It’s Only My Opinion: The Best and Worst in Soaps for March — From GH’s Jason Exit to Jack’s Abduction on Y&R
Carolyn Hinsey weighs in on the biggest highs and lows of the past month in the soap world, from Jason’s (Steve Burton) exit kicking off big drama on General Hospital to Victor (Eric Braeden) orchestrating Jack’s (Peter Bergman) kidnapping on Young and Restless, Anita’s (Tamara Tunie) poignant cancer journey on Beyond the Gates, Ivy (Ashleigh Brewer) going off the deep end on Bold and Beautiful and another DiMera returning from the dead on Days of Our Lives.
Best on General Hospital: Jason’s Exit
Who would have thought that Steve Burton (Jason) requesting time off would result in such a powerful farewell for his character? Jason’s plan to leave Port Charles with Britt was obviously not end game, but his good-byes turned out to be real payoffs. Most poignant was Jason sitting down for a sandwich with Danny in the Q kitchen, a “normal” thing we’ve never seen the hitman do with his son. He also shared important scenes with Carly, acknowledging that their shared loyalty to Sonny was partly to blame for Josslyn joining the WSB.
Carly: “She’s put herself in danger because of my life choices. That’s my fault.”
Jason: “Mine, too.”
The buildup before Jason left town included him lining up Alexis to care for Danny (to Tracy’s chagrin) and securing Britt’s meds surreptitiously via Lucas and Marco. That put the couple in danger and resulted in Cullum murdering Marco, the son of his co-conspirator Sidwell. The powerful aftermath includes young Rocco reeling from having shot Cullum (to protect Britt and Jason) while Lucas and Britt pick up the pieces following the loss of their partners. They’ve resisted that friendship despite Brad’s best efforts, but a moment on the pier gave a welcome hint to their future:
Britt: “No hugging.”
Lucas: “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Worst on GH: Two Pregnant Pauses
Portia and Jordan both have grown children and both slept with Curtis. Portia got pregnant and Jordan thought she got pregnant. Setting aside the implausibility of two women in their late 40s/early 50s getting pregnant by accident via the same man, the story went nowhere. One episode in a nail salon and Jordan was all nope, not pregnant. To review: Jordan’s son TJ began work as a doctor at G.H. in 2022 which means he has to be at least 33 years old now. Unless he Doogie Howsered his way through medical school (which was never established) that makes Jordan at least 50. There’s not a woman in the world who wouldn’t be all “WTF!” while buying a pregnancy test, as opposed to Jordan, who mused, “I wonder if I can have a baby with one kidney?”
The problem here wasn’t the action, it was the reaction. But also, what did the pregnancy scare accomplish in terms of drama? Unless we’re missing something, not a thing.
Best on The Young and the Restless: Phyllis Wins — And Loses
How many times did Daniel tell his mother that if she stole Newman Enterprises she would lose her kids? Summer is a Newman so that was a no-brainer, and Daniel warned Phyllis over and over and over to stop the takeover. But Phyllis still bulldozed her way into taking Victor’s legacy, chloroforming Cane in the process. Later, when Victoria presented Phyllis with a letter from Summer disowning her, Phyllis summoned Daniel to hear her side.
Daniel: “Are you really surprised Summer is upset and hurt?”
Phyllis: “Never in a million years did I think I could achieve this level of success and my kids would hate me for it.”
Daniel: “My problem is the way you acquired the company. Give it all back or you’ve lost us for good.”
Phyllis crumpled up the letter and vowed to go it alone as CEO of her shiny, new conglomerate. That fall is going to be epic.
Worst on Y&R: Victor Kidnaps Jack
Victor hit a new low in March when he threw Nikki out of the house he had given her as a gift — and since when can he kidnap a prominent Genoa City resident and have no one call the police? Jack woke up on a yacht in the middle of a lake with psycho Patty planted by Victor and everyone was like oh, that rascal Victor. The Abbotts ran around trying to meet Victor’s demands in exchange for Jack and it was all nonsense.
Kyle: “Don’t play games with my dad’s life.”
Billy: “Jack is in danger!”
Phyllis (rolling her eyes): “You think Victor is going to kill Jack?”
Diane: “If anything happens to Jack, it’s on you, Phyllis.”
No. It’s on Victor, who kidnapped him. Revenge is Soaps 101 but there has to be logic to a major arc like this — especially for a character as vital to the action as Victor Newman.
