LANGFORD'S PICKS AND PANS
River City (Scotland)
I realize given the events of this episode that it’s in poor taste to say this, but as I predicted last week, Will looks awfully delish in his policeman’s uniform. But in spite of his total hotness, unlike some other fans of another fanbase I could mention (and will later in this column), I neither excuse or ignore Will’s deplorable actions in this episode.
I’ve often said how well-written and acted this show is and this week was no exception. The opening sequence, which detailed Will beating Robbie again and the ensuing aftermath, was powerful even though it was done in hushed and quiet tones and soft music. As always, the show makes sure we know that while Will might be a likable or even sympathetic guy, this is no magical love story that excuses or downplays the abuse. Nor does the fact that they are in love or that the fans like them together means that it's okay if there's a little beating once in awhile. That’s one thing I’ve always appreciated about this story.
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I had wondered when the show would revisit Robbie and Will being parents and it came just as Robbie was ready to walk out on Will. Will feeding into Robbie's desire to be a parent and Will saying how it would change and improve their marriage was sad as we know that children never improve things and would only make things worse. I’m glad that Kelly pointed out that no child should be brought up in violence. I also had forgotten that Will had bought that salon for Robbie. So like he says, if he leaves he loses everything. It was interesting that they mentioned Hayley and we could see how much Robbie misses her. I don’t think the abuse would have gone on as long as it has if Hayley were still in town. Robbie wouldn’t be able to hide it from her given how close they were.
I’ve always enjoyed the police aspect of Will’s storyline. I thought it was a nice piece of storytelling how Will’s life was reflected in the young delinquent he’d arrested and was trying to help. I wondered if until that moment in the interrogation room, Will hadn't realized what he was doing with Robbie and how far he’d gone. Though apparently it hadn’t, as Will went home and he and Robbie got into again. I thought that final scene between them was interesting, which both of them threatening to leave at one point and begging the other one to go until Robbie realized he couldn’t stay and he had to get out.
Did Pete murder his mother?
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I suspect that the murder of Pete’s mother and his role in that crime will come into play as this story plays out, perhaps it might be finally what makes Will see himself for who he truly is. As I’ve said before, I think we’ll probably see Will undergo therapy and get help for his issues, perhaps he and Robbie might make a go of it again once he does. I personally don’t think Robbie should ever go back to Will, but that’s just me. As both characters are pretty vital to the show at it is now, I couldn’t imagine either of them leaving anytime soon. That’s why I think their story is going to continue.
Shortland Street (New Zealand)
Well, this wasn’t as bad as last week, but it was still pretty bad. The whole ‘being found out as gay could ruin my career’ storyline just gets more ridiculous. Seth is moping around saying he misses Henry and wants him back, but he’s willing to screw over Henry if it means getting a leg up in the hospital merger battle with Rachel. And by the way, that plot arc is soooo boring.
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This has to be one of the dullest, most uninteresting story-lines I’ve seen in a long, long time, especially since the show buries itself in the details of running the hospitals. I’m tired of hearing about budgets and mixed models and this plan and that plan. No one cares about that. The hospital should be a backdrop to all the sin and scandal and drama of the characters. I don’t feel the show is doing that, at least with this storyline. But I have the dread feeling this storyline is going to be a long, hard slog through financial tedium.
I didn’t much care for Henry’s search for a roommate, mostly because we’ll probably have to see more of those boring blond girls he’ll be living with. This show needs to improve very quickly or it’s going to wind up on my ‘do not watch’ list.
General Hospital (U.S.)
I haven’t been watching GH, even though their gay character Felix has been making semi-regular appearances. The truth is, even though Frank Valentini and Ron Carlaviti have improved the show from how bad it was in its previous regimes, I’m still not a fan. I am glad the show is doing well though. However, I am so not a fan of how the show is writing Felix. In fact, I’m a wee bit offended by what the show is doing. I don’t mind that Felix is a bit effeminate and sassy and all that. I like that he’s not a cookie-cutter white teenager struggling with his sexuality. But I simply hate that after being on the show for months Felix not only still has no storyline and only exists to advise the women in town on their love lives, he is chasing after a man who point-blank told him he was straight.
