CLIP DISCUSSION | Todd Manning (259) | CHIME IN and ANALYZE!!!

Todd. Oh Todd! Another clip we can thank bjujubee for. Thanks!

Todd thinks of life on the outside and it includes the kids and Rebecca!

Love these scenes when he is contemplating freedom. "Even if I walk out of here, I'm going to another prison, it's just another kind."

I adore this man, Roger Howarth, he pulls off just about anything including long hair. His reactions to Rebecca....so perfect. He's unreal. Of course, he's flawlessly beautiful as well.

What do you think of this clip?

FAIL: Powell shows up at Marty's house. Uh, no. Even to tell her about Todd's possible pardon, it's ridiculous. He is JUST AS GUILTY as TODD. I can't say it enough.
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Jan. 27 CLIP DISCUSSION: Todd Clip of the Day (257) and (258) | Post your thoughts!!

Clip of the Day discussion for January 27....



GAG WORTHY Powell and Rebecca being engaged. Then Powell continues to try and talk to Marty as if he is not as guilty as anyone else. And then, has the nerve to write a book...and now, apologizes and retracts. Unreal, he is still seen as lily white and it's ANNOYING at best. Jason Webb sighting! YAY! I think this clip above might be all Marty and friends.....so.....we'll have two.



I just adore this Ray scene!!!! So good!!! Nora and Bo are also in and around here, Hank, all worth watching. This is about the pardon! YES! Then our clips will really even better. God Roger is so good. Watch and chime in.

FAIL: POWELL. Ugh, his smugness I can't stand and couldn't stand even before he turned out . . . well wait and see!





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Clip of the Day, July 6, 2011 (247)

Another day to comment on the work of the great Roger Howarth.



The thing about OLTL that worked best during the original Todd years was that so many of the characters were AWESOME. You may not have LOVED Sheila and Hank, but if you didn't, you had Ray Martino and Todd....or Vicki and Clint, Jessica, CJ, Cord, Max, Luna. I can go on and on and on about this.

Now, the therapy scenes with Todd and Ray have to be among the best that OLTL produced. "I had a good mother, I had a jerk for a father....so what?" WOW. The understatement of the century. These scenes not only show the talent of the actors, especially Roger, but the inner workings of Todd's mind, his experiences and why we end of falling for the guy. I remember being so engrossed in Roger's story, and when it was starting to be revealed that he may have been abused as a child, I couldn't "not love him" anymore.

"Imagine that CJ and Sarah were given to your father for him to raise. What would have happened to them?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? I mean it's all right with you, no big deal?"

"Nothing because I never would have let my father anywhere near those kids. I would do anything I had to stop that."

"You survived your father. Why wouldn't the kids?"

"Those kids are nothing like me. [ . . . ] They're innocent, and way too trusting. I mean, look who they looked after? Me. Nah, my father. He would have . . ."

"Your father would have what?"

"He would have crushed them. Especially Sarah."

"Why?"

"He hates women." He says with that gorgeous face and androgynous hair. "And his son. Women and his son, that's who my father hates."

SO MUCH is said here. In these lines, we're discovering almost EVERYTHING about this enigma that is Todd Manning. Most likely, those of us who could NEVER accept TSJ as Todd were thinking of moments just like these. And Zorro, of course!

Important line: "When I saw how much he hated me, I tried to change. I tried to be just like him." Speaks volumes, doesn't it? It almost makes us understand everything that is happening and everything seems to fall into place where Todd is concerned. And Roger makes us BELIEVE it all.

Of course, he's TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL here, there's nothing to compare with this kind of work.

When Ray touches his shoulder, we see something switch in him for that moment. And of course, we are dying for the next scene so we can learn more. Anything to excuse the love we're developing for this guy.

So, what do YOU think of Roger's performance in this scene?

Comment below by clicking comments.

Thanks to Juju for the opportunity to view and discuss Roger's early work.

Clip of the Day, July 5, 2011 (246)

Yes, after a month's hiatus, we're back with the daily clips of Roger Howarth's Todd Manning Story. Thanks to juju for the clips, hope that she reigns victorious over recent computer issues.

Today's clip:



Oh my, I missed these two little beauties.

"YES WE DO!" Sarah yells at Powell. GO GIRL GO. Imagine if they could have found this original little actress to come back to be Sarah. But, we are fortunate to get Erin Torpey back before the end of OLTL.

It's so hard to write about these clips right now, knowing full well that soon, they will be literally ALL WE HAVE of this show. One Life will be missed so much.

