Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sunday Surgery: A Lesson in Dissection

Well, here it goes. I'm attempting to show exactly where GH writing has gone wrong in so many ways--just by using one story as an example. (wish me luck!) Watch as I dissect a Guza story arc.


                                          The Story? Cassadine/Spencer Baby-Switch**

This is Liz' THIRD Who's the Daddy story. Let's just start right there. THIRD.  I'm sure as soon as Becky found out she was PG, she just dusted off some of her old scripts, switched the names and she was good to go. 

Let's start with Helena because she's the one that messed with things in the first place.


April 2009---Hells comes to town for hospital opening and steals a painting from Wyndemere that has a birth certificate on it. Flies away...

September 2009 --comes back  to Port Charles complaining/ranting about a terrible man named "Valentin" who's a Cassadine hell-bent on getting revenge from both the Spencer and the Cassadine families. Poor Matt Borlenghi is hired to play the character, who we have not seen to date. Nikolas sends Grandmother to Greece.

October 2009--Jonathan Jackson comes back to the show, prompting many L&L2 fans to tune in and hope for a proper "reunion" of the characters. 

Feb. 2010---Helena comes back after finding out Liz and Nik have had an affair. She switches DNA tests showing that Liz's baby is actually Nikolas'-- when in reality, the baby is Lucky's.  Why would she want to bring a Spencer up as a Cassadine? Something about "revenge"--not that she's interested in her real grandson, Spencer OR her half-granddaughter Kristina. Helena also kidnaps Tracy and Luke follows. There's a dungeon scene..yada yada. Valentin isn't mentioned nor is the birth certificate. By the way, the reason Tracy was first kidnapped by Helena was over her suspicions about the baby's paternity. Tracy seems to have a terrible lapse of memory and never mentions this to Luke or anyone else after she's found. This more than anything else demonstrates the non-continuity in each story even within a few weeks!!

So,  Helena had been on and off  over a period of 10 months, and involved in 3 unconnected story lines, two of which had been dropped. 




On to the baby!! Aiden Alexi Nikolovich Cassadine was born on July 15th, 2010. He is really Lucky's first biological child and Luke and Laura's first grandchild. But why bother with all that? 

As this story has unfolded a great PR opportunity came up for the show and James Franco (Oscar hopeful no less) does his stint as crazy artist "Franco". Ergo, it makes sense that instead of continuing the story about paternity, the baby is kidnapped and sent to be raised by "Franco's Mother'... Uh..ok....Lucky actually rescues his own child but turns it over to Liz and Nikolas. 

Becky goes on real maternity leave in August 2010...taking the children with her.
(PS. Helena still has not been on the show since Feb.) 

Liz is back on canvas October 2010. Nikolas has been having a "story" with Brook Lyn involving her escorting him to parties/events we never see. Lucky is now involved with Siobhan an Irish Lass who may or may not be an Interpol agent.
Liz is working at the hospital-- concerned about Robin. 


That's it. Now..I ask you--- even when  this all fleshes out, who will care? Liz doesn't even talk about Jason's kid, let alone Aiden at the minute so whatever. Helena may or may not be back in Dec or beginning of the year. I have no idea if this is going to happen or not. So many things have been dropped or moved, I don't even want to speculate.  Point being, this is a story that was written so badly, took so much time to unfold that it's a BORING MESS. Who cares who raises the kid when we never see either man bonding with him? Who cares when Liz already has a kid with a man she never even mentions his name to? YAWN. And remember, this is just ONE story-arc being looked at. A dozen more could be looked at in the same way.

**Of course, Brenda's back now, so none of this matters.


We have ANOTHER BABY secret to worry about. :eyeroll: Can't wait.

25 comments:

  1. Didn't Carly also have 3 wtd storylines? Before we start the Liz bashing fellow wubbers, lets's remember that so many soap women have kids by 3 different dads.

    This story with the irish lad is dumb. The actress isn't anything great. Put Abby on our screen with Lucky I bet we would see some sparks. And why bring liz back with no story?

