Soap Opera Digest - Performer
of the Week
July 28,1998
One Life to
Live’s Roger Howarth (Todd) bounces from horrific rage to contrite sorrow
to awkward tenderness and then right back to horrific rage literally in
the blink of an eye, making for an electrifying performances that constantly
surprise. Because Howarth never telegraphs his next move, when Todd is
staring into Téa’s eyes, the scene can go either way: Will he kiss
her? Or slap her?
Take
the scene at the Buchanan lodge when Todd held everyone hostage.
At first, it seemed as if the character had gone off the deep end.
He traversed the lodge in disheveled clothing, long hair flying, threatening
to kill everyone and yelling at stoic Viki to “ Shut Up” about 25 times.
Just when it looked like he would kill them all, Téa mentioned his
beloved daughter, Starr. Todd froze, realizing for the first time
what a terrible thing he was doing in his misguided efforts to unmask Georgie’s
murderer.
Yes it was
good writing . And yes, Howarth had a marvelous supporting cast.
But what kept us glued to our sets was Todd alone: bitter, sarcastic, violent,
arrogant, pleading, repentant, even sorrowfull. We can’t take our
eyes off him . And that’s all Howarth .