Do manipulations absolve a cheater of any blame?

lynnsmom, 4/5/2023, 8:08AM(390 days ago) @SonOfMan

Just a quick question. Consider this situation:
- X and Y are together
- M manipulates X
- X cheats on Y with Z or leaves Y for Z because of M's manipulations
- X learns the truth about M's manipulations
- X leaves Z and goes back to Y

Is X a victim or is X a cheater? I know each case has a few differences, but these situations are always similar.

- Last example was Ridge and Taylor. Thomas manipulated him. Thomas was wrong. But does the fact that Thomas manipulated absolve Ridge? Does it justify how he left Brooke and slept with Taylor, and then how he left Taylor at the altar? Does it justify his lies to both women?
- Another example is Liam and Steffy's kiss in Italy. Bill and Deacon manipulated them. Liam thought Hope left him, so he kissed Steffy and kept it secret in his vows. He learnt Hope didn't leave him after all and stayed with her. Do Bill and Deacon's manipulations absolve Liam and Steffy?
- Another example is Hope and Wyatt's lovemaking in Monte-Carlo. Quinn manipulated them. Hope thought her fiancee wasn't coming, so she slept with Wyatt and married him. She learnt Liam was there and later she left Wyatt. Do Quinn's manipulations absolve Hope and Wyatt?

Is this all the manipulator's fault? Or do the cheaters deserve punishment too?

I don't think it is ever a clear cut situation. They are really all to blame. For instance, when Steffy and Bill were manipulating Liam non-stop, Liam should have seen how terrible they were and wanted nothing to do with Steffy (and in real life, that is probably what would have happened). But, it is such a soap staple. Characters on soaps are dumbed down way too much. Anytime any person plays with someone else's life, yes, they do bear some responsibility as they are the only ones who fully know what they are doing. No, it doesn't necessarily absolve the ones manipulated, but it does give them mitigating factors to reduce somewhat their actions. However, I am quite tired of seeing the manipulators get off scot-free all of the time on soaps. Steffy, Thomas, Taylor should all be exiled for all of their manipulating.

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