The Daytime Emmys Honor Mishael Morgan, At Last!

 

Mishael Morgan is all smiles after winning her first Daytime Emmy Award. 

Finally! (In a Ce Ce Peniston voice)

After many, many years of following the Daytime Emmy Awards (and the problematic Primetime Emmys as well), our favorite, love-in-the-afternoon actress, Mishael Morgan has received her well-deserved statuette! About damn time! And she makes huge history as the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series! 

The commendable Veronica Webb was the second actress to play Mamie Johnson. 

Daytime Emmy winners Shemar Moore (Malcolm) and Kristoff St. John (Neil) with Daytime Emmy nominees Victoria Rowell (Dru) and Tonya Lee Williams (Olivia). Coincidentally, Tonya Lee Williams has Caribbean ancestry being born to Jamaican parents and raised in Toronto, Canada. Mishael Morgan has Trinidadian parents and was also raised in Toronto, Canada. Williams founded the Reelworld Film Festival in Canada in 2001.

As a little girl watching soap operas with my mother, Young and the Restless was ours to behold, a national treasure if you will. I loved especially the beautiful, brown skinned characters— Olivia, the doctor, Mamie, the housekeeper (whom I always thought would return someday), Malcolm, the photographer, and of course, Neil (the late Kristoff St. John), the corporate executive, and Drucilla, the tough-as-nails glamour model. Yet when it came down to the big awards night, almost every year, Black/biracial women rarely won a thing. As a girl invested in these stories, watching such phenomenal actresses take on scandalous affairs, ferocious cat fights, grief/loss, and still not be victorious in their efforts, it showcased the darker side of daytime television, the glaring mistreatment. Although the brilliant Debbi Morgan won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series back in 1989, hers was tied with Nancy Lee Grahn who famously blasted Viola Davis’s Primetime Emmys 2015 speech. 

From their humble beginnings, tawdry middle (yes the affair that rocked the screen), their once-a-week screen time....

To the end, Hevon was the best couple in Genoa City. 

Ever since Hilary Curtis burst into the Genoa City, Morgan made that vivacious vixen someone to love, sinking her teeth into that role with incredible heart and depth to match. She delivered so much hope and promise, something not seen since Tony and Grammy winner Renee Elise Goldsberry played a terrific lawyer, the criminally underrated Evangeline Williamson on General Hospital— Daytime Emmy nominated twice for her role too. It was always a dull moment when Morgan’s multifaceted Hilary disappeared for a while. Let’s never forget the heartbreaking death that will forever pierce the memories of the devoted Hevon fan base, a real tearjerker, Hilary passing away in Devon’s arms on July 27, 2018. 

And with Mishael Morgan gone off the canvas, fans were determined to get her back on no matter what— hence the birth of the #Fight4Mishael campaign taking off steam! The process, long and grueling, Morgan’s presence utterly missed on screen, everyone waited and hoped, waited and hoped. 

Amanda (Mishael Morgan) turned out to be Hilary’s long lost twin sister. 

And Devon (Bryton James) comforts Amanda as he had for his beloved wife Hilary. 

Morgan, who suffered a tremendous loss last year, perhaps channeled that into this devastating performance. 

On September 18, 2019, Morgan beautifully returned as the sharp dressed lawyer, Amanda Sinclair and dazzled the screen with and without her screen partner two-time Daytime Emmy winner Bryton James. This showcased Morgan’s incredible potential, this fact that Morgan’s charisma turned on for everyone around her. She tested for several pairings until back into the orbit of familiar territory. Still, Amanda’s backstory slowly but surely unfolded as viewers learned that Hilary was Amanda’s twin sister— and that Ann Turner was not their biological mother. Whew! Like Hilary, Amanda can speak another language fluently. It is unknown if she fears cows yet. 

After two previous nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Morgan scores a win on her third Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress! 

At the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, up against previous winners General Hospital’s Laura Wright and Cynthia Watros, five time nominee Arianne Zucker and three time nominee Marci Miller both from Days of Our Lives, Young and the Restless correctly put Mishael Morgan’s hat in this gritty ring. Yes, her competitors were amazing, but Morgan has been on/off the soap for nine years. In between those nine years, a viewer could never say she was not delivering high quality when given that screen time. Thus, when Morgan’s co-workers Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) and Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings Jr.) announced her name on stage, it was just a precious full circle moment. 

Congratulations again Mishael Morgan, a phenomenal performer who has always put out the best work possible. May it not be the last honor put in her hard earning hands. 

'Diggstown' Lets a Black Woman Take Charge in Canada

Diggstown TV advertisement.

"And still, I would have to live three lifetimes to live close to your privilege."-- Marcie Diggs to her white colleague Pam Maclean-- threatened by Marcie's new position. 

Diggstown is hitting the right notes with the second episode a stronger current moving along great possibilities. The show is led by Marcie Diggs, the northern answer to Olivia Pope and Annalise Keating, a beautiful, sassy woman who doesn't let anyone stand in her way.

Black women surfing: Marcie Diggs (Vinessa Antoine) and her dearly departed aunt, Rolanda Diggs (Karen LeBlanc).

The first episode, Willy MacIsaac, isn't exactly presenting a memorable case (former alcoholic truck driver dad is on the verge of losing his license), but the profound highlight, however, is Marcie Diggs' resonating family drama. Marcie is close to Rolanda-- an aunt caught up in a horrendous sex scandal that not only damages Rolanda-- but isolates her from the community, specifically the church. The church is supposed to represent a safe haven, a refuge for the Black community, but the pastor publicly condemns Rolanda. This triggers colossal emotional damage to Rolanda, causing her to eventually commit suicide. Marcie remains devastated by the loss. Rolanda taught Marcie to surf and the icy waters became a special place for them. Her cousin, however, is being married by the disrespectful pastor. The church, despite it's message on forgiveness and redemption, can be one of the most hypocritical places on earth and Marcie speaks on that truth, rightfully refusing to attend. The writing and acting were top notch on segmenting black women's mental health and the pivotal signs of depression. Also, the water breaks away from old black stereotypes-- getting hair wet, being unable to swim, etc. Although this is Rolanda's place to die, Marcie continues finding pleasure in surfing, a significant tie to her aunt's memory.

Marcie (Vinessa Antoine) fights for justice.

The second episode, Renee Joy, unpacks several issues: first generation gifted teen Renee is unlawfully subjected to a humiliating strip search, an indigenous paralegal comes to terms with his past, and Marcie fights to keep her case from a pushy activist lawyer and decides to take a romantic plunge with a cop that is almost similar to Nova's situation on Queen Sugar. At least, this one isn't married with children and delivers doughnuts. Sorry Calvin.

Renee is from a strict, hardworking Asian family. They want Mercy Lincoln (aka pushy activist lawyer) to represent them and aggressively tell Marcie to back off. Yet Marcie takes matters in her own hands, visiting Renee, seeing not just potential, but a way to have the poor girl keep her scholarship and not face petulant charges. While Marcie refuses to back down from taking Renee's case, she is also teaching teenage girls how to surf in her spare time-- just wonderful and empowering to witness Marcie's commitment in advancing other women characters.

