Eric Clapton said he wrote this song during a tropical storm on Antigua while looking across the water to the island of Montserrat. He comments, "I was talking about a lost love.” [Backstory] The spoilers leading into this week from TV Guide and the soap mags gave me a heads up about what to expect so nothing really surprised me with Clint cheating on Dorian by kissing Nora, except the execution--Clint initiated the kiss. (Side note: Who in the hell were they talking about with you know how much you want to be with someone when they are sick? Asa? Who?) Anyway, it's my take that Clint is still unhappy that diva12.jpg has not been positively responsive to his declaration of love. clint.gig Clint looks to me like a weak man; he is weak because he tells one woman he loves her and without trying to work things out when there are troubles, he moves on to kissing another woman. Weak, insincere--I don't know what fits best. I guess what fits best is remembering he is Asa's son, right? I don't hate Clint. I just don't respect him because of his actions. I don't trust that he will be faithful to any woman and the ILY has lost it's significance when uttered from his lips. Well, unless the writer decides to give it more significance with future meaningful actions with Dorian. Right now, words are hollow.

The latest situation was to set story and characters in a different direction. Months ago, many a viewer could tell this new direction would involve Nora as spoilers spelled out they would be getting closer and one could see that Clint spent more time on screen with Nora than he did Dorian. I've mentioned that I like HBS (Nora) but I'm not too fond of the character. So I was suspicious when Clint decided that Nora would be his confidante. Well, IMO and almost from the get go, Nora pursued Clint while undermining his relationship with Dorian. For his part, a previously private Clint spilled the specifics of his relationship with Dorian while going along with and even chuckling with Nora as she belittled his girlfriend. I was not amused.

In recent weeks, it became apparent that Dorian is in lala land. She is in denial about the true problems she and Clint face in their "relationship." (Yeah, I don't get why she suddenly seems allergic to the word "relationship." Well yeah, I got my theories but there needs to be onscreen explanation) I am not sure when exactly Dorian became commitment phobic. I do recall Mel and Dorian had an impromptu wedding at the Banner; Mel was convinced one or both would be reluctant to follow through with planned nuptials. Also, Dorian backed out of the wedding to David at St. James; months later, of course, David jilted his bride at the altar. Somewhere along the way, Dorian has become gunshy about commitment to a serious love "relationship." I'm sure it was news to Clint since she pursued Clint for a year. Clint thought they were on the same page but clearly they were not. She rejected his ILY and it was a slap in the face. Clint said that he is always open with her about his feelings but she leaves him lost. Dorian and Clint haven't been on the same accord since this disagreement.

I am not sure what the future holds. But there is unfinished business with Clint and Dorian should the relationship come to an abrupt end. The door will be shut to uncovered mysteries. Ron Carlivati seems the type of writer who likes to leave intentional question marks, being mindful this is a continuing drama so I suspect some questions will be answered in time. As a dncla.jpg fan, I can deal with Dorian or Clint moving on, though I would miss them as a romantic couple. No--my disappointment comes with them not being allowed to even have a conversation to reach some type of understanding of how each is feeling. They may talk now but it will be words of pain and anger. After nearly two years of volleying back and forth with an on-again, off-again relationship, I still don't know where Dorian stands with her feelings for Clint. It has looked all this time like she loved him. So, why reject him? I want to know what is going on with Dorian, Clint. It has not been explained for anyone who really follows the couple why Dorian suddenly became reluctant or why Clint decided that he would cheat on Dorian a few days after telling her he loves her, though that may come later. What exactly does the writer have in mind? I'm not sure. Next week, I'll comment on developments following that kiss.

Clint was talking about losing his friendship with Nora because of her divorce from Bo. Nora said it was a very messy divorce (I'm not sure how she said it but it was horrible what she did to him--St. Nora certainly lost all common sense for a while) and she said "and then I got sick" as if her coma came right after the divorce. Clint was talking about Nora being sick and not knowing if he would get to talk with her again. IMO, it was stupid.

You have got to be kidding me! It is so far-fetched (they rarely had scenes together) that it never entered my mind. I could see if Clint visited her at the hospital or something. Yeah, it's stupid. :lol: No, it's bad writing. But then again, Nora had to ask who they were talking about, too.

So he kisses Nora in a MOMENT of weakness and now he's forever a weak, insincere, dishonorable man whose word doesn't mean anything anymore? I could consider Dorian weak and insincere for continually showing David the attention and affection like she does while involved with Clint. Dorian's behavior sometimes seriously annoys me, but I think she still sincerely cares for Clint. I am disappointed in Clint's actions in this moment, but there's more to the situation than him telling Dorian he loves her and then turning around and kissing Nora.

You say Dorian is broken-hearted at seeing her man kissing another woman, and I would agree with that. However, I also think Clint is probably broken-hearted too at the confusing mixed signals he's getting from Dorian. I don't think this is about Dorian not returning his ILY yet - couples don't always reach ILY at the same time. It's about her basically throwing his ILY back in his face. He put his heart out there for her, and she pushed it back to him. I was shocked at her harsh reaction to his declaration. Granted he said it for the first time in an argument, but she didn't have to act like he was being over-the-top and unreasonable in his expectations.