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I just rolled my eyes and had a few choice words for the television when Felix was telling Sabrina that he still pursuing Milo even after the guy made it clear that he wasn’t into men. That attitude about men who tell you they are straight is more stereotypical and offensive than anything else that this character may be. Even more important, I have no idea why Felix is so into Milo. He’s cute and has a hot bod and all that, but he’s a really dreary character. I certainly wouldn’t want to see Felix pursue a romance with Milo even if he were gay (and BTW, don’t let this be a tired coming out drama. No thanks, GH!). GH needs to take this likable and appealing character and give him a viable interesting love story with an ongoing regular character, not a rarely seen supporting player. And until that happens, I won’t be watching this show any more.
Oh and Sabrina and Patrick have absolutely no chemistry. Their impending relationship is a guaranteed sleeping pill. GH should just drop this now. Besides, it’s hard to care about Patrick and Sabrina as a duo when we know his wife is alive just waiting to rise from the dead.
Secret Lives (Finland)
I’m sorry, call me heartless, but I can’t feel any sympathy for Ida, even with the eating disorder. Anyone who has read this column knows I have never liked her. She’s always been a nasty, petulant be-yatch. I’ve never understood why Elias considered this witch his best friend. And I really don’t get why he should give a flip about her after finding out she outed Lari. It wasn’t just that he was outed, he got beaten up and his hockey career is on the line because of her, something that Elias didn’t remind her of when he found out what she did.
I hated that his friend's guilt tripped Elias about giving Ida a hard time after she’d been exposed. Why can’t he cut this heartless creature out of his life? He may not want her dead, but that doesn’t mean he has to have anything to do with her. This was frustrating for me to watch because her deplorable actions were over shadowed by anorexia. She’s going to get away with what she did because we’re supposed to feel for her. And I don’t like it.
Neighbours (Australia)
Not much to say here because the big ‘reveal’ was so anti-climatic. Chris wasn’t really involved with the reveal, not that I think he should have been, but the bigger problem was that there was no actual discussion about what happened. Georgia finds out that her boyfriend is not only gay, but has been cheating on her for years and there’s no real confrontation between her and Scotty about it. In fact, as we see in the clip for next week, Scotty simply leaves town and will probably never be heard from again. This whole thing was obviously a dumb, poorly constructed plot device to push Kyle and Georgia back together and give Chris something to do for a week or so. The whole thing was much ado about nothing. Besides, as I said, Scotty’s sudden interest in Chris never made sense anyway and reeked of a bad plot device.
Hollyoaks (U.K.)
As you would expect, I have a lot to say about last week’s Hollyoaks given the exit of Brendan Brady. I loved some of it and I absolutely hated some things too. Let’s just say my feelings were not neutral at all. I think it’s best to follow the events of last week day by day as they played out.
Monday was for the most part entertaining, with some powerful and riveting drama as Brendan and Seamus finally talked about Seamus sexually abusing Brendan as a child. The ‘therapy’ session between these two men as they dealt with the ugliness of their relationship and how it affected Brendan was quite strong and as always Emmett Scanlan delivered a powerful performance. Fintan McKewoan was equally strong as Seamus admitted his sickness and that he couldn’t control his compulsions no matter how hard he tried.
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But for me, the whole thing was ‘marred’ by the final scene with Brendan and Ste, which was a repeat of so much of their relationship. Ste is always apologizing to Brendan for something, even though Brendan has abused him. I think that’s one of the things I hate most about this relationship, that Ste accepts the blame for Brendan’s terrible actions. Sure, Ste says that Brendan isn’t excused for what he did to him, but by staying with him and not holding Brendan accountable for his abuse he is in fact excusing it.
But then on Tuesday’s show, the abuse and all that is forgotten? Of course it is. Why should you confront your lover about abusing you again when you’ve got to dash off to work. BTW, what happened to Doug? After he and Nate rescued Cheryl and Ste from nearly dying in that refrigerator, he just disappeared. He wasn’t even at work the next day. But that’s much like the previous week when there were disasters at the deli and Ste was nowhere to be found. Hmm.....
