all Ryan's Hope, all the time

[gwynnega]

Back in 1976, Ryan's Hope has really hit its stride, with three gripping storylines (Mary/Jack, Roger/Delia, Seneca's Murder Trial) and not much dead weight. But now I really remember why I loathed Jack and wanted Mary free of him! In an apparent subconscious attempt at self-sabotage, he makes out with liberated girl reporter Martha McKee (without bothering to tell her he lives with someone he's about to marry), and then lies to Mary about it. The scene in which Martha (who, played by Tovah Feldshuh, is pretty terrific) rips Jack a new one and calls him a "miserable, sniveling, very frightened man"--and the look on Jack's face as this verdict hits home--is classic. I love how the show doesn't cut Jack any slack for his misbehavior, even when we can understand where he's coming from.

Meanwhile: Roger, you're right that Delia belongs with you and not Frank, but blackmailing her into continuing the affair really isn't the way to go. (However, the fact that Delia took one look at that insane pink marabou outfit you gave her and immediately had sex with you? Pretty amusing.)

I am loving Jill/Seneca so much right now. It's too bad Jill didn't get to continue being Seneca's lawyer indefinitely, because if she had, the power dynamic between them might've been able to stay properly balanced.

***

Meanwhile, on 1984 Ryan's Hope:

Maggie: I love you, Frank. Even though you're married to my sister.
Roger: NO!!! [turns into the Incredible Hulk]
Roger and Frank: [swinging two by fours at each other and snarling]
Maggie: Eek! Be careful, Frank!
Roger: I'll kill you, Frank!
gwynnega: You know, guys, Roger is sometimes an unsavory blackmailing alcoholic, but he tends not to resort to physical violence.
Roger and Frank: ARGH! GRUNT! [fighty fight fight]
gwynnega: Hey, writers??? Roger's a surgeon, remember? He probably wouldn't risk messing up his hands.
James E. Reilly: I don't care! [throws Roger down an elevator shaft]
Frank: [ties rope around himself] I'm going to go help Roger since I just sort of pushed him down an elevator shaft!
Maggie: Why? He wouldn't help you if the tables were turned!
Frank: Actually, he did, in the first week of the show. Before your time, I know.
gwynnega: Back to the 1976 eps for me...

Comments

[gwynnega]

I just remember the Friends parody of Days, in which Joey disses the writers and his soap character gets thrown down an elevator shaft. Reilly appears in the ep!

[10zlaine.livejournal.com]

I did not know Reilly was in that ep!

I'm really loving RH right now. I'm so glad I finally got a chance to start (almost) from the beginning! Which, of course, can be credited to your continual pimping--so, thanks!

[gwynnega]

I didn't know Reilly was in that ep until I looked it up. Heeee!

Which, of course, can be credited to your continual pimping--so, thanks!

My pleasure!