Nu-Ari. (Soaps.com)
This week was pretty fast paced, but a little depressing. I can't think of anybody in Salem who is actually happy this week. Everyone's got this dark cloud hanging over them, and it's not easy to watch.
Mia/Will/Chad:
Mia’s a girl torn between her past and her present. She also just got really beautiful new highlights that she’s rocking! Adore Mia! I’m not really sure why Mia would accept a ride from Kinsey, drunk or not, because they’re not friends. That felt too obvious, but I’m starting to get used to the obvious writing by now. I was glad when Kinsey drove off without her and was glad that Kinsey wasn’t hurt too badly. I want my little Jan Spears #2 to stick around and cause havoc. Love that old school DOOL feel. Chad does care for Mia and that’s quite clear now. He’s not as much of a bad boy as one would think. I would like to see him interacting with other Salemites and Casey Deidrick (Chad) posted on his Twitter page that he would be in scenes with EJ, soon. How intriguing! Is this something to do with Mia or something else?
Sami/Rafe:
Our usually predictable Samanther shocked me Tuesday. She was super strong! I was staggered when she put Rafe in his place, when he asked why she’s suddenly friends with Nicole. She told him to take a hike. They’re through. He doesn’t want to be a part of her life so she’s wondering why he cares about whom she’s friends with. I thought that was spot on. He doesn’t want her to be in his life, so nothing she does is his business. That could have been his chance to recant on the breaking up, but then he’d have to come clean about his past and he’d prefer not to do that, but instead, to skulk around Salem, trying to help the woman he loves. I just stopped typing and rolled my eyes. What’s it all about?!! He can help her by getting back together with her and avoid all of this upset. I mean we all know it's what she wants! What happens once he learns the truth? I’ll tell you what, he won’t be able to tell Sami about it because predictably, "something" will get in the way. I guess I’m more annoyed for our Safe fans who were lead through this coupling not to get the big pay off. Just like our Ejami fans… The writers are toying with both. Watching Friday's show was exciting, but I'm not sure I get Sami's motivation for flying to the Dominican Republic, after her ex-beau, who she not only told to stay out of her life, but who doesn't have two dollars to rub together. I really hate when soaps insult the viewers like this.
I like that Rafe and Arianna are getting more screen time, without Sami. This will cement him as a Salemite and I like seeing him interacting with other characters. If he and Sami get back together, it’ll make him more appealing as a character by himself. The more new characters are seen with prominent Salemites, the more we’ll accept them. I also love that Rafe stole Nic's phone in order to do business! Nice touch and no, I don't see it as being against the law when it concerns the DiMera's, and that's what Nicole is! Go Rafe! Get her! (My poor Nic!! Tsk! I'm so torn!)
Bope:
Oh boy. I’m so annoyed with the show for trying to break up my Bope and for putting two parents on the case of their own kidnapped child. It’s just ridiculous. They lost tons of viewers by firing Jarlena and Stayla. Bope’s the last supercouple on the show and now they’re not safe from break-up. I guess no couple is, but I don’t think a good way to keep viewers, especially when their ratings are sinking is to split these two up. As for their arguing, I’m not sure which of them I’m siding with. Perhaps neither. They both raise good points. They both did what they did in order to save their kid. I really don’t like that Justin’s snuggling Bo’s wife, which just makes me miss Jennifer, Doug and Julie. You know, Hope’s family? The ones she should be turning to for comfort? Bo is stubborn and nothing is new.
Theo’s my little hero this week. No denying that. I’m glad he’s finally being written as a child with Autism and not an "Autistic child." There is a difference.
So Kyle is a sex offender. We saw this when he was watching her at first, but I put it out of my head. What was with Dean, caressing Ciara’s hair at the shack, er shed? Is he too a sex offender? I wanted to kick his arse, after seeing him touch her. He’s so weak and impotent. Maybe if he put as much thought into the kidnapping as he does into his police work, he’d get the recognition he craves. I loved the Tuesday cliffhanger where you can’t tell if Dean has shot Ciara or his cronies! And who cares if he killed Kyle and Brenda? I was indifferent to both. I am simply glad that part of the kidnapping is over and gather that Ciara will realize he’s the third kidnapper because of his classy and not at all annoying talent for clicking the Zippo lighter. *deep relaxing breath*
Speaking of Ciara… She’s adorable, but her lack of emotion was a little distracting to me during this whole ordeal, especially when she was found by her parents! Perhaps if they’d given her a little direction, motivation or more lines? Yes, I realize she’s a child, but she’s also an actress. I see the blank stares of a few actors and really think if they watched themselves, they’d be shocked that they’re not coming off as they think they are! That’s all I’ll say on that!