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That was an interesting scene between Texas and Walker if only because it was a reminder of the Silas Blissett storyline, which is still one of my favorites this show has ever done. And it was sad to hear Cheryl talk about all the people in her life that have died since she came to Hollyoaks. It reminded me of Lynsey, who I still miss on this show. As for Brendan and Walker’s fight, you knew it had to end in Walker’s death since Brendan has a couple of days left on the show, but I did like the chat that Brendan and Walker had right before the battle where Brendan said he ‘missed the old me’. All I could do was nod in agreement over that one.
On Wednesday’s show, I was glad that Brendan finally told Ste about his father sexually abusing him as a child, and it was nice that Brendan acknowledged that what happened to him as a child is no excuse for the life he’s led. Of course, Ste is still enabling and excusing him as always and mitigating everything. And that's why those scenes between Brendan and Ste kind of fell flat to me. They just didn’t have the strength and power they should have. I think if I believed in Brendan and Ste’s relationship, they might.
Yuck....
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I know I’m supposed to feel swept away by their words of love and devotion, but all I feel is disgust when I see the bruises still on Ste’s face while he passionately kisses his abuser and tells him he knows Brendan will never hit him again. I find the very of idea of them being together repulsive and wrong on so many levels. Shame on the show for their reprehensible handling of this domestic battering storyline. Though it was pretty obvious that Brendan and Ste were doomed (if they ever had a chance of working), when Ste said ‘we’re about to get our happily ever after’.
The scene between Seamus and Brendan where we learned that Seamus himself may have been sexually abused as a child was terrific and shows how the cycle of abuse continues. I think it’s funny though that some viewers don’t seem to have any sympathy for Seamus, who was abused and is now an abuser, but cry buckets over Brendan who is a lot like his father. I personally don’t feel for either of them. You can’t control what happens to you as a child, but you certainly have that power as an adult.
Those moments were Seamus attacked Brendan and Brendan was reduced to a child reliving that nightmare again were riveting, as was Cheryl’s horrified reaction when she found out the truth about her precious father. Strange though that Cheryl would bring the gun with her if she was just intending to talk to her brother about what happened.
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I think the best scenes of the week came on Thursday in the aftermath of the shooting where Cheryl realized what was going on all around her and couldn’t believe she hadn't seen it before. Waugh played Cheryl's horror, shame and regret to perfection. And while I was completely shocked that Brendan finally admitted to murdering his grandmother, his most heinous act as far as I’m concerned, I think that was glossed over and there should have been more discussion about it. I also think that Cheryl gave in far too quickly in letting Brendan take the blame for her crime. I don’t think she fought nearly hard enough.
Brendan taking the blame for Cheryl actually falls apart if you think about it (like most of this show’s stories). First of all, I’m pretty sure that the bar has cameras. We’ve seen them in the past and they would have recorded what really happened. But more important, if Cheryl and Brendan were to explain the truth, I can’t imagine any jury would convict. Cheryl was saving her brother from being raped by a man who’d done it before. My point is, Brendan’s confession was unnecessary. Being honest would have saved them both. The ending cliffhanger was pretty terrific though, with Brendan facing the police and pulling an empty gun, with every intention of dying then and there. The tag with Brendan and Cheryl as innocent children was a nice closing coda to Brendan's life.
That’s why having Brendan survive the shootout with barely a scratch was a terrible resolution.
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Brendan should have died in that shootout. That would have been a natural end to his story. Having him go to prison for a murder he didn’t commit just seems like a letdown, a lame way to close things out for him. I understand why the show did it, they want to keep the door open for his return someday. They killed off Warren in a ‘final’ manner and then when the actor decided to come back, they had to concoct a ridiculous return from the dead storyline. Still though, I just felt that having him survive that shooting was a cop out. If the show wanted leave things open for Brendan to return, then perhaps he should have been presumed dead.
