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May 29, 2008 AMC WOW. We went from tear-jerking beauty to jaw-dropping action, all within one wedding, Angie and Jesse’s. Characters from all over the spectrum were utilized, to great effect, and it all worked beautifully. (I was even moved when Ghost DBB saved Kate and then appeared to her afterwards, so you know I was impressed!) Also magnificent were the green screen special effects used for the rooftop/helicopter scenes. GH used this technology for the Diego/Elizabeth car crash on the bride and ABC was obviously – and rightly – pleased with the results. Hey, if they’re willing to go high tech to avoid the costlier location shoots, I’ll accept the compromise. Okay, back to the show! Rob shooting Julia, Greg, and then Tad while taking Angie hostage, then Jesse’s dramatic leap onto the helicopter made for some of the most exciting scenes I’ve ever seen on AMC. Everyone – actors, writers, crew, special effects, and the rest – deserves major props and perhaps a bunch of Emmy awards next year. Outstanding work. LINE OF THE WEEK: “You should have fastened your seatbelt!” Jesse, after tossing Rob out of the helicopter in very James Bond-like fashion. Superb! Jesse and Angie, miraculously, were shaken, not stirred. Unfortunately, Rob landed on the roof, still alive. He and Frankie fought it out as Jake tried to keep Tad alive while Ghost DBB hovered around. Exciting stuff, deftly executed. LINE OF THE WEEK 2: “You do know it’s winter Down Under right now, right, Julia?” Okay, I made that up, but much more cheerful than what was actually said. A sad turn of affairs, but probably one of the most logical ways to give Tad his child. No messy courtroom fights this way, especially if Adam ever does the right thing with one of the many copies of Kathy’s adoption papers provided by Ghost DBB. Something tells me that’s imminent. Sydney “Julia” Penny’s death scene was both beautiful and moving. It’s no wonder that Penny is one of the few child actors who successfully transitioned to an acting career as an adult. And it’s a shame that Julia, whose family was such a big part of the Pine Valley mosaic, had to spend her last conscious moments with only Joe and KWAK at her side. When Ryan learned of Julia’s injury, he called for an emergency babysitter. Too bad neither he nor Annie was able to call their respective brothers to help out. Oh, wait – Annie’s brother is a psycho and Ryan’s is a former psycho gone missing. Scratch that idea. At least the Laverys were otherwise occupied during the Hubbard nuptials. I consider that one of the many blessings of the wedding week. Poor Dr. Joe. Since Angie came back to town, he’s had more screen time than the last five years combined, yet he’s been faced with horrible loss. The near-fatal illnesses of Frankie and Greenlee, the strange and bloody return of Jake, Julia’s death (he was especially fond of Ms. Santos and was truly a mentor to the talented nurse), and now son Tad is at death’s door. Ray “Joe” MacDonnell, one of AMC’s original cast members, has been superb throughout, and so touching with Angie after Julia died. Bravo, sir. When Zach learned that Julia didn’t make it, he mentioned calling Maria and Anita, her sisters, as “there’s no family here.” True, no blood family, but the remaining former residents of Wildwind, who benefited from her generosity, are there, no doubt ready to act as surrogate family, along with the many others whose lives she touched. (Then again, what about Mateo and Rosa? True, they’re far-flung, but you’d think they’d rate a call, if not a mention!) Was that Josh I saw, embracing his grandparents, Ruth and Joe? This is now officially a cataclysmic event. If they trot out Palmer, I’ll start thinking Armageddon! Now for the Kleenex: did you see Opal’s face as Jake discussed Tad’s condition with Joe? That’s when I lost it. Damned cats think it’s fun to swat at heaving sheet of tissue. Note to self: “forget” to buy cat treats tomorrow. GH Right now I wouldn’t blame Jason if he clocked Sonny over the head with a sack of coffee beans. Sonny want to give him the businesses so he can have a life, but blames Jason’s reluctance on his own selfish wish to have a life. What a self-centered bastard. Then there’s Carly, trying to leave town with Morgan and forcing The Jackal to help her. Fortunately, The Jackal managed to contact Stone Cold, who rode over on his trusty motorcycle to yet again save Carly from herself. LINE OF THE WEEK: “What you do, you pay for. You don’t get to have a nice life and neither do I.” Go, Jason! When will TPTB elevate Carolyn “Diane” Hennesy to contract status? (We’ll know for sure when she starts appearing in the opening credits.) She sparkles with everyone, particularly Nancy Lee “Alexis” Grahn, Derk “Max” Cheetwood, and Maurice “Sonny” Benard. Much more, please! Holy cow. Jason told Sonny he’d take over the mob if he signed away his parental rights to Michael and Morgan. That’s gotta hurt. Especially when Jason reminded him that this was more about Morgan’s safety than anything else. Hello, Jax…or should I say, Buona sera, signore? Back so soon? How do you plan to explain your abrupt jaunt to Rome, land of wine, pasta, and a certain gorgeous temptress named Brenda? LINE OF THE WEEK 2: “You know, if you want an old pro to show him the ropes, I can do it.” Uh, Sweet Sam? Cameron needs to age at least another 12 years before your kind offer should be considered! “I’m starting to feel like the concerned neighbor.” Boy, Jax, Carly really did have your wedding tackle in a vise. Looks like she’s losing her grip, though. He claims to have gained new insight about their farce of a marriage without seeing or speaking to Brenda. (Riddle me this: what does it usually mean when a beloved former character’s name is bandied about? It may not be a done deal yet, but you’d better believe TPTB are doing what they can to get Vanessa Marcil back to Port Charles. Still no word on whether NBC will let her leave Las Vegas, but I’m hoping they’ll do a two-hour wrap-up of that series – after five years, the viewers deserve it – and then release her and the rest of the cast.) Poor Mac. He goes from finding Maxie in bed with Spinelli to conferring with his HIV+, pregnant, unmarried niece. His head must be ready to explode! Sam’s looking for a new job now that Luke’s M.I.A., leaving her with no gamblers to shill. It appears she’s found a really challenging one: sex therapist to Spinelli. ZOINKS! Sonny actually signed away his sons in order to transfer the mob business to Jason. He went over to deliver the papers to Carly and, naturally, was caught embracing her by Jax. Meanwhile, Jason was informing the Zaccharas that he’s the man now. Which will be nastier, the ensuing mob war or the ensuing divorce war?
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