PaaV Podcast #14

Heather on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 9:16 am 

My take on EJ’s thumb: he’s in character. Clearly, Emma found out about Rafe’s douchebag antics and confronted him. Since he wasn’t showing any signs of coming around, she stole his shoelaces, kicked him in the shin, and twisted his thumb.

Either that or he discovered that he can’t handle Frank’s mean knuckleball in their most recent game of catch.

If Crystal was a 6-pack of beer, she’d be St. Pauli Girl, just because I like picturing her in that low-cut barista outfit.

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 10:14 am 

Nice. I may have pointers re how to make one’s feet smell like trash.

On the most shallow note, ever, I think CC must be hard to dress: skinny woman with pretty massive breasts. She needs a tailor who specializes in that body type without making a woman look like Pam Anderson. Whenever she looks great sitting down in a dress, the whole thing goes to shit when she stands up.

I think the Bauer bbq montage of hetero glee was totally different from the wedding. I’m with Lynn Liccardo – we run the risk of Otalia freaks forgetting this is a show about an entire community, not just about two people. Life does, after all, go on for the rest of the world. That’s as real-life as a soap is going to get. It was kind of great, actually, the way they showed Frank getting support from people because everyone knows he was jilted, while Olivia’s pain is, for the most part, on the DL.

I’m glad to see you two coming around re Philip. Isn’t he great? G.A. has always been so awesome.

I’m hoping for some Reva/Olivia scenes. CC and the Zim have great on-screen chemistry and this is a chance for that chemistry to be completely different than it has been in the past.

Dinah and Ollie – Dinah’s dad was Ross, Blake’s husband. He died in a plane accident – very sudden, and his body was never found. Ross was a great character. Well-loved (even though he was the evil lawyer who defended Roger at the rape trial, when he first came on the scene.) A lot of us were hoping Jerry verDorn would come back for the show’s end, but Tina tells me it’s not happening – he’s tied to OLTL.

I love Shayne. He’s nice and cute. And – don’t kill me – Shayne/Dinah are a lot like Josh/Reva. Reva was a kick-ass, take-care-of-business ball of fire, and Josh always fooled himself into believing that he was taking care of her. Before getting sick, Reva never needed actual taking care of. Dinah’s the same, and Shayne is just as delusional as Josh: he dreams of a girlfriend who needs his manly protection.

One nit-picky thing: news of Jeffery’s death reached Dinah via the AP….I know Olivia is in a dark, dark place, but she needed to call Ava STAT, before she heard about her dad on Fox news.

bookviper on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 3:39 pm 

Perhaps this says a lot about me but when Liz said “eye brawl” I imagined a fight between Rafe’s Oscar the Grouch brows and Father Ray’s. And I would put my money on Father Ray’s for the win, they are way too active. Just saying.

ehpha on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 5:22 pm 

About the thumb cast thing : EJ said in a GL “behind the scenes” (somewhere on youtube) that actually Lawrence St. Victor broke/hurt his thumb during a game of catch in Peapack. So no Rafe getting his thumb bent…

Ana on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 6:28 pm 

Rafe – I can’t believe we’re still here with this asshat. UGH!!!

CC – amazing as always, the crying witht he picture frame, words cannot describe, I too was a puddle Liz, and I’m sure we were not alone.

Still not liking Marina/Mallet – total morons and that whole stroller thing, WTF???

BTW – if CC was a 6-pack, totally St Pauli Girl, first because of the outfit and second, becuase they once had a slogan that said, “You never forget your first girl” – that’s just too awesome.

Ana

notoaster on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 6:58 pm 

I really don’t have anything to say about last week’ episodes. It’s so frustrating and just so…whatever. I don’t know what to feel!

Dinah and Olivia need more scenes together, stat! I need more of that on my screen, and less drunk/crying Olivia.

blerg, whatever.

ashleelynn7 on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 10:08 pm 

Amazing as usual.

