In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Soaps News
Inside Soaps' Bold Suicide Storyline
Heather Tom by Monty Brinton/CBS, William DeVry by Cliff Lipson/CBS
As a rule, soaps stay the hell away from suicide. But CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful went there on April 28, when Storm Logan (William deVry) blew his brains out so his heart could be donated to his dying sister, Katie (Heather Tom). "It was a hard decision, but the aftermath of Storm's death is some of the finest work we've ever done," says B&B exec producer Brad Bell. "It's a decision I don't regret."
While Storm's other siblings consider his actions heroic, Katie doesn't. "She's furious that he sacrificed his life for her," Tom says. "They wrote an incredible fantasy scene [airing May 14] where Katie actually confronts Storm. Usually, when the living talk to the dead on soaps, it's touchy-feely. This is a big, horrible argument."
One Life to Live dealt with suicide in 2003, when Keri (Sherri Saum) leapt from a high-rise, but this was only revealed in court well after her death. B&B hit it head-on, and this worried Tom. "It's dangerous to find any glory or honor in suicide, but the writers have allowed it to be ugly," she says. "They gave it the weight it deserves."
Word is, Katie's emotional speech at the memorial service (airing May 15) — during which she undoes her blouse and shows her massive scar — could bring Tom another Emmy. The stellar actress already has two, out of a staggering 12 nominations. — Michael Logan
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2008 1:48 PM
|
Not the type of story I'm used to seeing on B&B but it's been good and given many stars a chance to shine.
Work like this should get Heather Tom a Supporting Actress Nomination NEXT year.
I think the last time daytime did a suicide was on GL when Ben Reade killed himself in 2003 at the height of a crappy storyline. Thanks Ellen Weston for the bad memories.
|
|
May 14, 2008 2:34 PM
|
I hope everybody sticks with this post, because, although it starts out fairly critical, eventually, it will include praise for B&B.
Although I watch B&B, I recognize that it is often a ridiculously plotted and produced show, with actors ranging from the stupendous (Susan Flannery) to the...well, Ronn Moss.
The set-up for Storm's suicide was absolutely ridiculous. His explanation for bringing the gun to Ashley's place is so absurd -- and yet the show keeps having characters repeat it as if it makes sense!
And then the struggle between Storm and Katie over the gun was inexplicable -- why wouldn't he just let go of the gun? It's not as if Katie was going to shoot him if she got ahold of it!
And the aftermath of the suicide has had some groany moments, too -- most notably that gasbag surgeon and his pretentious philosophical pre- and post-surgery pronouncements!
However, the actual episode in which Storm committed suicide was one of the most well-done episodes of B&B (or any soap) that I've ever seen.
Even though it was obvious where the story was heading, it was still riveting because of the performances (particularly William DeVry's) and the way that tension built slowly.
The way the show portrayed Storm's memories of childhood with his sisters was extremely effective.
The moment that everyone heard the gunshot and Brooke's slow-motion run through the crowded hospital (pushing through people in her way) were perfectly done.
And, while B&B's incidental music is usually pretty lame and repetitive -- they have approximately three "themes" that get recycled endlessly -- the music for this entire episode was very well chosen and meshed excellently with the events.
Another well-done musical moment occurred during the surgery on Katie in the next episode, when everyone was waiting for the heart to start beating.
The beats in the music accented what we saw on screen -- Storm's heart taking its first beats in Katie's body (unusually graphic stuff for a daytime soap!).
Overall, this storyline has been extremely well-handled.
On a semi-related note, the show is reportedly recasting the part of Beth, the Logan kids' mother. (Obviously, she'll be returning to town in the aftermath of Storm's death.)
Since she'll most likely be working opposite Steven (played by Patrick Duffy) quite a bit, wouldn't it be fun to see her played by Victoria Principal?
|
|
May 14, 2008 6:15 PM
|
|
I am a fan of Heather Tom from her days at The Young and The Restless to One Life to Live. I don't watch her on her current show but I might have to start. Both she and her brother(Micheal Cambus from All my children) have proven to be great actors and I hope to see them both in the future. BRAVO!!!!
|
|
May 14, 2008 6:53 PM
|
|
If they hire Victoria Principal, she'll have a daughter only 6 years younger than she is. Of course, Patrick Duffy is only 12 years older than "Brooke." And they can't have KKL playing Brooke too young since her daughter Bridget is played by an actress in her 30s (and as a doctor she has to be close to that age). Soaps have always foreshortened generations, but with a show as repetitive and incestuous as Bold and the Beautiful it gets absolutely ridiculous.
|
|
May 15, 2008 1:28 PM
|
|
They should snap up Julia Barr (Brooke-All My Children) she can act heavy drama and bring the audience to tears. Quite watching when she left and would follow her to anysoap.
|
|
May 15, 2008 5:26 PM
|
|
Sorry that should read QUIT watching AMC when she left AMC!
|
|
May 15, 2008 5:28 PM
|
If they hire Victoria Principal, she'll have a daughter only 6 years younger than she is. Of course, Patrick Duffy is only 12 years older than "Brooke." - staley
I can top that -- lovely Lesley Anne Down (born in 1954) is only 5 years older than Jack Wagner (born in 1959), her craggy-faced TV son!
