Gays of our Lives (March 23, 2009)

As The World Turns – In an episode full of foreshadowing (check out the As The World Turns spoilers for details), Luke and Noah made plans to move in together, only to encounter a homophobic landlord. Alas, many things were glossed over in order to hit the plot points, two of them being: Why does Noah want a place together now when a month ago he was totally against the idea? And do Holden and Lily really think it’s a good idea for Luke to move in with Noah given their hotheaded son's outrageous behavior of the past six months?

Oh well. At least Luke handled the situation with calm determination instead of the usual screeching and histrionics. But I look forward to an actual ongoing story rather than the issue of the week.

Noah: Can you believe it, Luke - this guy doesn’t want to rent to us?
Luke: Really? He must not be paying attention. We move in and your
property values go up. I think it’s a gay bylaw or something.

Clara Sheller – The aftermath of Gilles and J.P.’s tryst played out in this latest episode, with Gilles and J.P. dealing with their guilt over what they’ve done while Clara, as usual, is so in her own world that she can’t see what’s around her. As much as I’m enjoying watching the drama unfold, I think the show is making a terrible mistake by making Clara so unlikable. She’s such an unappealing character that you’re left to wonder why Gilles stays with this woman — and why J.P. is still her friend. It also makes it hard to care when all you can think is that if Clara loses both her man and her best friend, it’s exactly what she deserves.

Forbidden Love - The reconstruction of NoLimits continues, but Olli has to do all the work while Gregor continues his obsession with his helicopter, which accounts for the ‘drama’ in this past week’s episodes. I could say that this is better than listening to Judith go on and on about her boring love life or counseling one of the show’s bountiful supply of lesbians about their issues, but it isn’t. On the other hand, Gregor certainly fills out a pair of coveralls well! That I paid attention to.

One wonders… is that a rhetorical question?

Ugly Betty - Last week's episode wasn't as laugh packed as we usually expect as the show went for the softer, sweet side by spotlighting the various love relationships on the show. That's all well and good, as a change of pace is nice, but none of the pairings are particularly interesting or ones to root for. Between Matt and Betty, Archie and Hilda and Daniel and Molly, I'm not seeing sparks anywhere.   All three of our vibrant, interesting regulars are paired with dull, drab and uninteresting partners who fail to add spice or intrigue. Subsequently, it made for a rather limp hour though it was fun seeing Willi do her thing and Marc and Amanda are always a delight. But that's just the frosting on a cake with not much filling.

Marc and Amanda’s makeover of Betty was one of the
few highlights of this episode…