I've been mulling over this very question since the bomb plot. And with each mini-drama that passes and the almost sudden lack of brilliant dialogue and the loss of the character driven plot, this question continues to puzzle me.

I can do drama and intrigue as well as the next person and I enjoy a little flying by the seat of our pants occasionally. But if you look at where Manny has gone since they declared their mutual intentions it has been plot machination after plot machination since. From the rather ho-hum shoot-em up/clock Casa Santos bit to the absolutely hysterical bomb that became a plot bomb to the questionable at best attempt at social satire of the world of mental health, this story has for me, veered off into the land of typical and recycled soap plots. Somewhere it had never been and where, in my opinion, it should never go.

This saddens me because I have seen and I know that they can give us so much better than this. I'm actually reserving judgment until all of this Reva interaction is over because I'm going to put my faith in the writers to revisit the more multi-layered, rich complexities of the Manny relationship after we get through the action/adventure sweep for summer ratings and new viewers.

I want, no I expect (or rather I demand, ) to see Manny discussing where they have been and how they got there. I mentioned this in another post a few days ago, but there have so many unresolved issues that I for one would like to see them address. Mick, Danny's manhandling and directing Michelle's life in the early days, Michelle's treatment of Danny and her "apparent" lack of gratitude for his sacrifices, their mutual betrayals, Carmen, etc. There is ample material for Manny being swept under the rug right now and I'm going to hope that it's because we're doing "high drama" for the summer and all systems will return to normal in the fall.

Unlike some, I really am enjoying the sweetness and calm of Manny honeymooning. Although I will reiterate that I think that TPTB have completely missed another boat in not showcasing any marital passion. All of those months of mutual pent up frustrations and we see a lot of innuendo but no action. Perhaps TPTB have a fondness for watching from the docks and don't think that participating in the race is necessary for ratings, but I do disagree. We don't need a "Titanic" of a love scene, but a little dinghy bobbing up and down in the water would not have been out of line and probably would have hooked them more viewers. Alas, I digress and this is a different post, or is it?

If we go back to the early days there was so much steam coming out of those scenes that I felt the need to Windex my TV screen on an almost daily basis. So perhaps we're back to the original question: is someone else now writing for them? I think the answer to that is sadly: yes. If for me I had to pinpoint a day wherein I felt the brilliance of the Manny writing and dialogue began to shine a little less brightly it has to be anything following the shower scenes. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed a number of the Manny days since then, but I do think that the writing team, for whatever reason, have made a conscious effort to "dumb down" Manny and that concerns me.

I firmly believe that TPTB need to see that while we are behind this story and more importantly behind the actors, we feel that there have been too many missed opportunities, too many silly plots, and too much artificiality wedged into what was and remains a true gem of a story.

I believe ... I believe ... I believe.

Kristie