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Langford On Soaps: Iolo Discovers William's Shocking Secret On "People of the Valley"

Plus, the latest on The Fosters, River City, Secret Lives, Days of Our Lives, Los Miserables, Empire, Emmerdale and much, much more.

Langford’s Picks and Pans

Days Of Our Lives (U.S.)

I don't like the direction the story is taking. Haven’t liked it for awhile now.

Why is Paul apologizing to Will? It's ridiculous. I know the show wants their gays to be good, but I find Paul acting like he's done something wrong to be ludicrous. Why is Paul even staying in town? It's not to get Sonny back. Seems to me he's trying to help reunite Will and Sonny, an unfortunate prediction I made that seems to be coming true.

Will's cheating is being mitigated and I suspect the show is going this way to facilitate a quick reunion between Will and Sonny. Will is just as ridiculous with his whining about not being Sonny's first lover-- as if that is really what's relevant. And that's the problem, the show isn't addressing what they should be.

The show still hasn't gotten to the heart of why Will cheated nor has anyone wondered how Sonny feels about Paul now-- something the show has never addressed and that they actually avoid discussing or talk around. Those are two key story points. That should actually be the story.

The show is watering down the story with extraneous issues like Will whining and feeling put out about not being Sonny's first. Will doesn't even make any sense. But then he usually doesn't, something that's always been a problem in the writing for this character.

Somehow the show is making this story boring. No surprise given the overall writing on this show.

Sonny's dream about Will and Paul being together with Ari and Will closing the door on Sonny's face was hilarious.

Given Tori's reaction to Marlena, it's even more certain that the rumors about Paul being John's son are true. Still not sure about that plot twist. But this is a soap and if Paul is going to stick around, he’s bound to be related to someone at some point. At least Daniel's not the baby daddy.

*Thanks to MRFIXIT for the clips!

EastEnders (U.K.)

This living situation is a disaster waiting to happen. Both Ben and Abi are living in a dream world. Abi thinks she can change Ben or live with him being gay. And Ben still thinks his being gay will just go away. Now, as I’ve always said, the problem with this story for me is that Ben came out of the closet fully and completely a couple of years ago. So I’m still not sure why the show is playing the story all over again as if his original coming out never happened.

Eventually though, a guy is going to come along and neither Ben nor Abi will be able to deny the obvious. That guy would have been Johnny, of course, if Sam Strike hadn’t suddenly up and left the show. Unfortunately, Abi is clearly obsessive and a bit unhinged. She is not going to take well to being tossed aside by Ben, not well at all.

Empire (U.S.)

Another nicely done episode, though this one had a different feel than previous eps. It was a bit more grounded and not as soapy, though there were still lots of drama and story twists. Perhaps this is the tone the show should always strive for.

I liked Hakeem's comment that Jamal would be in therapy 25 years from now if he didn't work things out with Lucious before Daddy dies. LOL...

Gee, Lucious tried to play both women. What a shock.

I still can't believe that they haven't done a DNA test on that little girl.

I loved the scene with Cookie and Camilla. Classic bitch fest. Looking forward to seeing more clashes.

Nice twist of how Jamal used Lucious’ words as his inspiration to finally come out. The song was nicely done and beautifully performed. And Hakeem going to Jamal later and making peace was a great moment. I've always liked their relationship.

It's very realistic that Lucious would resent Andre for marrying someone of another race. That scene between and Andre rang true to me, just like Lucious still holding on to his homophobia despite everyone else's positive reaction to Jamal's big news. But no confrontation between Jamal and Lucious? How disappointing. Maybe we'll see that in this week's episode.

Emmerdale (U.K.)

I wasn’t going to pay much attention to the Lachlan/Alicia storyline, but with Robert and Lawrence involved, I guess I don’t have much choice. I think so far, the story has been handled well and nicely acted by everyone involved. Thomas Atkinson, the kid playing Lachlan is very good in a role that probably is tough for a kid his age. He certainly has the part of a creepy sexual predator nailed. Kudos to him.

