AMC - Bitter Reunions

I'm about to admit something that I NEVER thought I'd ever say...

Dixie was right. She never should have come back to Pine Valley. All she did was cause hurt to those she loves.

Don't get me wrong... I'm beyond thrilled that my Dix is alive and that she's back in town. Welcome back Cady McClain, lets drink to the occasion, and all that. And I couldn't wait for her to see Tad and JR; I couldn't believe that it'd be painful like she said it would be. But it was...

While I thought there'd be more than just an ounce of happiness, both reunions were too sad to watch. Let's begin with Tad, the love of Dixie's life. The first episode was sweet... I loved all the flashbacks as they stared at each other, completely blocking out David. It's great that Tad pretty much ignored David and punched him while walking out with Dixie's hand in his. I've always loved seeing Tad in protective mode around her. And then they talked... You can't blame him for not believing it's really her; he's been fooled before. Then Dixie said the trigger that made him believe and made viewers smile: Ozzie and Harriet. It's the exact same thing that Tad said when he returned from the dead over 10 years ago. Once upon a time, Tad said they'd be in the Hall of Romantic Couples along with Ozzie and Harriet (you know, that old TV show).

And then the pain started... Tad realized she's been in town for months without telling him and JR. He realized she intentionally stayed away from everyone. He realized she abandoned JR. And he could not help but be hurt. He layed everything on her: from telling her to go to hell to pointing out the struggles that JR has gone through without her. In the end he said, "As far as I'm concerned, you are dead. At least you're dead to me." *sigh* It will take a long time to repair Tad & Dixie's relationship that was once beautiful and full of so much love.

Dixie's reunion with JR, her only son, was the most powerful of them all. Yes, it was weird seeing Dixie with her grown-up son when he's only suppose to be 17. But JR's the one who couldn't believe what he was seeing, thanks to David setting it up and Dixie not expecting him. JR stood silent for the longest time, not knowing what to say. Dixie, being the loving mother that she is, tried soothing him. They left to talk, and it was sad to see JR realize that his beloved mother stayed away from him. Pain was written all over his face as he tried to make sense of it but rejected her. Dixie hardly gave him an explanation, and so JR walked out. He said, "You stopped being my mother four years ago. The loving, sweet Dixie that we all missed so much and remembered really is dead." Evidently, there was nothing sweet about their reunion.

Both reunions made me see that Dixie got what she deserved and should never have returned. But she DID come back, and she's here NOW. That's what matters. She came back, and she can make things right. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

And besides, she hasn't told a straightforward explanation yet... Kate is alive; Tad and JR just don't know it yet.