Before we get into talking about the fictional accounts played out on our television, computer, and other video screens, I want to say that bipolar disorder is something that has touched my real life in a very big way. I have a couple of close family members who struggle with the disorder, and it hasn't always been easy or pretty. I've lived with all the highs and lows -- extreme manic periods followed by deep bouts of depression -- and I've seen the toll it's taken on loved ones. I've felt the frustration of watching someone I love opt not to take medication, and I've dealt with the pain from the fallout after that choice has been made.
That said I just couldn't muster even a smidgen of compassion for Morgan's plight this week, not even when he climbed up onto the hospital's rooftop ledge and contemplated ending his life. Apparently, I was not alone. Rumor has it, #JumpMorganJump was all over Twitter during the show, and the message boards lit up with threads and posts of a similar nature. It seems like almost everyone is done with this character for one reason or another. His latest struggle with bipolar disorder did nothing to turn people around.
A friend and I were talking about the situation with Morgan, trying to figure out why we lacked empathy for a character who was clearly unraveling before our eyes, and we both agreed that it was because Morgan is completely unlikeable. It is astounding to us how unsympathetic Morgan is being written.
It doesn't take much to make me cry, but I only felt annoyance as I watched Morgan during the showdown on the docks.
For me, it was the tsunami waves of rage rolling off Morgan as he screamed his way through the week that turned me off. I know anger can be a key component of the disease, but Bryan Craig took it to a whole different level as Morgan foolishly stole Sonny's gun, ran down to the docks to bounce around corners like a Ping-Pong ball as he spied on a small army of dangerous thugs in the middle of an arms deal, and then was forced into a confrontation when his cell phone chimed to alert him of a text message from Kiki.
The scenes that followed were difficult to watch not because Morgan was unaware of the danger that he was in but because he came off as a spoiled little boy trying to play grownup and cash in on his father's notoriety to intimidate people. The minute Dixon took that gun away, Morgan's bravado fled.
No one took Morgan seriously, least of all the criminals he was trying to take down.
As Morgan talked, I realized that the thoughts he voiced weren't just the mania talking but something that Morgan absolutely believed to be true. He honestly believes that he has what it takes to step into his father's shoes.
Bryan did a spectacular job portraying Morgan in a manic phase, but the writing just made it hard to watch. The anger overshadowed everything -- even when Morgan slipped into depression. I wasn't exactly rooting for Dixon to kill Morgan or for Morgan to take a step off the rooftop's ledge, but in truth, I wouldn't have been disappointed if either incident had been the end of Morgan.
Bipolar disorder or not, Morgan is an untrustworthy ass with an overblown sense of self, the temperament of a two-year-old, and the intelligence of a goldfish. On his best day, he's tolerable, but those days are woefully far and few between.
I will say, the scene with Sonny talking Morgan down from the ledge -- literally -- was very moving, but mainly because I felt for Sonny. It's easy to see how much he loves Morgan despite Morgan's constant hostility and obsessive need for attention. The idea of a parent witnessing their child's suicide and being powerless to stop it was more than I could bear. I was relieved for both Sonny and Carly that Morgan didn't jump.
I also loved the scenes at the chapel when Sonny sat perched in his wheelchair, waiting to strike like a viper as Dixon terrorized the wedding guests. Sonny seizing the opportunity to jump out of the wheelchair and attack when Dixon was about to kidnap Kristina was soapy perfection.
Seeing Sonny take action like that is far preferable to watching him make those idle empty threats in that ridiculous threatening whisper of his, which he usually follows up with a maniacal cackle because it makes him come off as silly and cartoonish rather than deadly and intimidating. At the chapel, he looked like the crime boss he is -- ruthless, calculating, and lethal.
The hostage situation was great because it hit all the right chords. It was tense and riveting and had several surprises like Ava volunteering to be taken hostage in place of Molly or Kristina. I think I saw even Sonny's jaw hit the floor at that one.
