Bright Eyes

Request: Yorlin Madera - I couldn't find him in the list. It's weird how some people I just assume you've done already

That was never not the plan, so far anyway. What the new writers do is anybody's guess. I did feel when Stephanie popped up and ushered Charlotte away that it felt like they could be hinting at that relationship potentially being revisited. Also, forgot to mention, as cringe as a lot of the fundraiser was, the part where Charlotte got sad because she thought someone was going to take Chad away forever did touch me emotionally, which I was happily surprised by.

I maintain, the baby switch and all that came from it was the last great story this show ever told.

Recasting Rachel with Alice Halsey was a smart decision. She's a natural. I already like her better than Abigail Klein and whatever the hell Annalynne McCord thinks she's doing. However, I did laugh when she was talking to JJ and spit out how she "didn't want to talk about it at all" only to go back to her acting like she's 12. EJ has always been a bastard, but this new leaf he's supposedly turned over makes him creepy to me. This probably is only a coincidence, but I thought it was a relief during the Kristen/EJ scenes that no mention was made of the being brother/sister/siblings. Legit question, have Maggie and Chad had literally anything to do with each other before today? Still, props to the ol' girl for knowing a million dollar piece of ass when she sees one. Kayla was great this episode, but why does she have her hair styled like early Barbara Windsor Peggy Mitchell? Like jswift, a missing beat to EJ's shooting is JJ relating to Johnny how he felt when he learned his father was a rapist of his own aunt, or at least EJ having the audacity to ask JJ how he moved forward. Something.

Finally! @slick jones we are so back!!!

I'm really surprised Carlivati never brought back JT Reiber, with as much as he loved forcing Dr. Rolf on us. He is biologically his great uncle after all.

For those interested, here is Ron Carlivati's full cast list from his entire tenure:

I also wish Philip would start his own small company from scratch that deals in something specific, like Gabi with Gabi Chic, where he can prove his worth to others, the audience, and himself. Obviously, his self-made success should come with its hurdles, but once it proves worthwhile then whoever is running Titan at the time could try to bring him and his new product/company into the fold. But Philip would wonder, even though he thought it was his dream, has his newfound success away from Titan been more fulfilling than he realized? And whoever ends up working for him could give him some new dynamics. For some reason, Tate, freshly graduated, is the first that came to mind, who wouldn't want to work with his Dad for his own pride's sake etc...

Eva/Leslie were the bright spots again, like they are in any episode they are in. As it is now, if they left, the show wouldn't be worth watching. The show needs to use Tomas just as a quick stepping stone in the Kat/Eva rivalry and then get rid. Have Kat dump him after finding out Eva slept with him and we never hear from again. Kat wants revenge, and when Eva finds herself a new man, Kat will happily do anything she can to ruin it. As for the person who asked why Vanessa is contract and Doug isn't, personally I can't help but feel Doug is definitely going to be the first character to be killed off. Whether Joey kills him or pressures him enough that it'll be self-inflicted, that man feels like a goner to me. I really hope Mona gets to be at the anniversary party where 'Leslie' is poised to show her true colours. And sorry, that song was awful and Tunie did not sound good. Anita was right to be worried about her voice. But by her presence alone, I am intrigued where her story will go. The u/5 praising Vernon scene was cringe. Unless one of them is going to get a psycho stalker, stop the ass-kissing please.

As a spoiler free man, I'm very excited about what is to come, which I know nothing about beyond some casting news. However, the show has kept me invested steadily since November, with the obvious bad things notwithstanding. But also, Haiduk's Susan makes me want to do physical harm. The Belle and Philip scenes were a nice surprise and perfectly what each character needed. How long until they bang? Belle to help rinse EJ out of her hair and Philip to keep himself away from Sarah after they have a one night stand (personal speculation.)

BH: I only see the show through clips on TikTok, so maybe this is a dumb idea, but with this cycle of the coven, always slyly headed by Kyle, of piling up on a girl until she quits going on and on, why doesn't a Housewife come on the show and be the villain they all cry about. Numerous people have mentioned if these girls were on almost any show, they would get ate up and spat out with the quickness. Kyle is psychologically stuck in high school, Dorit is a deluded moron, and Erika is a sociopath. Kenya and Phaedra are free. Bring them on to destroy these hoes once and for all. They wouldn't even break a sweat.

