the "down low" storyline on Passions

It's a preposterously silly soap opera, by even the loose standards of the genre ... but at least until now, the PASSIONS Down Low story is remarkably groundbreaking and honest. Haven't seen it every day -- and the rest of the show is cheese whiz -- but whenever I catch it, despite its repetitions and hoary stalls, it has played very fair. Yesterday when Chad confessed to the friend, with full tilt denial and shame, this over-the-top campfest was, for a few moments, surprisingly real. So far they have avoided some if not all of the more melodramatic turns (the blackmail is tired), and have done something no soap has done: shown a man besotted sexually with another man. And a black man. And a major character. Whoa.

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Updated On: 5/22/07 at 11:26 AM

Jimmy, you seem the expert on this show. Don't you agree the actor playing Chad is playing this with great restraint and reality? What's his name, has he been a major character on the show? I assumed so, which is what makes this plotline remarkably fresh and daring. I wish I found the Vincent as compelling as Chad does ...but I suppose his inherent sleaziness is part of the point.

Today, it's rather obvious they will strain to arrest Chad for a murder attempt (based on what, a third party confession?)

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Wait wait wait wait wait--I haven't watched Passions in a while. Chad is gay now? What?!


...is Fox next...?

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They stalled yesterday, in classic style, but at least they gave us an "over-hearage," when Poloma walked in on the words "my affair with Vincent..." "So that's Chad's SECRET!" When in doubt, let someone overhear two people discussing a secret in full voice and lavish detail in the spacious foyer of a mansion. So ... contrivance soaring ... at least we have a spreading stain. After weeks of water treading, two new characters know about the Down Low nasties.

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Oh, I thought the over hearage usually happened when the eavesdropper was hiding behind a potted plant or was in a transparent disguise (most often a surgical mask). Yosemite Sam is less gullible than most soap characters.

Talk Soup is having a field day with Chad's storyline. The host's quips are very funny.

To quote Chad, "I found myself back at that same gay bar looking for Vincent. We hooked up and had sex. But like I said, I'm not gay."

My reaction, "OMG"!!

On another note, I thought "Passions" wasn't going off the air. But according to Talk Soup it was ending its run this summer.

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Updated On: 6/16/07 at 11:23 PM

The Soup made wonderful hash of this campfest this week. I liked when "Chad" got caught checking out a guy and explained "He looked like someone I used to work with...when I was a DJ in West Hollywood!"

Jared is livid when he finds his wife with Ethan. Theresa covers by telling him Ethan was comforting her after she found out about Chad cheating on Whitney. After Jared reclaims his wife, Ivy tells Ethan to stay away from Theresa for his own good.

Just as the computer is about to show Fancy and Sheridan a DNA match, the blackmailer causes all the hospital computers to crash. Sam chases the blackmailer through the hospital, but he gives Harmony's top cop the slip by escaping into an air vent. Later, he drops in on one of the hospital doctors...

Fox undergoes another "treatment" for his equally fake illness. Meanwhile, Kay wants Tabitha to teach her to use her magic. If she can cure Fox, she can go back to Miguel!

Luis calls from prison to make sure Fancy is safe. Sheridan's blood boils when Luis asks her to look out for Fancy.


Sneak Peeks
Monday, June 18
Fancy and Sheridan race to find the identity of the Blackmailer.
Spike digs a grave for Jessica!
Kay casts a spell that makes Tabitha’s house shake.
Tuesday, June 19
Jared warns Ethan to steer clear of Theresa.
Fancy and Sheridan discover the Blackmailer has killed a doctor.
Spike is going to bury Jessica alive!
Wednesday, June 20
Ethan is being followed.
Kay casts a spell to find Jessica and releases a demon elf!
Julian realizes he might have been better off staying with Ivy.
Thursday, June 21
Gwen returns to Harmony.
Kay makes a deal with the demon elf to find Jessica.
Ivy and Julian find their way back to each other.
Friday, June 22
Theresa could be losing her hold on Ethan.
Jessica panics when she realizes she and her baby are going to die.
Valerie tells Eve that her son wants to meet with her and Julian.
VCR Alerts
Tuesday, June 19
Spike is going to bury Jessica alive!

Thursday, June 21
Kay makes a deal with a demon elf!

Wednesday, June 27
Spike escapes from jail.

Thursday, June 28
Tabitha takes Endora to good witch school.

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