LANGFORDS PICKS AND PANS

A Place To Call Home (Australia)

I found myself screaming at the tv during the conclusion of last week’s episode. I wanted Sarah to get off that doctor’s table and not have the abortion she clearly didn’t want and was only having because she thought it would make everyone else’s lives easier.

And after that suspenseful cliffhanger, the previews pretty much revealed that in fact, she didn’t have the abortion and now had to deal with the consequences of that. So while on one hand, I’m glad she seemingly didn’t do it, on the other the suspense was ruined by the promo. Oh well. Still a wonderful storyline and I thought the touches on how hard it was for a woman to get an abortion back then was an interesting part of the story.

I am kind of annoyed by something in this season though in that the show hasn’t done much with James in terms of story while other plots progress because of him. For example, Anna and Gino have had some marital conflict because Gino can’t deal with the fact that James is gay while Olivia’s satisfaction with her marriage to James is leading her to an affair with Lloyd. But James and his prospective love interest Henry, haven’t even have had a scene together for a couple of weeks. But it looks like, thanks to the previews, that’ll change next week.

Days of Our Lives   (U.S.)

Will had that sore throat before getting strangled, eh? Too soon?

Why would Will think his phone message to Sonny would mean anything? This is the kind of stuff Will has been saying for months and Sonny wasn’t having any. I know it’s because Will is dying and this makes it ‘sadder’, but maybe if we’d had Sonny and Will making progress in getting back together, even if we only heard/saw Will’s part of it, it would be more meaningful and make sense.

What kind of serial killer would leave his murder weapon of choice in a trash can where anybody could find it? Why did a suspicious Will keep giving Ben the necktie back? And why didn’t Will leave when he clearly had the chance to do so?

Will didn’t put up much of a fight, no? I realize he hit his head, but still....

Even though he’s the lamest serial killer ever with a dumb ass motive, I think Robert Scott Wilson is doing a good job with the shoddy material he’s given to work with.

But why would Ben tie Will’s murder to the serial killer? Even the Salem PD would know that the killer jumped script and killed Will for other reasons than why Paige and Serena died. If I’m Ben I’d make it look like slutty Will brought the wrong guy home and got killed. The news is full of stories like that.

I wish I could be more upset about Will’s dying, but the character has been ruined so badly over the past year and I was so disenchanted by the actor that it’s hard to care. I think that more than anything is why the character is being written out. I know a lot of folks think it’s homophobia and I can see that. But I’m not sure I agree for reasons I’ve stated in previous columns.

I do think Days is making a terrible mistake though. You just don’t kill off a core character like Will, especially in such a lazy, sloppy way in a terrible storyline. Thus, I fully expect the show to revive Will in the next writing regime, assuming the show survives this one, of course.

EastEnders (U.K.)

Ben’s reaction to his mother’s return (shock and anger and rage) was spot on since Ben was left in the ‘loving care’ of his homophobic dad. Harry Reid did a very good job playing that and I can’t wait to see what happens when they finally do talk.

As for Ben and Paul, I can understand Ben turning away from Paul because Ben thinks Phil is gone after seeing Paul and Ben together, but Paul’s chasing Ben after Ben dumped him and moping around doesn’t make sense given what we’ve seen on screen. Paul talks about missing Ben and that they ‘got’ each other, which is his explanation for being the third in a triangle despite his constantly damning his grandfather Les for his alleged affair. Yet we didn’t any of this bond between them on screen, just the before and after of a secret shag. I wish there had been more to their relationship, but the show never gave us any of it.

That single conversation they had in the bathroom about parents (I loved Paul’s comment to Ben about how ‘old school’ it was for Ben to be hanging out in the toilets) is the only real talk they’ve had since they met. Perhaps a turning point for something real between them.

Emmerdale (U.K.)

Hey, is that Finn I see on my screen? It’s been ages. Well, at least they explained where he’s been for weeks. Still doesn’t have a storyline though. And were Andy and Pete bonding over trying to kill their brothers? LOL! I did think the outdoor racing scenes were very nicely done, especially for a soap.

