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Musings
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As the final chapter of Torn kicked off, Performer of the Week credit goes to Jay Picket for his inspired portrayal of the “Avatar” and for actually managing to take the loose ends of the past two months that have been flapping about and weave them into explanations, justifications, reasoning of some sort for the mess of a plot we’ve sat through. Kudos to TPTB for pegging Jay Picket for the role, for seeing his potential as the dark, sexy, menacing force that has galvanized the entire cast of characters into a cohesive ensemble once again, touching each character’s perspective story line, taking us on a breakneck ride that will surely explode as Torn concludes and carries us over into the next arc. At least I hope this Frank carries over into the next arc. Let’s see Frank deal with the full fall out of his possessed soul. We don’t want him disappearing back into the black hole of “veteran” obscurity, not after all these new and exciting qualities have surfaced. He’s every bit as handsome, certainly a lot cooler and in many ways much hotter, every bit as appealing as the, ahem, more youthful set of actors PORT CHARLES has focused on this summer. And since we’ve all accepted that the supernatural and PORT CHARLES are on the same path, we’re still watching aren’t we, though I suspect that has more to do with a certain heavenly body and the actor who plays him than anything else, the introduction of the Avatar, of a darker, more menacing force advancing story lines was a welcome addition indeed. Avatar. Straight definition out of Webster’s – an incarnation in human form…an embodiment of a spirit. Research shows that humanity has recognized the presence of Avatars since the dawn of eastern religions. They’ve appeared in different forms, under different names, at different times in different parts of the world throughout history. An Avatar’s appearance apparently is manifested when humanity, in this case the denizens of PORT CHARLES, suffers more than ever from their enslavement to desire, to greed, to fear and anger. Every living creature seeks the same thing. Call it what you will…happiness, peace, truth, freedom, love, self-realization, salvation. Isn’t that what this whole arc was supposed to be about, and not just for (the obvious here) Rafe, but for everyone from Ian to Karen to Frank himself. Letting Jay Picket loose as Frank, the embodiment of the Avatar spirit, whose good and evil tendencies blend and merge on whim was a leap that has paid off in spades. All of a sudden donning a black shroud and hosting an otherworldly spirit has made Frank a riveting character, not to mention incredibly sexy in the process. This is the same Frank whose been around from the beginning isn’t it, I mean it’s the same actor, but look what a bit of interesting characterization and writing can do. The avenging/evil spirit was just the shot in the arm Frank needed. Jay Picket is playing this for all he’s worth. He has the dangerous, dark, sinister, chilling bad boy thing down pat. He’s so deliciously evil, who wouldn’t be attracted to the violent yet curiously vulnerable undercurrent. He is after all still being driven by his need for love, power trip aside. Subtle changes in the way he’s been shot and lit, an edgier appearance, stronger body language and an aggressive attitude has just about served to bury the lackluster Frank we had grown used to. Yes, the paranoid episodes from the candles probably did serve as foreshadowing for this but the candle device was so unbelievable and the explanation so lame that no one bought it anyway. The reason Frank as Avatar works is because, like all really good supernatural/sci-fi, there is some degree of believability to it, you can process the ridiculous as truth, even if it is just for a moment or two. Avatars, according to folklore, bring a new release of power and energy, a new awakening of consciousness, a new experience of life, good or bad. Frank certainly is the embodiment of this new power, energy, and new experience of life, good or bad. It oozes from every pore. He snears, he purrs, he growls, he’s announced his existence to the world and to Karen in no uncertain terms. He’s called out to the Slayer and issued his challenge. The Avatar descends into this world for humanity’s protection, instruction and redemption but when it is driven by desire, fear and anger it spirals out of control, acting more for its own concerns than others. Again looks like the writers did their homework here. Frank started out as a good, avenging spirit but quickly spun out of control, manipulating situations to his own benefit, obsessed with his own needs and desires. It’s not easy to keep this kind of role from going over the top, from degenerating into yet another stereotypical, unbelievable, soap villain. Michael Easton as Caleb came dangerously close but ultimately pulled it off, as is Jay Picket. Frank as the Avatar has mercifully for us, ended the Karen and Ricky fiasco, given Rafe a purpose other than pining for Alison, his past and trying to figure out how the hell he landed up to his neck in the quagmire of Livvie’s existence, given Ian a purpose other than moping around with nothing to do, brought Rafe and Ian together, an inspired pairing if ever there was one, brought Chris back on the canvas as much needed comic relief, reminding us just how much we’ve missed Chris’s twisted, self-serving irreverent way of looking at the world, for better oro wrose brought Marissa to town, Miss junior Lois Lane and instant pal for Jamal, instigated interaction between Jack and Rafe, was the catalyst for Kevin’s drugging and subsequent personality change which will hopefully lead to something of interest in this character, and saving the best for last, provided Livvie with the means to hold on to Rafe, at least in the short term, but which will ultimately lead to the destruction of this relationship from hell in its entirety. Salvation. Finally. Of Love and of this arc. Livvie’s desperation to hold onto Rafe will keep her connection to Frank and the Avatar going strong , but in the end it will force her to lose Rafe, the baby (come on what would Livvie do with a baby) and her sanity. Her descent into madness has already begun. Will she see the damage she’s done and redeem herself by setting Rafe free to reunite with his past and with Alison, or will she land up in a bed beside her mother. Either way Frank will make sure the result is the same. The conflict within Frank himself will surely be the Avatar’s final downfall with Karen’s love driving it out of his soul once and for all. A way out of this arc where everyone saves face. Endgame to Torn. Compliments of Frank the Avatar.
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