Plus, Elias joins the gay reparative therapy camp on Secret Lives, Joscha spends a steamy night with Kai on All That Matters and Nick bites the dust on Days

Langford’s Picks and Pans

All That Matters (Germany)

So what happened last week?

Joscha agreed to help Marian raise money for his wife’s expensive surgery by participating in a strip show with Marian, Can and Deniz. Meanwhile, with Joscha and Raquel’s wedding the next day, Raquel needed Ingo to sign papers annulling her their marriage. But Ingo refused as he realized he wanted Raquel back.

Elsewhere, David was haunted by his past involving a woman lying comatose in a hospital. When he went to visit her, he ran into her son, Dr. Kai Seebach. Intrigued by the man, David struck up a conversation with him and found out that Kai was looking for a job so he could stay in Essen close to his ill mother. David offered to help Kai find a job and didn’t tell Kai of his connection to Kai’s mom...

I appreciate cute guys talking their clothes off as much as anyone, but this is the third time this year the show has come up with a plot where someone needed to make quick cash so the men decided they’d do a strip show to make money. Not only is it repetitive, let’s face it, while none of these guys are unattractive, I can’t imagine women actually paying money to see them take their clothes off—well, except for Joscha and Deniz.

Speaking of which, Joscha is an up-and-coming soccer star who has gotten a lot of press. Putting aside whether Richard would want his star player in a strip show, shouldn’t they be using him as a hook to get the women in the door? And well, I’m also wondering why Ben isn’t involved? He’s definitely the hottest and buffest guy on the show. And I’m sure he’d do it to help Lena. It’s kind of strange he isn’t part of the story actually.

Overall though, while it’s cute and funny, we’ve seen this twice this year already and I thought it was implausible then. So you can imagine how I feel about it this time around.

As for the rest of the show, of course Ingo would realize he loves Raquel right before she’s about to marry Joscha, but surely he must realize she has no choice but to marry Joscha now, especially since they’ve gone so public with everything. And I really think that Katja was completely out of line telling Ingo that Joscha and Raquel’s marriage was just a sham. She’s certainly not helping and only putting Joscha and Raquel at risk at being exposed. Ingo is such a blabbermouth, it’s only a matter of time before he accidentally tells Melanie. And she’d delight at turning Joscha and Raquel over to the cops. I suspect that’s probably what will happen at some point.

I’m looking forward to the storyline involving Kai. I’m glad the show didn’t just bring him on as Joscha’s love interest, but has given him a storyline that involves him with some of the other characters on the show. Too many soaps bring on love interests for their gay characters, but have nothing else for them outside of the romance, which isolates the characters. However, I don’t think the show should have made it clear that Kai isn’t David’s son. It would be an interesting twist if Joscha and Kai fell in love, only to find they might be half-brothers. Oh well...

Among Us (Germany)

Here’s what happened last week...

Ringo realized that he loved Yannick and wanted to be with him and he started by breaking up with Tine. Ringo apologized to Yannick and wanted to give things another chance, but Yannick, while accepting Ringo’s apology, refused a reunion. Meanwhile, Kira pressured Yannick to give her brother another chance while Ringo’s mom insisted her son not give up on the guy he loves.

I think my biggest issue with this is that no one really takes seriously the fact that Ringo brutalized Yannick, beating him black and blue and sent him to the hospital with bruised ribs. Frankly, I don’t think even Yannick takes it seriously enough, mooning over Ringo and refusing to press charges against his abuser. When Ringo said to Yannick that ‘he didn’t mean to do it’ and Yannick agrees, saying that’s why he didn’t turn Ringo over to the cops, I has to wonder exactly what did Ringo think would be the result when he punched Yannick repeatedly in the face, knocked him down and kicked him over and over in the ribs. I watched that scene and I believe Ringo did mean to hurt Yannick because he hated Yannick for making him feel the way he did for another man. If wasn’t the intent, I don’t know what was.

And when Ringo’s mom is pressuring her son not to give up on Yannick, I just want to ask her: if a man brutalized your daughter the way Ringo did Yannick, would you actually be encouraging a reunion? I don’t think so. See, this is the disturbing double standard that exists in these stories. If a man beats up his wife or girlfriend or whatever, no one encourages her to go back to her batterer. But if a man attacks his boyfriend or husband, everyone involved just pushes for them to work it out. And the viewers cheer for a reunion. I’m sorry, but I don’t get this. Abuse is abuse no matter what the gender or who is dishing it out. And no one should ever be encouraged to return to such a relationship. I don’t care how hot the boy kisses are.

