I've Written

about how I watch the soaps, principally As the World Turns and Guiding Light. The latter show is in a serious slump with a lot of stupid storylines, and when it had a serial killer storyline, the writers destroyed a character simply because the actor portraying him was leaving the show.

However, ATWT also has a serial killer storyline, which is winding down, but it is terrific. The serial killer is this doctor, who no doubt is based on the infamous patient killer Michael Swango, who seemed to have patients die every place he worked. When he came to Oakdale's Memorial Hospital, patients started dying, but the doc seemed to be so nice it seemed inconceivable he could be killing people. He even married one of the doctors working at the hospital, one of the women from one of the core families of the show. But the chief of staff came a bit too close to finding out the truth of who the serial killer was, and the killer doc just about did him in.

Anyway, the storyline is almost finished. The wife has finally seen the light about him and escaped from him, but it isn't quite over with.

The story is the best I've seen on this show since I resumed watching it seven years ago. The actor playing Dr. Decker, the serial killer, John James (of Dynasty and The Colbys fame), is Emmy-worthy, but Emmys aren't given to short-term actors as a rule. Not only is he good, but the veteran actors on the show, people who have been on there for years and years (ATWT is known for having actors who have been on for 20, 30, or 40 years) have been put to good use also.