The thing about these vids is that it's awesome. It's not altogether dated, and Roger is just amazing; we are watching him blossom and grow. Rebecca is torn, as we were. We wanted to love him and also knew we should find him revolting...but couldn't. We can identify with Rebecca so much because he made us love him, and we didn't want to do it!!!

The kids are so adorable. So unassuming and so innocent in their love for him. They cannot see his past, they can only see his present, and that he was a hero to them. You HAVE to love this clip because it has so many old faces in it. Sheila, Hank, Marty, Jessica (original), etc. Just a nice blast from the past. There is no Todd in this one, but it's a great place to start back up - with so many of the old beloved characters right there for the viewing. Next clip: Ray (yes) and Todd in prison therapy.

See you tomorrow I am hoping! PLEASE COMMENT. GIVE YOUR TWO CENTS, your interpretation, your commentary - that is what we are here for!

KF

Clip of the Day, May 24, 2011 (243)

Hank is going to starting to think he might have to pardon Todd, and everyone's upset. Who wants him out on the streets again? Well, we do, of course, and probably Rebecca, but she doesn't know it. The kids are very adorable and their television exploits are an interesting diversion. Kate Noonan starts the trouble but we're glad for it.

"Maybe they've seen something in you the rest of us never have."

I know that Rebecca is the catalyst for Todd being able to love. And CJ, Jessica and Sarah are the catalyst for him being able to do good. Put those together, and you get a "reformed" person - at least to a point.

Marty: "I wish Todd had never saved me." I know he did a terrible thing to her, but that statement really makes no sense. "I wish Todd died" or "I wish I never met Todd" but of course, she has to be grateful that someone saved her life...it's sort of overkill, which is what happens with her character from here on in, until the fireside chat. This is not my favorite period for Marty. She begins to get sort of annoying when she attacks him at every turn. I know he deserves it in many many ways. But....it's still irritating. We see a guy who has lost everything possible, and is alone in the world....totally alone. He has done terrible things, but at the same time, he's constantly kicked when he is down.

When I watch the upcoming vids of Todd and Ray, I wonder why they did not approach the abuse deeper in therapy when they had the chance. At that point in Roger's development as an actor, he definitely could have handled it and it would probably have secured a second Emmy for him.

Ok onward. Cannot wait to see TM today.

Sound off!

Clip of the Day, May 16, 2011 (239,

Way behind in these, I guess the excitement of FINALLY SEEING HIM BACK has gotten to me. But we cannot neglect the facts, we need to know his history and keep it alive as well. Thanks to JUJU for these great moments we can cherish. Chime in guys about your fave parts, greatest lines, moments you love. That was the original purpose of the blog in the first place!



Love the whole "Free Todd Manning" campaign that the kids came up with! It's really a great way the writers got Todd out of jail. Powell talks about Todd as if he himself never did anything wrong.

I love Zach's behavior here. He's so good, too. He really did get the shaft.

Todd did not commit suicide, after all, he thought about it but did not do it. He got a letter from the kids and changed his mind. Actually, he's in debt to them for his life following this escapade.

This is a great "ep." I love all of it, except for Powell's crappy attitude and his ridiculous over-acting regarding Todd's villainy and his own innocence. Gag. I guess we will never get over the fact that Powell was just as guilty and we will never be able to accept that he just felt like he was special.

"Rebecca please help us with the genie!" LOL. The little voice and cheeks on Sarah!

"Would you let three people die?"

"Depends."

I always said Zach was more of a sociopath than Todd was. LOL.

I love how he wants to "stick around and see what that feels like!" concerning Sarah and CJ's devotion. So great.



Are you friends with Todd Manning? We're his BESTEST friends!

The newspaper is next for these two. LOVE IT.

Todd gets Zach to call Rebecca to tell her that the letter is false and that he's not dead. This is a good twist anyway, because it leads to her finding out that he was thinking of committing suicide. Hee hee. She's SO UPSET when she thinks he was going to kill himself. Love it. Powell walks in. He's SO AGGRAVATING. GET LOST.

Powell is starting to seethe. And it's a pretty good twist the writers are leading up to. Mr. Perfect and....well, you all know what he does.

And Zach, brings me back to him, I still say he's the worst of the three - never had a bit of remorse and Todd's right, he never knew what he'd done, but Todd was starting to find out slowly but surely, what he had done and what it meant. Oh by the way, just love him with the little strand of hair falling.



I am putting this one up also, it's like a third piece of this whole little plot, so I included it today. Todd becomes upset when he sees that the kids are campaigning for him. He calls the kids, a little farfetched, but he does. And lets them know they should not continue the petition. "I'm not worth it."

He sits a lot with the little man in his hand. Poor Todd. The show was REALLY MILKING IT.

