From General Hospital bringing Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) home to discovering that Laura (Genie Francis) was in a whole heap of trouble to Jack (Peter Bergman) taking action to safeguard Jabot on The Young and the Restless and more, here are our critics’ picks for the best and worst on soaps last week.
The Best
General Hospital: Kevin Returns — To Laura’s Drama!
Ya win some, ya lose some, huh Laura? Hot on the heels of winning the mayoral election and welcoming her loving husband, Kevin, home from from a long trip, her world fell apart. First she had to ‘fess up to Kevin about having found Dalton’s body in the trunk of her car. He was sympathetic, until she got to the part where she called Sonny — instead of the police — for help.
“You realize it’s too late for you to come forward now,” lamented Kevin, head in hands. He apologized for not being there for his wife during her ordeal and warned her troubles are likely far from over. His point was proven when Sidwell showed up with a photo of Laura standing by Dalton’s corpse and issued a series of threats, including his demand that she report to oily Ezra Boyle (the councilman crook she beat out for mayor). “Should I just resign?” cried Laura. Oh no, responded Sidwell. You work for me now.
Painfully aware that she’d fallen into Sidwell’s trap, Laura had a nightmare that dead criminals Cyrus and Esme were yelling at her to take responsibility (great job on the surprise returns, GH!). Kevin came home from tending a patient and diagnosed Laura’s dream as her subconscious telling her what to do. He reminded her of her obligation to Ace and acknowledged the PCPD knows Sidwell is a bad dude and made the point that perhaps it’s time to confess. “If it were just me, I’d take the chance,” responded Laura. “But I can’t without implicating Sonny.”
Indeed, at that very moment Sidwell was at Sonny’s house making similar threats while reveling in his good fortune at now owning the mayor and the local crime lord. But a panicked call from Laura spurred a reassuring response from the mobster: “We’ll figure it out,” promised Sonny.
Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) and Laura (Genie Francis)ABC
Beyond The Gates: Regrets, Bill Has A Few
On BTG, when Bill Hamilton cheated on his wife Dani, he didn’t do the math on what it would do to his valued relationship with her family. Now that he’s settled down with his new wife Hayley (who, unbeknownst to Bill, is trying to kill him, but that’s another story), Bill has to reckon with his new reality. First stop: a heart-to-heart with Vernon Dupree about his broken marriage to Vernon’s daughter.
“We were perfect for each other until we weren’t,” defended Bill, saying he regrets how his actions changed Vernon and Anita’s love for him. “I never had anything like that in my life, and I lost it,” he lamented. The time Bill spent with the Dupree family were the best years of his life, and he said he really did love Dani. Then Bill snapped back to the present, saying Hayley is his life now and he wants to protect her.
“Touching,” snapped Vernon. Too bad Bill wasn’t as protective of Dani. Bill knew the consequences and now he has to live with them. He broke Dani’s heart and the Duprees will never forgive him for that. “Hurt one of us, we all get scars,” rued the patriarch.
“I regret the way things ended with Dani,” allowed Bill. Vernon dismissed his former son-in-law’s recriminations, saying it doesn’t matter now: Dani has risen from the ashes — with Andre.
Vernon (Clifton Davis, l.) and Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett)CBS
Young and Restless: Jack Turns The Tables
What’s a guy to do when their mortal enemy has an AI program that could ruin your family company? Preemptively shut down the business and hope for the best.
“If the world thinks you’re dead, you are,” warned Nikki after Jack confided his plan to protect Jabot from a cyberattack spearheaded by Victor. Jack argued that his solution was a better choice than letting Victor suck the company dry and steal it out from under them. Nikki, true to form, defended her Y&R husband. But eventually she had to admit that Victor had already used the AI program to cripple Arabesque and ruin Cane. “I would yank that program away from him if I could,” she sniped.
