ESPRIT LIBRE // Press Archive

Performer of the Week: Forbes March (SOD 12/6/05)
(Note: Thank you Andrea for typing this up!)

OLTL's second-generation DID story easily could've failed miserably as a gimmick designed to relive the show's glory years when Erika Slezak (Viki) commanded the screen as her trashy alter, Niki Smith. Forbes March is a huge reason why that didn't happen.

March brought life to the story the moment he hit the canvas, and his playful chemistry with Bree Williamson's (Jessica) Tess easily grew into a love story with huge rooting value. Now that everyone has become aware of Jessica's DID, he has added depth to his character by giving us the overwhelming bewilderment that anyone in Nash's shoes would feel, but at the same time maintaining a playful swagger that keeps reminding us how wonderful he and Tess are together.

It's been a roller coaster for Nash. One minute, Tess is calling out for him from behind a closed door, so he puffs out his chest with righteous pride and spits at Antonio, "She's calling me. She wants me. I love her, and you heard her, didn't ya?" She loves me."

But March also nailed the humble, polite, young outsider trying not to interfere with Jessica's therapy, and his charm has helped him win over Viki and Clint. As he sat on the couch at Llanfair, his legs crossed naturally in front of him, a sheepish grin on his face, the entire audience gushed right along with him as he recalled to Viki the story of how he and Tess met.

Nash has suffered blows and won small victories during this ordeal, but he endures it all while holding onto his one solid rock: his love for Tess. March's charisma and presence helps us keep wanting to see this man happy. "Whatever happens to her, whoever she ends up being," he calmly explained to Clint, "I'm not going to just walk away from the woman I love and the child that may be mine. I'm just not like that. I'm sorry."

No need to apologize, son. We hope you stick around for a long, long time.