Another primary person of color at the firm is Doug Paul. His utterly devastating revelations to his daughter call attention to the many indigenous people killed by white police and civilians. They are often are not punished severely enough, mirroring again the great American plight of black death. Instead of placing his identity and safety of his people above everything, Doug puts seeking the approval and pleasure of white authority above obtaining justice for innocents in his own heritage community. The tribe bans him for this.

Stylish Marcie Diggs (Vinessa Antoine) takes a pause in the Toronto streets.

As a General Hospital Jordan Ashford fan anxious to see portrayer Vinessa Antoine more than once a week, a few times a month, Diggstown gives viewers the opportunity to see her shine bright in all the extra screen time as a leading lady. Antoine bites into a character that is tough, vulnerable, smart, and caring, bringing forth charming charisma to this multifaceted black woman lawyer. Natasha Henstridge of Species and She Spies (loved that show) plays the resilient department head, Colleen MacDonnell, Shailene Garnett is the snappy receptionist Iris Beals, and Brandon Oakes brings something special when keeping his shoes on as Doug. This Toronto based firm of public defenders is a nice inclusive touch and more should follow the lead.

Diggstown has plenty of story to tell and Marcie Diggs and her team must be the ones to see it through.

Fighting For Y&R's Mishael Morgan

Mishael Morgan is sailing away from the adventures of Hilary Curtis and the top notched Hevon pairing. This cannot be real.

It is with a breaking heart to disclose that beloved she-ro, the helm of the precious, heavily tormented Hevon ship, Emmy nominated Mishael Morgan may possibly be leaving Young and the Restless. After five years on daytime's number one soap opera, Morgan has chosen to depart from what appears to be due to contract negotiations. If that is the case, valiant fans are urging the powers behind Y&R to reconsider, to give Morgan all that she deserves for carrying the weight of not just her character's story lines but that of unworthy others.

 

Say it isn't so? A frustrated Devon (Bryton James) and concerned Hilary (Mishael Morgan)'s facial expressions definitely match up the emotional state of fans right now.

Great things are finally unraveling in Genoa City for Hilary Curtis and her one true love, Devon Hamilton. With no major secrets held from each other, a recent cutely announced baby on the way (created with a sweet compromise), and moving in together at the penthouse again (unfortunately near that awful interloping shell of a man), this news of Morgan's unexpected out is completely devastating.

 

Hevon: no other ship like the beautiful chemistry of Hevon. Mishael Morgan (Hilary) and Bryton James (Devon) worked so well together.

No one can imagine Genoa City without Hilary in it.

This is unbelievably wrong and cruel, like a nightmare that cannot be real.

For years, Hilary Hamilton has been a vital player in this small fictional Wisconsin town. A smart, resourceful beauty whose revenge plotting schemes threw certain folks in town for a loop. Yet, she eventually turned on a new leaf and became so much more than a vivacious temptress on a vengeance mission. With many notes to play, she had a heart of solid gold that melted in Devon's lion tatted arms. In the beginning, Hilary and Devon's love story was refreshing, wonderful, and titillating. They delivered sexy black romance in a spellbinding Shakespearean tragedy kind of way. Audiences knew that black Romeo and his black Juliet were meant to be, but countless obstacles continued marring their journey. In the midst of a sultry affair, the fallout, the engagement, and that gorgeous wedding, for a short while Hevon had it all. Eventually, fans had to deal with a horribly bad kidnapping story, an unnecessary divorce, characters like Jordan, Mariah, and Simone, and once again Neil.

Still, Hilary is pregnant and she is happy moving back in the penthouse with Devon.

For that road to ultimately stop, to have Morgan leave in the middle of this latest juicy reboot, crushes hopes and dreams. It is a solid punch in the gut, a sucker slap to the cheek, especially hurtful to those who have longed for Hilary and Devon to passionately reunite with tender declarations that reflect the old days of their once-in-a-lifetime-love, to start a beautiful little family-- a beautiful little black family (severely lacking in Genoa City). 

Look at all this hot chem: Mishael Morgan (Hilary) and Bryton James (Devon) are all smiles.

Moreover, Morgan's first Emmy nomination should have been the polarizing start of others, of a possible win for a black actress at last. Black viewers watch the Daytime Emmys year after year, witnessing black actor wins while black actresses continuously wait in the wings. Whereas, it was amazing that Days of Our Lives' James Reynolds (winner for Best Lead Actor) and Bold and the Beautiful's Rome Trumain (winner for Best Younger Actor) scored epic wins, black women were robbed in their categories. It appeared that down the line, someday, Morgan would not only be nominated but win a gold statuette for all of her excellent hard work. She is a most convincing artist, eloquently skilled at showcasing Hilary's layers: her tenacity, her humor, her compassion, her desire. Every week, Morgan delivered soap opera masterclass.

And many devoted fans will miss her if she truly does exit the canvas.

 

Please don't go....

However, if Morgan chooses to move forward, it will be okay. Valiant, devoted supporters will follow and champion anything that she shares to the world. She is multifaceted, capable of performing in any genre with chops for drama, comedy, all that rests between. There is no doubt that her career is meant to be more than half of a dynamic soap opera couple. Fans will miss her chemistry with Bryton James. That would be irreplaceable.

The best ship in daytime must carry on. If not, fans could join hands and sob together as we reflect on the best parts of this splendid pairing.

In the Hevon hearts, we're just praying that maybe it is not too late.

Currently, fans have the #Fight4Mishael campaign heating up online. Join the brigade.

The Comeback Couple & Blame Games: Why Y&R's Hevon Still Matters

Will Devon (Bryton E. James) and Hilary (Mishael Morgan) reunite?

The golden brown couple may finally be back to skipping on Genoa City's yellow brick lover's road.

Last Thursday's Young and the Restless episode offered a wondrous peek at a much needed "Hevon" reunion. To see Devon smiling at Hilary again was a coveted treasure, the rosy satin ribbons torn off with greedy relish, the unexpected gift a welcome sight to behold. With forced pairings endured between Hilary and a bad version of Malcolm Winters and Devon and his red haired gold digger, I had almost forgotten what Devon and Hilary looked like together-- when truly happy and falling back into sweet friendship that blossomed into utterly romantic everlasting love.

Hilary arrives at the athletic club fresh from working out, looking quite stunning. Devon couldn't take his eyes off his beautiful ex-wife. Their light, affable banter resembled old time goodness.

Later, they continue having friendly chat over iced waters. It was a few minutes of bliss: the way they stared at each other, smiled, grinned, with Hilary doing the hand reach. Bryton and Mishael played each beat skillfully, making us hunger for any little tidbit of revealed emotion. They delivered tantalizing morsels, feeding our craving, our unsated hearts needing more and more. In fact, I'm still clutching my chest from weeks ago. Hilary had boldly gazed at Devon dead in his eyes, barely blinking, stating without hesitance, "would your girlfriend like the way you're staring at me right now?" Devon outright blushed and spoke no further. That scene in combination with latest developments prove that Hevon is rising like a phoenix out of dust.

Exhibit A: Devon watches Hilary drink her glass of water. Oh how his eyes are looking at her and she at him over her rim.

Exhibit B: Hilary observes Devon emulating her earlier action-- gulp, gulp, gulp. But is he really thirsty for water?

