I was moved by everyone’s performance during baby Max’s death. This was very good writing that finally let the characters breath. The characters involved were allowed to react normally to the situation at hand instead of moving on so quickly into the next drama. I never really like the idea of killing off a child to move story, but GL needed something to push it forward from all it doldrums. The writing and performances were so good, even by Lawrence St Victor’s Remy, that I didn’t notice the god awful sets and wardrobe. Maybe GL is finally realizing that it takes writing not internet websites and folksy music montages to make a good soap opera.

I was also impressed with Montel Williams’s brief cameo as Clayton. I can’t even remember the last time we saw Mel and Remy’s parents, let alone give them scenes were the story is actually about their family, yet there they were.  I’ve always felt that the Boudreaux family could be a bigger part of the show, and with Montel playing the patriarch, GL would wise to use them more. I loved the scene were Clayton goes to see Remy after hearing the news of baby Max dying and of course Remy overacts with attitude and Clayton lets him have it and they  both break down and Remy finally gets his fathers approval for something. We have heard from Remy for years that he never felt that he had his parents approval, and it was nice to finally see some of what makes Remy tick play out. I felt it could have been bigger and longer, but I think every moment should be bigger and longer, yet I’m so glad we got to see a little insight into this family.  GL should rethink its current Remy, find a good recast, give Mel a life and work out a way to include Montel Williams into its cast.

I really am enjoying how the show continues to use Reva in more than one story.  I love me some Reva, and I love seeing her in lots of different stories through out the week.

loved the Dinah and Mallet scenes.  Just compare those scenes with the Mallet and Marina scenes and the couple to root for is as clear as day. Mallet and Dinah must be brought back together. It’s my new agenda to see these reunite.

I wanted to see more of Ashlee because ever since her lap ban surgery story, she has just been pushed aside. I like the character a great deal and her reaction to Daisy and Grady is wonderful, its just good soap to see scenes like that. I’m not crazy about the blog story, and I don’t think Olivia telling Ashlee she is doing a good job was the appropriate character to mention it, especially with what Olivia had been going through, but I pray to the soap heavens this story doesn’t turn out like Blake’s blog story.

Although I enjoyed a good deal of Guiding light recently, I have to say I laughed out loud at some things that were to be taken seriously.

LIKE….

We see Dinah walking down a dirt hill, in heels, trying to talk to Bill who is there for really no apparent reason. Why were they both there? I couldn’t believe they let poor Gina Tognoni almost break her ankle. It looked stupid.

Remy runs into Mallet and Dinah outside of some building (they all look the same to me) and chats a few minutes with the former couple about baby Max. Why was Remy there? Was it supposed to be the police station? Cedars?

Grady, I mean G, you know, Cyrus’ little brother is a terrible character. I hate him. I think he looks like a snake, and with out the beard he looks ten times worse. I don’t find him hot at all. Why is GL wasting our time with him?  Do the honestly think he is the new Jonathon? He doesn’t have an ounce of Tom Pelphrey’s talent or looks. Also, why is Guiding Light wasting our time with this same tired version of Daisy? I just don’t think that Daisy would react this way after going through everything she went through. From loosing her adoptive parents, to being in the car that killed Tammy, to the abortion, to the terrible romance with Rafe, I feel Daisy would have grown up somewhat. Now that Rafe is coming back, free from the law, as well as Grady, who my guess will also be free from the law, with this tired version of Daisy will monopolize the story. I’m not into this at all.

Did anyone notice the courtroom scenes and how lame they looked? There is Jeffrey looking up into the sky, straining his neck to look at the jury who is perched on a balcony of some sort right next to the witnesses and spectators. This looked really awful. I guess it could have been worse. It could have been held in that park with all the ducks! Gone are the days of dramatic court room scenes for Guiding Light. Could you see someone coming in trying to stop someone from lying on the stand? They would have to scream from up above and then run down the stairs go around Mallet, Marina’s and Frank’s desks to go into the courtroom. 

I’m not convinced that all the outdoor stuff is necessary. Some of the shots are effective like when Reva saw Alan talking with one of his followers who is a juror, but mostly I don’t know why there are some many parks, trials, huge garbage dumps besides every building in Springfield. It would be more convincing to shoot outside a real courtroom in NYC then outside a small magistrate’s office in Pepack NJ. 

Kim Zimmer

You must read Kim Zimmer’s article in the latest Soap Opera Digest. She talks about being unhappy with GL, about the recent cast cuts to confessing she knows she is overweight! Even if you are sick of Reva and Kim, which if you are; shame on you, it’s a great read. Daytime people are always trying to be nice, even when we know they don’t mean it, and I’m glad Ms. Zimmer always speaks her mind.

Tell me what you think about Guiding Light.  Email me here at Soaptown.