'As the World Turns' - Barbara Ryan brings it on

Oakdale's Cougar Woman

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Collen Zenk Pinter's portrayal on the soap stage as Barbara Ryan has always been stunning, classy and amusing  during the years I have followed her journey in Oakdale.    

That said, I have to admit when Barbara became this hot 'cougar' gal i did not initially understand why she chose Henry Coleman (Trent Dawson) as her boy toy.  Now, for some strange reason, I cannot get enough of this pairing.  Henry and Barbara seem to have seamlessly found a comfortable groove on many levels while hanging out together that goes well beyond the intensely satisfying sexual chemistry they clearly share under the sheets. 

To date, they have been trying to keep their relationship low key as opposed to tossing themselves in front of the sometimes gossiping public that resides in Oakdale, but stuff happens.

Henry feels compelled to purchase a $1000.00 designer red dress for Barbara.  He brings her to Fashions.  While Barbara laments that this dress may be a little over the top for her, Kim enters and finds her niece flirting with Henry.  Henry attempts to bail out of their awkward dilemma and states he simply ran into Barbara while attempting to select a nice dress for Maddie.  Kim doesn't buy it and Henry caves and tells her he is purchasing the dress for Barbara as a sign of his affection.  Barbara is initially horrified but gets through the ordeal.  Henry decides to go visit Katie to tell her he is sleeping with Barbara.  He is not able to get the words out however because of the series of events that played out. Here are just a few:

• Dr. Reid's presence when Henry/Hank showed up threw him off track
• Katie revealing Dr. Reid is gay and not attempting to jump her bones
• Chris Hughes emerging from the bathroom or something taking Henry by surprise 

This of course is not the worst of it for Henry.  Apparently, Katie called Vienna to tell him how mature Henry has become since inheriting the Stenbeck fortune.  Katie has also told Vienna that Henry is donating his fortune to the hospital to build a new neurosurgical operating theater so Dr. Reid can remain in Oakdale. Henry is blindsided when he runs into Vienna who praises Henry for the generous hospital donation he never committed to.  Later, Babara sees Vienna and Henry together, she is stunned.  

I guess Barbara won't be testing that chocolate flavored body lotion she imagined would satisfy Henry's urge to nibble anytime soon.  

How do you feel about Vienna's return?  Personally, I could do without this new wrinkle on the Oakdale canvas.  I like Henry better rich and sizzling in the bedroom with his classy cougar woman for sure. Share your thoughts in the comments section below and thanks as always for allowing me to vent!