I’m glad about two things so far: that the show didn’t have Alicia get raped and that Alicia immediately reported the assault. So many times in these stories the victim don’t report it and it’s refreshing that we don’t spend weeks of watching them suffer in silence with everyone around the victim wondering what’s wrong.

I’ve read a lot of criticism of Chrissie and how could she not believe that Lachlan did this, especially since she suspected him of inappropriate behavior and the show has hinted that he’s stalked women before.

But parents ignore and/or cover for their kids who commit the most heinous crimes. I have no trouble with Chrissie convincing herself that Lachlan is innocent and covering for him. Besides, I have no doubt that it’ll be Chrissie, upon realizing that her son is truly disturbed, will turn Lachlan in when all is said and done. That’s how these things usually go.

I could have sworn last week that Robert told Aaron that it was over between them. But now Aaron says they're done and Robert’s all shocked? My head is spinning with the number of make-ups and breakups they’ve had. I know it won’t last, of course, give it a few weeks and they’ll be at it again. Of course, all it takes is a breakup with Aaron and Robert is all horny for Chrissie again. Hmm....

I thought the Finn scenes were cute. I loved the beat of the roof caving in on Val, Finn and Pollard. That was classic.

How To Get Away With Murder (US)

So that’s a wrap for the season. And it’s been a good one, but one the least interesting aspects of the show has been the season long murder mystery. Now it looks like we’ve got another one for next year. I’d like to think they’ll wrap up Rebecca’s murder quickly, but I doubt it. Now I would like to find out who killed Rebecca and why, not to mention who Frank really is. But I hope there’s more emphasis on the episodic cases. That’s why I watch the show to begin with.

As for Connor and Oliver, I don’t know why the show had to go there. Was it for shock value, or will we actually get an ongoing story behind it? Either way, I don’t care much for it. Do any of the very sexually active straight characters discuss HIV or AIDS or getting tested? Didn’t think so. So why is this an issue just for the gays? That pretty much sums up my feelings about this story twist. And the creator of this show is gay, right?

Los Miserables (Telemundo)

Last Friday’s Los Miserables featured two kidnappings, a rape, a threatened gang rape, a murder and other acts of violence. It also featured a beautiful moment of unconditional love between a father and his gay son when Nacho encouraged Abel to come out of the closet, live his life the way he wants and love whomever he wants. They were lovely scenes, especially amid all the over the top drama taking place in all the other stories. The things Nacho said to Abel is what all gay kids (and adults) need to hear from their parents and as much as I get annoyed with coming out stories, it’s scenes like those that make them so important.

I’m wondering if I missed something in regards to Gonzolo. His doctor told him that his symptoms may not be Parkinson's Disease, but later Gonzolo told Abel’s shrink that he did in fact have the illness and that’s why he broke it off with Abel. I didn’t see a scene where Gonzolo’s results came back confirming the diagnosis, unless it took place off screen. Perhaps Gonzolo is only assuming he does have it, even though it hasn’t been verified and it’ll later be revealed that it’s something less serious? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.

I thought it was really weird that while the show has made it clear that Abel is everybody’s favorite and they all dote on him, the family nevertheless went on to happily plan Elena’s wedding while Abel lay in the hospital after trying to kill himself.

Funny that Consuelo and her mom were having a very intense argument about Abel only two feet away from Nacho and he didn’t seem to hear them at all. LOL...

Gonzolo continues in that long line of soap doctors who are the only ones on duty whenever somebody comes into the emergency room. Just in the past few weeks he’s delivered two babies, performed Ignacio’s heart transplant and saved Abel’s life after his suicide attempt. Soaps always do this and it always amuses me.

Most of the romances on this show are terrible and boring, especially the lead romantic story, even if Daniel the cop is super hot. But I do like two of the smaller love stories: the ex-hooker and the shrink and Evaristo and his female partner on the police force. Those are fun and interesting side romances. I’m looking forward to seeing them wind up happy.

Nashville (U.S.)

