(SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- As "One Life to Live" nears its 10,000th episode, the writing staff pens a secret storyline.

In just a few short months, "OLTL" will celebrate a milestone that many television programs only dream about. Later this summer, the longtime ABC soap will reach its 10,000th episode. In just over 39 short years, "OLTL" has accomplished what only four of the other 9 soaps presently on the air have in their resume. Barring any preemptions, on August 20th, "OLTL" should join "General Hospital," "Days of Our Lives," "As the World Turns," and "Guiding Light" as members of that elite group. This milestone also comes just over a month following the show's 39th anniversary on July 15th. I will save the trip through the Llanview history books for a later column, and instead shift focus here back to the 10,000th episode.

Soap Opera Weekly recently revealed that a 'secret storyline' in presently in the works for the 10,000th episode by Head Writer Dena Higley. She is quoted as calling it a "life-changing event that will affect the Buchanans forever." The magazine also reveals that the show wants several former "OLTL" cast members to make a cameo in the upcoming top-secret storyline. Among the names floated about are Tonja Walker (Alex Olanov-Hesser), James DePaiva (Max Holden), and Dan Gauthier (Kevin Buchanan), among others.

At first glance, it may appear that the storyline may be a reunion of sorts and a little hard to decipher. But upon closer examination, however, it seems clear that Higley has only one thing planned for this 'life-changing' event. All indications seem to point to killing off of the beloved Buchanan family patriarch. Why else would "OLTL" even attempt to lure back actors they fired, never wrote for, or never even acknowledged their existence in Llanview? Let's take a closer look at each of them, and the circumstances under which they left Llanview.

Let's begin with Tonja Walker. Her character Alex was last seen in Llanview back in 2002, when Asa, after faking his death, tricked her into marrying a janitor named Jeb Stuart. This followed Alex's attempt to uncover Asa's 'murderer.' During her years in Llanview (1990-1997, 2001, 2002), Alex kept very close ties to the Buchanan clan. Without veering into an in-depth character history, here are a few highlights of Alex's time in Llanview. In 1994, she wooed Asa into marrying her, and the couple had an Egyptian-style wedding. The following year, after being elected Mayor of Llanview, her presumed dead husband (and Asa's sworn enemy) Carlo Hesser, returned to the living. This made her marriage to Asa invalid, however, they would marry again in 1996. All the while, she continued to have an affair with her now ex-husband Carlo, prompting Asa to divorce her upon finding out. The following year, Carlo turned up dead, leaving Alex the prime suspect. Acquitted on a technicality, Alex left Llanview with Carlo, who was diguised as his twin brother Mortimer. Mortimer was actually the one who had been murdered. Upon returning to Llanview in 2001, Asa proposed to her once again. The gesture was a set-up, to cast off suspicion while Asa married Gabrielle Medina to get back at Max Holden for pretending to be his son. During the ceremony, Asa locked Alex in a hotel room while he married Gabrielle.

Now, let's take a look at James DePaiva, and his character Max's ties to the Buchahan patriarch. In the late 1990s Max, with the aid of his lover Blair, conned Asa and Renee into believing that he was their long lost son. He then married Blair, who was Asa's ex-wife. The scam went off without a hitch until Esther Hoffman showed up. Hoffman was the nurse who delivered the baby all those years ago, and she knew that Max wasn't Asa and Renee's true son. Unable to bribe her, she offered to sell her information to Sam Rappaport. Sam gave her the check, however she chocked on an olive before she could reveal the truth. Max and Blair's secret was safe, but not for long. Skye Chandler soon uncovered the shocking truth. Unfortunately, Renee soon found out the truth, but decided to keep it from Asa because of his health. After the confrontation, Max collapsed from an aneurysm. At the hospital, only Dr. Ben Davidson could perform the operation. Still in the dark about Max, Asa believed that Ben would try and kill him. After being thrown out of the operating room, Asa vowed revenge on Ben when Max fell into a coma following surgery. After hearing Blair sell him down the river to Renee, Max awoke from the coma and conned everyone into believing he had suffered permanent brain damage. Renee decided to continue to keep the truth from Asa, while Skye learned Max was faking his brain damage. But after hearing Max confess his love for Blair, Skye told Ben the truth. As Ben was about to tell Asa the truth about Max, the old man suffered a heart attack. Max arrived and begged Ben to save Asa because he was his father. Ben didn't want anything to do with Asa, and agreed to let Max continue his ruse. Todd Manning revealed the truth about Max, as the former rapist was about to marry Blair. Asa set out to get revenge on Max, and did so by marrying Gabrielle, Max's former lover and adopted their son Al. In a setup, Asa arranged to videotape Gabrielle seducing Max. After revealing the affair, Asa faked his death and Max was the prime suspect. When Asa turned up alive, Max was cleared and Asa was forced to do community service at his son Ben's clinic, and visit shrink Rae Cummings.

