They talk about Maureen and Roger

11 . 16 . 99

What we had today was a show that was focused solely on the Ben Warren murder and its effects on people in Springfield. I suspect we'll get this again tomorrow, however, when his death becomes more widely known. In the past, with other shows, I have always enjoyed this kind of episode. It forces them to have a direction, to have a real focus. It's a basic storyline option, and one that doesn't happen much in this day and age, but I was happy to see it rear its head today. Over all, a very enjoyable episode. I'm still wary because of its lack of ability to string a week of excellent shows together, but perhaps that is coming in time. Let's hope that with shows like last Tuesday's and today's, they're beginning to listen to the audience and put the show together like they used to. With that in mind, let's break this puppy down.

NO REVA/CASSIE/RICHARD: I got my one day. I got my one day. I got my one day. Please sir, may I have some more?

ROSS/DREW/CARMEN: Oy. "Uncle Ross". Another one bites the dust. She's got her claws into another important citizen of Springfield. I must say, that although her "it's my father! It's not too late! This is my father, Ross!" bit wasn't exactly fun to watch, it was eons better than the wailing we were witness to when Selena fell. She was much calmer this time. Can we say "negative hate mail has effect on young actress' performance"?? I liked the fact that Ross, despite having lost his brother, was clear-headed and thought on his feet (re: not using the phone, leaving the scene) - even IF it was simply a way of making sure that Carmen could leave. Speaking of which, why didn't she even bother to LOOK out the door before she butted her way out? Sloppy work, Carmenita. :-)

ROSS/HOLLY/FRANK/DAVID/MURDER SCENE: "Someone he knew didn't like him very much, huh?" You're a bright one, David. As much as I adore Frank, his cop act is just such a joke! JvD turned in a great performance. Bordering remorse and detachment very well. However, I didn't really understand why, at every turn, and with cops surrounding him, he felt the need to repeat the fact that "everyone knew how much I hated my brother". Whatever. Anyone else guffawing at the EMT's rolling Ben out in a crouched position?? Didn't anyone at EMT school teach them how to raise the gurnee?? At least we got a nice butt shot of the cute one.

PILAR: Excellent, excellent decision to write the scene of her in the shower.

CARMEN/PILAR/GRANDMA: I always WONDERED where exactly that dining table was!!! A little part of me feels a bit more complete now. Whew. Ok, this is almost painful for me to just write.. but I applaud PG. She does the fetal position very well! Snark. And look who's back!! It's Carmen!! The bitch is back!! Yes! In control, telling people what to do, figuring out that Maria was setting her up and subsequently blackmailing her, willing to risk her own daughter to save her own hide. Welcome back, babe. I missed ya. Still doesn't mean I like the cuffs, though. LOL.. grandma rolled too far, made PG have to do some climbing to get into position.. too funny.

VANESSA/BILL/MATT/RICK???: Does Bill seem to be growing? The dude's huge! Sorry. Let's move on, shall we? Why is Vanessa so bent on confessing? Odd. Instead of saying "Matt" over and over, if she was interested in sharing.. she could've just said "Ben".

SUSAN/MAX: Hm? They were on? Oh. I did wonder though.. was Susan a little wigged out about "leaving" with Holly?

DREW/JESSE: Ok, the rambling.. completely realistic. Well, in some cases. I didn't have a problem with what she said, actually. And I'm very proud of myself, I've learned to just get this really cool glazed look in my eyes when TB is on my screen. It even LOOKS like I'm paying close attention, all the while, I'm having a certain Emmy moment flash through my mind. Hmm. Anyway! PB is such a doof. He's so bad that they had to DUB a messed up line of his. The putz.

HOLLY/JESSE: I had to blink my eyes twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Holly and Jesse having a casual conversation? Where was I when they formed their little bond? Weirdness. Holly: "I used to know somebody like that." Jesse: "I used to BE somebody like that." My tummy went :::thud::: (and not in the good way!) at the very thought of comparing Jesse to Roger. Comparing Danny? Ok. Ben? Gotcha. But Jesse?? Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! (insert visual of me running around with my hands holding my head) But anyway.. then Jesse says "I got lucky." Anyone half-expect him to say "I met Michelle and she changed my life."?? I didn't. Cuz I was expecting him to say, "Drew, my higher power, the almighty goddess that is my salvation, changed my life." Thank goodness he said neither.

SELENA/BUZZ: LOL at Buzz giving the aud.. excuse me, Selena, Matt & Vanessa's recent storyline update. However, it was not as contrived as usual. At least it was used as a catalyst for Selena eventually letting Buzz back into her life.

BEN: Great job at.. um.. NOT breathing!

MANNY:

• 1st scene: Danny? When did you get up, get dressed, and fall back asleep? Still... adorable sprawling, dear. She found her ring! Where was it? In her car? We all knew that the teaser from yesterday was going to be taken out of context, and we were right.

   

• 2nd scene: How nice of them to end one segment on Manny and begin the next one with them! Ever the thoughtful PTB. * Cough * Okay.. We've all been waiting for Michelle to mention her mother, and we've read many the fic of Michelle talking to her mother (usually about Danny) at her gravesite. One big, hearty thank you to the writers for putting down the pipe long enough to give us this beautiful Manny day. Even more kudos for having Danny bring up his father as a comparison. These two have more in common than they have ever mentioned on-screen. Today felt like classic Manny, the connection of souls. This conversation acted as a confirmation of their bond, a sign that the thread that keeps them together is not withering away, it's simply getting stronger. Heart to heart talks in bed, winding down from a day, both happy, both relaxed, and both trusting the other implicitly. "I don't know if I can be the better person after I almost killed you..." neener.. Joie messed up! Hee hee. As wonderful as she is, I love being reminded that even she is fallible. Anyway.. just when I think it can't get any better, Michelle mentions Roger Thorpe. Besides my sentimental ties to MZ and the loss I feel when I realize that we'll never see THAT Roger again, I just love the parallel that Michelle used. She remembered. Thank you. She was back to being my Michelle again, Danny's Michelle. The Michelle that Danny fell in love with. *sigh* I loved Danny's reaction to this as well. Nice to see that even the feared Santos family was steering clear of big, bad Roger Thorpe. As Michelle, however, was describing Maureen's relationship with Roger, I couldn't help but think of Michelle and Danny. Now, I know that many people don't see Danny as another Roger, and to some degree I agree with you. But on that basic level, seeing something good in someone that everyone in town despises, isn't that Manny? In essence? Well, that's what I think. And I'm stubborn. ƒº

   

• 3rd scene: Sorry, unable to comment, cuz I'm still in the form of a piece of fuzz on the floor. I'll ramble about it when I've become coherent.

   

• 4th scene: Danny? Why did you change BACK into the suit you had on earlier? Was the black button down shirt and slacks earlier just for HOME wear? Oy. And someone GET THAT DRESS OFF JOIE! I just despise it. I have ever since that early photo shoot of theirs. Hate it, hate it, hate it. Go away.

Tear-worthy moment of the day: Screw Drew's antics. Besides the line "we're pregnant", one of the only other lines that I've always wanted to hear Michelle say was "I really wish my mother could've met you". And it sounded 100x more beautiful coming from Joie than I ever expected in my mind. Brought a tear to my crusty ol' eye.

Exchange of the day:

Michelle: You're gonna think I'm weird.
  Danny: You married me, I know you're weird.

Fab day. Wanting more. Waiting for more. With a cautious heart and a leery eye, I will be back tomorrow, to see where this takes us. With that, I bid a fond farewell.. see thee on the next Manny-laden day!

Candy