One Life To Live Discussion Group

Topic: Good work all around on the Oliver/Cristian and Kyle/Nick scenes today

Cristian's non-stereotypical behaviour around Oliver comes across as very natural, and frankly inspiring. He cares about Oliver and expresses his concern without any reservations - just like the straight male friends of gay men that I know. Poor Oliver seemed to be looking for an excuse to take umbrage when he asked why Cristian was putting on his shirt, and Cristian's refusal to explain was funny. Of course he doesn't care whether Oliver looks at him - he just has Layla's voice in his head, complaining about him being shirtless around his roommates. Oliver's comment about Cristian not being his type was uncalled for (and unfortunate if true - Oliver needs to think warm and fuzzy thoughts right now), but Cristian gallantly ignored the slight, and got to the heart of Oliver's melancholy. And Oliver returned the gesture.

It was a nice surprise when Cristian called Kyle's marriage fake just because it won't be legal, and Oliver pointed out that it still feels real. Usually it's the couple getting married that has to defend the validity of their commitment - OLTL managed to find an original angle to make the point.

When John called Oliver to work, he reacted so eagerly that I expected to see a tail wagging. I thought his sad expression when Jessica asked him not to damage the recording for Bree's sake was really eloquent. I could tell that he was thinking about his own father's voice, which may never sound the same to him. Scott Evans makes it look so natural, yet it shows how much thought he puts into being his character.

Has it really been only five weeks and two days in Llanview since Kyle and Nick's first date? That was August 20th - nine weeks and four days ago in real time.

I loved the sincerity between Nick and Kyle - Kyle told Nick that he was having second thoughts, but intended to keep his promise. Of course, he was trying to convey how important Nick's happiness was to him, but the alternating pride and tenderness that Nick showed as he insisted on Kyle doing what Kyle wanted was heartbreaking. These two are comfortable together and respect each other, and their joking about the preparations was adorable.

And yet, Kyle isn't over Oliver. I'm sure tomorrow's scenes will be intense.

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ITA Fish is horrible.

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Posted by: connie
Date posted: Tue Oct 27 18:07:52 2009
Message:
Once again I must be watching a different show. Fish has same Face expression and Non acting. No Straight Guy I know Would be giving Fish advise on gettting a Guy. They better keep Nick around because That's the only Chemistry I see between Kyle. Fish and Kyle. Hey watch Paint Dry. They have The same Look

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Posted by: sea
Date posted: Tue Oct 27 11:26:12 2009
Message:

I have said all along that I thought Scott Evans is playing his part exactly right.  I didn't read all of that into it about how Jessica's saved message took him instantly to his father, but oh, well. 

I think Cristian is back to the way he should be.  Since the character was first introduced, he has been a caring, decent man, and I would not think he would act differently toward Oliver.  Oliver is, after all, one of the good guys. 

To me, Oliver's eagerness to get called back to work, however brief, was so he would have something to focus on other than Kyle's upcoming nuptials.  As for Nick--never liked him, never will.  Besides the fact that I think he is creepy on a number of levels, it is just sad how he is forcing the issue of marrying Kyle.  If you really love someone, you give him space to decide--not show up with a tux and say "see you in church" or wherever this ceremony is taking place.  Another thing that rings so false is the lack of affection between Nick and Kyle.  It seems more like a business arrangement.  Kyle may think he is doing the honorable thing by keeping his commitment, but he needs to think again.  Hopefully he will see the light before this sham of a marriage takes place.

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Your comment about the set-up being ''false'' because of ''the lack of affection between Nick and Kyle'' seeming ''more like a business arrangement.'' - To me, this set-up serves to mirror the COUNTLESS times we've seen straight couples on soaps get married for reasons having nothing to do with them being in love, yet at the same time there might be real romantic interest (like Oliver) standing on the sideline who wonder if something more could possibly come from it, thus his comment about it feeling ''real.'' They did something similar to this on ATWT when gay Noah married foreign-born girl, Ameera, so she could stay in the US, with Noah's boyfriend, Luke, standing by wondering if he himself would ever be able to ''really'' marry Noah. But we've seen many soap stories over the years between straight participants where this same ''business arrangement'' set-up was going on, whether for economic or financial reasons, or parental pressure, or to give a child two parents, or the green-card set-up, or a drunken fling, or some form of extortion, etc. In this respect, it's just very soapy. - jmho

No doubt you are correct, Troy, but I don't like those storylines any better. Remember when Cris married Vanessa? I hated that storyline. At my advanced age, I am a stickler for honesty. No one does anyone a favor by being a liar. eom/sea

sea, you're right that the lack of affection looks false, and would be more appropriate for a couple that shares no sexual attraction. What is the director thinking? It looked strange when Nick would always be the one to kiss Kyle, and Kyle would awkwardly pat him without uncrossing his arms. But to say ''See you at the wedding'' and brush past each other without a good-night kiss? It seems like a clumsy way to tell us that Kyle loves Oliver, not Nick, even when we know that Nick spent the night with Kyle. If Kyle were a straight character, we would probably see him in bed with one partner just to get the other out of his mind! However, I disagree that Nick is putting pressure on Kyle. Nick has made it clear that if Kyle doesn't want to marry him, he'll respect that, and it won't break them up. When Kyle insisted that he would keep his promise, I don't think he saw it as an obligation, but as a sincere gesture to show Nick that he appreciates him, is proud of him, wants him to be happy, and wants to be part of what Nick thinks is important. Of course, it would be more convincing if we could see how much Kyle desires Nick, not just hear about it.

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Posted by: vh
Date posted: Tue Oct 27 9:47:08 2009
Message:

Interesting how perception varies.

I did really like the Cris/Oliver scenes.  Oliver has become much more natural so I'm guessing the awkwardness shown before was supposed to be representative of his leading a double life.  (I was never sure if it was choice or just acting that needed more polish.)

However, I guess I didn't think Cris came off all that natural.  He felt a bit forced to me.  Cris's lines (of course, not the actor's fault) were lame.  Why not just have him say, he mooned over you for months and begged me to help get Layla away from you?  And I don't think Kyle's playing a game, "wanting" Oliver to work for it, he needs to see that Oliver will fight for him.

I can hardly stand Nick.  His first appearances were great, but this instant attachment and constant nagging on whether Kyle is over Oliver is clingy and annoying.  If you have to ask someone that often if they are over someone else, either they are clearly not or you have trust issues.  Either way, not time for a commitment.

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You may not like Nick, but his character is not so far fetched. There are plenty of guys like him in the gay world. n/t

there are plenty of men and women of either persuasion like him in the general population, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. vh

ITA about Nick being annoying. Gay, straight, whatever, he gets on my nerves. (Edward)

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Posted by: Pat
Date posted: Tue Oct 27 0:18:42 2009
Message:
I liked those scenes today too. It is surprising that the story line involving Oliver, Kyle, Cristian, Nick and Layla is so well written that it makes you wonder how Dorian became a part of it.
I would have a hard time picking between Oliver, Kyle or Cristian (if he was gay)!

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ITA!

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