Soap Opera Digest – August 12, 2019

police commissioner, albeit it wild and

unorthodox, infused life into the Salem

cop shop. As Eve ran amok, fueled by

revenge, it gave Rafe, Lani and Eli the

opportunity to stand up for what’s right

and just. In particular, it moved Eli to the

forefront as he continually challenged Eve

and called out her transgressions.

Marlena’s utilization as the town’s

trusted psychiatrist has been revved up,

from counseling Abigail through her

multiple personalty disorder, to guiding

Haley through her suicide attempt and

show can’t find a viable story for

Hope and, no, her forced pairing

with Ted Laurent doesn’t cut it.

Hope For The Future:
Kristian Alfonso’s
Hope needs a
proper story
that honors her
character
and history.

immigration problems, to reach-

ing the dangerously spiraling

Claire. Above all, she’s helped

steer Ben’s transition back into

society and continues to be a stabilizing

influence in his life.

On the romance front, Sarah, a hot

mess heroine caught between hubby Rex

and his brother Eric, continues to take

center stage. Sarah and Eric’s agonizing

longing for each other is the stuff of soap

decades gone by, back when supercouple

status was the end goal. JJ and Haley have

emerged as the young couple to root for,

while good guy Tripp hovers on the side-

lines becoming more and more smitten

with his cousin’s girl. It has the makings

of an intriguing triangle.

Satisfa

ctory

✔

Honorable Hope would

never fall for the seedy

slightly tempted by him tarnishes

the character.

As for Hope’s ex, Rafe, since

taking on the care of young

David, he’s been dividing his time

between diaper duty and the cop

shop. Surely this can’t be his fate

now that he’s finally realized his

dream of “fatherhood”.

Several vets are being seriously

underused. Justin and Adrienne,

prominent members of the Kiriakis

clan, are barely seen. The couple

was MIA during Sonny’s crisis with

Will and even missed the pair’s

wedding. Meanwhile, John has

turned into a peripheral player

since the exits of Diana and Leo;

and poor Abe finds himself in

no man’s land without Sheila to

bicker and banter with. Kayla’s

been in limbo since Steve’s abrupt

departure a year ago. Although

Needs^ Im

provemen

t

✔