On Soaps, Multiple Suspect Murder Mysteries are So-o-o Done!

 By Marlena De Lacroix I have grown so tired of the soap opera convention known as the multiple-suspect murder mystery storyline.  Of late, they've become meaningless, predictable or, even worse, totally incomprehensible. The multiple-suspect murder plot was only done to perfection on the old full-time soap mystery show Edge of Night.  But the … [Read more...]

Rape Stories: Days of Our Lives Shows That “No” Really Means “No” This Time

By Patrick ErwinFor all its onscreen and offscreen turmoil, Days of Our Lives seems to have a few stories working for it right now. One of them is Chelsea and Stephanie and the sorority girls dealing with the aftermath of the campus rapist, Ford, who raped Stephanie and Cordy and threatened Chelsea. Initially, the story didn't seem too … [Read more...]

Soaps’ Scab Scripts: Seinfelds They Ain’t

By Marlena De LacroixWe've just passed New Year's, and a certain ennui has set in this week on soaps.  This winter of Marlena's discontent is made worse by the arrival of scab-written scripts. Are they here so soon?  On General Hospital and The Young and the Restless, this would seem to be the case.  Are there more?  Perhaps.  I'm listening … [Read more...]

Marlena’s “Only the Bests” List 2007

By Marlena De LacroixI no longer do "Best" and "Worst" lists for soaps.  After all, there have been so many "worsts" this year, why would I want to re-inflict the pain on you again?  Moi loves mon readers.  So, only the "bests" for you, darlings. … [Read more...]