Dani- LMAO about the email to your school. That shit was funny (embarrassing for you of course) but funny as hell for us. ITA with you about the pregnancy if it had happened earlier, etc. For me, its not just the fact that shes preggers, I could deal with that since it is a soap after all. But its the fact that its four months after the fact, the writing was sloppy and time is running out. I’m not against her being pregnant per se, its just the timing.

Liz- I think you should keep your adorable kid away from the pod, she’s totes trying to steal your thunder. lol. Olivia with the picture and the crying and guh, it really was too much. Totally keeping my fingers crossed for you and Mimi Torchin. She’s rad

Melanie on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 7:36 am 

Great pod as always.

Dani–hate to break it to you, but I think Gina T has false eyelashes. In a scene a couple of months ago, one of them was practically falling off. I know GL is cheap, but the scene really needed a reshoot since the falling eyelash was so distracting.

stargazzer77 on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 9:07 am 

Think someone needs to tell Rafe he’s not in prison anymore and can stop being the Bitch!!!

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 10:06 am 

I knew someone would break the false eyelashes news to Dani. I didn’t have the heart. But Gina is all kinds of gorgeous and sexy, even without all the trappings.

Rafe is totally is a shitbag at the wedding, but I’m glad that scene was there – it’s exactly the kind of shitty thing Rafe would say at this point. I don’t want him getting an easy out at this point – he’s moved from ‘in shock and trying to figure things out’ to ‘total fuckwad who needs to get a life.’ Also, if they’re going to make us watch Olivia suffer, I want her to hit rock bottom, because it makes sense and CC does that so damned well. As Frank pointed out months ago – when Olivia hurts, she makes everyone around her hurt. Since they’ve taken this stupid course with Natalia, they’d better take the logical course with Olivia (or what? I won’t watch anymore? Fat chance.) -Olivia would not just buck up and move on. She’s all kinds of tragic and extreme, and that makes for good soap. Plus, I have this feeling the writers have written themselves into a hole re Olivia and Nat’s coming out. I don’t think they (the writers) have a clue how to do it. If Olivia continues on this tragic trajectory, all will be obvious. Christina already suspected Natalia and Olivia were more than friends…yesterday she witnessed Olivia showing up drunk to pick Emma up from camp and babbling about the unfairness of life. Give her insane, crazy, wide eyes a second to put two and two together, or run into Josh and compare notes.

Nathalie on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 10:54 am 

I miss Natalia. That is all.

Kishiyaya on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 12:56 pm 

Yesterday I had some thoughts on Paav #14 (overall, an impressive feat by you two). But today I’m feeling the toll of keeping the hearth fires for Otalia warm during these long, long weeks, and it may have driven some of us to drink- yeah, Olivia, we know how you feel!!!

That’s not to say, I’m not appreciating the slow unraveling of Olivia Spencer on a purely authentic emotional response level – I mean come on, if the love of your life disappears with no word, would you hold it together? And how long, and how well. I’m with Snapper, that the chorus of people saying just buck up and move on – no way! So please no Dolivia, no Jolivia,whatever your matchup of the day is, just no.

In some ways, I’m already over the debate of how Olivia should be acting (old vs. new), b/c Olivia in pain works for me, as it keeps Otalia real, palpable and in the forefront, despite the glaring absence of Natalia. Anything less, and we’d wonder was that all a dream, a figment? btw, just be glad Nat isn’t dead…as if we needed that recent reminder via Spain that lesbian weddings are NOT the way to go.

Thankfully, GL is seemingly beginning to take its end seriously, and there’s much to appreciate with the stellar acting across the veteran cast. But in the meantime, we all miss Natalia deeply, and the way things are going in SF right now, perhaps they all do. Despite a brief flash of joy with Bizzie, SF is unraveling too…ergo, Natalia come back!!!!!

