Spinelli @ soapcentral.com

First; My favorite gripe.  I know that no matter what I think, Sonny and Kate's wedding will happen.  I really don't like them together.  TIIC continue however to shove them down our throats.  I just can't get invested in them as a couple because there is zero chemistry between them and the history that has been created for them is so contrived that it only makes them even more difficult to swallow.  Maybe it's because Sonny's history has been rewritten to include Kate.  Sonny and Carly even with all their dysfunction are "edge of your seat" riveting to watch.  We know their history because we witnessed it.  Even Carly and Jax have history.  They always dislikeed each other, but then came together through their loss of Courtney, so it's possible to become invested in them.  With Skate, and their contrived history and the complete lack of chemistry, I just don't see myself becoming invested in them.

 

Liason is another relationship I just don't get.  Elizabeth has been reduced to throwing herself at Jason and exhibiting zero self respect.  She professes to understand that there is absolutely no future for them as a couple, but she is completely cool with having secret time with Jason.  She is willing to overlook the fact that although Jason professes to love her with all his heart, he refuses give up the "life" he chose in order to be with her and their son.  Granted, once you are in the mob, you are in for life.  But Jason knew this before he became involved with Elizabeth, so why did he allow things to go beyond the one nighter they shared two years ago, when he knew that nothing could come of it?   I know that Liason has a very loyal following; another thing I will never understand.  I get that after Lucky's "death" years ago, they developed an intense friendship, but they were both on the rebound.  Elizabeth from Lucky and Jason from Robin.  But it never really developed beyond that.  They both went on to other lives and crossed paths only occasionally.  And now they have this great love story, developed through a few clandestine meetings?  I hate to rehash a subject on which I have expressed my displeasure about adnausium, but I would really like to understand what it is about these two that have fans so invested.  I just don't see it.

 

Spinelli and Maxie are just a ray of sunshine.  I absolutely love these two.  I don't see how they would work as a couple, that is unless they give Spinelli a labotomy.  But then, he wouldn't be the Spinelli so many of us adore.  It's and absolute awesome friendship these two share.  Spinelli's total acceptance of Maxie and her endless set of flaws could be just what Maxie needs to be redeemed as a human being.  The problem with all of this is that Spinelli is completely in love with Maxie and Maxie completely, but platonically, loves Spinelli.  How this could ever develop into a real love story is beyond me.

 

Well that's all for this blog.  Carol

First; my favorite gripe.  I know that there are a lot of Skate fans out there, which is something I will never get, but why, oh why do TIIC feel the need to continually shove this zero chemistry relationship down our throats.  Lately Sonny and Kate have taken to bringing up their past in Bensonhurst, which I assume is meant to get us invest in them as a couple, but then Kate's well founded insecurities about Carly keep rearing up and Sonny is reduced to reassuring her that he is through with Carly and loves only her.  On one hand Kate is supremely sure of her self to the point of total conceit and is all but accusing Carly of juvenile shrewishness; then on the other hand she is so insecure about Carly that she feels the need to stoop to Carly's level and play even more juvenile games.  More of MHO on this in my next blog.

 

Now Liason.  What is up with these occasional chance meetings, with the longing looks and the neverending discussion about the infinite reasons they can't be together?  This is another couple being shoved down my throat that I will never swallow.  A one night stand does not an all encompassing love make.  Oh I know that This so-called great love began years ago when Liz was trying to get over Lucky's "death" and Jason was trying to get over Robin.  The problem with this is that they were never really more than friends.  Oh sure; feelings beyond friendship began to blossom, but Liz's love for Lucky was in the way.  Then Lucky came back and Liz and Jason each went on with their separate lives.  For YEARS.  Their crossed paths occasionally, But never were more than friends and barely even that.  In fact, they were more like friendly past acquaintances.  Then a one night stand between two lost souls whose respective partners had cheated on them was built into this contrived tragic love story.  How could two people whose paths rarely crossed falls deeply and passionately in love?  Even after Liz found out that she was pregnant with Jason's baby, she didn't tell him.  He still loved Sam and Liz still loved Lucky.  It wasn't until after Liz told Jason that he was the baby daddy, that she started running to him with every little problem and began to fall in love with him.  I hate this pairing almost as much as I hate SKATE.

 

What is up with Claudia?  Are TIIC having trouble figuring out what to do with her?  She keeps getting inserted into all of the storylines surrounding her, but has yet to be given one of her own.  TIIC were all gung-ho to get Sarah Joy Brown (who was fabulous as Carly) back on the canvas that they don't appear to have really thought about what to do with her beyond the shock value of her character's slutty, obnoxious, garish presence. 

