Our Throwback character this week is Lucas Horton. Yes, he’s still on screen. But with the 6-month production gap technically he’s no longer with the show. Bryan Dattilo is wrapping up his exit story this week. And we want to highlight our lovable legacy, Lucas. So we gonna go with it, okay? Lol.
Fresh out of military school known then as Lucas Roberts (he would change his last name to Horton years later as a way to distance himself from his mother Kate) was introduced to Salem in 1993. He came to town with his mother, Kate Roberts. As in most instances in soapland, he found out he was related to others in Salem. He was the son of Bill Horton which meant he was also the brother of Mike and Jennifer Horton and related to a slew of other people. Even more so to his surprise, it was discovered he had siblings from Kate, a brother Austin and a sister Billie. He would have more siblings later from Kate; Rex, Cassie, and Phillip.
It was hard for Lucas sharing Kate’s affection and attention when he had had it to himself for so long. Also, there were problems between Austin and Lucas that came about before they knew they shared the same DNA. Austin and Lucas were in love with the same woman, Carrie. And in the beginning, Sami wanted Austin and not Lucas. Not exactly the best circumstances in which to bond with your brother. Lucas’ relationship with both Austin and Billie started as a work in process.
Lucas is one of those characters if asked most will say is “good”. But he’s done some stuff. He was an accomplice with Kate in framing Sami for murder with Sami almost getting the electric chair. A drunken Lucas kidnapped his son, Will. They were in an accident and Will sustained serious injuries. He’s messed up more than a few times. He knows how to be Kate’s son.
But your soap heart has to go out to Lucas for all he has endured. He was lied to for years about Will’s paternity by Sami. Only to be blackmailed later to give up his son. Lucas was caught in a fire set by his mother. He learned on his wedding night that his wife, Sami, had been forced into sex by EJ to save Lucas’ life. He was badly injured in a gas explosion. Dumped by Bonnie who was posing as Adrienne. Only to be dumped by the real Adrienne months later. And most recently, Bonnie lied to Lucas to get a get out of jail card and told him he was Baby Bonnie’s father conceived when she was faux Adrienne. But alas Lucas was just the uncle and not the father. And that wasn’t the first time Lucas thought he was a father but wasn’t.
Lucas has to be one of the unluckiest Salemites when it comes to love. Now, he’s been paired with some of the top leading ladies of Salem, Sami, Nicole, Chloe, Carrie and Adrienne. But Lucas always seemed to be their second choice, their hold over until the next man or until the real love of their lives came and took them away. How many heartbreaks can one man take? In Lucas’ case? Many. Carrie really loved Austin. Sami really wanted Austin at first Then it was EJ. Chloe was in love Daniel. Adrienne, Justin. Nicole basically married him for money.
For the most part, the two most important women in Lucas’ life has been Kate and Sami (the mother of his children Will and Allie) who most likely is the love of Lucas’ life. For too long, Lucas was pulled back and forth and used as it suited Kate and Sami in their feud. You wondered sometimes what was more important to Kate and Sami, Lucas or them getting the best of each other? Sometimes it was hard to tell.
It seemed like Lucas could just never catch a break. And when things became overwhelming, as they too often did, Lucas would turn to the bottle for solace. His battle with alcoholism has been woven into his storylines over the years and portrayed brilliantly by Bryan. Bryan also did a fantastic job as a parent transformed from a place of anger, ignorance, and bigotry to a place of love and acceptance during Will’s coming out storyline.
Lucas on screen is on his way to Europe to visit Allie for Thanksgiving and have some turkey fondue. Lucas shared his last scenes with his brother Rex and then he and Chloe shared a tender moment and some I Love You’s. Interestingly, there was no goodbye scene with Kate which from a storyline perspective makes sense since it’s written that Lucas is only taking a trip. I guess at some point we will hear that Lucas decided to there and help with the kids while Sami and Susan are caring for EJ.
We want to see Lucas back in Salem. We want him to find and keep the love he deserves and to be happy!
Bryan and Lucas has left and returned to Salem and Days more than once so we are hopeful this time will be no different. So, until then…..Bravo! Godspeed Bryan & many thanks for Lucas Horton.
See you later.
What are your favorite Lucas moments and storylines?
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