From: cf@planck.physics.purdue.edu (Coleen Flanagan)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps
Subject: Re: DOOL:  Childbearing
Summary: Storytelling
Date: 27 Jan 93 20:50:49 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Physics Department


       I'm answering two different posts here since they are concerning
       the same topic.

>Marlena is certainly young enough to have kids.  My mom was 43 when she
>had my sister who is 20 years younger than I am and 15 years younger than
>the formerly youngest child.  And yes, she is my sister NOT a step-sister
>or half-sister.

>Personally, the idea of Wayne and Marlena having kids together is somewhat
>gruesome (prude that I am).  Actually, I think they are setting up a
>question of paternity storyline.  I think it's a matter of time before D&D
>sleep with each other (dare we hope) and Marlena will get pregnant.

>Stinky O

                   *************************************************
                   Hey Vix I never meant to suggest Marlena wasn't
                   young enough to have children.  I just felt DAYS 
                   was trying to remind us that though Marlena was 
                   gone for a while she's still the vital person she
                   always was.  I never thought about a possible 
                   paternity story coming out of this.  I agree,
                   Roman and Marlena having a child is as awful a
                   thought as John and Marlena having one. Drake
                   does not want to deal with John fathering anymore
                   children.  He initially wanted Isabella and Brady
                   to die in a car accident.  No more children on
                   this show puleeeeeeez!


>Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps
>Subject: Re: DOOL -- Misc (D&D)
>Date: 26 Jan 93 23:44:13 GMT

>Hiya Vickie,
>Thanks.  That really is my problem.  For me, they waited 1 1/2 too
>long.  Like you, I never thought Icky and Drake had the least chemistry,
>but Drake/Roman and Diana sure did.  So I'll give you that.  (Actually,
>I thought Drake/Roman had chemistry with both Yvette and Danielle, but
>that's another story.)  I don't think Drake/John (whatever!) is the one
>who looks bad in this.  He's a grieving widower who's turning to his
>former love.

>And you're also right about Marlena loving John Black, whether he
>was Stefano or Roman.  But they made him Roman and played it as a
>continuation of that love.  Then Wayne came back (at Deidre's
>insistence I might add) and suddenly, there was the "real" Roman.
>And for the past year and a half, there's been no mention of anything
>between John and Marlena.  Nothing sub rosa, no subtext nothing.
>Marlena loved her "true love," Roman.  Then suddenly she falls down
>a hole and it's love again?  Again, my problem is with the writing,
>not the actors.  To me, this story makes Marlena look bad.
>There she was in the shower with Roman and then she was dreaming about
>John.  Yes, I know people can be torn, but she doesn't really play it
>that way.  She plays it like she loves Roman.

>Any story without Carly is OK with me.  But I just don't see Jim Reilly
>as the show's savior.  (Of course, I'm mad he fired SSH.)


>*Razzie (who'll over-explain almost anything)


                **********************************************
         I totally agree!  ("Don't hit me Vickie"!)  The whole fault here,
         as always, is the writing.  I felt the show was getting better
         these past two weeks but with the onslaught of more Brady's to
         deal with and the cumbersome Bo/Carly/Nikki/Lawrence story I have
         put my optimism back on the shelf where it shall once again remain.
         If DAYS dealt with John and Marlena like they should have when
         Marlena returned then I would agree their pairing would have been
         good.  Upon Diedre's insistence Wayne returns and is proclaimed
         the "real" Roman.  Marlena and Roman's reunion was nothing less
         than a bomb.  The story takes yet another detour when Marlena
         suddenly realizes, after a life threatening situation with John,
         that she still has deep feelings for him.  If that was the case
         maybe she should avoid sleeping with Roman until she comes to
         terms with what she's feeling.   Marlena does not act torn or
         even confused.  John's actions are realistic because he's still 
         grieving.  He's reaching out to someone he knows well and feels 
         comfortable being around.  Naturally this would be Marlena.

         I think if this story took time to evolve I could accept it.  
         One day Marlena's in the pit with John and the next she can't
         even hear his name without getting all flushed.  I liked John
         with Diana, Yvette and Danielle and I realize that tuning in
         everyday and watching John with Isabella wasn't a fun time for
         viewers but this latest scenario doesn't do it for me either. 
         Drake's been lucky enough to play opposite many actresses and 
         this is where I envy him.  I only wish Matt could have been so 
         lucky.  John should try to resolve his feelings for Marlena and 
         move on with his life.  What's the big rush with pairing him up
         with someone anyway.  Scenes/stories don't always have to focus
         in the bedroom.  J&J are a living testament to that fact.  After
         almost a year (this includes the hovel they lived in) they
         finally got a bedroom.  Their sex life has been nonexistent.
         Since John learned he was an Alamain the writers have done
         nothing with that aspect of his life.  They have a clean slate
         to work with.  Most soap writers would consider that a great
         opportunity.  Of course we're talking about DAYS writers here.
         John as an Alamain involving John's brother Lawrence could be
         interesting as Lawrence has become much too stagnated being
         involved with Carly.  John's wealth and power with the right
         lady by his side would prove to be a far more interesting story.
         IMO the Brady's are boring and have been for quite some time.
         Furthermore, when they learned John wasn't one of "them" they
         didn't seem to find much time for him in their lives.  Drake
         deserves better than becoming entangled with this blase family.
         
         I let myself believe that James Reilly was going to turn this
         show around.  NOT!!  Since then SSH has been fired, we have
         a new Brady named Samantha who looks like Carrie, with Eric
         still to follow.  That spark of hope that somehow remains 
         within me is sure to be distinguished soon.
          

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         Coleen
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps