Was It Real or a Dream? OMG, It's The Second Coming

I hope I don't offend the Christians. I'm not one, so it's just a cute turn of a phrase to me.  If it pisses you off, I apologize. But, it's fitting.

You know, there's only certain things you can depend on in life. You've all heard that. The old joke then goes "death and taxes". It's corny but the point is that there's no stability really. Nothing can be relied upon to stay the same. All things must change or end. And, equally as trite, is the idea that life is like a shark. It has to keep moving or die.

I've thought this for quite a while and lived it for over five years now. I've watched huge, important pieces of my life fall by the wayside and I often feel as if I'm wandering alone in some strange land that I not only don't recognize, but don't like either. It's a strange feeling. You realize that there is little to hold onto, as it will be gone soon or didn't really exist at all.

But today, that changed. Strange as it sounds, something came back. And it looked as good and sounded as good and, dammit,  felt as good.  I can't believe I watched new episodes of AMC and OLTL today. It was bizarre but wonderful. And I couldn't be happier for the cast, the crew, the fans, and, of course, myself. Man, I need it. At this point, familiar faces who act as they should is so rare, I'm grateful for what I can get! If they have to be on TV, that's okay for now. At least there's that.

Okay, there were a lot of strangers on AMC. I admit it. There were faces I don't know. I'm not sure I even care but I don't mind. I'll take it. I loved seeing Jesse and Angie and David. Hello, it's David!! And, be still my heart, Adam and Brooke. How cool is that? Adam Fucking Chandler finally gets his best wife back. It's about time and just seeing David Canary's face is enough. But seeing him look at Julia Barr makes it even better. And she's holding the book.......the book. I loved that. And it was so needed. AMC is the sentimental favorite where I stand. I need the shoutouts.

I have to admit that I missed Tad. A lot. I missed my Martins and I need to see them STAT! But, I'm patient. I can wait. I've looked at MEK's face as Tad Martin since Junior High and I need to see that again and regular- and I mean it. I said I'll wait....but I don't like it. Dixie's fine as a place holder and we know he's in the bed in the coma, but Tad is key and without him, I don't need her. Sorry. Cady McClain is great but I'm biased and I admit it. I need to see Dr. Joe and Tad. And RPG's Jake and Tad. And Jesse and Tad. And David and Tad.....I guess I should stop now.

I'll just say this. I loved this show and am so happy with it. But I need Tad. Can you guess that? Erica can stay gone forever. But Tad...yeah. I needs me some of that.

OMG, OLTL.  Pause......

OMG OMG OMG!!

OLTL without Nimnuts?? It's a revelation. It was so fucking good!! OMG.  Can I say that again? OMG!! Really good.

First, hello, it's Viki and her GILF, Clint. And it's Llanfair! It's really Llanfair!!! I can't even believe it. It's the same...essentially. But it's there and she's Viki and he's hot Clint and it's all kinds of fabulous. The best thing about the whole show is that it's the same, but better. I don't even mind the kids. I like Nu-Matthew. I can deal with DanYeller as she's a fucked up mess, so slutty, druggy, Screech works for me.

And Bo.... Can I stop and just say Thank God there's still one BO left!! We really need him. He's so wonderful, you want to hug him and not let go. But Nora would make you. And she's still Nora. PLEASE let her rip into Todd- just once. I would pay for that....and I think I kind of am with Hulu Plus. And I'm happy to do it. But, please, one time. That's the best.

Oh, and Todd and David? Nothing better but I'm David's bitch. I love that guy- Tuc and David- and Dorian? Well, there's no comparison to Le Strasser. No comment needed there. So fun and fabulous and had be in stitches.  And NIGEL!! The fierce, man-eating Nigel. What a treat.

And, as usual, the dysfunctional duo from hell, Todd and Blair, were wonderful and angsty. I think Howarth has been deloused as he was Todd again.  Surly, obnoxious, rude, and a bull in a china shop mentality. His entrance into the club was a classic Todd move. "Fuck You, I'm rich and I know no one wants me here but I'm going in anyway".   Yeah, Todd!!! Shecky McManning or Eddie Haskell seem to be left in the dust. I have visions of KDP and ES searching for gnits in his hair and then spraying him down to get the stink of the loser that was GH off him. I know he goes back but Todd stays, so have fun, Dude. I'm sure you'll be back soon but as long as Todd is not going with you, it's not my concern

I'm fine with a show that's more balanced for a while. I have some Todd fatigue and there's enough talent here to keep it fresh. Hopefully even after he's back, they won't turn it into the Todd Show again. It's so much better when it's not. As we've learned, Todd on his own ain't all that. He needs the others.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but here goes:

I was happy to see Victor.

Yeah, I said it. What about it? I'm a legendary hypocrit. But can you be a hypocrit if you admit it? Not sure but, really, who cares. But, I digress.

I was so pleased to see TSJ. I'm realistic. As long as he ain't Todd, I'm fine with him. He and Tea can rock the house down with S&M scenes and he can take care of DanYeller the Whore. Fine with me.

But what I love more than anything is seeing all the Carlivati crap gone. The Two Todds has become like Viet Nam- a quagmire that killed too many good people for nothing we can quantify and ends with a thud, not a bang.  Well, except for each Todd banging their respective wives. I guess that counts. And let that countdown begin because, you know, it's coming....excuse the pun. But, like Viet Nam, we're left wondering what the point was and will be glad to put it on our past and move forward.

Like McNamara, Nimnuts can spend his life trying to justify his failure. It's unfortunate that in both instances, what started out with some of the best intentions deteriorated into what it became. A travesty. Viet Nam for the country and the world. The Two Todds for the show. It represents what went wrong. Ill conceived plots, bad writing, stupid twists, moronic characters, and so much more. That's what killed soaps. And it's over. Thank God. It's unfortunate that GH is the new Viet Nam, but maybe that will be spared soon, as well, and they'll cancel the beast. Give it to PP and I swear, the Gruesome Twosome will be nowhere in sight.

So, I'm so pleased. I'm giddy and satisfied and will happily watch every episode- many times. I've watched them twice so far-once on my own, once in the nursing home with my mother and aunt. And, who knows, it's early and I have film lab later....you never know.

PP seems to be listening to my father, the siding salesman in Chicago. You see, when you make a quality product, it can still be sold to the old buyers and you can cultivate new ones. You have that client base, so use that and then work on new leads and show them the goods.  And that's what these shows have become. They're shined up and refreshed, but they're still what they were.  Quality characters played by actors who have talent. This time, they have something to work with and that's even better. And, I have no doubt that they'll be there tomorrow. And next week. And next year.

I have to admit that I cried a little bit- not for the characters, but for myself. For that one moment, it was nice to have some constant back in an ever spiraling life. It gave me hope that there's a new normal on the way that won't be the same, exactly, but it will be familiar enough to be comforting. And feel enough like home to make up the loss of what can no longer be.

Just one thing. We're a little Martin-lite. And a day without Tad is just not quite as bright. The sky lit up as if there were fireworks today yet there was a shadow. But it won't be long. Tad always comes home. He has to because, in reality, is there anywhere else to be? Like me, Tad's been wandering, trying to get back. And, maybe by the time I get there, he will, too.

And it will all seem like a bad dream. "Was it real?" we can ask. Maybe but, know what, it's about over. And maybe soon, we can all rest easy for a while. Could be we'll find out home is not where you are, but who is waiting when you arrive.