He gets visited by Llanview Live, and also, the assistant to the District Attorney. But Todd's not buying it; he's not a hero in his own eyes. He's starting to accept the things he has done and see their implications. He wants to protect the kids and accept himself as a "bad guy." A big step for him. This whole saving Marty story was the turn around in a major way for this character.

FAIL: Powell. My goodness, did they WANT us to hate this guy, because it's working!

SOUND OFF ALL!

Clip of the Day, April 30, 2011 (225, 226, 227)

C.J. spills the beans to Rebecca. I love it. Now she can't hide from it...she really has no choice but to get back in his corner after this.

Todd always winds up in the woods. It's a recurring theme that I think has some ties to certain Biblical elements in Malone's writing. It's one of the things I love about this era; the Malone/Griffith team combined classical concepts rooted in literature from hundreds of years ago with ground breaking socially conscious/verite style concepts. You get the best from both worlds.

Typical frustrating hospital stuff Cord is dealing with.

Marty confirms what C.J. told his babysitter, Rebecca.

Oh my God, what a PERFECT line from Bo about Todd. "I'm telling you that Todd Manning can make you think he's going one direction when he's really going the other." Can you say, "double entendre?" And the thing is, Bo knows what happened at this point (as we find out soon)...so his comment was partly the result of that knowledge. Todd "went in a different direction" in more ways than one.

Writing, folks. Writing.

Everybody tied into this story now that Jessica's involved. Love it.

Oh my, look at this Bo/Todd standoff, with Bo so close to Todd without actually knowing it (but maybe sensing it in his gut). LOL!!! Nick Manzo, "not too many Caucasian males with long hair." Oh my, this next scene is going to be HILARIOUS after that line. Llanview's own Keystone Kops in full flight.



So now we know Jessica doesn't have a spleen.

See that look on Powell-the-Pure's face? That's the look of a dastardly guy realizing he lost his last advantage over his biggest enemy.

Clint and Jessica scene. Classic moment. Great work by the late Clint Ritchie here.




Hahahaha!!!!!! Keystone Kops, Go! I love how they found an RH lookalike (probably just happened to be walking by the studio in New York) for an "extras" role in this. I'll bet you this guy would make a better Todd than Trevor St. Jawn, LOL.

"Great, the guy's probably in West Virgina by now." Well, Nick, that WOULD be fitting after your lame "Wheeling, West Virginia" idea a few months ago.

Todd goes climbing. Good thing RH stays in shape!

And here we go. Another one of my all-time favorite Todd scenes. I have about 500 of them, true, but this is in there! I LOVE this. The Todd/Bo standoff, with Todd clinging on and Bo literally trying to talk him down.

"Didn't I dig a hole deep enough to die in, yet?" as he is clinging on for dear life with a gun pointed at him. Simply amazing stuff. In this scene you just get this clear look at where he is now...look how far he's come after everything that's happened over the past several months since he first decided he was going to escape prison, and look at this one moment where he's trapped and grimacing with the last fumes of whatever resistance is left in him keeping him from giving up. It's a matter of pride for him, now.

And as we now find out, Bo knows about everything that happened after the accident. But one of the Keystone Kops shoots him down anyway as he was trying to surrender. This stuff is more like a prime television series or a movie than a soap opera. Anyone who hasn't seen the story of 1994 Todd Manning is really missing out on something special, and their life isn't complete until they HAVE seen it. :D


FAIL: Powell with hilarious hypocrisy. "That doesn't make him a Saint!" Nope, it doesn't make him like YOU, Powell, right?

Clip of the Day, April 16, 17 and 18 (216, 217 and 218)

We're getting to one of my favorite plots for Todd! Cannot wait!



Ok, I just cannot believe how GORGEOUS this guy is. He just seems like the type who doesn't think so, but he's stunning. I love the ponytail thing. Doesn't happen often, but when he does it, I love it. I mean, what don't I love about him aside from one of the stories written for him later on?

Vicki is being a good mom here....I like Erin T so much. I really prefer her to the new Jessica.

Hold on, need a snack or breakfast....brb.

Ok that took too long to get these in for today's mailing but . . .

I think it's neat that there are scenes of other things, like Sloan, Vicki, Marty, etc. They really help us get the fist of the stories. No isolation.

"I'm willing to pay for what I've done but not what I didn't do." Ah Todd, we love you! You won't pay for anything at this rate. LOL!

The plan is ON for the collision of a lifetime!



Marty has a little talk with Jess to help her put things in perspective.

Marty's upset when Jess says Todd may have helped her. The start of something big.