Circumstances have been bumpy for our daytime television dynamic duo. They were on the cusp of supercouple status after an almost gorgeous wedding (a selfish good-for-nothing interloper had to crash the nuptials) and steamy honeymoon last summer. Tragedy struck and the audience grieved a missing Hilary alongside Devon, searching frantically for his love. Of course, it turned out our heroine fell off the mountain (thanks to a jealous stalker) and was recuperating at the house he bought for her. Obviously that particular house had more than fried his brain, but that's another tale for another rant. She came to, brand spanking new, and forgetting all about falling in love with Devon. It was a very difficult time to watch. We lost several sweet Hevon cyber friends over this too. Once Hilary (and eventually Devon) forgave Jeeper Creeper, it felt like a point of no return. Still, Hevon were blissfully back together, deeper in love, in a place of their own, melting our televisions a few times a week. It was wonderful, tainted, but wonderful.

Months later, after a nonsensical divorce under a foolish writing regime, Hilary and Devon crashed immediately into other relationships. The signatures weren't even dry before Hilary succumbed to mediocre seduction by a weak, watered down photographer who couldn't even hold the base for the candle to the pure dynamism Malcolm brought. Now he is not the point. Neither is Devon's settlement. The important pairing, the true love epic is Devon and Hilary. They are the missing part of each other's lives. It has been quite interesting seeing Hilary interact with other characters like Victor and Nick Newman, forming a bond with Chelsea, and others. The audience has long since criticized that the black figures don't engage outside of their circle. That brings us to Devon, who though is dating an important family member (Newman?), he seems to be stuck with his very evil adoptive dad or Lily, his high horse sister.

This short cute scene watered soil on our hopeful hearts.

Hevon fans have been used to being blamed ever since the beginning. Truth remains, Hilary only loved one man and took her gratitude way too far. Yes, Hilary and Devon had an affair. It lasted for months. Still, people continue ragging on them, refusing to let this old story die. Currently, Devon's replacement is falling hard for another woman! Instead of cheering the chemistry and celebrating Y&R's descent into 21st century, people are upset and calling out the Hevon base, holding them responsible for this poor woman's newfound lesbianism. It is quite a ridiculous call, especially when several popular soap opera accounts chime in, spilling the same trite. Despite campaigns, presents, letters, and wishes, the fans are not responsible for the writers' decisions. We might have impact from time to time, but in the end, the writers' have a vision set forth in stone. Thus, soap fans, who are starting to sound like grating bigots, need to pin their frustrations elsewhere. Don't pick on a fanbase that has yet to receive a story outside of insipid interferences.

I will state this for the umpteenth time-- soap opera writers need to stop believing that formulaic triangles/quadrangles are the best ways to keep a couple interesting. Nope.

In happier times, Devon and Hilary spent wedded bliss in a shared penthouse (aka a real home) after months of staying at the GCAC. Things seemed so peachy (and chocolaty) back then.

Although those Thursday scenes were sincere and thoughtful, a step towards a positive direction, Hilary and Devon are stubbornly focused on extra unnecessary partnerships. This week, Hilary discloses that she still wants a good for nothing man who already has a place at Lily's dinner table. He dumped her twice. Why on earth would she want to be with him again? He is beneath the ground her stilettos walk on! On the other hand, Devon has inherited blindness with his billions, not seeing the obvious connection between the last thing on his mind and her cozy new friend. I feel bad for him just a little bit. After all, he had a weird character shift, badmouthing Hilary and allowing her clothes to be worn, downright humiliating her, but I like to pretend that he wasn't in his right mind. He wasn't.

For now, it's annoying and detestable filler, but someday soon these two will realize that these dull, time wasting pursuits are nothing like the magical splendor they have together.

There were many better ways of handling Devon's accident/memory loss,. The writers chose the route of ending this great couple and pull them into immediate other relationships instead of dealing with their problems. 

Hilary and Devon are an important pairing. They represent this passionate, unique, awe-inspiring love that we attest to. They're dreamy, romantic, best friends, sweethearts. They have had the potential to be greater than what the writers sparingly offer. They deserve more than what they have been granted.

I love Hevon. So many people love Hevon. We root for Hevon. Until they get back together, no other couple takes their shine.  

Devon's swoon worthy smile speaks volumes.

Only time will tell what happens. The new writing regime is just getting started. Tomorrow, Hilary supposedly spins into Devon's orbit again. Fall sweeps promises that their undeniable bond smothers the Genoa City landscape. Let's pray hard for friendly fires to keep sparking, steadily grow into something once more, that special blaze that these happy people were blushingly discussing last week. This slow, tentative burn is surely going to scorch the small screens all over again.

And frankly I cannot wait.  

Giving Black Love A Chance & The Best Black Soap Opera Couples (In No Particular Order) of American Daytime History

Watching a black couple fall in love with each other was often not a common occurrence in the daytime television scope.

In daytime television realm, representation will never not matter. Writers, producers, and directors, often overwhelmingly white, must understand the outcry. Minorities (who pull in largest audience numbers) need to see those who look like and fall in love with versions of themselves. Soap operas should not be so far behind in showcasing black love, but truth is, they are.

Among overbearing seascape of white Newmans and Abbotts dominating Young and the Restless' fictional town of Genoa City, Wisconsin, is the most prominent black soap opera cast. In the distant past, the Barbers and the Winters felt like my own family. They channeled through having this rare triumphant presence, the ups and pitfalls of staying in love, and wrestling in the power hungry business world. Other soap operas, with just four remaining altogether, have entered the minority foray, allowing their black characters a turn in the romance department.

Since its fruition, Bold and the Beautiful's fashion rivalry paradox neglected adding diversity while Days of Our Lives had a black pairing often put on back burner.

Times are changing.

Nicole Avant Forrester (2x Daytime Emmy nominee Reign Edwards) and Zende Forester (Rome Flynn) are the premiere black couple on Bold and the Beautiful, having gotten married in a beautiful Valentine's Day ceremony this year.

When it comes to daytime television, however, it is important to realize that the struggle is real behind-the-scenes too.

Former Young and the Restless star Victoria Rowell told Black Press Magazine this:

"We have the most popular daytime show and the number one show for African Americans, hands down. Yet, there are no black writers, there are no black producers, there are no black directors. There are no Black make up artists. There are no Black hairstylists."

So yes, in many aspects, soap operas may reflect "diversity" on the outside, but it's a false sense of inclusion security, nothing at all like what Ava Duvernay is accomplishing at Queen Sugar. Then again, none of the soap operas are truly creating three-dimensionally rendered characters as the hit OWN show. Head writers come and go and with that comes characters transforming, doing things they wouldn't do under another regime. The inside will remain backwards until someone else speaks up. Yet whenever that happens, that individual becomes an outcast, causing soap runners, writers, and fans to go on a ranting witch hunt....

Still, if soap operas tried different tactics as opposed to sticking with old, formulistic habits, maybe numbers wouldn't be rapidly declining. They have to allow black writers, directors, and etc. to enter the closed door, let their ideas come into play.

