From: boklan@athena.cas.vanderbilt.edu (Kent D. Boklan)
Subject: GL: A Brief Summary of The Guiding Light
Organization: Vanderbilt University Mathematics Department
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 14:08:36 GMT

I would like to wish all of you a very happy New Year. May you enjoy the
          two greatest gifts of all -- love and health. 

As my gift, I offer a reworked post
(from June 14, 1989) that some of you may find of interest
(in consideration of the rather peculiar recent storylines)


      A Comprehensive History of the Guiding Light from 1971 to 1980
      As it Primarily Relates to the Relationship of Holly and Roger

                            By Kent D. Boklan

We start our story long long ago in Springfield. Ed and Mike Bauer are brothers.
Ed and Mike were both in love with Leslie Bauer ... one year old Rick's
mom, Ed's ex-wife, and the lover of rich, manipulative Stanley Norris -
father of an estranged Holly. Twenty year old Holly was being wooed by young
Roger Thorpe ... a lacky of Stanley's who had promised Roger a bright corporate
future to get his [Stanley's] daughter and her stocks into line. Roger, willing
to do just about anything to get ahead, did. Leslie married Stanley ...
not a terribly happy marriage ... and soon, as luck would have it, Stanley
was murdered, Leslie indicted, and Mike at Leslie's side as her lawyer -
was off to find the real killer. Well, as all good trials come to pass,
it wasn't Leslie {for the secret of who it was, peruse a copy of C. Schemering's
Guiding Light A 50th Anniversary Celebration}. Roger began making advances
on Janet Mason while maintaining a fluctuating romance with neurotic and
insecure Holly. Holly was so upset to see Roger one day exiting from Janet's
apt. that she ran into the street and was hit by a car. Janet turned Roger
away and Holly was unable to walk. Young Dr. Ed Bauer took 
a special interest in Holly, believing her problem was depression, and was
not physical.  He confided in Holly his own bouts with alcoholism and feelings
of impotence (so to speak) and Holly began to walk again. She and Ed began
to date ... all the while Ed was still seeing his old flame, Janet. Janet
was soon aware that she was pregnant with Ken Norris' [Holly's brother's]
child and Ed went out and got blitzed when Janet and Ken reconciled. Holly was
with Ed, and the two of them went off to Las Vegas to get married that night.
The next morning, Ed apologized for his drunken actions, suggesting an
annulment, but insecure Holly lied, claiming the marriage had been
consummated and so an annulment was not possible (Ed was so drunk he
could barely walk -- to say nothing of anything more ...). 
Meanwhile, Mike finally got a
divorce from Charlotte . He and Leslie were about to be
married when Lesie's father had a heart attack ... so the marriage was
postponed. Holly and Ed tried to make their marriage work, the farce it was,
but Ed and Janet grew closer ... as Ed had to help with Janet's pregnancy.
Ken went a bit crazy, but settled down, and Ed and Janet's new relationship
never blossomed. In June 1973, Mike and Leslie are wed.
(Ed and Holly had married in May). Hope, Mike's daughter, left for boarding
school. Ken and Janet attempted to reconcile, but Ken grew angrier and
angrier about Ed. The two had a car accident and Ken was blinded - forcing
him to move in with his mother, Barbara, and his new stepfather, Adam 
Thorpe [Roger's father]. Holly was growing more and more upset with Ed's
long hours at the hospital and his attraction to Janet. Roger returned
to Springfield and moved in with Barbara and his father. His wild ways
seemed to be a thing of the past and Roger claimed that he just wanted
to settle down and have a family. Barbara believed that Roger had changed
and told Holly so. Holly  was still obsessed with Roger and these stories
only fed the flames of her desire to be with him. Roger began dating Peggy
Fletcher and Holly spent her time telling Roger how bad Peggy was for him.
Roger took it all in stride ... until his financial problems became severe.
He took out loans from loan-sharks and become very susceptible
to Holly's remarks. Roger was rather insecure and they wound up in bed.
