ATWT - Storm Baby

Who would have thought that an ice storm would bring on the death of a baby? Am I right?

Well…maybe I’m not…since Emily was pregnant and about to leave town while the storm was happening. What was she thinking?! Don’t tell me that she was so paranoid that she couldn’t even think of her child’s safety and well-being!

Oh, Emily…

I understand her desire to leave town somewhat because you never know what Paul might do, but to leave town when a fierce storm is coming? That has trouble written all over it! Meg was so right in trying to stop her, but it’s a shame that Emily is completely against her. Storm + Meg = stress for her and the baby. If Emily wasn’t so angry with Meg, I’m sure things would have gone differently. Meg might have gotten through to her and wouldn’t have had to lock her in the barn. But alas…

I wish Emily were more rational; she practically put herself in danger with all the ranting, fighting, and pleading. She doesn’t make a very good pregnant woman. Luckily Meg was the sensible one and a nurse. She knew what she was talking about where the baby was concerned, even though Emily wanted none of her help. But what could she do?

And of course Emily went into labor. Everyone knew that would happen, right? She had to put complete trust in Meg to take care of her and the baby, but she didn’t do that very easily. Can’t say I blame her since she hates Meg.

But who would have thought that a fire would start? I mean, that kinda came out of nowhere. Luckily Emily wasn’t pushing yet, hehe. But why didn’t they head to the house in the first place? The barn isn’t sanitary/sterilized, and the walk to the house can’t be that far. And there are more supplies in the house, but I guess Meg wasn’t thinking. The storm also must have been so bad that they just couldn’t go out at all in it…until they were forced to, of course.

Paul showed up at just the right time, didn’t he? I can’t believe that Meg even got through to him on the phone! It was blizzard conditions out there, and yet their cell phones still worked and they could hear each other. But yes, Paul saved the day by saving them from the fire, which only took a couple of blankets and speed.

And Emily’s labor process went forth at Emma’s house with all kinds of helpful supplies and a very sturdy kitchen table. I guess ATWT couldn’t spring for a living room set where Emily could be comfortable, or they didn’t have much time to get Emily to anywhere but the table.

The labor looked extremely unpleasant (kudos to Kelley Menighan Hensley for the realness), but Emily gave birth to a baby girl, Jennifer. How sweet of her wanting to name the baby after Paul’s sister. And of course the baby wasn’t crying because she wasn’t breathing, which is how Friday’s show ended.

I expected the baby to be born early from this storm and to not initially breathe; it’s happened countless times before on numerous shows. And naturally, I expected her to start crying because ATWT just wanted to give us a little scare, right? Low and behold the terrible news in the latest Soap Opera Digest: Paul and Emily’s baby DIES!

RIP: Baby Jennifer Stewart Ryan. Your auntie Jennifer will look after you now.

How could ATWT do this?! It’s unbelievable! This show doesn’t carry the baby-killer reputation, right? I was looking forward to see what this baby would do to Paul and Emily’s relationship – whether unite them or cause custody battles. I was looking forward to this baby girl going through her teen years and acting out like Paul and Emily have done so many times in the past. But this baby doesn’t have a future, which is extremely sad since Emily is one of my favorite soap characters.

I feel Emily’s pain due to being very empathetic, and it doesn’t surprise me that she blames Meg for the tragedy. It’s typical Emily, right? But it’s just as much Emily’s fault too because she planned on traveling in a STORM and kept fighting with Meg. She brought on some of the stress, and the storm did too. The whole situation brought on the possible death of the baby, but Emily is blinded by her hatred of Meg. I wonder what Paul will do in response to everything. Yes, he’s devastated too, but what’s he gonna do about Emily vs. Meg?

All I can be sure of is that this will be an ugly, on-going war. Tears will be shed, and catfights will ensue. Look out, Oakdale!