First, their interaction as a couple was normal. Their conversation was a typical newlywed's dialogue -- "Sweetie, how are you? Are you feeling better?" The kisses and cuddling on the bed, the embraces there, the feeling that your day hasn't begun until you can share it with your beloved. I remember those times!

Secondly, I adored their sensitivity toward each other. Danny thinking Michelle was pregnant, his concern for her and his obvious and unrestrained joy at the supposed baby news. And unlike typical soap reaction, Michelle's first thought was concern for Danny and his disappointment (along with surprise at realizing how important a pregnancy was to him). Joie played this sooo well, registering all these emotions faultlessly. I felt her pain, knowing she would have to disappoint him. She may have struggled getting us to believe early Michelle's torment, but folks, she has nailed it here and now. And with such maturity and insight!

But what caught my attention was her sensitivity in answering him that she was not pregnant. And after explaining what she'd been doing at the hospital, then went BACK to the pregnancy conversation and picked up the thread to discuss this further. This is adult dialogue, loving and caring and responsible, and so unlike typical soap chat.

And then Danny's response to her -- heartbroken unbelief. Was he being rejected because she was taking birth control and had not told him? Was his wife trying to deceive him in some way, just like she did when she spurned his loving attention at Millennium and told him there was nothing wrong w/her eyesight and she had, indeed, turned him in to the FBI? You clearly could read his fear of some deception and rejection, yet fighting this, reminding himself that her love for him was total. But he was on the edge ... and trying desperately not to be. And trying to hide his pain and and recover for her sake. For their sake. Two months ago, he couldn't have responded like this. They would have miscommunicated ... again. But by golly, not THIS time. This time, they got the communication right! THANK YOU WRITERS!

We have begun to see them working through problems in unison. What a joy. What relief. What a whole new level of writing.

Of course, the makeup scene by the fireplace was marvelous, with the aura of foreshadowing all over it. Danny's angst and promise that he would make his family name respectable, and with Michelle's comforting embrace trying to reassure him that the promise is attainable, at the same time crying because she suspects more and more that this is may be an impossible dream.

And then finally, the makeup on the bed dissolving to lovemaking. So typical, so honest, so well portrayed by both actors. The writers today deserved blue ribbons, as did Stewart and Lenz. Memorable stuff. If this keeps up, I think Manny is back. Praise God.

Merryll