seriesjunkie

Patrick Wymore/The CW

From Kristin : "Heather is back on Melrose for the long haul, and her storyline is juicy. Plus, Sydney is sticking around! Jessica Lucas (Riley) tells us that after the not-so-big murder reveal, the show shifts to lots of Amanda Woodward and whatever it is she's hiding. "The back nine will be focusing on Heather. There is some kind of mystery there between her and Sydney, so Laura Leighton may be staying on in some form," says Jessica. As for the spoiled send-off, don't be too upset. Melrose's resident teacher says the reveal is still pretty amazing. "Episode 12 is the whole wrap of the murder mystery, so something really shocking happens in the pool. It ties in with the murder mystery, but it's something completely unexpected.""

I think it's great that they're not bringing her back just for stunt casting like they did with Jane (and Jo) ! At the end of the episode with Jane, it felt like she was there to stay and then she's gone just like that, no exlpaination and we don't know when she's coming back !! That was lame !
It's the same mistake they made on 90210 ! Having the originals come back just for one or two episodes without any real storyline, it's just stupid !
At least this time she's coming back for real with a real storyline ! At least for the remaining of the season. And it's a great thing that Sydney will be used more, even if she's dead, because she's the most interesting character on the show and she's way too underused !! I can't wait to learn more about Amanda's mystery !! 

Jessica Lucas, Daphne Zuniga

From tvguide.com : "Jessica Lucas knows that signing on to play Riley, one-half of Melrose Place's happy couple (Michael Rady's Jonah is the other half), is a risky move on a show so single-centric. For that reason, she says, "What was important to me ... [was] establishing Riley away from Jonah and as having a strong point of view." Though she sings Rady's praises, let's face it: Nobody stays together forever on this show like this. "We're kind of headed down that road," Lucas admits. But first, she'll pose on a beach for photographer Jo Reynolds (original cast member Daphne Zuniga), who returns to Melrose for two episodes this season starting Tuesday (9/8c, CW). Lucas tells us why Riley isn't cut out to be a model, what Zuniga told her and why we should all brace ourselves for the cutest breakup ever.

TVGuide.com: So how does Riley end up hanging out with Jo Reynolds?
Jessica Lucas: It's a coincidence. She's the photographer for the [Anton V.] shoot. Riley is actually a huge fan of hers because she took pictures of Darfur that Riley studied at NYU. They have a weird connection in that way.

TVGuide.com: So that's it? No more Schoolteacher Riley? She's officially a model?
Lucas: Well, no, not quite. I mean, she does go back to being a schoolteacher. She is just taking the week off so she and Jonah can get the money, but she encounters some issues with [modeling]. She gets pushed to her limits, and she's not so happy. Jo is very hard on her.

TVGuide.com: So Riley won't be seduced by this superficial lifestyle?
Lucas: No, I would say the exact opposite. In fact, her one experience with it leaves a horrible taste in her mouth. I do think, though, that it's a great thing for the character in the sense that she really stands up for herself. From then on, she becomes a bit stronger, which is good because she and Jonah are dealing with a lot of relationship issues.

TVGuide.com: So how long before they break up?
Lucas: Well, I mean, they are kind of headed down that path. He finds out about the whole Auggie thing. He meets someone else. It's a rocky road for them. I mean, they really do try to work through it, but I really don't know how long that's going to be able to go on. It's sad.

TVGuide.com: Did Daphne have any stories or advice from the good old days?
Lucas: Yeah, she told me that in the beginning, [Melrose Place] was a show about a bunch of people living in an apartment complex and it wasn't at all dramatic, and the ratings were terrible. And then Heather [Locklear] came on and they turned it around, and it turned into this crazy show with outlandish story lines, and that was not the show she had signed up to do. So she thought it was funny.

TVGuide.com: Did you have any scenes with Heather Locklear?
Lucas: I did. We did a big group scene in the courtyard with Heather. She was saying that she's a really shy person, so she was really nervous to have to do this scene with all of us, which is funny because she's such an icon. She's just really sweet and charismatic and down to earth. She plays a great bitch, but she's so the opposite in real life. It was fun to see her switch and turn on that character.

TVGuide.com: What's next for Riley?
Lucas: There are more story lines with her and Auggie; she still feels a very strong pull toward him. [Also coming up is] the launch of the ad campaign, and I have to deal with being the center of attention again.

TVGuide.com: So Riley might pursue a different career path after all?
Lucas: She might."

From Kristin : "Someone's gonna die! It's a big character and a big death. So big that I can't even tell you male or female or how or when or why. Well, I guess I can say that it'll happen—wait for it—sometime this season! I know, I know. I am nothing if not a giver of the most intricate details! This death is tied to a bigger storyline as well, so I'm under lock and key on this one so I don't ruin the whole season. Are you guys digging Melrose, BTW? So far it has exceeded my expectations.
Melrose Place's morally mixed-up Lauren (Stephanie Jacobsen) might be getting a boyfriend. Producers are looking to cast a hot young resident named Gavin who meets Lauren at the hospital. Gavin's going to start as a guest star, but he might become a series regular, which leads us to suspect that he falls in love with Lauren, a situation that would no doubt complicate her hooker gig enormously."

Who's dying ? Who's dying ? Who's dying ? Michael ? Amanda ? Probably one of the newbies ! I really hope it's not Ella !!! Or David ! I'm guessing Violet : she's too messed up !! But the show NEEDS a character like that (some sort of mix between Sidney and Kimberley !! We'll see who it is but I'm intrigued !!

Well, it's been 3 episodes and I still like it ! I actually really enjoy it ! Although I stand on my positions :
- they still need to do something about that freaking fake sky above the complex
- Lauren is still too cold
- Riley and Jonah are still blah and so not interesting !
- It does make for a great plot but they really shouldn't have killed Sidney !! There's so much to tell with her alive ! Starting with her "daughter"
But for the good parts :
- Ella
- Ella
- And Ella ! Although she can be a little too over-dramatic in her acting but I guess that's what the part is all about !
- David's storyline has potential
- Violet is so freaky ! I can't wait for her to meet her badass aunt Jane !!
- I still don't know what to think of Oggie : his acting feels forced most of the time !
One thing I find stupid on their part is imitating the original triangle with good girl Riley (Alison) vs bad girl Ella (Amanda) fighting for Jonah's (Billy's) attention ! We all know Ella's gonna get Jonah but it's not gonna work. They're not compatible. The only reason why it's not such a bad idea is that it gives Ella some humanity : she too can be in love and really care for someone is what they're trying to tell us. She's more suited for David but I hope this doesn't happen for a while !

There is one couple on the original I feel would have been great together : Amanda and Michael ! They had the potential to be funny and romantic at the same time ! Schemers with a redemption power !

Anyway, for now, I'm still in and I hope they keep getting stronger !!