General Hospital had its black queen slash Port Charles police commissioner Jordan Ashford (Afro-Canadian Vinessa Antoine) torn between two men: psychiatrist Dr. Andre Maddox (Anthony Montgomery) and P.I./former brother-in-law Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner).

It is worthy to note that some actors featured in the top black soap romances have been celebrated at the Daytime Emmys. Two years ago, in a special fan favorite category for "Most Romantic Duo," Young and the Restless' highly popular Devon and Hilary took the "prize," beating out the two competing white couples. Nonetheless, at the real Emmys themselves, there are problems primarily for a black actress to receive a golden statuette, let alone the coveted nomination. In fact, Debbi Morgan's sole win is shadowed by being tied with Nancy Lee Grahn, a white actress who spewed venomous rage about Viola Davis's Primetime Emmy speech.

Davis's speech:

"In my mind, I see a line. And over that line I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line. But I can't seem to get there no how. I can't seem to get over that line." That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something. The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here's to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods. To Gabrielle Union. Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy. Thank you."

Nancy's hate (deleted tweet):

“Im a f—ing actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled."

We must disagree. The Emmy's are a venue for racial opportunity, for real progressive change. Black actors, especially black actresses deserve to be praised for their commendable contributions to "love in the afternoon." It is a hard, demanding business with actors needing to memorize and emote hundred page scripts. The upset is still burning bright for those who feel that Bold and the Beautiful's Karla Mosley was wrongly not pre-nominated for playing the first transgender character in daytime television. She had put on a memorable, captivating performance that remains being hailed. The fact that there is yet to be a black woman winner for best leading actress in a daytime drama provides reasonably substantial debate to Grahn's ignorance. David Michaels, senior VP of the Daytime Emmy Awards, is also blind.

“When I was observing all of the [#OscarsSoWhite] controversy last year, my initial thought was the Daytime Emmys seem to be automatically diverse. I guess it’s because of the makeup of the shows, but the talent in almost every area is very diverse. Therefore, I think maybe the viewership becomes the same way. … Obviously we can control it by making sure that our talent on our award show stays diverse. But if you look at our entries, it’s truly diverse without having to make that happen.”

When it comes to acting nominations, however, Michaels' words aren't necessarily true. All of the winners this year were white. There are many years that the awards went to white actors. The landscape for soaps may be appearing different, but in the end, whom voters choose to reward remains the same.

Notable Daytime Emmy acting winners, not in the list, include Young and the Restless' Shemar Moore, Bold and the Beautiful's Obba Babatundé (a Tony winner), and Guiding Light's Kevin Mambo (who won twice) and Monti Sharp. Black women nominees include One Life to Live's Renée Goldsberry (Tony/Grammy winner) and Young and the Restless' Tanya Lee Williams.

With the NAACP Image Awards no longer having a soap opera category, the Daytime Emmys are the sole opportunity for black actors to receive notice.

Salem PD officers Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) and Lani Price (Saleisha Lashawn Stowers) have something budding on Days of Our Lives.

As the growing addition of black couples continue building in daytime, let's hope that while they cast fresh new brown faces, darker skinned individuals (just as beautiful and talented) are considered. The African diaspora and complexity of hues has always been uniquely sporadic. Daytime should reflect this authenticity.

Without further ado, The Best Black Soap Opera Couples List....

On General Hospital, secret DEA agent Jordan Ashford (Vinessa Antoine) fell for Shawn Butler (Daytime Emmy winning Sean Blakemore) who did dirty jobs for mobster Sonny Corinthos. It appeared to be a Westside Story narrative with Jordan "working" for the Jeromes and Shawn on the opposite spectrum. She originally came to Port Charles, hoping to reunite with her son TJ (whom Shawn raised while Jordan was in jail), remove him from Shawn's clutches, and take down the Jerome family's drug business. Shawn stood in the way, watching her at every turn, warning her, in between stealing kisses or passionate grasps. They enter into relationship territory, but remain resentful of each other's mob associations and also kept their union from TJ. In one of the most epic showdowns, they turned guns on each other, Jordan preventing Shawn from kidnapping Ava Jerome. Soon the chocolate brigade of Shordan were operating together.
It also turned out, they had an affair while Jordan was married and that TJ is his biological son. Shawn is currently serving time for the attempted murder of Hayden Barnes, although it's been known that he isn't the culprit. Meanwhile, Jordan is wrapped up in the arms of Curtis.

On Young and the Restless, divorced couple of billionaire heir Devon Hamilton-Winters (Daytime Emmy winning Bryton James) and executive assistant turned celeb reporter Hilary Curtis Hamilton (Mishael Morgan) have a connection that a piece of paper cannot destroy (let alone the writers of the soap). Sparks flew for Hilary and Devon upon their first meeting even though Hilary stormed into Genoa City to avenge her mother's death. With longing looks and humored conversations over drinks, enemies turned cordial friends. The chemistry between them was undeniable, before the preemptive kiss ever took claim. They fought against love, holding it off for as long as possible, at last succumbing into a steamy, passionate affair, and eventually marrying in summer of 2015.
"Hevon" were so popular, they topped polls and covered soap magazines, becoming the Angie and Jesse of our generation.
Now Hilary and Devon may have moved into other pairings (not as well-received), but the flame is still flickering, waiting to be ignited. Stay tuned....

On Sunset Beach (a soap with Latino, Asian, and black characters), heroic lifeguard Michael Bourne (Daytime Emmy nominated Jason George) and snoopy journalist Vanessa Hart (Daytime Emmy nominated Sherri Saum) had the most wild ride to getting together thanks to the crazy antics of Virginia Harrison, one of the first black soap opera villains. Who can ever forget the turkey baster storyline? Greater controversy was that Michael and Vanessa rarely interacted with the other characters, their stories were often about them and them alone (both good and bad). 
Often wrongly parted, but strongly in love, Michael and Vanessa overcame criminals, his dark past (he accidentally killed Virginia's husband), Virginia's schemes (murder attempts, implanted Martian's Syndrome, rape/pregnancy/miscarriage) to finally tie the knot in a two wedding closer of the soap's series finale in 1999.

On All My Children, Jesse Hubbard (2x Daytime Emmy winning Afro-British Darnell Williams) and Angie "Big Dimples" Baxter (Daytime Emmy winning Debbi Morgan) were the epitamy of black love. Otherwise known as the first black supercouple, roughly raised Jesse fell in love with upper class Angie. They soon eloped after Jesse was cleared by a false rape allegation (Liza Colby, a white woman, lied). Insecurities (Angie divorced Jesse because she thought he wouldn't want the baby), and interlopers (hey Vanessa Bell Calloway) briefly tore them apart. After kidnapping their newborn baby, Jesse and Angie remarried and retained happy bliss until unexpected tragedy rocked their world. In 1988, Jesse died of a gunshot wound, devastating Angie, in turn giving Morgan one of the finest performances of her career.  During this time, the actors covered soap magazines even Essence and hosted a hip hop/R&B music video program. Jesse and Angie are considered the number one supercouple of all time according to Entertainment Weekly.
Ten years later, Angie and Jesse reunited. Jesse had faked his death because his family was in danger. They then suffered further sadness with Angie's blindness, their baby's death, and a desperate baby switch, but stayed together through the soap's end in 2013.

