Taoboi

That's what it was reminding me of!! Melbourne. Such high praise. And I agree with you about the international housewives. There was one link I posted a while back from one of the international shows. I didn't understand a thing they said, but they were GIVING. Looks. Inflections. Visuals. Taglines (that I couldn't understand, but subtitles matched with how it was said). It was stunning. I don't think there has been any international shows that I've had time to see that doesn't dazzle. Especially in fashion during promotion. As soon as she said that re: Dame Joan. I knew I had to tag you to watch. I knew you and @Cat would have the 411. It makes me so much more excited at the authenticity of it all. I didn't get to do all of Episode 1...and it seems haters are being sure no Episode 2 links are not active...so will keep watching when I can.

Yes!!!

YES. Look at how much fun Drew is having now that he's getting to play a villain. I love to hate him (and Cam is playing that to the hilt) rather than hate him...which is how I've felt about him (outside of his return with that scruff in the prison) for the majority of this Drew's run.

Yep. I believe I took mine a month or so after you took yours. I just...couldn't. For the same reasons. Then I came back for the Nurse Ball. And it's been watchable and entertaining for me ever since. It does help that they lowered a lot of the show 'tics' I didn't like, and it felt like the writers found actual momentum. And yes! Cliffhangers! It's been surprising me playing catch-up...how bingeable it's been. I actually had to slow down because...life lol. It has come a long way for me since I stopped. And just when I worry they might lose momentum, they do a turn, and it keeps going in an interesting direction that keeps me engage.

Hehe. The day you posted I said the same thing re: choices about Jordan on GH finally getting a set since I know a lot of people here seem to not like the actress's acting. I agree to some extent. It's the very issue I believe the majority have with the June storyline. It could have been done differently. It doesn't take away for me though for the reasons I stated already with SilkPress. Six months in, her character did need a pivot if they are planning on keeping her which is what appears to be happening (moreso since TMG is their breakout star) right now. Actually, there have been times on soaps when there is some period of clean slate on there, the writers have the wiggle room to do something that is interesting and shakes up the status quo without history hindering them. What comes to mind for me is Natalie/Jessica on OLTL (which thankfully was resolved to audience satisfaction by the broadcast tv finale by Clint staying Jess's dad) and Gina's missing years on DAYS. Enough wiggle room in the show's history that they could pull it off, but still have the audience engaged because (especially in Jessica's case since we saw her grow up on-screen so of course the audience would feel divisive) there's a somewhat plausible reason for it happening. I don't think anything has been revealed yet that contradicts SilkPress's history on the show. At least, not yet. However, IF Vernon turns out to her father, that WOULD contradict what has been shown so far on screen and would for sure be messy. But...growing pains yet for this show. They still have a way to go, but I do not feel they are doing the worst things on soap. Or not as bad as others for sure. But I know I have always been in the minority when it comes to the two things listed as issues. And on those two things, I agreed to disagree because I personally got tired of seeing it pop up once a month (at least at the start of the show starting). I already stated my views on those so a back and forth on those specifically are a moot point.

All I have to say for now is...Natasha...is that you???

Heck, they might do an old school RHOA (or some of the recent seasons of some shows) and bring the cameras right back up to make sure Karen at least pops up in the midseason trailer. Watch. ETA: Speaking of POTOMAC, apparently Keiarna and Wendy fell out.

EXCUSE ME?!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but good job, GH!!! It's been holding my attention for months after I quit it at the start of the year and is only 2nd to BTG so well done on its gains since B&B (fluff as it's been for the most part for me) has taken yet another dark turn.

I can't remember if Joey mentioned male and female off-hand lol, but he definitely mentioned having an escort service. I believe it was just when he and Vanessa were just starting to cross paths and she was dealing with jealous Diego. That I remember re: Smitty's return to work potential article because I had been hoping that this was going to be BTG's doing their first social issue story (since MVJ did come from that time on GH) and doing it with something relevant ie: social media. I believe we all debated that at the time...especially when Chelesa was focusing on her social media-ing first met Craig and 'Allison.' Or at least as a potential social media teen story since Ty was being bullied at the time, too.

Awwww *HUGS* That said...yes on re: Young and JR wasted.

Son of a...

Well I don't want you to get in trouble @janea4old but thank you. I was wondering what people were mentioning online yesterday. I will probably sit down to watch though I do worry if it might trigger me re: lost parent.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a frakking minute!!! So not only did the writers foreshadow SilkPress with the Eva cover story, but they foreshadowed this whole 'Allison' stalker mess with that off-hand comment Smitty made waaaaaaay back in the first few months about his social media story? Not to mention the plot point of Joey having an escort service? Woooooow.

For better or for worse. I admit that I'm starting to wonder, too. re: TJ. It wouldn't be so glaring if everyone connected to him weren't still in town and involved in stories. I mentioned this before...it's like Liz's kids being off canvas and the writers stay poking the bear by little comments telling us about them, but not showing them. Almost like they are taunting Liz fans who want more for her...which includes her kids being on canvas when there is no reason for them not to be there other than what feels like...spite. Oh? Lord...not more potential BTS drama? This show...

