My last word on the subject of All My Children’s Marissa and Bianca, “Minx” (still roll my eyes) was “surprise me”.  I know, that’s two words, but the definitive, single, pronouncement here is surprise.  And you know what, I’m a bit taken aback that given the chance to beard-up behind once-kissing Chandler cousin, Scott (Daniel Cosgrove), Marissa didn’t even stubble when confessing her love for Bianca to her ex-husband, JR.  Watch:

That clip is about nine minutes long, but it only takes about 40 seconds for Marissa to slip those surly bonds and sore.  As she breaks the barrier, that sonic boom you hear is, “ I want Bianca.”  Trying to keep Marissa grounded, however, is JR, and he’s no good man.  He follows in his father’s formidable footsteps, and I foresee perilous drama in Minx’s future.

And I say, bring it on.  JR is a recovering alcoholic, but last we left him he was Jack’ed-up again and drowning his ego in drink.  True, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but a mythical small town hath no vehemence like a wealthy-soap-villain victimized.  Bianca better pull out some of those pyro skills of old, because with any luck, this is about to be an inferno in need of a back-burn.

Nice job, AMC, juxtaposing Krystal’s (Bobbie Eakes) reaction to her daughter’s news with Erica’s initial reaction to Bianca’s admission almost 12 years ago.   The Erica Kane/Susan Lucci montage was a lovely (and possibly parting) tribute to what could arguably be the most over-the-top, yet dynamic, character on daytime.  There is nothing quite as efficient as the daytime device of mnemonic possession to remind viewers that “I am Erica Kane” invented the me generation and she still holds the patent.  There is little doubt that Erica wouldn’t have initially made Bianca’s truth all about her.

Marissa’s mom saw it coming, as mothers usually do, and Krystal welcomes the news with open arms (and heart) as if scripted in a Disney movie.  I don’t know about you, but mine was more of the fables Grimm.  Maybe it’s my own personal experience that makes me skeptical of the realism in Krystal’s reaction to the, “Mom, I love a girl” moment, but what do I know…I’m a big cynic.  If I was queen of the world, and I have often wished I was, I would hand down an edict that requires all politicians to wear sponsor logos sown to their suits like NASCAR drivers, and that all parents, when confronted with the courageous act of their child’s coming out, react like this:

I have to say, though, is there no other more obvious way to get an actress out of a scene than “my cornbread is burning”?

Ok, now I will address the two-handed elephant in the room:

Yep, it’s the daytime lesbian version of third base.  Ok, I’m going to let this one slide for now because, one, they already had an intimate moment by fake Willow Lake, and two, only hours have passed.  Yes, I know, any red blooded lesbian would have raked those over-cooked, corn-muffins right off the table and taken Marissa right then and there, but deference for the public display wins out, and the fact that all this is so “new” to Marissa.  My advice to the novice, there are several good books and few good movies, and it pays to have a good teacher.  Wax on, wax off.

What’s that I hear, the beep, beep, beep of a Uhaul backing up?  This thing is moving quickly, but not THAT quickly…I don’t think.  Though I don’t believe there is any kind of official timeframe for hitching one on, either.  In any case, a very confident Marissa informs her friend, Scott, of her budding relationship with Bianca…and the reason she is moving out of the Chandler Mansion.  Ever get the feeling that Marissa is bursting to tell anyone and everyone the good news…like getting another A on a chemistry test…or a new pair of really great pumps and wearing a pencil skirts for a week?  Ok, whatever.  Fill in your own blank.

Thank you, Agnes of God, as this has your sign of social significance all over it.  So far, this burning bush has no indication of backtracking or indecision.  Sure, there is fear, there is always fear when you leap into the unknown, but there is a huge difference between fear and being paralyzed with apprehension.

That being said, do you think Daniel Cosgrove is being typecast as a lesbian whisperer?  Do you think casting agents all over the country are clamoring to get him, that one actor who can go into the homes of his female friends (and former lovers), and with no prior preparation or knowledge, achieve that special balance between two women in love?  Just a thought…but perhaps he has a necktie artifact and should be taken to Warehouse 13 to be placed on a shelf beside Myka and H. G. Wells.  A girl can dream…

Agnes Nixon is a woman with a set of ovaries.  I have always admired her brave forays into the tides of social antagonisms.  Now she has decided to tip her toe into the waters of social networking and blogging as www.agnesnixon.com

As the creator of my all time personal favorite daytime drama, All My Children, Ms. Nixon gave me more days of personal angst than I care to admit.  As a result, I was loathe to succumb to my own personal crises when I had a role model like Erica Kane!  As I was growing up in Atlanta, Erica Kane was the modern day Scarlett O’Hara that managed to use whatever means necessary so she would never go hungry or lonely again.

Ms. Nixon has chronicled her own mental scrapbook and virtualized it for all of us to enjoy.  We can now sit back and pick Agnes Nixon’s brain from the comfort of our own homes and smartphones.  The opening page is a video message from Ms. Nixon herself with a personal greeting inviting each of us to poke around and ask her questions.

I’ve got one…God, I hated Enid Nelson.  Why was she so damn mean?  Pardon my language, Ms. Nixon, but these are the characters we loved to hate.  The woman was pure evil in bad Junior League fashion.  And Brooke, she was such a tart.  I loved her as a motorcycle wench in a leather jacket.  What do you think of how her character turned out after you were no longer involved in the creative control of All My Kids?

Here’s a good one, too.  You have been credited with saying, “Make them laugh, make them cry, and make them wait.”  Have you seen Guiding Light’s OTALIA?  That CAN’T be what you meant?  Watching continental drift is painful.

Anyway, as Mary, The Soaps Examiner, and I have been discussing and reminiscing about the soaps of old, we decided that perhaps a page of retro soap memories were in order.  If the American soap opera is dying, why wait until it flat lines to have the wake?

So, I would love your thoughts on a retro soaps page where we can all wax philosophical on the days of watching while our grandmothers ironed…or the days we skipped school to see a hook-up because the VCR was broken.

Oh I remembered another question.  Ellen Wheeler, what was it like to have been involved in a socially controversial storyline about AIDS in the 80’s?  Did you feel the same sense of responsibility to a marginalized community involved when you proceeded with OTALIA?  I know that’s not a question to Agnes Nixon, but I thought she might use her influence.