On Young and the Restless, Neil Winters (2x Daytime Emmy winning Kristoff St. John) and Drucilla Barber (3x Daytime Emmy nominated Victoria Rowell) had the rags to riches romance beginning in 1991. Dru was a vivacious, resilient runaway with ballerina dreams, taught to overcome illiteracy by Nathan Hastings, the love of her sister Olivia, a doctor. Neil was the spoiled rich boy eager to make it to the top. Originally, Dru wanted Nathan and Neil wanted Olivia, but their plans to break up the couple backfired and they fell for each other instead. Eventually, they marry. There are problems along the way, however, with Dru posing for a men's magazine, refusing to be a stay-at-home-wife, and building a successful modeling career. Plus, unbeknownst to Neil, she slept with his brother Malcolm and became pregnant with Lily. A huge opportunity came. She chose to go to Paris with Lily over staying in GC with Neil in 1995. They divorced.Years later, she and Lily returned, helping Neil overcome his alcoholism. They remarried, but alas more trouble ensued. Dru started working for Newman (Jabot's rival) and eventually, it was revealed that Malcolm fathered Lily. Thus, Dru and Neil's romance started crumbling once more. Neil separated from her and began seeing another woman named Carmen, inciting Dru's jealousy. When Carmen was murdered, Dru was a main suspect, tortured with visions of "Carmen's body" and checking into a mental hospital. Together, Dru and Neil worked on solving the mystery.
In 2007, Dru falls off a cliff after a violent scuffle with Phyllis. Sadly, her body was never found.

On Days of Our Lives, Abe Carver (2x Daytime Emmy nominated James Reynolds, longest running black actor on a soap) and Lexi Brooks (Renée Jones) met as partners at Salem PD and fell in love. Adopted Lexie, in the bloodline of Salem's dangerous DiMera family,  was booted out of the police force and studied to become a doctor instead. She was a doctor and eventually the Chief of Staff. She tried to be the good, dutiful wife, but had countless affairs (including with Abe's biological son Brandon Walker) and even stole her best friend Hope Brady's baby. Through other moral struggles of temptations (Abe had an intense connection with Lexie's birth mom, Celeste Perrault), the Carvers carried onward, raising an autistic son Theo, Abe's mayoral campaign, staying together until Lexie's tragic death from a brain tumor in 2012.

"Young And The Restless" Is A Once A Week Minority Madhouse Exhibit

Since they first met in the summer of 2013, Devon Hamilton Winters ( Bryton James) and Hilary Curtis (Mishael Morgan) are still not a real/never have been an official couple.

Twists and turns of a soap opera thrive on being exciting, jaw dropping, a little scandalous teasing of epic proportions, but it's time to pull the rug from underneath the carpet. After a while, thirty plus years to be exact, the forced white voyeurism takes a toll on the subconscious mind of the minority individual. Let's talk more in depth about glaring reality of representation of minority characters, their current situation of being being background prop notes instead of front burner material. Aaron Foley's Atlantic article stressed importance of African descent soap opera characters. Yet the Hilary Curtis and Devon Hamilton Winters mention was a sour afterthought in context, an abrupt dismissal: 

One black character form the old days, Neil, was there, but he seems to be the only one. He's blind, for some reason or another, and the woman he married, Hillary, is sleeping with his son to get revenge for something Neil had done in the past. But it's an old storyline the show has done before.

This inconsiderate afterthought, however, is part of the problem. It's exactly how they're treated on Young and the Restless. What's on screen right now is a travesty. Last I left off, beaming over a grand love that shouldn't have ended up being an extramarital affair. People believe Hilary Curtis never loved Devon Hamilton Winters. Hilary next to Lauren Fenmore, Nikki Newman, Christine Blair, and Summer Newman was the only unhappily married last year, cheating on her poor wittle blind husband with his son-- writing seeming to be an obvious (not suspicious) attempt to dirty up a brown couple's forbidden love. Most diehard fans know straight from the bat that sparks crackled way before St. Neil's engagement with Leslie Michaelson broke off and left him pursuing the beautiful much younger woman. Writers refused to let Devon and Hilary's prior friendship get off the ground, having her kiss Jack Abbott which led Devon into a non-relationship with a model which then concluded with Hilary entering a nonsensical quickie marriage with Neil. A quickie marriage then plagued down by Neil's eyesight subjected easily deceived viewers to siding with him, calling Hilary and Devon nastiest of insults. Vilifying story blew up the spectrum, especially when accounting that minority characters are on fewer than the overly propped white characters.

On November 24, 2014, in one of Hilary and Devon's most heart-warming defining scenes, on for a good eight minutes, was sweeter than a cherry on a sundae. From Hilary jumping out of Jack's swivel chair, running to Devon's arms, and greeting him with an "I miss you" kiss to the feign island paradise of "absurdly romantic" effort. Oh how much we remarked on this calm before the storm. Wish we hadn't been right.

First of all, viewers are subjected to Hilary and Devon once a week. Sometimes less so. Like scraps off a dinner table, quixotic followers awaited presence of seeing brown hands hold one another, of brown eyes staring into each other, of brown skinned individuals voicing eternal love to one another. That was special, something wonderfully unique for college to middle aged watchers, especially minority women to witness and champion. It shouldn't be unique. It should happen all the time and not be a moment celebrated because it doesn't always happen. It happens everyday, every second. A brown skinned man does fall in love with a brown skinned woman. They just neglect to show this on television. Alas Hilary and Devon's story brought seeded a hope that the brown skinned woman could be coveted by a brown skinned man, desirable, wanted, and appreciated. Devon worshiped Hilary like a queen, a goddess. To see these characters show affection, to kiss was beautiful, a representation humanizing an experience rarely depicted, shedding light on Hilary and Devon as a phenomenon, as a promised beacon in the predominately white driven daytime world. However, in this past March's episode counts, portrayers Bryton James had five appearances and Mishael Morgan featured a low three out of a possible eighteen days. That is a pitiful amount for a popular pairing gracing magazine covers back to back, topping soap couple polls (being the first African descended couple to do so), and receiving high cyber chat volumes. Did Shonda Rhimes not express the importance of normalizing television? Of having characters onscreen represent the very audience watching? 

The goal is that everyone should get to turn on the TV and see someone who looks like them and loves like them. And just as important, everyone should turn on the TV and see someone who doesn’t look like them and love like them. Because, perhaps then, they will learn from them.

How much longer should we tolerate and bear burden of white voyeurism? We have been taught enough of the same rinse, lather, repeat of their leading protagonists. The time is now for Hilary and Devon to be frontburner. Not soon. Not someday. Now. Invest in them now! Young and the Restless has the largest African descendant cast in daytime with General Hospital a dismal second. Yet neither does not fully utilize fullest extent of talent housed. As of right now, instead of exchanging affection and urban poetry dripping dialogue, Hilary and Devon exchange heated insults in their three second scenes. Yes, they have broken up. On top of not being a real couple, Hilary falsely breaks up with Devon. Twist was shocking, but the steps were stalled, moving nowhere. Sentimental touching, an old begotten mannerism, turned cold when Hilary's palm graced Devon's shoulder. He abruptly shrugged it off, as though her fingertips were made of fire. Instead of brown eyes speaking tender truths, Hilary has turned into Ice Maiden, laying on the "sacrifice" too thickly to be considered torn solace in between. There is just no balance in the hurt and hate department. They seem to be at latter, Hilary mostly. True, she came to Genoa City as a master manipulator, faux charming and sly masquerade, but this Hilary on screen is something else. This is no nod to Old Hilary, to bad girl Ann Turner. No one knows why she is willing to perjure herself for Neil when it is Devon she loves. Has her shame over the affair murdered self-esteem that much?

