OPINION
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Mala Bhattacharjee, news editor
— Soap Opera Weekly
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Blogging With Mala
January 6, 2009
Some might say I have a bit of a preoccupation with DAYS OF OUR LIVES'
Philip. What's not to like? He's a complex, well-written guy, and he has
dimples! But I'm also fixated on him because I'm impressed that DAYS "went
there" with the character's war injuries and gave him a prosthetic leg.
Since that initial storyline, which Kyle Brandt played out, Jay Kenneth
Johnson has done a great job of remembering to limp on the correct foot. But
what DAYS itself sometimes forgets is that an artificial limb isn't just
about a limp and experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq aren't just footnotes
and dogtags worn on a chain.
In real life, people live with disability every day and it impacts them in
myriad ways. Why haven't we seen Phil sit down Stephanie, and talk about
what his entails? I don't recall him mentioning it to Morgan either. He's
practically blasé about it. Wouldn't it be nice for viewers dealing
with similar conditions to see him actively acknowledging his issues and
overcoming obstacles on a weekly basis? Back during the February 2008 plane
crash arc, Philip and Chloe joked about how it was lucky his prosthetic leg
got trapped under wreckage and not his real one, and then he asked her if it
was okay if he detached it. With wreckage and snow carefully hiding the fact
that Jay Johnson has two working limbs, Philip took off the prosthetic and
commenced to fixing it. I appreciated that. It made sense and it reminded
viewers of a key part of who he is.
But since then, aside from the limp, we get nary a hint that this is an
ongoing issue for Philip. As a viewer, I get that he's smokin' hot and rich
and charming, but when it comes down to the mechanics of say, SEX, don't you
think a conversation with a ladyfriend about how not all of Philip is as
prettily sculpted as his chest is warranted? And it's something that
Stephanie would probably be able to relate to and connect with him over, as
her own father is missing an eye and she's seen what a non-issue that is for
Kayla.
I had to laugh at yesterday and today's episodes, where Philip pulled back
from Steph because of his track record with women, because he didn't want to
hurt her, and not because he might have some lingering insecurities about
how she'd react to his prosthetic. Even funnier? When Philip vaulted over
the footboard of the bed with absolutely no problem.
It would feel so much more organic if the show put aside the "emotionally
wounded bad boy" thing for a second and remembered that he lost both his leg
and his face in service to his country. And didn't he also work for the ISA
for a bit? There is so much that could be mined from those aspects of his
past and so much that those experiences could explain about who he is
and why he acts the way he does when it comes to matters of the heart. I'd
find that a much more compelling story than the poor little rich boy.
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It's not just you, Mala. I also have been disappointed in ATWT's misuse of Ameera as a generic complication for Nuke. She is a unique character who presents an opportunity to show daytime audiences something truly different. ATWT should use her background as a jumping-off point to tell uncommon stories and showcase Tala's appeal.
Since school hasn't been a concern for...um, a couple of years, and I also work here, how about a few things I would change the channel from some other soap to watch? Let's start with: 1. AMC's Jesse/Angie 2. ATWT's Henry/Vienna 3. Marcy, Marcy, Marcy -- as in Rylan's Lizzie. Don't worry, soap fans, this is far from an exhaustive list.
My favorite soap moment this year was when Luke and Noah finally shared another kiss at Old Town.
Mala I can't agree more with your comments on Jerry, Sebastian Roche and Jerry and Alexis and whoever your unnamed colleague is that thought the kiss in the Haunted Star was one of the hottest they've ever seen I completely agree! What can we do to get a joint interview with Nancy Lee Grahn and Sebastian Roche in your magazine! I'd totally buy that and I'll bet they'd be hilarious together. I've heard good things are coming up for "J-Lex" and I am all too happy about it. They are a sexy, mysterious treat and one of the best things GH has going for them right now!
Mich, J-Lex has definitely turned into one of my only reasons for tuning into GH these days. They are really fun to watch and Grahn and Roche just look like they're having a blast.
I completely agree with you on Grahn & Roche.They are actually the only reason I'm still hanging onto GH right now. They have electric chemistry and I think the possibilities are endless for Jerry & Alexis. I too, would love to see her "Cassadine" side come out to play here. I'd also love a joint interview with them in the magazine. I would definitely buy that one!
I share your love for Sebastian Roche and am a full-fledged, card carrying member of the Jerry and Alexis fan club (or cult). They make such tremendous music together. They both radiate passion and angst... perfect soap couple! I'd love to see a joint interview with both. Can you inagine the fun with THAT interview!
I have been waiting for the Jerry/Alexis story for well over a year now. The first day he grabbed her arm at Wyndemere to keep her from leaving the room I knew that they had IT. It's about time that GH started using them. I'd love a joint interview.
Mala, girl you are a GENIUS! I love it! Jason Morgan returns to Jason Quartermaine! OMG!!!! It's brilliant....so, can u move to LA and get a writers job on GH to make it happen? lol
DAYS so they break lucas out of jail to pair him with chloe and they break sami and ej up to get our hopes up of reuniting sami and lucas just to disappoint
Mala, J-Lex is one of the best things about GH these days. Nadine and Nikolas are getting hotter, but the mob stories are getting old fast. The mob needs to be run out of Port Charles and the hospital needs to be front and center. Night Shift is well-written and entertaining. I can't help but wish that the Night Shift writer would take over for the day shift.
Why hasn't anyone blogged today? I am missing the current blogs by the editors of Digest. Pleasea write something! I want to hear someone's opinion today!
If it helps at all, I'll have a new entry up tomorrow! :)
Loved reading your JUST ASKING! blog entry and learning more about you. I always wondered how actors had such witty answers to these questions and now I know it takes time.
I agree with your post on 12-11-08, except, I'd rather have Chloe/Clark than Clark/Lois. My GH Christmas List: 1. Richard Dean Anderson returns as Jeff Webber, giving Liz some family other than Audrey. 2. The Baldwin family is brought back to the canvas. Bring back Gail & Lee! Lord knows Monica and Scotty could use someone in their corner. 3. AJ Quartermaine returns with his fiancée Keesha Ward, and with no knowledge of what's been going on since he left with the Quartermaine fortune in 2003. The AJ that came back was an imposter! Just imagine the drama that would unfold. Plus, Jason could apologize to AJ's face instead of his grave! 4. Sam joins the police force and marries Lucky. The police force stops being an embarrassment. 5. Everyone stops dumping on Kate and starts dumping on Carly. My GL Christmas List: 1. Instead of rehashing Marina/Shayne or going with Dinah/Shayne (ew!). Pair up Shayne Lewis & Ashlee Wolfe! I imagine plenty of snark and heat. 2. Lizzie & Bill raise Sarah.
You're SO right about B&B's Bridget! I fell for Bridget and C.J's relationship back when Jennifer Finnigan was Bridget. Bringing back C.J. for Bridget has been a wish of mine for years. And I liked the one scene that Bridget and Owen shared. Why did the show have to tease us with that and not further that relationship?
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