Afterwards, they both said it would never happen again, but it did, and
it did, and did. Soon, Peggy got her divorce and she and Roger seemed set
to be married ... Roger planned to cut it off with Holly, and make their
relationship platonic. Ed noticed that Holly and Roger had become close
and was jealous. Holly then found out that she was pregnant! With Roger's
child! (Guess!). But, undaunted, Holly seduced her dimwitted
husband Ed who was rather unaware of his own marital problems, and
soon announced her pregnancy. Ed was overjoyed. 
Roger's financial problems deepened with the loan-sharks and he got beaten
badly. Peggy, for many reasons, fled their relationship. Holly, using the
money from her inheritance, payed off Roger's debt with the loan-sharks.
This seemed like a pretty damned nice thing to do, but little did Ed know
the reason behind Holly's generosity ... she was still hung up on Roger and
was still fantasizing about a life with him.
Ken regained his sight, but not Janet. In a fit of insanity, Ken shot Ed in
the chest ... Ed was rushed to Cedars, saved, but his left hand was partially
paralyzed. Janet, guilt stricken, left town and Ken was committed.
Ed's only glimmer of light was the prospect of the birth of his child.
(Little did he know.) Holly was wracked with guilt over her deceitfullness
and didn't know what to do. She still wanted Roger ... but she also wanted
her marriage to good young Dr. Ed. She kept a keen eye on Roger's
renewed affair with Peggy. And when Holly's brother Andy returned to Spring-
filed from Vietnam, she confided in him. Andy was a writer and began a
book called "Valerie's Story" based on Holly's bizarre life.
Holly went into labor, "prematurely", and had a girl, named (!) Christina.
Christina soon became deathly ill and died (just kidding) and was in need
of a blood transfusion. Holly had had hepatitis as a child so she could
not help, and Ed's blood was not the correct type...so Roger donated the
blood anonymously and the baby lived (we are in July 1975 now, if you're
keeping track). Finally, Holly
could hold it in no longer and told Ed the truth about
the paternity and her feelings for Roger. Ed walked out, and told Roger
he would tell Peggy in 2 weeks if Roger did not. Roger spilled the beans to
Peggy Fletcher ... she eventually forgave him ... and they were married in a 
small ceremony (only Bert Bauer and Adam Thorpe attended). 
At boarding school, Hope had her ups and downs and she and father Mike
did not see eye to eye. Hope moved in with Bert. Mike and Leslie's marriage
stood the strain of outside influences ... but in another part of town ...
Ed was getting drunk again. His career as a surgeon seemed doomed because
of the paralysis. During his recooperation from more surgery, he attracted
the attention of new nurse Rita Stapleton. Rita thought Ed a nice, warm,
stable, and rich guy and was, consequently, interested. Ed and Rita grew
close as Ed realized that his marriage to Holly was over. Rita had a sister,
Eve, who was involved in many plots which I do moit, for they are not
relevant to the interested current storyline. With some luck, it seemed tht
Ed would regain the use of his hand and he told Rita he loved her. She 
reciprocated and they planned to be married. The divorce from Holly was
about to become final ... when Holly had a change of heart and tried to con-
tact Ed. Rita never let Ed get the message. Holly left for Europe.
Holly's mother, Barbara, found a copy of Andy's "Valerie's Story" -recog-
nized it as Holly's story, and began to hate Roger with a passion. She
took it out on her husband, Adam Thorpe, who could do nothing. The two 
soon divorced. Meanwhile,
Hope was involved around with Ben and Eve and Ben and Lucille
and this really is not relevant to my discussion. In all, Mike and Hope
were not getting along too well, and Mike and Leslie were also having
some problems.
Leslie was soon hit by a car (driven by Spence Jeffers) and was rushed
to Cedars. She told Mike that he had been a good husband, and to tell 
Freddy (Rick) that he would be a fine man like his father and uncle.
Then Leslie died (June, 1976).
Justin Marler then made his way to town ... a rather brash heart-
specialist. Justin's ex-supervisor in Chicago, Dr. Scott, had
a spoiled daughter named Jackie - Justin's ex-wife. She
came to Springfield and caused havoc in the lives of Justin and his
new lover, Sara Werner. Jackie's motives were not clear.
