It's only My Opinion

Daytime’s most outspoken columnist!

- Carolyn Hinsey

Introducing a new character is tricky, so let’s review the do’s and don’ts.

Do bring them on slowly. GH’s Trina was a day player in Joss and Cameron’s class for two years before getting an internship at Ava’s gallery and blabbing to the other high school kids who was crushing on whom. “I hate subtext,” Trina explained. Fast-forward to 2020 and boom! She’s Taggert’s daughter with Dr. Portia Robinson (although Curtis suspects he’s her dad), so make room for Mommy at G.H. That’s how you do it.

Returning characters have to be massaged, too. Britt came home from prison to console her incarcerated best friend, Brad.

Brad: “Sonny made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: Plead guilty and live.”

Britt: “That is a compelling offer.”

By the end of the day, she was drunk and having scorching sex with Brad’s enemy Julian. Next came a visit to Mutter in prison.

Obrecht: “Is it legal for you to be here?”

Britt (sarcastic): “No, Mom. I broke out of jail and then came to jail.”

Recasts are harder, because soap fans hate change. NuBrook Lynn sparred with Tracy, endeared herself to Sonny (and us) by spoon-feeding the addled Mike, and showed a genuine love for music that didn’t feel like a plot point.

Brook Lynn (wanting to change the ELQ “hold” Muzak): “I’ll be the in-house music curator.”

Ned: “I usually arrive at the office at 7:30.”