Taoboi

Hehe. The Side looks. yay!!

20 minutes in on the West Coast...and loving it. Loving the layers I'm seeing. The possibilities in the dynamics. I can see why it was mentioned that Dani would be divisive. Not a complete saint, but still rootable. And it's the little things that I am really liking. Little things that other soaps do, but BTG is already doing better from the exposition dialogue to little side nuggets.

But is that truly ONLY shooting schedule or Frank showing off his petty side? But on this we are going to have to agree to disagree. THIS.

Same, Love it.

Sorry to hear that, but happy to hear you will find a way.

2-21 I thought that was a fitting end to the week. It was full of so many good scenes. Drew vs Jason. Laura's family circling the wagons for Lucky (good to have you back, JJ, as I hoped). Jason/Tracy scenes. More Chase/BLQ scenes. Oh, Drew. Lol. But that was some great scenes between Drew and Jason. It made me think of when Devon and Nate were feuding on Y&R. And no matter what they were saying on screen, those who were watching knew why they were REALLY mad at each other (for Nate, Devon destroyed his medical career when he damaged his hands in their fistfight, for Devon, he was mad at Nate for stealing his woman). And they FINALLY had it out after a year of playing subtext in their interactions. Today Drew and Jason's issues came to the surface and that was a long time coming, too. And I don't care what Drew says. It's clear he is reacting to everyone around him with bruise ego. Like what Stella said in Thursday's episode. Lol. Not the writers bringing up Austin Galtin-Holt as a throwaway line plot point. More funny given the Quartermaine connection and all the Quartermaine interactions this episode. Good that his connection to Cyrus is out in the open. I liked the gravitas of what Cyrus did hang heavy on Dante and Lulu. I loved the scenes with Laura and Lulu. Same with Dante and Anna. I am a bit sad that Laura won't get a final scene with Cyrus. All of this for Brennan to want Joss as a WSB agent. Perhaps if Charles Masure was still playing him. And while I liked that Joss finally knows that Brennan always knew that Cyrus killed Dex, I felt this plot point (Joss the WSB Agent) was the beginning of the end for Carly/Brennan. And Chris McKen is giving a much more sinister version of Brennan. Oooo those Tracy/Jason scenes. SB...just emotes so much better now. I felt it in his scenes with Tracy. And I definitely felt it in those scenes with CM's Drew...who also did a good job. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Chase stood by BLQ and didn't attack her for keeping the baby a secret. So this part of the arc is done. Now the next part...tipped off by BLQ mentioning that Lois is the one who arranged everything. Meaning...as Lois mentioned to Martin a few weeks back...Lois knows where the baby is aka Gio. Well to be fair, it's always been there. re: wronged twin. It's been simmering in the background and in the subtext since Jason's return last year and Drew dropped Carly like a hot potato. And it was something PM did play as did these Old/New writers. So it's not just coming out of the blue since I believe Billy Miller's Drew also played that beat...though regular viewers during that time would know better than I. It's just that now that Drew is more of a villain, he's been more open about verbalizing it. Just like the growing battle between Congressman Drew and Sonny/Jason. I can totally see everyone thinking Jason killed Cyrus. And Drew...would let him rot even though he knows Jason was with him when it was going down for part of that time. If not the whole time. Just setting up for the inevitable (with these writers at least) murder mystery with Drew.

2-20 Okay, I will give CVE his due...that was good. I liked the gradualness of people finding out about Cyrus and his attack on Liz. And how it got everyone to the hospital. And that last shot of Laura, Aidan, Liz, and Lulu (a slight giggle that Martin ain't there) was EVERYTHING. There and worried about LUCKY. As it should be. Since I was just talking about Jason, I liked that the beat was played for giving a plausible reason why Jason didn't go and shoot Cyrus almost instantly. Thinking of Sam's wishes and their kids was a great one and I will now shut up about that. At least from Jason's angle...now JOSS on the other hand...Brennan vs Jason...a man she's just getting to know vs someone that has always been in her life...in WHAT universe with their phone numbers next to each other did Joss think to call Brennan FIRST. GIRL, BYE. lol. That said...I loved Jason's scenes at Sam's grave. I loved Joss slowly getting to all the proof against Cyrus. And to see her shoot him when he came at her with that ax. I actually gasped. THANK YOU FOR CHASE IN NOTHING, BUT SKIMPY RED SHORTS AND A ROSE. LOL. I was not upset. I did like his scenes with BLQ. And it was also great to see Lulu continue to verbalize her feelings about how her world has changed. Just when I get annoyed with her, the writers at least balance that out with those feelings because it is a throughline with Lulu that I would love to see continue throughout (at least) this year as she tries to get her life back. And BLQ dropping the pregnant before bomb on Chase...unexpected. Curtis vs Drew continues to be interesting. As well as Jason being a bigger man and seeing Drew about calling a truce. I doubt it will work. And I wouldn't want it to since I love the adversarial chemistry between Drew and Jason. I mean I finally saw your post.