What’s unfortunate is that that was a really sweet scene between Ringo and Yannick where Ringo daydreamed about what it could be like between them. There was some real chemistry and emotion there, more than in any other scene of this entire story. But for me, it’s too late.

Days of Our Lives (U.S.)

Days was actually pretty good last week. As much as I hate that everything revolves around the baby, at least there was some good drama.

I gotta say, a big part of me is on Gabi’s side here. Nick’s shenanigans aside, why shouldn’t she want to pursue the modelling gig? As far as she knows it’s legit and it’s something she wants to do. And gee, she wants to support her baby and not rely on Will and Sonny. Like she said, did Will actually think their living arrangement would be forever? After all he and Gabi are not married nor are they a couple. Life would have to separate them eventually. Gabi didn’t have to move in with them in the first place. She only did it so Will could be closer to his daughter. And to their credit, even Will and Sonny realized that she has to live her life and pursue her dreams. Of course the fangirls as usual only see things through their skewed agenda.

There’s nothing ‘evil’ or 'wrong’ about her wanting to take the job or wanting to take her baby with her. She is the kid’s mother after all. I chuckle at folks who say she should leave the baby with Will and Sonny. These are the same folks who would condemn her for ‘abandoning’ her baby if she did just that. So she can’t win either way. But that’s what happens when certain viewers see her as a vessel for Will and Sonny’s love child. LOL...

I did like when Sonny tried to blackmail her into staying and he and Gabi hurled threats and accusations. I like it when we see Gabi and Sonny’s dark side. Should Gabi have told Will about the possible move? Of course she should have. But that’s between her and Will. Will might want to factor Sonny into things, and that’s fine, but Gabi shouldn’t have to. Sonny might care about the baby and all that and it’s very sweet, but at the end of the day, Will and Gabi are the baby’s parents and they should make all decisions about the kid. And I agree that Will should think about his kid first, even before his boyfriend, even if it means moving to be closer this child. That might hurt Sonny’s feelings, but that’s how it should be.

While I know Sami and Kate’s involvement means that they’ll take over the story and it’ll revolve around them, and Will and Sonny will take a back seat in all the drama as usual, there’s no denying that the ladies are fun to watch.

I laughed myself silly when Justin asked Gabi what kind of 'modelling' she was going to be doing. But really, why would Gabi be going to Justin for legal advice given that he’s Sonny’s father? Surely Salem must have other attorneys. She had to have known he would not want to help her. It’s a clear conflict of interest anyway.

T continues to be awesome. He’s the most interesting younger character after J.J. and Nick. He needs a story and more airtime.

*Thanks to MRFIXIT for the clips!

General Hospital (U.S.)

I don't like that Brad has to keep trying so hard with Felix. Felix is not that much of a prize in my opinion as I find him to be a shrill, overbearing hypocrite. But I was shocked when Felix admitted what Brad has been saying for months: Brad never agreed to be a father to that baby. Felix’s long-time-in-coming revelation was sudden, but it's about time. And it was nice that Felix finally admitted he's been wasting his time crushing on straight guys and maybe he should go for a guy who is actually gay and into him. So much progress! These guys might actually maybe possibly hold hands sometime soon. Yay! It's sad that hug between Patrick and Felix was more action than Felix has had with his love interest.

And man is this whole Robin storyline just thrown together. Sabrina is really marrying Patrick ‘tomorrow’ and she doesn’t have a dress? She’s counting on Felix to pick one up for her? Seriously? And her scenes with Carlos are so silly and over the top. I just laugh when they roll their R’s during their dialogue, but don’t talk like that in scenes with anyone else. We get it show, they’re Latino. And how ridiculous that Felix would excuse Carlos seeing Robin as Robin being a ghost. And I really got a chuckle when Felix said that was more believable than her coming back from the dead. How many people do they both know who have done just that? Luke, Anna, Robert, A.J. to name a few. Port Charles is full of ‘the walking dead’

