Guiding Light airdate September 3, 2009

Olivia in her office. Her first line while she's doing paper work is, "Great, I did it again." It was tossed off like an ad lib, casual and light, although laced with frustration, and it might have been an ad lib, but it was also a clear sign that Olivia is not able to concentrate on work, as this isn't the first time she's made a mistake while doing paper work. She's so flustered and preoccupied thinking about Natalia, that she can't concentrate on work.
Now, what did she 'do again' I wonder? I'm guessing write Natalia's name, write 'baby' or sign something as 'Olivia Spencer-Rivera' like she's been doodling their names together, Olivia Spencer-Rivera, Mrs. and Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, Olivia and Natalia Spencer-Rivera, Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera, trying out the feel and sound of the combined names. At least that's my fun romantically inclined mind's guess.
Natalia is being cute, but also speaks the truth in telling Olivia that she knows that she'll want to be there and that she can't make family moments happen again once they've happened the first time.

Company, the Coopers really have just decided to take this foreclosure lying down. Buzz literally as he's basically lying in state on the bar with a wash cloth over his face. Natalia walks in and says. "Hi." like she's expecting everyone to spring to life once they notice she's there. When they don't so much as move more than a head or a finger a couple of inches she looks more like, let's get this over with so I can get out of the twilight zone. I like that she told Frank the time of the sonogram and that Olivia had been invited. She didn't make a point wanting him to be there, just letting him know that he was invited.

It's fun seeing Ashlee and Blake and Cyrus working together to write Coop's book and save Company.

When Frank is talking to Olivia, she's got her back to him, but she doesn't walk away from him. She stays and listens. She wants to not hurt, to be there for Natalia, but she's so scared of the what-ifs.

Oh, Ashlee, you may not have meant it to be hurtful, but at least Doris heard it. You might not know anything about her today, but that's going to change soon.

Amazing scene with Phillip and Olivia. We didn't have to see him telling her, and I'm glad that we didn't he reaction was enough, it was subdued and powerful. Such a far cry from the Olivia that told Phillip if he didn't go to prison that she was taking Emma and leaving. I think in addition to Natalia's influence that Phillip's unwavering support of her and Natalia and his insistence that Emma had the best most stable home life possible with them was a big factor. Phillip not only said repeatedly that he was happy with how she was raising Emma, but he showed her by always respecting her decisions since he's been back. Trusting Olivia goes a long way with her. The camera cutting between long shots of Phillip and Emma and close ups of Olivia crying was the prefect way to handle that scene, again we didn't have to see/hear Phillip telling Emma, and in the end the telling isn't what's compelling, it's the dealing, the aftermath, the grieving and comforting. Grant and Jacqueline and Crystal were all great here.

James and Rick, excellent scene! Wow. James has never looked less like a petulant child and more like a young man as he did in that scene.

Natalia loading up on the pickles. :) I love how Doris was a little stunned that Natalia was talking about raising a family with Olivia even after Olivia had said she couldn't do it. Doris had fully expected Natalia to give up, but Natalia surprised her with, "She means too much to me." Doris gets almost the same look she had after Olivia's speech in her office back in February, "Wow. SO you're just gonna hang on like that?" She envies what Olivia and Natalia do and can have. That they each have someone who loves them so deeply and completely and fiercely. She never expected Natalia, seemingly meek, Catholic, good-girl Natalia to be so bold and open and unashamed and sure of her relationship. She seems to think that if Natalia could be that confident, surely Doris could find that in herself, and maybe allow herself to find a love of her life too.

Love that Emma isn't afraid to ask for Natalia when she needs her. Beautiful scene with Olivia and Emma. Kudos again to Jacqueline Tsirkin

At the farmhouse, just, aawwww. I mean think about the fact that Olivia wants to always protect Emma from everything, even things that can't be fought against. Then instead of going into the farmhouse she trusts Natalia to be exactly what Emma needs while she's grieving, she doesn't have to be there to chaperon. What could be seen as just another attempt at avoiding being around Natalia actually plays as a show of trust and a gift because Olivia has a beaming smile and is looking Natalia over rather appreciatively when she shakes her head and declines the invitation to go inside. Olivia's taking baby steps. This is the first time that she's allowed Emma to be alone with Natalia since she's been back. The first time since she said, "You can't bake cookies with her and make dresses for her and be a mother to her and then just disappear on her like that because you get a little scared or you aren't sure about something." By not going inside she was still protecting herself, but she was also making a small statement that she trusted Natalia not to run again. She just needs a little more time to be able to trust her with her heart. I think it was a huge step for Olivia.

Company, Buzz and Daisy are at the bar reading newspapers and the article title on Daisy's paper looks like it says, "Never Diet Again" at the same time that Frank is walking behind them eating the sugar straight from a sugar packet. Heehee.

Ugh! Such a tough situation with Phillip and James. You can see both of their points, but Phillip soooo shouldn't have yelled like that. When he goes off like that I actually feel bad for James.

Seriously what's up with Buzz and the washcloth over his head? Is it his version of the ostrich in the sand? What statement does it make that the three people who helped the Coopers and saved the day were "not blood" family as Frank would say.

Cute scene with Natalia and Emma feeling the baby kick.

Doris and Olivia talking about taking risks and making choices. Wow. I simply adore the friendship that these two have forged.

I really like the relationship between Daisy and James too. He sought her out when he needed someone to talk to. They are great for each other.

Rick telling Phillip that he was wrong and that James just wants to be a son. Amazing scene yet again. Michael and Grant did a fabulous job!

Guiding Light airdate August 31, 2009

Buzz: "I'm date ready." Heeheehee. He's soooo ready. lmao Lillian is absolutely beautiful! Josh is funny and just Josh. I love him so very much.

