The character of ''Timothy'' could be interesting, but to be honest with you, I don't think I'm up for our typically-orphaned -- occasionally PSA-laced -- gay storyline to also become some kind of socio-theological or socio-political storyline to boot. ... At least not now.

And injecting any kind of ''advocacy'' or religious angle into Nuke might just be a little too much, imho. Perhaps in a year or two -- after Luke & Noah have already broken-up once or twice -- but somehow keep finding their way back to one another -- and thereby there'd actually be some kind of ''history'' to mull over in order to make any story about them diving into a spiritual commitment more interesting (and credible).

So, until then, I myself might prefer something along the lines of a good old-fashioned and totally soapy ''sex via extortion'' scenario. For example, howzabout:
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I.C.E. AGENT HELMS HITS ON LUKE ... THEN SETS HIM UP IN A FASHIONABLE OAKDALE LOFT APARTMENT

That's right. ... I.C.E. Agent Helms is a closeted gay man who's now figured-out the real-deal between Luke & Noah. The agent plays it cool with the cow-eyed Luke and informs him that it would be ''in his best interests'' to join him for coffee. He jokingly adds, ''I'll even spring for some of that pepparkakor stuff, if you want ... Compliments of Uncle Sam! ''

Actor Robert Cuthill ... Taking on a larger
role as the nefarious I.C.E. Agent Helms ???

Later, at Henry's diner, the agent advises a worried Luke that he shouldn't be so concerned about his *boyfriend* Noah, adding, ''You could get yourself in a lot of trouble on that front ... And neither of us would want that, now, would we?''

The agent then begins to put the squeeze on Luke. Actually, what he does is squeeze Luke's trembling thigh with the firm grip of his right hand under the table -- while calling-out to the waitress, ''WE'D LIKE A LARGE ORDER OF SAUSAGE OVER HERE!'' ... Luke is taken aback by the agent's seemingly suggestive order, but at the same time a nervous excitement travels all the way down to the tips of his virgin toes. For some reason, Luke finds himself almost paralyzed by the powerful gaze of the agent's piercing green eyes. Or, ''Are they more hazel?'' Luke wonders, as he tries, but somehow can't force himself to look away.

Anxious and a bit tongue-tied, all Luke can do is blurt-out much too loudly and way too animatedly, ''DID you TIE that neckTIE you're WEARing yourSELF, Agent HELMS? ... You should KNOW the KNOT isn't RIGHT, and it's AWfully CROOKed!''

Agent Helms just chuckles, then turns serious as he removes a large photograph from an envelope labeled ''U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY - HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.'' ... The photo shows Luke & Noah *kissing* in Old Towne. ... The agent explains, ''I took this pretty, little 8 X 10 the other day with a high-powered zoom lens. ... Notice the intricate detail of the glistening spit string. ... Gosh, Luke! How long do you think that thing is?'' ... Luke is quiet.

The agent then laments, ''You know - this tiresome, little investigation of me having to follow Mr. & Mrs Mayer around all day could just go away, if we wanted it too ... but even then, I'd have a really hard time not keeping this photo of you for my personal collection. ... You wouldn't mind that now, would you?''

Flustered Luke doesn't know how to respond and finally sputters, ''You'll have to ... You'll have to excuse me Agent Helms! I think my cell .. uhh, my cell phone is tingling!''

But before Luke can run out of the diner, the agent gets up himself and tosses a $50 bill on the table. ... He then tells Luke that only he has the ability to save his friend, Noah, from going to federal prison. All Luke has to do is have dinner with him in his hotel room that night. ''Show up around 10PM,'' Agent Helms smiles. ''We'll have dessert by midnight. ... I promise.'' He then leans down and whispers, ''And I'll make sure to have plenty of junk food on hand for breakfast.''

Poor Luke! ... He becomes a kept boy to save Noah! But will this ultimate sacrifice change our innocent hero?! ... Or, could Luke perhaps change the closeted Agent Helms with his goodness and light?!

And what's happening across town with Noah now that Ameera has taken to wearing blue jeans and horizantally-striped polo shirts -- all the while secretly lacing her celibate husband's Malt-O-Meal with a potent mixture of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis smuggled to her by the still-devious Winston who got himself a job at the prison pharmacy?

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I don't want any soap to revisit the topic of rape of a male, because they just shrug it off as part of the cardboard cut-out psycho female's repertoire. It's never treated as the crime that rape of a female is. About Luke being blackmailed for sex, that's creepy, but in a ''will he find a way out in time

Rape? Who said anything about rape? .. Simply being coerced into dinner. I'm sure that happens on soaps all the time... Luke might see things differently mid-way through the second course... In fact, didn't Chris invite Alison to dinner today? - Ty34

If Ameera slipped Noah drugs to make him have sex with her, would that not be rape?

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Posted by: Janie
Date posted: Sat May 3 0:31:54 2008
Message:
IRL, why wouldn't he just go to a chuch that believes homosexuality?  There are lots of them today.  But then, of course, there would be no conflict and no sl.

Replies: (list all replies)

Emma's grandchildren are christened and raised in her church, I believe. There have been references to Luke remembering everyone in his nightly prayers, doing his Sunday School homework... he is Ethan's godfather and he could even tell Lucinda that a line she quoted belonged to the Bible. As far as we know, Luke is a practising Christian. I would find it totally believable for him to want his marriage affirmed in HIS church, and not have to join another church.

It would make an interesting story, but as timid as TPTB are about having poor Luke and Noah share a kiss you would have a better chance proposing a story where the Minister turned out to be a porn star or prostitute. And that's very sad.

If you belong to a church, you should believe in what they stand for. If you can't do that, then you should consider going to another church not trying to change the church. J.

Janie, I completely agree. But if no one ever tried to change his/her church, there would be no churches that ''believe homosexuality'' for Luke to join. By the way, if you belong to a church, are its doctrines (a) decided by a hierarchy within the church, (b) decided by outsiders, or (c) never discussed because everyone understands them perfectly?

I would like to believe that my church's doctrines are based on the Bible's teachings. However, you are right that it is the synod the ultimately decides on doctrine. However, it is my hope that the synod bases its decisions on the teachings in the Bible. I know that you don't have a lot of confidence in the Bible as there are many contradictions in it and horrible stories of how believer sinned. We've been down that road before. There are some things in my chuch that I have difficulty with such as infant baptism, close communion, women can't vote, to name a few, but the bottom line here is that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and he died and was resurrected to provide salvation for all who believe. That's the one principle that works for me and most Christains. Believing that, it makes no difference to me what else one believes or is taught. I believe that God provided salvation for all people who believe in him and his son whether gay or straight . We all sin and we can be forgiven for our sins if we ask for it. Sorry for the sermon here but that's how I feel about church, God and the Bible. J.

Thank you for the reply, Janie. You've thrown me a real conundrum - if a woman who doesn't like her church's doctrine that she shouldn't vote were allowed to vote on the issue of whether women should be allowed to vote, would she vote against her own right to vote out of loyalty to church doctrine, or would she abstain on the same principle? I may not sleep tonight.

Oh, BA, You are too funny. LOL. Of course we would vote to be allowed to vote. Its a real burr for I want to say almost all of the women in the church but we have a great loving congregation and lots of fun things that we do as well as worship on Sundays so we get along ok. Besides that the men in the church are open to our suggestions, although that is NOT the same as allowing us to vote. In as far as there is something to vote for, its usually all in favor say aye, etc so we could sneak in a vote if we wanted to. You crack me up but you do present some very interesting topics for discussion. Hope you were able to sleep! :) J.

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