Meanwhile, in the continuing train wreck of a storyline that is Franco, I know the show is working hard to rehab Franco, but his being Scott and Heather's son is sooo hard to believe. Weren’t they five when Franco was conceived? I’m having trouble suspending my disbelief on this one, but I say that a lot about this show, I guess. The latest is that I find it hard to stomach that Carly can excuse what Franco has done, brain tumor or not, and embark on a romance with him. He set her son up to be raped! Hearing her justify that by saying ‘he didn’t mean to hurt Michael’ just ignores what Michael went through at Franco’s hands and it makes Carly seem really pathetic. For me though, Roger Howarth is just playing ATWT’s Paul Ryan. I keep expecting Carly Tenney to come around the corner. Oh wait she did. Only they’re calling her Ava nowadays.

The show just keeps writing and rewriting this story to try and make Franco a viable character, and it’s just not working. I say this over and over. You can’t have a character commit heinous, horrible acts and then tell the viewer ‘never mind’.

Good Times, Bad Times (The Netherlands)

It’s just like Lucas to be all melodramatic about Menno having been involved with a woman. I think he’s blowing it way out of proportion. Menno is older and sometimes that’s what happens to those of us who are older before you come out. Heck it still happens now. But like Bing pointed out, they’ve only known each other a few months so naturally there are things that they don’t know about each other. Does Menno know one of Lucas’ previous boyfriends was a serial killer? I bet not. I don’t have a problem with Menno not thinking it was a big deal or not mentioning it to Lucas. After all, it was at least 10 to 15 years ago. And it certainly wouldn’t matter now. Well, unless of course this woman shows up with Menno’s kid....

I gotta say though that Lucas came across as a real childish ass, making Menno out to be the bad guy when he’s made concession after concession in this relationship. And if I were Menno when Lucas comes back to apologize and want to get back together, I’d reconsider if this is someone I’d want to spend the rest of my life with. High strung melodrama is not something you want to deal with day in and day out. I will add though that the scenes were very well acted.

Menno, my friend, he is not worth your tears...

I found it kind of offensive that Menno’s dare was to kiss a woman. I mean, seriously, if it was a bachelor party for a straight dude, would he be dared to kiss a guy? I don’t think so. I know it was meant to be cute (and reveal Menno’s past), but I didn’t like it.

Janine’s new boyfriend is hot and Menno looked delish in his tank top and black briefs. Thanks show!

*Thanks to GTSTfanMARK for the clips!

River City (Scotland)

I’m glad that Will and Robbie finally have a new story arc. I’ve missed them. Though I’m not too happy about it being about Will’s cranky old father, even if he’s been a constant throughout this entire storyline. I did think it was strange that Robbie would suddenly decide to leave town for a few weeks. I know he wanted to clear out and make room for Will and Edward, but doesn’t Robbie have a business to run?

I appreciate that the show is taking it’s time putting Robbie and Will back together and it’s even uncertain that it’s about to happen as they are still tentative with each other while other shows would have thrown them back together ages ago.

As I’ve said many times before, I could never endorse a reunion given their history, as much as I like Will. But at least the show has spent a lot of time dealing with Will’s demons and having him go through therapy. And we can see here that he has changed. The old Will would not have handled the situation with his father the way he has now. Previously Will would have gone out and took out his frustration on the nearest criminal or Robbie. But he’s changed and grown so much so that I can at least tolerate them getting back together.

I was kinda afraid with all the new characters and cast changes that Will and Robbie would get lost in the shuffle. I’m glad that hasn’t happened.

Secret Lives (Finland)

Well, this was more entertaining than usual and I have to admit, this show actually surprised me with a plot twist. I didn’t expect Elias to infiltrate the camp by pretending he wants to be straightened out. But I loved it when Elias’ (hot, hot) daddy showed up and demanded that Elias come home because there’s nothing wrong with his being gay. Go, daddy! And I liked when he worried they might mess with Elias’ head. The best moment, however, was when Elias’ dad asked the question I have been asking all this time: ‘Is Lari really worth all this’. Sadly, Elias didn’t give the answer that I would have.

Instead, we get Elias doing that bug eyed thing again to show he’s shocked. Please show, just stop. I don’t think I should be laughing during these dramatic scenes.