Aaron being all ‘Robert is scum of the earth’ is annoying since much of what happened would have never happened if Aaron hadn’t A) knowingly had an affair with a man he knew was engaged/married B) helped to cover Katie’s death C) continued to cover it up even after learning Robert had actually killed her. In some ways, Aaron is just as bad as Robert. Robert just doesn’t have people like Chas and Paddy enabling and making excuses for him.

House Husbands (Australia)

And that’s a wrap for another season of House Husbands. I loved this year and found myself misting over several times as the show wrapped up all the stories this season and gave us the usual uplifting ending. That’s the thing about this show, no matter what happens or how bad things get, it usually works out in the end. And while you know that happy ending might be coming, it gets to you anyway.

Like with Rodney. You knew eventually he’d come around and not take Angie away from Justin and the way he got to that point was really sweet and touching. I do think they should come to a formal arrangement and Justin should be more than generous with sharing the girl. Angie’s birth father should have a role in his daughter’s life, especially if that’s what he wants. I do think the show has the tendency to pile the misery on Justin and hopefully they’ll give the guy a break in the future.

And you knew Gemma and Abi would make up and I liked how Abi was the one who helped Gemma deal with her newfound feelings about the child she was carrying for Kane, Alex and Eve. Gemma’s realizing it was going to be hard to distance herself from the baby because they are all such a big part of each other’s lives was a realistic and heartfelt story arc. I’m guess though, if the show comes back for a season 5, she and Lewis will be named godparents.

Kane and Alex’s wedding was really sweet, if not a bit short. It would have been nice of the guys had of gotten to say some vows or something. One thing I found strange about the whole storyline though was that not once did anyone bring up the fact that same sex marriage is not yet legal in Australia, though many states do allow civil unions, which affords gay couples the same rights as straight married couples. I just wonder why it was never even brought up in passing.

Still though, this was solid and entertaining year of House Husbands and I look forward to next season, if there is one. I don’t think the show has been renewed at this point. I hope it is.

How To Get Away With Murder (U.S.)

Last week’s episode was fun and intriguing, like this entire season has been, but I have to take this show to task for it’s cheap opening of Annalese being frightened by what she saw in the basement, only for it to turn out to be a mouse. This show is too good to have to resort to such tacky play. At least it turned to be a relevant plot point when we found out it was actually Asher who was in the house and that he has a secret of his own that he’s being blackmailed over. Asher still remains the least interesting character though.

Another thing I find kind of boring is Frank and Laurel, who started off hot, but I think Frank’s ‘you gotta get to know me’ act is kind of stupid for a guy with a few paid murders under his belt. If Laurel does ‘get to know him’, what then?

I did like the case that Annalise was working on and it was fun to see James Patrick Stuart as the prosecuting attorney. He played Will Cortlandt on All My Children back in the day. Will was one of my favorite bad guys and I still hate that the show killed him off. Soap fans never forget! LOL....

I guess I have to mention Oliver and Connor, who are sweet together. But when Oliver said to Connor ‘you’ve changed’, I unfortunately had to agree. But as I’ve said before, I don’t think that’s a good thing.

Nashville (U.S.)

I think that Kevin’s friend was totally out of line in regards to what she said to Will. And I don’t think that Will is required or should have to be a ‘voice’ for anyone but himself. I’m with Will in that he doesn’t owe anything to anybody. Yet, someone has to speak up and he’s in the position to do so. I guess that’s where this season is going. All in all, these were some nice scenes. But I’d like for Kevin to be more than the ‘supportive boyfriend’.

Those scenes with Teddy, Ranya and the girls squeezed my heart. And I have never even liked Teddy.

