Chris B

I've enjoyed the Anita storyline but I do wonder how it'll play long term. If this were another soap with multiple families it would be a different story, but here we only have the Duprees so it makes me wonder how they will develop other major storylines when realistically Anita should be the family's main focus. I feel like the only options are really Ashley or Vanessa for counter-programming that isn't centered on the Duprees. Bringing on Deanna/Donnell in a regular capacity could allow them to build something there. With Ashley, we've all speculated about the Joey/Dad angle and that could be something that could really tie them all together. I'm just hopeful they're mindful of how heavy this can get and can balance it out.

They tried to get her to appear in the 1997 miniseries in a lead role but she turned them down. Ultimately, they were able to negotiate for her to film one scene once production had wrapped.

I'm so thankful she turned down the reunion movie. Was it perfect? No but can you imagine had she been there?

Thank you! I do looooove Xander and Sarah. I did tune in for their most recent breakup and I thought those scenes were really powerful. Johnny/Chanel are cute. I forgot about them but definitely will keep my eye on them. Hopefully Dimitri's return can bring some spark to Leo and Javi.

I wanted to pick up another soap since Neighbours was cancelled and decided to try Days since the Bell soaps are just not an option in their current state. I stopped watching like a year into it's Peacock run but I've kept up on what's been going on. After a full week I feel like I can stick with it although I can't say anything popped at me. I was hoping to come in here and see it was just a slow week but it sounds like the new regime isn't great. I'm still going to try to keep going in hopes things improve. My biggest struggles were how sluggish the pacing was and none of the stories popped for me. Most of my enjoyment came from seeing certain characters I enjoy like Susan, EJ, Philip and I know it's unpopular here, but Leo. Disappointed to see Gwen again. That character has been dead to me since she killed Laura. For those who have been watching, are there are storylines/couples/highlights I should keep my eye on?

One thing I've longed hope for is that they drop season one on Netflix. So many shows have found a new audience that way and I could see the same happening for BTG.

I was irritated to find season one gone but thankfully my YouTubeTV picked up episode 200. I know seasons are just a formality but I thought both Thursday and Friday felt so comfortable and lived in. It's probably more just the natural progression of growth but it made me excited for whats to come. With Anita's storyline, this is the perfect thing to kick off season two and something I wondered if BTG could do. So far they're doing a great job with the story. The way it's unraveled and the way it's impacting the entire canvas has been brilliantly done. They were also smart to save this story for now when we know Anita and the Duprees and can feel the impact of it. I know she will make it but even knowing that, they're building so much tension that I still worry for Anita and the family. Another thing I've enjoyed is that they've pretty much just let this story breathe. We've had some stuff on the side like Ted/Shanice but even that is still connected to the main storyline.

I'm pretty sure this was all her. Back in the day I had bought mst of 97-00 on DVD (which I foolishly lost at some point) and the transition between Bell/Alden was very obvious, despite their similarities. Jill and Katherine were firmly on the backburner in 1997 and one of Alden's big pushes was to bring them back to the forefront. I didn't know they were airing a new classic from 1998 and even then, I expected the attic catfight episode. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a new classic. I've missed Y&R and it was nice to see the show in such good shape. I miss the lush sets and set decorations, the glamour and that signature directing style which is gone. Y&R always seemed so unique and I hate that we lost pretty much all of it. Was also nice to see so many characters I love. In addition to Jill and Katherine, it was so nice to see Nina featured. She is one of my all-time favorites and should be a frontburner character today. Tricia Cast can do so much with so little. Her final years on the show were brilliant. When I watched this originally, I believe this was before what we saw today but Nina was very depressed over Ryan cheating on her. Jill came over, much as she did today and she could tell something was off and told Nina that she had let herself go and she got her set up with a gym membership. It's so awful but also very Jill. What further complicated things is that you could tell she was genuine and trying to help Nina. I loved their interactions in the later years and the "peace" they found.

Gary's arc on nuDallas was one of the few things I enjoyed. I hated that Val only appeared for one episode. It made no sense and felt so rushed. They could've gotten an entire season out of Gary and Val. I don't understand why they didn't play it more. Honestly, Gary should've never left, especially with JR gone. He always loved the ranch and as others have mentioned, it made perfect sense that Gary and Val would've broken up again.

This is just me manifesting! I agree that a longer pick-up would be nice.

I was curious how they would celebrate the holidays and they did a really good job. American soaps are all about celebration and keeping things warm during the holidays and they succeeded at that. The backdrop of Anita's cancer diagnosis was well done and a good teaser for season two. I thought New Years was more successful than Christmas because they were able to use all of their locations to maximum effect. I loved the different New Years parties and how full each one felt. We also got to see a good number of the cast which was nice. I know soaps don't really have seasons but I get the vibe that we are about to witness a season two glow-up. I've enjoyed the first season and have seen many improvements but I just feel like they're going to explore in season two. So many things that have been teased interest me. I look forward to the one year anniversary and hopefully an added comfort now that they know they're here to stay.