 

Matt Hunter?  Who is he?  Who cares?  Other than that fact that he is an egotistical jackass jerk, what is his purpose on the show?  Is he involved in the fake drug ring or is he a super-secret agent who happens to be a doctor inserted into GH to bust the fake drug ring?  I guess he supposed to be a love interest for Maxie, but I don't see it.  Many love stories on the soaps begin with the couple hating each other.  The antagonism is supposed to be sexually charged; building in intensity until it culminates in the pair ending up in bed or in love or both.  I don't see it with these two.  Maxie is an uber-b**ch with a heart of gold.  Matt, unless his true personality has yet to emerge, is just simply a jerk.  I just can't see him with Maxie.

 

Spixie.  Love it.  They are so cute together.  I know that although most absolutely love seeing these two building a strong bond of friendship, I really think that it could work if TIIC tone Spinelli's geekiness down just a tad.  Not too much though.  With some tweeking here and tweeking there, Spixie could work.

 

Til next blog, Carol

For a twenty-something, Spinelli is socially delayed, sexually naive, speaks of himself in the third person, uses formal pedantic language, and refers to other people by descriptive, perceptive monikers he supplies. He is also a good-natured, computer genius and a loyal, caring friend who can be honest to a fault. Even by soap standards, Spinelli is a little “off the beaten path,” but should Spinelli’s quirks and eccentricities be “diagnosed” or medicalized? Can’t someone just be different or unique? So what if Spinelli processes information or expresses himself differently than the other citizens of Port Charles.

While hospitalized recovering from a virus, Spinelli was evaluated by the new doctor in town, Dr. Matt Hunter, who suggested Spinelli’s speech and behavior patterns required further testing in order to diagnose. Dr. Hunter implied Spinelli might fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum or perhaps have Asperger’s Syndrome. In a split-second, Spinelli’s sweet-natured, unassuming visage changed to worry and fear. Spinelli firmly declined further testing, and concluded by requesting Dr. Hunter not mention this ever again.

Often indecisive and unsure, Spinelli was quick to shut down Dr. Hunter’s suggestion for testing; it appeared as if Spinelli had been down this road before. Was Spinelli “diagnosed" or more likely "misdiagnosed" as a child? Could the fall-out from previous medical labeling have led to Spinelli’s social isolation thus delaying his social development?

There are many unexplored layers to Spinelli. Spinelli talks a lot, but seldom speaks of his past; instead, he spends much more time empathizing with others about their problems. Even after nearly two years in Port Charles, Spinelli’s back-story barely fills a thimble. He was raised by his grandmother in rural Tennessee. Could Spin has been "diagnosed" and bullied or treated differently as a child growing up in Tennessee? Did he leave Tennessee to attend college in Upstate NY to "start over" where no one knew him or his “diagnosis”?

The little information established about Spinelli’s history does not imply a normal, loving childhood. His history suggests prolonged social isolation yet Spin has such positive energy and so much love in his heart. What little is known of Spin's social isolation could easily have made him bitter and mean, but instead, Spin is one of the kindest, most gentle people in town.

Whatever Spinelli’s "diagnosis" or label, he has come to terms with it. Recently Spin explained to Maxie he had feelings like everyone else, and he “functioned quite capably”. In one of Spinelli’s most plain-spoken and touching moments, he softly confessed to Maxie, “I am not a freak.” Whether there is a medical “diagnosis” or "condition" applicable to Spin, does it matter or change anything? Without knowing for certain, Spinelli may have already lived through a lifetime of pain; maybe he has been hurt enough by a “diagnosis” or “misdiagnosis”.

General Hospital has a unique opportunity to tell an amazing back-story with the character of Spinelli. Immediately following the mere suggestion Spinelli might have a medical condition, an avalanche of speculation and discourse began on whether Spin’s quirkiness might be medically explained. Viewers are interested in the enigma that is Spinelli, and Bradford Anderson’s stunning interpretation of this intricate, yet naive character, has kept the mystery simmering just below the surface for nearly two years. Please GH, give us just a little taste of what makes Spinelli tick. It is the perfect combination: a story begging to be told, viewers eager to see it, and Bradford Anderson, an actor who knocks the ball out of the park every turn at bat. General Hospital, it is time to “bring it”.

 

VIXENELLA’S VIDEO OF THE DAY:  Enjoy this fun Spinelli Name Montage by Wdwforever to the tune of Boomshakalaka from Dumb and Dumber.

