LANGFORDS PICKS AND PANS

Days of Our Lives (U.S.)

The best thing about Derrick and Paul sleeping together was Kate’s teasing Paul about getting him some. I loved Kate laughing in Paul’s face when he asked her to be discreet. The worst was that we saw none of Derrick and Paul sleeping together. No foreplay? No afterglow? Massive failure on Days’ part.

I guess Paul rushed over to tell Sonny about his night with Derrick because he knew Kate would say something if he didn’t. I guess I’m just disappointed that Paul still feels he owes Sonny any explanation about what he does with his life and who he does it with, especially since even though Sonny was clearly bothered by Derrick and Paul sleeping together, Sonny would never do anything about it.

I wouldn’t feel that way if the show had actually bothered to pursue a real triangle (or quad) with the gays on the show, but since they didn’t and just went in circles, it all seems so pointless and tiresome. Freddie Smith leaves next week and I expect the gays to just fade away (assuming they survive the upcoming story twists). Either way, I think I’ll be watching much less (if any) of this show in the very near future.

I actually can’t believe Victor wasn’t immediately told about the incident with Sonny and company at the club. You’d think his own staff would inform him even if Sonny wouldn’t. And what was with Sonny being all mad about Justin ‘bringing’ Paul back to Salem to split Will and Sonny? That was months ago. And clearly a plot point the show totally ignored since, like everything else in this storyline, it went nowhere. And Justin’s reversal on Will and Sonny’s marriage makes just about as much sense as his wanting Paul, who he barely knew, with Sonny to begin with.

Justin and Kate do have some nice chemistry. I think they’ll be pretty hot together.

THANKS TO PINKYSWEAR FOR THE CLIPS!

Doctors (U.K.)

I thought the stand alone story about the gay college student and his grandfather was really cute and sweet, even if it was very predictable.

I loved that Daniel is so vain that he enjoyed Sean having a crush on him, telling Niamh that he’s used to everybody wanting him. LOL....

I can’t believe that Sean was able to paint that landscape of Ireland in only a few hours and nobody noticed until it was done.

Sean and Niamh’s night out was fun. I’d like to see Sean stick around for awhile, though it looks like that’s highly unlikely. If anything I want to see this show have a regular gay character like in the past. It’s been far too long without one.

EastEnders (U.K.)

As I’ve said before, I’m still not convinced that Les and Claudette were or are having an affair. It just seems like there’s more to it or there’s something else going on. There’s a secret for sure, but the dialogue indicates it’s not an affair. As for Paul, I still think he had no right to say anything. His nosing in seems hugely hypocritical given that he’s sleeping with Ben, who happens to have a girlfriend. I’d really like to know how he can justify his own behavior while damning someone else about doing the same thing. Hopefully when the Ben/Paul affair does come out, that’ll be addressed.

THANKS TO WINTERHYMN FOR THE CLIPS!

Emmerdale (U.K.)

When the week started, knowing that the show would be killing off some folks, I was certain Finn would be first on the list. I also figured Val would die since the actress was leaving the show of her own accord. I was half right. Finn survived the carnage, Val didn’t. And surprisingly, neither did Ross. Maybe.

I’m gonna miss Val dearly. She was one of my favorites on this show and was a very unique character. I loved that she went out as crazy and irreverent as she lived her entire life. But my favorite part was her griping about Andy having big muscles but not being able to knock down the door to free she and Diane. I thought the same thing! Having Val come back as a ghost to have closure with Eric was a nice and moving touch. I’m glad they played the beat of Finn’s grief over losing Val, especially since we saw them build a mother/son relationship over the years.

Regarding the other death, I can’t say I’m sorry to see Ruby go. I never cared for the Spencer family, except for Sean and didn’t think they were a nice fit in the village. Hopefully Ruby’s death will mean that entire family will take their leave. The show can always add some new gay folks. Like a love interest, an ongoing one for Finn. I’d even like to see Aaron get a new man.

As for Ross, I don’t believe he’s dead, even if the show’s PR folks might want us to think he is, unless the actor wanted to leave. There’s far too much story with him alive. He’ll turn up at the worst possible moment. And given that Finn is the keeper of the family secrets, he'll find out first.

I’m surprised at how little Aaron was involved in the disaster week. I would have thought the one of the show’s most popular character and biggest stars would have more of a huge role in the all the drama.

I think it’s silly that Cain continues beat up men who are bigger and younger than he is. First Robert, then Ross.

Come on.

