It's Only My Opinion

Daytime's most outspoken columnist!

- Carolyn Hinsey

Keeping a soap couple interesting is a challenge they need obstacles, screen time and heat.

Nikki and Victor have settled into a cautious détente on Y&R. Their current drama comes from working together and their kids, with the occasional lie bubbling up to cause friction until he buys her a diamond or a villa and begs forgiveness. Abby and Chance prove my point (no obstacles or heat), Lily and Billy's obstacle is his microphone (not a euphemism), and Nick and Phyllis fizzled despite having all three, which I still don't get. But Adam and Sally show promise, and Victoria kept us glued as she gaslit her shady husband into thinking they were going away together.

Victoria: "You pride yourself on being one step ahead of everyone else. You didn't see this coming?"

Ashland: "I thought our love would win out in the end." He faked cancer, lied that he was dying and pitted Victoria against the Newmans to engineer a merger between their companies. Those are some matzo ball-sized obstacles.

Victoria: "All to get your hands on my family company."

And now he wants her back, so cue Victoria's car crash and Ashland saving her from the flames to start his steep climb toward what looks like redemption. Never say never on soaps, but that's as tough a slog as crawling out of a wheelchair after your true love declares herself the Slut of Springfield.

Ah, memories.

DAYS's Abigail also gaslit Gwen into thinking she'd forgiven her and would be honored to serve as Gwen's maid of honor for her wedding to Xander. Jack and Jen returned briefly for the union (no obstacles = back burner) which never stood a chance because the marriage was built on deceit.