Tears Shed for Our Stories (Thursday's Episode, 1/12/12)

This was a tough episode. I think I cried through the whole thing. As delighted (relieved) as I am about the Port Charles move for my faves, I can't help feeling so sad about all this.

Most of today's episode was about the final episode of Fraternity Row. Nearly everyone was on today. And everyone, except John McBain, gathered with their families to watch.

The family scenes were punctuated by the Blanco Show, offering up a tribute to Fraternity Row. Agnes Nixon was wonderful and I wept to hear her talk of her feelings about the real show, though couched under "Fraternity Row." She talked about the bridge the show creates between reality and fantasy. Believable characters in unbelievable situations. Where anything could happen. No one is safe, not even the good guys.

John and Natalie lingered a bit in bed, wondering why they had taken so long to find each other. Natalie had to go to Llanfair and John went to the office. John asked if she'd be home later? Natalie just glowed and said yes! Broad smiles and a deep kiss.

Nora and Matthew helped Bo home from the hospital. Matthew told them David was waiting for them. There was a cute moment where Nora crossed herself and Bo reminded her she was Jewish. When they walked in, they found David, his head on his arms. Evidently, The Boy with the Chipmunk Tattoo had bombed. Bo was so sweet saying how much he loved it, had seen it several times, even. The good father tried to reassure David that when he was the producer of Fraternity Row the press hounded him, but now it's considered the golden age. This reminded David that if he had saved Fraternity Row, maybe things would've been different. (A little break in the tears?) Bo and Nora went to see Rex off and asked Matthew if he wanted to go . . . Destiny would probably be there. Naw, he was going to stay with David and help him with his Wikipedia page. When they left, David lit into Matthew about the baby. Asking Matthew what kind of Buchanan he wanted to be. (Still no clue as to who David's child is.)

At Llanfair, Vicki and Clint were preparing to watch the episode, when The Balsoms arrived to tell them they were leaving for the U.K. that day. Very sweet scenes saying goodbye and Clint being very fatherly, asking if Rex needed any money and offering them a place at the Buchanan compound. It was a little weird for them, but Clint and Rex hugged and it was good to see. I'm crying again.

When The Balsoms left to watch with Roxie, Vicki and Clint admitted that they hadn't been able to think about anything but the DNA test. Jessica walked in asking what DNA test? Clint made a comment about the DNA tests on Fraternity Row.

At Roxie's invitation, the Save Our Stories crew gathered at the mansion. Nigel, Destiny and Shaun were there to support her. Shaun was going to come as Dash Dunning, but Destiny told him he looked silly. Mr. and Mrs. Evans showed up, too. They talked to Roxie of how proud they were of their sons, Schuyler and Greg, who had stayed behind at the prison break. Vimal and Rama were there, though I don't really understand why. Vivian arrived, saying Roxie had invited her. I've still got a lump in my throat from Agnes's speech. It was all so sad and final. Rex, Gigi and Shane arrived in time to sit for the show. Roxie declared: no phones.

The whole Manning Family, plus Sam, Dani, Tea and Addie all came together to watch the last episode. Out on the patio, Todd called Baker to tell him that John and Tea were onto him. Baker said he'd move Tomas, but Baker had to watch the final episode first. Back inside the house, Starr made her announcement: The video had gone viral and she was heading out to Los Angeles to make a record. Hope was going with her and Langston and Markko agreed to help her. Sam asked if she still loved them. Of course she did. Starr didn't want to leave her family, but she had to follow her dream. Todd would not give his support. He didn't want her to leave. Starr said it was the hardest thing she'd ever done, which broke my heart, tears streaming down my face. Blair said she had to accept that Starr was not a baby anymore and she had to let her go. Todd was not happy.

On the Blanco Show they had an interview with the publisher, Victoria Lord whose daughter Megan had once acted on Fraternity Row. Vicki's talk sent me over the brink. Just thinking about it again, now, I'm crying. She talked of how soaps are about families and they become extensions of our own families. When she said, "And the only thing we have to do to keep them in our lives is tune in tomorrow," I lost it.

Then, McBain hit Baker over the head and nodded at Tomas.

We saw everyone's faces in shock, surprise, delight as they watched. When Fraternity Row ended they all said it was an "over the top surprise ending." Rex thought it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever seen. Roxie thought it was brilliant. Rex agreed that it was good. Roxie told us about all the twists and turns. Everyone was feeling a little softer, glad all their favorite characters had gotten happy endings. Shaun apologized to Vivian. He told her he didn't have to marry her. He just wanted to love her. A kiss and another happy ending. Vimal got the DNA results and smiled. Rex asked Roxie for her blessing. Of course, she would. She wouldn't stand in the way of something so good for her grandson so he could be a famous comic artist. Natalie stormed in asking what she was going to do without Rex. Rex said he was going to have a hard time without her. He was going to miss everyone. Bo and Rex had a touching scene as well. Everyone was hugging. I was crying.

At Llanfair the girls caught Clint crying. He said, it wasn't the show, it was his three girls. Their story was just beginning. I'm weeping again.

At the Manning's party, Addy declared she loved the ending. Sam wanted to know what a sex change was. Jack didn't like it, of course. Todd liked it, especially the part where Moon decided to stay with her family. He asked Starr if there was anything he could do to make her stay. No. Then he was going to call her a lot. Tea mumbled to herself, as often as Statesville would let him.
Vimal came to Llanfair to deliver the news that the DNA results said Jessica was Clint's daughter. Clint would never forget what Vimal had done for him.

Todd came to the door where Blair was crying over a picture of her and Starr. He said he thought she wanted to be alone. No, she wanted him to stay with her. He came and sat on the floor next to her. "This sucks," he said. Blair told him she thought he'd do something to make Starr stay. Todd replied that it was not about him. "This is her time." He apologized for his nose running, as he kept wiping away the tears. Blair had tears running down her cheeks. I could feel Kassie's pain. I was crying, too. Blair told Todd that this was the proof she was waiting for, that he had really changed. Now what, Blair, Todd wanted to know. There was nothing holding her back. Yikes, do we really only have one more day! They clasped their hands together and Blair said, "If you want me, I'm yours." They kissed and the scene changed!

John invited Tea into his apartment and she ran to Tomas.

Back at the mansion, with many of the guests gone, Bo noticed there was a picture of Asa on the mantel piece. How wonderful to bring Asa in, too! I hadn't stopped crying. Nigel said Rex had put it up there. Now, Bo sighed, the mansion would be empty.

Ah, but just then Destiny's water broke!

By Alexandra Coulter, who has and always will follow Roger Howarth wherever he goes.

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