I got off to a late start watching Guiding Light episodes for the week of July 13. Because I had to put in mandatory overtime for the 9-5, I didn’t see any of the show until July 18. I then went into serious analysis mode for the week and attempted to write an Otalia post. I realized late last night (July 18) that there isn’t anything worth writing about…at least like one of my usual posts. So once again, I scrapped my regular Otalia post and started writing this one instead.

The Otalia week for July 13 did not advance the story line. All I got was more “broken Olivia” at the Bizzie (Bill & Lizzie) wedding and her associated scenes with Jeffery O’Neil’s death. I understand why Olivia was involved in scenes for the Bizzie wedding and Jeffery’s death. Nevertheless, I have to wonder if Jill Lorie Hurst and Ellen Wheeler even had a story line for Crystal Chappell while Jessica Leccia (Natalia) was on maternity leave. If their plan was to have Olivia cry over Natalia for four weeks, then this is going to get boring to me very fast. I’m fine with Olivia mixing it up with the cast, but she essentially did nothing but look broken, defeated, and depressed in every scene the week of July 13. This is not an angle or story line for Olivia. This crying and brokenness exhibited by Olivia is a holding pattern of dark melancholy until Natalia returns. As far as I’m concerned, Olivia didn’t have to be on Guiding Light as much as she was for the week of July 13. At the most, I can see her having scenes for the July 13 episode. However, her July 17 episode scenes could have been reduced. Here is why I say that.

The Bizzie Wedding + Olivia = Necessary Scenes

I can understand why Olivia was a part of the Bizzie wedding. Olivia was romantically involved with Bill, and Emma was the flower girl. Bill and Olivia are on good terms from everything I’ve seen, so it would make sense for her to be at the wedding. Aside from that, Olivia needed to be there for the reciting of the vows.

While Bill and Lizzie were reciting their vows, I felt like everything said could have been vows Olivia and Natalia would say to each other at their own wedding. Just switch out Lizzie and replace her with Natalia,  switch out Bill and replace him with Olivia, and these vows would be perfect.

Lizzie’s Slightly Modified Vows Spoken Through Natalia

“I love you. Wow…those words have become so much easier to say. There was this time in my life where I just chased after love….it’s all I wanted. Relationships were difficult…or painful, conflicted. Love wasn’t in the cards for me. And then like a miracle, you came into my life. And you, Olivia Spencer, make me feel special and safe and wanted and very strong. And it’s because of you that I understand real love now. It’s way better than all my dreams. And it’s…it’s just greater than any fantasy. I love you. Thank you for choosing me.”

Bill’s Slightly Modified Vows Spoken Through Olivia

“When I came back to Springfield, I was a woman who needed no one…but my family, friends…definitely not love. I thought I knew it all. And then you came into my world and turned it upside down. You, Natalia Rivera, make me crazy. Okay. You make me crazier than I have ever been. But you also make me happier than I ever, ever thought I could be. And because of you, you make me wanna be a better woman…the kind of woman you deserve. And it’s your love and your faith in me that has made me whole. And it’s also shown me that…I knew nothing until I found you. I need you. You are my best friend. You are the love of my life. And I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone. Thank you for choosing me.”

I saw the way the camera panned to Olivia’s face when Bill was reciting his vows to Lizzie. Olivia was clearly thinking of Natalia. My instincts tell me Olivia was thinking those vows are things she would say to Natalia at their wedding. Although Olivia didn’t contribute much to the July 13 episode, having her at the wedding was fitting. In my ideal happy ending, the Bizzie vows and wedding is a foreshadowing of Olivia and Natalia’s happily ever after.

Aftermath of Jeffery’s Death + Olivia = Mostly Unnecessary Scenes

The July 17 episode of Guiding Light gave the impression that the Otalia story line would advance. Olivia was getting Emma ready for camp, and she snapped at her daughter over something trivial. As I watched the Olivia and Emma scenes, I thought that I was going to see something related to Otalia. Well, I guess I did get something related to Otalia…more “broken Olivia” huddled in her bed, crying, and clutching a photo of Natalia, Emma, and herself. Otherwise, Olivia’s scenes had nothing to do with the Otalia story line for the remainder of the episode. Instead, she was crying over Jeffrey’s death and moping with other characters quietly in her scenes.

First, let me say that I really don’t think Olivia was that broken up over Jeffrey’s death. Despite them having a decent relationship, she would not be that heartbroken that Jeffrey died. This man raped her as a teenager after all. Although she and Jeffrey were at a better place, there is no way Olivia would be that upset over his death. I personally feel that Olivia’s head was in such a bad place that she just isn’t thinking clearly. If “fembot Natalia” had not destroyed Olivia emotionally and mentally, she wouldn’t be as upset over Jeffrey’s death. I just don’t believe Olivia would be that hurt about Jeffrey dying. I really think the tears she was crying when Josh delivered the news were reactionary to more bad news in her depressed state. Olivia has had nothing but bad news since “fembot Natalia” replaced “my Natalia” the week of June 29. I believe her tears were more about Natalia than Jeffrey when she spoke with Josh in addition to the remainder of her crying scenes.