Interesting that when James and Emma ran into the burning building they were both calling out for Finn. But then, it’s been established he’s everybody’s favorite in the family.

What is with men on this show getting women pregnant and then wanting nothing to do with their children, even if the live in the same town? Cain, Ross and Adam? Are we supposed to cheer for these deadbeat dads? Why would any woman want to be with them?

As for the explosion and plane crash, it was suspenseful and well done on a soap budget.

General Hospital (U.S.)

Man, this show is dragging his nonsense out. It was a week or so ago when Lucas learned Brad was married and they haven’t seen each other since. And because they weren’t on the rest of the week who knows when they’ll finally have that conversation. Maybe this week, but probably not.

The dumbest part is Lucas oddly assuming Brad was married to a man (gay marriage hasn’t been legal that long, even in New York the state where GH’s Port Charles is set), which is a clumsy setup to reveal he’s married to a woman. I guess this show hasn’t realized that storyline was offensive and stupid when Noah married a woman on As The World Turns seven years ago.

How about that off screen boyfriend for Felix. Great huh?

What the hell happened to Morgan? He used to be a compelling character played by a talented, hot actor. But watching Bryan Craig stumble and mumble his way through those scenes with Ryan Carnes was painful. And his storyline, complete with poor Maura West stuck in a bad wig that no one in town can tell is a wig, is just stupid. Yuck.

House Husbands (Australia)

Wow, these guys talk way too much. Most of their problems are because they are blabbermouths it seems.

When Eve first mentioned she was ovulating, I assumed that eventually Kane would father her baby. It was a shock to learn that she was already planning to have a baby with Alex, who agreed to give her some sperm after a conversation in a park. Umm okay. I don’t know much about these things, but shouldn’t you go through some tests to make sure that Alex doesn’t have STD’s or some other illness before she used his sperm?

As for Kane’s reaction, I realize he was shocked, but if Alex wants to give Eve his sperm to father a baby then that’s his business, whether he chooses to be part of the child or not. To be fair, it is something that Alex should have discussed with Kane first. I did like the ensuing scenes where Kane revealed he was mostly upset because he wanted to have a baby with Alex while Alex was assuming that since Kane already had kids he wouldn’t want anymore and then the later scenes when they made up and decided to go for it. Nicely done, but you’d think given that they’ve lived together for a year they would have discussed making their family bigger.

Clearly Eve, Alex and Kane will decide to have a baby together. Or she might be already pregnant, despite Alex and Kane being sure that she wasn’t. Oh well. At least Eve is a lesbian so we won’t have some nonsense about Eve falling in love with one of the guys or something. I really like Alex and Kane together. I was a big fan of Kane’s boyfriend Will from last season, but Alex and Kane are super sweet.

Oh! So Justin isn’t the father of the daughter he’s been raising since birth. Here I thought it would turn out he was the baby daddy. I see an ugly custody battle in the future now that the likely father is in the picture again.

BTW, I really enjoyed the teaser of what’s coming up for this season for the guys. I think I might have shed a tear!

Neighbours (Australia)

It was soooooo contrived that Russell would go into the bar and just randomly talk to Nate, of all people, about his problems with Aaron. I mean, would anyone really spill all that personal information to someone they don’t even know? Just dumb. I did like that Russell’s real problem with Aaron wasn’t that Aaron was gay or that Aaron took his clothes off for a living, but that Russell didn’t know how to relate to Aaron because they had nothing in common.

And I liked that scene where Russell and Aaron talked things out, even if they’re moving past their issues rather quickly. I guess that’s because the real story is Russell’s abuse of Tyler. But Russell trying to matchmake Aaron and Nate was kinda funny.

Shortland Street (New Zealand)

So that was it for Alex? Talk about a quick write out for a character that never really went anywhere. I mean, he dated Lucy, had an abusive relationship with Joe (much of which took place off screen), then left town with Clementine (another character the show never really used or did anything with) probably never to be seen or heard from again.

I always wondered if the show would keep two different gay characters in different stories and different orbits. I guess the answer would be no. I can’t say that Alex was the most riveting gay I’ve ever watched, but I would have liked to see him stick around and find a new guy. Oh well, at least it looks like Jack isn’t going anywhere. And speaking of Jack...

Jack is crying over what happened with his father? Seriously? I don’t have a problem with a guy who cries, but that seemed like a bit much because of an argument he had with Mo. The upside is that we didn’t have to watch the actor struggle to shed a tear. But I did like that scene where Jack and Mo made peace.