Lana on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 3:57 pm 

I think we part ways at a crucial juncture, Kish: I’d totally support Olivia and Josh having some desperation sex. Not a relationship, but a grief-stricken-damn-it’s-been-over-a-year-and-I’m-horny-andd-Natalia-left-me-flat-as-panacake-anyway-so-let’s-just-do-it-this-one-time-fucking-the-pain-away bang, for old times sake and basic sexual release? Yeah, I’d be down with that. Olivias threw away her soaps and candles, and god knows that woman has earned an orgasm! Just saying.

Dani on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 5:22 pm 

Sorry I’m tardy (love that word) responding to comments. Work and being awesome, blah blah blah.

Heather – Funny and sad that a 9-year-old has more wisdom than someone as old as Rafe. If she happened to break a few of his fingers, I’d call it fair.

Lana – Yup, Liz and I are in agreement with you. Although I do think discussing it is fair, since GLBT characters often do get the shaft. I think the differences in the wedding vs. the BBQ have been noted.

I honestly can’t believe how much Jeff Branson has won me over. I could not stand him (unfairly) as Jonathan on AMC. When he wasn’t smacking Maggie or butting in between BAM, he was creepily dating Lily. Yuck. Now I feel bad for wishing all those poxes on him. JB is dreamy and I hope he finds work on another soap.

Yes, I fully admit I’m loving Grant Aleksander right about now. I am greedy for the stuff with he and Olivia.

bookviper – LOL. A mortal kombat style deathmatch between Fr. Ray’s eyebrows and Oscar the Grouch’s eyebrows? I’d pay $49.95 to see that on pay-per-view, wouldn’t you? My money is on Fr. Ray too.

ehpha – Ah, bingo. Thanks for the info.

Ana – Yeah, I find Mallet and Marina completely annoying. I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been fast-forwarding through their scenes. They’re morons.

I’m going to have to pick up a pack of St. Pauli Girl, can’t say I’ve ever had one. This is as good a reason as any!

notoaster – Believe me, I feel you. I love how amazing CC is, but watching her so devastated these days is tough. I keep thinking “a couple more weeks, a couple more weeks..” She’d better get some serious make-up face touching.

ashleelynn – Yeah, as I’ve said, I grew up watching soaps. I’m not ignorant of the conventions, and I really hate when people use that argument to discredit dissenting opinions. I still call foul on the timing of this pregnancy thing. But I take comfort in knowing I’m not the only one muttering obscenities.

Melanie – Noooooooooo!

stargazzer – LOL. I’m just floored by his utter douchebaggery these days. Like Liz said, I can’t believe Natalia raised such a little fuck.

Lana – Nooooooooooo! God, I’m so easy. I seriously did not even think about the idea of fake eyelashes.

And yes, I agree with you – rock bottom is the only place Olivia can go if we’re to believe in any of her character arc of the last year. Still, it’s tough to watch.

Nathalie – Me too.

Kish – I’d rather watch a Reva/Josh marathon than sit through Dolivia, Jolivia, or any of that other crap. No.

I’m of the opinion that I like this new, sensitive Olivia. Love her, in fact. But I think they should take the opportunity to show sparks of old Olivia more than they do.

Ugh, you just brought up Pepa and Silvia. Brb, I need to sob for five minutes.

Okay, back. Yes, I think the serious ending stuff is coming now and that makes me both sad and happy. I’m personally counting down the days until Natalia is back.

Lana – Josh and Olivia, just say no! Flirting over muffins while frustrated: okay. Flirting over a loose battery cable while frustrated: okay. Grief sex: NOT OKAY!

I think grief sex is probably my biggest pet peeve with soaps right now. AMC is the worst offender. “Oh my god, my husband just got brutally killed. I’m so sad and upset…fuck me!” Ugh.

Kishiyaya on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 5:47 pm 

No problem, Lana, I’m fine with staying on my side of the fence – I admit its a personal perspective. I think GL has already “investigated” the desperation sex thing with Olivia, more than a few times now, even if we don’t buy entirely that she knows nothing of soap…I might even buy her trying soap again before I’d buy Josh. Although you are correct that if there were one person, it’d be him – the day after the proposal acceptance it would be hard to deny that black dress wasn’t intended for him (however, at that particular moment, in her mind, she was giving up on the idea of Natalia, or at least trying to, but this was back before Nat finally revealed her feelings).