Logically, it makes sense for Josh to tell Olivia the news about Jeffrey. Olivia would have to tell Ava – her and Jeffrey’s daughter. Nevertheless, Olivia had no purpose for being in the majority of scenes she had for the July 17 episode. The only exception is when she called Ava from the farmhouse – her place of comfort – to deliver the news of Jeffrey’s death. Otherwise, I felt having Olivia involved in her other scenes just weren’t necessary. It felt like she was being used as a random character for the majority of the July 17 episode. Olivia was just there in scenes, looking depressed every single time, and saying nothing. For me, it was a waste of the character to have her looking broken and remaining silent in her other scenes. There is something called using characters appropriately in scenes. Olivia was misused in my opinion, especially since she’s such a major character. At a maximum, Olivia should have been on twice in the July 17 episode – the beginning and the end.

Final Thoughts

Watching “broken Olivia” is depressing. I understand she is broken because of this illogical “Frankenbaby” angle thanks to “fembot Natalia’s” illogical actions and dialog. However, this unnecessary angst is frustrating me and making me a bit hesitant to watch Guiding Light. I don’t want to watch “broken Olivia” look sullen and look like a wounded puppy the entire time while Natalia is off screen. If Olivia is going to be depressed, the writers should give her some sort of activity to help push her depression aside (at moments) and focus on that while Natalia is gone. A perfect example would have been having her help Rafe out of some trouble. It looked like they could have been heading in this direction when Rafe met up with James Spaulding several weeks ago. For those who are aware, James is the epitome of trouble, and he could have easily set up Rafe in some scheme of his. This type of angle in the Otalia story line would have given Olivia something to focus on other than her depression over Natalia. Olivia could have been the strong parental figure Rafe needed while helping him get out James-related trouble. When Natalia returned, she would have one less thing to worry about dealing with – assuming Rafe would come around after Olivia’s help. Alas, something like that would have made too much sense in the illogical path Guiding Light has taken with Otalia. Other than a brief “Rafertude” where Rafe took a verbal shot at Olivia during the Bizzie wedding, there has been no interaction with Olivia and Rafe. Based on the upcoming previews, it seems like Rafe and Olivia will interact some, but I am expecting nothing but “Rafertudes.”

As this “Frankenbaby” angle unfolds, it is starting to look like Jill Lorie Hurst and Ellen Wheeler did not have a good story line for Olivia either. Once again, I have to wonder why that is. I’m sure Jessica Leccia gave them plenty of notice when she found out she was pregnant. As I said in last week’s post, there was plenty of time to write off the Natalia character properly. There was also plenty of time to write something for the Olivia character aside from “broken Olivia.”

The cynical soap fan in me is wondering if the writing for Guiding Light is in “I give up” mode. It’s starting to look like realization set in that Guiding Light would not be picked up, and the fallout from it is being reflected in the writing. To me, the writing started taking a dark, depressive turn when Phillip Spaulding found out he was dying. Another key indicator was when Olivia looked so shattered during the Bauer BBQ thanks to “fembot Natalia.” At this point, the writing seems to mostly be going through the motions (via autopilot) until the show ends September 18. Who knows? The writing could pick back up again, but I’m starting to have my doubts. The stuff going on right now with Otalia is why I always had the faith of a mustard seed in Jill Lorie Hurst and Ellen Wheeler. Again, I’m not surprised that Otalia derailed. I’m a long time soap fan who sees this kind of thing happen with all couples I love. However, it is disappointing to me the more I see what’s happening (or not happening) with the Otalia story line. This story line was nearly flawless, and I hate to see it flame out the way it has with this stupid “Frankenbaby” angle.

Perhaps next week’s Guiding Light episodes will give me something other than “broken Olivia,” but at this point, I’m not expecting anything to change. Right now, the Otalia story line is on the “fail bus” because of this “Frankenbaby” angle. I hope Otalia can get off at the bus stop and hop on the “win bus” by giving the fans a happy ending. If the writers give me “my Natalia” back, write like your life depends on it (my personal motto), and do everything I suggested (and more), I would be satisfied. Will I get that? I don’t know. I will just have to wait and see.

Note: If you comment and choose to leave a spoiler, please identify it in advance with the word “spoiler,” or even separate it out to alert me that a spoiler is coming. I read everyone’s comments, but if I see the word “spoiler,” I stop reading at that point. Again, I have my process to make the magic happen with these Otalia posts. Thanks everyone for your continued love and support!

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

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pm and is filed under Commentary, Life, Play, Reviews. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.