Neighbours (Australia)

I’ve always thought the conflict about Nate not liking the fact that Aaron is a stripper for a living to be dumb and annoying and that hasn’t changed. What I like even less is the story point that Nate should have any say about the career of guy he’s dated for a few weeks. It’s ridiculous. Nate needs to get over himself, simple as that. It looks like though, Aaron is going to give up his career for Nate and I just hate that. Can we just move on from this storyline, please?

Tyler, Mark and Aaron taking care of the baby was cute though.

Quantico (U.S.)

I’m enjoying this show and continue to find it interesting, but I do think the secrets upon secrets upon secrets can not only get confusing, but terribly convoluted as the writers try to unravel the mysteries they’ve set up and have it all make sense. There’s also that this is a successful show and there will no doubt be a second season. I’m just wondering where it will go and what it will do once they’ve answered the initial questions.

Gay or not (and I don’t think he’s gay), Simon is definitely creepy. I agree that everything is calculated with him, right down to his alleged sexuality. And I’m wondering if he was ever really thrown out of the agency or was that part of his cover and he’s part of the conspiracy or is he pretending with the other agent to help Alex in order to get back into the agency? But you’d think that Alex would get suspicious of Simon being questioned and let go so quickly. And why didn’t we see any of those scenes since it was Ryan who supposedly asked Simon to help? Or was there a reason why we didn’t see those scenes? Like I said, this could really get confusing really quickly.

THIS WEEK IN SPOILERS

A Place To Call Home - James finds himself getting too close to the handsome Dr. Fox, but will he give in to his feelings for the man? Meanwhile, as her husband continues to pull away from her, Olivia turns to Lloyd.

EastEnders - Ben barely has time to deal with his mother being alive when he learns from her that Phil has been kidnapped by Kathy’s crazy husband Gavin who is demanding a ransom. Ben and Kathy try to come up with ways to get the cash. They concoct a dangerous scheme, but will it work? Elsewhere, Paul mourns the loss of his father on the anniversary of the man’s death.

Emmerdale - Everyone gets nervous when the police want to do a reconstruction of Robert’s shooting. Lawrence is afraid it might prove him innocent and put Chrissie on the hook again while Chas fears it might implicate Aaron. Meanwhile, Adam finds the footage of Aaron hiding the gun behind the scenes of the taping of the video for Johnny and goes and gets the gun from where he saw Aaron hiding it.

Adam confronts Aaron and asks him if he shot Robert. Victoria, not realizing what’s on the tape, posts it online. It isn’t long before Aaron is arrested for killing Robert. Aaron panics knowing that because he is still on probation, he'll be sent straight to prison.

Meanwhile, Finn is conned into a strange bet that requires him to wear a dress. Hmph.

Hollyoaks - Harry makes plans with Ste, but is forced to break those plans in order to keep Tony in the dark about the affair. Later, Harry decides to surprise Ste by waiting for Ste at the Lomax house -- naked. But Harry gets the surprise when Ste shows up at home with Leah, who is visiting.

Later, Harry books a hotel room for he and Ste, using Ste’s married name of McQueen. Nancy comes across the reservation and assumes Harry and John Paul are lovers. When Nancy later overhears JP and Harry discussing their long ago kiss, Nancy sees that as confirmation of the affair and decides to report JP (who is her BEST FRIEND) to Patrick. Seriously?

TEASERS FOR NEXT WEEK

Days of our Lives - Will is buried; Sonny says goodbye to Salem again...

EastEnders - Ben concocts a dangerous plan to rescue his father....

Emmerdale - In jail, Aaron considers suicide; Robert wakes up from his coma as his attempted killer is revealed; Finn tries to find out who trashed the Woolpack...

Empire - Jamal gets back to his music with the help of a hot new artist, but business machinations rear their ugly heads....

Hollyoaks - Hollyoaks Pride week begins in celebration and ends in tragic death....

Secret Lives - Kalle finds out that Lari is Ilja’s father and has a shocking question for Lari...

That’s it for this edition of Langford On Soaps. Please share your comments on the thoughts and opinions expressed in this week's column below. See you next week!