Best on The Bold and the Beautiful: Katie Rises Up
The more Brooke made the argument that Katie had stolen “her” name to launch Logan, the more the normally docile Katie fought back. She called Brooke on all her BS re: the name, the company, Brooke stealing Bill, etc., culminating in why Brooke’s feelings are the only ones that matter in the Logan family.
Katie: “I am not going to let you roll over me anymore. I am running with Eric’s designs and making a name in the fashion industry. My name: Logan.”
Brooke didn’t have a good response, which was refreshing since the Queen of Forrester always gets what she wants. It was also great to see Bill so solidly in Katie’s corner after so many years of Katie being the disrespected underdog. But the money question came from Will who asked his parents why they would launch Logan with just one round of designs from Eric (who quickly boomeranged back to Forrester).
“The designs are ours,” defended Dollar Bill, dodging the question. Paging Deke!
Worst on B&B: Ivy Turns Into Cruella de Ville
Ivy Forrester took a hard turn recently, spying on her niece because she disapproved of Electra’s boyfriend, Will, and his generosity towards the homeless Dylan. Ivy also engineered a series of “misunderstandings” between Electra and Will and tried to threaten Dylan into quitting her lifesaving job at Forrester because her presence might make Electra uncomfortable at work.
Ivy (to Dylan): “You better forget we ever had this conversation or I will make sure you never get a job in the fashion industry ever again!”
Who does she think she is, Sheila Carter? The next phase of Ivy’s plan was encouraging her niece to date R.J., Forrester who is Electra’s second cousin. (They’re not blood relatives because Ridge’s biological father was Massimo Marrone — but still….) Most recently, Ivy took Electra’s phone and posted a private photo the girl had taken with R.J. on social media so Will would see it. Stalk much?
Ivy’s sudden interest in her love life should alarm Electra… especially after Electra witnessed such similar behavior from the unhinged Luna.
Best on Beyond The Gates: Anita’s Cancer Battle
Anita’s been fighting the good fight all winter, but the chemo took it’s toll in March, causing the Dupree matriarch to consider giving up. Her husband and daughters rallied around her at the hospital begging her not to sign a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) in a series of tear-filled episodes that really tugged at the heart.
Dani: “Don’t sign it!”
Anita: “Give it to me.”
Vernon, Dani and Nicole sobbed as Anita slowly took the paper and… tore it up. Group hug! Post-doomsday, the story took a surprising turn when Anita asked her ex-son-in-law Bill to be co-executor of her estate. That inspired Bill to consider his own mortality, along with second thoughts about procreating with his new wife Hayley (which was a good call since we know she’s a murderous gold-digger). The month ended with Anita’s prognosis looking up… along with Bill and Dani’s future.
Worst on BTG: Jacob’s Undercover Job
Naomi’s cop husband spent the month of March wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses lurking in elevators trying to bust an illegal plasma ring at Garland Memorial involving Ashley’s shady new boyfriend Grayson and Martin’s journalist husband Smitty. We barely know those people, the story is murky, and it’s not soapy. Can we please move on?
Best on Days Of Our Lives: Rachel’s Family Faces The Truth
Brady and Kristen’s daughter, Rachel, proved over and over how dangerous she is (shooting EJ, etc.) and her continued manipulation during treatment proved she’s a long way from being able to live anything akin to a normal childhood. When called to the stand, Marlena had to admit that. Cue Kristen’s outrage.
Judge: “Based on what I’ve read in Miss Black’s record, along with the testimony of Dr. Evans, this court finds the minor is in need of continued psychiatric treatment. She is ordered remanded back to Bayview.”
Kristen (to Marlena): “You did this to my daughter, and you will pay!”
Psycho’s gonna psycho. Kristen’s lunacy, combined with what her demented mother did to the kid, are what brought young Rachel to this point. Kudos to Marlena for being honest about it, and to Brady for accepting it. Kristen vowed revenge, of course, but this arc showcased good family drama with an emotional payoff. Ya know… soaps.
Worst on DAYS: Lexie’s Alive
Why does every DiMera have to rise from the dead? Lexie Carver had a meaningful death in 2012 that touched the lives of every DiMera and crushed her loving husband Abe and son Theo. She died movingly on screen in Abe’s arms, and later appeared to him as a ghost when he was shot and flatlined in surgery.
That history has now been erased in favor of a cockamamie story involving EJ keeping Lexie in suspended animation so Dr. Rolf could bring her back to life in a flashing plastic pod secreted in the hospital basement. Once again, death has no meaning on this show. And because Renee Jones, who spent nearly 20 years in the role of Lexie, didn’t return, DAYS can’t even use flashbacks. Again… why?
Hey. It’s only my opinion.
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