Taoboi

They were FF material for me. So of course JG had to throw him into stories and/or around characters I care about. lol.

I admit that I was worried about my interest the post-Ashley climax. So I am surprised that I still have so much to enjoy right now. And Sharon getting a storyline might hold me, but I don't like it seems like it's another crazy storyline or even tied to Cassie unless it turns into a search for her father. Same. re: Kyle I could tear this storyline with him and Diane down all day, every day because it makes no sense. But last week, MM lit up some time last week, and he's been hell on wheels since. And I hate the storyline, but I actually like it. It makes him matching wits with Audra now even more interesting since she's dealing with RealKyle...not the watered down one we got over the last few years. Meanwhile, loving the writers remember the powerhouse they have in AL and her acting and are writing to it again. Oh? re: Nate/Audra. Intrigued. I miss Chance being around for sure and still wish he was a cop. And CF is a fox. Use it! I left Y&R before Hartley's Adam. I've seen very little clips but I liked what I saw. MG and MCE have good co-parent chemistry, but I don't need to see anything else. I guess anything to give Billy a story though.

Thank you!!! I think for me it's just that it usually takes me forever to play catch-up. I feel I haven't been this caught up since Patrick M. came on. So I'm sure as soon as his name falls off the screen, that won't be the case...though I'm looking forward to Fall. You are hitting it on the nail, too!!! There was so many moving parts and nuances going on in the Deception scenes. Lucy and Lois having a good back and forth. How Lucy was totally trying to get her lick back on Natalia so that video dropping worked for her. And Lynn did so great with so little, but she's great as an actress in the background of scenes doing reactions. Always has been so she's always fun to watch. Yes! I was blanking on her name so glad I was thinking right. But agree. I don't think Jacqueline Lopez could have pulled off those scenes a year ago. It's why I pointed them out. Especially her falling to pieces when her label messaged her. You could literally see it all over her face. Music has always been her thing. And it was like her heart had been ripped out. She really did great with that. As an artist if I've been told I could not do what I love to do, I would not know what to do. She conveyed it beautifully. This show has needed the old school villainess, so I love that Ava fits right in. And while the writing was on the wall that she might be written off, I felt that with Dante's talk to Sonny on the 7-5 episode, they might give her some wiggle room. She should stay like this. Just don't write her into a corner. That said, I feel the writers have more reason to find a plausible reason for her to get out of her corner versus Valentin who has definitely been written into a corner. And any way out of it would not at all be plausible for him. Me talking about Drew and his scruff is just part of the continuing running joke on the threads about how CM's Drew has always been more interesting and hotter when he has his scruff vs shaven.

I agree. But that is a big alas now. Because Carly is Carly-ing. lol. Perhaps once. But I feel with the audience...or just here...that boat has sailed on full Villain Val. I thought he has been good at it and I was enjoying the cat-and-mouse with Anna, but I was hoping for others that it led to an exit. Oh, Charles Masure is great at that kind of character, which is why I felt they should put him where Valentin currently is. He has chemistry with both Carly and Anna. The potential is there.

7-9 You know what? I've been sitting here complaining about how much I dislike how the writers created this stupid story about Kyle and Diane. Because I cannot stand that he's acting like a spoiled brat over something HE set in motion. And Diane is in her right to stand up for herself. But some time the last few episodes, it occurred to me...we got Kyle back!!! When Kyle first returned in 2017, he was crafty, cunning, and his father's son. And I'm seeing some of that again. Him trying to make moves behind Audra's back. Him going in on Jack. The smugness of it all. And MM is actually lighting up again. I can't hate that. And I hollered at Victor mentioning 'the chair' to Jack. Those two feuding again. Dare I hope that knowing that Victor bought that company to compete with Jabot, we can get an actually business story out of it? Drew changing his name over on GH, and now Claire? Hmmm. It's funny how soaps can be sometimes... ETA: Danny and Chris in Paris now??? They are really keeping those sets around, aren't they? And I said what I said last time I posted...it still is totally believable that Chelesa would cheat. Adam...not so much. And MG is playing the guilt well.

