In what is becoming a growing trend, the news about One Life to Live trumped what actually happened on the show last week. It was announced that both All My Children and One Life to Live will continue online, due to a licensing deal with a company called Prospect Park. It was a big surprise, and while it is a good sign, there are a lot of questions that must be answered.
I am happy that Prospect Park saw the value in these shows and decided to take action. I am very grateful, and every soap opera fan that took the time to write a letter, make a phone call, send e-mails, attend rallies, or participate in various campaigns should feel proud about this news. ABC was expecting soap opera fans to be angry at first and then accept the cancellations, and that didn't happen. Soap opera fans are a powerful group! That being said, there is a lot we don't know about this new scenario. For example, we don't know if the cast, writers, and crew will all make the move to the online version of the show. These are important details, so I can't wait for more information to be released.
The other issue that hasn't been addressed so far is the group of soap opera viewers who don't have access to the Internet. I realize that television and the Internet are changing how shows are watched at a rapid pace, but there is still a group of people who don't use the Internet. For example, my uncle has been watching All My Children and One Life to Live for decades. He doesn't have a computer and doesn't have the means to get one. For him, both shows will be ending this year, and I am sure he isn't the only one in this situation. At the very least, I hope that both shows will have satisfying endings on ABC for those who can't continue watching online. Ideally, another solution will be found to make these shows accessible to everyone who wants to watch. The fact that the show will continue proves that anything can happen!
Moving on to what happened on the show, it was a short week due to the Fourth of July. It was nice to see the characters acknowledge the holiday as they watched a fireworks display from various locations in Llanview. It wasn't a fun Fourth of July episode like Babes Behind Bars, but I am glad that the holiday was incorporated into Tuesday's episode.
There was a different kind of fireworks with David and Dorian last week, as Dorian was convinced that David was cheating on her with Ionia. I hope David and Dorian make it through this story with their marriage intact, but it doesn't look promising so far. David hasn't done much to convince Dorian that he is innocent, and considering she was ready to shoot David on Friday, their future doesn't look promising. I hope they discover that Echo has been sabotaging them and respond in kind. Since Dorian will be leaving Llanview soon, I want her to have a good exit, and it would be great if she could leave with David for a new adventure. We've seen Dorian be scorned enough; it's time for her to have happiness.
It looks like Joey and Kelly are reuniting, and I am still underwhelmed. As I've said before, I still don't think it makes sense for them to get back together. Kelly left Joey for Kevin and didn't look back all of those years ago. I think there are unresolved feelings between Kelly and Kevin, and it would have made more sense to bring him back to Llanview for Kelly. I guess that won't happen, but it could have been a good story, and Kelly hasn't had a good story since she returned to Llanview.
Liam's paternity continued to be a secret, since Brody decided to keep the truth to himself. I feel bad for him, since he isn't the biological father of Ryder or Liam. That's a lot to accept, especially for someone who is so eager to have his own family. However, Brody keeping the truth from John does nothing but prolong this story, which has gone on for long enough. Pretty soon, everyone in Llanview will know that John is Liam's biological father except John and Natalie. I hope someone reveals the truth very soon. I was rooting for Vimal to do the right thing, but Todd stopped it, so now, all we can do is watch this story drag on, as Brody and Natalie get closer. It might be a long summer!
Meanwhile, Todd has taken matters into his own hands. He has Vimal and Jack working at the Sun with him so he can watch their every move. I liked Todd and Vimal as drinking buddies, but Vimal quickly learned why Todd doesn't have friends when Todd threatened him. I think Vimal is too nervous to survive working for Todd, so it might not last long, especially since he barely survived working for Clint.
As for Jack, I don't know why Todd thinks forcing Jack to make photocopies will solve his problems. I am glad that Jack is finally showing some remorse about what happened to Gigi. Going to see Shane wasn't a great idea, but he at least he did something to acknowledge what he did. Todd, on the other hand, wants to act like nothing ever happened and move forward so he will stay out of prison. Given everything that Todd has done, I guess it makes sense for him to react like that, but Jack's issues won't just disappear because he is busy working for his father.