I saw. Finally. lol.

I agree. I am liking it, but the pacing still feels off for me, too. While I trust Rebecca more than I trust Frank, I will say something that I thought a few days ago at my own workplace...once is a coincidence, two is a line, three slowly but surely reveals a pattern.

Don't even put that out there into the universe. 😜 Cuz if Guza was around...

2-19 I'm so sorry that it took this long for me to get back to the cliffhanger given that it was centered on Liz. But now that I have... So...a whole confession from Cyrus!! Scenes allowed to breath. And Rebecca Herbst ate those scenes up. Like I said earlier, the one thing that I have not liked about the Cyrus storyline has been what happened with him during the scab writers. Jeff Kober sold his stuff, but I still find it hard to suspend my disbelief given how he was doing the old soap trope of faking his love of religion...or at least manipulating it to his own ends. I also have mentioned how I feel about the timing of the recast. Still...great scenes. How do I feel about that part of the storyline now that it seems to FINALLY be climaxing? I did like how it tied in the plot point of Lulu's equipment being messed with before she came out of her coma. So Sam died because Cyrus was mad at her for doing the operation to save Lulu basically when Cyrus really did try to kill Lulu due to his view of religion and family history. He realized how good using digitalis on Sam was so he started to use it on others. That DOES mess with the other cases that Lucky and Liz track before Sam died I believe so side-eye. And Dex simply knew too much. I mean...it does kinda tie it together. But knowing that...I'm surprised that Jason isn't involved. And now Lucky got stabbed. Le sigh. I take it to remove Liz and Lucky out of this side of the plot to put the focus on Joss giving the coda to this episode. I liked Brad and Lucas getting closer. I also liked that EK really seems to like to play Curtis vs Drew in her centered episodes. Since I continue to love Curtis vs Drew...I didn't mind that at all. Not sure how I feel about the house Drew/Willow got now given that's the Webber House, the house Portia/Trina got taken hostage in by Cyrus, etc. But I do continue to like Drew as the Character to Hate. Awww Gio/Emma had a moment. Lulu was a brat. Team BLQ. This was what I was afraid of when Tracy vetoed BLQ's right to not hire Lulu. Lulu was in the right that she called her boss, namely BLQ. But other than that, Lulu had no right to be talking to BLQ like that. She could have calmly told her not to yell at her, but alas. And of course, in walks Dante. I liked Carly and Brennan got a kiss in after the first one was interrupted. Other than that and my like of Chris McKen, I'm no longer feeling them as a couple. That is what I am hoping for as well.

Very. That excitement is building.

yay! Someone with all the tea from the scab writers. As much as I enjoyed the Cyrus storyline moving, one thing besides the above that has bothered me somewhat is how the scabs played the religious angle as a ruse. So I have found it a bit sad that Cyrus now really does seem like he found religion.

2-17 A decent start to the week. I admit that I do like the teasing about the redo of the Abbott mansion. I'm curious about what Ed Scott will plan to do to that set. Meanwhile...like I said, I love that SW is growing out her hair as Diane. Ooooo NOW Kyle wants to get nervous about meeting Victor and Nikki. Le sigh. Other than that, I'm not feeling the Kyle/Claire story. I guess it could be my excitement over BTG starting tomorrow, but there really is no young romance going on on this show. And while I love seeing Victor/Nikki, Jack/Diane together and united, they are currently not in any drama. And I don't like Billy/Sally cuz she deserves better. Adam/Chelesa are sleep inducing. Summer/Chance are on break. So...where's the couples having drama? Oh...yeah. In the DAMIAN STORYLINE. lol. It's nice to see that now that Nate/Audra have been built up as a couple that they are starting to be tested. And not just their argument over Damian in this episode, but the juicy secret that Audra has a past with Holden. Meanwhile, Lily wants Victor to investigate Damian. Hmmm. I also like she had scenes with Victor and Nikki since they no longer interact much again. Still...good start to the week. But again...the Damian storyline continues to be THE storyline.

