ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Brody recently dealt with an unusual obstacle in his romance with Jessica: her mind. YOUNG AND RESTLESS' Kevin might not have served in the military like Llanview's former Navy SEAL, but this soldier in the war against loneliness has faced one battle with Jana after another. It's very true to the character, and his complex history with Jana, that he's just, as he said, "done." She apparently died, then apparently dumped him, and tried to kill him in between, but he stuck with her all along…although he's inherently an impatient and even insolent guy, and now that his wife's troubled mind has become his foe, his patience-lacking side is showing up again. It's fun to see that aspect of the character, and wonder how long it will stay around. Any twist to the common triangle is welcome these days, and Kevin competing with an opponent he can't see — along with a brother he can, now that he has discovered Ryder has slept with Jana — is intriguing. Plus, in the recent scene with former date Alison at the bar, Kevin smiled for the first time in weeks, so maybe there is hope for the guy's heart. He's also more himself with sudden roomie Chloe, whose friendship should help to ease his pain over Jana.

As for another complicated Y&R character, Adam (Genoa City's Lyin' King) donating bone marrow to Hightower with the express purpose of using him later pushes Adam farther down the path from antihero (which he once was for a while) to villain. This could be what the show wants, but it's unfortunate, because his sympathetic side makes him interesting, and each malicious, unconscionable act chips away at that side.

You know the writers are trying to redeem Adam with lines like Sharon's "We need your help," and scenes like her and Adam's awkward but moving hug in the hotel room. Maybe the scribes will succeed in that respect, but for now, Adam is a character who's fascinating to watch but increasingly difficult to like.

It's easy to get into the continuing discussion of which actors should have taken home Daytime Emmys this year (congrats to all of those who did), but I consider every nominee as having won, and more than in the "it's an honor to be nominated" sense. In their own way, day after day, the soap world's actors have amazed us with their work. Daytime is about much more than awards; it's about the intrinsic rewards this year's, and every year's, Emmy contenders and non-contenders consistently give their viewers. Yes, it's a honor to be nominated, but thanks to the quality these performers bring to the screens, the honor is truly ours.