As for the rest of the episode, it was tough to watch, mostly because of Ste’s nauseating wailing and crying over Brendan going to jail for the rest of his life. Hearing Ste tell Brendan he didn’t know what love was until he met Brendan was disturbing since you don’t abuse and batter someone you love, at least from my understanding of relationships. The only sensible thing Ste said was that he’d lost everything because of Brendan. Perhaps that should be the lesson he really learns from this train wreck of a relationship, but I doubt it. I am not looking forward to months of Ste pouting and being angry because he lost Brendan. I’m hoping the show simply has Ste disappear for a few months and come back when he’s like me: over it.
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I still have a problem with Cheryl letting Brendan take the rap for her crime, especially since it isn’t necessary. And Nate far too easily accepted all the lies and secrets with Cheryl and Nate so they could have their happy ending. Two things I did really love about this episode: the song that played as we finally said goodbye to Brendan was perfect for this character and his time on the show and the song that we heard during Cheryl’s last scene. It was a very sweet reminder of Lynsey, who as I said earlier is a character I still miss. In regards to Ste, I must admit that when Amy came back with the kids I did shed a tear or two.
Whew! Well that’s it for Brendan and for this very long analysis of his goodbye. Love Brendan or hate him, he’s had an impact on this show and what can or can’t be done with gay characters. I can’t say though, at least for me, that he’ll be missed. And frankly, with him gone, I do hope this means we’ll get to see more of some characters who could use some airtime and stories.
Days of Our Lives (U.S.)
I suspect that a lot of folks won’t agree with my view of one plot development of last week’s episodes. But that’s okay. I’m used to it.
I’m liking Vargas settling into Salem and I loved his introduction to Nicole. Who could blame her for checking out the super hot ‘repairman’? Good with his hands indeed. It’s pretty obvious that Nicole and Vargas will have a blazing affair. I guess it’ll give her something to do until Eric decides he doesn’t want to be a priest anymore. But I find it kind of silly that no one knows that Vargas and Nick were cellmates. If they looked into Vargas’ history before picking him to be in their program, wouldn’t they have that info?
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Will continues to be so annoying. I’m tired of his being such a wimp. It’s baffling that he is just giving up on his child and is willing to let her be raised by a bigot and that Sonny is going along with it. He needs to take whatever tools he has to get his child back, even if it means going to Stefano. Sonny’s horror that EJ and Sami might do something illegal is just ridiculous. His uncle is a mobster! And Will actually defending Nick’s actions? Really, Will? Please stop writing these gay characters as these pure and innocent saints. It’s not just boring, but also not realistic. But I did like Will saying that EJ, Nick and Stefano should get together and discuss how they all blackmailed him over the same thing and I loved Will reminding Sami that she shot EJ in the head in Stefano’s house and suggesting they get a different bedroom.
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(Source)
I did like that Gabi wants to know what is going on and isn’t just taking Nick’s words and excuses for everything and that she still sees Will as a friend and wants him in the baby’s life. Sure, Nick is manipulating her, but she’s certainly not the she devil that some folks think she is. I think that Gabi’s doubts about Nick are only going to grow and that will probably be part of the reason that leads to Nick’s downfall.
That was a really intense scene with Sonny and Nick, well acted on both parts, though I really think that Blake Berris is the shining star in this entire storyline. I don’t have much to say about Sonny hitting Nick. I know many fans were thrilled with it, but anybody who reads this column knows that I don’t condone violence no matter who is on the receiving end of it.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad week for Days, except for the bad way that Sonny and Will continue to be characterized.
Please Like Me (Australia)
Even though this show has one more episode yet, I miss it already. I loved this episode, just loved it. From the first hilarious scene to the sad closing moments, it was just about perfect. Where do I begin? First of all, I knew that Tom’s girlfriend wasn’t pregnant, which is good because the last thing any of these people need is a baby in their lives. But the scene where Tom reveals to Claire that Niahm isn’t expecting was hilarious. The bitch fight that Claire and Niahm had over Tom was wonderfully written and Tom’s reaction of caught between being embarrassed and enjoying these two women bickering over him was spot on.
