Episode #591

[Michael]

Episode #591 is now available.

In this episode: Samantha and Tempest get checked out in the wake of the hostage crisis, while the police pursue JD... Tim makes a big decision about his next move, based upon recent events... Alex makes a startling discovery about Jason.

Thanks for reading! The next episode contains the start of Loretta's masked ball.

The above link will take you to our Current Episode page. For a permanent link to Episode #591, go here. All previous episodes can be found in our Archives.

[Dallas]

Michael,

I actually think this has been the best episode in a long while. It was great to really get an escape from the Cassandra/JD and Tempest storylines, which have really been front and center since Courtney's death. I think those storylines are good, I just think it has been too much of the new characters (Cassandra, JD, Tempest) and not enough of the old favorites that we all know and love.

Jason: He's been mourning alone for so long, it was nice to see him back. I love his friendship with Alex, although the I wish we were able to read more of Alex and Grahame's reconnection. I think it could make for some great scenes, maybe even Alex learning something he doesn't want to know about his new-found Daddy. The pills was great; are they really to help Jason sleep? Is he becoming hooked on them? Having Lauren added into the mix was fun as well. Her babbling about Josh was great because the only person she was trying to convince was herself.

Tim/Hospital: You do hospital scenes so well! Im envious. Paula's words of comfort falling on Tim's deaf ears was awesome, because that's exactly how it would have played out. Tempest being a source of comfort as well was a nice switcheroo. Diane claiming to want to go find JD so she so use her head was priceless. We need more of her! I'm not convinced JD is dead, but it seemed fitting to have a driver killer in the car. At least, for now, the Fisher's can get some rest.

Looking forward to the next episode Michael!

Dallas

[Michael]

Thanks for taking the time to post, Dallas!

Originally Posted by Dallas

I actually think this has been the best episode in a long while. It was great to really get an escape from the Cassandra/JD and Tempest storylines, which have really been front and center since Courtney's death. I think those storylines are good, I just think it has been too much of the new characters (Cassandra, JD, Tempest) and not enough of the old favorites that we all know and love.

I can definitely see why you'd feel that way. I'm glad this episode felt enjoyable in a familiar way. I hope I can do a better job of integrating the new characters so it doesn't feel like the old favorites are being pushed aside!

Originally Posted by Dallas

Jason: He's been mourning alone for so long, it was nice to see him back. I love his friendship with Alex, although the I wish we were able to read more of Alex and Grahame's reconnection. I think it could make for some great scenes, maybe even Alex learning something he doesn't want to know about his new-found Daddy.

We'll be getting back to that ASAP, especially with the pending Sarah/Graham nuptials. It's just been on the backburner for so long that I wanted to re-introduce the thread and establish the status quo (Alex and Graham have been in touch, it's going all right, etc.).

Originally Posted by Dallas

Tim/Hospital: You do hospital scenes so well! Im envious. Paula's words of comfort falling on Tim's deaf ears was awesome, because that's exactly how it would have played out. Tempest being a source of comfort as well was a nice switcheroo.

Thanks! I always struggle with group scenes, because they feel daunting logistically, so this is a great compliment to receive.

Originally Posted by Dallas

I'm not convinced JD is dead, but it seemed fitting to have a driver killer in the car. At least, for now, the Fisher's can get some rest.

JD's dead. I promise. This was a truncated version of a much longer story that I decided I didn't want to devote the time or energy to. There will be some wrap-up in the coming weeks, but the JD story is just about done.

[tom_k5]

Hey Michael! I finally got caught up and just wanted to say how thrilling the past few episodes have been, especially with the Samantha/Tempest/JD situation. I loved that Samantha was able to keep her cool enough to formulate some sort of plan with Tempest. She seems like a really smart girl and I like the development of the personality in the past year or so. Tempest has grown on me a lot too. I've never disliked her, but her little budding friendship with Samantha has made me a bit more receptive to her now that we've seen her tough exterior cracked open a bit.

JD's death was a little too convenient for my liking, but as you just said, you sorta changed direction and truncated the story, and I'm sure what you're doing is for the best. I suppose it's better to have a quick and clean solution than to drag out a story that isn't working for you, especially when there are so many other interesting things going on around the canvas right now waiting for more airtime.

I'm not sure what to make of Jason's possible sleeping pill problem. I know a lot of people who take sleep aids from time to time and it's not really a big issue, but with all that Jason's had to go through, maybe he's a little more susceptible to overmedicating or not taking the best care of himself right now. I can understand Alex's concern, but I'm not sure it's something to be super-concerned about just yet. Loved it when Lauren came on to the scene to relay her troubles with Josh. It felt like the old gang (minus Courtney *sniff!*) was back together. I'm rooting for Lauren and Josh. You know you've got it bad when even Jason can't deny there's something between Josh and Lauren!

Paula has been irking me lately. She acted like such a bitch at the hospital, and I hate the way she's been harping, giving passive-aggressive little digs, and shooting her disapproving glares all over the place regarding the thing with Molly/Brent/Claire. Yes, I know she doesn't want to see her daughter's marriage to Brent crumble over this thing with Loretta, but I think she's been unnecessarily harsh on Claire and blamed her for a lot of things that Molly and Brent are just as, if not more, responsible for. Brent's the one who started this all, and he's the one who's roped Claire into it once again. Molly and Brent's marriage is really none of Paula's business. It just bugs me the way she feels the need to weigh in, morally, on everyone's business all the time. I guess that's part of being a parent, but her children are old enough that she should know they're going to make their mistakes with or without her consent. Someone needs to sit her down and say "That's enough, Paula Fisher!"

