I call it a classic because so much thought was put into it, right down to the length of the scenes (longer than usual) to the attire (Dorian wore the dress she had on with her first kiss with Clint) to the metaphoric writing. The producers and those behind the scenes at OLTL were making a statement through the tone, the design, the editing, the writing and the acting. They were letting everyone know this was an important episode. The stage has been set. OLTL has been turned on it's ear. Or was it just the tequila speaking to me?

The Writing:

An obvious nod goes to EP Frank Valentini, and Co-Headwriters Ron Carlivati and Dena Higley. After all, they had the collaborative vision to dare to have Clint choose Dorian over Viki, who is always a winner in the rivalry. However it is the words of writers Leslie Nipkow and Carolyn Culliton, that I'd like to single out of special note.

EXAMPLE:
Clint (to Dorian in her fantasy): First, you should know that this was not an easy decision. I mean, Viki and I are so simpatico about -- with so many things, and we're bound together by more than just our love for our kids. The tie that binds us together is very strong, despite our stormy past. And with you, the storms are very much in the present. You're like a wild bronco, and I'm not quite sure if you need to be tamed, and to be honest, I don't know if there' s a man who could do so, here I am. On one hand, there's Viki, who's mother earth personified. On the other hand, there's you, a woman who's as wild as the wind. And I realize that I can't live my life anymore hovering between the earth and the wind. So I have to make a choice. And, Dorian, I think you know what that choice is.



Frankly, and I am one to listen to the words of the characters, I have not heard such beautiful dialogue since the days of the Labines on OLTL when poetic language sweeping the canvas of Llanview was common day occurrence. What I liked about the above language so much is that it was so on target with the characters of Clint, Dorian and Viki and it is something one would expect of the utterance of a cowboy, though I know it was Dorian's fantasy. Wind is always an interesting metaphor when used in writing. It often represents change because it moves. At different times during the episode, both Dorian and Clint faced the wind as they stood in the doorway. For Clint, Viki--the mother of his children is "Mother Earth," while Dorian, a free spirit with a devil may care attitude is like a wild bronco in the wind. The storms of his "past" are with Viki. With Dorian, "the storms are very much in the present." The cowboy will have difficulty riding through the windy storms of change on a horse that is wild and unable to be tamed by man. But I have a feeling the cowboy is going to stay the course and the union between Dorian and Clint will be one helluva ride!

The Direction:

Episode directed by Gary Donatelli:



Gosh, we knew right away this episode would be about the cowboy facing the wind as he stood in the doorway. Months ago, Clint said that being with Dorian was like taking a vacation from the troubles of his life--a life that at the time was filled with the turmoil of his daughter's mental illness. Shortly after the episode opens, Dorian enters with a tray of Tequila and offer of escape. They drink their Tequila; they laugh; they fight; their conversation twists and turns to anger, pain, fear, to one of a tenderness and care expressed for each other. With Viki, Clint enters the room and he is met with coolness. She is perhaps embarrassed by her earlier behavior. Soon, her back is to him, and there is sudden display of anger at his attempts to speak to her as if his every word is an insult. There is distance, no welcome--just disdain. Clint told Viki it seemed that she did not want him. I didn't need to hear him say it. I could see it. The show opens with Clint entering LaBoulaie through it's backdoor and Clint's segment ends with him leaving Llanfair through front entry.

The Actors/Characters:

Viki "Mother Earth"
Family, friends go to her for advice. They love her. What kind of man would reject someone like Viki, especially for Dorian? Clint must be possessed. (Gee, wonder if the writers get this from certain fans in their mail?) Viki is loved by all. Erika Slezak embodies warmth with her smile and icy coldness with her diction, posture and stare. She was funny with Nora as Viki discussed her romantic woes. Yet it seemed for all Viki's candor, she was shielding herself when it came to revealing much of anything to Clint. Sure she was embarrassed that she had publicly let her guard down at the Palace and in front of Dorian. But the only sentiment Viki shared with him is that she didnt' want him with Dorian. As she put it, she wanted to date him "exclusively."

Natalie visited her mother because she knew Viki would welcome the news of her engagement and she did. With Nora and Natalie Viki seemed to be able to admit to having "feelings" for Clint, though she told Nora she wasn't sure if they were romantic feelings. Enter Clint. Her back is instantly turned. She cuts off her discussion of her feelings yet she is insulted that Clint should point out that she doesn't want him. The facial expressions, the upturned nose, the glaring eyes, the high pitched voice with precise diction bespoke coolness. Her aloofness made me wonder why Clint bothered to take his coat off.

THE POINT:
Clint: Viki, I need to share my life with someone that I can count on, someone who wants me around, someone who cares about me. And Dorian has never been ambivalent about how she felt.


