I watched Otalia derail the week of June 29, and as many of you know, I wasn’t pleased when the July 3 episode concluded. This pregnancy angle, which involves Natalia carrying Frank Cooper’s “Frankenbaby,” is problematic in execution. To reiterate, the Natalia Rivera I have watched grow over the past several months would not treat Olivia the way that she has. Therefore, I had concerns with how the Otalia story line would progress the week of July 6. I expected to see a broken Olivia Spencer over Natalia’s illogical behavior and I got that – in the form of depressive angst.

The July 7 episode opened with Olivia huddled in a chair looking dazed, confused, and melancholy. To say that that “broken Olivia” is different from “happy Olivia” is an understatement. After awaking Emma, Olivia’s interactions with her daughter were practically lifeless. It was even difficult for Olivia to answer Emma’s questions about Natalia’s absence from the Bauer BBQ. It was very evident that Olivia was distraught over Natalia, yet she was trying to keep it together for Emma. Fortunately, Olivia was spared having to answer more questions from Emma when Jane (who should be fired) arrived. After confirming Jane could stay late with Emma, Olivia started her quest – the search for Natalia.

Olivia tried calling Natalia outside of The Beacon, and of course, she didn’t answer. As she left a message, I got the impression Olivia had given Natalia as much space as she could handle. Based on Olivia’s words, I felt she was angered by Natalia’s behavior. To me, it explains why Olivia said she was afraid of the words that would come out of her mouth. Natalia knew how important the Bauer BBQ was to Olivia. It would have been their first “official” date, and they were coming out to their friends and associates. Alas, Natalia stood her up and sent Blake to tell Olivia that she wasn’t coming. Despite Olivia’s piercing pain, her anger towards Natalia makes absolute sense. She would be angered at Natalia, but she wouldn’t want to fly off the handle and say something cutting to her. I think Olivia wanted to have a cooler head when calling Natalia, which explains why she waited until the next morning. It was evident that Olivia was trying to remain calm yet slightly optimistic when she left Natalia a voicemail. Nevertheless, this situation with Natalia was eating at Olivia based on the alternating expressions of worry, sadness, hurt, and frustration. As a result, I expected her to be “impatient Olivia” and head to the farmhouse, which she did.

Olivia’s behavior when she arrived at the farmhouse indicated someone experiencing a rising tide of desperation. She knocked on the door, called out Natalia’s name, and looked through the windows to see if Natalia was inside. In conjunction with desperation, Olivia’s fear and worry started building inside of her, which she expressed on her face. As Olivia stood outside the farmhouse, she called Natalia on the phone again and left another message.

Olivia’s worry sent her to the Springfield Police Department to file a missing person’s report, and unfortunately, she ended up dealing with Frank and his “Rafertude.”

Olivia: “We were going to be there…together.” Frank: “Oh, got it. Well, maybe there’s your answer. Maybe she ah…maybe she got cold feet.” Olivia: “No, Frank, she would have told me, okay. We planned this together. I wasn’t pushing her. She knows that whatever she’s feeling, she can be honest with me.”

Here we go with some problematic dialog because of this illogical pregnancy angle. I agreed with everything Olivia said to Frank. Logically, her dialog makes sense based on pre-“Frankenbaby” era. It just makes Natalia look bad, and Olivia’s dialog proves the Natalia I saw the week of June 29 was not “my Natalia.” Ellen Wheeler and Jill Lorie Hurst replaced “my Natalia” with “fembot Natalia.” Let me give you a quick definition of these terms.

• “My Natalia” – This is the Natalia Rivera that fans have watch evolve and grow stronger through Olivia’s love. This version of Natalia trusts Olivia with her life as she said in the February 16, 2009 episode. This version of Natalia “knows what it means to tell someone they love them” as she said in the April 22, 3009 episode. “My Natalia” “test all things and hold fast to that which is good” as she said in the May 19, 2009 episode.
• “Fembot Natalia” – This is the Natalia Rivera that provided fans with illogical behavior and dialog the week of June 29. This version of Natalia is someone I do not know and have never seen before. This version of Natalia staked Olivia through the heart with her inexplicable behavior. This version of Natalia seems to have been created (in haste) just to write Jessica Leccia off the show for maternity leave. “Fembot Natalia” confides in Father Ray and Blake Marler about a serious issue but not Olivia. Boo! Just…BOOOOOO!

