Daily Updates

From: jyarnot@netcom.com (Jan Yarnot)
Subject: GH: Update Thursday December 21
Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 17:04:22 GMT

There were parts of today's show that seemed to get sucked into a Black
Hole.  Oddly enough, they were Lois parts.  Let me deal with that first.

THANK GOD HE'S STILL ON TOUR!
Just when you thought it was safe, Lois goes to Argentina and stirs it up.
She discusses business with Cepeda and in an Only-in-Soaps manouver, buys
Miguel's contract back.  Ick-L hadn't been told about the contract, Lois
knows, as he would have been calling her and cussing her out.  [I really
like the professionalism of this creature.]  Icky himself comes in.  I
zone out.  Later, he's singing.  I repeat an earlier heresy.  He's not
too bad if you don't have to watch and if he doesn't attempt to act.
Still flipping his hair, and he hasn't washed it for a while. [Como se
dice "grunge" en Espan~ol?]  He was MUCH cuter at 12.  Miguel finds out
that Stone died.  He tells us he is sad.  He likes Robin.  He will write
to Robin.

NED WANTS TO BE ON TOUR
Ned is wheeling and dealing with Tokyo when Edward comes in.  Edward
wants all the news, and Ned will trade for a discussion of L&B.  Ned,
since Lois is out of town, is negotiating for Eddie.  He points out that
if he played tennis or golf or polo, or if he chased women, Edward would
approve.  This is really about control.  [Mymymy.  He should know.]
Also, Edward is jealous of Lois.  Edward dismisses this as "sentimental
claptrap" but Ned pressses his advantage: "I have a life partner, and it
isn't you."  Edward looks pensive.
        Later, Emily is telling Ned she hopes he wins.  Then she asks if
Ned and/or Lois would have an affair.  She likes them both and doesn't
want to have to take sides.  Oddly enough, I heard the Ominous Knell of
Doom in this passage as Ned assured Emily that he was deliriously happy
and wouldn't dream of having an affair.  It now looks like the next RATSA
pool will be how soon and with whom.  I haven't even seen Babe yet, but
let me put in my vote for her right now.

Before getting into SONNY'S CHOICE, let me muse a bit.  If I were an
Emmy-winning soap writer, I would want to write a story in shades of
gray, not all black and white.  I would watch groups like RATSA for
empassioned discussion like we've had about Brenda and Lily, not for
near-unanimous agreement like with Bobbie and Alan.  People who feel
passsionately, on either side (though death threats are a Bit Much, but
the State of Modern Society is a totally different rant), are people who
watch either to get validated or further frustrated.  People who don't
care one way or the other are the people who get bored and find something
else to do during the hour, or forget to set their VCRs and don't panic.
This storyline is certainly doing that job.  I also want to pre-empt a
Julia "good stuff" by admiring the dialog that reminded me WHY Sonny
would prefer trust to love.  I might not be enjoying the way this story
is playing out, (or I might, you think I want nasty e-mail myself?), but
I must say the writing is superb and the acting ditto.
        Luke is at the bar [Updater rant coming: what is with those
cigars?  I hate them I hate them I hate them, and not only is he
offending Justus (who carefully sat upwind the other day, I notice), but
he's encouraging his juvenile delinquent kid to emulate him and develop
lip and throat cancers.  Between Luke and Rush I'm wondering if Phillip
Morris hasn't made an end run...] when Sonny comes in.  Sonny fills Luke
in on the bail and the deal "It affects all my life for the rest of my life."
Luke sorts out priorities:
"You like Lily"          "Yes"
"She's good to look at."         "She's very beautiful."
        [sexist swine!]
"She comes with a hell of a dowry."     "Absolutely."
"But..."
        Luke suggests Sonny leave town.  Sonny has nowhere to hide.
After Brenda left the jail last night Sonny did major soul-searching and
he can't get past her betrayal.  Brenda is a dream but "I can't make a
lifetime with Brenda a reality.  I think I can live without love, but I
know I can't live without trust."  His mother had love, but she couldn't
trust Mike, and look what happened.
        Luke brings up his history with Laura and Jennifer and Frank.  He
doesn't mention the 10 years on the run [which he likely regards as high
adventure.  Killing oneself with cigars is so much slower and duller] and
Sonny doesn't mention Laura's trustworthinesss.  [Still has a crush on
her as the Madonna, doesn't he?]
        Sonny goes to see Lily, who is wearing a gorgeous pastel blue.
"Sonny, I love you."  She asks, slyly, if her father gave Sonny a bad time?
Sonny says nobody can force him when it comes to the important things in
his life.  "I respect you.  Admire you.  Hold you in the highest esteem.
You're a beautiful woman." [At least he has looks further down on his list.]
He talks about how she knows what the Life is like.  "We have trust, we
have loyalty..." Lily interrupts believing she has enough love for both
of them, as long as he respects and honors her.  She will make him
happier than anyone else ever could, even Brenda.  [I think that's a
given, but this IS a soap opera!]
        Sonny goes to talk to Brenda who rushes into his arms.  She's so
happy to see him.  She tells him to do anything he has to do to stay out
of prison.  He tells her it'll all be different.  She says she can wait.
Sonny tries to get Brenda to LISTEN to him: she keeps agreeing but
interrupting with kisses [Miguel must be REALLY bad in bed!] Sonny tells
Brenda that she was wrong about being even: the only thing they're even
on is how much they hurt each other.  She still clings and pushes, and he
can't tell her the trust part, so he holds her away from him and says "I
have always loved you and I will always love you.[Brenda sparkles] . . .
There is no future for us." [Updater reaction: *whew*  Is it hot in here?]
He leaves, barely intact, and Brenda smashes up more of Ruby's furniture
in a temper tantrum to give Tommy pause.
        Brenda goes to the Gatehouse determined to call Lois.  She tells
Ned she needs a friend, not a lecture.  She cries on his shoulder.
        Sonny goes into the club and Mike tells him he's glad Sonny is
sprung.  Mike asks if Sonny has a place to stay, and offers him
Stone's old room and the separate entrance so Sonny doesn't even have
to see him.  "So it's come to this, has it?"  Sonny says, and thanks Mike.
[Another growth opportunity for Sonny.]
        And, a late Happy Hannukah, a cool Yule (also late, but only one
day), a Merry Christmas, good Kwaanzaa, and happy holidaze to you all.

--
Jan Yarnot, net.granny, RABbabe, Proud Mom to Stands-With-a-Book, the
        Booklist Boy, the IRS Guy, the Tycoon, and Sunbunny.
        Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional.
jyarnot@netcom.com                 Putting the fun in "dysfunctional."