January 1979

All My Children

Returning to Pine Valley, Ray Gardner hides in David Thornton's old cabin and hatches a plan to abduct Tad. Kelly survives an accidental overdose of pills and booze, then tells Eddie that the marriage is off. Although Tom nixes plans to open a disco, Erica goes ahead on her own. Mark is devastated when Ellen admits Devon isn't going to give them the baby to adopt and raise as their own. Ellen then  postpones her wedding to Mark. Kelly plans to move in with Myrtle. Phoebe continues to pressure Chuck about divorcing Donna.

Erica goes to New York to get money from Mark’s mother, Maureen, to open her disco. Brooke and Mark become friends. Making sure she cannot balance the books, Eddie offers to help Claudette in the office and in bed. Ray Gardner abducts Edna. When Russ Anderson, a former medical school chum of Frank’s, comes to town, Caroline tries to match him with Nancy. Tom wants to start a family but Erica’s taking the pill on the sly.

While trying to get Donna and Edna from Ray Gardner’s clutches, Chuck is shot by Ray. Jeff explodes when he learns it wasn’t a case of Chris turning down a San Francisco job, but her seeking them out and then being turned down instead. Maureen, Mark’s mother, agrees to finance Erica’s disco if Erica breaks up Mark and Ellen’s relationship. When Tara says she can no longer manage Charlie without a man around the house, Kate suggests Tara tell Charlie that Phil – not Chuck – is his father. Mona discovers Tom wants children, but Erica is taking birth-control pills. After Devon gets a letter from an unwed mother’s home in New York, Wally insists on going with her when she has the baby. Myrtle is puzzled by the strangehold Eddie seems to have on Kelly.

When she sees Ray Gardner shoot Chuck in Edna’s apartment, Donna regains her memory. Posing as a doctor, Phil manages to get into the apartment in hopes of rescuing Chuck, Donna, Edna and Dottie. Disco-ing in New York with Mark, Erica is certain she wants to open her own disco, there,  and sets about trying to break up Mark and Ellen, as per Mark’s mother. As luck would have it, Brooke is showing more than a friendly interest in Mark.

Overhearing Phoebe and Tara arguing, Charlie learns Chuck is not his real father. Posing as a doctor, Phil convinces Ray to let him treat Chuck. Unable to bear Chuck's suffering, Phil risks giving him a painkiller even though it may cost his life. Ray releases Chuck and Donna but keeps Phil as a hostage and intends to trade Dottie for Tad and $20.000. Donna realizes she is pregnant. Fearing she will lose Kelly, Myrtle decides not to interfere in her life. Linc is concerned about Kelly's overly good spirits. Wally insists that he and Devon see their baby after it is born. Erica gets Phoebe and Maureen to consider investing in her disco.


One Life to Live

Jenny takes a job as Larry's nurse. Greg is released by police and Ed discovers that the gun used to kill Marco was pawned in Niki Smith's name. Viki is horrified when Joe reveals that Niki Smith seems to have returned. About to be charged with Marco's murder, Viki retains Paul Martin as her attorney. Ed and Carla discuss divorce. Pat is confused by Adam's on-again, off again romantic behavior. Returning from Vegas, Brad continues to gamble.

Adam loves Pat but fears telling her about his medical problems. Paul Martin gets a message from Niki Smith. While kept under police guard in hospital, Viki is pleased that Niki has not surfaced. Hurt when Jenny balks at the idea of getting pregnant, Brad continues to bet heavily on the horses. Karen wonders if Jenny still loves Brad. Gwen and Brad spend day at the races. Dorian is tired of having Gwen as a house guest. In order to present a balanced view of Marco's murder, Paul Kendall decides not to take San Francisco job and agrees to stay on instead to cover story for the Banner.

Vicki is indicted for Marco's murder. Confessing his love to Caria, Jack says he's not going to give her up. Confused because Adam is always drawing back from her, Pat decides to give him some of his own medicine. Dorian's nasty remarks about Viki cause Paul Kendall to break off his relationship with her. Larry is puzzled over Karen's obsession with Viki's problems. Paul Martin is no longer sure that Niki is responsible for Marco's death but feels someone is trying to pin it on Viki.

Charged with Marco's murder, Viki fears she will have to spend time in jail. Her bandages removed, Samantha is overjoyed because her scars are gone. Melinda is fearful that she will have to testify at Viki's trial. When Jack fires his secretary, Carla warns him she won't even consider taking the job. Gwen and Brad continue to go to the races with Gwen winning and Brad losing.

Samantha accepts Tony's engagement ring and turns down an audition for TV weather girl. Richard is enraged over Sam's engagement. When Edwina's coverage of Marco's murder continues to point to Viki, Pat decides to run a TV editorial. Sanity tests on Viki show no conclusive evidence that Niki Smith does or does not exist; Viki decides to take truth serum. Talbot Huddleston tells Karen he'll help Viki if Karen keeps her mouth shut about Brian Kendall's hit-and-run death when he was driving the car. Brad is losing money gambling and borrows more from Sam. Melinda flares when she spots Peter and Jenny at lunch together. Saying he is too tied up in business affairs, Adam tells Pat he never wants children. Tina receives a threatening phone call at Greg's house.