And I would say that if the foreshadowing of it was there in hints. I had mentioned...and continue to...the fake story she made up for Eva...which happened to be SilkPress's own story. It was very quickly established and mentioned a few times that SilkPress was an Articulette fan...another hint. Not too many times, but enough times that when the reunion concert happened, it was completely plausible that SilkPress would want to go...being a big fan since she was young. It's just more reason I feel it was planned. I do agree that it would have been nice to have Peaches set up a little bit better. Rewatching some of it today felt information dump-y feel to this next turn, but it was answering questions that several people and myself asked as well when the reveal was happening. And it is a soap. Something like the parentage drop and how it was done is very soapy. Heck...just last year...Holly dropped on Sasha's doorstep on GH and revealed herself as her mother out of nowhere. So not unusual at all. At least for me. In the history of soaps, there have been coincidences (the reveal, crazy woman comes to town unknowing of her link to the main family after causing drama a la Kendall Hart) like this. I could almost pick on it, but when you have a capable actress who can sell it...which for me TMG did, giving her character layers and some bit of an emotional side...I can suspend some of the disbelief. And I also picked on the B&B execution of it, but again I explained why it still works in the SilkPress storyline.

Exactly!!!

Oh, yeah, TMG is giving. I loved that just when the character is about to go over the top/cartoony, TMG injected the right amount of grit to keep her character grounded, petty, but still funny. Those were good episodes. I hope the writers play it right and let her get as close to 'the sun' as possible so she can fall right down into her comeuppance by the plot thread of Laura's accident coming back to bite her on the tail. I agree. One of the things I did like when an A story has taken center stage on this show, they would have a (what I call) Thursday episode where there are just the other stories and a mention of the A story and the the rest of the week went back to the A story. Thank you for correcting me with the Chels/Bill scene because there really has been nothing on it. Same. They set up some interesting questions. How does Hayley know Randy? What's Randy's next move now that he's important to TWO stories? Was she pregnant at all, or just lying to Naomi? Was that doctor that talked to her and Bill on her payroll? What in the world? And I surprised myself because they are all interesting questions. It does help that since the baby lie, Hayley, for me, is reminding me of how Kristen Dimera grew into a love-to-hate villainess with her own baby shenanigans. Since the audience know something is up versus the characters, it gives a 'hiss at the character' moment every time she's on screen, blaming someone (re: Dani) for something. And then trying to frame Dani. Speaking of someone needing a comeuppance...lol. It surprised me in how invested I am when it is my least favorite of the main storylines so I have to give it credit for that. That said...where did the storyline go? The abruptness is waaaay too bad. Forced. It reminds me of when we discussed over the last couple of months of the writers purposely stalling a storyline and how they are much better ways to do it than the storyline vanishing. Heck, it didn't even flow out of the storyline rotation. It just...vanish. If that makes sense. But like you, it's probably a growing pain. One that I hope they grow out of for sure once we get to the second season set of episodes.

HAHA!! SPEAK ON IT!!!

His name was Hollis and he was sooooo wasted.

IKR. Pigs fell.

I continue to be shocked at how involved that I've been with this show as I been catching up. Now I'm just a week behind. So non-linear thoughts. I have been loving Obrecht's return so far. Her bonding with Rocco (even thought that is just so plot driven) I have found adorable. And plot-driven or not, it has given some drama to Dante and Lulu as well as Laura. So the confrontation at Laura's office was great. I always love seeing the mama bear coming out in Laura. And I'm sorry, but I didn't have a problem with Dr. O giving it to Lulu. I don't think I will ever see her and Anna as friends, but I like their chemistry. I just wish the writers would keep the tension between them on top of that. Meanwhile, Lulu using Carly to get Dr. O was also annoying. It felt more like she was butthurt she got read rather than worried for her son to me. Drew continues to be the villain I love to hate. How dare he tried to have Danny arrested! But anything to get him in Jason's face because I do love a good Jason vs Drew fight. And now he's turning his back on Alexis on top of going against Sam's wishes...which has been my biggest issue with his villainous turn...I hope Alexis lets NASTASHA out on him. Add on him targeting Stella...Drew ain't beating those murder mystery allegations. I am going to shock myself by saying this, but Britt's return so far has grown on me. And I can't figure out why since it started off wrong with her separated from the canvas. Perhaps it's because it's moving...versus when Lucky's return was him feeling like his storyline stalled from Week 2/3 of his return. When I saw Joss/Vaughn was heading to her area, I rolled my eyes. But I find they are not bothering me either and their near-misses were cute and how story should be done. And now Joss has seen Britt's face. Good cliffhanger. So was Willow and the slap. Drew is just coming across as a stalker. And sorry, Willow, never gain your sanity back. She is more entertaining unstable. It really does look like she and Chase are heading down that road. smh. But Willow has always cheated on whoever she's with so is that new? I do like Liz and Ric are in her corner. Sidenote...yes, I liked my brief Liz/Jason scene. So over Trina and Kai. Sonny and the ADA finally hit my FF Button List. I'm not at all hating on the eye candy that has continuously been on display as of late. I am hating on the fact that the momentum of BLQ vs Lulu is gone. And it would appear that Michael vs Willow is losing its momentum until the custody hearing. They gave Jordan a new set. While I like her...well...that was a choice. Speaking of choices...I can't believe they are not really going with the potential of Liz/Ric/Ava/Cody. Well, I can. Still...smh. I am never going to get behind Molly and Cody when they really are not dealing with the elephant in the room of TJ. Then again, I guess I should be happy he got a 'they broke up' sentence on air.