I liked Tea and Blair's heart-to-heart about Jack's role in Gigi's death. They brought some humanity to this story, which has been lacking ever since Todd bribed Brad's father. They handled Rex's bad reaction to their appearance at Gigi's memorial quite well. They realized it was a bad idea to show up and made a quick, polite exit. I hope they, unlike Todd, will do something to address Jack's behavior and actions, instead of acting like it never happened.
I don't even know what to say about Rex these days. I know he is grieving for Gigi and wants to avenge her death, but he is setting a terrible example for Shane in the process. He is also acting like Clint more than ever. Meanwhile, Shane is confused about why Gigi had to die but Clint got to live, and he found out that Rex took Clint's money in exchange for Gigi's heart. That is a lot for a child to absorb!
I liked when Echo told Rex that Asa would be proud. It looked like that remark affected Rex for a brief moment, but it certainly didn't last, especially since Echo quickly agreed to help Rex with his plan. I don't like that he is going to such a dark place, especially when he said he would show Todd what it's like to lose his wife and Jack to lose his mother. At this rate, we will have to start calling Rex "Clint Junior" soon.
Bo and Nora had quite a scare, as Matthew had another seizure, and another doctor needlessly scared them with cryptic comments. It was a great cliffhanger for the doctor to say, "I'm sorry. There's nothing more we can do for Matthew," but it was also insensitive. Understandably, Bo and Nora assumed the worst, before the doctor revealed Matthew needed to go to a rehabilitation facility. The doctors at Llanview Hospital need sensitivity training or something after the way Bo and Nora have been treated since Matthew collapsed. I am glad Matthew will be okay. It would have been a huge disappointment to have Matthew die after everything that has happened!
Destiny finally took the pregnancy test after pulling it out of the bag several times in public. I don't know how she thought no one would see it after all of that. Anyway, I don't know where this story is going, especially since Matthew isn't going to be around for a while. I wish she hadn't lied to Dani about the pregnancy test result. She doesn't have anyone she can talk to about things like this, and Dani has been a good friend to her. It will be interesting to see what happens, and I have to admit, it would be fun to watch Bo and Nora have a new role as grandparents!
I am tired of watching Nate feel guilt over what happened to Matthew, since he isn't willing to come forward and admit what he did to anyone that matters. I guess it helps to have Deanna justify his actions for him! It's pretty sad that Rick the porn director might be the only one to get Nate to tell Bo and Nora the truth. The scenes with all three of these characters are irritating, and I hope Nate either confesses soon or goes far away.
Viki and Dorian had another falling-out, since Viki learned that Dorian let Clint suffer before getting him medical attention for his heart attack. I've enjoyed watching their alliance in recent months, and I am sad to see them part ways. Viki is understandably upset, since Dorian almost let Clint die, but then again, she asked Dorian for help in dealing with Echo. Viki knows that Dorian will do whatever it takes to make things happen. She just can't handle knowing the details. A falling-out was bound to happen between them sooner or later, but it was still sad to watch.
Speaking of Clint almost dying, it will be interesting to see what happens now that he has a second chance at life. I don't think his outlook will be rainbows and lollipops, but it would be nice if he became less jaded than he's been recently. That won't be easy, since he confessed to doing so many illegal things when he thought he was dying, but after all of that has been resolved, I hope Clint will appreciate his second chance, as Viki suggested he do.
Finally, the story with Roger Howarth's character needs to pick up the pace! We've seen him watch several people he recognized, but very little has happened because of it. The best moment of last week was when he saw the picture of him and Viki and the current Todd and Viki. It made him upset and confused, and it was a powerful moment as his search for answers continues. I just hope he talks to someone he recognizes soon. How much longer can he wander around Llanview without being seen? His interactions with Sam are adorable, but no one believes Sam when he talks about the "man with the scar." I am still interested in this story, but it has to move forward soon to keep my interest.
Until next time,
Dawn