“Fembot Natalia” would not be honest with Olivia, and she would run away without speaking to her. “My Natalia” would do exactly what Olivia said in her dialog with Frank.

Frank: “Right up until the wedding, she let me know that she wanted to be married…but I’m sure it’s not the same thing.” Olivia: “It’s not the same thing, Frank. Cause when she changed her mind about marrying you, she didn’t just disappear on you. Okay, she told you. It’s been almost 24 hours. I haven’t gotten a call…no messages. And her house is sitting empty. That’s not like her.”

My mind was screaming out “exactly!” when Olivia spoke this dialog with Frank. At the very least, “my Natalia” would send Olivia some kind of message. A simple, “I know you might be worried. I just need time alone. I love you.” message from Natalia via email, text, or tweet is sufficient. “My Natalia” would do that, but we’re dealing with “fembot Natalia.” I guess “fembot Natalia” doesn’t care that a message through Blake and Father Ray is insufficient and impersonal. “My Natalia” would at least do something to provide Olivia with some temporary comfort while she’s away.

As Olivia explained the circumstances to Frank, I let out another long sigh. Having Frank Cooper still involved in the Otalia story line is tiresome and frustrating. I understand he’s on the fringes of Natalia’s life because Rafe is staying with him. I even enjoyed his interactions with Olivia while they were picking out a birthday card for Rafe a few weeks ago. Logically, I understand Frank’s “Rafertude” when interacting with Olivia and to a lesser degree, Natalia. However, I’m to a point where Frank needs to be helpful to this story line, or he needs to go away. Frank can solve cases, intrude in Marina and Mallet’s life, or better yet, find some hot chick to hook up with. I really don’t care what Frank does. I just want him away from Olivia and Natalia, especially if he isn’t going to contribute anything other than “Rafertudes” and “Frankenclipses” to this story line. Of course, what I want doesn’t matter because Frank is here to stay…at least until they resolve this ridiculous “Frankenbaby” pregnancy angle with Natalia.

After leaving the police station, Olivia continued her own search for Natalia at the second most logical place – the church. As she left and looked more desperately worried with each passing minute, Olivia ran into Father Ray. She explained that she was looking for Natalia, and Father Ray fed frustrating nuggets of information to Olivia.

Olivia: “Was-was she okay?” Father Ray: “No, she wasn’t. She was really upset.” Olivia: “Well what did she say?…Was she okay? Was she hurt? If you could just tell me where she is, I-I wanna see her.” Father Ray: “Natalia asked me not to tell you that.” Olivia: “Natalia told me not to tell me where she is? No. No, I don’t believe that. Why would she confide in you and not tell me?”

At this point of Father Ray and Olivia’s dialog, my mind was spinning with frustration and a bit of sadness. “Fembot Natalia” has really done some damage to “broken Olivia” by not talking to her before cutting town. From a purely logical viewpoint, this just doesn’t fly with me. It makes no sense. Again, Natalia should have at least communicated something to Olivia. Goodness, I would like to hope “fembot Natalia” knows how to email, text, or tweet. I really dislike how other characters – Blake and Father Ray –  are left to explain Natalia’s disappearance to Olivia. However, I’m a long-term soap fan that understands this is angst for a super couple. It’s just illogical, dumb, and pointless angst based on this illogical pregnancy angle.

Father Ray: “Olivia, I can’t betray that confidence. I can tell you that she’s conflicted.” Natalia: “About me?” Father Ray: “About a lot of things…I suggested a retreat where she should go reflect.” Olivia: “So, she just took off and didn’t tell me anything?”

Olivia is once again proving through her dialog that “my Natalia” would not behave the way she has. There is no way that “my Natalia” is conflicted about her feelings for Olivia. It’s just not possible based on all of Natalia’s talks (pre-“Frankenbaby” era) with Father Ray whenever Olivia was discussed. Naturally, Father Ray would give Olivia that impression because of how he feels about them, but he also spoke with “fembot Natalia” on the July 3 episode.