Thanks for the great string of episodes lately! I'm really looking forward to more of this Loretta story and the Masked Ball! I love disastrous parties, and I can't wait to see what happens if/when Brent and Claire confront her and how Molly will respond to their arrival.

[Andy Eckles]

Michael, this was a nice come-down off the car hostage situation, while at the same time re-igniting some stories like Alex and Graham's relationship, Jason's grief, and Lauren bailing on Josh during their business trip. I always like episodes that offer that kind of bridge between events. Oh, and I also agree that you do group scenes well. I'm with you though - they are painstaking to write. I avoid them at all costs, but naturally they have to come eventually. I wind up spending three times the effort than a typical scene, as I'm sure you do.

For me, I enjoy the new characters so it doesn't bother me at all when episodes focus on them. It tells me there are other people the Fishers and Taylors and everyone else interact with. You'd said that Footprints is about a family, not about a town. On the flip side, I'm always saying the Blackthornes is about a town, not about a family. I think you do a good job of focusing on your new and supporting characters through the point of view of your main characters, so it never seems like they're moving in and trying to take over the canvas. This whole JD/Cassandra storyline was told for the most part through Tim's eyes, and I bought it because it was happening to him. On the rare occassions when you've used one of the new character's POV, it only added to the situation for me. Just my opinion.

Loved the scene with Jason, Alex and Lauren. It's always nice to have them in scenes together because they're very easy-going and conversational, no matter the topic.

Looking forward to the MASKED BALL! (it always seems appropriate to put that in all-caps for some reason, so get used to that)!

[Michael]

Sorry for the delay in responding, guys! Tom, it's so good to see you back around here, and Andy, you know I appreciate your consistent feedback.

Originally Posted by tom_k5

JD's death was a little too convenient for my liking, but as you just said, you sorta changed direction and truncated the story, and I'm sure what you're doing is for the best. I suppose it's better to have a quick and clean solution than to drag out a story that isn't working for you, especially when there are so many other interesting things going on around the canvas right now waiting for more airtime.

Yeah, that was definitely one of those "Let's get this offscreen as fast as we can" things. I will say, though, that there's a very specific reason he died as opposed to just being arrested. I could've sent him to jail just as easily, but this will have an echo...

Originally Posted by tom_k5

I'm not sure what to make of Jason's possible sleeping pill problem. I know a lot of people who take sleep aids from time to time and it's not really a big issue, but with all that Jason's had to go through, maybe he's a little more susceptible to overmedicating or not taking the best care of himself right now. I can understand Alex's concern, but I'm not sure it's something to be super-concerned about just yet.

I don't think it would've been an issue for Alex if Jason hadn't reacted so crazily to the mere fact of Alex seeing the pill bottle. We'll be exploring this more shortly, so I don't want to say too much, but that definitely wasn't the reaction of someone who needs a pill one night a week just to get caught up on rest.

Originally Posted by tom_k5

Paula has been irking me lately. She acted like such a bitch at the hospital, and I hate the way she's been harping, giving passive-aggressive little digs, and shooting her disapproving glares all over the place regarding the thing with Molly/Brent/Claire. Yes, I know she doesn't want to see her daughter's marriage to Brent crumble over this thing with Loretta, but I think she's been unnecessarily harsh on Claire and blamed her for a lot of things that Molly and Brent are just as, if not more, responsible for. Brent's the one who started this all, and he's the one who's roped Claire into it once again. Molly and Brent's marriage is really none of Paula's business. It just bugs me the way she feels the need to weigh in, morally, on everyone's business all the time. I guess that's part of being a parent, but her children are old enough that she should know they're going to make their mistakes with or without her consent. Someone needs to sit her down and say "That's enough, Paula Fisher!"

I'm actually glad you feel this way, because it's exactly what I've wanted to play. I can totally see why Paula's behavior is annoying or seems hyper-critical, but in her mind, that's precisely how she feels. She's worried for Molly, she's pissed at Brent, and she feels betrayed by Claire. She does the mother-hen thing in her own, kinda judge-y way.

Originally Posted by Andy Eckles

For me, I enjoy the new characters so it doesn't bother me at all when episodes focus on them. It tells me there are other people the Fishers and Taylors and everyone else interact with. You'd said that Footprints is about a family, not about a town. On the flip side, I'm always saying the Blackthornes is about a town, not about a family. I think you do a good job of focusing on your new and supporting characters through the point of view of your main characters, so it never seems like they're moving in and trying to take over the canvas. This whole JD/Cassandra storyline was told for the most part through Tim's eyes, and I bought it because it was happening to him. On the rare occassions when you've used one of the new character's POV, it only added to the situation for me. Just my opinion.

Okay, cool! Thanks for sharing. It's nice to get the flipside of opinions, too. Nevertheless, the familiar vs. new character balance is something I'll probably always struggle with a bit!

Originally Posted by Andy Eckles

Looking forward to the MASKED BALL! (it always seems appropriate to put that in all-caps for some reason, so get used to that)!

Hehehe. I approve of that!

Thanks again, guys.