Nov. 4, 2003



First a confession: We have no idea what Kendall is up to. Did she really marry Michael? We're not quite sure. Did she kill him? We doubt it. Is she protecting someone? We think so. But make no mistake: Our inability to crack the Kendall code hasn't dampened our enthusiam for the masterful way that Alicia Minshew s executing it.

Yes, the actress shines when Kendall is playing tough. (She was a particular hoot when Kendall tore into the police station in a skintight mourner's uniform to announce a hefty reward for the arrest of her husband's killer.) But Minshew is at her peek when she allowed Kendall's tender side to poke through. She nailed the quiet moment when Kendall asked Aidan to explain why he's sticking by her, greatly moved by his loyalty and utterly panicked that his determination to clear her name will derail her whole plan...whatever it is. But better yet was the look on Kendall's face when she caught her first glimpse of Ryan. Though his sudden return was a definite curveball, surprise was the least of what registered in her eyes: We saw hurt, heartache, helplessness and even a bit of fear. With that one little look, the Kendall/Ryan relationship was infused with a depth and urgency it lacked in its first incarnation.

So, while we may not know exactly what game Kendall is playing, we're quite certain of this: Alicia Minshew is at the top of hers.