Chris B

This isn't related to a US soap but I thought it was interesting: https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a65795910/brookside-return-hollyoaks/ To celebrate it's 30th anniversary, Hollyoaks is doing a special crossover episode with it's long cancelled sister soap Brookside. Brookside ran from 1982-2003 and basically paved the way for Hollyoaks. I believe they've had crossovers in the past as well. I thought that was a clever way to celebrate their anniversary and something that was truly surprising. I'd love to see a US soap attempt something like this. We've seen crossovers and some elements similar like Delia in Ryan's Bar on GH but it sounds like they're actually going to bring back some of the popular Brookside characters and let us into that world at least for one episode. They've also gotten permission to film at the old neighborhood used for Brookside back in the day which I'm sure will be exciting for fans of that show.

See, if they have access to those facades and we know there is one specifically meant to represent DC, it makes no sense that they don't use them.

I agree. I don't like the speculation about Vernon as Leslie's dad for many reasons, the most important is that we already have enough Duprees. Giving Leslie money and potentially a father who can help lead another family would be helpful to the show long run. I also don't think it matters that he hasn't been introduced yet. You can't introduce everyone right away but he could be useful in the future.

While I do enjoy the show, I think their choice of the day-to-day EP is poor. Julie Carruthers was never a great EP in my opinion. I've seen all the shows she produced and she never did anything spectacular with them. People will throw tomatoes at me but someone like Jill Farren Phelps would've prevented a lot of the mishaps we've seen and the show would definitely look more spectacular. There isn't much talent left but I do hope they can one day find a stronger producer. Also, when it comes to the Peaches casting...I thought the actress sold it well but I do wonder why they couldn't find someone more age appropriate. They hired two Articulettes, do you mean to tell me nobody else auditioned for those roles who could've been pulled in to play Peaches? Not to mention other actresses who may have auditioned for Anita.

I enjoyed the content of today's episode but I don't understand why they skipped a huge chunk of June's story. I guess I can appreciate it's faster than some soaps but I feel like they could've waited at least a week or two before having June meet the kids. First I would've told Smitty and Martin (as Naomi did) but allow them to talk about it, then make their way around to family and discuss it with them, discuss it with the kids, etc. before making a decision on if they wanted to see her. This would've also given them time to more realistically clean June up. She also should've had a therapist to address any mental health issues. I loved the scenes with Ted and Vernita. He has turned into such a punk but I'm finally enjoying him now that everybody is getting their licks in. Watching them punk him out was hilarious! I just hate Carlton keeps getting the dayplayer writing. The actor is far too strong for this and is overdue for real investment. The scenes with Leslie and her mom were good! I hope they keep her around as she goes through this illness. It was nice seeing Leslie genuinely caring about someone. I'd like to see Eva in the mix and watch her grieve. I'm so glad they're finally giving her some layers.

I feel like we all assume Barbara is the mother (which definitely seems like where they're going) but I don't know how comforting it will be for Leslie to find out her mother figure is dying and her actual mother is long gone. Personally I wish one of the living Articulettes were her mother so they could provide guidance and be the person to try and talk Leslie out of her evil ways. I guess they could still accomplish that by making Barbara her mother. Anita's guilt could cause them to build a relationship but that is going to cause tension with Anita and Nicole.

Honestly...this is the best place for him with this new recast. I'd continue to focus on him as a doctor and father. If they want to put him in a relationship they need to find a way to get him with Leslie or find somebody new. The chemistry just doesn't exist with Nicole.

I never got the feeling Kat was asexual but I do think that could be an interesting route to pursue since we don't see that often. What I thought was that Kat wasn't really into Tomas and her pushing to start sleeping together was more to secure her place since she knows he has an attraction to Eva. Ultimately, I feel like she's disappointed in the sex not necessarily because he's bad but because she isn't into him.

I agree with this. I feel like yeah she did get her kids out of a bad situation but it doesn't make up for the trauma she put them through.

I know opinions are mixed on the June story but I've loved it. The actress who plays June has done a great job and has helped me understand Naomi and Jacob more as people and a couple. Although I wanted a twist, I do like the simplicity of Tyrell and Samantha being her kids. I love that we're now going into our second story for Martin and Smitty and it doesn't involve them cheating on each other. An early complaint was that the show had too much cheating and this is an example of them going another route but still giving us good, family drama. Leslie and her inheritance is just what she needed. We're getting to the point where everybody is getting sick of her and they needed to find a way to justify her place in these peoples lives. Giving her money gives her legitimate access to the country club and opens her up to new possibilities. I hope the first step is having her move into a new place. Side Note: Bill in that brown pinstripe suit this week is the best look any male has worn since this show began. He looks damn good!

I watched all of last weeks episodes and it was such a disappointment. First, the remote was well done but it fell flat because it's the same old tired story they've been telling. It would've been more impactful if there was a real story. With the Grace stuff, it doesn't work on any level, even before you get to the disrespect as a Black woman. If Grace's daughters are being threatened, why not go to Taylor and the Forresters? She saved Taylor's life and Paris is engaged to Thomas FORRESTER. You really mean to tell me they wouldn't have helped her? Hell, Thomas could've paid the ransom himself. Beyond that, the biggest reason it's a problem from a race standpoint is because Grace isn't given a POV like the white characters and she's the only representation for a Black woman. Hell, all of the female POC's are written in a very offensive way when you consider there is no contrasting image to look to.

I was worried they'd move him around but he'll still be in charge of BTG which is great news! It's too early to trust the show in someone else's hands.