It's amazing what Roger can make someone feel for him, regardless of the character. "I'm not an animal." Bo says, "You're not?" I also love the CHANGE that BO goes through very soon regarding Todd. Love that whole thing. He attacks Bo momentarily, almost as if he's terrified (wish they'd ever get into what he's dealt with in jail but don't think we're going to have time for that) and screams her name! Roger is just a plain old powerhouse.



Meanwhile, Powell gets another thank you. Gag. Everyone discusses terrible Todd. Meanwhile, Rebecca surely still loves Todd but is stuck in the Powell thing. Aarf.

When I see Todd in that police car, I know darn well something great is coming. I remember this story like the back of my hand, and I mean the ORIGINAL AIR TIME. It was SUCH a great story...all of the acting was paramount, everything was fantastic. I miss and will miss it so much.

We're introduced to the hero figurine that CJ is carrying. Love the attention to detail that we got. It's such an important item later throughout at least three more stories of Todd's life.

My God, the face he has on when driving in that car! Roger can be extremely menacing when he wants to be. The kids are talking about Suede's ring, etc. Marty is driving the kids along and here comes the most important SLAM of all. I love this.

I must say, having been in a car accident, this one is pretty realistic when they show the kids and Marty screaming when the car is out of control. Not sure about the police car side, though. I just LOVE what we get next....this is one of my fave stories for Todd.

Sound off!

Clip of the Day, April 15, 2011 (215)

Let's try not to let the recent news affect us too much. No matter what ABC does, they can't take away this history. History like THIS Todd scene. Suck it, Frons!


Now that Rebecca has told Todd she DID, in fact, betray him by informing the police, he tries to rationalize her decision as having been more about Powell than her; trying desperately to convince himself (truthfully, he's not even totally wrong...had it not been for Powell and her false belief she actually loved Powell, she never would have told anyone). Todd can deal with this. He can't deal with what is to come.

She tells him she is breaking off all ties to him and won't visit him anymore. Todd has now hit rock bottom. Her visits were all he had left to hope for. If you thought Todd might have committed suicide in prison in scenes we will be watching down the road, imagine what would have happened had the Mountain Rescue NOT taken place. I put the over/under on Todd's remaining life span at a week.

Then again, Todd did show an incredible will to live, even when HE thought he wanted to die...so I'm not entirely sure what would have happened.

This scene is almost unbearably sad, but it's also beautiful, and perfectly sets up what is to come.

"Rebecca, please." I don't know how she can do this to him, honestly.

And then the ultimate ending torture; he has to watch her leave with the-one-I-won't-even-name at this point. It's just cruel. THIS is how he pays for what he'd done.

There really aren't any words to describe this scene...you just have to watch.

The Marty, Andrew, Cassie, and Jessica stuff is key background stuff that will set up later scenes. What? Writers tying stories in with other stories? What were they THINKING?! That's not cool!


FAIL: None. This is great stuff all around. Only minor annoyance is Marty's token brief sanctimonious moment.

SOUND OFF!

Clip of the Day, April 13, 2011 (213)

Rebecca more concerned for Poet Boy as she sees Todd, formerly known as "Zorro," brought back. Todd's nearing complete suicidal status, but he still holds a faint glimmer of hope...FOR NOW. You'll see what I mean soon.

Wow...Marty's most angry scene ever. Even Todd's anger, at least in terms of SURFACE anger (at his angriest, his anger was usually this chilling, beneath-the-surface, exploding type), doesn't compare to this. He doesn't even know how to respond.

Powell's adoptive pseudo-mom, Nora, gives him a big, warm hug now that Mr. Innocent is safe.

Hank telling Powell the whole town will know what a HERO he is tomorrow. Wait for it...wait for it....BLEEEECCHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Honestly, I don't think Nora's credibility ever quite recovered from the Powell pimping. It's really something to behold and vomit over.

Oh God...this next scene is even worse. Rebecca and her faux-love reunited. Rebecca passionately kissing him as the music they were given to create the illusion they were actually a legitimate couple is playing in the background.

These scenes are what I think of as the all time LOW POINT for Todd. From being recaptured to the scenes that are about to happen...this is rock bottom. It wasn't until the crash that Todd rises from this rock bottom. We're probably in as much agony watching this as this character is living it, LOL.

While the "hero" is with the epicenter of Todd's universe, the "inhuman monster animal bad guy" is being dragged into a jail cell. Nick Manzo taunts him, which I guess is only fair after Todd humiliated him in the "Go Get a Donut!" standoff. Still, he's one of those biased TV cops that give real cops a bad name.

More Powell pimping. Nora: It takes guts. Powell's got em! Hahahahahaha. Yep, except when a woman is getting raped right in front of him he not only doesn't make a true effort to stop it (easily could have left the room and gotten help), he chooses to PARTICIPATE for fear of the rapist not thinking he's cool. Nora's motherly love for Powell is truly disturbing.

