ATWT: Henry and Vienna Marry

On Monday, July 5, 2010, Henry and Vienna got married on As the World Turns. The nuptials won’t last for a long term even if ATWT wasn’t going off the air in September. Since I was home from work, I took this opportunity to check into the lives of the people of Oakdale and write about this particular episode.

Henry has fallen in love with Barbara, his half-brother Paul’s mother. Vienna isn’t actually pregnant and faking it. Vienna and Henry were in love, but things changed. Everyone including the groom expected Barbara to come in and interrupt the ceremony.

The couple was married by an internet pastor. They started with a traditional ceremony, but then Vienna made her own vows as did a reluctant Henry. The guests in attendance were Paul, Emily, Katie, Chris, Bob and Kim. I was happily surprised to see Bob and Kim even if they didn’t do all that much talking. Kim did mention that this would be hard on her niece Barbara, which was seldom mentioned when I was a regular ATWT viewer.

Barbara would have stopped the ceremony if not for being chloroformed. We saw Barbara imagining who would have been cruel enough to do so. Emily, Katie and Vienna all took turns in the role of person who kidnapped her. It was not said for sure who was guilty. Barbara was locked in a room with a lot of candy, and carnival favors. It looked like she was eating pixie sticks or some other candy that was pure sugar. She was alone huddling in the dark with a large clown statue. It is a good thing, Barbara does not suffer from coulrophobia or else she would have lost her mind in the clown room.

Katie and Chris both knew that Vienna was lying about the pregnancy. They kept the secret from Henry even if it wasn’t the right thing to do. I was surprised that Katie would like to Henry as I saw them as best friends. Perhaps, I missed some change in their relationship over the years. Vienna talked about praying to Santa Lucia, who is the saint of light, and beloved in certain parts of Europe. Katie was given the bridal bouquet as she was the only single woman at the ceremony. Kim told Katie that she shouldn’t give up on future possibilities. Katie’s husband Brad died tragically and she may not be ready for someone new. At the end of the episode, we saw Katie touch the ring her late husband gave her. We also saw Henry look at his wedding band. Vienna turned the lights out and hugged Henry in bed.

Vienna is going to have to act quickly, as Henry loves another and can’t be duped for long. After a certain amount of time, one would expect Vienna to give birth. Either she has to lose the baby or get a baby to give to Henry. A phantom pregnancy with a reaction of “never mind” is not feasible as far as Henry knows Vienna is well past her first trimester. While Vienna is lying and others are keeping her secret, it is possible someone will finally tell Henry the truth. Faking a pregnancy to get him to marry her, should spell the end of any residual feelings Henry has for Vienna. That should clear the way for Barbara and Henry to reunite.