I have been a Ben Wadey apologist but I am officially over him after seeing how the plots came together on Christmas. One thing I enjoyed is the same thing most people hated: the Zoe story and the focus it got. I felt like with Clenshaw, he was throwing so much at the wall that most stories didn't get properly developed. Especially when it came to social issues, it seemed like every other week there was a new one and it was just too much going on and not enough character moments for me. I've loved seeing the Slaters, who had been underused, on the forefront and getting to see Zoe re-integrate into their lives. Another part that I enjoyed was having Anthony return so Patrick had his son and that family also got some time to shine. I feel like killing him off was a cheap stunt that makes no sense. They ruined his character by introducing these out of nowhere villain aspects, they didn't play the issues with his wife and kids and now he won't get to reconcile with Zoe and wont get to meet his twins. How is this satisfying? It's a pointless murder mystery for a character that didn't need to die. I hope this isn't a sign to come because this is literally the worst they could've done to resolve this story. Makes me wonder how they'll pull off NYE which will involve extensive planning.

@Khan As a Diana stan, I loved seeing her return but I agree that it was disappointing to see them not really explore the past beyond that. Your suggestion of seeing Lilimae again would be amazing. I hate we didn't at least get her for the reunion. Another easy solution for season 14 would've been to finally bring Lucy on full-time. I think she could've easily filled the role of Vanessa and had the show gone on longer, that would give Gary more reason to stick around since JVA didn't plan to return.

I feel like there was a time, I think season 10 or 11 where they had built up a strong younger generation but it went nowhere. For a short while you had Paige, Harold, Linda, Michael, Olivia and a couple others. I thought the chemistry was strong within the group as well. They could've easily done a Melrose Place style spin-off.

The final episode of season 12 was such a tonal shift that I feel like the new showrunner had to have had some say in it. Not just the shift to the Steve story but Karen the vigilante was so strange.

I'm not someone who typically cares about the quality but I watched the first two episodes of Dallas and it looks STUNNING in HD. It really elevates the whole project. Now I'm starting to understand why these transfers are so important.

You're right. There is not one thing you can point to as a worthy distraction. It's all bad which makes it so hard to power through. Out of all the characters that got a personality transplant, Paige is probably the most annoying. Nicollette Sheridan cannot play a straight forward romantic heroine. She is too cold and the attempts at softness feel fake. Val finally started to get interesting for the first time in years, right before the season ended. That always irritates me lol. At least she looks great this season.

I believe it was $50! Dallas was $60 and Dynasty was $30.

Thanks to @Soapsuds mentioned how well Apple had the primetime soaps priced, I bought all of them. I decided to finally resume my Knots Landing watch with season 13. I couldn't remember where I left off so I've powered through the first 5 or 6 episodes so far. I must say, this is not easy but I'm happy I finally own the show and can easily watch it instead of bouncing from platform to platform.

I will say, this adds to the age confusion. Clifton is from the civil rights age but Tamara definitely isn't. With The Artiqulettes, they play them like The Supremes but acknowledge in reality they would've been at their peak in the late 80s. Then you have that picture of Vernon and Anita meeting at a march when they should be 15-20 years apart.

I also haven't spotted him in anybody's social media or at the holiday parties. I don't wanna get my hopes up but what a blessing that would be if Tomas was gone or recast.

I'm happy about this! I want them to lean into casting more soap names not only for buzz but also because they need people who understand the game and can perform. Sure things, if you will. I also think Jen Jacob has had really bad luck with story in season one. Hopefully she actually has chemistry with his character and she becomes more watchable.

I remember my struggle with Texas was that I was expecting a new soap but instead you're dropped into the middle of a show that had begun months ago on Another World. It took me a while to figure out what was going on and get into it but it's definitely worth it. It gets better and better with time.

The spin-off would've been Kenny and Ginger moving to Nashville and working in the music industry. I'm not sure it would've worked either, however, I am curious what Kim would've pitched David Jacobs had she been given the chance. The missed opportunity for me is that the initial exit but the later years of the show. I don't think they could've found something substantial for Ginger to do in seasons 5 or 6 but I do think had she returned post-Abby, enough time would've passed where she could've been valuable again. Have a single Ginger move back with Erin Molly or even Ginger with a new husband. Richard is another character that I feel could've helped the show in those later years.

Joan was missing from the latest podcast with Tonya Crowe due to a back injury. I hope she's okay and back soon. I was hoping to hear more about the Olivia/Val relationship but unfortunately, we didn't get that. I also watched the Kim Lankford interview which might've been my favorite so far. Much like Michelle Phillips, she was very honest about how disappointed she was in how James Houghton discarded her. She talked about how they were offered a spin-off and Houghton turned it down which led to their exit. She wishes she had a heads up about it so she could've gone to David Jacobs and tried to negotiate something for herself. Despite being upset about this, she was very positive about how things turned out overall. She seems to be living her best life now which is great. She also looks amazing!