I believe Clint meant and still means his ILY, but he's been confused and vulnerable. Sometimes people make big mistakes when they feel this way. I don't think Clint was looking for an opportunity to kiss or make a move on Nora. It just happened, particularly because he's finding strength from her at this time in his life, with the reading of his father's will. He already feels on uneven ground with Dorian, and now his father continues to jerk him around even from the grave. He doesn't have Bo there to help; Renee is still the grieving widow, making questionable decisions, and needs her own source of strength; and the young adults are fighting with each other. He really wanted Dorian to be there with and for him, but she had legitimate reasons why she couldn't be, and I totally believe he understands and accepts that. But that doesn't mean he's not really missing her.

So, recent circumstances led to Clint finding himself in a situation where he made a wrong choice. However, I think Dorian's behavior also contributed to building this situation. She apparently hasn't had any real faith in Clint lately and seems to be taking him for granted right now. You want Clint's actions to back up his words, but the same could be said for Dorian. The kiss doesn't prove Dorian's fears right - I don't think there was a chance of the kiss happening if Dorian hadn't started keeping Clint at arm's length. She thinks Clint's having a torrid affair with Nora, but he's not and hasn't been. If Dorian wants to keep Clint safe as her man, she should let him know how she feels honestly. But that doesn't mean I think it was okay for him to kiss another woman just because Dorian won't open up to him, and his big mistake doesn't justify what is spoiled as Dorian's reaction.

Clint told Viki that at this point in his life he wants/needs to share his life with someone who wants him around and cares about him. He thought he had that with Dorian (and still wants that with Dorian since he loves her), but now he's not sure what Dorian wants. Now Dorian has to think about how serious she wants this "relationship" to be. She questioned if they were even headed towards love. And she won't include him in her life and let him help with her problems, as she has helped with his, even though she seems overwhelmed to him. Clint wants to build a life with Dorian, but she's acting like that's too much. So, as Clint asked, what are they doing?

I think Clint's doubt in the relationship is due from Dorian's doubt (and I'm not sure where hers came from), and it led him to the (shocking) impulsive moment of weakness. But since people make mistakes, they should also get a chance to make up for it. There is something to be said for intentions and regret. I don't think Clint intended to hurt Dorian or betray her. I don't think he's been waiting for an opportunity to make a move on Nora. And once the moment has passed and he catches himself, he'll sincerely regret what he did. But like you, I don't like that C/D haven't had a chance to even try and work things out, I don't like the timing in how everything suddenly falls apart just after he says ILY, or that this plot point was written as an unstoppable snowballing of a misunderstanding.

But ITA about what in the world was Clint talking about? Are the writers trying to sell that Clint has always had feelings for Nora but never felt right acting on them? Are they trying to say that Clint got scared at the thought of losing Nora in his life when she was really sick and in a coma, when Clint and Nora rarely shared any scenes until a few months ago? I don't buy that he's been harboring a secret desire for Nora all this time (years?).

I am honestly feeling that way toward him, but no I wouldn't say that defines him overall. Lately, it does. I am mad at him. And I am not feeling that I can trust what he says. He is also a cheat. But his good qualities far outweigh the bad. The loyalty trait that I associated with his character has taken a beating and may not be restored.

Right now, he is a weak man. It's how someone acts in moments that matter that define them. These moments test character and yes for me "weak" does define Clint right now in his relationship with Dorian. He is not showing himself as someone that Dorian can count on. If Dorian rejects him, he is easily swayed by another woman, who gives him strength, confidence, whatever. I can't help but question his words to Dorian because the moment she didn't make him feel good about himself, he looked elsewhere. For me either his love isn't strong enough or he was less than sincere when he said it. So due to his actions, I wonder why he said he loves Dorian. Clint doesn't generally act on impulse. He is very deliberate in his actions. When he is impulsive it is typically in anger. That is not what was happening with him when he kissed Nora. I don't see it as a moment so much as a series of circumstances that led to the kiss. I think he and Nora are mature enough to have noticed the attraction. The dialogue in the stables seemed to indicate that. IMO, you avoid circumstances that would lead to it developing further unless you want it to. I don't think the attraction toward each other developed in the stables. It was just acted on. And from the dialogue one is to believe Clint has felt something for Nora since she was sick--though that doesn't make sense. I still think there is something off with that discussion and there is a possibility we are not picking up on the writer's intent. I listened to it again and I think he was talking about Asa since Clint is grieving the loss of his father. Clint's weak, vulnerable, whatever word you want to use, because of the loss of his father more than anything else. Overall it doesn't define him for me but his recent actions do color my opinion of him at present. I still like the character. But he has not been strong when Dorian needed his strength the most. His actions are solidifying her reasons for apprehension.

Me too. I've even said it here. For the most part, Dorian doesn't get a pass because she is my favorite character. But notice that she didn't kiss David. She didn't cheat on Clint. She would draw the line at that because it would be a betrayal and that is a big thing for her. I used to think it was for Clint. If she is betrayed then all bets are off. I am not saying that I like her response but I get where she is coming from in her reaction as she is not the first to commit an act of betrayal in the relationship. Had Dorian stuck around after that kiss she may have had a better idea about how Clint feels but really, why would she stick around? It made her sick. It was a shock.

