He Says: She Says
By Anne Marie Allocca
He brushes his teeth seven times a day. She watches what conditioner and perfume she uses. It's obvious that Tom Eplin and Jensen Buchanan are considerate of each other's feelings. The two give their all when they're working and that spills over into their scenes as AW's Jake and Vicky. Read on to discover what makes the relationship between Tom and Jensen so special.
SOM: How do you explain the chemistry between the two of you?
Tom: I've had a crush on Jensen since the first time I saw her.
Jensen: There's a certain amount of tension, unpredictability, and energy between us.
SOM: How about the spark between Jake and Vicky?
Tom: Sometimes in scenes we'll find a reality between Jensen and Tom that will spin the scene between Jake and Vicky to a different level.
Jensen: To make a scene better, we try to beat each other or trick each other. So Jake and Vicky may be having a scene together - but Jensen laughs.
Tom: I have this bad habit of mocking actors, so Jensen mocked me in the middle of one scene big-time. She was so tickled with herself, I'm not sure if she got a regular line out after that. It was all she could do to control herself to the end of the scene so she could tell me what I already knew she'd done.
Jensen: He wins more often than I do. I just wanted to stop so badly and say, "Oh, God, that was great. I got him this time!"
SOM: Are you looking forward to this new storyline?
Tom: It scares me. I made a mistake in the beginning of my career by being attracted to and falling in love with my co-star, so I promised myself I'd never make that mistake again. I've been blessed to have a totally professional level with people I wouldn't normally be attracted to outside of the realm of daytime. Then you're forced to work with someone you respect a great deal and you find attractive - and it becomes embarrassing. I hope she likes the way Jake - Tom - kisses. I smoke and Jensen doesn't, so I get nervous. I find myself brushing my teeth seven times a day now. I'm also not looking forward to it because I like to banter. So let's keep the banter going for as long as we possibly can. And I'm doing sit-ups now - I normally don't do sit-ups, but I'm in mini-camp for the Jake and Vicky saga.
Jensen: I call Tom "Mr. Stench." Now let me clarify that. Johnny Depp is really weird about smells. He doesn't like his co-star to have any funky smells, no B.O., no nothing. I call Tom "Mr. Stench" because I know he has a very sensitive nose. I'm always so paranoid. Did I use the right kind of conditioner today? Is this a good perfume? Because I know Tom is going to comment one way or the other.
SOM: What does Vicky like and dislike about Jake?
Jensen: She likes that he's a loyal friend and understands her. He's a passionate person. You can be passionate in a good way and in a bad way - and that's part of what makes him kind of flawed and tragic. I like Jake's vulnerability and the tough exterior he tries to cover that with.
SOM: What does Jake like and dislike about Vicky?
Tom: The same things that Tom likes about Jensen. Jensen likes or dislikes having no bearing on convention. In the same way that Vicky will listen and not come up with a prejudice until she's heard the whole thing, so does Jensen. Jensen and Vicky won't allow you to invade their personal parameter with a problem. But that's one place where they differ. Jensen will turn and walk away. Vicky will knock you out.