Either Wednesday or yesterday I had, for the first time, a mid-show break voiced by Clifton Davis saying, "Beyond the Gates will continue." Anybody else? Eva and Bill are my top characters for this show. Without them this show wouldn't have a pulse. As much as my eyes glazed over every time those three paralegals were on-screen, those Naomi/Bill scenes were engrossing to me. I also hate every time they pronounce that one woman's name has Stef-an-knee-a. That is no one's name. Stef-ahn-ya is how it should be pronounced. Rage-bait! I still find most of the material with Martin/Smitty absolutely boring as hell most of the time, especially seeing them as parents. Martin's best scene so far was when he was an [!@#$%^&*] to Anita and Vernon. That made him a bit messy and more interesting. I find myself indifferent to too much of the show. Little things here and there pique my interest. I struggle with the character of Vanessa, too. I thought she would be more bad ass, but the actress comes off more mousy then I'd like. I anxiously await Joey making his first big villainous move. I want him to do something awful and exciting like kill Doug and frame Randy for it. He preys on Vanessa and marries her, and she finds out after the fact and feels trapped. Episodes not ending dramatically really does the show a huge disservice. Whatever happened to wanting to make people "tune in tomorrow." They're dropping the ball there, hardcore. I also don't understand the Pamela character at all. Vanessa should have just been friends to both Dani and Nicole. I don't understand why Pamela is even friends with Dani. Dani treats her like a henchwoman more than anything resembling a friend.

The most annoying part is that when he doesn't pull crap like that, like in the confession scenes with Xander, he's damn good. I was really worried when the truth came out, the writers were going to take it as an opportunity to just pile on Philip, but they surprisingly went the emotional truth route. No macho flexing, just two brothers genuinely hurt, one betrayed, one contrite. It was beautiful to me. Especially the part where Philip made sure to state he wasn't laughing at Xander behind his back made me tear up a little. And he kept Sarah's name out of his mouth, which continues to make me feel like something might happen there once her part is exposed. I was a huge Sami fan until they tried to make her a heroine and she took over the show, so I never really cared about her with Rafe. I actually always liked her best with Brandon, until his weird second stint. Still, I really enjoyed her reunion with him. They do still have great chemistry, I have to admit. Plus, it excited me to believe that Rafe would go to Italy with her and we'd finally be rid of him. I do think there should have been a goodbye scene with Johnny, at the very least. I rolled my eyes at the convolution of Vivian and Sami using a ride-share or being on the same flight, but still enjoyed the two characters interacting regardless. The scene would have been much better if they would have grounded it with a John mention. Also have to rep for my boy, Casey Moss this week. He was fantastic in those Gabi scenes, clearly wrestling with his duty and his loyalty and all the rest. I think he's the best male actor on the show. I loved Sami/Kate shooting the [!@#$%^&*]. It would have been fun if they started off purely gossiping about other people in town and then got into their own business. The way Kate's eyes lit up when Sami mentioned that Jada slept with Shawn was a little moment that made me smile and even when Kate first apologized to Sami with Roman earlier in the week, the way Sami responded with, "Since it didn't end badly, I forgive you, almost feeling like a subtle threat. Like she said, okay, but not too much now. I enjoy Gabi getting to have a fire, but Cherie Jimenez sounds way took much like a valley girl with no grit. I like her well enough, I'm invested in her with JJ, but I'll think there's someone better out there to play her and would probably write her out, too, eventually. As for Leo, who brings this show to a grinding halt everytime he unfortunately appears. I am choosing to believe that Sami jumping on the hate train and warning Javi about him means that Leo will be screwing up again soon, making Javi look like a fool. I have to believe it for my own sanity. I do wish people were more pissed at him for writing these articles about him. He's much easier to take when I see other characters hating him.

The fact all three of them went on and continue to have bright futures in the industry.

Actor Nicky Katt has passed away, aged 54. https://variety.com/2025/film/news/nicky-katt-dead-boston-public-1236368189/ I've seen Dazed and Confused, but I mostly remember him from Boston Public, which is a show I thought made me so adult when I fell in love with it in 7th/8th grade. I think the show needs a re-watch with adult eyes from me. It's concerning that no cause of death was given, but I hope his soul can now rest well.

Echoing the positive sentiments for the Sami/Johnny scenes. I've been waiting for Alan to be brought up, and the fact they went into her mistakes, especially with Austin was surprising and all the more heartbreaking. None of the historical mentions felt forced. They were gradual and meaningful. Sami was an early favourite of mine and was for years until the dominant years with her and EJ. To see her reclaim her place and her peace was outstanding.

Peep the invitation for Ted and Nicole's anniversary being April 29!

A version of this story was done on Shortland Street with Dr. Josh Gallagher. It was one of my favourite stories I've ever watched in real time. I always thought the story should have been done on DAYS with Dr. Daniel Jonas. I doubt Emmerdale are doing it justice.

Does this line up with Y&R's current renewal?

By quick glance at their previous honourees, Days of Our Lives is the first soap opera to be inducted. The only other soap opera inductees I saw were: Irna Phillips, Agnes Nixon, and Susan Lucci.

Ya'll complain about the ages on this show but you want to cast women who are barely a decade older than this man? Make it make sense.

My number one suspect is that Rachel Black shot EJ, hence the upcoming recast. This story has been fun to watch and Chad finding him was a nice unexpected surprise for me.

Tamara Braun is great, but it's more than time for Ava to go. Grandpa Shawn can finally rest.

This may be a dumb question, but where the heck does Chelsea live? She must have her own place since it's not with Dani or anyone else that I'm aware of. Is it on the estate? A house or just a condo/apartment? I want to see those digs, and the fun she gets up to.

Sung by Richard Chamberlain...