I think it’s time this show aged these boys a bit. Because they are clearly not as young as the show claims they are and it’s kind of distracting. But at least the show keeps putting Lari in those body hugging T-shirts. Yum.

Scoops and Spoilers

All That Matters: Raquel and Joscha get married and Raquel suggests her gay hubby celebrate at a gay bar. Joscha decides to do just that, where he meets Kai. Unaware of Kai’s connection to David, sparks fly between the two guys and they spend the night together. The next day where Joscha spent the night is nearly discovered by his teammates, but he and Raquel manage to keep their cover. As a result, Joscha realizes he can’t see Kai ever again.

Among Us: Ringo is upset because Yannick refuses to take him back after Ringo beat Yannick up. When Kira finds out it’s Yannick’s birthday, she tells Ringo and Ringo has Kira give Yannick a gift from him. Yannick accepts the present, but makes it clear that he can never get past what Ringo did to him. Unfortunately for Yannick, Ringo does not deal with rejection very well....

How far will Nick go to stop Gabi?

Days of our Lives: Will and Sonny continue to battle over Will's decision to move to New York City with Gabi and the baby, even if it means that he has to leave Sonny behind. Meanwhile, Kate and Sami team up to find a way to make sure Gabi doesn't leave town with the baby. Elsewhere, Gabi is horrified to learn that Nick is behind her modelling gig. Gabi confronts Nick and they have an ugly argument.

Gabi runs off to the woods to think and Nick follows her. So does Kate, who witnessed the fight between Nick and Gabi. Nick tries to convince Gabi to follow through with the decision to take the job and leave Salem, but Gabi wants nothing to do with Nick. Things get heated and Nick attacks Gabi and tries to rape her. Gabi fights back and hits Nick on the head with a rock. Nick is out cold, but that is only the start of the nightmare for Gabi...

General Hospital: Felix is there to support Sabrina in the wake of the events of Patrick and Sabrina’s wedding...

Good Times, Bad Times: After Lucas and Menno call the wedding off and break up, Noud and Weit team up to reunite the couple.

Holby City: In Jimmy Akingbola’s final episode on this medical drama, Malick is shocked when Jake returns to work at the hospital and it isn't long before Jake gets into trouble. But will Malick be able to get his son out of another mess? And how will it lead to Malick saying goodbye to the hospital?

Chris is caught in the middle when Kate’s affair with Kyle is revealed...

Neighbours: Chris is caught in the middle and faces losing his friends after Kyle and Kate’s secret is revealed....

River City: When Will is unable to handle being his father’s ongoing caregiver, Robbie steps in to save the day...

Secret Lives: Together in the gay reparative therapy camp, things get steamy between Elias and Lari..

Newsbeat

Say goodbye to Marcus...

When gay bad boy Todd Grimshaw, played by Bruno Langely, returned Coronation Street last week, fans were promised a steamy affair between he and gay nurse Marcus Dent, played by out actor Charlie Condou.

But viewers better not get too attached to the idea of a long-lasting relationship between Marcus and Todd as Condou has decided to quit the UK soap. But he’ll be around for a good while as Condou isn’t set to tape his last episode of the soap until next summer.

Viewers might recall that Marcus is currently involved in a romantic relationship with Maria (Samia Ghadie) even though Marcus still sees himself as gay. But that is all about to change.

Over the next few weeks, a scheming Todd will make a play for Marcus, who has been happy in his straight coupling with Maria. However Marcus won't be able to resist the manipulative Todd and finds himself falling for Todd’s charms. As the story plays out into the New Year, the triangle will be quite the scandal on the street as the citizens take sides and pit neighbour against neighbour.

Scheming Todd will lure Marcus back to the gay side of life....

Condou spoke to Digital Spy about his decision to leave the show.

"I've had a fantastic time at Corrie but feel it's time for me to move on. I was only meant to return for three months and ended up staying for three years!” Condou said. “The producers have been really supportive and are leaving the door open for Marcus which is great, and my exit will certainly be explosive."

Condou’s decision to leave can’t be that much of a surprise as the show has done little with Marcus and Maria since they got together last year. However, their absence from the canvas had much to do with Ghadie’s off screen participation in Dancing on Ice, a UK reality skating show.

That’s it for this week’s Langford On Soaps. See you next time!