Rex Balsom
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| Rex Balsom | |||||||||||||||||
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 John-Paul Lavoisier as Rex Balsom in the One Life to Live opening sequence |
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| One Life to Live | |||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | John-Paul Lavoisier | ||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | May 9, 2002 [1] [2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||
| Gender | Male | ||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Private investigator Owner of the Ultra Violet Buchanan Enterprises shareholder |
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Rex Balsom is a fictional character on the American daytime drama One Life To Live, portrayed by John-Paul Lavoisier since May 9, 2002. [1] [2]
With the character initially named "Jamie" prior to production, then-Executive Producer Gary Tomlin "toyed with the idea" of putting Rex in a gay storyline; Lavoisier stated in Soap Opera Digest in 2003 that he had been "asked by the higher powers at the show how I would feel about doing something like that. I said, 'Absolutely, any plot you want to give me, I'll take on strong.' And they said, 'Okay, we just wanted to check.'" [7] However, this idea was never realized and the character has been repeatedly paired with women. Calling Rex a "heterosexual horndog," Lavoisier noted that he "added a glint in [Rex's] eye he'd lifted from Ryan Phillippe's ... Cruel Intentions character of Sebastian. 'They said, "Sure, go with that. Start with that." And that was pretty much it.'" [7]
In 2007, the series began a revisiting of Rex's backstory before his arrival in 2002. The introduction of the character's high school girlfriend Gigi Morasco and her son Shane — and the fact that Gigi has something she has waited years to tell him [8] — initially indicates that Shane may be Rex's son; [9] this is confirmed onscreen on 17 March 2008. [3] Tomlin's return to the series as Head Writer during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike also featured Rex beginning an investigation into his own family history, prompted by his pending wedding to Adriana Cramer[10] and the "suspicious" behavior of his mother Roxy. [11] [12]
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[edit] Character history
[edit] Enter Rex
Believing Roxy Balsom is her biological mother, newspaper heiress Jessica Buchanan travels to Michigan in 2002 to meet Roxy's son Rex.[2] Money-hungry schemer Rex soon comes to Llanview to take advantage of the fact that Jessica is a member of the wealthy Buchanan family. Raised by his father's sister Corinne Balsom, [2][5][8] Rex has an uneasy relationship with the wild, unreliable Roxy. It is ultimately revealed that Jessica had not been switched at birth with Rex's sister Natalie, but that the women are actually fraternal twins and both the daughters of Victoria Lord Davidson. Rex has remained close to Natalie, the "sister" he grew up with, and maintains a friendship with Jessica.
Rex becomes involved with Jennifer Rappaport, a former manipulator who is trying to follow a more respectable path after the murder of her father. Torn between bad boy Rex and the wholesome clergyman Joey Buchanan, Jen first elopes with Rex in the summer of 2003 and then quickly annuls the union to marry Joey in a more traditional ceremony in August. Jen miscarries Joey's baby thanks to a bumpy motorcycle ride on Rex's bike; Rex extorts the deed to Jen's father's house from her by threatening to reveal their affair to Joey. The truth comes out and Jen and Joey divorce, but Jen begins a relationship with Riley Colson. Rex later has a short relationship with Jen's mother, Lindsay Rappaport.
Opportunist Rex becomes a bit more respectable by taking over management of R.J. Gannon's nightclub Ultra Violet. Over the years, Rex parlays his street smarts and shady connections into a sideline career as an amateur private investigator. In occasionally aiding the police, Rex develops a friendship with Police Commissioner Bo Buchanan, who is constantly frustrated by Rex's mischief and methods but cares about him like a son.
