Here’s the thing about DD being so unceremoniously dumped that scares me: it could happen to my fave next. Mal clearly is turning this show in a new direction, and it’s one that I’m not interested in, I’m afraid. I’ve watched this show all my life, and the older vets are an important part of the show for me. I don’t tune in to watch newbies. I never have. If over time, I learn to like them, great, but they don’t motivate me to watch. Doing away with the Abbots, minimizing Victor(I realize he’s a problematic character, but I do like him), making Nikki just a sounding board for her boring daughter...the show is shifting and I don’t like it. EB taking a month vacation right now, idk, maybe it’s nothing...but it doesn’t feel like nothing.