Soaps have always aged children, but now that they're shying away from "old people" (i.e. over 50) storylines, it means that we often have three generations squeezed in between the ages of 25 and 45.
Like you said, it really is getting ridiculous.
|
|
May 15, 2008 6:09 PM
|
Gosh, I hate to be a wet blanket, but IMO, this whole storyline was ridiculous. From the ludicrous premise of Storm bringing a gun to Ashley to show he's not dangerous, to Katie grabbing a loaded gun (who does that???), to Storm shooting himself to give Katie his heart (who didn't see that coming?), this storyline has jumped about 3 or 4 sharks!!
The dialogue when Brook and Donna were gathered around Katie's bed was the worst writing ever, and I don't know how the actors performed it with a straight face. It would have been way more effective if they had just cut to the shot ringing out, and skipped that silliness altogether.
Now, I'm so over Katie feeling sorry for herself, ungrateful little snot that she is. I might enjoy it a little better if I didn't have to watch Heather Tom do that mouth thing that she does. Ugh.
Anyway, sorry for being so negative, but I'm just not enjoying this storyline and can't wait for it to end.
|
|
May 16, 2008 10:45 AM
|
I had a lot of the same problems with the set-up and aftermath that you do -- I said that above.
But I still think that the actual suicide episode was surprisingly well-done.
|
|
May 16, 2008 11:39 AM
|
Chappy--
I agree with you for the most part. Minus the silly dialogue, the rest of the episode was pretty good! I loved the slo-mo and the music.
|
|
May 16, 2008 1:26 PM
|
Heather has been doing some great scenes since the suicide (not that she wasn't great before). Yesterday's ep was powerful and I admit, I was crying (more than Donna BTW!). I'm sorry to see Storm go and he won't be able to return, but I don't feel we've been let down.
And I agree about the show when Storm shot himself. Brooke running to the room was very well-done. I am still baffled as to why KKL does not receive an Emmy nomination.
|
|
May 16, 2008 3:46 PM
|
I'd like to point out that I think that Patrick Duffy did an amazing job with his scenes in the aftermath of Storms' suicide. Especially the scene where he visits Storms' body at the morgue. When his legs went out from under him as he was overwhelmed by emotion, it was a brilliant choice as an actor. I really hope they can hang on to him for awhile. Added to the fact he looks damn fine for a man who's turning 60 next year. How about a sexy romance with Jackie (Lesley-Anne Down)? They could totally sizzle. Add a recast Beth Logan and theres a good triangle for the older set. A few quick thoughts on the recast of Beth Logan. I agree with hadleyrad
that Julia Barr would be a great choice. Victoria Principal would be great too but I doubt she'd be interested. How about his other former Dallas co-star Sheree J. Wilson? She'd be ridiculously too young to have a Doctor for a granddaughter but as was pointed out, that's never stopped B&B before. Or how about considering some of the Passions actresses that are suddenly free? Kim Johnston-Ulrich, Leigh Taylor-Young,Eva Temargo or Kathleen Noone? Just some ideas...I'd be interested to hear what people think. Of course, Martha Byrne is available too 
|
|
May 18, 2008 3:34 PM
|
I'd like to point out that I think that Patrick Duffy did an amazing job...When his legs went out from under him...it was a brilliant choice as an actor. I really hope they can hang on to him for awhile. - SpinningAround72
I couldn't agree more!
I would have singled him out in my original comment, but I'm a little behind on my tapes, and hadn't seen that episode until this weekend.
I have to admit, while I've always found Patrick Duffy likable enough -- and, of course, thought he was perfect as Bobby Ewing -- I never really thought he was a great actor.
Well, after his recent scenes on B&B, I've changed my tune!
I also hope that he can stick around for a while.
And while we're finding romantic interests for him, how about Pam (but only if she gets back on her meds, of course)?
On an unrelated B&B note, has everybody heard that Steffy is finally coming home from London -- but not played by MacKenzie Mauzy (who plays twin sis Phoebe)?
She'll be played by someone named Jacqueline MacInnes Wood.
(This isn't unprecedented -- for the last year of Another World, Jensen Buchanan, who had been playing both Marley and Vicky, handed the role of Marley over to former portrayer Ellen Wheeler.)
I think the honchos at B&B decided (correctly) that Mauzy just isn't up to a dual role.
Frankly, I'm not even sure Mauzy is up to a single role -- Phoebe has been fairly inconsequential under her reign.
I wouldn't be surprised if that part is recast soon -- as the story heats up and they realize they need a stronger actress.
|
|
May 19, 2008 2:58 AM
|
OMG Chappy--I couldn't agree with you more about Mauzy. I have been simply baffled over time at how much story they had given Mauzy, and how time after time she was not up to the challenge. It was annoying!!
In fact, it was completely astonishing to me that sexy, mature Rick could be torn between Ashley and Mauzy's "little girl" portrayal of Phoebe's character. And he chose Phoebe??
Then, that whole Constantine mess...well...(the thing speaks for itself).
A recast would be great. I recommend the actress currently playing Daisy on Guilding Light. I think she might be leaving soon!
|
|
May 19, 2008 12:19 PM
|
|
|
