I'll start by saying none of these reels really knocked me out. I watched the reels on youtube for the nomination process then I watched them a 2nd time on the DVDs provided.  The episodes played better on the DVDs.

All My Children

The town villain coming back to shock the residents of soap town USA does not pack the same punch that it use to. Nothing is really special in this episode.  "David Hayward" returns to Pine Valley just as his wife is convicted for murdering him.  That's a recipie for high drama but when the writing, acting, and directing are nothing special this overused plot falls flat.  This submission is not a total misfire, but the James Mitchell tribute episode would have put All My Children in the front-runner postion.  

The Bold and the Beautiful

Brad Bell can't be faulted here.  He submitted a tape featuring his big stars reacting and learning about the homeless. Rich ladies "Brooke" and "Stephanie's" reality check is emotional but plays like a PSA.  The visuals are authentic and the feelings are real but these two episodes come off as a full-on Emmy grabbing stunt. However, voters should eat this reel up making B&B the lead horse in this race.  

General Hospital

The reel has it all.  Action, drama, and a big movie star. Franco's crazed hard-on for Jason Morgan unfolds in this fast paced eppy that also details a shootout back in Port Charles. Unfortunately this submission does not play well. It seems a little indulgent.  There is life and energy here and the episode looks beautiful but also suffers from being way too hip for the room.

The Young and the Restless

The locale is gorgeous.  Part of the episode was shot on location in New Orleans as "Sharon" is on the run and the men in her life try to find her.  You really get a taste of the personality of New Orleans from these scenes but the personality of Y&R is lost. There are some nice moments back in Genoa City between "Victor" and "Nikki" but that momentum is killed by the throw away scenes between "Jack" and "Diane."  For all the pomp and circumstance the reel comes off as fair to midlin.'

Prediction

1. B&B

2. GH

3. Y&R

4. AMC

B&B looks to have this.  GH can pull an upset here, outside chance, but I think the homeless PSA will trump James Franco doing his best "Alex Forest" impression.  

Yeah, I have a feeling B&B will take it with that reel also.

Did no one else get the Best Drama Series reels? I'm surprised there aren't more commentaries about this race.

I watched all the reels on Youtube, and well, my rankings are basically the same as FishBiscuit, except I have "Y&R" in last place and "AMC" in third.

My rankings:

1. B&B

2. GH

3. AMC

4. Y&R

Basically my take is that "B&B" is out-front because of the simple human emotions involved in the story. It was very heart-wrenching to watch Stephanie's sister learn of her sisters diagnosis and watch her doctors try to come to grips with what's going on.   I loved the entire idea of Stephanie running around trying to find her scarf and finding a life's purpose after meeting this homeless girl.   The speech she has at the end when she says she does have a reason to live is moving.  The stuff with Brooke is also very touching, Brooke trying to find her.  I loved it all.

"GH" submitted well, but that episode has little heart to it, the only part that moved me was the stuff with Carly and Kristina and Michael at the hospital. Carly showed that she had a heart, by telling Kristina it wasn't her fault. It was nice to see.

I traded with someone so there will be one more take on this race.