This is an extremely multi-faceted character, the first we've had in years, one who can be the gentlest person on this side of the earth one minute and the most ruthless the next, played by an actor who's more than capable of handling all those complexities. Don't we owe it to him to try and deal with how his character disturbs us instead of wanting the writers to smooth out the uneasy aspects about him?

I don't think [anyone] needs to make excuses for not being able to accept [his less than savory actions] or watch them, but I don't think anyone here is making excuses for what Danny did either. From what I gather, those who watched that scene (including his "fans") were all spooked more or less. I haven't watched it but I have watched the March 2nd show and the intro church scene where he shook her by the shoulders spooked me. I knew he wouldn't hurt her physically, I knew it, but he still frightened me. Do I wish the writers or director or Paul Anthony Stewart had changed that scene and taken that part out? No, and that's an emphatic no. That's part of who Danny is and there's no sugarcoating around that, not after all the time and efforts that have been poured into creating the character.

I doubt anyone (including TPTB) would think what Danny is doing to her, how he threatens her is "right." Personally however I'd rather deal with the questions and doubts this character raises in me than the predictable behavior of most characters on the show. I like the challenge that is involved here, and I think the writers and actor are not only aware of it, but embracing it as well. And I hope they don't take the easy way out, i.e. bow to the temptation (or pressure) of turning him completely to the perfect romance hero he was on his wedding day.

That's an irresistible side of him, the best he can be, but he also has private demons to deal with, serious flaws (I know the word "flaw" doesn't quite cover his problems), and I'm actually glad the writers weren't afraid to show this side of him so soon after the wedding. The only real fear I have with this story is whether they'll always rise to the challenge. I trust whoever has created Danny, but I don't trust [executive producer, Paul] Rauch very much and I don't trust the two top headwriters, Esensten and Brown. Based on the material that was aired last year, I just can't imagine how they could have come up with a character like Danny and I don't think they did. The subtext that's being given, the layers we're seeing, it can't possibly be by them.

To get back to what you were saying ... I am bothered by the same things you are. I just believe that for the first time in years I am bothered by what I am expected to be bothered with instead of what I'm not supposed to (such as Josh believing that cloning Reva was done only, purely out of love, or Dinah thinking she was justified in gaslighting Roger) and that's why I'm in for this story. Thinking about the character, questioning his motives and actions, questioning the various feelings he evokes in me, that seems worth the effort, and I can't say the same for most of the less disturbing characters on the show, unfortunate as that is.

kristi