Dorian "Wild Bronco" in the wind: I thought about Dorian's fantasy. It was her words and her thoughts but it revealed her uncertainty and her insecurity that will no doubt permeate her relationship with Clint. Dorian is unrestraint of tongue and spirit. Clint was able to put his foot down to reign in her tirade against Viki. But, I have a feeling her hot temperament will be unleashed and her feistiness will result in many fights between them. With the fights there will be intensity, vulnerability, passion. These things were evident in Robin Strasser's performance. She was heartbreaking when she told Clint that she felt he was going to dump her for Viki. Hasn't that always been the case for Dorian? She was almost child-like in obedience when Clint snapped at her for speaking ill of Viki. It was unsettling for me and fascinating. She seemed vulnerable and it bothered me. It made me curious to see where TPTB are going to go with that piece in their relationship because Dorian is not going to remain silent about Viki. The dialogue in Dorian's kitchen about Viki and the exchange later at Llanfair between Viki and Clint about Dorian showed Clint to be a trigger for both women and their insecurities. There is a minefield to be tapped into for story. For Dorian, she is not the pillar of the community as is Viki and for Viki she doesn't possess the wild sexuality easily evident with Dorian. Dorian figures Clint wants someone as virtuous as Viki and Viki thinks Clint wants an uninhibited woman like Dorian.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES:
Dorian (replying to Clint's question about what upset her): I wasn't going to say anything, but since you asked -- Viki. I mean, really. Her barging in like that, trying to get between us -- that was pathetic.


Clint, "The Cowboy." This was Jerry verDorn's episode and he turned in a strong performance. I don't envy the man. He is a recast of a popular character with deep roots in Llanview. Clint Buchanan was played for many years by Clint Ritchie and he was paired with Llanview's herione for much of that time. In 2005, Clint returned to Llanview with a new look and a new attitude. Is it too much to ask the audience to also see him take up with the enemy of his former wife? Maybe. TPTB took a step in that direction with the 3.26.07 show. Consequently, in my opinion verDorn shouldered a tremendous burden; yet, I believe he carried the weight effortlessly through this episode. He was gentle but stern with Dorian and finally decisive with Viki. He wants to be with a woman who will show him love. The message was plain to me. It's not enough for Viki to tell everyone else that she is developing feelings for Clint. It is important for her to be open with him. This is a non-issue with Dorian. She always wears her heart on her sleeve. With this episode I felt as though the cowboy was taking us on his personal journey. And the way the show was crafted, I really understood his dilemma but more importantly his choice. He made a choice to be with a woman who made him feel wanted as opposed to one who continually leaves him twisting in the wind with her uncertainty. Life goes on.

Very nicely written Cheryl. You bring out a lot of interesting points, so I'm not going to repeat you. But, you got me thinking about certain things:

Viki was quite insulted that Clint would dare presume to tell her how she felt about him. Well, he had to come to his own conclusion about her feelings because she never told him. And, the fact that she was never open with him about her feelings also left him thinking she wasn't really interested in him - at least not interested like Dorian is. I can understand that she was probably on the defensive because she was embarrassed about her earlier behavior - but defensive and snarky seems to be her usual pattern with Clint anyway.

I think Dorian's vulnerability is a good thing. No, I don't want to see her hurt (and I understand that she's opened herself up in the past and got hurt), but I saw her vulnerability signifying a trust in Clint to not hurt her. And, as you say later, he was gentle but stern - he got upset, but the tenderness and care was still there. They're establishing a good foundation for their relationship, and Clint has already shown vulnerability to Dorian over his family troubles. I hope to see Clint proving to Dorian that he was serious in choosing her.

I've seen some posts on other boards complaining that Clint snapping at Dorian about Viki means he wants her to change for him and that's not acceptable. I don't think he wants Dorian to change - he just wants her to respect some boundaries. Every couple has boundaries. The Viki issue is a tough one, but that doesn't mean Clint & Dorian can't be together in spite of it. Viki is the mother of Clint's children and he considers her a good friend. Clint can never change how Viki and Dorian feel about each other, but it shows that Dorian really does care for him if she tries to keep quiet about Viki around him (we'll see how long that lasts), just like Clint can leave Viki out of the conversation for Dorian's sake. They're being very open and mature about establishing this relationship. I'm looking forward to their next conversation, coming up next week - finally some movement in them actually having a relationship.

Like every other person, Clint deserves to choose what he thinks is best for him. And, he's at a point in his life where he's essentially responsible for only himself. He can choose to go on a wild ride if he wants to. He's ready to take a leap into adventure - why make him wait for someone who apparently could care less about his interests?

Many accuse him of being disloyal to Viki. Why should he be worried about that now? Viki was plenty disloyal to Clint years ago, and it caused the end of their marriage. One could even argue that Viki further dissed Clint by calling his half-brother Ben the love of her life. He doesn't owe Viki any consideration in his life beyond his children, but asking Dorian to not speak ill of Viki (at least around him) shows that he means Viki no hurt or pain. I thought he was sincere in his apology to Viki about not wanting to hurt her.