Ooooo I love that!! High praise!

2-18 Hope vs Ridge and reading him (and Steffy) all the way down??? YES, PLEASE. I do like that Carter does feel some regret in light of his relationship with Ridge. I don't mind that they played the beat of Ridge trying to get through to Carter. For someone who said he cared about the Carter/Ridge friendship, Ridge really has not been acting like it. At least, Carter appeared torn...Brooke making those inroads. I also loved that this Takeover storyline was far from over. I was afraid that just a simple talk with Carter would get Ridge his (rme) company back. Did I say I loved Hope calling Ridge out? lol. And the cherry on top was she did what everyone here has been wanting someone to do on this show all the time...REMEMBER STEFFY'S PAST. Love her, but she ain't no saint. I think my only disappointment is that Brooke is again softening to Ridge. Which is funny since everyone else stay dragging him for how quickly he went from Brooke to Taylor. My bad...Taylee. 🥷

Let me just take a moment to say that I LOVE Susan Walters growing her hair out. It looks gorgeous. He's just stretching out how Jack is the reason Nikki kept on her relapse (as if it wasn't Jordan's fault). Even though Jack almost died to get Nikki back on the wagon. Yes, Still.

I am looking forward to your tea and given what I just said about subtext and all 3 actresses can play that. I feel like their scenes are going to be some of the most layered. And that is going to be delicious.

Anita is a (very) close second for me. I love me sum Tamara Tunie. hehe. I can see that. Eva and Leslie I believe. You do like your HBIC. And subtext is the sign of some of the best actors. And I love her for it. Even in the promo/previews I see so much of that on display. I cannot wait for more.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind that. Why I haven't been the biggest fan of his since 2014 that does not take away from the times when he has been good on the shows I watched (OLTL, GH, the beginning of his DAYS run). Thank you for this. I see that when my system was down *cough*shadylandlord*cough* that my Paramount Plus had been removed. Since I'm not a big fan of the CBS player, I'll use other means to watch if need be. At least for now, I can watch BTG live around my work schedules. And I have NO complaints on that. I could see RC doing that, too. *shivers* RC vs Eric Braden would be a fight for the ages though. Now a little over 24 hours. Exciting!!!

I can't believe....TOMORROW!!! Going in...who is everyone's immediate favorite? I know I've said it before, but I will say it again...Nicole. I'm looking forward to how that changes over time.

I would LOVE that. For me, it would be full circle in a way since that was how I discovered Generations. Hehe. Oh, Olivia Pope, never change.