Hey, isn't that one of the guards (Michael) from Statesville prison? Did he get reassigned, or are they just recycling actors? LOL! Todd's not hungry. Perfectly played.

Marty's self-righteousness continues. Nothing will ever be enough when it comes to punishing Todd, as we'll find out in the coming months (well, months of 1994, anyway).

Todd's last glimmer of hope...since he believed Rebecca when she told him she hadn't informed the cops, he figures she not only loves him, but will inevitably still visit him because she's also still his friend. Otherwise, why would she have kept it a secret?

He doesn't yet realize she had lied. And yet he's right about the second two assumptions ANYWAY, as we'll come to find out, though those would greatly be aided by the Mountain Rescue scenes. Seeing him at his lowest and everyone piling on and coming at him with pitchforks is the perfect setup to the ultimate redemption. This is great writing, folks.

FAIL: How much pimping of one man can you possibly do? You would think Powell was the male version of Mother Teresa in these scenes. I'm having trouble holding in my stomach contents. I know it adds to the satisfaction when Todd, formerly known as "Zorro," rises from the ashes, but it really hurts the credibility of the other characters in Llanview when they believe in the heroic goodness of "sweet" Powell the Pure. How can they be so STUPID? How can Jim be the only one with any sense? Remember all this pimping Powell received. In a few clips, you can compare it to the pimping Todd receives in his act of heroism. Will it be as generous and free-flowing as what Mr. Lord III has received from everyone? HA!

Clip of the Day, April 12, 2011 (212)

This is a SIGNATURE TODD MOMENT with SIGNATURE LINES from Todd.....some of the best things he's said to Powell are right here in these scenes. I do love this confrontation, mostly because Todd is calling out everything we ever wanted to say to Powell at this point in the story.

"The one thing that I cared about you took away from me." Yes and no, but I love that Todd sees it that way. In his desperation, Todd reveals his desperation. And, as Todd is strangling Powell here (not such a bad idea because Powell won't be able to recite poems when he's having trouble breathing), the former is frantic, he's shattered, he's falling apart. And, yes, he seems capable of murder with his own hands.

Juxtaposed to this is that CONVERSATION THAT I ADORE so much between Nora, Rebecca, Marty and Luna regarding Todd. As much as I never could stand Luna, I just love her part in this talk, because she says it all in one little breath.

Nora first. "He seems to slip through our fingers, like he's a ghost."

Marty next, bitter and full of hate. "He's not a ghost. He's a monster." Pan to Rebecca's face.

Luna last, "No he's not, he's a man who's gone wrong, very wrong."

GOTTA LOVE THIS! Because in all of it, the superhuman way he avoids death, the darkness and the costumes and the charades, he's a MAN. A damaged MAN. Just LOVE how the show portrayed this whole story then.

Back to the strangling, Todd lets Powell have a bit of air during this next part of his verbal attack. And here is where I think, along with others, that Powell finally starts his descent into madness. Based on what Todd does to him, almost taking his life, and says to him, Powell starts to crack. The facade he has developed for himself is splitting open.

And just when you think Todd's going to end Powell's life, the tides turn and he lets his guard down and Powell gets away, then when Todd's up against the wall getting pummeled, he says, "come on, come on, you can't even do this right." It makes one think that Todd again would just rather be dead than go on living as he is.

Then . . . another nice turn. "You think you're free? You think you're better than me? You think we're different, Powell?. . .You didn't finish, it doesn't make you noble. . . You and I Powell, we have the same beast inside of us. The same beast that started us on this whole, incredible, stupid trip. The beast that raped Marty. . . Someday you won't be able to keep that beast inside you."

Can this get any better? I dare say, it does, but this speech is the most significant exchange between Todd and Powell until much later in the story. It begins the shattering of Powell's mental stability. Ya gotta love it. For all he's been through, Todd sure has found ways to cope and survive.

Roger's so dark here, it's hard to believe he's the same actor who does the scenes with KA as Starr! BUT it is, and he is, and he goes through a HUGE set of life-altering incidences before we get to all that. And Roger carries it perfectly. Which brings me to this:

I read a person write recently on a message board that Roger can't pull off another character on OLTL. It's not THAT at all. It's that we DON'T WANT HIM TO. But can he? Is that really a possible question? He can do just about anything an actor can aspire to, and that's evidenced by the multiple levels he has created within this ONE MAN. From this Zorro to Sister Bernadette Peter (both done to get what he wants, do not forget that), Roger has done it all through Todd Manning's mask. I just hope we get the chance to see it again on One Life to Live.

