Well, dear Shay. She had a child, Sam, during a teenage tryst. That hardly makes her immoral…it makes her human in an all-too (most likely common ) situation. She had Molly with her then-husband, Rick..and she was crazy about Sonny when she spent her night with him. As the old adage goes…you can’t help who you fall in love with. However, she manages to convince herself that she can change these men to the good, and when she can’t she breaks her own heart by breaking up with them. That doesn’t make her a bad person lacking morality, it makes her a flawed character with issues that for many of us find endearing and someone we want to root for. She’s never schemed to hurt anyone, ala Carly, Tracy, Connie, Britt…all characters I like by the way except for Carly…just can’t get past her wrath and destruction toward AJ and now Franco. My point is as I said…Alexis can be verrrry funny, witty, sarcastic…but underneath she’s wise, intelligent, grounded. She may not succeed but she always tries to do the right thing. By the way, she kept Kristina away from Sonny for her entire childhood to keep her safe from his life. As for her attitude toward Olivia re Ned, I have a different take than u on that. I don’t think Alexis doesn’t have a mean bone in her body…I don’t think she slept with Ned to get anyone jealous…I think though she cares deeply for Ned as an ex fiancé and current friend…she still loves Julian…but is fighting it. She’s trying to proceed in a relationship with Ned because she knows he’s good and good for her, so on the surface she thinks she wants him, but subliminally she knows she’s not over Julian. Not intentionally, she lashed out at Olivia with her jealousy…not malicious intent. And there, dear Shay, are just some of the reasons I love this down-to-earth, brilliant, loving, flawed character. Cleavage and all.

Well, rebecca1, at least we can agree about Carly! One must celebrate the small victories in life, n’est ce pas??? By the way, hope you received my response to the “hag” post….it didn’t materialize online, but as long as it made its way to you, I suppose that’s all that matters. If not, I shall attempt to resend it…..

Okay, rebecca1, how about if I replace “hag” with “harpy?” Is that better? I’m endeavoring to contemplate other suitable “h” words that capture my perceived essence of Alexis whilst at the same time keeping the alliterative flow going…so, yes, I believe harpy fills the bill. I can definitely go with that one…..just for you, I shall edit my previous post! LOL…..As for my praise of Harry’s work of verbal art, I was simply showing my appreciation for our oft- shared view of Alexis, which he so ably and beautifully expressed….even if it were of a much kinder and gentler nature than my own. Additionally, based upon his past observations regarding Ms. Davis, we appear to be kindred in our estimation of her character. Unlike you and I, who are miles–okay, continents, uh, make that …….galaxies, apart!!!!!!!

Of course I was being “tongue-in-cheek” with that response, rebecca1, but what it really all comes down to is the fact that you and I have vastly divergent perspectives of this character, and nothing is ever going to change that. Whereas you assign noble and admirable traits to Alexis, I simply do not, never will and believe you me, I am not alone. Long before I began posting here, I often mused with female friends over various aspects of GH—I still do—and quite frankly, amongst all of these highly intelligent, educated and tasteful women is/was the consensus that Ms. Davis did/does not at all possess those shining attributes which you have ascribed to her. As a matter of fact, were I to share some of the negative “adjectives” used to accurately reflect their opinions of her, I assure you they would cause you considerable disconcertment. All I am trying to convey is that your love of this character is not by any means universal, and for a variety of reasons….many of which I have previously enumerated, whether they personally satisfied your requirements for critiquing….or not. My most basic one comes down to the fact that whenever I see Alexis burst onto the scene, my primary, visceral response is what a disheveled mess! Compared to the polished, professional manner in which other GH contemporaries of her character, such as Diane Miller, Dr. O., Anna, Monica, Madeline, Helena, etc. present/comport themselves, Alexis simply does not come across as a well-put together individual, either in her person or persona. And yes, one can sometimes judge a book by its cover….you mention the utilization of human behavior in character analyses, and to that end, an adage comes to mind from my MBA marketing studies—courtesy of a professor with a PhD in Psychology….—“The medium is the message.” While Marshall McLuhan was referring to the given mode of a chosen advertising communication, this rule can also be applied in the sense that whatever element provides that first impression is the essence of the message received, whether true and intended, or otherwise. Hence, when I use descriptions of physical traits in my regards—or disregards, if the shoe fits—-for a given character, it often reflects my interpretation of their inner psyches based upon that criteria–as I have envisioned them–despite the fact that you consider that to be superficial in nature. Once those initial reactions are embedded in one’s mind, it is very difficult to overcome them, particularly when later words, deeds and actions by a said character serve to compound and validate those preconceived notions. All I am saying is that simply because we “judge” (for lack of a better term…) characters in such a polar-opposite fashion does not mean that mine are any less based upon the studies of “human nature” than yours. Perhaps it’s rather that like so much else, we simply use different approaches to that end….with far less emphasis on the “psychobabble” in my case, and more on the power of visual observation, i.e., “cues.” (Think “Sherlock,” although I would certainly never deign to place myself in his stratosphere of analytical prodigiousness….) I also have no doubt that our own personal bents immensely color our generally at-odds opinions….while you are obviously quite the firebrand when it comes to feminist issues, I am pretty much a happy camper in the so-called war of the sexes….I’ve never experienced much angst in that arena….thus, don’t identify with those who find grievances regarding the hot-button topics of body image, ageism, discrimination, etc. lurking behind every corner…. Hence, a lot of those pesky factors that annoy many females–including some, though not many that I know—really don’t propel me, and that is obviously reflected in our diametrically-opposing views on everything from soup to nuts. At any rate, it’s highly apparent that we could debate our Alexis—or Sabrina—or pick your subject—“impasse(s)” ad infinitum, and never get anywhere…..I guess we will have to agree to our disagreements in perpetuity and simply enjoy the intellectual exercise/ challenge of them sans any expectation of ever changing each others’ minds. In other words, savor the (sometimes arduous) journey without expecting to reach a mutual destination!!!! Until next time!…… P.S. A gracious thank you for your kind remarks about my writing….given your own impressive background in the field, I consider them a high compliment and sincerely appreciate them!!!!!