Kish: Politics and The Ex

Today's One Life to Live was a Kish episode that also included the return of Nick and saw the gay marriage storyline move forward. As if that weren't enough, this episode featured one of the most over the top, deliciously soapy scenes I've seen in ages: evil Mitch Laurence crashing Jared's funeral by popping out of the coffin mid service! It's not really part of the Kish story, so I won't say more about it, but it was fantastic! God, I love this show so much.

Today's Kish scenes started with Fish and Layla at the station. Layla brought up the fact that Kyle and Oliver's big first date was that night. Fish tried to downplay the importance of that milestone, but Layla told him that millions of people saw him get together with Kyle on TV and they all want to know how it works out for them. Yeah, no pressure there!

We soon saw how right Layla was, though, when Markko Rivera screened for his friends some of the footage he'd shot at the group wedding (he's making a documentary on Dorian's campaign). His girlfriend Langston was sighing over how romantic it was when Kyle & Fish got together and how sorry she felt for Nick at the same time, even though she doesn't know any of them.

Anyway, Layla realized that Fish was nervous and asked what the problem was, since he and Kyle both love each other. Oliver admitted that he just didn't want to disappoint Kyle. Layla pointed out that Kyle had been in love with Fish since college and knew exactly what was he was getting, but Fish explained that he'd only dated women since then, while Kyle had been out since high school and was used to guys who knew what they were doing.

Layla realized (out loud, and with great volume, much to Fish's embarrassment) that Fish was worried about the sex. After pulling her into McBain's empty office so they could talk without the whole station overhearing them, Fish told Layla he was more than ready to be with Kyle, but was afraid that he'd mess it up.

She told him that if it made him feel any better, she'd had a very good time during their night together. Oliver blushed adorably and thanked her, but said it would be different with a guy. Layla told him that the feelings would be the same.

These were great scenes, I have to say. I love that Oliver and Kyle's love life is being treated (in conversation, at least) like that of any other couple on the show, and I think it was a very strong message to send, that no matter what the differences when it comes to sex, the emotions behind it are the same, whether it's two men, two women, or a mixed gender couple.

While Oliver was having this heart to heart with his ex, Kyle was cutting through Angel Square on his way to the hospital and finding himself face to face with his former boyfriend, Nick, who was there to help set up for Dorian's swearing in as Mayor.

Nick was nervous about whether or not Dorian would live up to her campaign promise to issue legal marriage licences for all those who'd participated in the wedding ceremony and told Kyle that he'd learned not to get his hopes up about anything after Kyle had left him at the altar. Ouch!

Poor Nick! It really did suck, the way things ended up for him. I'm glad we're seeing more of him and I'd love to see him stick around and find a guy of his own. Maybe Rex could get tired of the Morasco sisters? I'd suggest Brody, but as hot as that would be, I really do love him with Jessica.

Seriously, though, I really like Nicholas Rodriguez as Nick and I hope the show decides to expand the character and keep him in Llanview. I should also point out that when I mentioned the other day that Scott Evans was currently the only openly gay actor working in daytime, I didn't know that the out Nicholas Rodriguez would be making a return as Nick.

Anyway, Kyle told Nick that he should never have let things go as far as they did, that the two of them hadn't dated long enough to really be in love, and that when he'd heard that Dorian had promised to legalize the marriages he just knew he couldn't make that kind of commitment.

Nick accused Kyle of sounding like a straight guy with all that commitment stuff, but Nick said that he'd actually just realized that there was someone else he loved and wanted to marry someday, and he'd been standing just a few feet away. Awww! But, again, ouch for Nick!

The two then had the old awkward "How are things with the new boyfriend?" talk. Kyle told Nick about the big first date and how, even when they were involved in college, they'd never actually gone out together.

Nick was surprised that they were just getting around to the first date after having been together for a month, but then guessed that they'd spent the ensuing weeks making up for lost time. Kyle told him that they'd actually been taking things slowly and trying to get to know each other again.