Sound off!

Clip of the Day, April 10 and 11, 2011 (210, 211)

My goodness, how could Rebecca NOT KNOW before that attempted kiss that this was Todd?????

He's so hot and gorgeous in these scenes....just love him as Zorro, and I know a lot of fans do.

Marty goes off, but you cannot blame her, it's too close to home for her. The acting of the group she encounters, however . . . well I will save that for the fail! Milton is here also, and as you can see, his envy of Mr. Todd has been growing since way back....mwwuuuaaaahhh. LOL! Let's not rule him out.

OMG when he removes that mask, "I came back here to see you." HUBBA. *Thud* Roger has NO IDEA, clearly.

What I like about this encounter between Rebecca and Todd: She can barely even LOOK at him. LOL. She's just about swooning. He's gorgeous as all get-out. He wants to know if she's fine, if she misses him, no one could tell him but her. Sigh. His voice is melodic and controlled. He wants to know if she sold him out. His reaction to her saying no is awesome. He still has hope. He hugs her sideways like the old films! LOL! And then, he says "we're going to have the time of our lives." And, my fave part, when he grabs her at last and says he's not letting her go! She looks like she's going to fall over from swooning!

What I dislike about this encounter between Rebecca and Todd: She's never up front with him. Poor Todd, he does have issues with that, doesn't he? The way she reacts is over-the-top. He's crushed by her words. "Im not any part of your future." SLAM. She should have been honest about turning him in and everything else. However, she's lying to herself anyway, as we know.



The next clip...complete with crap 90s music, Marty is just not having a good time. Gosh, if Milton Bittlecomb does not look like TSJ, no one does.

Rebecca CALLS FOR HELP! OMG. Powell is going to be the hero...gag....sneaks up behind our boy. BUT I LOVE THEIR CONFRONTATION so I am ok with the loser doing this. A fight breaks out and....TODD GETS AWAY! YAY! AGAIN. THis is going to lead to that awesome confrontation between them in the cabin. Whoo hoo!

FAIL: Hank: These police are well trained. Oh please, give it a rest, they've not done anything right since day one.

Sound off, chime in, talk up! SOMETHING!!

Screencappy Happy

from CATAZ2626 vids

Clip of the Day, Feb. 23, 2011 (166)

Welcome. A little known fact: The original intent of The Real Todd Manning Blog was to give people a forum to discuss Roger's work in depth by viewing his clips!

Of course, over time, it's gotten into a lot of other areas.

So thanks to Ju again for the ability to have these clips, see them and discuss them!



Powell is so irritating here, what a goody goody (at first.) I never cared for this version of Powell Lord. Rebecca gives him a "friendship bracelet." Sigh.

The job of Bo and Powell is to id Todd's body. When this first aired, it was NO SURPRISE that it's NOT TODD they found. LOL. But it's fun to watch anyway. "It's not a pretty sight. The body's pretty disfigured." Sorry, everything Hank says during this story makes me laugh for some reason. General body type, color? UM...he has LONG HAIR. That should be a giveaway. And what a coincidence if the guy they found has long hair too???? And what makes Bo and Powell more equipped to id Todd than Hank? Sigh.

This clip is not my fave, well at least yet . . .

I do love how the show's writers attempted to play with us then. When these two view, even though most of us didn't expect it to be Todd, you do sort of get a doubt for a minute. The way it's done, it obviously can be Todd and may not be Todd, and we're not supposed to know yet. That part I do like. They seemed to think of everything then (except how law enforcement officials work.)

All right, all right, maybe it is one of my faves. When we hear that TODD music, and see his hand in the water, I remember screaming and clapping. LOL. Can you believe it? Screaming and clapping for a gang-raping-ex-con-accidental-murdering-kidnapping Todd Manning? But it's true! I kid you not. HAPPY that he was alive.

After this though, he seems to be "washed clean" a bit. Ok, he still has his outbursts and his penchant for going around the law (why not, it seemed to always go around him), but something has "come over him." Of course, we find out he's completely obsessed with Rebecca, and is in love with her. Yes, both. She stands for his way to be "normal" or "loved" or whatever it is he sees her as. I love this part of his story, and I call it "The Masquerade" because it includes his dressing up as the Genie and masquerading that way for weeks, and includes his dressing up as Ted Lampley in NY, and finally, Zorro back in Llanview. Some of my VERY FAVORITE TODD MOMENTS, as well as CJ and SARAH MOMENTS are in this part of the story as well.

When those beautiful eyes open at 5:47, you just KNOW you're in for a ride! The show really knew how to tell a story then, that's for sure.