At the same time, Rita was having her problems ... she was accused of murder
and, duly, Mike Bauer flew to her aid. She was acquitted, and Ed proposed.
As it so happened, though, Rita was not happy about the proposal, for the
night of the murder, she had been with another man! Roger Thorpe. Roger
had pleaded with Rita to let the past lie (so to speak) since he did
not want to break up his marriage with Peggy. Rita agreed to all of this
since she knew how Ed felt about Roger sleeping with Holly during that
marriage. But when Rita was about to be convicted, (this is after Ed
had proposed), Roger stepped forward and told the truth. He and Peggy
were divorced and Peggy and her son moved to Boise, Idaho.
Ed was upset, and wanted nothing whatsoever to do with Rita. He
began seeing Holly again. Ed and Holly pretended that little
Christina was really their child. Alas, Ed's desire for Rita became too much
and Holly realized this. Rita and Ed got back together, without much of
a fight from Holly. Holly never gave up hope, though, as Ed and Rita
never seemed to really want to get married.
Eve and Ben eventually were married too, leaving Hope high and dry.
In November of 1977 Spaulding Enterprises moved its new headquarters to
happy Springfield. Mike was hired as chief counsel by the
president of the company, Alan Spaulding (who had a wife called Elizabeth
and a son, young Phillip). Alan was adulterous with Philips'
governess, Diane Ballard. Elizabeth, who had been completely ruled by Alan
finally got up some backbone and filed for divorce ... and custody of Phillip!
Mike, who had supported her all along, agreed to act as her lawyer in the
divorce. He was also quite enamoured with her (trying to fill the void
made by Leslie's death). Mike had also been dating Jackie Marler ... but she
was too wild for his conservative tastes.
Mike was honoured as Man of the Year (locally, of course) ... and Bill Bauer
returned ... he was not dead as everyone had assumed...he had raised a daughter
named Hillary who came to Springfield. She decided to stay, and took up
nursing. Regarding their divorce, Alan paid off a Spanish
nobleman named Ramon DeVillar to falsify records saying that he was Elizabeth's
lover. Alan got Phillip. Mike proposed to Elizabeth, she accepted, and
Alan was upset. He told Elizabeth that her dreams of children were impossible
- she could not have any. Alan then told her that Mike knew this. Shocked,
Elizabeth broke up with Mike. 
Jackie began seeing Alan so that she could get close
to Phillip ... because she was Phillip's real mother! Several years
before, a pregnant
Jackie caught Justin in flagrante delicto ... ran off to Europe
(Switzerland, no doubt) for a divorce, letting Justin and the world believe
that she had an abortion, but placed the child up for adoption - with
Elizabeth's obstetrician. When Elizabeth's baby was stillborn, Alan paid
to have Jackie's baby substituted.  
Jackie had known for years where Phillip was.
Alan proposed, and Jackie accepted so she
could be near Phillip. Elizabeth and Mike did eventually get
back together and they also planned to marry.
Mike kept after the lying DeVillar (who wound up dead)
and managed to get the custody suit opened up
again ... thus getting Elizabeth custody of Phillip. Phillip was unhappy with
Mike (Alan always spoke ill of him) and did not like the new arrangement.
Phillip was in need of heart surgery soon thereafter and was rushed to
Cedar's were Justin saved him (not knowing that Phillip was really his son).
Elizabeth and Justin grew together and married (leaving poor Mike). 
Ed finally got on the wagon and he and Rita planned their
marriage. Holly dreamt of ruining those plans, but she did not go through
with her machinations ... she had a life of her own again ... she was being
pursued by Roger. Roger was upset because Christina was, legally, Ed Bauer's
child and not his. He had just been pronounced sterile (!). Roger had an affair
with Hillary ... just because she was a Bauer. Hillary fell
for Roger. Roger also made a few forward passes at Rita - who was at
that time Ed's fiancee. Roger had a real hatred for Ed because of Christina.
Rita did not take to Roger's advances ... and Roger forced himself upon
Rita and raped her.