Nick was shocked that the two hadn't slept together yet and started to remind his ex that when they'd first been together... Kyle interrupted to say that this was different and Nick said "Oh, right, you weren't in love with me." Nick was really working the wounded angle today! I have to say, it kind of works for him. He's got these big puppy dog eyes that do sadness/hurt/longing really well. You just want to comfort him.

Kyle started to leave and Nick stopped him, apologizing for implying that Kyle only sleeps with guys he doesn't care about. Nick explained that when they'd got together, he'd really felt something for Kyle that he doesn't usually feel, and was hurt when Kyle dumped him (did I mention it was on live TV in front of millions?).

Kyle apologized and Nick said that he'd like to still be friends, that he respected that Kyle was with Oliver but would like to be able to see Kyle. He suggested that the three of them get together for dinner sometime. Personally, I can't imagine anything worse than having to sit and make conversation with someone I really cared for and the guy he loves, but maybe that's just me.

The two shared a hug, which was Oliver's cue to show up to work crowd control for the swearing in and see his boyfriend in his ex's arms.

Nick spotted Fish watching them and quickly told him that it wasn't what he thought. Fish was very calm about the whole thing (he clearly trusts Kyle, which is good) and Kyle explained that Nick wanted them all to be friends. Nick told the guys they were both very lucky and that maybe, if Dorian kept her promise, the two of them could get married.

Kyle and Fish laughed that off, saying they weren't ready for rings yet, and Nick blurted out that of course they weren't, they hadn't even slept together yet, at least not since college. I couldn't quite decide if Nick was trying to stir up trouble with that comment or if he was just nervous and stuck his foot in his mouth.

Either way, Nick quickly excused himself and an upset Fish asked if Kyle had told his ex that they hadn't done it yet. Kyle explained that all he'd told Nick was that they were taking it slow and that they were having their first official date that night. Fish didn't think it was any of Nick's business at all.

Kyle: It's not, okay, I agree, I'm sorry!

Fish: He's the one that should be sorry.

Kyle: He wasn't being nosy, Oliver, it was just talk.

Fish: About stuff that's private!

Kyle: Yeah, and you know how guys can be.

Fish: Yeah, I do! I hear it every day at the station, okay? Guys, gay or straight, guys can be pigs.

Kyle: Oliver, I would never disrespect you. Okay, you know that, right? This is too special.

Fish: You think?

Kyle: What happens between us stays between us, Oliver.

It was totally in character that Oliver would be nervous about being talked about, especially since he's already worried about letting Kyle down in the bedroom. Of course, it was also a bit hypocritical of him since he'd just been telling his own ex the same stuff, but I guess Layla doesn't count because she's a woman?

I thought this was a nice scene, though, and it was made all the better when Fish admitted to being nervous about their date and Kyle said that he was, too. As if knowing that Kyle was equally nervous eased his own mind, Fish assured Kyle that he didn't have to worry, that it was going to be great.

I love these two together so much. They manage to be incredibly sweet and sizzling hot all in the same moment.

Meanwhile, Dorian Lord was preparing to become Llanview's newest Mayor, even though she'd lost the election to Viki Banks by a single vote. Family troubles forced Viki to step aside before she'd even begun her term, though, and the city council selected Dorian as her replacement.

Dorian's campaign manager/symbolic wife Amelia was still on hand, hoping that Dorian would live up to her promises. Dorian, never one for modesty, was caught up in being the star of Markko's documentary, which was to be 'like The Life and Times of Harvey Milk... only hopefully with a happier ending" and was pushing for it to be finished in time for Sundance!

After the swearing in, Mayor Lord was beginning her remarks to the crowd when a day player charged forward to demand to know if she'd be living up to her campaign promise. Dorian announced that she would indeed be issuing marriage licences to everyone who'd been symbolically married the month before, and even held up a licence to prove her point.

That's when she was interrupted by the state Attorney General, who informed her that he'd been sent by the Governor to shut her down.

I again have to say that I'm really impressed with the fact that One Life to Live is taking on a hot button issue like gay marriage in real time! Social issues were, once upon a time, a staple on soaps and I think One Life to Live is leading the way for a return to that sort of storytelling, the kind that can be over the top, fun to watch, and still have meaning.