As for Natalia taking off without telling Olivia, I could see it for what it was. It was just more buildup for illogical angst with this pregnancy angle. All it did was give me more “broken Olivia” in the July 7 episode.

When Olivia stalked away from Father Ray, she sat in her car and called Phillip Spaulding. I guess Phillip was as surprised as I was when she called him. His first reaction was to ask if Emma was all right. As Olivia explained that she needed someone to drive her home, I admit I was slightly confused. I found Olivia’s choice to call Phillip odd. I felt Olivia would have called her frenemy – Doris Wolfe. That is who Olivia has always turned to whenever the “fear monster” crept up inside her (regarding Natalia). I get the feeling that the writers are probably trying to engage Phillip with Olivia more. Nevertheless, I just don’t think Phillip would have been Olivia’s first choice. Olivia and Phillip are on friendlier terms, but they aren’t that close. Olivia would have called Doris. I feel like Phillip would have been her last choice, not her first choice.

Phillip found Olivia at the church waiting for him. She explained “fembot Natalia’s” inexplicable behavior to him and shed a few tears. Once again, I shook my head because the damage “fembot Natalia” has done just grew worse. When “broken Olivia” returned to the farmhouse, she sat down on the bench to write Natalia a note. “Broken Olivia” finally released her built up angst and frustration by hurling the note and her purse at Natalia’s front door. She collapsed on the doorstep and broke down into heartbroken tears. When I watched this farmhouse scene, I had one thought: Jill Lorie Hurst is going to have do something major (if it’s possible) to fix this. Why? Because I grew to love the Natalia character so much in recent months. I have watched “my Natalia” evolve from a caterpillar into a butterfly. She was getting ready to take her most important flight as a butterfly. Natalia was “so done with waiting”…and then “fembot Natalia” shows up. I am to a point where I do not like the Natalia character for what she has done to Olivia. I never thought I would feel that way, but as this pregnancy angle unfolds, it makes Natalia look really bad.

Despite all that “fembot Natalia” has done, Olivia refused to stop searching for her. On the July 9 episode, she and Doris decided to take a road trip to seek out every Catholic retreat in the area. A blind person could see that Doris and Olivia’s (now known as “Dorlivia” for my purposes) road trip was the Guiding Light’s version of Thelma & Louise. Typically, I get concerned when soap operas try to borrow from movies. It usually ends up cheesy and awful (i.e. the Titanic angle on Passions) when soaps try this. However, Guiding Light pulled it off in a way that wasn’t cringe-worthy. In fact, Doris managed to make this depressive angst bearable (for a few moments) while they prepared to leave Springfield. She provided some brightness in the “Frankenbaby” era of Otalia. However, there was one Dorlivia scene that made me sigh and wince though.

While Dorlivia was sitting in the car, Doris pointed out that their route would take them to Oakdale. She mentioned the diner (formerly known as Al’s Diner) and possibly moving to Oakdale after her term as major ends in Springfield. For those fans that are unaware, Oakdale is the imaginary city setting for sister Proctor & Gamble (P&G) soap, As the World Turns. It’s likely that some fans would have found Doris’ dialog about Oakdale funny and a shout out to a fellow P&G soap opera. To be honest, I was not amused by it. If anything, it reminded me that a lesser quality soap (As the World Turns) would still be on the air while a superior soap (Guiding Light) was ending in September. It was a reminder that I really didn’t need or want. I also felt this was a sign that Doris’ character could possibly be sent to As the World Turns. Finally, I thought it was a not so subtle sign of telling Guiding Light fans that we should watch As the World Turns. I’m sorry but…BOO!

My suspicious mind went into immediate reasons behind Doris’ dialog. As the World Turns is in the same death spiral Guiding Light was in more than a year ago. Even though I wasn’t watching Guiding Light then, I heard about its problems via soap podcasts. In fact, I predict As the World Turns will face the “improve the ratings or die” treatment Guiding Light received. In the end, I can believe this was a call for fans to watch As the World Turns and to help improve the ratings. If P&G thinks Guiding Light fans are going to watch As the World Turns before or after September, I highly doubt it. All anyone has to do is watch As the World Turns for a week (if you can stand it) and see it cannot touch Guiding Light (imperfections and all). The writing on As the World Turns is in the toilet and has been for years; however, the writing has crept down into sewage territory over recent months. I’ve seen the show recently; it’s unbearable. As I have often said, I am a jaded soap fan. The “on life support soap fan” in me just wasn’t into this reference to As the World Turns on Guiding Light. Writers: don’t talk to me about chuck beef when I’m enjoying filet mignon. Even though my filet mignon wasn’t prepared properly, it’s always better than chuck beef.