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  2. One more thing. How about JASON never mentions Jake! Somehow Liz is to blame they don't discuss Jason's his daddy? Come on Karen!
    And I do agree btw about it being L&L fist grandchild and such, but even one scene with Luke & the boys would be nice. Hell Cam is what, 5?

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  3. Oh, I'm not bashing LIZ by any means, I'm bashing the writers who can't seem to do anything BUT WTD stories with her.

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  4. Jen, I am in no way saying Liz is bad-- at ALL..as I thought that I was being clear about Jake not being mentioned to be Jason's. Who does the mentioning or not is a moot point.

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  5. And PLEASE remember I chose THIS story to talk about. I could have easily chosen Alexis or Carly

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  6. what is really stupid about aiden is that they gave him the same two middle names as spencer! we seen it onscreen when carly told jax what spencer's new name was in 2006. now all of a sudden his middle name is stefan and aiden has his old name. that's why i can't stand this show anymore. they rewrite everything constantly so it never makes sense. fire frons and guza!!

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  7. I am glad SOMEONE is talking about baby Aiden's paternity. The show sure isn't. I have long given up on Jason claiming Jake, mentioning Jake, having a scene with Liz (any scene, just to honor their history of about 14 years), or letting the Q's know they have a grandson/great grandson. I also held out false hope that jason would visit Robin in the hospital, or Sonny for that matter (didn;t watch Friday yet in case hell froze over and they actually did this) I myself just ff thru all Jasam scenes (unless of course the recent ones of sam being upset by Brazen, woohoo!). I'm also disgusted by the lack of movement on any Maxie storylines. This actress should be front and center daily. She is such a scene stealer and deserves a real leading man. Rather than have Lisa chem tested with Johnny, how about a Johnny/Maxie reunion? Chemistry was definitely there. Mac would be po'd that she chose another mob connection. I do like Jolivia but they spend more time breaking them up than they do showing them grow. what happened to her being dizzy/pregnant? Dropped again.

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  8. Once again I start off by asking -why does Guza still have a job??

    Now regarding the birth certificate that Hells had- could be it be
    1. Ethans-who is really Roberts
    2. Nik's-who turns out to be Luke's!!

    The show needs to get Helena back and have her be responsible for Laura's illness and Luke's stupid behavior as of late!

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  9. I'm echoing the question: why does Guza still have a job? I think he has great ideas but his execution sucks because he's got horrible ADD. Get the man some Adderall!

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  10. Wow Karen. Kuddos for remembering all that! Particularly since it's never mentioned or even alluded to. I don't know how there haven't been riots on the GH set by someone. If anyone was paying attention to the show they should know it makes no sense and Guza should be fired. I can't believe the show has been nominated for an Emmy at all for this entire decade (or at least most of it)

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  11. There was also that story this spring/early summer with Liz and Mama Walton, which brought a few good scenes. Helena and her (Shirley, maybe?) had a couple of scenes too. It was more successful than any of the stories you mentioned because it was just a short term thing that mostly aimed to redeem Liz a bit, I think, and didn't have any long-term implications intended.

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  12. Actually Ari GH won best show about 3 years ago & writing (lost me on the latter)

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  13. I saw on the spoilers that Natalia Livingston who played Emily is going to play Nicole's sister on Days that should be good they are having good days like shhhhh OLTL don't want to say it too loud.Last time GH won for writing I was screaming at my tv WHYYYYYYY?

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  14. Jennie_Cartier@hotmail.comNovember 14, 2010 at 6:54 PM

    Sure not be shock Bob never finish a story he write them then drop them just like he did with Robin Christopher storyline when she came back to town. If we want to save this soap we need a new head of daytime and writer. Jennie

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  15. Unless the story involves Sonny the head writer doesn't give a rat's ass about it. So, instead of giving us a beginning, a middle, and an end to stories which do not involve the boring and vomitous mobster, we get strung out crap that is poorly developed and makes the characters we do care about look stupid and inane.

    So why do I keep watching this drivel? There is always the hope that someone will teach Guza et al how to write satisfying stories that keep viewer attention, provide an emotional payoff, and show respect for the viewers. It would also be great if this "teacher" also had a couple important lessons on just retribution against mobsters, liars, and manipulative bitches.

