Taoboi

smh

1-6 Agree. It feels so good to see a variety of stories from B&B again. Forrester vs Logan is slowly growing. And I'm Team Katie on that. Ridge and Brooke are coming across way too entitled. And if anyone can knock Ridge down, it's Dollar Bill. Bring it!! And speaking of build, the triangle of Taylor/Deacon/Sheila is also growing nicely. I thought it was weird when Sheila abruptly showed up at Taylor's office. But the dance between Taylor and Deacon circling each other has been mmmm. Good to see Deke involved with both storylines. And as a nice C story...Daphne's leaving. Will Carter say something?

Yeah, I definitely would like an exit scene when/if he exits.

Coming into January officially and... ...le sigh. I guess I can say something good first. I love that momentum has finally returned. And I really liked that the writers were shifting the main storyline of the week while keeping it. But now, they are focusing on ONE main story and I'm loving it. Why? Because while they are focusing on the one story, they are still shifting all their other storylines around it. It moves like a good machine and it shows. It was the best thing to start to take the Who Shot Drew storyline to its next level. And it's great to see Alexis in her element. And it's great to see how much of the canvas has been roped into it. It's even affecting side-stories. And that's good writing. And I'm here for the increase Laura presence. And most of what I'm watching with her is not Sonny-centric so good. That said...I did notice the NYE episode felt like a sign of things to come for the year and honestly, I'm not liking it. On one hand, given the discussion I mentioned mid-last year (and others have discussed and carried on), it's good to see the writers just might give us what we all discussed about what this show has been lacking. Namely, romance. But the NYE episode really highlighted be careful what you wish for because it was focused on romance. It also gave a sign of who will probably be the romantic focus. It's going to be a looooooooong year then. The majority of those pairings were lacking. And the only one that I 100 % am behind (Gio/Emma) does not get enough screentime. I was happy to see them have their scenes, kissing, and talking about Gio's feelings about the violine. They felt so real. Meanwhile...on screen there was... JASON/BRITT. It's a given. I think we all know that when Liz is sitting right there doing nothing. That said...FINALLY!!! It was nice to see them just having a conversation. No jokes. No wacka wacka humor (since they have another couple for that. unfortunately). Just two ADULTS. It felt like how Jason/Britt used to be. Thank God. And Jason making a move...WOOF. God, I love Jason like this. His return this time around (and SB being locked in) has been a revelation for me. Be careful what you wish for done right because he just expressed how he felt. Stronger Q family ties. And still relevant more than the other leading man. If they are going to keep Britt, she needs to be up to HIS level of maturity so good to see her kinda move in that direction. CURTIS/JORDAN. The Portia mess has been great to watch. And Jordan getting a little bit messy has also been good to watch. So it surprised me that now that Curtis and Jordan have slept together and look ready to be back together (and Trina apologized) that I feel...NOTHING. I was always a Jordan/Isaiah fan and didn't like how Jordan was always jerked around by Curtis. I'm not against them being back together. And there's potential for drama given Curtis's POV and her association with Sidwell...not to mention more Portia mess...but it just feels very nothing-burger even though in my logical mind it doooooes feel earned after years of Portia/Curtis/Jordan. LULU/NATHAN. DANTE IS RIGHT THERE!!!! is what my mind keeps saying every time they have scenes. I did like the scenes mind you where they bonded though. Alexa is great and Lulu's return is one of my recent favorite stories and how you should do a recast. Lulu would know what it is like to be off the grid and have to return to a life that has gone on without you. So she fits with Nathan. As FRIENDS. Apologies for real life stuff, but have Nathan go bark up another tree. MOLLY/CODY. WACKA WACKA HELL NO WACKA. I just can't get behind him due to TJ period. But I'm not really going to change my mind (beyond that being addressed) if all of their scenes are going to be immature misunderstanding, annoying near-misses when it comes to sexy time, and/or played like it's a skit on a bad comedy show. Oooo how not surprising that Molly has a deadline. Oooo how 'cute' that Cody wants to surprise her. Wacka wacka! Yeeeah NO. CARLY/VAL. Let me pull out the... I admit that it shocked me that she was not with Brennan for NYE in spite of what's going on in story, but still...ugh!!! And GIRL, BYE. Carly came into town with a mask on her face to get close to her mother and wreck her world. This is NOTHING new for her regardless of what Val wants to retro-say. Her gift for lying (especially on the witness stand) is legendary. So let's not try to prop the non-couple for Frank's Friend. Thank you...NEXT. Honestly, I'm surprised they had all these pairings and didn't have Michael with his girl pal J. But I guess that's a blessing and yet another sign she ain't nothing, but a placeholder. Okay, romance rant over.

