Hi there, it’s Stephanie and I’m ready to dish last week’s shows.  Are you caught up?  I’m happy to report that while I wasn’t thrilled with last week’s shows, there were some storyline developments and I must say that for a change I was pleased.  (Am I the only one who is tired of the stories that drag on … and on … and on?)  Before I get started, I don’t plan to discuss any upcoming stories or spoilers in this week’s column.  So throw caution to the wind and read on.

I’ll start with Brooke and Eliot - were you surprised by his revelation that he killed Laura?  (I wasn’t a fan of the show then, so I’m not invested in this part of the story.)  It does seem like it was a long time ago and while I imagine losing a child is never something you recover from, I don’t think the writers had to take this route to entice viewers to invest in Eliot.  Why must every love interest of Brooke’s be tied to major drama or carry some horrific secret?  She can’t just have a normal relationship.  Instead of waiting for Eliot to come clean, Brooke should do some digging on her own and find out all about this guy, didn’t Jim Thomason teach her anything?

Are we really supposed to believe that Brooke and Eliot are in love? It’s only been a few weeks and a smooch here and there, why the sudden need to speed things up?  Don’t get me wrong I believe that Brooke is lonely, and she must be frustrated as hell – I know I would be.  But I don’t buy that she is smitten with Eliot.  I find that when they’re on the screen, I tend to catch up on my reading, jump on my computer or do anything rather than sit there and watch them.  Hopefully that will change with the story’s progression.  I think I’d like to see Brooke with an older man, not Palmer old, but older than Eliot. 

AMC is doing a disservice to its viewers with the implication that all prisoners get plastic surgery (Janet & Eliot both had surgery on their faces making them unrecognizable to people who knew them).  If you’re a fan of the HBO show OZ, you know that prisons don’t give identity-changing facelifts to their inmates because of a few facial scars from prison fights, or as a medical experiment. 

It looks like Dimitri is going to live, and just in time to attend the nuptials between his wife and brother.  While I’m just as sentimental as the next gal (I cry at Hallmark commercials and Charlie Brown cartoons), I didn’t get misty watching Edmund propose to Alex.  All I kept thinking of is poor Dimitri.  I admire his willingness to give Alex and his happiness up to his brother, but the guy has suffered long enough and more than anyone else.  Isn’t he entitled to happiness? 

Plus, since he is very much alive, Alex and Edmund’s marriage won’t be valid regardless if they believe Dimitri is dead.  (Now I know it’s a soap opera, but I prefer my shows to stick as close to reality as possible.)  This is a story that is on the verge of dragging.  I don’t think playing out the love triangle would be the way to go in this case, but now that Ms. Kane is free and Alex and Edmund have found each other, maybe Dimitri can get back together with Erica? 

Adrian and Ryan are preparing to leave for Chechnya to bring Jake home.  Why is Ryan risking everything (including his new business) to bring Jake home?  You’d think he’d take advantage of the cat being away.  Shouldn’t the Martins respect Jake’s wishes and just keep praying that Jake comes home safely.  Why is Adrian accepting Ryan’s help, while his brother (and Jake’s too) Tad has unlimited funds and power?

The WAVE show was entertaining.  You’ve got to give props to Greenlee for stirring up controversy.  Leo let her have it but good.  It’s too bad that Becca is ready to believe the worst about Leo at the drop of a hat; you can tell she’s committed to the relationship. 

I’m excited about the devious pairing of Arlene and Vanessa.  While I haven’t missed Vanessa’s breathy dialogue, she needs to start breathing through her nose already; I think the idea of these two wicked women is absolutely delish.  Oh the havoc they could reek! 

Seeing Palmer (for all of five minutes) was too brief, I look forward to his return from his cruise.  I am happy that he has stuck to his guns and continues to punish Vanessa, although now that she has the goods on Arlene, she may get the last laugh.

The conversation between Bianca and Erica last week was long over due.  I’m happy to see that Bianca will speak up for herself when she is pushed far enough.  I also liked the way Erica explained to Bianca why she wanted to give her a party and her hopes and dreams for her daughter.  While Ms. Kane is very self-involved, I thought her reasons were selfless and feel Bianca should cut her some slack.  I’m curious about the meaning of Bianca’s phone call to Travis.  (I would love for Larkin Malloy to return to the role if only for a brief visit.)  I still would like to know what the deal is with Bianca.

I am enjoying Hayley and Mateo being fillers for other stories and not front burner.  Like their portrayers, I too needed a break from the Hayley and Mateo show.

Well, I think that covers it.  Looking forward to next week shows and story developments.  I would love to hear from you and welcome your thoughts and comments.  Have a great week!