As the World Turns - NEWS ROOM

Wow! Has it really been another full week of recapping, reviewing and picture taking all around Oakdale? Call me crazy or tell me I've got a serious case of summer-it-is (that disease that leeches time from every day until the summer's gone and fall is upon us) because I seriously woke up this morning thinking it was Wednesday and I had two more full days to throw myself into the wackiness of Oakdale of late. What went right for you this week? What went wrong? In a second we'll talk about a few of my favorite things from this week. . .and a few things that weren't so memorable. Drop me a line in comments below whether you agree or disagree and we'll keep the conversation flowing. Now, on to the column!

August 8, 2008

That absolute best darn thing that happened this week? Soaps.com received confirmation that two big stars are coming back to Oakdale! Turns out, Dusty isn't really dead and James is tired of being left out of all things Oakdale so they're headed back to our favorite city! You can read more about that here. Also, the writers are bringing back an Andropolous! Betsy's daughter, Dani, returns to the canvas later this month. I can't wait to see what she has in store for everyone…and I'm wondering if that means a few more golden oldie families (or family members) could be headed back, too?

Did anyone else think Lily's initial play for Mike was lame? We know she's hurting, we know she wants to get back at Holden. But what soccer mom tries to seduce a man in jeans and a t-shirt? Her second attempt, at The Lakeview, was much better. But it probably would have gone over with different results if she hadn't tried that first swoon at the house. C'mon, Lils!

Last summer when Parker was up in arms about Carly returning to town, he leaned on Paul quite a bit. In fact, the two seemed rather inseparable. Just a few months ago, Parker insisted on going to the hospital right away when Paul's car blew up. But now that he really needs to talk to an adult he could actually trust, he isn't even trying to see Paul? Not even calling him? Not asking to move into Fairwinds? Let's give Parker a little stability - even if that stability is Paul!

Methinks the teen romance bubble is about to burst for Parker and Liberty. She's already bought in to her parents rules (did anyone think she wouldn't?) about not seeing Parker alone. I never actually thought she would go against them, though, because as soon as they did the deed she seemed to regret it. To me, I think Libs was just looking for someone, anyone, to lay down the law so she would have an excuse not to be alone with Parker again. Poor Parker, though, is a rebel without a clue at this point. He's got so much emotional baggage he needs a luggage cart to carry it all around. And Jack, sending the kid off to tennis camp is not going to fix this. His issues go back veddy, veddy, veddy far into the past. He needs to begin seeing the therapist again and it can't happen soon enough!

Henry and Bonnie were kind of cracking me up this week. I wasn't belly laughing but Henry offering to take a little of Bonnie's guilt money and Bonnie not wanting the money but not being willing to share were just too funny! Isn't that how Henry and Vienna used to be? I miss that! Hank and Vi have so much chemistry and fun! But lately all Vienna seems to be interested in is the diner - and that's not fun or sexy! She's the only adult in Oakdale who has a job and actually seems to work! How odd is that? I see the writers changing Vienna's character, though, and I have to ask do they really need to do that? She was fun as the slightly silly heiress who didn't have a clue how to wash her own clothes. I like that she has a job and is living in the real world, but let's brings back a little bit of the fun Vienna. The girl who blew off work. The girl who made Henry laugh. The girl who knew the beauty of a shopping expedition to the most expensive, exclusive store in town!

You know who I'm really rooting for this week? Sofie's ghost! You know why? Because I think she could torture Aaron right into the Snyder Farm Pond. And I wouldn't miss him at all! Aaron, we know you don't like Chris. Aaron, we know you are uber-protective of Alison. Aaron, we know you think you know everything but stop putting words in people's mouths and try listening for a change. Allie never said Chris tried to bump her off. Allie never said he was responsible for her crazy actions. In fact, if you would have paid attention, you'd have heard her say that Chris tried to help her that day at Java. But no, you're a Snyder man and it's your way or the highway. So, Ghost of Sophie, fugeddaboud Meg and go after Aaron. We could use a little bit less of the self-righteous Snyder men right about now.

Speaking of self-righteous Snyder men, if Holden doesn't stop playing both sides (Carly and Lily) against the middle and make a flippin' decision, I'm gonna scream. He obviously loves Carly. He obviously feels guilty about Lily. Get him into one of Parker's therapy sessions, stop Emma and Luke from beating him over the head with the Stay-Together-For-The-Children excuse and lets move on already! Adults stopped staying together for the children in the 1960s. Yeah, that is sad but it has also led to children who aren't warped about what love really is, children who don't need years of therapy and children who grow up to be job-holding, caring adults.

My final thought for the week? I love a good murder-mystery and even though no one is dead (yet!), I'm loving the poisoning/drugged jewelry storyline. I think I know whodunnit but then again, there are quite a few suspects so I could be wrong. So, I'm just going to enjoy the ride!