The 3.26 show is a classic because it's a pivotal point in Clint's life journey and Viki's life journey. Not so sure about Dorian, because she already knows what she wants and has been going after it for some time now. You're right that a lot of care and effort was put into this episode, and I really enjoyed the strong acting and characterization.

Emily-- once again I go to the dialogue. It's right there. Viki never told Clint that she is falling in love with him. Until recently, she wasn't even able to admit to others that she even cared enough about him to consider a relationship beyond the mother of his children and friend. I believe what is confusing is that she has told Nora and Natalie that she is developing feelings for him but then on the 3.26 show, she turns around and tells Nora she isn't sure that she has feelings for him "that way." This is followed by an immediate mention of Dorian. In fact, the only thing she has told Asa, Clint, Dorian, Nora and anyone who would listen is that Dorian doesn't deserve Clint. That has been the only thing that has been clear throughout all of this. I mean come now, Dorian has two robberies, sees her niece shot and Viki has to crash the date at the Palace and follow them to the hospital to tell Clint she wants to date him "exclusively." Couldn't that have waited, you ask? Yes--but not for Viki. It was all about telling him THAT night because she was concerned that Dorian and Clint were going to have sex. She told Nora as much on the 3.26 show. Viki has never told Clint much of anything about her feelings other than "don't date Dorian," though he has questioned her because at one point, he was still contemplating a future with her. Remember the horseback ride? She complained the entire time and then he had to force her to admit she enjoyed herself. Remember them ending up at the Buke mansion for after dinner drinks? She drank decaf and bragged about always beating him at backgammon. And here's the thing: she was going on and on about Dorian (he tried to get her stop.)

As has been mentioned here, the only passion Viki brings to the relationship with Clint is as it relates to Dorian. Ya see ever since that show around Christmas time where she said that Dorian will never bed him again and that she doesn't deserve Clint, I have questioned Viki's motives and true interest in the man.


Days later, Dorian pointed out in conversation to Viki at Llanfair that she has never mentioned that she cared about Clint. Viki just wanted to make Dorian's life hell and to make sure she never got him. Viki's actions have shown Dorian to be dead on. But Viki was wrong about her ability to manipulate Clint without commitment. Again, Clint just wanted Viki to say that she was interested in him. She couldn't even give him that.

Viki showed her disinterest in not just her words but also her actions. Not only did she not do anything to pursue a romance with Clint, she didn't even follow-up on her threat to Dorian to keep Clint from her. Viki didn't do anything. She really has had everything handed to her, because it was stupid (naive?) to think that she could hold Clint's interest as long as she wanted based only on the fact that they were previously married and shared children (her "ammunition" against Dorian).

Well it's obvious that she takes his feelings and presence in her life for granted. Clint is Viki's safe, comfortable place to go when she doesn't have anyone else, but that's not fair to him (especially since he would have been happy to adore her for the rest of her life if she returned his affection). Good for him for taking care of himself and his needs.

First off Cheryl very good analysis. I loved the way you gave nods to the different part of the show on Monday. It was all led up to so well the week prior and it wasn't a disappointment.

That has been my problem all along. The care and desire Dorian shows him as opposed to the cold, attitude Viki shows him. There's just no contest. Why would he want someone who disrespects him and belittles him at every juncture? He wants to play and have fun and laugh and be challenged. Dorian represents all that in spades. The playfulness between them leaps off the screen. He even had to coax Viki just to admit she had a nice evening? WHY? Why should anyone have to work that hard in a relationship?

IRL I don't know a lot of men who endured the kind of humiliation and rejection that Viki reaped upon Clint that don't disdain the woman to the utmost. Don't know many divorced couples who's marriage ended due to infidelity who even speak. I'm shocked anyone thinks Clint "owes" Viki any loyalty at all. Viki was the one who broke the trust and destroyed their family so she could enjoy her adulterous affair with Sloan without that pesky guilt of a heartbroken husband.

Viki from day 1 didn't "know" "what" she was feeling for Clint but was willing to throw out a crumb his way...just to keep him away from Dorian. I believe utterly selfish is spelled Victoria Davidson. Who cares if Clint and Dorian have a shot at the "real thing" so what? I might want him some day.....

When alone she found him annoying. She seemed irritated when he pushed her to date. She turned him down FLAT when he asked her to share his life. She scolded him and snarked at his attempt at a fun evening. She reminisced about things she perceived he had done wrong as a father ignoring her own huge failures as a mother as if spending time going riding with his little girl was a bad thing!

When Dorian again pursued she outright told him off and sent him to a date with Dorian. Being a good guy he gave it one more try hoping she'd be honest with him and trying to keep her "in the loop" so she didn't think he was lying or out to hurt her. She laughed at him, made sure he knew she didn't give a rip and slammed a door out of pure frustration. I mean here she's offering the possiblity of a maybe and he doesn't jump at it?

In retrospect it was a no-brainer. It's about time Clint looked after himself and his own wants and needs and happiness. After much soul searching he decided life is precarious and short. With Dorian Clint will have storms that are ever present but he'll also have one wild ride. And that's never boring!