“Now there’s a thought,” responded a gleeful Jack, just as Diane approached the table for some girl-on-girl snark. Jack lead Diane away so he could share the conversation, saying he told Nikki about the Jabot shutdown and she’s going to try and get her hands on the program — or at least keep Victor from using it on Jabot. Diane called Jack’s need to confide in his best friend Nikki “perverse,” but Jack countered that Nikki can help and, more importantly, he trusts her.
The ball’s in Nikki’s court now…
Jack (Peter Bergman) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott)CBS
Bold and Beautiful: Katie Considers Jumping Ship
B&B’s Katie made a big announcement when she returned to work after all her domestic turmoil with Will and Luna. “I am ready to step into my role as head of public relations for Forrester Creations,”she pronounced. Then Ridge and Brooke exchanged furtive glances and Katie immediately guessed something was up.
It was: They had hired an outside PR firm to handle the fallout from former Forrester employee Luna trying to murder them all, and didn’t need Katie’s help. Katie questioned the lack of support and Ridge coldly responded, “This is business. It’s not personal.”
Except that to Katie, it was. Bill popped by to “check on my girl” and got an earful about the crisis management company. Katie said she felt completely disregarded and expected more from her sister. Bill blustered that Forester should be on their knees thanking her, but hey, he’s got an idea: “Come with me to your true family company: Spencer Publications!”
Ridge entered and the moguls went at it. What Ridge didn’t realize was that when Bill left, Katie was considering going with him.
Moving on…
Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang, l.), Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) and Katie (Heather Tom)HOWARD WISE/JPI
The Worst
Days of Our Lives: Depression Era
The holiday season is off to a grim start on DAYS, with bad news hitting every family. Titan is circling the drain, with grim sales and layoffs coming. Stephanie has a stalker. Chanel and Johnny have money troubles, Marlena is sick, and she let Brady down. Rachel is crying in Bayview and spending time with “catatonic” teen Sophia, who is manipulating everybody. Ari is unhappy Leo is marrying Javi and will be joining the family after he screwed over her dads.
Most concerning is that the DiMeras are going missing. Tony, Kristen and Chad have been abducted one by one and thrown in the DiMera crypt, with a surprising lack of concern being shown by their loved ones. There’s no way Anna wouldn’t be screaming bloody murder at Tony’s disappearance, and Chad not showing up in court for the custody hearing was a giant red flag. “Did something happen to my dad?” asked Thomas. No, assured Jack and Jenn before realizing that it maybe it did. Meanwhile, EJ was all “I believe both my brothers will turn up safe and sound!” before Cat drugged his drink and he passed out.
Where’s the love, Salem? It’s Christmas!
Chad (Billy Flynn, l.), Tony (Thaao Penghlis) and Kristen (Stacy Haiduk)XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
B&B: Ridge Disrespects Eric
There is no universe where Ridge Forrester treats his father, Eric — the founder of the successful company bearing their name — like a bounder with a spotty resume looking for a job.
None of it rings true: Ridge and Brooke planning a retirement party for Eric without his knowledge is blasphemy. Daphne, of all people, questioned why Eric should accept his family counting him out when he still has so much to offer. “Shouldn’t Eric be allowed to to decide his own future?” she queried. (The Nose knows!) So there was Eric furiously designing a new collection while his son was actively planning his exit. “I’m still Eric Forrester,” announced the proud patriarch, surveying his new couture line. Donna urged her honey bear to look at what the added stress might do to his health, pointing out that he’d been working until all hours of the night. Nonsense, replied Eric. His talent is proof his career is still going strong.
Guess again, said Ridge, Brooke, Steffy and Carter when Eric entered his former office to show off his designs. They congratulated the “icon of industry” on his long career and pointed to the door. “I got to learn from the master,” dismissed Ridge. “Now its time for the master to rest.” Oh hell no, countered Eric. He built this company with Stephanie and he gets to decide his future — and he’s not leaving. “Yes you are, Dad,” scolded Ridge.
Donna declared herself “Team Eric.” We’re with her.
Donna (Jennifer Gareis) and Eric (John McCook)CBS
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