From her take on Gwen’s downfall on DAYS to the resurrection of Y&R’s Diane and more, check out what Digest columnist Carolyn Hinsey has to say about what’s happening across the daytime dial.
Let baddies be bad — we need them!
DAYS’s Gwen drugged Abigail, blamed her for her dead baby, kidnapped her and then finally got hers. Abigail’s crime? Being raised by Jack Deveraux (who Gwen claimed is also her father in a tale I still don’t buy). Abigail let Gwen believe she had forgiven her and supported her marriage to Xander, and then bam!
Abigail (interrupting the wedding): “Can it, bitch. The party’s over.”
Gwen’s downfall was delicious. Fellow baddie Ava almost went down with her, but she provided evidence against her and got immunity.
Ava: “I’m handing you your favorite thing: A headline- making case. The People vs. Gwen Rizczech.”
DA Trask: “If you so much as jaywalk I will turn it into a capital offense.”
Gabi didn’t take kindly to Ava getting off scot-free after Ava framed her brother Rafe, so my money’s on that fireball to punish Ava.
Gabi: “I don’t make threats. I make waves.”
Splash! It’s fun to watch bad guys pay but they still deserve a place in the action. The exception would be the devil, who jumps from character to character, making it very hard to follow the story. It’s one thing to enjoy the antics of a lunatic like Jan, but it’s another to try and gauge who’s evil today (Doug? Marlena? Johnny? Belle? Allie?) by their yellow eyes. Time to go, Satan.
Y&R’s Diane thought that despite being dead for 12 years, she could put on a big floppy hat and sunglasses and walk around town without being recognized. Nikki was like, “Who’s that weirdo?” so Jack had to break the news.
Jack: “Diane is not dead. She is alive and well and here in Genoa City.”
Nikki: “I have spent all these years thinking I killed her! Take me to her.”
They had a diva-worthy showdown in Diane’s hotel room — which Jack and Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed — and then Nikki asked for a moment alone with her back-from-the-dead enemy.
Phyllis: “It’s not like Nikki can be charged with the same murder twice but just in case, I’m taking this lamp.”
Ha! If looks could kill, Diane would be face down in a creek with her head bashed in. Again.
Diane won’t be redeemed for a loooooong time but Ashland is right on track after saving Victoria from that car fire.
Victoria: “Your hand is burned.”
Ashland: “I’m fine.”
Victoria: “You’re lying.”
Ashland: “It’s what I do.”
The best advice Ashland could have given Victoria was to not walk on her injured knee in five-inch heels, but points for being honest. Ditto Victor, who remains Y&R’s longest-running and most popular scoundrel.
Victor (to Ashland): “You saved my daughter’s life. In spite of all the disdain and disgust I feel for you, I’m grateful.”
That’s a compliment from The Mustache.
For long-running nutballs, look no further than B&B’s Sheila. She’s all “Boo-hoo, I lost my son!” and not taking any responsibility that she’s the one who shot him. Her focus is on how Finn wasn’t supposed to be in that alley, which you’d think someone would pick up on. I guess the cops are too stunned that she’s basically living at the hospital with an entire family she tried to kill.
Lt. Baker: “I find it remarkable they let you anywhere near them.”
Not to mention repeatedly leaving her alone in Steffy’s hospital room to devilishly caress her breathing tube even after Steffy murmured, “Sheila…” when questioned about who was in the alley. It lessens a villain’s impact when a show has to dumb down the people around them so they can keep crime-ing.
Taylor being a bitch in the aftermath of Steffy’s shooting was a surprise, considering that Hope was a saint to let Steffy call Liam her husband like 900 times.
Taylor: “Nobody is going to undermine my daughter’s recovery!”
Hope: “What am I supposed to do, go on for years with Steffy thinking she’s married to my husband? That’s ludicrous.”
More ludicrous is Taylor, who killed Darla and shot Bill, ordering everyone around and telling Liam’s family what’s “best” for Steffy. Taylor is cruising up on villain status herself with her bad advice and constant misdiagnoses.
Taylor: “I know what you’re doing, Sheila.”
Sheila: “You do?”
Taylor: “Finn is gone and you’re trying to make sense how that’s even possible.”
Yeah, she’s one crack shrink.
GH’s Carly took a page from B&B’s Steffy and did that dumb soap opera thing where she confronted Harmony alone with evidence of her crimes. Cut to Carly unconscious in the trunk of a car.
Sam: “You could tell Harmony was upset about something.”
Her killing spree? TempAlexis found Harmony about to drive Carly off a cliff and they all tussled until Harmony ran off and got hit by Sasha’s car. Shhh — don’t tell Ryan.
Ryan’s daughter, Esme, has evolved into chief mischief-maker, causing trouble for Nikolas/Ava, Joss/Cam and budding cuties Spencer/Trina. Spence and Cam teaming up to bust her resulted in a fight at Kelly’s, which landed them both in jail.
Laura: “I was Spencer’s one phone call.”
Finn: “I was Cameron’s.”
Cam called his mother’s new boyfriend instead of his mom, Liz, or grandma, Laura? No.
Rounding out the necessary P.C. troublemakers are Victor Cassadine and Selina Wu, but none hold a candle to Sonny, who can dance sweetly with Nina and beat up an enemy in the same episode — and kudos for finally putting that whiny Michael in his place.
Sonny: “If you want me to forgive you’re going to have to beg.”
Michael: “Don’t hold your breath.”
Sonny: “Good-bye, son.”
A baddie with a soft side? That’s needed most of all.
Hey. It’s only my opinion.
