Erica Kane- Classy, devoted, fierce protector of her family and those she cares about, rape victim, former alcoholic and drug addict, wife (numerous times I might add) and Pine Valley’s resident DIVA. 

As with most writers, I was having a case of writers block as I sat and pondered what I should do future columns on. Perhaps it is the MAJOR custody battle playing out on our screens that have left my mind blown and my brain completely drained, or maybe yet my brain is still recovering from being put under for emergency surgery (and yes appendicitis is almost as bad as giving birth).

The phrase “I am going to be special one day,” foreshadowed the emergence of the Erica Kane that we have all grown to love and/or hate over the years. Who knew that that choice phrase would ring true 35 years later. 

And special Erica has become! However All My Children wrote a storyline, somehow and in someway Erica Kane and La Lucci managed to play a role in them, no matter how big or how small. 

Of course, we all know that at times, daytime is on the cutting edge of history and Erica Kane was certainly a history maker during her time. I can still remember seeing my aunts jaw drop as it was revealed that Erica had an abortion with a future Martin grandbaby. If I recall correctly, this was the first time that a storyline of such a powerful and taboo nature was even explored on daytime. 

The fits of laughter and the phrase, “you sly fox” still resonates through my mind, as my grandmother sat glued to the television set chastising and enjoying each of Erica Kane’s marriages and love affairs with some of Pine Valley’s most eligible bachelors: Mike Roy, Adam Chandler, Jeremy Hunter, and Tom Cudahy to name a few. 

And oh the outrageous storylines that AMC managed to intertwine Erica within. To this day I can still remember my aunt sitting around the kitchen table talking about Erica Kanes wedding and honeymoon to Tom Cudahy and the sabotage that ensued as she fought tooth and nail against starting a family with Tom, because her modeling and acting career was more important. Oh the visions that still come to my mind as Erica passed out on her way down the aisle in an attempt to create a diversion, so then convict Jeremy Hunter could escape from prison. 

Since I did not start watching, the show until the late ‘80’s, and my earliest recollection of Erica Kane was her marriage to, businessman and Senator Travis Montgomery, I basked in the glory of SoapNet’s I Love Lucci marathon. I found myself howling with laughter( and it hurts like Hades, especially after having your appendix removed) as I saw Erica race around and change into some of the most off the wall costumes during her photo shoot at the art museum. 

In my opinion the most defining moment in Erica Kane’s history was the day that this diva gave birth to the future of the Kane/Montgomery family, her daughter Bianca Christine. From the moment the doctor placed little Binks into Erica and Travis’ arms, the viewers began to see a softer, yet protective side of La Kane emerge. 

I remember shedding tears, as Erica said goodbye to her pride and joy as the child boarded a plane and left to start a new life with her father Travis and stepmother Barbara in Seattle. Even though Bianca was on the other side of US, she was never far from Erica (or viewer’s hearts). 

Then in a topsy turvey tail that was sure to rock the show to its core, viewers learned that Binks had not been Erica’s first child after all. When Erica was in her teens, she was raped by movie star Richard Fields and gave birth to daughter Kendall Hart, who she placed for adoption. 

Erica and Kendall’s feud provided some entertaining and powerful moments for viewers in Pine Valley history. I know my mouth dropped so far, I could have caught flies as I watched Erica stab then husband Count Dimitri Marick, as the scenes of her rape came flooding back. 

OHH yes the memories! Erica Kane certainly has had her share of fantastic storylines and feuds (like with Brooke English and most recently Maria Grey), but there were times where Lucci was placed in storylines and romances that left viewers scratching their head in sheer confusion. Two that come to mind are the recent Vegas showgirl storyline and Erica’s romance with Brooklynite, Chris Stamp.

I may be one of the few, but I LOATHED Erica’s pairing with Chris. Maybe because this match was so off the wall and certainly out of character for Erica. Did the writers honestly think that we would believe that Erica would EVER fall in love, let alone agree to marry someone like Chris?

To me the pairing seemed forced and Lucci certainly carried all of their scenes. I breathed a sigh of relief when Chris finally bit the big one and opened the doors for Erica to be reunited with her true love (and former brother in law) Jackson Montgomery. 

Then their was that HORRENDOUS showgirl storyline, in which Erica Kane donned a blonde wig, fled to Vegas and called herself Desiree. I thought it was horrible of AMC to sacrifice not only the character of Erica Kane, but Susan Lucci for the sake of introducing new characters, Bobby Warner and Zach Slater. How much fun would it have been to see Zach emerge in Pine Valley with a vendetta against Erica and her family, only to find himself attracted to the cosmetic mogul in the end?  Intertwine Jackson and Maria Grey into this storyline and I would be hotter than the most humid North Carolina July ever!

I will admit All My Children did redeem itself with the poignant and powerful intervention storyline. My heart sank and I balled like a baby as I watched and heard Erica relive all the nightmares that had plagued her through the years. The best part was the return of Pine Valley residents Tom Cudahy (Erica’s ex-husband) and her brother Mark Dalton, who helped Erica through all of this and allowed her to comeback the strong woman we are seeing today. 

Just as I thought Jack and Erica would sink to the backburner, Erica has made her presence known throughout this entire baby switch storyline and the ensuing custody battle. I am giddy with anticipation as I ponder what cards Erica has up her sleeve and will pay in an attempt to make Krystal, David and Babe pay for the heartache they caused her family.

What are her motives for helping JR? Are they genuine or is this a case of a tiger poised and waiting for the right time to attack their prey and get what they want. 

Erica Kane- a true gem in Pine Valley and one that cannot be replaced. No matter how hard primetime comes a knockin’ I am sure Lucci is where she belongs as Erica trains the future divas of Pine Valley.