Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 3:00 AM ET by Angela Rosa
Photo: Lou Rocco/ABC
(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – “All My Children” is ending November Sweeps with two explosive moments sure to leave a lasting mark on Pine Valley. (Do not continue reading this article if you’re spoiler-free!)
The November 16, 2010 issue of Soap Opera Digest elaborated on the news Soap Opera Network alluded to in our November PreVUE concerning a flight that ends in tragedy. On Thursday, November 18, viewers will see that the passenger on that ill-fated flight is Zach Slater.
Slater’s portrayer since April 2004, Thorsten Kaye, has not been able to commit to a return to the Los Angeles based “All My Children.” Kaye’s wife, two-time Daytime Emmy winner Susan Haskell, currently stars on New York based “One Life to Live.” The East coast based couple share two children. Kaye officially exited the role coinciding with “AMC’s” move West late last year but has returned for three short stints since. “AMC” Co-Head Writer Donna Swajeski tells SOD that while the door will always be open for Kaye, whose character’s body will be missing in the ashes of the upcoming disaster, they “had to close it for now.” The writers, who reveal they collaborated with Kaye on the exit, are of the belief that this is the best way to close the door, for now, on the extremely popular Zach and Kendall (Alicia Minshew) romance and open the door to a new chapter in the life and times of Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) first born. That future chapter includes a potential romance with Dr. Griffin Castillo; Emmy-winner Jordi Vilasuso debuts in the role of the cardiologist on Tuesday, November 16.
“Zendall” fans, who have been enjoying some ominous happy moments with their tortured couple, can catch some last glimpses of the pair through this week preceeding the former casino owner heading off on his ill-fated trip to help Ryan and Greenlee (Cameron Mathison and Rebecca Budig) clear their names in the demise of David Hayward (Vincent Irizarry).
Speaking of David Hayward; the verdict in his murder trial will be announced on Monday, November 22. Swajeski tells SOD that immediately following that announcement the actual (major) character responsible for David’s demise will reveal themselves in court in dramatic fashion. If, as many publications including SON believe, Irizarry’s lethal departure was little more than an elaborate stunt (like “OLTL’s” recent one with Tea Delgado and her portrayer Florencia Lozano) we suspect this is an episode that fans of the very bad David Hayward and the very good Vincent Irizarry won’t want to miss a minute of. Irizarry previously appeared in the role of David on September 24.
“All My Children” airs Weekdays on ABC. Anytime on ABC.com.