Oh we’re riding the crazy train this week people! Whether their actions were inappropriate and rude, or downright murderous, the villains on all four soaps took great pleasure in the havoc they wreaked. I don’t want to call anyone crazy, given that a few genuinely ill characters are currently in mental institutions, but some other characters would definitely qualify for the criteria of Insanity. Allow me to recap the “Who’s Who” of horrible people on The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless.
The Bold and the Beautiful
There’s no doubt Quinn is the conductor of the crazy train. Just when you think she’s gone too far, she goes even further to top herself. Poor, poor Deacon, what a loveable dummy. Yes his colorful misdeeds range from shady to downright disgusting, but he didn’t deserve to die! Despite being a staple on CBS for over a decade, it doesn’t seem like writers have ever really known what to do with him. It’s such a shame because he has the potential, barring that he didn’t just land in his watery grave, to go toe-to-toe with some very powerful characters on B&B. Anyone else hoping he comes back and seeks revenge on conniving Quinn?
Have Steffy and Wyatt lost all common sense? Wyatt so desperately wants to be the golden child that Bill had dubbed Liam before he even met Wyatt, that he is perfectly happy rationalizing the, curious at the very least, way in which Liam disappeared. Then he made a beeline straight for Steffy, who really should have been less knee-jerk about the whole thing. Not that Hope and Ivy haven’t rightfully judged Steffy’s actions in the past, but this time they are doing so out of genuine concern for Steffy’s decision-making choices and Liam’s whereabouts.
Performer of the Week:
I don’t think I would be inaccurate in saying that Quinn is one of the most certifiably insane soap characters in recent years, and that is saying something. You see, for a character to be considered to be at that level of insanity, it has to be because they really believe in what they are doing. They have to believe that they don’t make their decisions based on what they themselves can get out of it, but because it’s the “right” thing to do (like a few politicians I could name). When they’ve reached this level, they are the ultimate combination of insane and dangerous. Rena Sofer has stunned as her character has gone from the well-meaning meddling mother we met a few years ago to the manipulating murderer who needs to be put away. Of course if she was put away, we wouldn’t be treated to Sofer’s calm, collected machinations, and that would be a shame.
Days of Our Lives
Not only is John’s father not dead, he is the head The Phantom Alliance, the organization that has been chasing John and Eduardo for months. Boy is John’s father a piece of work. His name is now Yo Ling, the Chinese name for Phantom. He takes pride in the killer organization he has created. He is also the one who held Bo captive for years in order to get the serum for the disease he also has. For Bo Brady’s life as “collateral damage”, he shows no remorse. Now he wants as much of John’s blood as he can get to save his own life. He can’t stop there though. In addition to killing his son to save his own life, Yo Ling dubs Paul his successor in the organization, which he plans on making happen by brainwashing him. This guy should make everyone miss Stefano’s special brand of havoc. Not that Stefano didn’t have a few of these awful tricks up his sleeve, but at least he didn’t fall out of the sky with no loving moments with his children to speak of.
In happier news (at first), Chad and Abigail’s wedding was beautiful. You could feel the love in the room as the couple finally wed, and that’s saying something considering they were married in the Dimera Mansion. There’s been so much build up to Ben’s escape from the mental institution, but the only thing Abigail has been seeing are shadows. There’s no doubt that Ben is headed straight for Chad, Abigail, and Thomas. At least this little family is finally officially together, and soon enough they’ll be joined in that matrimonial bliss by a newly engaged Brady and Theresa.
Things seem to be getting harder for Maggie. First she finds out she has a daughter, and now her medication is being tampered with by Deimos. This poor woman cannot catch a break. While she is being broken down again, others are starting anew. Since admitting to being raped Ciara has some control back in her life. She still has some healing to do so that her first instinct isn’t to numb the pain with tequila. Joey’s solution to fixing everything is to confess murdering Ava to Roman.
Performer of the Week:
Drake Hogestyn’s work was gold this week. He’s had intense storylines in his 30+ years playing John Black, but never before has he delivered such a piercing performance. The look in his eyes as John confronted his father was understandably shocked and profoundly hurt. Hogestyn played with reactions of hurt, betrayal, disgust, and eventually fear for his son’s life. I daresay his work this week should be archived as some of the best of his career.