That was a really cute song Will sang at the beginning of the show. I love the music on Nashville.

I dunno, I thought Jeff looked kinda sexy sitting on Layla’s sofa in his boxers and tee shirt.

Deacon’s doctor is freaking hot. Can we get him with his shirt off, please?

Layla is a lot more tolerable now that she’s not married to Will. I’m glad she got her job at Rayna’s new company, but I have a feeling Jeff is going to ruin it for her.

People of the Valley (Wales)

Since Iolo’s new beau William is played by Aled Bidder, the younger brother of the guy who used to play Iolo’s brother Macs, I just want one person on the show to say to William: “You know, you look a lot like Iolo’s older brother, anybody ever tell you that?” Do it show. For me? It would be funny. Okay, I think it would be funny anyway.

I thought the William/Iolo scenes were cute and I liked the scene where Iolo told William about having OCD and how he lives with it. However, I felt like this should have played months ago when William was first introduced and Iolo was in the midst of his OCD struggle. Seeing their relationship develop at that point in the story would have been much more dramatically compelling. And hearing Iolo say he no longer sees a shrink just reminds me the show never really dug into the cause of Iolo’s disorder after spending so much time teasing and hinting at the plot point. Still disappointing how they handled that storyline.

I’m curious about Britt’s reaction to Iolo dating a cop and Iolo’s connection to Garry. That could be a potentially interesting story, especially if Iolo gets caught between his family and his new boyfriend. But Iolo would certainly not want William to cause any trouble for Garry. After all, Garry did get someone to take the rap for Iolo after Iolo ran over Gethin and left him for dead. I doubt if the show would revisit that storyline, but it’s a thought I had.

River City (Scotland)

So is that how we leave it for Will and Robbie? They’re just going try and make it work and see what happens? Okay, but I think they might want to consider counseling. Like Will said, they don’t talk enough. They let issues just fester rather than addressing them too deeply, such as whether they really want to be parents. Will clearly wants it more than Robbie and it is going to be an issue between them again. Point is, therapy helped Will work through his problems. It might help their marriage or make them realize it can’t work.

I don’t know why the police didn’t show Patrick the tape that proved Will was innocent. Not just to assure Patrick that the police aren’t covering anything up, it’s possible seeing that tape might jar Patrick’s memory or he might be able to identify who the attacker is. That didn’t make much sense to me.

Secret Lives

I loved daddy Sebastian telling Elias that he’s always unhappy no matter what. Daddy is right! LOL....

With all this fighting about moving out, I do have to wonder why Kalle continues to live with his parents. He’s a successful doctor. He must be able to afford his own place. And although Kalle’s mother clearly doesn’t like Lari for Kalle even if she won’t admit it, she’s right that Kalle should have least talked to Lari about moving out, especially given the circumstances. That doesn’t excuse that she’s a total bitch for going behind Kalle’s back in order to stir up trouble between Lari and Kalle.

I did like that final scene with Lari and Kalle, whith Kalle standing outside Lari’s door, thinking about ringing the bell and Lari looking at his phone wishing Kalle would call. That's the kind of soapy angst I love. I just hope that Lari doesn’t use this as an excuse to sleep with Elias again.

It was nice to see Miska, but I’m surprised they brought him back into the picture. I thought he was history after the breakup with Elias. But why in the world would Miska want Elias back after how shabbily Elias treated him? Miska always seemed smarter than this.

Did Marianne kill herself? Did I miss the resolution to that plot point. I know some might think what Sergei did was extreme and it was, but this woman did get him institutionalized and kidnapped several people. I can’t blame him for wanting revenge.

*Thanks to MISFINLANDIA for the clips!

The Fosters (U.S.)

The scenes with Jude and Connor were really cute and quite moving. And for all the folks complaining that the story has moved too slowly, these boys are only 13 and it’s a sensitive, controversial story. For those and a lot of reasons, I think the show is doing it right. As much as I enjoyed the scenes with the boys, I also liked the scene with the moms where they talked about kids discovering their sexuality at a much earlier age these days, which is certainly true.

