repeatedly, leaving her with no opportunity to call Sloan. Meanwhile, he is getting ready for her arrival. Viki finds herself in yet another impossible situation - the family expects her to reunite with Clint, but her heart has strayed too far already. I've never seen her so bewildered and lost. It's as if she's a ghost. She's physically present next to Clint, yet her expression is lifeless and vacant. Ah, this is the phase of the forbidden romance that I adore the most. This is when the true drama starts. 

🔷

We were just discussing Luna! Well, as I expected, she appears to be gearing up for a love triangle with Max and Suede, who Nora just made a wealthy man with a snap of her finger. This kind of thing only happens in soap operas. It's a cheap trick that I HATE. It turns out that now... as a free man... Suede will be inheriting a huge chunk of some estate. So... Max better heal fast and start making money, since his competition is no bum anymore.

🔷

Talking about Nora - I have more to say about her - they’ve been hitting us over the head with this "I have a migraine" line, which clearly seems to foreshadow her having some kind of brain tumor or illness. They did the same thing with Sloan. It’s getting repetitive to give these characters all these health issues just to kickstart a love story or create a reason for someone to be involved with them, etc. I’m not certain if this will be the case, but she has repeated the line of "Oh, I’m losing consciousness, but I’m FINEEEE" now for the tenth time. My prediction is that they will somehow link this condition to Bo, as I’ve noticed them testing their chemistry a few times.  

🔷

Something I'm VERY excited about. Blair vs Dorian - the war is reignited. Yes, finally as old storylines are wrapping up, we are going back to the Cramer women feud. The fight for Agatha's custody is back. BTW, the actress that plays Addie, Pamela Payton-Wright... is truly a gem and I'm glad they kept her for so long. It’s quite a challenge to portray someone in her condition, and to do it for such an extended period!

🔷

Something I'm ALSO excited about. Leanne got really jealous when she caught Rachel and Kevin sharing a kiss. Her eyes went green with envy, and she even threw some snarky comments at Rachel later on at the Buchanan Palace. I find this little emerging rivalry quite entertaining. You all know I'm team Rachel. To me, she's like a mini Viki, and I would choose her over the reckless Leanne any day. I have a gut feeling that Leanne is going to break Jason's heart once again. I hope he goes back to Dorian.

🔷

The less interesting parts... I’m merging into one. An alliance has formed between Alex and Cain, plotting to destroy Blair’s marriage (which is hardly a marriage), get Renee back with Asa... so that Alex keeps Morti-Carlo for herself. And Cain, I suppose... will get Tina after Renee and Asa reunite. (Because Tina is still pissed off he broke them up in the first place.) It’s a convoluted cheap plot, almost feels like they’re doing this to keep the entire cast involved and active while the main BETTER storylines unfold.  

 Overall -  7/10

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Clip of the day

Edited November 16Nov 16 by Maxim

5 hours ago, Khan said:

Luna was always a character I could take strictly in very small doses.  Her and Max's relationship never should've progressed beyond, say, a one-sided crush on her part. 

Ditto. I never cared for the character. The cornpone was too much for me.

3 hours ago, slick jones said:

The cornpone was too much for me.

IKR?  Becky Lee was way more tolerable than Luna, and as Ordell Robbie would say, "that girl was as country as a chicken coop."

Edited November 17Nov 17 by Khan