General Hospital
It seems like phantoms aren’t only present on Days of our Lives, but on General Hospital as well. Even from the grave Helena’s evil soul is delighting in the havoc she is spreading. Giving Alexis the dagger she used to slit her mother’s throat was particularly cruel. Her gifts to Laura, Lulu, and Elizabeth are meant to not just haunt them, but also have long-lasting consequences on their lives.
When Matt Cohen said that his character Griffin Munro had an interesting backstory, he wasn’t kidding! What a turn of events for Griffin to introduce himself to Anna as Duke’s son. This revelation was a beautifully poignant moment. Griffin is a solid, honest man, and Anna is right in saying his father would be proud of him. Now that his identity has been revealed, it’s easy to see how much like Duke he really is. He has already formed connections with people his father cared for, like Anna and Sonny. It’s going to be a great journey watching him grow and build relationships in the place his father loved so much.
Franco and Nina’s relationships may be on shakier ground right now than they’re willing to admit, but at least professionally they are making strides. Elizabeth is right to be rattled by Helena’s last gift to her and Jake, and Franco’s help will be a great asset to Jake’s recovery. The second disaster Julian has created to sink Crimson put Nina in the middle of another mess. Yet she brilliantly thought outside of the box and saved the latest issue and the magazine again. She really is proving to be a brilliant and innovative businesswoman.
The star of Crimson’s Real Women Issue had no time to worry about the potentially disastrous way things could have worked out when she has a real issue to deal with. Olivia’s trial against Mayor Lomax hasn’t even started and there’s already been a courtroom catfight! The mayor has absolutely gone too far. The good news is she has now personally affronted, Olivia, Alexis, Nina and Carly. These are women you do not want to mess with, so Lomax better watch her back.
Performer of the Week:
For months Kristina has been desperately trying to keep her secrets from her parents. It really is a testament to how smart Kristina is considering who her parents are. She has not only struggled with her actions, but her feelings as well. Though she didn’t have the strength to tell her parents the whole truth, portrayer Lexi Ainsworth was raw in her despair. It isn’t talked about enough that most children want to make their parents proud, and this has been especially true of Kristina her entire life. She was tearfully apologetic as she let her guilt pour out, and it was really difficult to watch as she recognized that the real source of her father’s disappointment was that she squandered an opportunity he never had. That is a feeling that is hard to live with, and Ainsworth played it perfectly.
The Young and the Restless
The need for revenge has completely consumed Billy and Phyllis. Billy has already lost Victoria because of his need to destroy Victor, and now it seems that Phyllis is heading down the same path with Jack. She’s bloodthirsty, and it’s pushing Jack beyond his limit. Billy may have given Phyllis good advice on how to compromise for the sake of her marriage, but how long her patience will last is anyone’s guess.
Victor may be in prison, but the wheels in his head keep turning. He knew that Victoria wouldn’t be able to handle being CEO of Newman Enterprises, and unfortunately he was right. She doesn’t have the same mind as Victor. It serves her better as a person, but not so much when it comes to managerial skills. Luca is certainly not a solution, despite his self-assured entitled attitude. He’s flip-flopped so many times in the last few months that he can hardly be considered loyal to anyone. This is why pulling Adam back into the fold is more important to Victor than ever.
Noah may be a Newman, but he is definitely not Victor. Luckily this is something that Judge Moxley recognizes which is why she chooses to be lenient in his sentencing. It’s a good thing too since Noah may need to keep an eye on his little sister. Summer has been so sweet her whole life, you forget that she is Phyllis’s daughter and Victor’s granddaughter. She is bound to be attracted to someone who doesn’t play by the rules, and there is definitely a spark between her and Luca.
On a side note, the writers have come up with a brilliant way to explain Justin Hartley’s occasional on-screen absence while he is filming outside work. Adam splitting his time between a new job in Chicago and home in Genoa City is practical given today’s job market, and it keeps wife Chelsea right where she is. It’s also opened up great opportunities for Sharon and Sage to be brought on board to Chelsea’s company, even if Sage would prefer to put all her eggs in the adoption basket.
Performer of the Week:
Gina Tognoni knows how to play Phyllis Abbott’s fire to perfection. She is ferocious when she has to be and contrite and understanding when she has to be. As Phyllis teeters between her need for revenge and her love for her husband, Tognoni shines.
Who do you think was the Villain of the Week?
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