In 2006 Rex becomes romantically involved with Adriana Cramer, whose mother Dorian Cramer Lord disapproves of the match and goes to great lengths to keep them apart. When one of Dorian's plans backfires and puts Adriana into mortal danger, Rex comes to her rescue, finally convincing Dorian that he is a worthy mate for Adriana. In 2007 Rex and Adriana's relationship is tested by celebrity baseball pitcher Tate Harmon, who becomes romantically interested in Adriana and manipulates events to get close to her and cause conflict between Adriana and Rex. Jealous Rex's own investigations of Tate prompt Adriana to break up with Rex and start to date Tate, but Rex is later vindicated when Tate is revealed to be a white supremacist responsible for various anti-semitic and racially-motivated attacks in Llanview. Rex and Adriana reunite.
[edit] Spencer Truman's legacy
Rex had been devastated by Jen's murder in May 2005, but the event had cemented his closeness to Jen's best friend Marcie Walsh and to Lindsay. While searching for Todd Manning's infant son, kidnapped at birth by Dr. Spencer Truman, private investigator Rex discovers in 2006 that the child is actually his own godson: Tommy, the adopted son of Marcie and her new husband, Dr. Michael McBain. Familiar with the McBains' devotion to Tommy and knowing that they would be devastated if he were taken away, Rex is unsure what to do; he is also aware of Todd's volatile behavior, above-the-law history and selfishness. Perceiving Todd's consideration of his missing son as nothing more than a lost possession, Rex decides to keep the secret.
Adriana and later Michael himself become part of the conspiracy to keep Tommy with the McBains. Rex goes as far as faking a death certificate for Todd's missing child to get Todd to give up the search. An unhinged Spencer Truman is murdered on January 26, 2007 and Bo catches Rex holding the murder weapon.[13] Rex is exonerated, but Bo and later Michael's brother Detective John McBain suspect he is keeping something from them. In the wake of Spencer's death, hints to the whereabouts of Todd's son begin to surface, prompting Todd to resume his search.
In 2007, Spencer's killer is finally revealed to be Lindsay, who loves Marcie like a daughter. Lindsay had discovered Tommy's true identity and had stabbed Spencer to bury the secret forever. But at the same time Lindsay is arrested, the rest of Spencer's final plan plays out as his heir Miles Laurence gives Todd proof that Spencer orchestrated the adoption of Todd's son by the McBains. Realizing that he had been deceived by Rex, Todd swears to get revenge once he has his son back. Rex in turn vows to do all he can to help Lindsay, and to keep Tommy away from Todd.
[edit] Rex's past
Todd is awarded custody on 9 October 2007, [14] but Marcie flees Llanview with Tommy. The search leads Rex to the Bon Jour Café in Paris, Texas, where he runs into waitress Gigi Morasco — his high school girlfriend. [8] Rex apologizes for his sudden disappearance from her life in 2002 when had left for Llanview, but does not realize the extent to which she had been hurt. [15]
The evasive Gigi, who is hiding Marcie and unaware of her friendship with Rex, lies about any knowledge of the fugitive. Agreeing with Rex that "it is terrible thing for a father to not have the opportunity to watch his son grow up," Gigi says she has something to tell him. But she holds back as Rex mentions his plans to propose to Adriana; with Marcie anxious to get cash in order to leave the country, Gigi sells Rex Marcie's engagement ring. Gigi is unnerved as Rex and her son Shane — whose father she has told Shane is dead — nearly meet. Rex departs, leaving Gigi shaken. [9] [16] [17] Rex returns to Llanview and proposes to Adriana; she accepts and puts Marcie's ring on her finger — where it is soon recognized by Michael. [18] He rushes to Texas, bringing Todd and the authorities with him, and Tommy is returned to Todd on January 14, 2008. Meanwhile, Rex, Adriana and Dorian worry that Blair Cramer — Adriana's cousin and Todd's wife — will tell Todd that Rex and Adriana have know all along that the McBains had adopted Todd's son.