The only weird moment was when Sam claimed to be Sonny's daughter. Yes, it's possible because she's Alexis' daughter, but it was still creepy because Sam and Sonny were once lovers and had had a child together.
On an uplifting note -- Alexis and Julian are finally married. I loved their wedding ceremony and how they kissed before they were officially pronounced husband and wife. The quirky wedding was absolute perfection.
Meanwhile, Nikolas' castle will soon be bursting at the seams with guests when Lulu, Rocco, Elizabeth, Cameron, Aiden, and Jake move in. Poor Hayden is soon going to have to deal with the combined forces of Laura, Lulu, and Liz, each of whom distrusts and dislikes Hayden.
I can't wait to see it all play out. It should be wildly entertaining, especially since it looks like Nikolas is finally realizing that perhaps he shouldn't have been so quick to trust his new bride after all.
It warms the cockles of my heart that Nikolas turned to Sam for help. I hated the rift between the cousins, so I'm thrilled that Sam agreed to help investigate Hayden -- even if it was for Spencer's sake. I just hope that the investigation will help mend fences for good because I think the more positive influences Nikolas has in his life, the better. He's been dark for so long that he needs some light in his life. As much as I adore Rebecca , I don't think Hayden is the right person for Nikolas because she just drags him further into the darkness.
I also don't think Liz is the person for Nikolas right now, either, because she has her own demons that she's battling, which is why I'm hoping that Griffin is the man to help her pick up the pieces and finally move on from Jason once and for all.
I want to extend a great big thank you to the writers for not letting Lulu get swept up in the heat of the moment after Dante rescued her -- she did not take him up on the offer to return with him to the loft to recuperate. I'm thrilled that Lulu finally realizes that there is no easy fix for her marriage, and it will take time to rebuild trust -- even if their marriage can't be saved.
If Dante and Lulu do work things out, then I hope they decide to start fresh in a new home rather than returning to the loft. They've outgrown that place, and their son is getting too old to be sleeping in the same room as Mommy and Daddy. Speaking of which, I also hope that Dante and Lulu burn their marital bed -- sheets and all -- because it was the scene of the crime, so to speak. I can't imagine that any wife would want to sleep in the same bed where her husband betrayed her with another woman.
Moving on, I feel the need to call out Jordan's hypocrisy this week. I know that each character has their moment in the limelight of double standards, but this week, it was Jordan's turn.
I laughed when Jordan lashed out at Paul for not clueing her in about the sting operation with the Justice Department to take down an arms syndicate in her town. I guess she forgot all about how she never let Anna know about her undercover assignment taking down the Jerome organization until Anna busted Jordan on the docks with a drug shipment.
I still don't trust Paul, and I think he's smarmy, but I loved how he essentially accused Jordan of having a big ego and pointed out that her police department doesn't have the best of records, especially when one of the detectives is Sonny's son.
Finally, who is Claudette? I don't think she's someone that Nathan is in love with because it's clear that the love of his life is Maxie. However, I fear that she might be the reason for Nathan's recent out-of-town "business" trips and that she's somehow linked to the white glove Maxie found in his tuxedo pocket.
Did Liz and Monica mug a couple of old ladies from the 1970s? What was up with those hideous dark blouses with the ugly bold designs that each was sporting during their scenes at Shriner's Hospital for Children? Some of the outfits lately make me think it's time to shake up the show's wardrobe department.
Why wasn't anyone guarding that shipment of guns on the piers after everything went down? Carly shouldn't have been able to walk up, grab a couple of guns from an open crate, and chuck them into the harbor during a fit of rage.
Franco notes Sonny's presence at the wedding
Franco: "So, Sonny's here. That's cause for joy."
Nina and Liesl bond over their love for Nathan
Liesl: "If need be, we'll place a security guard outside your room to keep you here."
Nina: "Oh yeah, we're doing that. I'm paying for it."
Liesl: "That's the most sensible thing I've ever heard you say. Komm mit mir."
Nina: "Still don't understand German."
Take care and happy viewing,
Liz Masters
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