And Jude’s ‘girlfriend’ Taylor is awesome. She is fabulous. And It’ll be interesting to see where Jude and Connor go from here. Sadly, they’re so young I can’t imagine it ending well. But that’s why they call it drama. Kudos to the show for telling the story and doing it so well.

The Haves and The Have Nots (U.S.)

So let me get this straight, a dangerous, convicted felon puts on a pair of brass knuckles, stands across the room in your apartment and threatens you. You are standing several feet away from him, next to an open door with your cell phone in your hand. Do you leave your apartment immediately, phoning 911 at the same time? Of course not, you let the felon jump you and get into a fight you are most certain to lose. Sigh. THATHN is certainly a ludicrous show, but this episode just might be one of it’s most ridiculous.

Of course, I’d like to think that assuming Jeffery will survive this (and he will since he’s a main character), and he’ll finally see his mother as the heinous, contemptible person that she is and cut his losses with her. I mean, she didn’t care that he was going to be beaten up within an inch of his life as long she got her way. But he won’t. He’ll still cower and dance to her tune as long as she threatens to send Wyatt to jail for the vehicular homicide he actually committed. Pathetic.

I like the beat of David telling Veronica if she kept pushing Jeffery he might commit suicide like Amanda has. But Veronica made it clear she’d rather have a dead straight son than a living gay one.

I had forgotten how terrible and one note the actor who plays Quincy is and I’m not grateful to the show for reminding me. And I know that it seems like Quincy has been running around town ‘looking for Candace’ for the past year because he has. On the show, of course, it’s only been a few days because of the incredibly slow pace. On another note, did we know that Wyatt had been molested as a child before this episode? I can’t remember if the show has ever talked about that before.

At least one thing makes sense. We finally see why Melissa is so intent on being with Jeffrey despite everyone telling her he’s gay. She has a sick father and no doubt Veronica is footing the medical bills in exchange for her 'services'. And I have a feeling Melissa being pregnant or at least claiming she is will certainly be a plot twist around the corner. Probably just as Jeffery gives in to Landon or something.

This Week in Spoilers

Can Finn save Val?

Emmerdale: Finn worries about Val when she begins to exhibit flu like symptoms. He pushes her to go see a doctor, given that she’s never taken any meds despite her HIV status. But Val refuses. Eventually, Finn gets Val to make a doctor’s appointment, but Val is reluctant to go.

Val’s symptoms get worse, but she tries to hide them. Finn and Emma find Val collapsed on the floor and she’s rushed to the hospital. Finn and Pollard anxiously wait for word on Val and soon Val’s son Paul arrives at the hospital. The situation grows grim when Val slips into a coma. Fortunately for all, Val recovers.

Paul encourages Finn to ask Darren out...

While keeping vigil with Val, Finn meets a cute nurse named Darren. However, despite Darren’s obvious interest, Finn’s gaydar is in the fritz and he doesn’t pick up that Darren likes him. Paul’s gaydar is much more in tune, however, and he tells Finn that he has an admirer. It isn’t long before sparks are flying between the two young men. But will Finn take the leap for romance? Plus, when Emma notes how close Val and Finn are, will she be jealous over her son’s affection for his surrogate mother?

Robert and Lawrence try to protect Lachlan, but should they?

Elsewhere, Robert and Chrissie are at odds over the situation with Lachlan as Chrissie is determined to protect her son despite her suspicions that he did sexually assault Alicia. Lawrence pays Alicia and David a visit to resolve things, but what does he have to offer? Things take an ugly turn when Lachlan claims that Alicia took advantage of him and he’s the victim. But the police can’t prove either side and drop the case altogether. Chrissie is furious and gets upset when Robert suggests Lachlan needs therapy. Eventually, Chrissie tells Robert she’s going to take Lachlan out of town for awhile.

In other village news, Andy’s drunken behavior as he grieves for Katie has Robert worried. Robert’s guilt over his role in Katie’s death grows.

