Subj: Why Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald is a Failed character
Date: 10/4/2002
 

Watching Passions today, it sort of was disappointing torealize just how horrible Antonio IS as a character.

It’s really a shame.

James E. Reilley had TWO YEARS to think up a story aboutAntonio, and REALLY think about the characterization. THIS is the best he coulddo?

Maybe it’s because I had read too many fan fictions. I hadtoo ‘high’ an expectation for Antonio.

Because, nothing I’ve seen on screen comes close to thecharacterizations I read about Antonio.

And, JER changing the timeline works even MORE against thecharacter of Antonio. When I thought Antonio was barely a kid when he left, Ihad more sympathy for him. When they changed it to 10 years ago, makes him lookeven MORE pathetic.

What did I expect from Antonio?

Ok, he looked like Martin, but  had a temper like Luis.

While Luis did the ‘honorable thing’ and held the familytogether….
Antonio is ‘less honorable’. He would skirt the law to getwhat he wanted.

And, the main focus of Antonio…

He was also a Lopez-Fitzgerald obsessive.

While Theresa’s obsession is Ethan
And Miguel’s is Charity

Antonio’s Obsession is the Cranes.

He lived every moment for the time when he could return homeand wreck vengeance on the Cranes.

To that end, he’s been working feverishly, learning a profession– the law or a business degree.

But, he’s researched the Cranes so much that he knows themup and down.

The Antonio who would walk away from the family and stayaway, was ALWAYS planning to return….

Once his plans for revenge against the Cranes were in place.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined thatAntonio would be:
A whining, lazy, grifting mooch of a loser.

He’s had NO plans for ANYTHING.

And, while, I think making Simone stupid is supposed to makeus root for Chadney…I think JER thinks we’re supposed to be sympathetic toAnphonio because he’s this stupid. I don’t care if Antonio dies. And, it’s notbecause I’m a Shuis Fan, but as a Passions fan, I don’t care if he dies.Nothing will be lost storywise. So, Pilar will cry – what else is new.  Nothing would be lost to this show ifAntonio died.

It’s a combination of poor characterization, and a lackluster actor. They both add up to Antonio being a loser of a character.

JMO.

SIP