It was only with falling for Natalia, did she even begin to acknowledge that at her base she’s a romantic, that she wanted to be someone’s first choice – wanting that love that is larger than oneself…ever since she turned down the guy at the bar post-M2M, she’s been chasing an ideal, and at a certain point she realized it was the thing she wanted, what she’d been looking for, even if she didn’t know what it was until she found it – I’m an all or nothing gal myself, so I identify with that realization – even with the sex drive issues, once you’re gone, you’re gone.

Until she’s willing to let go of Natalia entirely, saving herself for Nat, is part of that romanticized concept (why else throw away perfectly good soap!!). Until Olivia is sure that Natalia and her are not going to happen, when she’s given up her last hope…only then. but honestly, I’m not sure I want to see her fall that low. Could it happen, sure, would I buy the rationalization of it? Probably not. Until she knows for sure, what’s up with Natalia, verifies that its all-out rejection, then she’s holding onto a tiny, tiny shred of possibility. And honestly, I don’t think sex drive is the driving force at this moment, it would be seeking connection in order to avoid the despair of a completely broken heart.

Of course its a soap, and crazier things have happened, but for Otalia’s brief arc, I hope that’s not a direction they take. I don’t think Liv needs to actually sleep with Josh to know that’s not what she wants anymore – that ship has sailed – she sees sex as love now, not just getting needs met. Her going back to being second choice (I think its why she always mentions Reva with Josh, reinforcing that notion) would be her admitting she’s never going to have real love, or be chosen. She would be giving up entirely at that point. Just my opinion of course, and obviously I don’t write for this soap or we wouldn’t be here!

Lana on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 6:23 pm 

Yes, but sex is often a panacea for grief/sadness/loneliness. It’s territory GL especially likes and has visited more than once: Michelle Bauer only exists because, in a fit of grief at the thought that his wife had just been killed in an explosion, Ed Bauer had sex with Claire Ramsey. (Only to find out, about 30 minutes later, that his wife was very much alive.) Blake had grief/revenge sex with Rick. Holly had grief/pity sex with Roger at cliff house. If Olivia does have sex with Josh (I don’t think she will – the audience wants Josha nd Reva) it won’t have anything to do with love or a relationship….but just plain, old “I’m hurting…just hold me”

Liz on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 6:37 pm 

Stop commenting because Im horrifically behind. Thanks a bundle!!

Dani on Tue, 21st Jul 2009 6:59 pm 

Kish – bingo. My thoughts exactly. I don’t think the stuff with Josh needs to or should happen – not only has that ship sailed, it’s returned from India, unloaded, and set off for Japan. Or something.

Lana – I get that sadness/loneliness might precipitate sex. It makes sense for filling that void, but I’ve never gotten used to the overuse of grief sex. I can’t count the number of times when that happens on soaps (usually directly after a death or something) that everyone in the room watching the soap groans and is like “really? that’s just gross.”

It’s not so much “just hold me” as it’s…”let’s get it on nasty on the floor of a cabin.” or some such thing.

Now revenge sex, that’s a whole different beast..

Liz – I’m holding down the fort!

Sharon on Wed, 22nd Jul 2009 2:09 am 

ok can i say that the docs couldn’t figure out why we were all talking about foot rubs and laughing. but it made our day, which by the way ended up being a very long one, bareable.

i also think that if olivia slept with josh it would be for comfort only but she would hate herself for being so weak .

JCF on Wed, 22nd Jul 2009 9:45 pm 

I can be no more coherent than Nathalie, at this point.

OK, another thought or 3, re the whole “Olivia needs to hit Rock Bottom.”

The thing is this: on the one hand, PART of me would love to see “Natalia saves Olivia.”

