they are ostracized, repent, and eventually end up back in a storyline where they do something horrible again. I mean, looking at Valentin and Anna's history you'd never think they could be a popular couple ... but with enough time and a slow move to the right side of the street, these characters are redeemed .... until the next storyline where they do something horrendous again, and cycle continues.
Think Sonny (he shot his son in the head for heaven's sake), Adam Chandler on All My Children.
When this blows up in Valentin's face, there will be a period of remorse on his part as everyone is disgusted with him. But slowly things will get back to normal.
An actor may choose to leave, but this kind of storyline doesn't necessarily mean the writers plan on writing the character out. Besides, he's the villainry (Spencer and Alexis don't count).
Karen L.
