Full Deck

Various recent writing/production teams, in their efforts to come up with sensationalistic stories to boost GUIDING LIGHT's ratings, have made changes in some longstanding relationships between the characters on the show. Some of the time, this has made for great drama, but more often it has left fans scratching their heads and severely and permanently damaged important characters on the show. Examples of this kind of thing would include Holly kidnapping all the children of Springfield, Edmund stealing Michelle's baby and leaving her to die, and Phillip kidnapping half the children of Springfield. Also, eligible for inclusion on this list is about 90% of what's been done with the character of Alexandra since her 2002 return.

Full Deck finds us in the early part of 2003, about three months after Joan Collins' abrupt departure from the role and Marj Dusay's return. For my part, while I love Collins for who she is, I'm not sure I would say that she was ever a great fit for Alexandra. Dusay, as expected is in fine form as she plays out the regrettably outrageous story of Alexandra drugging Alan into an ever-intensifying state of dementia. Olivia also factors into the story quite heavily, roped in by Alexandra as part of a plan to get Phillip back into the family.

This clipset is also of note because of the way it gives little glimpses of other stories that were going on during the Conboy/Weston era. We get a look at the beginnings of Edmund/Cassie, a brief foray into the aftermath of Harley's shooting and Gus learning that he is a Spaulding. Also, this is another look at HEROES star Sendhil Ramamurthy's time on GL as Alexandra's aide Lloyd.

Enjoy Full Deck--

clip 1 , clip 2 , clip 3 , clip 4 , clip 5

clip 6 , clip 7 , clip 8 , clip 9 , clip 10

clip 11 , clip 12 , clip 13 , clip 14 , clip 15

For a little back story, take a look at the Phillip's Ex-Wives Club clipset from the end of 2002. It features Joan Collins as Alexandra and deals with Alan and Alexandra's ramped up war for control of Spaulding.