…but the 12 Stepper in me sez, No, no, no: you can never be saved by another person: that’s what a HIGHER Power is for!

In short, they’re two distinct, but interrelated things. If for no other reason than Jellybean, Olivia needs to find her center, her Higher Power, her Big Whatever, and begin getting it together.

But there’s no reason that can’t happen simultaneously w/ Natalia’s Return.

In the same way, Natalia needs to Make It Up to Olivia (and the Bean), for pulling such a disgraceful BAIL. And as much as I would like Making Up to include Making Out, Natalia needs to make that “Grand Gesture” with NO hope of anything in return…

…it’s just that I hope Olivia will return It (to include Making Out), Big Time, anyway!

Porter on Wed, 22nd Jul 2009 11:52 pm 

Ugh. That’s become my number one feeling when it comes to Otalia. I suppose my number two feeling is alcohol because you pretty much have to be as drunk as Olivia to muscle through the torture.

This “rock bottom Olivia” shtick is getting out of hand. The only tiny thread of logic I can find is that in destroying Natalia’s character so completely with her incommunicado departure, you have to do the same to Olivia. How else do you justify the Olivia we’ve come to know taking Natalia back when Nat breezes back into town? You can’t. So you have to fundamentally alter Liv’s character as well. Take away any semblance of strength, pride, sanity and basically strip her of her essential “Olivianess.” We’re left with the relationship equivalent of two wrongs making a right.

What’s worse is I’m totally sucked in! I can’t believe I’m actually still rooting for this couple! I can’t freakin’ wait for Natalia to get back and so I can celebrate the glorious reunion of two co-dependent weaklings. So sad! I’m kinda ashamed.

I sure do miss JL’s presence. The chemistry/verve her and CC have whenever they are onscreen together, regardless of the context or emotions of the scene, is sorely missed. I’m thinking that intangible quality they bring together will be the only saving grace in whatever resolution they are contracted to play out.

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Thu, 23rd Jul 2009 7:53 am 

I stand firm in my belief that Liv has to hit rock bottom, but I don’t like what GL writers have decided her rock bottom is. IMO, Liv’s rock bottom doesn’t involve Emma becoming an at-risk/failure to thrive kid. And it doesn’t involve Liv doing plain stupid things, like going to a bar in Chicago, when she knows full well Natalia is at a religious retreat. The handcuffs? WTF? I want the Olivia Spencer who gets hurt and makes everyone else hurt. This doesn’t look like love – it looks like crazy, teenage stalker stuff. There’s a blog in this.

dj on Thu, 23rd Jul 2009 9:30 pm 

Mallet is a total moment hijacker.

As far as the handcuffs, drunkenness, etc., ditto to Lana. I wish I was smart and insightful like that.

Lana, Snapper, Whatever on Fri, 24th Jul 2009 9:10 am 

The minor telling off of Rafe wins some well-needed points. Hopefully, it’s the turning point for our girl. But that’s for next week’s podcast.

JCF on Fri, 24th Jul 2009 5:45 pm 

Again, re “Rock Bottom Olivia”: Wednesday’s writing/editing misstep aside (an episode about which we can ALL query “WTF?!” Hey, GL’s entitled to a screw-up every once in a while!), Olivia’s descent just doesn’t seem that out-of-character to me…

…but I’m a GL newbie, admittedly. I confess to being influenced, heavily, by one of my FIRST and still-FAVORITE Otalia videos: Broken and Beautiful.

It’s also influenced by what I believe was the first Otalia clip I ever viewed: the Post-M2M dinner/ice-cream at Towers incident (under the harsh, judgmental gaze of two other mommies).

As Olivia was mouthing-off her lil’ schtick, my impression was (other than lustily agreeing re her “She’s a hottie” assessment of Natalia ) “This bitch is Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrazy!”

In short (and in my short-term estimation), Olivia has always seemed “broken” to me (though her beauty HAS grown on me, to be sure!)

Without Natalia, and in a pre-rockbottom condition, the question was only HOW LOW will she go? :-0

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