When Dorlivia got the conversation back on track, they discussed “fembot Natalia.” Olivia was trying to figure out what she was going to say, and I caught something in Olivia’s dialog with Doris that puzzled and confused me.

Doris: “How can you do that? You don’t even know why she left.” Olivia: “It doesn’t matter why she left. I have to remind her that we’re not running from these things anymore. Whatever problems we have, we’ll deal with them together.”

It does matter why Natalia left. If it didn’t matter, Olivia wouldn’t be searching for her in desperate frustration. I would not be seeing “broken Olivia” if it didn’t matter why Natalia left. This is the part of her dialog with Doris that just didn’t make sense to me. Perhaps…I guess Olivia is trying to say that she just wants to get past it and sort things out with Natalia. Nevertheless, it does matter why Natalia left, and it was the only thing I found to be illogical in Olivia’s dialog.

Doris: “It’s just that you two spent so long denying that you were together.” Olivia: “I know. You know what? If that’s the issue, then we’ll deal with it.”

All right, Guiding Light…I had one of those “what the frak?” moments with this dialog. This issue has already been resolved for Natalia. For goodness sakes, even Olivia pointed out in the July 9 episode that they have “dealt with these things.” Like Olivia, Natalia was in denial over her romantic feelings for months (January 2009-April 2009 episodes). Natalia woke up before it was too late and admitted her feelings to Olivia (April 17, 2009 episode). Even after the love confession, Olivia tried to back away and make Natalia see that there couldn’t be an “us” for them (April 22, 2009 and April 23, 2009 episodes). Natalia took the time to figure out where she was with Olivia and if they would be together (May 5, 2009, May 6, 2009, and May 11, 2009 episodes). Natalia reconciled her romantic feelings with her faith as well as her comfort in being with Olivia (May 19, 2009 and May 20, 2009 episodes). I could go on, but I think you’re getting the picture here. The point is that Natalia would not be feeling this way, not now. It’s illogical dialog, and once again, I point the finger at this irrational pregnancy angle.

Dorlivia continued discussing Natalia, and the more I heard, it increased my feelings that “fembot Natalia” is really problematic…very much so. I feel far more sympathy for Olivia than I do for Natalia right now. In fact, I have no sympathy for Natalia at this point of the story line. I don’t blame “my Natalia” for this. I blame “fembot Natalia” and the way this pregnancy angle was written. Once again, I feel like the writing was not carefully thought out for this phase of Otalia. If Jill Lorie Hurst and Ellen Wheeler were going to do this pregnancy angle, then they did it wrong in my opinion. The writing is making me feel illogical anger that I shouldn’t feel with Natalia. “My Natalia” wouldn’t behave this way. To reiterate what I said in last week’s post, Natalia would have told Olivia everything and then left if she needed time alone. I should feel sympathetic towards Olivia and Natalia if “my Natalia” had talked to Olivia before leaving. Instead, my sympathy is building towards Olivia, and I actually dislike Natalia for hurting Olivia this way. I don’t want to feel this way about Natalia, but this writing is pulling out these feelings, which is truly sad.

After stopping at several retreats along the way, Olivia ended up at yet another retreat and spoke with a nun. The nun refused to give Olivia any information, despite her pleas. As Olivia’s desperate frustration built up, I actually did manage to crack a smile and chuckle during her exchange with the nun.

Olivia: “Look, what if I told you she’s in pain, that she’s suffering. And that God himself sent me here to alleviate that pain, to show her the way because it’s true.” Nun: “My child…I’ve seen many angels. The Lord is telling me you are not one of them.”

