Loved Marlena and Ben

[everafter]

I thought their scenes were wonderful. The dialog was perfect. It covered a lot of questions about Ben and his therapy. We got to know that Ben was seeing Marlena once a month but now she wants to see him 2x a week. Loved Marlena when she told Ben that he couldn't let Ciara define him. That he has to find his worth from inside. She was concern about his living arrangements and his support system. Hope there will be a follow up on that. Also telling him she is there for him. Ben says I know.... It was just lovely.

Love RSW and DH together. I want more of those kinds of moments.

[50yearfan]

I know, I loved them today. They work well together.

[KJ_Contrarian]

I agree, good scenes between the two. RSW delivered big-time in this one and I am glad to see that Marlena hit on all of the important notes, especially that Ben can't be defined by Ciara. I will admit I am having trouble seeing Ben as the fire starter after this scene. I have been a big cheerleader for the notion that Ben started the fire but it's more difficult to see that with the way he carried himself in that conversation with Marlena.

The only nitpick (As a professional in the field) that I would have with Marlena is she was waaaaay too quick to transition him to monthly-only sessions. It's been probably only 6 months since she has been seeing him, and twice a week should have already been taking place for such a "High risk" client. I guess we can blame Xander for that.

[abc_cbs_nbc]

Blame Xander ... I must have missed something along the way ...?

[KJ_Contrarian]

^He shot Marlena. Which would have no doubt interfered with Ben's normal therapy schedule.

[camm]

I loved the scene between DH/RSW also. Ben needs to have someone in his corner someone who cares for him. Marlena was at her best!!! great job!!!
Ben was showing all the emotions he has been going through. Loved it.

[JackandJenfan]

I loved it. RSW and DH were great.

[AllBoHope]

I agree, good scenes between the two. RSW delivered big-time in this one and I am glad to see that Marlena hit on all of the important notes, especially that Ben can't be defined by Ciara. I will admit I am having trouble seeing Ben as the fire starter after this scene. I have been a big cheerleader for the notion that Ben started the fire but it's more difficult to see that with the way he carried himself in that conversation with Marlena.

The only nitpick (As a professional in the field) that I would have with Marlena is she was waaaaay too quick to transition him to monthly-only sessions. It's been probably only 6 months since she has been seeing him, and twice a week should have already been taking place for such a "High risk" client. I guess we can blame Xander for that.

As someone who can't accept a serial killer being transformed to a normal member of society (not even on a soap & think it's a totally unhealthy story encouraging viewers to accept that) and think this story has not been well written at all IF planning for Ben to become some heroic (don't care if he saves lives later becoming MORE heroic) loving, romantic lead for Bo & Hope's daughter, I think more than just talking about other sessions with Marlena & talking about having/needing more of them (you'd think his anger w/Claire plus his past murders of the "innocent" would be of MAJOR concern and not just adding a session or two! I think Marlena or SOMEONE should delve deep into his past (not just talk about how difficult his childhood was & Clyde whispering in his ear) & write a sl EMPHASIZING how Ben was not the repsponsible one for those horrendous murders of the innocent. SHOW how Clyde set him up - go through it onscreen - shed BEN of the responsibility & not because he was mentally ill "at the time" (he'll ALWAYS be mentally ill & totally dependent on drugs to function with any sort of normalcy - now some glorified, martyred "anti" hero! Who started the fire has only been a distraction from Ben's most serious crimes (the murders) to make him look good when learned he didn't do THAT!

The scene with Marlena may have been well-acted & a well-written segment but the problem is still there & it's not really making it better for Ben talking with Marlena - it's just martyring him more as if serial killing was just some mistake of the past!

[KJ_Contrarian]

^I hear what you are saying, but I guess I don't share the prediction that many have that Ben is going to become a typical "Heroic, romantic lead". It seems likely he'll be Ciara's hero, and her romantic lead, yes, but I would be shocked if this show makes him a White Knight here.

I think it is more likely he'll be strictly an "Anti-Hero"; In other words, a hero to Ciara, but always deeply troubled, always with problems, always some degree of risk to "Spiral out of control" as he put it. I mean, he is supposed to represent the rare 1 out of a million serial killers who are reachable enough to be actually redeemed, so an "Anti-Hero" makes sense. If they make Ben into an Eric or Daniel type character I'll be the first to grab the pitchfork in protest.

[Flowercity79]

I absolutely loved their scenes today! Marlena was so patient and caring. Im glad he knows he has at least one more person who genuinely cares for him

[TV Man]

I kind of expected "Ben" to hug "Marlena" as he was leaving but the way he touched her shoulder as he left and turned back to look at her was perfect.

[soapjunkie1987]

I loved that look. Just like his last onscreen session with her when she hypnotized him. He was clearly so grateful to have someone else on his side.

[July Baby]

I loved it, too. My only complaint is that I think Marlena should have been seeing him more often all along and should have asked about his living arrangements and support system when he got out of the institution. He's been out for months and she's first asking him now? Oh well, better late than never, I guess. But the scenes were very well done, IMHO.

[soapjunkie1987]

I agree. I'm glad that was finally addressed.

[kdw877]

Wonderful scenes. I love how she made it a point to let Ben know he can't depend on Ciara for his happiness. Which is true. Ben can't depend on a young girl to help save him from turning dark again. He can't put that much pressure on himself or her. He has to learn to stand on his own two feet. He chose to go back to Salem, the place where everyone hates him and no one wants to accept him right now. He has to adjust to that. He can't just look at Ciara as his anchor and that nothing else matters. That's not healthy. Their break is already making him unravel. He has even missed his meds on purpose, cause he's upset she's gone. That is not okay. He has to be more responsible. His meds is what keeps him calm and under control. I am glad Marlena made that point too, that he has to take them.

[soapjunkie1987]

He said he ran out, though. I don't think it was on purpose so much as he just doesn't have the money to refill them. I'm glad he got a free refill.

[kdw877]

soapjunkie1987 Okay, I'll have to go back and watch it. The way he said it, yeah, I missed one or two doses, made it seem like it slipped his mind or he just wasn't thinking cause he's too focused on Ciara.

[backheidi]

I loved them too. Both top notch actors with fantastic chemistry!

[July Baby]

I love that the writers are giving Marlena more scenes in her professional capacity lately - with Ben, Haley, Sarah and even Eric. I've always felt that this aspect of her character was way underutilized. I hope they continue to do this.

[soapjunkie1987]

Fantastic scenes!!!! I'm glad we at least got to know that Ben has been seeing Marlena regularly. I'm also glad that his first instinct was to see her once he felt himself starting to unravel. That's a huge step forward. Marlena's advice was on point. He can't rely solely on Ciara to help him stay on the straight and narrow. It's great that she inspires him to continue to get better and to be better, but she can't be the end all be all. He has to want it for himself too. I hope we get more of MarBen!!! It's wonderful that Ben has someone else in his corner.

[dee2]

As a viewer who feels Marlena, close to some of Ben's victims, should never have taken his case,
and should have excused herself and referred another doctor to the case, I wondered why she
didn't say she would help him find housing, etc. When he left, he still had the same problems,
no job, no money, etc. I also don't think she would have been so understanding, if she knew
the way he had treated Claire, or if it was her child he was starting to obsess about.

[Blonde_Angel]

Marlena was very wary at first , but Ben wanted her to take him on because on some level he trusted her...Marlena maybe only softened up a bit to him because he is truly remorseful of what he did and while on his meds the dark part of him is dormant....

[Joluiscute]

I just love Marlena in Doc mode.
Dee is fantastic and it's such a joy to watch her and RSW together.