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  16. Its amazing how people could spend so much time talking and writing about a show that they don't even like. Sounds like all of you should pick another soap opera to watch, and Kdmask, maybe you should find a new show to write about.

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  17. I hate to say this but this is Karens blog and if she wanted to report on the uses of toilet paper she could that.Shes venting about a show she loves and hopes someone will read this and maybe do something about the show she loves like all the rest of us that have been loyal to GH.So whatever she blogs about I will be here to read it wheather its GH or Charmin bath tissue.:))))

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  18. Brenda mentioned her sister Julia on Friday's show Thud!!

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  19. Great blog, Karen. Longtime reader here, and you pretty much summed up one of my 2 biggest problems with GH. The other is the mob. I apologize upfront for this long comment, but I am royally teed off right now at this show.

    I've been watching about 9 years now. Little did I know back in 2002-2004, those years would practically be the Golden Age compared to the garbage we're getting now. The random stories that make no sense drive me insane. The repetitive stories (your example, Sonny's formulaic and awful pairings, etc.) drive me insane too. As it is, I see it all as lazy writing. With lazy acting from some factions, to boot.

    I'm fed up with it all. GH has been turned into nothing but the Mob Sympathy Hour with random, usually bad storylines thrown in on the fringes. I've had no use for any mob character except Johnny for years now. I was at the point where I just fast forward all Sonny scenes and most Jason scenes. The obsession Guza has with those two is killing this show, IMO. The only way he will ever quit writing them as the only people who matter on screen is if the actors quit/retire or are let go. Guza should have been fired years ago, and I wonder just how low the ratings must go before it happens.

    So, first they have the bad writing. Then there's the Mob. I had been hanging on, hoping things would somehow improve. But then Guza had to go and take the ONLY character I truly enjoyed in the last year + (Ethan) and put him in a bizarre storyline and an awful, forced pairing with Maya that is now yet ANOTHER Guza recycle, this time of Tracy and Luke. Never mind that Maya actually seemed to have some easy chemistry with Lucky. And don't get me started on my Siobhan dislike. No offense to those who may like any of the above. But I've had enough. As of Friday, I'm done! I can't watch this mess anymore.

    Mercifully, I've been watching OLTL for almost 2 years. At least they know how to write stories. Some are bad, but even their worst storylines are more tolerable than the main storylines on GH.

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  20. I think Anon is complaining more about other posters than karen. They have to IMO since Karen does almost daily post things she liked about that days show. However, many other posters come here just to complain about GH. Seldom do we ever read many notes about anything positive. We hardly have much to work with these days but there are some bright spots, just not many.

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  21. YTo MAMASPAT OLE- you are right, she could write about whatever she wants, I wasn't trying censor her. I'm just saying if your that fed up with something, stop watching.
    As for you note that someone will listen and make a change...HAHAHA to that. Do you think executives at ABC care about a blog? Doubt thats where they get advice on how to run a mutlimillion dollar company. Were you really serious about that?

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  22. I do have over 7300 followers on twitter, and I do know a few actors read this blog!! ABC could care less I realize that.

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  23. Karen, I applaud your honesty and I read each and every blog post. I am miserable that GH has managed to become the joke that it is. They have wasted talent and for the most part, ignored what makes soaps so endearing to longtime viewers -character history and growth.

    For Anon...yes we come here to complain. Most of us, however, aren't watching. Like me, I know several that just keep tabs on the show in the most peripheral way and that is to read blogs like this or check the soap websites. Misery loves company and I like reading the comments here whether I agree with them or not. As 'Mamaspat' said, if Karen wants to write about the uses of toilet paper that's her perogative. You, however, don't have to read it. See how great that works out!

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  24. I mentioned this on here months back; but no one seemed to reply to it. When Liz and Nicholas were in the hospital with the baby they had a discussion about the babies eyes being HAZEL and wondered why. Days later the baby that Lucky gets from Franco's mother, was described by Franco's mom in one of her talks to the baby that the baby has such beautiful BLUE eyes. If the writers do not choose to sweep this under the rug, then the baby that Liz currently has should not be her real son with Lucky...but a different baby.

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  25. Who watches all that shit ?

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