In early 2008, Rex and Adriana meet Dorian's mysterious new houseguest, Charlie Banks. Charlie — who is hiding his identity to conceal his relationship to son Jared Banks — glances idly at Roxy's business card and introduces himself as "Charlie Balsom." He is dismayed to learn that Rex's name is Balsom as well, and Rex inquires as to whether he and Charlie are related.[11] Charlie insists they aren't, and later saves Rex from Todd's long-feared wrath over his son. Rex remains curious about his lineage, asking first Roxy, then his Aunt Corinne, about Walter Balsom's side of the family. Both women are evasive and nervous when questioned about Rex's family tree, and Rex becomes convinced that they are hiding something.[6] When Corinne visits Llanview on January 25, 2008 to congratulate Rex on his engagement, Rex grills her for information, and Corinne reluctantly admits that she has her doubts that Walter Balsom was Rex's father. [19] In order to stop Rex from looking further, Roxy claims that "Charlie Balsom" is his father. She begs Charlie to go along with the story; he ultimately agrees, and reluctantly lets an excited Rex start building a relationship with his "father."
Meanwhile, Gigi has come to Llanview to testify for Marcie in the case against her. Adriana discovers Shane's existence, and suspects that he is Rex's son. Rex refuses to believe it, and Gigi confirms that Shane's father is a deceased Navy SEAL. Gigi is troubled as Rex begins getting closer to Shane. On 17 March 2008, she admits aloud that Rex is Shane's father.[3]
Rex and Adriana marry on May 20, 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Rex Balsom profile - SoapCentral.com
- ^ a b c d One Life to Live recap (5/9/02) - ABC.com
- ^ a b c Gigi confirms that Rex is Shane's father in the 17 March 2008 episode.
- ^ Stella's daughter Roxy's maiden name "Lipschitz" is revealed on the January 29, 2008 episode.
- ^ a b c Though the character's name has been repeatedly spelled "Corrine" at ABC.com, SoapCentral.com and in Soap Opera Digest, Ann Hamilton was credited as "Corinne" onscreen on January 25, 2008.
- ^ a b One Live to Live recap (1/23/08) - ABC.com On the 23 January 2008 episode, Rex notes that his long-talked-about aunt Corinne is the sister of his father, Dr. Walter Balsom. "After speaking to his Aunt Corrine [on the phone], Rex is certain Roxy is hiding something about his family. Corrine warns Roxy that Rex has been asking questions."
- ^ a b Dawn, Randee. "Rex and the City." Soap Opera Digest, 1 April 2003.
- ^ a b c "Rex and Gigi's Secret Past Revealed on OLTL." Soap Opera Digest, Vol. 32, No. 52, 25 December 2007, page 8. "[Rex and Gigi] were high school sweethearts in Michigan, when Rex used to live with his Aunt Corrine ... Rex just abruptly left town and left Gigi and never gave her an explanation ... She tried to get in touch with him for a very important reason and she never could get in touch with him."
- ^ a b Hinsey, Carolyn. "It's Only My Opinion." Soap Opera Digest, Vol. 33, No. 4, 22 January 2008, page 45. "Raise your hand if you believe Shane's dad is really dead. Anyone?"
- ^ One Life to Live recap (1/17/08) - ABC.com "Rex is hit with the reality that he hardly has any family at all. He wants to explore his background."
- ^ a b One Life to Live recap (1/8/08) - ABC.com "Rex and Adriana meet Charlie, who digs himself in deeper with his web of lies and abruptly claims his last name is Balsom in his effort to keep his paternity of Jared secret. When Rex later questions Roxy about being related to Charlie Balsom — and wanting to investigate his family history — Roxy overreacts in warning him not to. Rex's suspicions are raised."
- ^ One Life to Live recap (1/9/08) - ABC.com "Roxy seems to be keeping a secret about the Balsom family."
- ^ One Life to Live recap (1/29/07) - ABC.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (10/9/07) - ABC.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (12/21/07) - SoapCentral.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (12/24/07) - SoapCentral.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (12/24/07) - ABC.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (12/28/07) - ABC.com
- ^ One Life to Live recap (1/25/08) - ABC.com "Rex presses his Aunt Corrine for answers about his family and is stunned by the bombshell she drops on him: Walter Balsom may not have been his father."
[edit] External links
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