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I think my favorite scene though was the opening segment where Rod walks in on a very naked Geoffrey brushing his teeth. It was funny how Rod was perfectly comfortable with standing there chatting with Geoffrey (and Geoffrey of course made no attempt to cover himself) until he found out Geoffrey was gay and then he looked away in horror. But then I did think that Josh and Geoffrey's breakup scene was nicely done and very real in that Geoffrey is all in with this relationship and desperately wants to make it work, but Josh is too selfish and self absorbed to try and make any concessions at all. Josh a selfish ass and he’s not sorry about it. We’ve all known guys like that.
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I do hope this is the end of Josh and Geoffrey as they are totally incompatible. As has been pointed out, Josh doesn’t really like Geoffrey, he just likes that he’s hot and wants to have sex with him. But with one episode left to go, I doubt it’s over. I wasn’t happy that they killed Aunt Peg, she was one of my favorites. But I’m sure next week’s funeral will make for another memorable episode. I haven’t heard whether this show will be back for another season, but I do hope it is. I really don’t want to say goodbye to Josh and his friends and family for good.
SCOOPS AND SPOILERS
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River City— When a dead woman is found, Will is shocked that Petey, the young shoplifter he arrested is involved. The woman is Petey’s mother. DCI Donald wants Will on the case because of his previous connection to Petey and eventually Will gets Petey to confess that he killed his own mom. However, DCI Shaw makes Will realize there’s more to the crime than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Robbie has left Will and refuses to see him. Eventually, the spouses come face to face and Robbie tells Will he needs to accept that he is an abuser. Will can’t believe Robbie’s words. Later, going back to work, Will continues his probe in to the murder of Petey’s mother and begins to see some disturbing parallels to his own life.
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Please Like Me — In the season finale of this dramedy, Josh has to prepare the funeral for Aunt Peg, while he worries about his mother’s reaction as she’s already tried to commit suicide once. Things get more tense when Geoffrey and Niamh show up, making things more uncomfortable for Josh and Tom. Later at the wake, Alan gets into a fight with Rose’s new beau Rod, which makes things uneasy between Alan and his girlfriend Mae. Rose is determined to throw Josh a 21st birthday party, even though he doesn’t want one. Of course the party happens anyway and the evening is memorable for every one of Josh’s family and friends.
Sonny learns a secret...
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Days of Our Lives — Sonny is discussing Will giving up the rights to his child with Adrienne, a conversation that Kate overhears. Kate assumes that Rafe didn’t tell her, creating problems between them. Meanwhile, Nick finally tells Gabi about his time in prison while Vargas continues to skulk about town, waiting for the right moment to let Nick know he’s out and about in Salem. Sonny accidentally finds out about Kate and Rafe’s affair and she asks Sonny to keep mum. Nick and Gabi move into the Kiriakis mansion, celebrating their new life. Of course, it’s then that Nick comes face to face with Vargas. In other news, Will tells Sami he's changed his mind about going to Stefano for help.
George and Ste have sex...
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Hollyoaks — Devastated about losing Brendan, Ste falls into bed with George, who having lost his virginity to Ste, convinces himself that he and Ste have a future. Ste, however, has other ideas and brutally rejects George the next day. George is devastated and feels used, swearing off men. When Pheobe wants to know why George is so upset, he tells her about his one night stand, but doesn’t admit who his lover was. Phoebe gets confused, however, and thinks that John Paul was George’s one nighter. Feeling betrayed by someone she trusted, Phoebe plans revenge against JP.
AND ALSO THIS WEEK...
Jamie does some investigating about his latest patient...
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Casualty — Jamie is reminded of his past as a boxer when he gets a patient suffering from worrisome injuries....
General Hospital — Felix is jealous when Sabrina starts dating Milo...
Neighbours — Georgia deals with learning that Scotty is gay while Chris has to say goodbye when Tash and Andrew leave town for good...
People of the Valley — Iolo asks his father for a favor regarding Gethin...
That’s it for this edition of Langford On Soaps. See you next week!
