There is no subtlety, there is no diabolical evil bad guy. John Cates is written with one note ... "me hate Sonny."
As for Alexis asking Sonny to turn himself into save Kristina, why isn't she going to the judge abut how Cates is abusing his authority. Dex can prove Kristina's mother requested Cates not be alone with her daughter until she returned (presumably with her lawyer) which would not make the judge happy.
I don't have a law degree, but I know that Cates doesn't have the right to talk to Kristina without her attorney!!!!!
I hate storylines that hang on a character continually doing the stupidest thing in the stupidest way possible. There might be some drama to this story if John Cates was written as an intelligent character that appears good but when the audience sees who he really is. But there is no drama and John Cates is not scary.
John Cates is totally one note which makes him the worst thing a soap character can be, boring.
Karen L.