Lynda Hirsch on Soaps

"All My Children's" J.R. Martinez (Brot) may not know where his character is going or if he is heading to L.A. when the show makes the move, but he knows where the show has been. For that he is grateful. "Through my character, I have been allowed to show what life is like after war — what life was like for me after I suffered severe injuries in the Iraq War." There was no sugar coating. The character was allowed to show how a life can change in a minute; how hard it can be to go on, but how one can go on. The show could have hired an actor, given him artificial scars and had the scars erased in plastic surgery. "AMC" did not take the cliche path. They did a major search to find the right person for the search. They did just that with Martinez.

Martinez is also pleased that "AMC" had a scene where he and Taylor (Beth Ehlers) discuss what led them to life in the military. "Just as in my life, Brot decided to enlist after 9/11. It is a decision that I will never regret. It is one that changed my life forever." Prior to the wartime accident, Martinez was handsome and self-assured. That was taken away from in an explosion that almost took his life. It did take his face as he knew it. He had to deal with multiple injuries. He was in rehab for over a year. He admits he had to deal with physical and emotional scars: "It was a slow process. I know it can be painful. I spend a lot of time talking to military men who have suffered the same fate. The show's decision to have Brot do that on the show was amazing. Just like me, Brot was unsure of what he had to offer to those severely wounded in war. Like me, he realized how much talking to someone who has been there can help."

He is also amazed that "AMC" has allowed the character to reveal why he enlisted.

It is the same reason that caused Martinez to enlist. "When I saw the World Trade Center go down that day, I knew I had to do something.

"Everyone remembers where they were that day eight years ago."

He is right. I was headed to L.A. to pitch an idea. An idea that seems so insignificant in the horror of that day. My Manhattan apartment looked across the Hudson River. The magnificent Twin Towers were the view I saw from my balcony. It was also my nephew's first birthday. There is the surreal picture of his birthday cake. More presents than anyone will ever need strewn all over the floor. On the television in the background was the sight of planes striking and destroying a major symbol of America. Eight years later, Martinez has come to terms with his new life. My pitch never did take place. My nephew is now 9. He knows Sept. 11 is an important date. Until this year, he thought it was because it is his birthday, which will always make that day special. He also knows there is more about that day. This year, he has figured out that when people ask his birthday, his response causes many to flinch.

"All My Children" has not flinched. Not in the story of Brot. The mentioning of Sept. 11 not just as a passing comment, but as a story that had a major effect on an integral character once again shows why "AMC" is a great, unique show that needs to live, be it produced in New York or L.A. It shows what daytime drama can do. Catch the Sept. 11 episode of "All My Children." See a rerun on SoapNet, find it on DVR or TiVo or catch it on the Internet. It is bitter. That day will always be an impossible pill to swallow. It is sweet because it shows what a fine drama can and should do.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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