And, last but not least, let's take a look at Kevin Buchanan's (Dan Gauthier) ties to his adoptive grandfather. Kevin endured a love/hate relationship with his grandfather over the years. Asa helped push Kevin into running for the office of Pennsylvania Lt. Governor, and later urged him to run for Governor. Following years of disputes with Asa, he later went to work at his grandfather's company Buchanan Enterprises before leaving for London with his grandson Zane and former lover Kelly Cramer in late 2006. His late son Duke was a favorite of Asa's.

As for the 'few others' who might return, it may be a short list. This is pure speculation, but perhaps some of Asa's surviving ex-wives not currently in Llanview (Samantha Vernon, Delila Ralston, Becky Lee Abbott, Pamela Stuart, Rae Cummings) may return to mourn (or gloat) at Asa's passing. Others who might return are grandson Joey Buchanan, former granddaughter-in-law Kelly Cramer, archenemy Carlo Hesser, Cord Roberts, C.J. Roberts, brother Pike Buchanan, and nephew Rafe Garretson. Again, that list is purely speculative, but after looking at Asa's family tree, those are the remaining family, friends, and enemies who have an outside chance of returning for his funeral. Of those listed, I personally think Joey and maybe Kelly and/or Cord would be the most likely candidates, but the chances of any of them returning do not appear to be very great at this point.

Of three names discussed at length above, I think that Tonja Walker would stand the best chance of returning to "OLTL" for a cameo for Asa's funeral. My reasoning for that is because she has not been around during the Dena Higley reign and her character has not even been so much as an afterthought for anyone in Llanview in the last few years. Additionally, I am under the impression that she rather enjoyed her time on "OLTL," and wouldn't rule out returning again some day. She has played the Nancy Grace inspired character Grace Nancier on and off again in a recurring capacity on "Passions" since 2005.

The chances of James DePaiva returning seem to be a little less likely. Despite his marriage to "OLTL" star Kassie DePaiva (Blair Cramer), I personally wouldn't look for him to return soon. Upon being fired from "OLTL" back in 2003, DePaiva had this to say ""Do not lay any of the blame for this on Frank Valentini or Josh Griffith or Michael Malone. They all like me and they loved the character of Max. But every time they tried to present a story for the character, it was swatted down. ABC said, 'Let's get rid of everybody over 40 because we want teenagers to watch the show. I had said this time and time again: Teenagers watch the show because their mothers watch the show. It's never been about teens. Never has and never will be. Other than Tim Stickney, we have no males under contract between 40 and 55. If they had not hired Dan Gauthier, they would not have anybody over 32. They're wiping out that whole era. And I think you'll see a lot of women going in the future." I suppose that it all depends on if there are still hard feelings between DePaiva and "OLTL" as to whether or not he will return to the role of Max. I could see it happening though.

Dan Gauthier would seem the least likely to return. After all, it was only last fall when he left Llanview after being fired from the show. The supposed reasoning for his termination was said to have been the fact that focus groups did not like the character of Kevin Buchanan. Despite a massive campaign by co-stars and fans to save his job, "OLTL" and ABC refused to reverse their decision. I know that if it were me, and the show that had just fired me asked me to return for a cameo I would refuse to do so. In fact, pardon my French, but I would tell them to 'kiss my ass!' Gauthier could also stick it to them by agreeing to return, but only if they throw a lot of money his way. While Gauthier may simply just have a change of heart and agree to briefly reprise the role of Kevin, my gut tells me he will balk at their offer. And if so, I can't say that I blame him. He is a great actor and did a rather good job with the role of Kevin. Many OLTL fans sorely miss him. Personally, I would not hold any hard feelings against him if he chose not to accept their offer.

And, on a parting note, let's not forget that the whole reason for his 'secret storyline' is because of the sheer stupidity of "OLTL" and ABC for letting Phil Carey walk in the first place. The man has been an intricate part of the show for 27 years. If I'm not mistaken, that is second only to Erika Slezak's 36 years on "OLTL." The man is nearly 82-years-old and recovering from lung cancer. All he asked for was to remain on contract. The demand is not so outrageous given all his contributions to the show over the years. But, being the stubborn heels that they are, the network only offered him recurring status. He refused it and they just let me walk away without putting up a fight. And now that he's gone, it appears they are killing off Asa Buchanan for good. I have watched "OLTL" for nearly 25 years, and never until the last few years have I begun to lose respect, admiration and loyalty for the soap I grew up watching. Changes need to be made soon, before countless others feel the way I do and begin switching the channel and never looking back.

Well, that's all for this edition of the column. Thanks again to everyone for your feedback. Also, a huge thank you to my fellow Soap Opera Network staff member Matt Smith, for making the cool logo for my column. I hope everyone has a safe summer, and stays near the pool as much as possible. I hope you will check back in soon for the June 15th edition of my column. Enjoy the summer!

And until next time remember, we only have "One Life to Live" .....