Well she was able to keep her affair with Bill a secret so I wouldn't put it past her. It's also possible that she inserted herself in their lives as part of an overall plot. All we know is that she is basically this poor little orphan that the Hamilton's took in. How can we trust her backstory when she's a proven liar?

I really enjoyed this past week and the teases of what could come this fall. I 100% agree that they dropped the ball on showing Haley's POV (which could've easily been fixed by showing her friendship with Caroline) but I can't say they didn't win me over this week with the tease of a connection to Randy. There are so many places they can take this! Is Randy a relative or ex-lover of hers? Is Haley connected to Joey somehow and this is all a plot from Joey to make sure he has something on Bill? They definitely gave me enough to make me intrigued. I also think this finally takes Haley more into the villainess route which I like. We were long overdue for movement in this story. I also really enjoyed the scenes with Elon and Jacob on Thursday. I understand both men's side of things which is something I love that this show does. Not everything is black and white and I feel like with them being cops that adds another dimension to this story. The Vanessa story is finally picking up the pace which makes me happy. I need her to get the A story treatment. Lauren Buglioli was an excellent find and is a chemistry magnet. It's time for them to invest more fully in her. I want Vanessa and Doug to get a house set and I'm ready to see the kids as well. The weakest part of the week was obviously the Ashley/Derek stuff. Derek works outside of Ashley so I was disappointed when they squashed the potential romance with Shanice. For Ashley, I don't think she works with Andre either but I do love her as Naomi's friend and I love the idea she knows Haley is up to something. I'd focus her character more on that and less on trying to find love. If they want to give her a love interest they need to cast someone new. I think Dani/Andre is the money couple and if they keep going with this Ashley stuff it's going to turn viewers off from Andre being with Dani.

I recently saw an interview where Lauren mentioned the kids names which makes me think maybe they're on the way. Don't quote me but I think she said their names are Donnell and either Doreen or Dorthea. I don't think their names have been mentioned on screen yet.

I do agree. I feel like this is the one aspect of the show MVJ had 100% gotten wrong and I'm not confident it'll be fixed. She's made it clear she loves Jen Jacob and the character but she's not doing her any favors. This is one thing that she must fix before the year is out.

The only thing I can think when it comes to that is just pure stupidity. There is no long term way she could've faked a pregnancy so I don't see what her thinking was beyond temporary attention.

I feel like they've shown us in bits but it seems to me that she just wants attention. She's very isolated with Bill and has no friends or family. As Bill has improved his relationship with Naomi and Dani, it's causing her more insecurity which led to the faked pregnancy to put the attention back on herself.

It's hard to speculate because the show is stacked with women but I do feel has a lot of opportunity when it comes to bringing on male actors. With nuTed being a bust, I could see them adding someone in that age range for Nicole/Dani but they already seem to be teasing Carlton which leads me to change my guess to someone younger who could be around Naomi/Kat/Eva. If they go for someone older I think Lamon Archey or Sean Blakemore would be a great gets. Now if it's someone younger I'm kinda at a loss at who it could be. I'd imagine it can't be a Black actor because I can't recall many (or any) younger Black soap actors they could cast. Maybe the guy who played TJ on GH but nobody else is really coming to mind.

This will go down as a classic BTG episode. It had everything that you want out of these events and the inclusion of Barbara really tied the story together and gave it heart. I'm glad they resisted the urge to make one of the Articulettes a villain and instead made them flawed women who love each other like sisters. I love the chemistry of the three women and that they're finally at peace now. The after party was incredibly done and I feel the way it was directed and edited made it seem like a bigger event that it likely was. It's amazing to see how far the production is coming when you see them pull off episodes like this. Leslie was the perfect drama element since they already established her love for The Articulettes. I'm glad we didn't have a bomb or a shooting, just real human drama. This was just enough without overshadowing the event.

I know I'm going to get whacked for saying this but I do think Jamey is going to be a helpful addition to the breakdown team. I also feel like that is the position that Susan Dansby should be in as opposed to Script Editor. The three of them worked well together on Ambitions so the chemistry is there and I do think the show would benefit from having Black voices in the breakdown arena since I know that role can also pitch and help refine stories.

I feel like they could make something out if Dani/Andre if they went for it but the interloper should be Bill, if anyone.

Honestly, the way Ticketmaster be scamming people in the US, this didn't surprise me. Ashley needs to be modeled off Alison from Melrose Place. I was finally starting to enjoy her and here she goes back into this annoying romantic heroine role that doesn't suit her. She and Derek do not work together at all so seeing them together and him dismissing any real feelings for Shanice was a huge disappointment. Ashley/Derek/Shanice was fun and could've had legs, nobody is checking for Derek/Ashley/Andre. I don't really mind the Laura thing, what is starting to irk me with her character is the lack of progression. Her secret is out and at this point she can only be a mild irritant to the Duprees. If she's going to stick around long term she needs to pivot. What are her long term goals now that the secret is out? How is she going to maintain her lifestyle? Is she going to get a love interest? A partner in crime? A rich husband so she can truly go toe-to-toe with the Duprees? There is so much potential there but they need to start moving her towards something other than annoying people.

I know people hate JFP but I wish she could've spend some time at BTG helping them with a launch. The one thing that show needs is a strong visual look and she could've helped them tremendously with that over someone like Julie Carruthers who has never been known for making soaps look good.

I love Sharon! I wish they had a church set so she could be around in the background as a friend for Anita and we could see her at the choir every now and then. Sharon reminds me of the British supporting characters. She could be someone good on the side as a talk to to give advice and throw shade. I love how sassy she is!