Desperately Seeking a New Couple

I am now thoroughly spoiled and must reveal that I have not much hope especially since I am seeing signs of Carly on her way to a reconciliation with the Quartermaines. Oh for the love of Pete...we don't need another shrill, self-interested barracuda in that house. We need Lilah. We need Emily.

But I digress. Regardless of my personal feelings on the matter, I know soaps and no couple is permitted more than 3 years from start to finish of relationship.* I hadn't done the math until recently, but we're approaching 2 years since the night of passion for Liason and - if memory serves - the Liz/Jason friendship had been rebirthed about 6 months prior to the NOP. So, even if my beloved couple makes it through the present crisis, I will only be able to enjoy them for another 6 months...or, in Becky Herbst's own words "30 seconds."

So, I'm shopping. No one will ever be Liason but there's some promise. It will be a bit like getting kicked out of Whole Foods and forced to shop at the local Stop N Shop attached to a gas station...but that's still better than starving to death.**

First up in my grab-bag are Nicolas and Nadine. I adore Nadine. I expected her to disappear after the ball. She was so interesting and pragmatic during the Black & White Ball. I loved her commentary. So, I was happy to see her become the main nurse on my screen. Like Nurse Amy, Nadine just made you think that life is a bit funnier than everyone realized. I enjoy listening to her wax on about the pediatrics unit - granted, it's a topic very near to my heart. She was adorable with Spencer today...but she may be too lovely for Nicolas. I'm ready for him to finish brooding. But I'm willing to give them a chance - depending on how much longer Nicolas broods.

Scrubs is next on my list. Funny, eh? I did not like them one bit until Robin got pregnant. Patrick was cute when he called her to ask if she needed a father for her baby. Now it's Robin's turn to be a growed up girl. I like the realism here - the two adults who can't seem to finish maturity and I think they have super-couple potential...if they survive the 3-year axe.

I have to admit that I enjoy the young couples but I was disturbed to read that Guza is "looking for a love interest for Spinelli." If I'm not wrong, he has one - Maxie. They're quite lovely together and would make a really good "almost-there" couple. You know the kind - everyone can see that they're going to end up together but it's nonstop caper before they each accept that the attraction is mutual and probably long-term.

And then there's Johnny and LuLu, of course - great tragic romance all over the place. When even Luke is pointing out that (my favorite line) "dating is not negotiating a cease fire in a mob war - that's insanity" then you know you have the makings of a long, long journey to a very sad yet deliciously savored ending for what could be another super-couple (because Brandon is HOT and LuLu is played by a good little actress).

In closing, I was so happy to see some Monica, Edward, Tracy and Alan on my screen. In my opinion, the best "couple" on GH is the Quartermaine family. Would to the PTB that Monica, Edward, Tracy, Alan (may his ghost live on forever), Jason, Liz, and Jake (with Cameron as the un-wanted next generation - I'm evil, I know, but I want to believe my daughters will be addicted to GH) become standard fare on my television.

SAVE THE QUARTERMAINES!


*The biggest complaint I hear from ex-soap fans is that "the couples keep changing" so if soap writers and networks really wanted to invest in the genre, they'd stop this ridiculous trend. In youth, we all change loves frequently but by our middle lives, we learn that rapid & changing love affairs are unhealthy and bring only sadness. Each character should be allowed to find their true love and be with that person for the rest of their time on the soap. Each stage of life brings challenges and joys - only a lack of creativity can't figure out how to make families as interesting as the first sexual experience with a partner - and, to be honest, even those encounters have lost their "hotness" since it's always the beginning of the couple's end. But I read some articles about GH's 40th birthday that made me believe that ABC doesn't care if GH lasts another 40 years. I think they're pretty much just waiting for us old fans to lose our purchasing power. But if you ask me, soap writers need to spend some time in the romance aisle. This soap has all the ingredients but the writers don't seem to understand how to mix it all together to make a yummy romance. Here's one important element: no one reads a romance for a tragic ending. So, get your hope on....love really can survive. And without love, there is no hope for soaps.

**Still, I may choose a slow painful death over Jason/Carly...oh no, oh no, oh no! Okay. That's out. I am so grateful for Tivo when I see this pairing be introduced as the transition away from my beloved Liason. I have shuddered to think of the future - Carly's manipulations to get Jake away from Elizabeth. A repeat of Michael's storyline....oh spare me!