FAIL: UGH WHY IS POWELL SO OVERLY INVOLVED??? It's SO AGGRAVATING. "No, I want to be here." I can't take it. It's not like he was his relative.....UGH.

SOUND OFF!

Clip of the Day, Feb. 22, 2011 (165)

"How would you feel if that was the only thing that you had known?"

Rebecca....wow. I do love this character, especially at this point in the story.

I think Nora really does well here to try and make Hank see that Rebecca was fooled into thinking Todd was anything good. I love this whole thing....that Nora wants him to leave Rebecca alone. The discussion is pretty interesting. Nora can barely believe it herself! "You're an ok guy, Hank Gannon, even for an ex-husband."

Here's where the stomach annoyance comes in......Powell and Rebecca. His little lost case. I always felt that he wanted to be around her to make up for the pain he caused another woman, namely Marty.

FAIL: The police and law enforcement officials on this show ... they would be an embarassment in real life. But
then we would not have the fun we have watching.

SOUND OFF

Clip of the Day, Feb 21, 2011 (164)

I give Rebecca a lot of credit here, she's holding her own against Marty regarding Todd. Not too much positive to say about Todd, but somehow, Rebecca finds it and brings it to the forefront. It must be so difficult for her to stick by him, but she does.

Weird how Marty can talk to Powell almost like nothing ever happened. He is the MOST GUILTY because HE KNEW what he was doing was WRONG and did not save her. That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Then, Powell's there defending Rebecca when the police interrogate her. "You did your superhero thing up here!" LOL!

Ooops Rebecca is a felon! Wow! That might have been cool if Rebecca starting acting like Todd in his absence and taking over the town.

"Todd's dead and he's still hurting people." This is when Powell latches on to Rebecca as his personal cause.

Rebecca, on the other hand, insists she was not duped by Todd. She insists that she was not tricked into thinking he was kind, but that he was. I try and see how she saw that, because a lot of what he did was cruel, but underneath it, she saw through him to that little boy who found an arrowhead and had no one.

This will ETERNALLY BE why we are in love with this guy!

FAIL: Keystone Cops, Powell Lord and Bo do all the work.

Sound off!

Clip of the Day, Feb. 20, 2011 (162,163)

It's pretty lonely at the top here. Hoping that we will hear from more of you on these clips.

After what I watched last night on Cat's channel, I am so ... reflective I guess. Todd's life actually came full circle before he left. He left penniless with litte family and no friends. Yet another RIP Todd Manning.....like this one. This is one of my FAVE RIP TODD MANNING MOMENTS THOUGH.



Thanks to Juju, who is the ambassador of bringing Todd's full story to the public who has not seen it.

Well, it starts off with a legal professional lying to the DA. MmmHmm. I did always enjoy the banter between these two.

Wow, I'd forgotten that Todd got the gun back. And when he does....he DOES NOT SHOOT BO. Has the opportunity, but doesn't. Somehow makes me think of him standing in front of Mitch Laurence and does not shoot either. And in between along the way, he had his chances, and DOES NOT SHOOT, even Powell. There's hope for our boy yet. But when he comes back, depending on HOW he has suffered, at the hands of who and WHAT he has been through, we won't know what he is capable of. Unless they go the comic route again, and as much as I loved it, I am hoping for a return to the dark.

Back to the scene. "Bo bo." Roger! So unique in how he carries things off. HE is who made the character his own by doing little things like these to give us a real person who was entirely made up.

"Stay here and think about how nice I am" and he's off.

The scene at the pier has to be one of my faves in his early days. Wait, don't I say that often? Anyway it is. Rebecca screams PERFECTLY during this whole thing. Todd's expressions are haunting throughout. Bo IS NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT what happens to Todd and comes to Rebecca's aid and dives (yep) into a freezing river. I think that's a bit overkill, but ok. The way Rebecca screams Todd's name.....it's burned into in my ears! A good little actress! Look at her when he goes into the water, she's a total mess. She really DID love him.

I just LOVE these scenes a LOT. When she finally breaks down, it's so pitiful; she has nothing else.

Did Todd want to die? Yes. That's my guess. This was what he felt was best and he does it by diving to his "death" in his mind. "No, you're wrong....No! He can't be!" She carries on into the next clip, which I have decided to also comment on today!



"He can't be dead! Oh God, no matter what he's done, Oh God please help him." So pitiful. She cuts right through you! She really did love Todd after all! I LOVE how Rebecca responds to this. So heartfelt. When she flashbacks to the moment he is shot, you have more time to see the connection their eyes made, and why he pushes himself off becomes a bit more clear. At least for me, he knew it was the only way to end what was going on with he and Rebecca without going back to prison. Sort of letting her and himself free. She stares into the river willing him to be alive.