Back in February, Bryton James, Mishael Morgan, and the pairing of Hilary and Devon topped major soap outlet polls like TVSource.com and CBS Soaps In Depth Magazine. They're still in the Top 10 on both polls and even managed crossover appeal in ABC Soaps In Depth Magazine. A bonafide incredible kudos is that Hilary and Devon are nominated for Fan Favorite Most Romantic Pairing in this year's Daytime Emmy Awards. That is amazing considering that they're not an actual couple and the sole representative of Young and the Restless. Meaning they're the best on the soap! So why refusal to invest (onscreen!)? The actors showcase incredible range and dedication to their characters, to their fans, even housing seeds of longevity. James himself said that he believed Devon and Hilary had potential to become the next Victor and Nikki. Ah, but if only the writers could see in the same vision as he.

The mistreatment of Hilary and Devon's love story maddens an audience whom has reached tortured breaking point. How strange that a billionaire like Devon has no true home, how pathetic the interaction now as though they never loved one another, never evoked poignant star-crossed love? Their affair had angered people, sending waves of hatred. Some believed Hilary loved Neil, bought into the sheer quickness of a hookup and marriage. These two, like Hilary and Devon, never went on a date. They shared meals and conversation, but nothing romantic ever sparked. Even their dull "I love you's" sounded unbelievable and below half-hearted. Nothing metaphoric transpired like unspoken connection that translated into harrowing magic whenever Hilary and Devon locked eyes from across a crowded room. Fans were stuck, trapped into suffering through the affair, which admittedly had unforgettable moments. The anger driven side saw disgust and ridicule, noting only the love making scenes, which were about five in total in a six month affair. However, it's those unforgettable moments that have a lasting gradual factor, the romantic dialogue between the two characters overshadowing the physical paintings of their taboo union. Love scenes were fiery, intense. Will not lie about that. Yet when Hilary reveals fear of cows and Devon dances with her next to a broken down Rolls Royce, when Devon turns Hilary's job into an island paradise, when Devon calls Hilary his treasure, putting her above his inheritance on Christmas Day, and when Hilary imagines Devon as a father of her future child are some captivating gifted snippets to reminisce about.    

"Where are they?" The inquiring fans desire to know. So they put up "Got Hevon" ads because sometimes it's better to do a thirsty mind better than a glass of warm milk.

Hilary supporters are in a daze now-- a current blasphemous wave swept through our shipper hearts that goes beyond what was led to believe an honest sacrifice. A callous sadistic twist knocked the boat straight off the dock, straight out of the water, leaving anger in its wake. With light cryptic spoilers, audience is left playing a mind reader guessing game. Other women have long since embodied cat and mouse, toying with male ego to get what they want out of them. Hilary, however, has surprisingly lost her wits. The latest writing regime under headwriter Charles Pratt has her sexing it up with a prosecutor, someone in power. Another horrifying signifier is the choreography of Hilary's downfall scene- it's blatant difference between that and her supposed true love. It is a pure, baseless seduction, a gratuitous act of destroying a character's integrity. She is using her body as an instrument, lowering her standards, lessening her upper hand. Now we have seen women use sexuality before, playing the scheming temptress-- Phyllis is one example. This storyline was to be a means of Hilary's redemption, but fails entirely on the basis that women must go completely all the way-- all the way to shame, a shame that could lead to consequences like pregnancy. Just months ago Hilary bemoaned wanting Devon's child and cowering in disgust at Neil's touch. Now with this horrendous scheme, Hilary has no qualms about initiating this encounter, at Devon's owned hotel no doubt, smiling throughout-- seeming quite proud of easy conquest. Writers have single handedly destroyed character, revving fuel to an even greater hatred, rousing heated passions of those who've despised Hilary since Devon pairing. Yet many see what writers are provoking and want to put this character assassination to swift heed. Have we not seen plenty of African descended women subjected to such detrimental stereotype? To them being nothing more than a body to use and lust over? Hilary Curtis is smart, resourceful, talented, trilingual. Her truest champions do not forget. Yes, characters are always doomed to perform tasks under different writing teams, especially in the soap opera genre. It's important to stay fresh and riveting. They have Hilary transformed into a villainous serial cheating Hottentot Venus trope, a cruel combination of hurtful wanton caricatures. What is this sacrifice for? Why the sex? Who throws away their hearts and bodies in this manner? Only a character of minority background eh? African descendant women have enough earth shattering mental problems placed on us without adding body issues and self worth to the pot. 

Hilary and Devon fans are frustrated with their characters being on once a week, with their seconds of unmoving interaction, and Hilary's unwelcome descent into pigeonhole territory.

That relates to dichotomy of Hilary in comparison to other characters her age. Whilst Hilary is demonized and still receiving "punishment" for her affair, going as far as throwing away a shot of happiness, Abby Newman is springing up like a summer rose for hers. She is being written as a heroine, a naive woman just looking for love in all the improper places. See Summer appeared to be in a saccharin-sweet marriage last year, but according to flashbacks, Abby entered an affair with Summer's now dead husband Austin Travers. Their affair was baseless, coming out of nowhere, just an explosion of lust and neediness. Viewers were subjected to flashbacks galore. More than once a week. Wow! More than once a week people! Yet after finding out, Summer and Abby have a strained relationship. Strained. They still can communicate, act civil without insults being tossed like clawing hellcats. Now Abby is well on her way to taking up with her half-sister's man, Stitch. However, best believe in the end Abby and Victoria will still have a relationship, will still have the hurts dissolved and resume playing genuine siblings. Whereas Hilary has no one. Despite not having a home Devon can talk to his sister Lily or even Cane at times, but Hilary has no friends. No outlet to speak. Rarely has she voiced monologues or openly addressed her private thoughts like other soap opera people do. Last time she even had fantasies were Neil finding out about the affair-- another scheme of muddying Hilary and Devon's love. In the woman's own private mind no less. Lily, another woman of color, cannot resist nicknaming Hilary "cheap whore" and "cockroach," negative labels too sadly familiar to minority. It is a plus to see Angell Conwall return as Leslie. Leslie's father had a relationship with Hilary's mother. That should have started some form of sisterly bond, but for reasons unmentioned nothing has fruited between Hilary and Leslie. No one is asking Young and the Restless to be Girlfriends, but c'mon a girl Hilary's age has no one to gab to? Not buying it! Hilary also at times shared conversation with Sharon Newman. That too has dissolved. Hilary, having ejected the one person who cares about and loves her, is alone, forming despicable plans without talking them through. She said that she's always been on her own. She is a survivor. A lone wolf. Maybe it's not a friend she needs more so than someone to talk to. Before they entered romance, she and Devon did have a kindred camaraderie. It was nice seeing a man and woman be friends. Real nice.

