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 Dorian and the Teens

This month, OLTL scrapped a school hostage storyline due to a real-life situation that took place at Virginia Tech where 32 people were killed on a college campus by a gunman. As a viewer, it signified the need to focus on relationships instead of the latest current event. Relationships are more lasting and are what the audience yearns to see when tuning into a Daytime drama.  It's not often that Dorian Lord and her niece Starr Manning have a civil conversation. So, it was a delightful surprise to witness Dorian offering her niece words of wisdom in the face of teenage heartache. Later, viewers saw Starr and her friend Langston in Dorian's kitchen baking brownies and  discussing life and love.  (Dialogue below is from the 5.16.07 episode of OLTL.)

Dorian: Ok, enough of the cynicism because, Starr, I honestly believe that you are a true romantic, and you mustn’t allow that precious emotion to drown and set your heart adrift just because you've had some bad luck with one boy.

Langston: "Set your heart ." That is -- that’s great stuff.

Dorian: Thank you. So, darling, I want you to know that you shouldn’t close yourself down because someday, someday you are going to want to feel free to open your heart again to someone new. Do you understand?

Starr: I suppose.

Dorian: Good. Well, that’s solved. Ok. Um -- I better get cleaned up and get to the hospital to see Clint. Don’t worry. Ta-da! [Dorian presents a box of brownies] Plan B -- I did go to the bakery. Ha-ha! Yes. We'll just put that in a nice pretty basket!

Starr: That was a very good idea.

Dorian: Bye-bye! See you in a bit.

Langston: Bye, Dr. Lord. I wish I had an aunt like yours.

(Ed. Note: That Langston is a wise one. I couldn't agree more.)

For a video of the above referenced episode, visit robinstrasser.com: user posted image  

It's ALL about the Diva...

"Yes, thank you. I am a diva. And a diva if you look at the Latin root of the word is about being close to the divine, not about excluding other people and energy from what it is that makes you shine, OK? "--Robin Strasser on Soapography, May 6, 2006

picture below from abcdaytime

strasser.jpg So shoot me! I set up the Diva message board, which includes this tribute page, something like a year ago. Mainly, I wanted a place to go where the focus would be on Robin "Victory in Europe" Strasser. It has evolved into being less of a message board and more of a one-stop place to read about Ms. Strasser and the latest on what's happening with her character on OLTL, Dorian Lord. I don't mind because it is in celebration of Ms. Strasser's contribution to Daytime and an appreciation of the entertainment she has provided me as a fan since childhood. What can I say except, "It's all about the Diva."

Since OLTL is Ms. Strasser's current gig, I've been kind of frustrated that she has been pushed to the backburner for the last six months and furthermore with story that annoyed me because it was at a standstill and gave little opportunity for her to show her wide breadth of talent. But you know here's my current observation: Could it be that will change soon, if only for a little while?

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(pictures on the left are from Emily, ees43 on the DivaCowboy board)

Here's why I have drawn that conclusion. Several months ago, Dorian finally won her heart's desire--Clint Buchanan. Since then we've hardly seen Clint or Dorian. I believe that adage happy couples are rarely seen couples when it comes to soaps. More recently, we've seen a crisis faced by Jessica Vega and her family. Dorian has been with Clint to provide comfort and support through his daughter's medical crisis. And from what I can tell, Dorian is clearly falling in love. Next week, Tuc Watkins is scheduled to return as David Vickers. He will be in scenes with Ms. Strasser, Erika Slezak (Viki) and most likely, Jerry verDorn (Clint). Spoilers for the show indicate David's return will cause problems for Dorian and Clint.  When it comes to story, I'd say that's a good thing and even better if it means more of Ms. Strasser acting her heart out on my TV screen.

Since Mr. verDorn was cast as Clint, some staunch Viki fans and those who yearn for Mr. Watkins' permanent return as David, have been angered by OLTL's decision to pair Clint with Dorian. I have even seen some actively campaign from online message board to message board with hateful rants. As a fan of Ms. Strasser's, I couldn't be more delighted with the pairing. Ms. Strasser and Mr. verDorn have turned in excellent performances that make the improbable believeable. Mr. Watkins left OLTL because he wanted to. I have no desire to see Dorian languish on backburner between his infrequent visits for the sake of keeping David and Dorian together. I sometimes enjoy the character of Viki, but I could do without watching Clint/Viki part XI. So instead, I've enjoyed and been intrigued by what Ms. Strasser and Mr. verDorn have been slowly developing. With Clint as a Buchanan family patriarch and the EX of Dorian's enemy, I see potential for lots of conflict and conflict will bring story--the lifeblood of a soap opera.

user posted imageMy prediction is that David's reappearance in Dorian's life will cause both she and Clint to examine their feelings for each other. I am looking forward to that outcome. I might add that Ms. Strasser is looking better than ever. I love that Ms. Strasser, who celebrated a birthday on May 7th, has a youthful attitude and doesn't care to focus on age as much as vitality. That's a good thing. I see the vivacious Ms. Strasser being a valued part of the Llanview canvas for years to come.