While it's cute to keep the theme going of Michael liking women of the night...she's just not a strong enough actress for me. It also doesn't help that she screams placeholder.

Same. And while the trope is a dime a dozen, there are also some stories that show the progression of a nice guy into someone darker that don't come across as lazy writing due to the work being done to make it make sense. Derek isn't even the most recent example coughDrewCain*cough*

Hahaha!! I didn't even think of that connection! Oops.

THIS

At this point, Ashley can be the token, getting a C story every once in a while.

Same. I totally forgot about the ex angle.

Oh, yes. VERY.

HA!!!

I not only on that. re: Tomas. I really feel the writers are doing everything to drop anvils. If he makes it to 2027 I will be shocked. As I know Jill and Katherine all too well. lol. I definitely think it's a good thing to have Kat and Eva separate for a little bit. Perhaps Eva will get some self-reflection. After all, Kat WAS ready to bury the hatchet with her before Tomas walked out in front of her in nothing but a towel. And I definitely like what we are seeing with Kat in the Anita Cancer story. Even Tomas is acting like a boyfriend to her for a change. So much more enjoyable than watching Tomas try to gaslight Kat into being his wife though that is coming. I liked Derek in his himbo era. And I liked the Dark Derek era, too....cuz who would have thought the himbo would be blackmailing his nurse/potential love interest AND gaslighting his BFF for a girl that's not into him? More reason while him verbally destroying Ashley was so awesome and...GROWTH. But...alas.

Awww Early apologies if this was done already...

1-8 I do continue to like the Kat angle to Anita's cancer story. How long has it been on a soap when something happens to a character and everyone just falls in line? It used to be something would happen in a town and people would pick sides. Or, the opposition would be one-note. So it's nice to see something refreshing. I find Kat's position in the testing to be relatable almost to a scary degree. I also like that the testing of Dani/Nicole has been carried out throughout the week, allowing so many different POVs to be explored. The story, for all of its heaviness, has been allowed to breathe. Thankfully, there has been a counterpoint to that...most of which was more comedic. So well-done. I was not expecting that Kat vs Chelesa fight the first time around. So rewatching it. It still holds up well. And realistic as well because that is the kind of conversation a close family member would have with another. It hit a little bit too close to home actually due to some recent family news but still well done. Anita wanting a last good moment (that's Mardi Gras themed) before the real heaviness of the story beats start was also well done. TT is just acting her butt off. And uh oh at Naomi getting the baby. Foreshadowing again, writers? Sidenotes: Because I can't say it enough...I love that Nicole (and Vernon, too) are horror fans. Nice Martin/Smitty scenes. Looking/acting like a real couple. What a difference an almost year makes. Nice Dani/Andre scenes, too.

Lying in wait. Nicole was the one who got away. If I remember correctly, I believe he knew Nicole before he even knew Ted. But why the time he got the nerve to say something she met Ted at that conference.

Exactly. Re: Kial. Not unusual at all. And as stated, it took the writers forever to get back around to Nicole's POV after the anniversary party. So her next story does have to build up. And nothing more soapy than a soap triangle. Outside of a psycho of course.

