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 The
character of Brian Jeffries is a perfect example of the writers' lack of
foresight regarding certain storylines in the summer of 1989. From his
very first appearance, it is clear that his personality had been
carefully crafted and his actor meticulously chosen, yet he is abandoned
after only a few weeks without explanation.
Brian
Jeffries is a charming and self-confident lawyer, despite having strong
likability. When he first appears, he clumsily flirts with Julia
Wainwright at The Lair, until she grows tired of his remarks and leaves
him alone at the table.
While
Mason Capwell has left town for an indefinite period to investigate
Robert Barr's dark schemes, Julia finds herself alone at the Capwell
& Capwell law firm they founded. The next day, she interviews
candidates to assist her with ongoing cases and is surprised to discover
that one of them is Brian, who is himself taken aback that his potential
employer is the woman who rejected him the day before. Nevertheless,
they get along well, and sensing his competence, Julia hires him.
However,
few cases actually involve him. Still as flirtatious as ever, he later
tries his luck with Dr. Heather Donnelly, who is pregnant and separated
from Dr. Scott Clark. But when she discovers that he is Scott's lawyer,
Heather rejects him, thinking it is a maneuver by Scott in their custody
battle. Brian seems to have convinced her otherwise, as they go out
again a few days later at the Country-club, making Scott jealous.
When
Julia is accused of murdering Bunny Tagliatti, Brian tries to help her
with information provided by Ethan Asher. Fortunately, Bunny turns out
to be alive and reappears in the Santa Barbara courthouse at the same
time as Mason Capwell, who has returned from Europe.
This
sudden return seems to mark the end for Brian, who then disappears
without anyone noticing, as if he had never existed. A very regrettable
writing choice, as the character had already established a strong
personality and seemed destined for a promising future that was
ultimately cut short.
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