I agree. It is from this, though that I see him as weak not strong.

Dorian's reactions came out of the blue. They have not been dealt with in the writing on this show. But if you love someone and you see that they are filled with doubt, you work through it with them. When they are filled with doubt, you show them that they can count on you. It seems to me that Clint gave up on that pretty easily. I wish I had seen Clint call Dorian from Texas to ask her how things were going with Langston. It would have carried a lot of weight with me that he was trying to be there for her in the same way that she is supportive of him.

I agree with this.

I agree with everything except I think he and Nora talked about that line being crossed with friendship. Things like that happen gradually. Most people adults can feel it happen. I don't think late night rides would be a way to avoid circumstances that would lead to more intimacy.

I agree that he is vulnerable. I just think that he does find it easy to turn to a woman for solace.

I totally agree. I think in his own way Clint was giving Dorian a FU for her reaction to his ILY by sticking it to her with regard to Nora. If he can't get what he needs from Dorian, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. This is my read on the circumstances. I know you don't agree with me. ;)

Unfortunately, Clint is proving that she shouldn't have faith in him and that she had every right to doubt him.

I agree. Still, I think that Clint was easily swayed by another woman. This is how I see him as weak. When you love someone you stand by them through their fears; you don't engage in behavior to amplify them. You are sensitive to their struggle because you love them.

To be fair, Dorian and Clint had that ILY conversation days ago. It has taken her years to be at this scary point about committing to a relationship. So it seems insensitive of Clint to be so dismissive of her issues. I don't particularly see him trying to be understanding of what is happening on her end. I have seen her try and go to him and tell him what is happening with Langston. Dorian is vulnerable but he doesn't seem to recognize that. A lot of this goes back to them not really communicating with each other. However, I have seen Dorian make more of an effort to work on things since the argument.

Dorian made an effort to tell him about things by visiting him at the Buke mansion before his trip to Texas and calling him while he was there. I haven't seen Clint make an effort to contact Dorian other than to return a phone call; he seemed willing to have the conversation in front of Nora. These are not things that you do to a woman who is vulnerable in a relationship.

Clint needs to show that's what he wants and not just say it. I was not too pleased with Dorian's response. It was out of the blue. The writers need to deal with it and not just use it as a reason to cause conflict or to tear them apart. But I wish I saw that Clint was more sensitive toward Dorian, too. A phone call to her would have even helped.

It shouldn't have been so easy.

I am not so sure about all the above. It was not an impulsive kiss. It was deliberate one. They had conversation prior to it that indicated they were feeling an attraction to each other. I saw it. They obviously recognized it. I do believe it was a mistake. But not because it was an accidental moment. I think it was a mistake because he is involved in a relationship with Dorian.

I have yet to find a justification for cheating. It is significant for me that Clint so easily cheated with Nora. I don't think we would be having the conversation about what is to come following it with regard to David, if Dorian hadn't witnessed Clint kissing Nora. Dorian doesn't cheat on the guys she is with. I don't like how she behaved with David, but I'm confident she wouldn't have slept with him or even kissed him while she and Clint were together. She is struggling with trust so Clint's actions have made what he said a lie. Just as Clint regrets his behavior, Dorian will too. It just may not be enough or too little too late.
Hugs, Emily. We've been through this for awhile now with Dorian and Clint. I respect your opinion and point of view in disagreement.

Unfortunately in the soap world, when someone (in this case a man) is having trouble with their significant other there is often another person (in this case a woman) to help him through it. If Clint and Nora weren't living in the same house and if there hadn't been this trip to Texas, Clint would have had a better opportunity to work through this latest problem with Dorian. He could have been there to help her with Langston and Dorian wouldn't have been insecure about Clint spending time with Nora. For some crazy reason, after almost two years of building a relationship (and honestly, I don't think Dorian has ever had a problem with that word), Dorian in one brief moment of crazy decided that she wanted to fly solo on her quest to find out the truth about Langston's parents and in an equally crazy moment decided to act shocked when Clint told her he loved her. Her reaction was truly crazy. He's been leading up to it; she was always happy to hear him say that there were things he loved about her and that he was falling in love with her. Now he's there and she backed off. It made no sense at all. I hate it when I can't blame the characters and have to blame the writers. We shouldn't have to wonder WTF the writers are thinking about because they should be writing our characters properly.

The way I saw the scene in at the stables, Clint was in a vulnerable place because of Dorian's reaction to his ILY; Nora hasn't been with a man in two years and Clint is looking pretty damn good to her these days; and once again Dorian is crushed by a betrayal. [spoiler] I hate that as Dorian rushes from the scene at the stables she will run into David and decide that the best thing she can do now is to get into bed with him. [/spoiler] I truly hope that she doesn't do it in a calculated way that will guarantee that Clint finds them together. If it happens, I'm hoping that it does because she is so upset she can't even see it would be a huge mistake. And my biggest Christmas wish is that Clint and Dorian will somehow be able to put Texas behind them and that their relationship will be more committed than ever.