Exactly! Which is why I love it. For us, look at what's going down at B&B. And that's just bad, but still...

Well outside of The Nicole/Carlton date, I did my rewatch of last week. I actually didn't like it the first time around. And I'm going to continue to stand by what I said then. BTG works best when one of its A stories is the hook for the week with other stories happening around it. Last week didn't have that. And making the June storyline the main focus was not the way to go. Not because I don't love it, I do (and yes, I know I'm in the minority), but because story-wise I didn't feel it was ready for that focus. Good performances though. Do I feel the June storyline was rushed? The story...NO. THIS part of said story...partly. I didn't mind it, but I see why people have an issue with it. It was very much B&B when they have a story and rush through it. And up until now, the June storyline has been a C plot. And I felt that was the way to start it and it was slow. It didn't even hit B plot until the phone number reveal. And now it turned out that she was (after some potential red herrings) after all Ty and Samantha's biological mother. Okay, that was good and nicely paced to me. But this part of it...where Jacob and Naomi find this out and tell the kids...hmmmm...yeah, that was off. It wasn't that timing was wrong. At the moment, Martin and Smitty are at odds due to the Martin's Secret storyline. Ty and Samantha are playing matchmaker. So the timing for a reveal was perfect. So I would say the execution as others have mentioned. Or I know someone did mentioned that perhaps June should have built herself back up first before the reveal...and I would have liked that as well...rather than the reverse that we are about to get. Because now what? Also, Martin and Smitty's estrangement need to go on a little bit longer. They have the longing DOWN. And June being back could have brought them back together. Down the line. Just feels too soon regardless of me liking the story development. I disagree with the other major development...Silk Press Sheila being Barbara's daughter. That didn't at all feel too rushed. Why? Foreshadowing for one. For another...SilkPress has been running around the canvas for the last month being an annoying cartoon character and a FAAAAR cry from the cunning villainess she was at the start of the show. There has been discussion for a while about what to do with her if we are keeping her (and her awesome portrayer on canvas) around. Cuz she's not going to jail for Laura's accident. At least...not yet. She needed a pivot. The Barbara reveal did that. And TMG played the hades out of that, giving SilkPress some much needed layers that she has not had since at least post-anniversary if we are being honest. And the Barbara pivot sets her storyline to keep going AND in a whole new playing field. Cards played right...given who I feel her father is...we might even get a rival family out of it...something mentioned that a lot of people would like to have on canvas against the Duprees. For now, a Have-Not vs a Have...that writes itself, too. That said...I am bothered that the Hayley storyline has abruptly vanished. Not my favorite of the A stories, but it finally got my attention and intrigued me. And...it went up in smoke. It didn't even really get a side-comment in episodes. That I found odd. I hollered at Neurotic Ashley not wanting to be with Andre after all. And I liked that she revealed her POV and told him off to his face. That said...I'm not looking forward to Ashley trying to get back together with Derek over his accident. Yeeeeah NO. That was the only things that stood out for me. A pretty meh week even though it held up better on a rewatch.

And that makes perfect sense. We are six months in, it is time for either the A stories (which for me was always Dani/Bill/Hayley, SilkPress, Martin's Secret) to either have their next major story turn/or-end or for new A stories to start. I feel...as usual...the SilkPress storyline is again outpacing the other two. D/B/H had their story turn with the baby lie/now-fake-marriage, but it's vanished off the screen to C plot land which Martin's Secret is back there, too. I find that somewhat telling of the strength (or influence?) of the SilkPress storyline as the popular of the 3 main tales. Even the B plots are turning now that we are at the six months mark. Doug/Vanessa/Joey maybe leading to a murder now when it started as a gambling/open relationship story. Derek/Ashley went from leaving each other to now back at Square One. Dani/Andre which started as a fling, got derailed by his obsession by Ashley, and now appears to be pivoting off as well. Even the June storyline has a turn. And I find that funny because outside of GH currently, I find BTG to be the most 'movement in story well' out of the all of the soaps that I watch. And even GH is taking longer than BTG. Too long where? I agree. And I'm sure they will get to it by the time the year is out.