Manny Magic
and Why Manny should be GL's numero uno couple
by Airpoet
January 1,
2000
I know that I don't have to go
into what makes Manny magical, but I would like to present 4 reasons on
why I think that Manny should be GL's number one couple.
1) Paul Anthony Stewart - I honestly don't know what else to say
about PAS that hasn't been said before. To say that PAS is talented is
an understatement imho. It's not that he's just wonderfully talented,
but it's that he loves what he does. He loves to act, and it more than
shows. But, what sets PAS apart from the other actors I've seen is that
NOT ONCE do I believe he's acting. Once he's in front of that camera, he
becomes that character. He does the little things that simply can't be
directed. He becomes Danny. How many times have we commented on the way
PAS delivers his lines, the way he smiles, the way he cries (something
that endears him more and more to me, because it illustrates that this
man remains strong but can cry if his heart is being torn in two), the
way he kisses, and that indescribable way that he stares in wonderment
at JL's Michelle?? PAS is brilliant in understanding his character,
heart, body, and spirit. It's not just the words on the page, but it's
the essence behind those words that PAS brings to life. He BREATHES LIFE
into a character that has touched so many lives that it reminds me that
God's gifts to each of us have more power than even we realize. PAS has
made Danny Santos more than just a character on paper. He has made him a
breathing soul that loves deeper than anyone of us could imagine. Is it
no wonder why PAS/Danny is so irresistible to soooo many women
everywhere? Who wouldn't want to be Michelle Bauer Santos and have a man
love us so completely with every breath he takes?? He doesn't have to be
a prince to be so amazing. All he has to do is just BE to get our
attention. And, Paul, if you read this, I just want to thank you on
behalf of all of your fans and the viewers whose lives you've made
better just by giving your best to what God has given you.
2) Joie Lenz - The first time I heard that Joie was 18, I could
not believe my ears. I cannot express my appreciation for Joie Lenz as
an actress and as a person enough. What she has brought to the role of
Michelle Bauer Santos is something that should be lauded. She has given
Michelle heart and soul. She has given her a real spirit in every sense
of the word. When I think of so many female characters out there, the
last word that comes to my mind is spirit. But with Joie's Michelle,
it's the first word that comes to mind. Her spirit is equivalent to a
fire inside that is always burning brightly. I think someone from this
wonderful board has already commented on JL being like a "quiet
storm," an analogy of which I couldn't agree more. Joie Lenz,with
her heart and spirit, has given Michelle life, where she is much, much
more than just a "good person." She is a real person that
viewers can relate to and hope to emulate. She cares and forgives when
others in her position would give up and hold vendettas with no hope of
making things better. Michelle is sadly a character that can be
overlooked because she's not a "bad girl," a
"misunderstood girl," an "outrageous girl,"
characters that always seem to steal the limelight. Instead, Michelle is
a woman who has both innocence and strength, two qualities that deserve
as much of that limelight if not more as those girls/women who are
"bad, misunderstood, and just plain outrageous." JL does not
have an easy role to play imho, because it's one that can ordinarily be
easily manipulated and victimized, esp. on page. But, JL gives Michelle
an inner depth and the intelligence to sense more than what her
detractors give her credit for. JL gives Michelle the heart to
profoundly love a man who others would have clearly feared and judged as
unworthy of anything. Springfield still does not respect the name of
Santos, but JL's Michelle by her STRENGTH alone will make sure that
everyone will give her and her husband the respect they deserve. Is it
no wonder why Danny would love this woman with everything in him?? And,
Joie, if you read this, please know on the behalf of all of your fans,
including myself, and all of the Mannyacs how much we appreciate
witnessing your God-given talent. Watching you and Paul both is a
reminder to remember our blessings. :)
3) The story of Manny - This story of originality appeared out of
nowhere and took the hearts of many by storm, a beautiful storm. It was
about two characters that ordinarily wouldn't even meet under normal
circumstances, considering the opposing backgrounds. Who of us in our
wildest dreams could or would have imagined the young set of
Springfield, esp. Michelle Bauer, coming in contact with the mob world,
a world full of danger they've never experienced??? Who of us would
imagine seeing Michelle Bauer falling head over heels in love and
marrying that man (or in her case, the other way around, LOL) who
captured her soul in ways that no woman has ever experienced, because no
man loves as deeply as Daniel Santos does for Michelle Bauer. Aside from
these two characters and their immeasurable love for each other, the
themes that run through this story allow for countless of brilliant arcs
if the writer(s) remain(s) true to the intelligence of this story. This
story has passion, desire, and love in it and all of those attributes
should remain if Paul Rauch doesn't lose sight of the gift that has been
given to him. If Paul Rauch continues to realize that the appeal of
Manny is literally worldwide and that this couple is an ADULT ROMANCE in
every sense and should be treated as such (hint, hint,
), then Manny will continue to help pull those ratings up, something
that no other couple outside of L&L did all those years ago.
4) Critical Acclaim - It is the positive recognition that Danny
and Michelle have received not just from their fans but from the
magazines as well that serves to set Manny far above the other couples
in daytime as far as I'm concerned. I know many GL fans have their fav.
couples from the show, whether it's Manny, Jeva, Josh/Olivia, Rassie,
Pharley, Matessa, and so forth, however, I maintain that it IS Manny
that have had scenes that no other couple could possibly give us or will
give us (i,e. the erotic "I am a Man" speech, the shower
scenes, every scene in the lighthouse, the Mrs. Silva scene, the palace
scene, and any scene with the to-die-for kisses), and the mere thought
that more magnificent scenes could possibly be in the future only make
this couple even more unique. I would never begrudge the beauty of the
other love stories, but none of them have that UNIQUE MYSTIQUE (like
that?,
) that Manny has. When I discovered Manny, I can't stress how many
positive letters, posts, and articles I would read about Danny and
Michelle. I think Kristie had posted awhile back a collection of all the
recognition that Manny was receiving. It was unbelievable, and the fact
that this couple gets better is even more astounding. Admittedly, there
have been lapses in different areas of Manny's story like the attachment
to the Jeva story during the summer and the editing of Manny's scenes
and Paul Rauch's staunch stance of no love scenes. But, all in all,
Manny's love gets stronger, which is a true and rare gift, esp. at a
time, where love and commitment is soooooo taken for granted. If Paul
Rauch will give the viewers love scenes/beach scenes befitting of this
one-of-a-kind couple, he will have more viewers than he will know what
to do with. TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!!
Airpoet
A Manny Fan!!!!!!
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