Aurora2

Good question! The corporate structure at CW becomes less and less clear as time passes. The one thing that does seem clear is that the Abbott side of the equation (both Jill and Billy) are taking on more and more power. Something which goes against what I remember of the original intent of the merger. Mamie makes a lot of noise, but maybe she should be - being as her intent is to protect the Winters family legacy.

Was this comparison to Olympian gods really made??!! I can't comment much because I can't watch. Just can't most days. But it sounds as if I should be checking the transcript source for this episode.

Devon is often the poster boy for hypocrisy. No doubt about that! So it's surprising to me that I'm "kinda' seeing his POV in his comments to Nate about Audra. Nate has a proven track record of being suspectible to beautiful, ambitious women - women who validated and encouraged his ambition and "intoxicating" love of power. (Intoxicating is Nate's own word). Imani who was the first on the scene and then Victoria who validated and promoted his family betrayal. With Nate's history, I can see those working with him now questioning if Audra can exert a similar influence. However, for me, the image of Lily giving this warning would have been more acceptable. After all, she had already pointed out to Nate the negative influence Victoria had on him versus the positive affect that Elena had once provided. She is aware of how he can led in a damaging direction.

I watched the last segment on the Canadian show and it's already faded from my memory. One comment, however, does stand out because of its potential plot point implications. After being clearly reminded by Victor that a non-family member will NEVER be in charge of Newman Enterprises, Nate's day ends with this suggestion from his partner-in-scheming, Audra, re Victor's "golden child" Victoria. “The next step is clear. You must solidify your relationship with Victoria. Take things to the next level.” Make of this what you will.

Thank you! This whole post is wonderfully "quotable."

And here's the thing, Nasty Nate THINKS he is the victim. His overblown ego doesn't leave much room for a conscience which could help him see that he actually has made serious mistakes. He has enough educated veneer to spout superficial apologies to Devon and Lily, but he puts no real feeling in them. And he can just STFU when he talks about being sorry he "hurt" Elena. If he's REALLY sorry, he can acknowledge that he treated her terribly for months and he can be a hella lot more respectful when they are in the same room now. Thanks for the moment to rant and thank you Lily for delivering truths to Nate today.

Re the strike catching up with episodes, I listened to an interview with script writer Susan Banks on the weekend. She said that her last episode was airing on July 11 (which it did) and that she has been on strike since penning this one. So, for those who are interested, we have been watching YR's script writers at work until this week. Now we will see what happens next! The minute I saw Victoria, I knew Nate wouldn't be on the episode. Why? Because Vicky wasn't wearing her fuck-me hair.

You did get a glimpse of HT's Victoria. She was in the opening credits and I was so hoping she'd attend the Abbott picnic so we could see her first meeting with her current boy-toy - Nate Hastings Jr - in utero.

The medical part was not only badly written, but very rushed. So the pacing, while annoying, doesn't surprise me. I also wondered if some lines were cut after listening to one of the actresses talk this week about some lines being cut in the final edit in another story. We'll never know.

Actually, my reading indicates that the treatment of stillbirths has changed considerably in recent years with one source indicating that "hospitals today usually offer mementos such as photographs, locks of hair, and footprints." For parents of a stillborn child, there is a lot of grieving . My understanding is that acknowledging the lost child with these physical memories is meant to validate and respect this loss and to offer support in the grieving process. Does anyone have experience with this or more complete information??? As for the completely out-of-character suggestion that Elena is taking anger out on the parents: PLEASE, let's not go there with character assassination for someone who was caught in having to carry the load of plot points the writers wanted to deliver in these scenes!!!

1. Not sure on this one - except, for all we know, he may have been offered a chance. After all, we didn't see the first offer to Sally (the one Elena referenced in subsequent dialogue.) 2. Elena was about to say more to Adam after giving him the gift, but Nick's arrival diverted the conversation. As for leaving Sally alone, more of the dastardly plot-pointing that Elena had to carry for the three days of this make-believe hospital story! No doubt, those penning this stuff wanted the "drama" of Sally's soliloquy over her dead infant's memory box. Therefore, exit Elena. While saying this might make me as popular as a flea at a dog show, I can't even begin to be one bit mad at Elena for having to carry the plot points as the only medical professional on the scene. First plot point: Those in charge wanted the "drama" of both brothers facing an impossible decision at exactly the same time - the choice between a daughter and her mother. To do this, the medical story had to be rushed and twisted beyond reality - and the only medical professional there - Elena - had to carry that weight on her slender shoulders by mouthing the penned words making Adam choose. Second - and more lasting plot point: Those in charge appear to want to continue the Adam-Sally rift and, more significantly, to use this story to turn Adam back to his dark angry side. Again, tiny Elena had to shoulder this heavy load. So, instead of blaming her for doing so, I'm going to lift her up by noting that, except for "the choice," she did a darn fine job of being the caring, sensitive calming influence both Sally and Adam needed and of validating the grief and loss BOTH were feeling - especially important with Adam. In all three episodes, she reached out to him - asking how he was doing, acknowledging his loss, telling him he lost a child, too, offering to help if needed. And, in conclusion, if it's not already apparent, sacrificing characters to plot points in this way is one of my pet peeves against soap writers.

Perhaps I’m swimming against the current of opinion here about this story of Sally’s preeclampsia, Adam’s impossible decision and the loss of baby Hope. We had our hearts torn out in classic soap style by Adam and Sally’s fear and desperation about their Hope. I am thinking less of the medical inaccuracies in this story and focusing on what was, to me, truly important - the intensity of Adam and Sally’s emotions moderated by the gentle, caring touch of Dr Dawson. BTW, I know asking Adam to make that choice was abrupt, but my take was that the writers wanted BOTH Newman brothers faced– AT THE SAME MOMENT– with the impossible choice between the life of a daughter & the life of her mother. Considering the rushed circumstances, Elena had to carry the weight of the plot point to make this happen.

Shh! Don't be messing with my profits! I have the franchise for the popcorn stand at the next Newman family gathering. 😉 Adam and Sally Victoria and Nate Abby and Devon Nick and Elena.

Waldo, please don't wreck my dream of seeing Elena call out the LA Rutters in public - just as a morality-conscious lucrative client shows up to meet them for avocado toast. That image helped me survive the afterglow talk.

What Elena hopes to accomplish ... or what did she hope to accomplish? I kinda think she has abandoned that perplexing JT plan because she didn't want to involve him in her relationship drama and - instead - is going to LA to get answers for herself. Did I miss something? Could be because sometimes plot shifts have to be deliivered in only a line of two.