Every little girl dreams of her wedding day. Where all her dreams come true. Prince Charming whisks you away to a life of "happily ever after". Unless you are fleeing town to beat a murder rap...
Dinah Marler Mallet Lewis is an impulsive dreamer. She acts first, thinks later - sometimes when it's too late. Shooting Hart Jessup when he falls for Cassie, pretending to BE Cassie all over Europe, allowing Grady to kidnap her (now) sister-in-law... the list goes on and on. We certainly saw that this week when the bride doesn't have time for a honeymoon - just a trip out of the country to avoid the Springfield PD...
This is one of those weeks when I really wish I was torn. I didn't want to know how it would all end for Dinah - a character I've always rooted for. Since GL decided not to give two time Emmy winner Gina Tognoni the chance to stay til GL's end we knew she'd have to hit the road - or be killed off. Knowing Dinah is, well, Dinah, life on the lam seemed more likely. And we weren't wrong. What might have surprised GL fans was to know she's implode the Lewis family before she left.
Shayne's already fragile state has just hit the skids - again. How many grooms do you know who take to a rooftop ledge on their wedding day? I really liked this couple - although I was a huge Dinah/Mallet fan, too. But I found myself rooting for them. The whole shebang - the happy ending - or whatever GL could give them before September 18th....
The show has said Dinah will see seen until the end, but no one is talking about that now that Dinah was whisked away on a helicopter to some country with no extradition, which makes me sad. Fans are cheated out of time to see how she would get out of this latest mess.
The realist in me knows that she could have beaten the murder charge - it was self-defense. But the damage to her relationship with Shayne and Reva remains unanswered. Who knows what would have happened there? Jeffrey is out there - and if he returns - what would he say? So many questions, so few answers....
While Dinah is on the run, Phillip and Alan have made their way back to Springfield. I want to know who had dry eyes after Phillip told Alan that he's dying. It sure wasn't me... I just hope that the network will actually submit Emmy reels for the show next year. The scenes between Ron Raines (Alan) and Grant Aleksander (Phillip) were so emotionally charged. If only I didn't want to strangle Alan for his reaction to the news....
Now Phillip is back in town, desperate to "fix" all the issues in his life. All the while burying his head in the sand that he wants to fix things to suit him - not necessarily the ones he loves. And now that Alan knows the truth - will he keep quiet - or reveal Phillip's condition before he's ready to discuss it with his family?
While I have to laugh at the "Money Pit" theme to Lizzie and Bill's beautiful dream home, I am glad to see that the show is at least writing to showcase more of the cast interacting while they can. But will the frenetic pace actually shorten Philip's life? And will James finally realize what is happening to his father before it's too late?
It was so good to see Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan) again this week. The thought of him teaming up with Jeffrey (Bradley Cole) to stop the Dark Prince (David Andrew MacDonald) is a treat. Just hearing his voice on the phone reminded me of all of Edmund's evil past - and I can't wait to see what happens here! But will they be able to stop the Dark Prince from his evil plot to hurt Reva and her family? And will Lizzie finally be reunited with her adorable daughter?
On the other hand, while I appreciate the GL history in the Coop storyline, Buzz appears to be a maniac. Sure, you want to honor your son's last work by completing the manuscript, but he seems to be going a little bonkers over the project. I like to read about a variety of subject but can't imagine wanting to actually break into a place for the thrill of it. I guess I'm just a chicken at heart. At least there will be good news on this front this week. Not quite sure how this story will turn out, though.
And that's really the trouble I have watching GL these days. I've spoken to so many of you about this and know some of you are in the same boat. I find myself hoarding memories and episodes to savor - which is understandable. But then I watch the show thinking of the end - not just the sadness I'll feel - but how the stories will wrap up already. It's a bit like reading the last page of the book first - which I almost always regret later on.
In the next few weeks, before the show ends, I really want to take some time to reach out to them and let them know how much their characters, and the show, have meant to me. I certainly encourage all GL fans to drop the cast (either as a group or individually) a line to share your thoughts and memories with them.
To write to the cast members:
Guiding Light
c/o CBS
Attention: Cast member's name
51 W. 52 St.
New York, NY 10019
In addition, fans in the NY area can see some of the cast at a panel at the Paley Center for Media on August 19th (unfortunately during the week or I would gladly attend): http://www.paleycenter.org/summer-2009-guiding-light If anyone attends, please let me know and I will gladly share your experiences here.
Even after the show ends, I will try to post any info I have on the stars on my Facebook page. You can track me down at http://www.facebook.com/gl.scoop
Now that we know how the show, if not the story ends, it is important for all of us to stay focused on working to promote the show in a positive light for as long as we can...
Together We Can...Keep the Light Shining!
Kimberly