Because of her past affair with Roger, Rita thought that no one would believe
that Roger had raped her and did not go to the police. All the while, 
Roger slept with the enchanted Hillary and also flirted with Holly. Holly and
Roger were to be married ... and Hillary felt cheap. Rita and Ed were married, 
finally. Holly and Roger were also married (January, 1979) but Holly was not
too happy with Roger and did not tell Christina who her real father was.
Roger grew angry and abusive. Roger then raped Holly. Holly, did not back
down and filed charges against Roger for Marital Rape - a new charge at the
time - so the case garnered quite a bit of publicity. Roger, who was working
for Spaulding Enterprises, knew all about the DeVillar affidavit and 
blackmailed Alan. Roger was promoted to VP. Alan hired, for Roger,
am ambitious young attorney, Ross Marler (Justin's younger brother and
therefore Phillip's uncle). On the stand, Ross tore Holly's life apart 
and made Roger
appear innocent. As Roger was about to be acquitted, Rita stepped forward and
told of how Roger had raped her too. Roger was found guilty. Bond was
posted for him. Roger was on a rampage ... threatening everyone. When he started
to beat Ed, Holly (reliving her brutal rape) shot Roger three times.
Holly was subsequently convicted of murder - but Roger was not reallly dead!
Alan had had Roger taken to a private clinic in Puerto
Rico. Christina did not get along well with Rita, much to Ed's chagrin,
so she stayed with Barbara. Alan's new
employee, Hope Bauer went on an ill-fated plane trip with Alan - their
plane went down in the Caribbean and Alan and Hope swam to a deserted 
island. They shed their dislike for one another, and, eventually, their
clothes.
Alan and Hope fell in love. Jackie and Mike fell in love while searching
for Alan and Hope. 
Alan confessed to Hope that he was a real bastard in business and from 
then on out it would be the straight and narrow.
When they were eventually found, it was rather blatant the circumstances of
their vacation, and Jackie filed for divorce.  Mike tried to convince Hope
that Alan was no good, but to no avail. Alan and Hope planned to marry.
While in prison, Holly was stabbed. Ed rushed to her side, abandoning
Rita in the Carribean (they were on vacation). Rita met an old flame at a
nightclub and wound up in bed with him. She returned to Springfield to find
out that she was pregnant ... and she did not know who the father was (isn't
it always like that!).
Amanda married Ben, much to the dismay of Lucille, who brought in young,
ambitious lawyer Ross Marler to break them up (and then marry Amanda).
Amanda was called to the bedside of the dying Brandon Spaulding ...
patriarch of the Spaulding family. As it turns out (omitting months of 
detail), Amanda was really Allan's daughter. 
Brandon left all of his shares in Spaulding Enterprises to Amanda.
Mike still was interested in Elizabeth. Jackie caught
Elizabeth and Mike together in bed.
Meanwhile, Roger was plotting his revenge against Ed, Holly, and Rita.
He returned to Springfield and made plans to kidnap his daughter at Cedar's
charity bazaar. He dressed as a clown, but he was found out before he could
get Christina. He chased Rita (who recognized his voice) into a House of 
Mirrors, pulled a gun and dragged the pregnant Rita away to a remote cabin.
Roger allowed Rita to call the hospital for the results of a test to
determine the paternity of her baby. When she found out that Ed was the
father, Roger was incensed and tied Rita to a bed. The police were closing in
and Roger fled, although Rita was screaming that she was in labor.
As he made his getaway, Roger knocked over a lantern, setting the cabin on
fire. Rita did get rescued in the nick of time by Mike and Ed, but lost
the baby. To keep Holly and Christina safe from Roger, who was still on
the lose, Ed flew them down to Santo Domingo. Roger had tapped Ed's phone,
though, and was in the Dominican Republic to greet them. Roger again tried
to take Christina, but Holly distracted him, and Chrissie escaped. Roger
dragged Holly through the jungle with the Bauer boys on his heels. Roger
and Holly argued and Mike and Ed caught up. Roger shot Ed in the arm
while Mike got away with Holly. Roger then nearly fell off a cliff. His
only hope being Ed who struggled to pull Roger back up. Roger/Ed lost grip
and Roger plunged - with a really horrible scream to his presumed end
(April 1, 1980). There is more, of course.