This is a back-and-forth essay, courtesy of Malynda and Amanda. Malynda's comments are italicized, Amanda's are not.

1. First thngs first, I love the tention and suspense in this storyline as much as the next person, but I don't think TPTB are giving us enough right now to let us remember how awesome our couple was when they were together (so to speak). If I didn't record the show so I could go back and see the passion and romance before the split up I would be overcome with irritation over the distance between our couple. I guess what I'm saying is that I can deal with the distance in the relatioship of Manny if the writers give us something (stolen kisses, eyes meeting, etc.) to tide us over until our couple was back together. I'm starving for any real tangible sign of affection between these two.

Case in Point: How many of you were excited to see the flashback scene? I don't know about you all but I rewatched it about twenty times. That is because it has been so long since we've seen any contact between Manny that we'll feast on the little bones they'll throw us.

I may be in the minority here but I like the pace of the story so far. I think it was just about two weeks ago that Michelle and Danny had the "kitchen break up scene." I really think the writers need to devote some time to having all the players sort out their feelings. I read around the internet that some viewers (usually not Manny fans) think that the story is progressing too rapidly.

Since there are still viewers who are becoming interested in Michelle and Danny even now, I think it is wise for TPTB to take some time and court these new fans. I am eager for Michelle and Danny to get together but I can be patient for the sake of the story. I think we will contue to see falshbacks and other things to keep us hopeful

2. I don't understand what Michelle is trying to do at all. I know we are supposed to infer that she doesn't know how she feels about Danny, but come on! You know yourself better than anybody else. So I don't see how she can't figure out that even if it wasn't love, she has some unresolved emotions concerning the heavenly Danny Santos. So knowing this, how she could dive so head on back into a relationship with TWV, a relationship that at least she says she wants to be better than ever, is beyond my understanding. The least a rationale person would do is want to take it slow with TWV. I'm starting to tire of Michelle's all consuming need to be with Jesse. A "little" consuming is swallowable, but all consuming is just annoying.

Case in point: How many of you felt like hurling when Michelle was telling Jesse that they would soon have a place of their own? What was that?

Ah, to know yourself. Well, maybe some viewers know themselves better than anyone, but I must confess that I have not always. I must say that often the people around me have known me better than I have known myself. This was especially true when I was Michelle's age. I do think it makes sense from Michelle's point of view to try to force the relationship with Jesse. She wants to get back the life she had prior to the marriage to Danny. I think her past life represented order and certainty. I think Jesse represents that life.

I did feel like hurling when Michelle was talking about getting a place of their own, but I think that we were supposed to feel that way. Maybe a rational person would slow down with Jesse. In fact, Jesse said that they should slow down (imagine that) but in matters of the heart most people are not always rational. In soaps, people are even less frequently rational.

3. TWV: I'm sorry but nobody is as dim as this lightbulb. He has to be blind, deaf, dumb, and ignorant not to see that Michelle is not with him when she is with him, if you get my drift. And from there it shouldn't be that hard to deduct who she (her mind) is with. Here, Jesse, I'll help you. His first name begins with a "D" and his last name begins with a "S," still can't get it, huh? Well, he is married to Michelle.

All jokes aside, this character will suffer irrevocable damage if TPTB don't show that he has some brain power left. I mean I used to think that I would think more fondly of TWV once he was with Drew, but I'm even starting to lose interest in that. Drew, no matter what you think about her, is too dynamic a character to hang out with such a dimwit.

I agree, Jesse is not the brightest bulb in the box. I do hope that he gets a little sharper before this goes much further.

3. Drew: Judging by previous posts, I think that her character has been discussed, debated over and abused enough. I personally am indifferent to her behavior until now, because she is acting in the same dysfunctional manner as everybody else in this storyline, so I'll reserve my opinion to a later date when I can judge her more subjectively.

One thing that I do think that should be mentioned though is the fact that comparing Drew's street smart kid to Michelle's pure suburbanite is a false projection. Drew is that middle-class suburbanite too, the only difference is that she has somhow learned to go after what she wants. Whether this ambition of hers is a personality flaw or strength remains to be seen.

Malynda and Amanda