Meanwhile, Marty is willing him to be dead and wishing for the word. So are the others. Poor Rebecca, when they say they found his body, she is the only person in the room who cares at all that he's dead. She has to turn away to show her grief. I feel SO BADLY for her here, she's totally alone. Everyone else wants to give cheers, she is totally isolated and alone. It's very well done. The conversation between she and Marty will be picked up next time!

FAIL: Bo going into the water, not realistic at all. Actually, Todd going in isn't either, unless he just wanted to die, which is my guess. Marty is kinda mean to Rebecca, but she's grieving too, I guess.

Sound off!

Clip of the Day, Feb. 14

How appropriate! Valentine's Day and . . . our boy and Rebecca hit the cabin! :D



Well, Hank has Todd's hair and Todd and Rebecca finally find the cabin. He walks in, knowing exactly where things are, and we know right away, he's been there before. Catch his face at 3:02 - nothing more beautiful than that. I love these
scenes. He's transcended into another time and she's still stuck in today. He's awe-inspiring here.

"No son of Peter Manning's is gonna spend the summer with that tramp and her lover."

And again at 6:10. Gorgeous. Not just for appearance and looks, but for the sincerity in this character. I know you all join me in saying he's beautiful, and it does not mean just his looks. It has to do with how he portrays Todd. Gorgeous stuff. Nothing like it, especially not on today's soaps.

Go Rebecca. I love this. "Todd, you owe me this!" She really does stand up to him at times throughout this! I love it. She convinces him to let her make a phone call, by appealing to his own loss. Perfect. He's so introspective and endearing here, I already forgot everything he did.

FAIL: NOTHING - how can there be a fail with that face on the screen?

Sound off! What a Valentine's treat this was. Roger is my Valentine.

Clip of the day, Feb. 12 and 13, 2011

After last night, I can only imagine what he must have looked like in these scenes. He's gorgeous in these YT vids, but on the television yesterday, just stunning. Indescribable. Imagine!



Todd is so beautiful here! And starting to get the rawness and open-woundedness. Love this whole part.....! You can see his tattoo ring when when he is looking at the map.

I love these scenes because they lead to my fave early scenes, in that cabin! Cannot wait!!!



Back on the road, let's see how the police do in these scenes (rolls eyes.) Todd is a raw, complicated mess here. He wants badly to be able to trust her, to be normal., but his anger, suspicion and guilt override that. I gotta give it to Rebecca, she holds her own and stands up to him. He's apologizing - then, he's yelling again. She wants the handcuffs undone, and they bargain. She helps him dump the car into the river, and asks him to trust her. It's clear he can't and to us, it's clear that it's more than just her actions. Inside him, everyone he's cared about, and he has also mentioned this, has left him behind.

Can his face be more beautiful? Even though these scenes are dark, his face is amazingly expressive and flawless. Roger probably has the best face I've ever seen in daytime, and maybe EVER. Gorgeous. I love when he pauses with Rebecca before pushing the car into the water, and thinks about where he is; "You're right about this place" and he starts to open up, then catches himself. We know we're nearing something important, so does Rebecca, and she's damned if she doesn't get him to delve into it.

FAIL: POWELL. UGH. Can anyone be more annoying?

Sound off!!

Clip of the Day, Feb 5, 6 and 7

Oh boy. Marty loses Suede. Powell is the one comforting her. Gag. "There's no heart or soul in there anymore." Luna shows up. What a party. I never liked Luna or Suede. Luna, however, had one redeeming day, and that was her deathbed scenes. Amazing, with KDP as well.

Meanwhile, these cops are ridiculous! Now they lose them in the car. Sigh. Rebecca was a pretty good screamer! My fave screams for her are coming later on! LOL.



Todd is having a moment! "Don't make me hurt you, Rebecca." LOl. Love his sense of logic. Am I the only one fascinated by the musical score they wrote for these two. It's so . . . Elizabethan! Powell's visit to Nora and Bo....so weird. Powell is annoying.

Todd and his dreams/nightmares. His explanation about Suede....he tries to bring innocence to his actions....and it just can't be so. Rebecca is taking on blame also as the clip ends.



Oh one of my fave parts of Rebecca and Todd is in this clip. "YOU'RE GUILTY! I KNOW YOU HEAR ME!" I laugh every time she does this. And she's right, and he does not even balk at her for it.

Another great part of this clip is Jason's response to Marty's comment about Suede's death. Amazing. As I have said before, always wanted a Marty and Jason thing....never got my way.

FAIL: The cops of course, what else is new?

Sound off.