I agree. We really don't have any stakes with Izaiah/Eva. I think I said that myself either yesterday or a few days ago. I like the writers are giving Eva/Izaiah time to grow, but it's time for some conflict for sure. It seems like the writers are still in 'build them into a couple before stakes' mode or doing what they did with Dani/Bill after the first few weeks of the show by having them be in separate stories so the audience got to know them and would feel something once their storylines converged again. Well, that last part is IF they go there with Eva/Izaiah/Kat down the road...which is what I feel is going on and why currently Eva and Kat have their own stories going on. Add on how they have completely vanished Tomas from that story as well right down to book in-jokes is just another reason I feel he will be exiting left at some point (Febuary Sweeps?). So unless they converge the plot again, I would say the Hawthornes' disapproval of Eva would have to come into play if they want any kind of conflict at the moment. Oh, I lived for Dani's shading Ashley every chance she got. LOL!!! Ashley was one of my favorite characters when the show started and I wanted to see the good idealistic girl get her dream job and then reality kicked in. And there were so many ways to write around that that developed her character. SPS potentially framing her for Laura's second almost-death and having to clear her name. Her being onto Hayley and the fake pregnancy as someone else mentioned. Even the drama with her and Derek moving in together had sooome potential at first. But how Ashley was handled was just...smh. People winded up on Derek's side against her than her and she's the main character. That's not good.

1-7 Now that I got to see it...I really don't want to jinx it, but there is so much flow and momentum going on that I love it. We will see how I feel next week to see how the show pivots and/or keeps it going. See? An A story in Anita's cancer, but little stories going on. Special note for the writers still finding ways to find unusual pairings like Randy and SPS and Vernon/Ted. If I was annoyed by anything, it's that I can't shake that the writers are trying to downplay Dani/Andre for Dani/Bill. I continue to dislike that. That was how I felt last year when Hayley was in Andre's current place. Dani/Andre was the lightning in the bottle, but it seem there was a bias to Dani/Bill. Guess what, writers? Karla Mosley has chemistry with BOTH. It's okay to play that with both and have the audience split over it. Like a great soap triangle. Dare I say it...Jax/Brenda/Sonny? That said I still live for Dani/Vanessa scenes. I also love that we are getting an increase in Dani/Vernon scenes. It was already established that she was the apple of Vernon's eye, but their scenes were sporadic. Improvement indeed. The meeting of the villains = WOW. I thought it was very interesting what they are setting up with Joey vs Silk Press Sheila. Mostly because it brings back the menace that Trisha can play so well from beneath the surface of SPS. And the fact they both have each other's number is VERY intriguing. Adding on the subplot of the clinic as well as Marcel/SPS alliance...and it's giving slow burn powder keg. Could SPS be the one who finds out about Doug's death? I continue to love the C plot of the Cotillion. I do wonder if we are going to see it. Will it be our next event? And I do like how it turns on the show's theme of the Haves and Have-Nots. Side notes: Ted/Shanice continue to be hilarious. Ashley continues to work as a side-character.

I liked them both.

One thing they did a great job of this season even though she is not there and the ladies are still carrying on was that Karen's presence is still very much felt and continued on.

Oh I heard...and saw the clip. I hollered at the hollering. Very. It's a testament that she can still pull off a tagline and still give perfect housewives/actress inflection and a look. I was just as shocked that Andy just posted asking for reunion questions barely a week ago and they were ALREADY filming the reunion. I hope we get Gizelle's reaction to not being first chair again. And I also hope that if Karen is there, we are getting her in more than one episode before the season ends.

Agree. Like @Soaplovers mentioned, it does seem like they are still dangling that carrot out there even though Derek could have completely vanished after he finally read Ashley down the day at the hospital hub when he found out that she didn't even wait a day before she was knocking on Andre's door after finding out he didn't tell her about getting feeling in his legs again. Well re: Kial. Got to build up that triangle. And it's harder when the writers took forever to focus back on Nicole's POV.

She suuuure did. Though I WILL give the writing soooome credit that they did her recasting very well. Made her look similar. Eaves her onto the canvas slowly in ways that made sense. And then gave her a story. Heck, what they are doing with Taylor and Deacon now started when she was in the role. And I'm still disappointed they didn't go there then. And I did vent about how I felt about them going there now though at least RB and SK have chemistry. But yeah Krista was such a breath of fresh air.

OOPS. I guess 1-7 wasn't loaded on my system yesterday. That's fine. I don't mind rewatching 1-8 again. It had a lot of interesting bits that I wanted to rewatch again for sure. I felt the same. It does look like just like last year in the first few months, BTG will keep doing foreshadowing into this year as well.