RHOP Well, I made it to the finale. Honestly, I liked it. I felt the whole season was about the fight between La Dame and Messy Mia for that Potomac throne. It gave drive to the first half of the season as they tried to one up each other with both of them having stories (for La Dame-her DUI, for Mia-the paternity mess). Once La Dame had to 'play nice,' it was no wonder that the middle of the season dragged. So it was better to see that battle for the throne emerge back up. And those cliffhangers in the last few episodes helped. And just when I thought I knew the outcome of a La Dame vs Messy Mia fight...Enter: Stacey. Well...I guess that tagline makes sense now. Lol. For this whole season, Stacey has been giving authentic newbie. Right up until last episode where Gizelle clocked her at Vivian's. But then again, she had moments of slick shade which might have been foreshadowing. Because she was coming across this finale like the NEW Grande Dame herself. Not to mention not a good friend. I was not expecting a La Dame vs Stacey fight where they were evenly matched, but that was good, too. Also good was the fact that Gizelle showing herself and using their drama to not only continue the little rivalry she has going on with Stacey, but a chance to knock La Dame down for the count. I wasn't surprised. Ashley as back-up made it into a whole gang-up on La Dame...which I also was not expecting. It's been seasons since La Dame has been in a corner by the WHOLE group so I did feel invested in the mess because Stacey had worked on (and apparently off) screen to set up her fall. Mia sadly came out smelling (pun unintended to the dog poo) like roses in comparison. But I really thought it was a good finale. I didn't like the cut-out scene talk between Wendy and La Dame, but I did like I at least got the real time reactions thanks to Gizelle and Ashley of Wendy hearing of La Dame badmouthing her. And the side-stories (in this case, Gizelle's healing, Ashley & the divorce, Keiarna and her man) all came to a nice turn/finish for the season. And then the coda of La Dame going into court. Good stuff. LA DAME. Honestly I enjoyed her in the finale. Perhaps it was more of the fact that it was twilight on the Grande Dame. You got the goofy moments of her with Ray and her excitement with Wendy at the White House. You also knew a storm was coming due to how the last episode ended. That said...I did not expect that confrontation with Stacey nor did I expect Etiquette Karen all the way from Season 1 to pop out. And that Stacey did not back down really had La Dame off her game. Not helped by the gradual gang-up that followed. It was a trainwreck for her, but like a trainwreck, I could not look away. GIZELLE. It was nice to get a little closure on her feelings about her father with her daughters. Just in time for her to revert to Old Gizelle. Because she moved quickly to be sure Wendy knew La Dame was talking crap about her behind her back. And the fact that it was Stacey that was running around telling all the girls meant that she would not be the target of La Dame's wrath. Bonus that since it did not come from her (not that she didn't spread more things in her Confessional), but from Stacey...her hands were clean. It couldn't have worked out better for her. Also...KAL!!!!!!!!!!! Since she seems to have Stacey's number, I do look forward to a rivalry between her and Stacey next season. ASHLEY. I liked she got closure on that looooooooong divorce. And it sounded like she (off-screen) threatened Michael Darby to get it. Hehe. I liked we got a little bit of messy Ashley back as well. Cuz her revealing that Stacey came to her to spread what she had just told Mia last episode and told Gizelle on camera (with Production giving a rollback). It was Ashley finally getting her lick back for Stacey having her heel on Ashley's neck all season long. WENDY. I hate to say it, but I agree with Wendy. What Stacey said was what sounded verbatim like something Karen WOULD say. And lest we forget...Wendy vs La Dame was a rivalry when Wendy came on in Season 5. So it's not far-fetched. I just think it's a shame because Wendy has done nothing, but had La Dame's back this season. She just took her to the White House in this one. And they talk in the off-season. And knowing what's coming up in the Reunion, I would like to have seen the cut scene of them talking one on one conversation that was in the trailer. I cannot help but feel like my POV will be manipulated without said scene. MIA. How funny that she got to sit pretty this episode while everyone came for La Dame. Surprisingly gave nothing, but one funny moment. KEIARNA. I did like that no matter what she has still stayed on La Dame's side and even got between La Dame and Stacey during the gang-up. That said...I really am not liking her Greg at all. He could not even come with her to the finale event. While being on a show can have its disadvantages, for a businesswoman like Keiarna, it can give a platform to grow her business. Not to mention HIS. I really don't like him. And that End Note at the end about what happened when they moved in together was telling. STACEY. Stacey, Stacey, Stacey. One of my favorite additions gave a full shift this episode. But before she did that, I did like her giving a little of the Stacey we got this whole season with her gay friend who DID NOT get TJ's name wrong. From there though, she turned into Lady of the Manor (with TJ being extra extra Lord of the Manor) with her event...and I found that a little bit suspect. And once Ashley revealed that Stacey had talked to her about La Dame just like she did with Mia last episode, I think the mask fell off for me. I thought it was weird when I started to play catch-up this past week that Stacey was finally being nice to Ashley even though they had the common thread of both going through divorces. But Gizelle really got me going hmmm when she pointed out they were all at Vivian's last episode except for La Dame. All the people who Stacey would need to be on her side (OGs and GOOD vets) were PRESENT. On her side for what? It seem like to me that Stacey has been playing some chess of her own the whole time. More importantly, she played it well. Using the mama excuse to get on Mia's good side. Having a nice nasty rivalry with Gizelle (who is willing to play to stay relevant). Pulling Ashley in closer a la friends close, enemies closer. However, flaws and all La Dame IS Potomac with a strong ally in Wendy. So it was simple for her to sit back and get to know the others by playing dumb. But when she (as Gizelle said) felt comfortable, she made a move with the perfect smokescreen in the battle going on between La Dame and Mia to take the Queen off the board AND cause a rift with her biggest ally. Why? Well, I do believe she want that throne for herself. And La Dame would be the hardest opponent to get rid of. But this has not been a great year for La Dame and sadly she gave Stacey the smoking gun with those comments about Wendy. And watching those pieces come together at the event makes me want to watch the reunion to see how Stacey moves going forward. I might not like it, but I cannot say that she did not play it masterfully well. All and all, a good finale and overall a good (outside of the middle) season.

Ooooo