It’s very realistic and human for Mo to admit that he was having his struggles regarding Jack being gay and having his first boyfriend, but he loved his son enough to work through his own issues. And he realized it is his problem, not Jack’s. It’s a refreshing take on this story. Usually we get parents who are virulent homophobes or ones ready to throw a gay pride parade for their child who is coming out. This is far more relatable and real, at least for me.

I also like the beat of Edwin being ready to rush into a full on relationship, with sex and everything, while Jack is uneasy about moving so fast. I still think the show is being very vague about the problems with Edwin and his father that is forcing him to move in with Jack and his family though. It all seems rather contrived, I think.

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

Ugh. Jeffery is ‘truly in love’ with Wyatt? Jeffrey still wishes he weren’t gay. Sad. Will we ever see some real progress in the growth of this character? At least he finally sees his mother for the insane nutjob she is and wants nothing to do with her. That’s something. But David and Jeffery’s conversation about Veronica, where they oddly didn’t discuss the fact that she tried to kill David, on went around and around and eventually nowhere, like most of the scenes on this show.

THIS WEEK IN SPOILERS

EastEnders - Paul is upset to see that his grandfather Les is falling apart now that Pam has left home and refuses to come back. Feeling guilty for causing all the problems to begin with, Paul tries to support and be there for his grandfather. And after Paul loses his job at the salon, he makes a big decision about his future. But can it do anything to heal the rift in his family?

Doctors - Sean meets a new guy, Ed, but Nimah is suspicious about her brother’s new beau, especially when the relationship seems to be moving along too fast. Later, Sean has sad news for his sister when she tells him he’s found a job in London and is leaving town. But after just having found her brother, can Nimah convince him to stay?

Hollyoaks - Scott schemes his way back into Diane’s apartment with Sinead and Ste. Sinead wants Scott gone, but Ste manages to persuade her into letting her cousin stay. However, when Sinead begins to suspect that Scott is out to seduce Ste, she plots to get rid of him. Sinead persuades Scott into believing that Harry is interested in him, pushing Scott in that direction. Sinead is unaware, of course, that Harry has a crush on Ste. Sinead plots to trap Scott and Harry together, but manages to lock Ste and Harry in a room instead where the two confront their growing chemistry...

River City - Will and Robbie come to a conclusion about their marriage...

TEASERS FOR NEXT WEEK

Coronation Street - Todd overhears a painful truth in the midst of a family crisis....

Days Of Our Lives - Sonny makes a decision that devastates both Paul and Will...

EastEnders - Ben’s believed dead mother is back in town; Paul has bad news for Les about Pam...

General Hospital - Brad finally tells Lucas the full story of his secret spouse...

Hollyoaks - Ste and Harry share their first kiss...

House Husbands - Kane suffers a terrible accident, leading him to make a decision about he and Alex’s plans to expand their family...

NEWSBEAT

With new writers coming on board Days of Our Lives and Freddie Smith leaving as Sonny Kiriakis next week, there’s been lots of rumors about the future of the show’s remaining gays Will Horton and Paul Narita. What will their storyline be, if any? Will the show pair them? Or is there something else in mind for these two? Over the past few weeks lots of rumors have surfaced about the gays in Salem. They could be good or bad depending on what you choose to believe.

It’s no secret that Guy Wilson’s Will Horton didn’t exactly light the world on fire following Emmy winner Chandler Massey’s exit over a year ago. Weak acting combined with some poor writing didn’t make this character or this role one worth tuning in for. This made many wonder, with Wilson’s contract up this month if it would be renewed or not. Well, according to Soap Scoop, [http://www.serialscoop.com/2015/08/rumor-guy-wilson-leaving-days-of-our.html] who broke the news of Smith’s exit from Days, their sources are telling them that Wilson has not only left Days, but his character will be killed off as part of a serial killer storyline crafted by the show’s new writers.

It would be shocking to say the least if Days killed off Will. He’s one of the show’s few younger lead characters (though there are going to be a lot of new young adults appearing over the next few months), and he’s one of a handful of gay characters in daytime. After all the progressive storytelling Days has done with Will, killing him off would be shameful to say the least. But perhaps Will may not die after all.

There are also rumors that Chandler Massey, the previous Will, is returning to the role that won him and the show multiple Emmys and will begin taping in a few weeks. Hmmm....

Let’s note that Wilson leaving the show, Will’s possible demise and Massey’s return are all rumors. None are fact and some is just speculation. We’ll have to see if any of it is the truth.

That’s it for this edition of Langford On Soaps. See you next week. Please leave your comments and thoughts below.