The gang's all here

Whether it was Sharon's gang of girls, the Abbotts ganging up on Graham, or Reed's gang of supporters, Genoa City's gang activity will be exposed in this week's Two Scoops.

2018 started out like "gangbusters" in Genoa City, with good stories, writing, and acting, especially from Marla Adams as Dina, whose terrific Soap Central interview can be read here. I mentioned several columns ago that Ms. Adams was giving an Emmy-worthy performance. I was glad to see that she submitted a reel for review.

Sharon's turnaround from unhinged bipolar psycho to good-natured community activist who takes in a homeless family is nothing short of miraculous. I want whatever drug she's taking to turn my life around like that!

Sharon's steadfast refusal to sink into a funk after Scott's betrayal has been empowering to watch. I loved the party Sharon hosted for her near and not-so-dear friends. It was a lot like watching an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with all the infighting and snarky remarks.

Hilary, who, like Sharon, has left the dark side, reminded me of Ricky Lake or Jerry Springer as she tried to get Sharon and Phyllis to reconcile. Personally, I think that would be a good thing. I'd like to see them as friends and allies. I thought Abby's apology was appropriately contrite and sincere. I think Sharon accepted it with grace. I remember being in a similar situation once a long time ago. I wasn't as nice as Sharon, I penned a mean, sarcastic poem. I'm glad Sharon took the high road.

Abby and Scott aren't done, not by a long shot, or a short shot, either, for that matter. There is way too much attraction between those two for a long stay in Paris to erase Scott from Abby's memory. I do like Scott and Abby together. Scabby? No, don't think so. I'm holding out for a Nick-Sharon reunion, which will happen when the truth comes out about Christian, if it's going to happen at all.

Maybe Y&R could resurrect Adam, though it will be very difficult to replace Justin Hartley. Even the excellent Michael Muhney would suffer by comparison, unless he could bring a lighter touch. That lighter touch is one of the things I most appreciate about the dialogue that is currently being written for all of the characters.

Sidebar: when Cane rushed out on Friday, do you think he was rushing off to Paris to see Lily? I do want to see Cane and Lily reunite, but I wish that Cane could get over his insecurity about Lily's career. No matter how hard he tries, Cane really doesn't want Lily to be independent. He wants to have enough financial control over her to guarantee that she won't leave him. Ironically, in the real world, most women in Lily's position would never leave her partner as long as that partner respected her independence.

As an independent woman, I can say with some confidence that it takes two independent people to make a partnership of equals. If one is insecure and the other isn't, then they are not equals. That doesn't mean that a partnership won't work, but it will have a different dynamic than one of equals. That's my rambling way of saying that I'd like to see Cane and Lily have a relationship of equals or, at a minimum, a truthful discussion and a reunion. I've looked into my crystal ball, and I can't see either of them with anyone else, can you?

How long has it been since the Abbotts brought Dina back from Florida? Why didn't they get Graham's medical power of attorney revoked as soon as they got back, or at least start the process, especially after they got the Alzheimer's diagnosis? If they had, I guess we wouldn't have this very wonderful story playing out. I love Dina. I love the witty conversations, the flips back in time when she thinks Jack is John.

This is a great story and one that can go on for a while, even if the Abbotts gang up and defeat the evil Graham, who, I'm sorry to say, seems to be turning into a Snidely Whiplash. I could almost see him twirling his mustache as he smirked and announced his marriage to Dina. I had actually hoped that Graham had a few more shades of gray in him, but after it was revealed that he had stolen the deadly chemicals from Ashley's lab, it looks like he's going to be poisoning someone. Will Graham go after Dina, or will he try to eliminate Jack, Ashley, and Traci so that he can take over the Jabot empire as well as Dina's wealth? Whatever comes, I'll be glued to this story for the turns and twists that are coming.

Sidebar: If Graham was in high school with Traci when his stepfather, Brent Davis, left Graham's mother for Dina, how can Brent Davis be Ashley's father? Did I miss something, or misunderstand?

Reed probably feels like everyone is ganging up on him, but drinking and driving is no joke. He did not seem to be taking his arrest seriously, so I'm glad this is a "no tolerance" story. I loved it when Nikki revved it up to "grandmother" gear and took charge of Reed. I can hardly wait until next week when Reed gets a haircut and starts mucking out the stables. I loved it when Victor told Reed to think of the ranch as his "own personal boot camp." Reed was shocked. I hope he learns that running away doesn't solve anything.

Victoria and J.T. were discarding clothes on the stairs when last we saw them. Will their lustful impulses cool, or will they do the horizontal tango and deal with the fallout later? I vote for later. J.T. and Victoria are hot together. As an added bonus, J.T. has issues with both Nikki and Victor. Lots of drama and conflict there, so I say, "Go for it, Victoria and J.T. Maybe second time is the charm."

Happily, I have a new roommate. She hooked me on Game of Thrones, and in only three days, I've returned the favor and hooked her on The Young and the Restless. Turnabout is fair play, or so says the old saying. I'm caught up on GoT, but Y&R is forever, so I got the best end of that deal!

Thanks again for letting me share my thoughts with you. As always, fellow fans, I welcome feedback about this column in the section provided below. I enjoy all your comments, even when you don't agree with me. Please return in two weeks for another edition of Two Scoops.

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