This seems so wrong without Martha Byrne. *sigh*

Big shock here. NOT!! I knew the writers were gonna do a 10:30 PM reconciliation between Lily and Holden. I keep hearing rumors that they're gonna kill off Molly's character.

Very disappointing to say the least!

Anyway there's a typing error...it should be Molly Conlan (not Conlin)

http://www.soapcentral.com/atwt/whoswho/molly.php

Holden and Lily don't have the magic they once had and I wish people would stop blaming Noelle Beck for that. She's a beautiful, talented actress and hasn't played the role of Lily all that differently from the way Martha Byrne did.

IMO, Holden and Lily lost it back around the time he got involved with Julia Larrabee.

I think that Noelle Beck is a great actress, but she's never been Lily for me. After all the years that Martha Byrne invested in making that character her own, even though she didn't originate it, I feel like she will ALWAYS own that role.

Is my viewpoint fair?? No. Does it make sense?? Probably not. But it's how I feel.

As far as Lily and Holden losing their way a long time ago, I think that people are remarking more about the lack of chemistry between the ACTORS (Jon Hensley and Noelle Beck) as opposed to the lack of connection between the characters. I think that sometimes even the best written characters in the world can be undermined by actors who have no onscreen chemistry, and vice versa.

It would appear then that Holden and Lily are the endgame. And I completely agree that there is no more magic between these two characters. I also do not blame Noelle for that.

Alstonboy, I don't think it's really a question of chemistry (or a lack of it) between Noelle and Jon. In the last few years, the writers repeatedly replayed the same scenario in different storylines: Lily keeping a secret from Holden, Holden blowing up when he finds out and one of the two walking out on the marriage.

Everytime they found their way back to each other, it seemed that something had been lost. Eventually, there didn't seem to be very much left.....And this is something we've all seen and/or experienced in real life.

I sure miss the old days; each passing day makes sigh for the great long time characters. I wish there were some way they can show Classic ATWT on TV again. For those don't want to have anything to do with the internet.

ATWT Lilly meets Holden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoMs_eOuQk&feature=related

Lily Learns She Was Adopted (1987)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duM59tE9gJ0&feature=related

I loved those clips, craigcp!

i've been watching atwt for nearly 40 years, so i think i'm pretty well invested in the show and it's characters. i feel like i am alone in not missing martha byrne at all. i liked her well enough back in the day, and in 1986/87 i loved the chemistry with jon hensley. lily and holden have been so on again/off again for decades, the fire died for me a long time ago. i think martha was a great lily and all that. however, i feel like noelle beck has been a breath of fresh air in a tired, whiney character, in fact she plays lily like an adult and i love it. i'm all for continuity, but lily has been played by other actresses when m.b. left before, so what is the big deal this time? i wish scott bryce was back as craig, but i have no problem with jon lindstrom. justin deas was my favorite tom, but i don't want to see him back for the end of the show. i think if there is a problem with lily/holden it is as stated so very well by others - those two have just done it all before - it isn't about chemistry at this point in time. like all relationships, they evolve and become something different. if they get back together it makes sense because of their long history, having children together, and most important - the writers say so.

I think Molly should go off the dead-end which would lead to one more appearance by our beloved Dr. Lynn Michaels played by the divine Courtney Sherman!

Over the years, I saw Dr. Michaels counsel countless Oakdale folk (Iva, Barbara, Julia, Margo, Lucinda, Angel, Courtney, etc.) and would love to see her in action one more time before ATWT goes dark!
That's a return appearance I'd like to see!