Poor Daisy, it's tough being the baby isn't it. I love that James just wants to spend time with her, it doesn't matter where. He just wants to be around her, it's sweet and a pleasant change from most teen/young adult relationships portrayed on TV.

Natalia is trying so hard, and she's very nervous about saying the wrong thing. "It's what friends do right? Shop and eat." Oh, big hugs to you Natalia! She got so excited when Olivia agreed. Olivia was trying so hard to not snap at her, she loves her so much, but is so scared of being hurt again. Big hugs to Olivia too.

Billy and Vanessa deciding to tell people about their engagement by Visiting. Oh my goodness, it's been so very long since we've seen something like that. First they were courting, and now they're visiting. Ever the classic, southern romantic couple. Awesome!

Reva's trying, I love how she had Baby Band Candy's hand the whole time she was talking herself through it in the car. Great touch.

Aaww! When Lillian suggested baking more cakes for Billy and Vanessa to take on their visiting rounds, Buzz gave her a look of desperation, cause we know that he didn't have baking on his date agenda. Lillian got the cutest little understanding and sympathetic look, then wrinkled her nose like a cute little bunny when she saw Buzz had reluctantly given in. Sooooooo cute! Nice little detail there Tina! Also, Daisy and James having a silent conversation over Lillian's head discussing whether to stay and help. She says 'no'. He says 'please, I'm cute.' She says 'fine, what am I going to do with you?' All with the eyes and the faces. Awesomeness, really! Bonnie and Zack get props here too!

Curious about the three girls on the park bench behind Josh's side of the phone conversation with Billy.

Natalia, the way she pointed and the vocal quality in her voice when she told Matt she'd pick the ice cream over the tequila, such a ghost of the storyline Olivia was going to have during Natalia's absence. No wonder Matt thought he had a shot, she's all flirty, 'cause she can't help it. It's just who she is. Aaaww, sweet. :)

Looooooooove Josh and Olivia! I'm very relieved that he's taken his proper place and won't get between Natalia and Olivia, but I adore him being the friend that she needs, with just a bit of sexual undertones. Plus with them both being int he same kind of place 'friend' wise with their significant 'friends' it's nice that Olivia has someone who understands, and isn't trying to get anything from her.

James! Asking what Buzz's intentions are with Lillian. So rocks!

Natalia is soooooo cute! Hugging Buzz and putting her head on his shoulder 'cause she's all smiley because she's "...going shopping with a friend. That always makes a girl happy." Aawwwww! Honestly I love seeing her this way, she's got this calmness, like she's certain and confident of the outcome even if the path isn't what she expects. She hasn't been this serene really since .... ever maybe. I mean she's had the fight in her and she's presented a confident front, but there has always been an underlying sense of apprehension or trepidation of not knowing what's coming next or how to react, and there isn't in this scene or even the scene with Matt. Jessica is playing this to the hilt!

Vanessa is so cute! "Billy, tell him." Heehee. Does Vanessa know that Josh had a hand in the the proposal happening that day? As they were leaving she told him, "Glad we had that little talk at breakfast." Heehee. Still sweet.

The way Olivia said, "Natalia and I are going shopping." It's almost like she just expects everyone to know about them. But her expression after Lillian's line about everyone being happy. Aawwww Olivia needs a hug!

Josh, "This way I get to drink twice. Celebrate with Billy. Lament with you." Ha! lol
Billy and Vanessa telling Reva about the engagement, crazy awesome, so much history in that room, and they're moving forward by going back to a place they've all been before. Wow.

Oh, Olivia all nervous about going shopping, 'cause it's like a date for her and she feels herself losing control and slipping back into Natalia and she can't let that happen. Natalia looks her over a couple of times when she answers the door all dressed up. Natalia almost tears up when Olivia says she has dinner plans, but she stops herself and puts on a brave face. When Olivia breaks and tells her the truth, that she can't just be friends, I love that she's not completely shutting Natalia out. She's telling her how she's feeling, she has since that first meeting when Natalia came back. This is a very, very mature Olivia in the way she's processing and dealing with Natalia. A huge evolution in personal relationships since she met Natalia. When she walks around Natalia as she's closing the door she chokes up a little and almost cries too. Aw, Natalia's expression when Olivia walks away, it's like she's thinking, 'I know that you're hurting, but I'm not going to let you run.' She loves her too much to let her walk away and be miserable. Guh!! Beautifully done yet again by Jessica and Crystal.

Reva and Baby Band Candy made it to the Mini-mart. Yay for progress! That was very very nice to see.

Matt pulled out Olivia's chair and she said, "Nobody's done that for me in a long time." (like Natalia and Frank in Jan.) Natalia apologizing to Matt, aaww, she knows that he's had a rough day, but she's got to talk to her scared and insecure girlfriend. Love it!
Buzz setting up the romantic dinner for Lillian and himself. Nice, but when you put the closed sign on the door of the restaurant, you might want to actually close the door. :D

Great family stuff on the Bizzie front porch steps.

Matt clued into Natalia and Olivia. Awesome! Great stuff!

Okay, this last scene has to be another one for the books. Like the one in Olivia's office a couple of weeks ago. Natalia is so good at reading behind the mask and knowing what Olivia really needs when she isn't consumed with so much other stuff in her brain. "You can't do it because you're in love with me. We are not casual friends and that's not what I'm looking for from you." Love this scene! "No. We need to be together, and you can't fool me by going on dates with other people." Love Natalia's little 'you think I'm naive' sneer. "I know how I feel. I know how you feel. I can see it in your eyes right now." Yes!
I love the editing here too, the song in the background swells after Natalia's last line when the camera cuts back over to Olivia and the lyrics are, "Baby, this one's forever." How perfect is that?!?