Clip of the Day, May 9, 2011 (236)

Roger hits another home run here. First his hopeful reaction when he learns Peter is here...and then his reaction as his hopes are crushed (as he's obviously somewhat expecting, even in the beginning). Then the choking back tears and fighting to get the words out.

And let's not omit the evidence of conflict within Peter Manning as he mentions Todd "running off to be with his mother." You can tell that really bothers him; he felt Todd betrayed him for a woman he now hated. Peter's not entirely one-dimensional...he DOES care, but he's too selfish, bitter, and holds too much of a grudge to move past anything. These traits rubbed off on Todd, but Todd is still young and underwent life-changing events.

It's easy to just refer to Peter Manning as a miserable jerk (which he was), but I've never agreed with those who want to characterize him as feeling nothing but pure anger and hatred toward Todd. There were several moments of subtlety in both the writing and the actor's portrayal that demonstrated otherwise. In the long run, he was completely thrown under the bus during the Kale Browne Sam days, but I never thought this set of writers' intentions were to go the sexual abuse route. I guess future writers thought Todd needed even more of an excuse than he was already given for his behavior, but I think it's enough that Todd's adoptive dad was verbally and physically abusive. Not to mention, there's no excusing it, anyway. Todd has to live with what he did and own up to it.

Todd reflects on everything that recently happened, but note how it's all the negatives. It logically sets the stage for what's about to happen (or almost happen).


FAIL: None.