Hi everyone! It’s Stephanie and I’m ready to discuss last week’s shows.  While there was some interesting progress with the stories, I felt like I was watching a construction site full of groundwork being laid.  I have it on good authority that next week AMC will tear it up! 

First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the writers for giving us a break from Brooke and Eliot.  I still have not embraced this storyline and with the news that Brooke’s adopted daughter Laura (a recast in the works) is on her way back, I’m hoping they’ll give up on Eliot altogether.  Please note that in my critique of the show, I’ll rarely have anything negative to say about the actors.  I realize the actors make do with what they’re given.  I don’t harbor any negativity toward Eliot’s portrayer (don’t care enough about him to know his name), but his storyline blows. 

While I’m enjoying watching Greenlee on the road of destruction, I don’t like Becca and Leo getting closer.  They’re too hokey, and Becca is starting to bug me.  Scott’s apology and plea to get back together with Becca was a joke.  Send Scott to film school and get him the hell out of Pine Valley stat. 

The introduction of Wade Randall is exciting; someone dangerous and evil could bring out the best in Greenlee.  I know she’s got goodness in her; she’s just been misguided.  I imagine that having tremendous wealth (like Greenlee) has to be detrimental to a person in some way (at least that’s what I tell myself). 

My gag-reflex kicked into high gear while Ryan and Gillian had their “ring ceremony” before making love.  The way she slipped off Jake’s ring and replaced it with Ryan’s was more than I could stomach (even my notes said YUCK).  I don’t agree with Ryan “borrowing” money and traveling to Chechnya to bring Jake home.  How dumb.  I would take advantage of Jake being away.  Does Ryan think that by rescuing Jake it will soften the blow of stealing his wife?  

I am familiar with J. Eddie Peck (the new Jake) from his days on “Young and the Restless” and think he’ll be a good replacement, even though he looks as old as Tad if not older.  Note to the writers:  omit the phrase “little brother” from Tad’s vocabulary pronto. 

Speaking of Tad, the nerve of him to be jealous or question Dixie’s time spent with David (her employer).  Especially after he let Dixie down by not being available, breaking his promise to always put her first.  I must have missed the episode when Tad promised to quit Chandler Enterprises at the end of the summer.  I don’t know how he thought he’d just walk away after three months.  He’s enjoying his new power and prestige, a little too much if you ask me.

It was refreshing to see Tad and Dixie have an actual husband and wife moment when they discussed their jobs and which one was more important.  Imagine how much better their stories and lives would be if they stayed out of everyone else’s? 

Dixie continues to judge David and Dimitri, says she can’t handle the lying, and threatens to tell all.  Considering the “suffering” she’s enduring, she sure is spending more and more time at work and with David.  Which leads us to the first glimpses of David’s crush on Dixie.  I don’t like them as a couple (I’m still a David/Erica fan), but actually enjoy watching their work relationship/friendship.  Throwing David into the Tad/Dixie mix might help them get a life of their own though.  I also dig the parallels between David and Leo’s current crush/relationship.  I don’t know what’s in the water in Pigeon Hollow, but it seems to drive the bad boys wild.

If things don’t speed up, Bianca’s welcome home party could also be her bon voyage bash since she plans to return to Seattle in early September.  I enjoyed the mother/daughter interaction between Erica and Bianca, but still don’t get why Bianca is so put upon by her mother.  I also love that Myrtle is the voice of reason and the only one Erica hears and listens to (even though she ignores it).  Erica and Bianca went to see Edmund to ask for use of the ballroom, but I keep thinking Bianca’s party will end up at SOS for some reason (don’t ask me why).  Erica’s 180° after news of Alex and Edmund’s engagement was great as was the way she spoke to and of Alex. 

As you know I love spoilers and am pretty current on what lies ahead.  Believe me when I say that next week will rock on AMC.  I can’t wait to discuss it.  Enjoy this last week of summer and have a great Labor Day!