Langford on Soaps: Russia Remakes a Popular Soap and Surprising Changes on "Neighbours" and "Days"

LANGFORD'S PICKS AND PANS

Good Times, Bad Times

I've read a lot of the commentary about these scenes, and I think Edwin is wildly over-reacting. He acts as if Ron was under some obligation to tell him that was gay, but I don’t think he is. It’s not like it ever came up, and Ron certainly never lied to Edwin about it. I agree with Ron that Edwin is making a big deal about it, mostly because he thinks Ron is after him.

But how does Ron hiding his sexuality, which I don’t feel he did, mean that he is out to snare Edwin? And how would not telling Edwin he was gay help Ron if he really were out to get Edwin? That does not compute to me.

Besides, thus far Ron hasn’t done anything to undermine Lucas and Edwin’s relationship. On the contrary, he has actually encouraged Edwin in many ways regarding the man he loves.

With that said, however, there is a definite spark between the two of them. Perhaps finding out that Ron is gay might tap in to some feelings Edwin has for his new friend that he didn’t realize he had. Perhaps that's really what Edwin is upset about.

*THANKS TO GTSTFANMARK FOR THE CLIPS!

Fisica o Quimica (Russian Version)

This is a very close remake of the Spanish version of the popular teen drama that ended earlier this year. The thing that this has in common with the original is the close relationship between Fedor and Yuri (Fer and Julio in the Spanish version) that you can’t help but wish might be more than friendship. The boys are cute together and have chemistry. Of course, it never does become romantic in the original series, but if the show ever chooses to deviate from the source material, who knows what avenues the relationship could take. On the other hand, I can’t wait to see what a Russian version of Fer’s eventual boyfriend David might be like.

"Fedor," the Russian counterpart to Fer

*THANKS TO FOQRUS FOR THE CLIPS!

Forbidden Love

I’m not sure how I feel about Christian’s decision to keep quiet about the real reasons behind Dana's accident. I understand why he would do it, but hiding the evidence in a possible attempted murder to protect your job just doesn’t sit well with me.

They could have at least give Christian an out by having Teresa deny what she did and leave Christian unable to prove what he suspects. But this just makes Christian somewhat culpable in what happened. And there’s also the possibility that Teresa could try something else. Where would that leave Christian then?