Empire: Now that he’s fully out, things are as tense as ever between Lucious and Jamal. But Jamal is determined to prove to his dad that he has what it takes to run the company. With Empire Entertainment on the verge of collapse, Jamal seeks the help of a famous artist. But what exactly does Jamal want from her? Meanwhile, Hakeem and Cookie work together on their own plans to rescue the empire. And things take a new turn when Cookie finds out one of Anika’s biggest secrets. Plus, Andre’s mental disorder has him on the verge of a breakdown.

How will Ste’s kids take the news?

Hollyoaks: Ste prepares to tell his children he’s HIV+, but can he break the news without frightening his kids? Meanwhile, John Paul’s guilt over his kiss with Harry eats at him. When JP finds a flower that is meant for him, he assumes Harry sent it. Harry denies it, but it only serves to heighten the tension between them. Zack picks up on the vibes between teacher and student and teases Harry about having a crush on John Paul. Desperate to hide his sexuality, Harry kisses Cleo and tells her he wants to be more than friends. Sigh.....

Will this call lead to the end of Nate and Chris?

Neighbours: Chris finally gets the news he’s been waiting for when he hears from Lucy. Is she pregnant? Whatever the news, it quickly becomes apparent to Chris that while he is looking forward to fatherhood, Nate isn’t thrilled about the prospect at all, despite his outwardly supporting Chris. If Chris is about to be a father, what does it mean for he and Nate?

People of the Valley: Iolo and William’s romantic night ends with them sleeping together for the first time. But just as it looks like things might work out for these two, there’s a secret that William is keeping from Iolo. What is the secret and how will Iolo react when he finds out?

What will Patrick’s thirst for revenge cost him?

River City: Patrick struggles to recover from his beating and he goes to Dan for medication. Dan refuses to give Patrick any more drugs and throws him out of the clinic. Desperate, Patrick turns to his old cellmate Gaz, who wants to lure Patrick back into a life of crime. Meanwhile, frustrated that Patrick’s case hasn’t been solved and certain that Will is guilty, Kelly-Marie goes to Donald to press him about why Will hasn’t been charged. Donald informs Kelly-Marie that Will is innocent and gives her some insight on Patrick’s own violent past.

Meanwhile, Patrick learns a devastating family secret and feels even more betrayed by Scarlett. Targeting her for revenge, Patrick decides to rob her shop. Unfortunately, in the middle of the job, Scarlett shows up, leading to an emotional showdown where the dark secrets of Patrick’s childhood are revealed.

Secret Lives: Miska decides to give Elias a second chance despite dumping Elias a few weeks ago. When Elias asks him out on a date, Miska says yes. Lari sees them together and can’t help but question if they are back together. Miska tells Elias he forgives him for cheating on him with Lari, but when Elias moves in for a kiss, Miska pulls away. Meanwhile, Lari and Kalle are bickering because Kalle’s mother Kriistina wants Lari to move out. Ismo brings the family together for a picnic to ease the tension between them, but the afternoon ends in tragedy.

The Haves And The Have Nots: When Jeffrey refuses to give up Candice’s whereabouts. Quincy beats him badly. Will Jeffrey talk before he is killed?

Teasers For Next Week

Sean dresses down one of Billy’s parishioners...

Coronation Street: Sean’s big mouth could cost him Billy...

Days of our Lives: Will resorts to blackmail to get rid of Paul..

Empire: Jamal’s baby mama Olivia is back... but what is her agenda?

Emma doesn’t like Finn’s choice of suitors...

Emmerdale: Noting Darren and Finn’s growing affection, Emma isn’t happy about Finn’s new beau

Hollyoaks: John Paul gets a disturbing phone call...

Neighbours: Chris wonders if Nate is being truly honest with him...

What is William’s secret?

People of the Valley: Can Iolo forgive William for lying to him?

The Fosters: Jude gets into trouble for sneaking out to spend time with Connor.

That’s it for this week’s Langford On Soaps. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. See you next week!

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