Must you bring up them being black? What does them being black have to do with anything? Why? Why? Why?

Race inflicts fear in the comforting homes of those who don't say it's a problem. We are not supposed to question certain indications or critique further than the writing, but travesties go deeper than the writing. It comes into the viewers mindsets, into their psyches,  flowing into bloodstreams and hearts. Is that why some are quick to judge Victoria Rowell's lawsuit? They snap and band together to call her angry, bitter, and crazy without reading into documented factual truths. Is she really in the wrong for speaking out on racism in soap operas? Is she? After Thursday's American episode, we are outraged and disgusted and have every right to be. In the midst of three episode appearances this month, Hilary goes from two fake bumps into the prosecutor to being in bed with him by third onscreen encounter. This is monstrosity! This is unlawfully obscene! Why must we sit in silence, remain oppressed by the crucial way they have torn apart Hilary, ripped her pairing to shreds? We have to take a stand against this writing in soap opera medium. People laugh and insult the format, the cheesiness in the "stories," but at the same time, soap operas are a remark on wealthy culture, wealthy significance. Why can they not let minorities be a part of that journey? Why can't Young and the Restless let brown skinned lovers play a more pivotal part in its near forty year history? A real part. Not two people having conversations in public places and trysts in hotel rooms. Devon is a billionaire (and yes lots hated a white legacy character leaving her money to him). He deserves a house, a ranch of his own. He can afford it in Wisconsin! And if one character is flogged and flayed alive for cheating why is another not condoned as harshly? How can we not believe race is a part of this equation when writing is lopsided and hypocritical? The PTB go out of their way to offend and burn, fully knowing that despite negative obstacles threatening to drive viewership away, our curiosity for what happens to Devon and Hilary will stay committed in our minds. That is an unfair advantage, dangling our fantasy dreams as though we're bunnies dying for carrots. Other characters have managed to be the definition of a couple, move in together, have children, get married. Devon and Hilary cannot catch a break, cannot even walk up the stairs to boyfriend/girlfriend status. They're being chastised by Neil, who cannot tolerate another marriage loss yet begs forgiveness for killing a fetus. This is Neil, the same Neil who during the huge Valentine's Day plane crash didn't bother looking for his daughter Lily out in the snow. She could have died like that fetus he murdered. Instead he stayed attached to Hilary, knowing about the affair, knowing she didn't love him. Yet apparently he saved everyone's lives for Lily! Also Neil acts as though he's never cheated with a family member's wife before. Say what you will about the writers, consistency is not a noted skill. Ha, ha, and ha.

Bryton and Mishael hitting CBS Soaps In Depth and Soap Opera Digest cover scenes, but their characters Hilary and Devon seem to dive for cover onscreen. It's not the fault of the actors.

Hilary and Devon deserve to be a couple. They are no longer a "dirty little secret." Thursday's episode still hurts. Calculating deliberate character assassination pushes pain on mental and emotional awareness, but that doesn't include giving up on Hilary and Devon. Their love story has just been marred a bit more, desecrated further. It is like standing at an art gallery where admirable eyes are drawn to rare exhibited artifact opening the gaze beyond the scope of the gaze. Suddenly that rare exhibited artifact is violently ripped in front of that hypnotized gaze in a conniving show of immediate astonishing rage. That describes the "Minority Madhouse" at Young and the Restless. Only the grace of a thoughtful writer's pen and inner heart devoid of systematic prejudice can shift noticeable unbalance. Soap opera cuts will not just end at Guiding Light, As The World Turns, All My Children, and One Life To Live. Being at the top doesn't save anyone from reaching the bottom, the mere end. Maybe, just maybe, if Young and the Restless entrusted in Hilary and Devon, go beyond window shopping them to sell magazines, this will ignite the lacking "love in the afternoon" solidarity.

They must do something in order to gain back the viewers' respect-- minorities for one!

Hevon Must Be Missing Angels: Applauding Y&R's Hilary Curtis & Devon Hamilton Winters On Finding Rare Love

Young and the Restless's Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and Devon (Bryton James) are bringing back forbidden urban love dynamic in the afternoon.

Nowadays minority descent lovers being together seems to be ultimate forbidden taboo in the network television world-- ultimate unsolicited territory. Every turned channel features one brown toned individual pairing up with white counterpart. ABC's Shonda Rime's Scandal's Olivia and President Fitz and Grey's Anatomy's Jackson and April, Fox's Sleepy Hollow's Abbie to Icabob (they are so gonna go there), The Mindy Project's Mindy and Danny, and NBC's Parenthood's Jasmine and Crosby to name a few. Heck on PBS's Downton Abbey rebellious Rose was trying to marry to a "colored" jazz singer for scandalous plot point purpose. This feminist round table discussion about white obsession with viewing minorities as "beautiful attainable exoticism" addresses and slays perception. Viewers will continue watching these programs not realizing racial boundaries needing to come into play. Fact remains that one cannot be romanticized unless on canvas whiteness wants character to be romanticized.
That's why Young and the Restless has been applauded for as long as I can remember.

Drusilla (Victoria Rowell) and Neil (Kristoff St. John) were one of daytime's best beloved African American fairy tales.

Back in the 1990's, as a youngster on my mama's knee, I fell in love with vivacious Cinderella-esque Drucilla Barber. She was written to stereotype-- poor, uneducated, sassy black woman, but Victoria Rowell graced phenomenal wit, humor, intelligence, and bravery into this memorable character. Former runaway ballerina turned fashion model and illiterate turned excellence, Dru became radiant apple to eye of Neil Winters. Rich, successful, savvy businessman was bright, kind, and charming-- the eloquent black "prince" that Disney's Princess and the Frog were too afraid to create. Alongside evening episodes of The Cosby Show, watching Young and the Restless during summer and holiday noontime breaks were everything thanks to Dru and Neil's roller coaster romance. While Neilla (yes made up my first soap portmanteau) was going on, All My Children's Angie and Jesse (Mom was gung ho on her CBS soaps) were also making pivotal waves, breaking molds of predominately white genre. On Y&R, Neilla had their problems-- career interference (Neil didn't want Dru to become the big model) and affairs (Dru cheated with Neil's younger brother Malcolm due to sugar pill high and Neil with Carmen years later). Despite tangled messes they still loved one another in that traditionally over-dramatic, cannot-live-or-breathe-without-you soapy fashion. Now in comes the man Drusilla and Neil adopted-- Devon Hamilton Winters. Big kicker here-- Devon is in love with Neil's current wife, Hilary Curtis and she loves him too! Urban drama, angst, and sexy off the charts chemistry galore has come right back to Y&R with a fiery diligence!

Feelings were running deep when Devon (Bryton James) came to Hilary's (Mishael Morgan) aide after a pool escapade.