I detest that we’ve got to figure out so much that is supposed to go on off-screen. Hope shot Bo a look when he told Ciara they’d go home for hot chocolate and broccoli and told him to get it right. It's hot chocolate and asparagus. Ugh. Whatever. Who cares what it is, since none of us know what she’s on about. Were we supposed to side with Hope and think Bo doesn’t know his daughter as well as perfect Hope does?
Why did she stop him from unbuckling? (Soaps.com)
When Mia goes to Nicole at the hospital to find out what’s going on with Sydney, why didn’t she just tell her to stay the heck out of her business? Putting aside from the fact that Sydney’s not even her kid, and that Grace was, she’s the birth mother who was paid ten grand to give away her child. Give away. She’s got no say and no rights so she should step off. Sure, I realize this wasn’t a legal adoption but stepping into Nicole’s shoes, I think she has every right to tell my sweet Mia to take a hike but she won’t, for fear Mia will spill the beans. I’m so annoyed with this story I just want it to end. End.
EJ asked Nic to go on a honeymoon and she panicked, thinking that they’d run into Baker in the Caribbean. Laughable in reality but in soap land, I don’t blame her! Her luck and soap opera writing would mean they’d be in the next room! I kind of wish they had gone in that direction. Dr. Baker is so much fun. So she tried to get EJ to think that she was ‘Ms. I’m too good for the Caribbean and Niagara Falls’! Pshaw! They’re both lovely places, but I do agree. Paris *sigh* seems much more romantic. Then again, for somebody who doesn’t work, and lives off the DiMera coin, she sure has gotten EJ to think that she has become hoity toity fairly quickly! That made me long for EJ to put her in her place by learning the truth and dumping her! (Yes, even though I will be hurt for her when it happens!!) She’s lucky to have Stefano on her side (for now?) and we're all waiting with baited breath to learn if he's going to have Baker murdered... (Come on, you know he will! They kill off all the fun ones. Remember Hilda?!)... and I love that he’s got Nic's back but part of me is dying for him to double-cross her. It’d be ‘so Stefano’! Maybe he'll make it look as though she killed the doctor... nah. Back to EJ. I love that Lexi is talking him down from going on with this vendetta against Sami. (I know you miss that word!) I think we're all in for a surprise coming up, on the Ejami front, too.
Bradiana:
We saw nu-Arianna Friday and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the sudden cast change. Though I miss seeing ex-Ari's face, I surprised myself and really enjoyed seeing ex-Theresa, from Passions. Brady caught her with her ex-beau, Troy, and remembers him as the one who attacked her. How will she get out of this one, when he asks what's going on and why he was with her? Now that I've seen this, I find myself wanting her to be bad. Really bad! I don't like how the show brings bad girls on only to reform them. We need a bad girl! Do you think that the show will gain more popularity with nu-Ari because she's from Passions and played Ethan's (Brady) love interest? Will they still have that chemistry?
Lucas/Lumi/Will:
Lucas dispensing advice to Will is just too funny! Lucas. Poor dear Lucas. Sami and Lucas sent Allie to see Grandma and Grandpa Jarlena for a while. Does that mean she’s gone until she’s 15? Just saying… Why isn’t Johnny going as well?
Stephilip:
She’s got a job title! She’s a Hospital Administrative Assistant. Is this for a reason? Will somebody call upon her to get hospital records or did they just not know what to do with her? She gave Philly all the reasons why they shouldn’t be together, but listened to her heart or another part of her anatomy and now they’re slowly getting back together. Who says they’ll break up again?
Daniel/Kate:
Daniel is playing a game of cat and mouse with Kate and I’m enjoying every bit of it. He’s got a great dominant sexual energy that combines well with Kate’s sexual submissiveness. It’s also good to see more Bromance with him and Brady and with Nathan and Melanie’s help, I’m positive that Chloe will be saved and that Danloe will live happily ever after… I mean, for as long as any soap couple can.
My thoughts on Dr. Craig Wesley coming to town? What's there to say? At first I was super excited, having always loved Craig and Nancy, love the portrayers but somehow this has fallen flat for me. We need more than a few past characters to return to get the ratings. Just having an ex-character show up doesn't cut it and I shouldn't have to point out what will.
Those are my thoughts for the week on the show. Take them or leave them! I’d still love to hear your own thoughts and if you’d like to chat or get a few soap scoops, follow me on Twitter @soapoperafan and be sure to stop by Sunday night. That’s Emmy night! The 36th Annual Daytime Emmys are on and Lori will be blogging live while watching as Deanna blogs from backstage at the Emmys, in our Emmy coverage section right here on Soaps.com!
- Christine Fix
