By 
People of the Valley (Wales)
This is, by far, one of my favorite stories right now. I love these guys. Iolo has always been a favorite of mine and it’s great to see him in an interesting story that doesn’t require him to be miserable all the time. Sure, there will be drama, but I’ve seen enough of Iolo’s tears over the decade he’s been on this show. I pray they actually let he and Tyler get married, even if there’s angst. And there should be because it’s a soap. Over all though Tyler and Iolo are a super sweet couple with a lot of chemistry who fit well together. I still think it’s way too soon for marriage, but I’m going with it for the moment.
As for this past week, you knew the venue owner would change his mind once he learned Tyler and Iolo were the ones getting married. I saw that coming a mile away. And we saw some of Tyler’s still present coming out issues because of his being upset about Kelly writing a story about it. I would have liked to have seen Tyler and Iolo discuss that Tyler was really bothered that more people would know he was gay, but that was glossed over. Shame.
And it annoyed me that Tyler had to be talked into helping Kelly save her job. She deserved better than that. I’m glad he came around. But my biggest issue with that whole plot arc is that there would be no way they could get a venue that nice two weeks before the wedding. It would be already booked! Besides, that ballroom was pretty big. Iolo and Tyler don’t have that many friends and/or family. The whole damn town could fit in that room. Seemed like wasted space to me. The place was beautiful though.
So they caught the girl that beat up Iolo, huh? Curious to see where it goes. I just hope it doesn’t end badly for Iolo and Tyler.
So I’m thinking Jude and Noah won’t be having sex anytime soon, then? Personally, I think this bit about gay teens who are avoiding sex to be kind of….. unrealistic. Connor was written as ‘bad’ because he wanted to have sex with Jude and now it’s the same with Noah.
I dunno when I was a teenager I couldn’t wait to get rid of my V card. I’m not saying Jude should give it away to anybody, but in a family where all the teens are getting laid regularly, I raise an eyebrow that it’s the gay one clinging his virginity. I think it’s strange that a growing teen boy doesn’t want to explore sex.
That flashback of a super young Jude and Connor got me a bit misty. I loved Connor, actually more than Jude, whose always been a bit of a pain, IMO.
The Haves and The Have Nots (U.S.)
So was that scene where David warned Veronica that if she kept pushing at Jeffery he would kill her foreshadowing? Seemed like it. I’m thinking someone will try and murder Veronica and Jeffery will be the top suspect. Of course it’ll turn out not to be him. Maybe Melissa.
I thought it was funny when during fake sex with Melissa, Jeffery moaned the names of the men in his life. Speaking of Jeffery’s men, where is Justin? He’s been off screen for a few eps now. I need him back (and shirtless) immediately.
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I thought that scene in Foster actually means they did have sex, at least something. Jude said he was scared before and Noah says he wants to do only what Jude wants to do. Then after they are both laughting and stoned. It seemed they smoke together and did something sexual.
Anthony, where are the spoilers for Lucas and Brad on “General Hospital”…?
Look at me, I made a funny!
I just want to say I am a grateful longtime reader of yours, Anthony and I’m excited that you have found this new venue to keep us all informed and to get your critical viewpoints on all things gay in soap opera around the world. I love reading your column every single week.
Why does “Secret Lives” feel the need to destroy Kalle like this. He deserves so much better, than to be written like this
How old is Jude supposed to be? He was in seventh grade when the show started, and I don’t think it’s been more than two years since then. It wouldn’t surprise me if a boy who was only 14 or 15 were wary of having sex.
I really hope JP and Scott don’t get back together. JP has repeatedly shown that he only gets with Scott when he has no better options. Scott needs to respect himself and find someone who actually likes him.
I’d say James is a more compelling character than Brendan ever was, mostly because Brendan quickly became an excuse for Emmett Scanlan to make faces, rather than a character, and because I hated Stendan. There’s also much less time spent on forced attempts to remind us that James is the real victim and there are no scenes of him beating the hell out of JP as we’re told that this is just how he shows love. With that said, I have no real interest in his story, because of the odious Scott and the not-so-subtle reminders that he is the one we’re supposed to care for.
“It’s not right for the character and that (along with how they’ve domesticated Robert and made Aaron a nag) has made Aaron boring as hell.”
I can’t say I agree. I actually find Aaron more interesting now than I have in a long time. To me Aaron boring as hell = endless crying and angst and contrived reasons to have him self-harming for awards. Seeing the character smiling, laughing, and spending time with his family is exactly what he needs. And I actually don’t mind his relationship with Liv at the moment either, because they’re much more believable as brother and sister than when the show tries to push him as her parental figure.
I also don’t think Robert is that domesticated lately. Not compared to his tedious mooning and white knighting during the abuse story, where he had turgid lines like, “He’s my everything.”
Yeah, I’d hate to see Ben and Johnny as a couple, despite it probably being endgame. They would be a very odd couple. They seem like such a mismatch, and like you said, Johnny could do better. Do Johnny and Ben even have chemistry? Seems like Johnny really likes Tom the Paramedic, so would be fun to see the soap explore that, sadly that probably means they won’t, sigh. It’s sad because Johnny and Tom actually have chemistry and it’d be a fun pairing I think.
None of the current soap storylines interest me. I was into the James/JP storyline because I thought they were an interesting pairing and had great chemistry, but then they went ahead and made JP blind, so yeah. I have a feeling JP will go running back to Scott and that when James finally comes to his senses about his mom manipulating him and about his feelings for JP, it’ll be too late. It’s obvious James has real feelings for JP though. He only told him about the bet because his mom manipulated him into thinking JP was better off without him. He wanted to push him away.
So Sonny has returned as a badass Kiriakis. It does look like he and Paul will play Hardy Boys to clear Victor’s name before an eventual romance. It has potential and could be interesting.
Even before I read your caption, I thought there was something intriguingly taboo about that photo of Robert & Lachlan. I’m glad Robert is doing something besides being chastised by Aaron every couple of days and am looking forward to where this story goes.
I’m not sure I want to see Ben & Johnny get together even though that’s likely the endgame. I’ve grown fond of Ben, but in all honesty Johnny can do better. I’d like to see him call up Tom the paramedic who made another appearance when they found Babe in the freezer, so here’s hoping. Ben is young with a lot of baggage and needs some time to live down his past and stand on his own feet before embarking on another relationship.
I enjoy Kelly’s support of Iolo & Tyler, but she’s overdue for a story of her own. It doesn’t seem she’s related to anyone in the show so that leaves open lots of doors for possible stories. Or just pair her up with big, burly Chris who made that cameo last week when she got Iolo to see what a bad idea his setup was. I’m guessing that Craig’s return will somehow lead to drama around the wedding date with a possible William return. It seems likely his return would just be drama and would not break up Iolo & Tyler so I’m OK with that.