Why have I come to adore Hilary and Devon?
It's liberating happiness for varied reasons.
One: The actors are fantastic! Emmy winning Bryton James has come a long way from Family Matters. Now I have always been skeptical about Devon, but over the years he has grown like a wild, free spirited rose. Not weed nor thorn. A rose. Bryton is marvelous at expressing degrees of emotion, convincing viewers of Devon's inner turmoils and gracious joys. Mishael Morgan is an actress eliciting captivating charisma. I expect big wave currents in her future. Perhaps even future Emmy nominations once stories become basis to showcase depth she is capable of conveying. After all, Mishael has overcame hurdles of bad writing-- already a win.
Two: Hilary Curtis is a smart, snappy, well-traveled, trilingual woman with degrees under her belt (Y&R's young Olivia Pope). In the beginning, a real evil villainous lady-- placing alcohol in former alcoholic Neil's drink as well as revealing his journal entries to the web, trying to break up Lily (Drusilla's daughter with Malcolm) and Cane's marriage among other malicious shenanigans to avenge her mother's death. She's changed now. No, not sprouting halos and angel wings, Hilary's tough edges have softened just a bit and shell is broken. Like Dru, she was a former aspiring dancer and just as ambitious. How could I not appreciate evocative similarities? Oh, and she married Neil. Boom.
Three: Devon Hamilton Winters is made for Hilary. Simply put. He had a mother who loved drugs more than him. A rich father who never knew he existed. Devon too is a hard working individual like Hilary-- passionate about music (one needs music to dance sometimes right?). He lost his hearing due to meningitis and received a successful cochlear transplant. Ultimately revealed to be Katherine Chancellor's (R.I.P. valiant Jeanne Cooper) long lost grandson, he receives a vast inheritance. Money brought eventual troubles. Hilary isn't the first woman of Neil's that Devon has treasured. He had a one night stand with Tyra. However, with Hilary, Devon's heart is one hundred percent soul mate clad. And she feels the same.
Four: You know a couple is worth weight in pure gold if the actors can have great eye sex. Eye sex? Oh, that's when the eyes say everything without touching. Hilary and Devon had been making love for months, way before "innocent" hand brushing and unnecessary clothes came tumbling off. When two sets of chocolate brown eyes speak simultaneous sweet friendship and underlying ardent passion, pairing has exceeded expectation. Hevon is one helluva guilty pleasure. Even if they only have a three minute scene without uttering dialogue to one another. It's that abyssal deep.
Four: Neil is blind twice over! From Hevon's beginning, currents were swirling about for all to see and feel. Even Hilary's nemesis, Lily commented on the flying firecracker sparks.Yet somehow Neil does not sense rapturous phenomenon. Of course, as luck would have it, when Hevon prepared to announce and celebrate their beautiful love, Neil has a horrible accident and loses his eyesight. Now he really can't SEE them.
Five: I must explain strange fixation with diehard shipping of varied blond haired blue eyed women and dark haired, deep-eyed men-- primarily Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Buffy Summers and Angel, Days of Our Lives' Samantha Brady and EJ Dimera, Guiding Light's Tammy Winslow and Jonathan Randall, and General Hospital's Maxie Jones and Nathan West. I relish unseeable forces dooming pairings to be together, but undeniable, irrefutable love is driving catalyst forcing pairings to break conventional rules. Above mentioned pairings have that. Now Hilary and Devon falling into the category and obsession is quite an invigorating twist.

And by spend the night, they mean Devon (Bryton James) and Hilary (Mishael Morgan) have a splendid evening under the stars dancing. Still, they're right for calling it "the ultimate betrayal." The eye sex was off the charts sizzling.

Now there is nothing wrong with interracial love. Nothing. Love is love. But something is wrong with Hollywood perspective. There's always something wrong with Hollywood and race. Frankly, I'm sick of black women being valued and rewarded only when white man desire them and vice versa for black men. They're being painted not to want one another, avoid each other in scenes at times. I once had a social media argument with someone who viewed desirous outcry for African American couplings to be racist notion. I didn't understand her conviction. I do not dislike interracial pairings (favorites include Saved by the Bell's Zach and Lisa, Awkward Black Girl's J & Jay, and Y&R's Daniel and Lily when Davetta Sherwood played her). I have immensely championed white pairings. How is it not appropriate to a black woman and a black man to want each other-- to feel that same forbidden longing, that of which enhances a soap opera drama? I miss Dru and Neil a lot. Thus, I cannot help being drawn towards Hilary and Devon's destiny bound hearts. My longing is their longing like ravenous buzzing bees to promised nectar. Others shouldn't protest them either. Yes, it's a sordid affair, a truly terrible fate. Devon told Hilary before she got married that he had feelings for her. What does she do? Marries Neil anyway despite what inner voice telling her no. The dawn of long marriages seems to have passed in soap operadom. Sad but true. Perhaps Hevon is one of the few potential young pairings that can break this pattern, this notion that supercouples are extinct.

On September 17, 2014, Hilary and Devon's love could no longer fight against humming need for passionate consummation.

As for other soap operas still on the air with black couples in love, General Hospital has Jordan and Shawn. Bold and the Beautiful's Carter and Maya, however, are not ill fated destiny. Maya wants Rick Forrester and has always wanted Rick Forrester. Days Of Our Lives needs to catch up. Let's face it even when Renee Jones  (Lexie Carver) was on the latter soap, she wasn't used as front burner material. Unless her character had some tawdry affairs or died. Currently, the audience wants and craves Hevon fruit. TV Source Poll results have Hevon as #3 Best Couple (top Y&R pairing and only African Americans), Bryton at #3 for Best Actor and Mishael at #6 for Best Actress! Lord knows I want them. They just might be my last ship. After all, others sank hardcore. I'm still crying real tears. My track record with forbidden love isn't exactly peachy keen. Angel left Buffy. Tammy died. EJ died. Samantha went to Hollywood. Maxie and Nathan are banned from seeing each other right now.

It'll only be a matter of time before Hevon and its portrayers take number one spot in the CBS Soaps Poll.

So I need Hilary to dump Neil as soon as eyesight comes back. She should be with her true love-- Devon. It sounds real easy and maybe downright cornball, but the ride will be bumpy and soapy and hopefully not too traumatic. Since Dru fell off a cliff and left her jacket behind in 2007, the writers can create a sweet humble return for Victoria Rowell. Is that too much wonderful to ask for? Neil's eventual pain will need healing and having happily ever after with Drusilla would salve wounds. Whereas other creative juicy obstacles can just try damnedest to keep united Hevon apart. 

Cheers to Bryton and Mishael, hoping that there will be more twists and pulls as Devon ad Hilary continue to fall further into intricate webs of love.

In closing, Young and the Restless will always have steadfast allegiance. Occasionally, I despise character downfalls and scream at the screen, but its devotion to humanizing urbanism has stirred since childhood. I cannot completely turn my back on appreciative artistry. In Genoa City, African Americans rise alongside populated whiteness, fall in and out of love, and swarm in richly wealth sans beholden tendency. My excited, obligated heart swells at thoughts of more exploratory Hevon trysts and clandestine rendezvouses. Although fearing outcomes and revelations, I believe Hilary and Devon are meant for one another-- brown skinned Romeo Montague to brown skinned Juliet Capulet. Addictive angst and scorching drama cloaks them, but above all else fervent, consuming, bone-melting, soul stirring love-- most important element tying solid romance together. So much potential. I cannot wait to see what further stories are planned.
Besides if narratives don't meet expectations, there is always fanfiction.
Thank Hevon for that.