Olivia is definitely no angel as the nun said; however, she has been guided onto a path of goodness because of “my Natalia.” Olivia has changed in a remarkable fashion over several months. Olivia has softened her rough edges because of “my Natalia.” She has become self-sacrificing in so many ways, and she has put Natalia before herself. She worked out a deal with the governor to have Rafe moved to a better, less violent prison. She even volunteered at the church to help Natalia bake cookies when the cookie committee didn’t show up. Olivia has expressed numerous acts of love for “my Natalia,” which has made her a good person. These are among the many reasons why Olivia doesn’t deserve what “fembot Natalia” has done to her.

Before leaving the retreat, Olivia released another desperate frustration burst in the form of raw emotion. When Olivia ran back to the car, she sat with Doris for a bit and explained what happened. I could see that Olivia was at her whit’s end. She was angry, and the frustration was cresting inside her. It has been building up inside her since “fembot Natalia” left. When Doris asked her what she was going to do, Olivia got out of the car and ran back to the retreat’s door. This time, Doris followed her because she knew the volcano was rumbling and ready to explode. The nun refused to let her inside again. Olivia wasn’t having it and exploded at last. As Olivia ran back down the stairs, she started calling out Natalia’s name and pleaded with her.

Olivia: “Natalia, Natalia! I know you can hear me…even if you’re not here, I know you can…because I love you! And you love me! When two people love each other like this, they shouldn’t be kept apart! And it’s confusing and it’s not easy. But nothing ever worthwhile is. You come down here and let me talk to you! You let me make you understand! Natalia!”

BEGIN ALERT. I’m going to have to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to say this. I hope to God Natalia wasn’t inside that particular retreat. If she was and ignored Olivia…heaven help her. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. END ALERT.

Mount Olivia erupted with angst, love, pain, and hurt. In addition to hearing it in Olivia’s words, I could clearly see it in her facial expressions and her body language. The emotional side of me recognized that this scene was powerful and intense because of the angst. The logical side of me recognized this scene had illogical angst. As powerful as it was, this angst is coming from an illogical place – the pregnancy angle. I enjoy angst when it makes sense to a story line. Olivia and Natalia were going through the good kind of angst from January 2009-April 2009. I enjoyed the angst because it was logical to the story line at that time. They were figuring out their feelings for each other yet denying those feelings. The pre-love confession angst succeeded because it was truthful to the characters and the story. The “Frankenbaby” era angst…well, it’s just not enjoyable to me at all. Nearly everything Olivia is feeling and emoting shouldn’t be occurring, but I blame it on “fembot Natalia.” This “Frankenbaby” angst only makes me shake my head and sigh more and more. It only strengthens my feelings that this story line took a wrong turn, and it continued down the wrong course the week of July 6.

In the final scenes of the week, Olivia decided to abort the Dorlivia road trip. Olivia had a defeated expression on her face, and I could hear the weariness in her voice. Doris seemed surprised that Olivia wanted to give up the search. However, Olivia realized that Natalia doesn’t want to be found. I agreed with Olivia when she told Doris that Natalia pushed her away. In the end, Olivia set the car in motion and headed back towards Springfield.

Final Thoughts

As I watched the Otalia story line progress this week, I felt glad that I started to distance myself emotionally weeks ago. I spend most of my time shaking my head and sighing as I watch Otalia now. When I watch this pregnancy angle and the “Frankenbaby” angst, I know I’m going to get illogical pieces that’s complicating the Otalia jigsaw puzzle. I’m mentally prepared for it, and subconsciously, I’ve been prepared for it all along. I’m a long time soap fan, so I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop on any story line. In the case of this pregnancy angle, Otalia fans had a heavier object than a Frisbee thrown upside their heads.

I realize this pregnancy angle still has to be play out to completion. The more I watch it, the more I dislike it. I dislike it mainly because of the character damage I continue to see with Natalia. “Fembot Natalia” is a train wreck that’s still causing collateral damage. At this point, I’m not sure if “my Natalia” can fix the issues with the remaining time Guiding Light has. All I know is that Natalia better have one helluva grand gesture in store for Olivia.

With the way this story line is progressing, Natalia is going to have to fight like hell to win Olivia back. I have talked about how the pendulum swings between Natalia and Olivia in terms of who is chasing whom. For the remainder of this story line, it is only logical that Natalia should chase Olivia. As far as I’m concerned, Olivia is “so done with chasing.” It is only fitting considering how everything has unfolded at this point of the pregnancy angle. In my opinion, Natalia is going to have to be extremely aggressive in chasing Olivia and winning her back. I’m going to need the Natalia in these episodes (x2) in how she chases and deals with Olivia.

