After visiting our AMC Message Board, I realized a few things:  I share many of the same opinions/frustrations about current storylines as you; some stories generate fabulous perspective and offer a variety of interpretations; and reunions don’t necessarily equal an end to the story, in some cases it’s just the beginning.  

I am happy to report that I spent a lot of time online last week and 80% of that was all-things AMC.  Unfortunately, I missed Friday’s show.  Luckily, thanks to Leigh Russell our wonderful and thorough AMC recapper, I’m still in the loop.  Some stories are getting better each week, while others continue to disappoint or disgust.  But I’m looking forward to November sweeps.  (I’m taking a leap of faith that this upward trend will continue and the show will just got better.) 

Of course there is always room for improvement, and usually with my column you have to take the bad with the good.  So, I’ll start with Jake’s return to Pine Valley (good) and his wimpy “limp” (no pun intended) (bad).  Am I the only one who noticed that he required Gillian’s assistance to stand and take small steps in the German hospital, and leaned on her to walk at PVH?  But in that same scene, he was having obvious trouble walking one minute, and practically sprinting to the microphones for the press conference the next.  I’m a stickler for consistency, folks, and on that, J. Eddie failed me.  (But so far, I think he’s doing a great job.) 

The press conference was ridiculous and the photographer who kept asking Jake & Gillian to kiss was cheesy!  I’m getting tired of Gillian walking around with that far away confused look on her face, and how could anyone miss the look on Ryan’s face during the conference?  (That’s where your story is!)  Unless I missed something, I didn’t see how that press conference helped Ryan; everyone involved could barely utter a complete sentence or explain how and why Ryan was a hero.  Needless to say I don’t think it cleared his name.  And did I miss something?  Is he out on bail courtesy of Adrian (with coaching from Jackson)?  

Since I feel extremely guilty watching three hours of soaps each day, I try to multitask and do other things while the TV is on.  But lately, it feels like I’m either missing entire shows (which I’m not) or a lot of things are happening off camera.  One example (that should not have happened at all) was Dr. Joe telling Gillian about Jake’s wimpy “limp” (pun intended) (bad, very bad).  I realize that on television, viewers are sometimes required to suspend disbelief.  But is Dr. Hayward (good) the only one who believes in doctor/patient confidentiality at that hospital?  Isn’t Joe a big wheel at PVH, doesn’t he know better?  Why tell Gillian, why not let her feel, I mean find out on her own?  Oh, and YUCK!  Talk about TMPI (too much personal information).  I can’t say I’m anxious to see this story continue, but I guess they had to think of some way to keep Gill and Jake together, paralysis would have been too easy. 

Just when I think it’s curtains for my favorite PV-badgirl, Arlene is pregnant (good).  What a juicy development!  I hope this keeps her in Pine Valley, because she’s terrific at stirring things up with and without Vanessa.  Are we convinced that the baby is definitely Adam’s?  Didn’t she get it on with Liza’s contractor?  I can’t imagine that that guy went to all that trouble sabotaging the Colmar Tower for nothing. 

I also like the idea of Hayley & Mateo raising the baby (even though I’m not their biggest fan) (good).  But are we convinced that Hayley is unable to conceive?  I remember she had lead poisoning from that ridiculous rose tattoo (bad), but thought it was just a temporary delay?  Is this another example of me missing something?  (Please tell me if I need to pay closer attention.)  I am excited about this story though, and hope that Liza doesn’t pull a Becca and ditch her man at the first sign of trouble. 

Speaking of Miss Becca, my friend Judith (a huge AMC fan) wondered why the writers couldn’t learn how to carry a large number of stories/characters without letting a couple drop for several days (i.e. Vanessa/Palmer, Brooke/Reverend, Becca)?  I think the writers are doing us a favor by not overloading us with all the stories at once (i.e. five minutes of Palmer/Vanessa (good), five minutes Brooke/Rev (bad), three minutes Dimitri/Alex (good), etc.).  Some of their stories are weak right now, and I for one needed a Becca/Brooke break big time.  I like the way they rotate the stories, it builds anticipation for some of the better ones. 

Edmund continues to get darker and is having difficulty stifling his fits of rage.  The way he broke the glass when Brooke was offering her support was creepy and very effective.  I think this is just what John Callahan needed (a character tweak, not a Twinkie).  Even though Dimitri is avoiding the warning signs, I’m glad that Alex is not.  The spookiness of this story is perfect for the Halloween season. 

Erica and Bianca continue to have issues.  Now, I know you’ve all probably heard the Bianca-rumors; some of you are already tired of this possible storyline.  But you must admit that if they go with this story, they are doing a fabulous job laying the groundwork.  We know Bianca has some sordid secret.  We also know she had an Internet relationship and seemed to be affected by it deeply.  She’s concerned about living with her mother and their obvious differences that seem to go way beyond your everyday mother/daughter stuff.  While I often complain that stories drag on, this one continues to gain momentum.  The best part is the Jackson factor.  It’s about time this hottie was involved in a story since he doesn’t have his own. 

Well, it’s about that time.  Next week, it ain’t easy being Greens.  I invite all of you to check out the AMC Message Board and as always I welcome your comments.  Take care and have a great week!