Soooo. Was it explosive enough for you?  Was the last episode of SURRENDER worthy of that lofty title - arc finale? Worthy of the expectations that build naturally because of an exciting storyline, or of the expectations that are created artificially when the ABC promo machine revs up into high gear?  Not exactly on both counts, but it was in keeping with the overall tone of the arc.  Nice.  Not thrilling.  Ok. 

Little of the action brought any real sense of revelation or fire to SURRENDER’S conclusions. And I blame that on an unusually high amount of spoilers, leaks and information spouted from every corner of those responsible for this show. They practically printed the script in every media outlet available.

Yes, I admit I didn’t have to read them all but it was practically impossible not to. I usually have no problem what so ever absorbing spoilers and teasers and still relishing the drama in spite of them. I truly enjoy seeing what the actors can do with the material and scenes, regardless if I know what’s coming or not. It usually makes no difference at all to me, except this time it did. 

The lack of pent up excitement, the lack of a surprising twist of events or surprising action taken by any of the characters made this finale the least thrilling or interesting of the bunch.  No fault on the part of the actors though.  The ensemble delivered as they always do, perhaps even more so with the ho hum material. The big “bang the drum moment”, Caleb waving goodbye to his vampire powers and hello to his mortality had been hyped for so long I doubt if there was any viewer on the PC planet that didn’t know Rafe would throw him into that pool. Or that Lucy would get dragged along with him. Or that Joshua would be the new kingpin.  And the real explosion, the final note for SURRENDER, Joshua blowing up the hot spring, was, well, ok, explosive.

To borrow a sentiment from a very wise and loyal viewer and friend, “I didn't get the feeling that this episode made up for all the crap in this arc in quite the same way that the train scene did in TORN, or the kisses did in SUPERSTITION.”

 And that’s the final word on SURRENDER. 

It’s a new day, a new world. On to DESIRE. 

Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers promises DESIRE will be a fast paced book.  “When you’re not sure which side of the line you’re standing on, and good has to placate evil in order to ultimately win, you have interesting stuff going on.” Soaps in Depth, April 15^th issue. The hype promises shocking allegiances and surprising twists.

Judging from its opening I’m inclined to believe her. Taut, well paced, appropriate premises established to carry through on the recognized themes; this first installment brought back fire and life to the characters that was mostly absent through the last arc, almost with a vengeance.  Seemed to me even the actors themselves felt it, each one bringing their own talents and unique characterizations to their parts with a renewed vigor, shaking off any remnants of left over complacency. 

Finally, good conflict you can really invest in, not so clearly colored black or white. Carrying on the good vs. evil theme of course but in a new way. I mused on and on about how I couldn’t wait for that final slayer/vampire showdown - one powerful confrontation that would really let Rafe and Caleb battle their history to the bitter end. 

But I was wrong and I do believe DESIRE will prove why.

Instead of ending their conflict in what might have been a huge but fleeting payoff, leaving no where left to go with the characters, Caleb in particular, these two classic antagonists will now have to work towards a resolution to their hatred and innate differences for the greater good. It may be for their selfish greater good, but no matter. Brilliant anyways.

The spine of the story may still be about power and revenge, good vs. evil, but the lines have been blurred.  Opponents still, dangerous volatilities in both lurking, we may have just stumbled onto what could be the best possibilities for character development in a long time. 

Brian Gaskill and Michael Easton fans won’t be disappointed. The prospect of Rafe and Caleb trying to overcome their inbred animosity and aggression towards one another, each coming at it from a different angle, struggling to define who they are now, what they want and how they will address and process this new world will make for interesting, exciting drama that will be enormous fun to watch. 

It has started already. The course of events at the hot spring not only instantly reshaped the social landscape of Port Charles it has already altered the interplay between good and evil, delving deeper into the grays. 

Caleb may have lost the black evil of his vampire persona but merely returning him to mortal status does not mean his human soul is not evil still. Man need not be a demon to have darkness within. Yet that glimpse of heart we saw as a vampire, his need for love, his compassion for Livvie and Tess  can’t help but grow and bring out what ever goodness may be hiding, whether he wants it to or not.   Now that Rafe will be forced to co-exist with Caleb on the same level, more or less, will he be able to reconcile his slayer responsibilities and obligations with his human emotions. Rafe can’t be so purely good, and he isn’t of course, as to ignore his lifetime of hostility and fury towards Caleb either. He saved him in the hot springs, after all murder is not in Rafe’s make up but what part will revenge play and how far will he go without “vampire” as his justification.

Reese and Alison bring out the worst in each other but Reese’s vulnerabilities and Alison’s underlying insecurities and abandonment issues actually make them more alike than either one would ever admit. There is no doubt their family connection, one that has been not very subtly drawn (ok I’m being polite) will force them both to explore their good and evil sides.

Jack is slipping deeper and deeper into self loathing, losing himself in the face of too many betrayals and bad choices.  Will he be able to accept a human Caleb and ignore his anger and resentment or will it take over, compelling him to go after the ex-vampire at any and all cost. And will he be fueled by Reese’s lingering evil sensibilities, betrayal in his future yet again. 

Lucy’s waning slayer skills may push Ian further into the dark side, pulling Lucy with him, where he will have no choice but to embrace evil to be good again. If it comes down to it, Lucy’s loss of powers will open the door for her to forge some sort of alliance with the vampires for Ian’s sake. If Lucy can’t save him and won’t let Rafe kill him Ian will have to find a way to save himself, or die trying. Lucy won’t let that happen, but just how far she’ll cross over will be interesting to see.  And will it put her at odds with her favorite cousin. Throw a devilishly turned Kevin into the mix and it gets grayer and grayer. 

Joshua and Livvie, well they’re still pure evil. No gray areas for these two just yet. We still need to have a little wicked amusement left don’t we.  Ian Buchanan has definitely risen to his new title of King Joshua but now he’s saddled with an unwilling queen.  A queen who wants Caleb with every fiber of her being, as he does her, and will do everything in her power to get him back.  Joshua and Livvie will fight each other, they’ll fight what’s left of the slayers, and they’ll fight to hold on to their reality as they know it, using each other as only those two could.

 It’s a new day dawning.  Sort of.

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Time to have some fun.  Welcome to the first ever Soaptown USA PORT CHARLES Readers Fantasy.  Since PORT CHARLES couldn’t be a part of ABC’s Fan Fantasy we decided to hold our own for you, the readers and fans.  Here’s your chance to conjure up your own fantasy scene, episode, storyline, whatever YOU want. And remember we’re not bound by censors and rules so be ah, as creative and unbridled as you like.  Each week I’ll post a Reader’s Fantasy or two in my PC Musings column.  Your feedback will determine the top fantasies and Soaptown USA will hold a poll to pick your favorite.  Who knows, it might even make its way over to ABC. 

…until we muse again Port Charles Fans