Gays of our Lives (December 1, 2008)

‘Til The Wedding - This series seems to have everything going for it: sharp writing, two good looking and engaging actors, loads of sexual chemistry (these guys are HOT together) and the exotic backdrop of Tel Aviv, Israel, where the series is set. And that’s more than enough for me to recommend it.

Yet, something is a little off. While there is the palpable heat between these two talented actors, I don’t feel as if there’s a love story being told. The actors, to their credit, go a long way with the little they are given and despite what is lacking, this is still a series not to be missed.

"You don’t really think you can get away with wearing white, do you?"

Casualty – This wasn’t so much a coming out episode, but an ‘oh, there’s a dude in his bed’ cliffhanger. However, the shock of Dr. Toby de Silva’s (Matthew Needham) tryst with Ben Harding looks to be an intriguing story arc with a host of provocative topics including Toby’s sexuality, professional ethics, the bonds of friendship, and best intentions gone tragically awry. The fact that the show has good writing, well drawn characters and strong acting is a plus, but what makes this story compelling is the character of Toby, a shy, sensitive, big lug of a guy struggling to find his way in the world as a doctor and a man.

Pictured: Toby (Matthew Needham) and Ben (Mark Letheren)

River City - Well, that was quick. In a very fast paced hour, poor Scott (Tony Kearney) had the baby he’d been playing surrogate father to kidnapped and returned, the mother came back to claim the child, and he broke up with Manu (Hosh Kane). Whew! It was exhausting to watch. I get the feeling the writers wrapped it up quickly so they could move onto other stories with other characters, and it doesn’t look like the show plans to play out any of ramifications of this tale over the coming weeks, which is a shame because this story got short shrift. I will admit I loved seeing Scott pack Manu’s clothes for him and toss him out of the apartment and out of his life. That was a fiery, well-acted moment and the highlight of the episode

"It’s bad enough that you got my baby kidnapped, but then
you forget to DVR EastEnders? GET OUT!"

As The World Turns - After watching the Thanksgiving episode last week I had some important questions: Why didn’t anyone notice that Luke (Van Hansis) was wasted? He was staggering, slurring his words and sucking on his booze filled coffee cup like little Ethan does with his baby bottle. But no one batted an eyelash. And how come Noah (who inexplicably showed up for the holiday) won’t tell anyone that Luke is drinking when he knows it could kill him? One of the honorable Mr. Mayer’s reasons for spilling about the election to the dean was because he didn’t want to enable Luke. So, why in a situation much more serious than a campus election is he enabling Luke now? Of course this was all about plot devices… and badly handled ones at that. Grandma Emma’s bird wasn’t the only turkey being served at this year’s Thanksgiving with the Snyders.

Noah: I’m sorry if me being here drives you to drink, Luke,
but a free meal is a free meal!