February 24, 2009 Episode

Remove Frank in the sex scene, replace him with Olivia, and remove the “worst sex ever” expression in the afterglow. I need that aggressive streak Natalia had with Frank but on a higher intensity level with Olivia. Natalia needs to bring that Latina heat…and speak in Spanish when she does it.

March 26, 2009 Episode

This is the episode where Natalia almost kissed Olivia by going with her emotions. Natalia should be the one to initiate their first mutual kiss. As far as I’m concerned, there is no reason for Olivia to initiate the first kiss at this point. In fact, Olivia shouldn’t initiate the first mutual kiss at all. I feel like Natalia has to do the chasing, so her initiation of the mutual kiss is absolutely logical to me.

April 6, 2009 Episode

I need Natalia to look at Olivia the way she did in the mirror scene when she comes back. I need Natalia to make Olivia’s heart turn over as she did mine when I watched that powerful scene. I know Natalia is not expressive in her love like Olivia through facial expressions. Nevertheless, this scene showed me that Natalia is capable of it. Give that to me, Natalia.

April 22, 2009 & April 23, 2009 Episodes

I need Natalia to make Olivia hear her like she did in these episodes. She made Olivia see that she knows what she was getting herself into when she admitted her feelings. She needs to have that same resolve but even more so than ever.

May 19, 2009 & May 20, 2009 Episodes

When Natalia returns, I need her to be just as comfortable in her love, affection, and touches with Olivia in these episodes. Of course, she has to fix things between them, but I need this Natalia back.

June 11, 2009 Episode

I need the Natalia back who was drinking shots at the bar. She was trying to relate with Rafe while he was struggling through his post-prison adjustment phase. This Natalia was fun in a way I’d never seen her before. Plus, she didn’t give up on her son, no matter how many times he pushed her away. I’m going to need this Natalia in this episode. She will need to be just as determined if Olivia pushes her away upon her return.

June 12, 2009 Episode

I need Natalia to touch Olivia the same way she did in this episode but even more so. I also need her to show more of that sensual side as she held up the champagne glass to Olivia’s lips. Surprise me, Natalia. Show me the heat. Show me the fire. I saw the flames you generated in this episode. Give me more. Make Olivia want you by seducing her. Your innocence and innocent touches already lights up Olivia like 4^th of July fireworks. Trust me, it won’t take much, but go all the way out, Natalia. Blake will show you what kind of lingerie you need if you want help. Drink shots if you have to loosen up. Stoke the fire and set off the smoke detectors when you seduce Olivia. Just do it. Don’t let anyone into the farmhouse while you’re doing it…even if the cops come knockin’.

What I wrote is wishful thinking of course; however, I don’t feel that I’m wrong. These are some things I feel that need to be done to repair and to fix “fembot Natalia’s” damage to “my Natalia.” My only concern is the amount of time left for Guiding Light, which means less time to give me “my Natalia” back.

At this point, I’m 99% certain that Natalia is not pregnant with a “Frankenbaby.” The “Frankenbaby” is not my main concern at this point though. I’m more concerned about the “fembot Natalia” that was written into this storyline. It is causing more of an issue for me than the “Frankenbaby.” Ellen Wheeler and Jill Lorie Hurst, I have the following to say to you:

Please tell me that “my Natalia” is hidden in Company’s basement. Please tell me that “Dr. FrankenCooper” created “fembot Natalia” in his lab and replaced “my Natalia” with her. All I know is that I need “my Natalia” to return in a few weeks. Free Natalia!

That’s all.

Special Announcements

• I have updated my status on the Otalia Jessica Leccia Edition. Be sure to read it.
• If you missed it, be sure to read my Reflections of a Soap Fan blog post. I talked about the Crystal Chappell announcement, Otalia posts, and my feelings on soap operas. If you are confused why I feel about soaps the way I do, that post will clear everything up.

Tags: crystal chappell, entertainment, guiding light, jessica leccia, lesbian, natalia, olivia, otalia, review, tv

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 5:28 pm and is filed under Commentary, Life, Play, Reviews. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.