So, I enjoyed the press hounding Kate & Jax. I'm guessing Carly has some more plans up her sleeve if need be. Good thing for Jason who can half calm her down. Speaking of him, I liked the arrest with Claudia! I wonder if they like working together again. Poor Jason any time a cold body turns up in Port Charles- he's to blame. lulu looks like she'll crack any second. I know she will before Maxie does. Fianally we see some passion between Spinelli & Maximista! Tom. should be good for their fans! I'm one! How much longer do we have to stomach Kate& Sonny? I can't much longer. Has anyone visited Michael lately? Is he forgotten all ready? I think if Sam isn't going back to Jason she should miraculously give Lucky a baby!Let Elizabeth raise her own!http://jomaluza-whateversonmymind.blogspot.com/

Forget Pavlov’s dog… it’s his fans I’m worried about. Say it with me slowly, one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi… that is the precise length of time Maxie Jones and the new doctor, Matt Hunter, shared the General Hospital screen on Thursday (June 26).

 

Yes, those three long-awaited, over-hyped seconds on GH marked the re-teaming of former Days of Our Lives (DOOL) young lovers Shawn and Belle, Jason Cook (Matt Hunter, GH; ex-Shawn, DOOL) and Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones, GH; Belle, DOOL).

 

The only problem? General Hospital has neither a Shawn nor a Belle character. Who cares about a minor detail like that when there is spontaneously combustible sexual chemistry exploding on our screens? But, alas, for three glorious seconds these two characters bumped into each other. There, I said it. Matt and Maxie (not Shawn and Belle) bumped into each other on General Hospital, not Days of Our Lives. Neither paying attention, they turned around quickly and accidentally bumped into each other in front of GH’s famous nurses’ station.

 

Be advised, Spin’s Vixenella can “squeeeeeeee” and “eeeeeeeeeee” and “OMG” with the best fan girls on the biggest Internet soap message boards, but yesterday’s response to those three seconds of shared screen time was simply astonishing on so many levels. In an attempt to counterbalance her inner fan girl and bring into sharp focus the three seconds, The Vixenella will spew forth some Latin: res ipsa loquitur. Yes, res ipsa loquitur, a legal term which means “the thing speaks for itself”. No further details or evidence are necessary; the response tells the whole story. So without further adieu, and with no identifying information revealed, Spin’s Vixenella gives you res ipsa loquitur, verbatim actual message board responses to three seconds of General Hospital.

 

“That song by Savage Garden “I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You” instantly played in my mind”

 

“I don't care if it was forced I just love looking at him and seeing him again its been so long since I saw him on DOOL”

 

“Reunited and it feeeels so gooooood! Woooohooo!”

 

 “I didn't think that the scene looked forced at all, I LOVED it! The scene lived up to my expectations and then some, I have been waiting so long for this! I hope that the continuation of the scene will happen tomorrow.”

 

“Forced or Not, i friggin Loved it! My Heart Bursts with Joy! I can Bearly Breathe! Jason and Kirsten Together again EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”

 

“I'm so excited! I have been squeeling since I saw the scene of Maxie and Matt running into each other. Gave me a warm feeling and a nice flashback.”

 

 “I watched today's scene 3 times already!”

 

“I think I've watched about a hundred times already.”

 

 “Sparks! I saw definite sparks of chemistry! And that look... oh boy, they've definitely got me hooked!”

 

“God, those were the best and most interesting 3 seconds of GH in a loooong time!”

 

“I loved M&M's interaction. The chemistry is there (yes, based on that clip alone, I judge them to be awesomely perfect for each other).”

 

In fairness, there was a lone voice of reason in the message board thread who commented, “I can't really say how I feel about the two yet, because well it was a very short scene, he didn't really say anything to her.” Do the rest of these GH fans fall in love while stopped at traffic lights or in grocery store check-out queues? They must be the speediest of speed daters. Res ipsa loquitur, fellow soap fans. Can we expect intelligent, long-term storytelling and insightful character development when three seconds of stunt casting a “hot” soap hunk from a rival network sends us into paroxysms of joy? When the soap genre is extinct, we will have only ourselves to blame for not demanding more when we had the chance.

 

Lessons Learned: To minimize the risk of bumping into someone and having them spontaneously combust with sexual chemistry on me, The Vixenella vows to be more careful and less absent-minded in public places.

 

VIXENELLA'S VIDEO OF THE DAY: Enjoy Bonnie Rait's Something to Talk Aboutcompiled by Ashley from the Opposite Attraction Fan Site. Spinelli & Maxie...SPIXIE IS SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT...the new guy...meh!