In My Humble Opinion

Hello, my lovelies. My name is Akbi, and I’m a fan of all things scripted and serialized. So I wanted to share my thoughts about some topics that I frequently find myself thinking about as I sip a mint julep and watch the Bold and the Beautiful (B&B), Days of Our Lives (Days), General Hospital (GH), and The Young and the Restless (Y&R). Please, please do let me know whether you agree, disagree, or have an all ‘round different opinion. And remember, these musings are just…In My Humble Opinion.

Storyline I’m Loving: Anything with Ms. Hayley Erin. Upon Ms. Erin’s taking over of the role of Kiki Jerome from Kristen Alderson, her acting left something to be desired. But then came the episode and the scene in which Kiki discovered Ava and Morgan in bed. Since that day, that moment, Ms. Erin has let her inherent talent loose, and I want to applaud the heck out of her every time she comes on my screen. She’s letting herself be vulnerable, to explore both herself and Ms Kiki’s self. These days she has not one storyline of her own it seems, but her hands in many: Ava’s, Sonny’s, Morgan’s, Franco and Nina’s. And even that is great, which may surprise the writers to hear a fan say. So many of us feel fragmented and confused in our early twenties, and Ms. Erin is doing a great job of portraying a youthful life that “is a mess,” as she said to Maxie the other day. Keep up the excellent work, Ms. Erin! How lucky we viewers are to watch Ms. Erin the actress and Ms. Kiki the sojourning soul.

Best Acting: A Tie, between Ms. Heather Tom and Ms. Rebecca Herbst. No wonder she is a multiple award winner. Heavens, this woman can act! I’ve read a lot of people having issues with many aspects of my beloved B&B lately, but no one can or has to my knowledge faulted the thespian skill of Ms. Tom. She leaves me speechless and my handkerchief sopping wet as I watch her struggle through a rough patch with Mr. Bill Spencer and Ms. Brooke Forrester.

And oh, Ms. Herbst. You will break many a heart if you leave the role of Ms. Elizabeth Webber on GH. But such is the business of show and, really, life. Over the last 20 years, you have made this character full of subtlety and nuance, consistent but never predictable, and part of the steadily beating heart of Port Charles. As we, your many fans must ponder your departure, I can’t help but tip my Phillip Treacy hat to you. Brava!

Best Line: “I’m not trying to upset you. It’s just that you’re marrying into a grand family. It only makes sense that I protect our legacy.” Said by Mr. Dream Chad DiMera to Ms. Dream Abby Deveraux (as in, they were in an Abby dream sequence) on Days. I think pre-nups are a savvy move. Even so, this was a harsh way for Mr. Chad to offer up the idea to his bride-to-be. But that’s why I liked it! When Mr. Billy Flynn acts like unhinged, evil Chad, yours truly gets a little—no, A LOT—weak in the knees. Is it suddenly very, very hot in here? Yes, I’m aware this makes me a cougar. But if so, “Grrrrrr” I say!

Needs Improvement: Ms. Brooke Forrester’s Lonely Life. I don’t think I can watch another instance of tears welling up in Ms. Katherine Kelly Lang’s eyes, as well as she brings them forth. Writers, Mr. Bradley Bell especially, give this woman something to smile about or grow from: a job, a relationship (maybe a with another woman even?), a Yorkie, for heaven’s sake! Anything but more sadness for Brooke! I can’t bear it. And now rejection from her beloved sister! I’m getting upset just typing this. I want to see her smile!

Looking Forward To: Getting to Know Mr. Raj on GH. Who knows if he will stick around once his boss, Mr. Dixon, makes his inevitable appearance, but I like the addition of a character of Indian descent to Port Charles and the potential in the actor who portrays him. When he pretended to be a nice, hapless lad to Lulu as he requested rental of the Haunted Star for a party, I actually thought he was a different actor/character for a second! And yes, I was wearing my spectacles! It was just being so used to seeing him speak and act like a cold, indifferent mob middle-man. I love the characters on GH who we root for even though they chose ethically and morally questionable life paths. Let’s hope writers are going to add Mr. Raj to the list of such Port Charles residents.

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page, or join our Facebook Group for Discussion.