7-5 I thought that was another good week. In fact, it goes back to what I said yesterday about a clear A story with all the other stories filtering around it. I don't like that the center of that story was Natalia, but I feel the reason it's been so good and juicy was the Natalia expose impacted so many people I do care about (though side-note loving Eva in that white dress and she's been breath-taking to watch): Maxie (KS has never been better than when she was in Boss mode), Kristina/Blaze, Lucy, Scotty by Lucy and his connections to Ava, Sonny, Nina, etc. It has had a domino effect that ripples out. From Natalia of all people. A newbie. But again, it does connect to the other stories going on from Sonny vs Ava, whatever the writers (or was this PM's plan?) planning for Ava...cuz her list of friends/allies has been gradually shrinking and with her on the outs with Trina...RED FLAG for me...how Deception is affected aka woooooow a business story...Alexis's choice to leave the Intruder. I saw so many possibilities and all of this because Ava recorded Natalia and blew her out of the water...which in a way could be seen as sweet revenge on her for c@ckblocking her from Sonny. Heck, it even touched on what PM was setting up with Natalia vs Kristina/Blaze. Which I LOVE the Kristina vs Natalia scenes. I felt it has been a long time coming. And KM was giving as good as ER was. It felt very gloves come off. And yes, I thought the Blaze actress did great with her reveal scenes as well as the scene when she found out about her label dropping her. And speaking of it since I've mentioned it above...Ava, Ava, Ava. Even through all of this, they could never make me hate a good villainess and I feel that's to the strength of the powerhouse that MW is. And I really love that she's been doing some disgusting things. Alexis and her license. Blowing Natalia out of the water. About to gun for Sonny. And yet she was still given a moment to be a human being on Monday when she saw the comments about Kristina and Blaze and MW allowed Ava to show humanity at the consequences her actions brought. But still...moving in an actual direction again. I really love that. To the complexity of the femme fatale she is. And just like Sami on DAYS OF OUR LIVES circa late 90s...she still has one last trump card to play. And I was right there with her as the wheels started to turn in her head when Scotty mentioned that all she needed was for Sonny to lose it in a public setting cuz the truth about Sonny's meds being messed with STILL has not come out and that Ava knows. Given from what I've glanced above that they are already trying to find a way to keep Val when his storyline was totally leading to him leaving...I wonder how Ava's storyline will change as PM's run nears its end. Why oh why do they let Drew shave? LOL!!! But seriously, he was not giving his usual hotness. Meanwhile, Curtis been working out because he was looking beefy. Mmmm. lol. So they really have done a great job building up Drew/Nina. From hating each other to lusting for each other, but STILL hating each other. And now their respect growing over the last month and a half. Another story I feel that PM made full of win. And Willow makes three it seems at a glance above. Classic soap. And I do love it when I call it. I continue to like the meet-cute between Trina and Gio. And seeing Trina missing Spencer. Cuz that scene with her and the art book was good. And now Trina humming around Gio and him just letting her. Nice. Thank God Dex and Joss kissed because I was not sure what their status were and her circling Gio is a NO for me. I will always live for Sonny/Dante scenes. ____ Like I said clowning. As in speculation. Anyway... I know, right? Some of us actually do speculate all of the time and it's a great feeling when as a fan you hit a bullseye. For me, I called Drew/Nina and the hate sex from a mile away. So it's good to see I was right on the money. And I think we all call out the undercurrent between Willow and Drew from a mile away and we all were speculating...or clowning about it then...cuz Michael's head would explode if the writers went there. And judging from some of the comments that I did a quick glance out since you know me and my level of spoilage...I want to get there myself. Lol. Sounds like we were all on the money about that, too. Sadly, it also sounds like the writers are already trying to rush through it. Amen. Exactly!! Like I've mentioned, the best thing about Jason's return has been that he's interacting with his kids after decades of putting Carly above all. Yeah, I think they are overdue some friends for sure.

Yeah, disliking her already then. The best thing about Jason's return has been his children (and babymamas) reacting to him. Just clowning around on the board.

Nope. Just idle speculation.

Yeah, I don't think it was a good look at all. Though it DID split up Vanna. I agree on Mac. But it's a shame that it sounds like they are swiftly reversing what momentum PM managed to get going.

That is so interesting you two are talking about that. cuz this has been stuck in my head all weekend... @Soapsuds @kalbir

LOL. My mental eye!!!

@dc11786 and then there was three on the catch-up and nothing wrong with mentioning what came before. Though I found Finn storyline well paced for it to be rushed. I'm currently on last Friday and it's been a pretty good week. It feels like good soap in that they clearly found an A story and everything else is flitering around through that...same as that one week of Finn's storyline that I mentioned earlier today. He probably would have had it bloom into complete love, too. Or perhaps more like Dorian/David on OLTL.

lol

Agree. As much as I like Adam Huss...we are loooooooooooooong overdue some appearances (and good stories) for Lulu and Lucky.

RHoDubai See? That was more on per with Episode 3. So much to enjoy. So much to digest. And there were still group events, friend moments, and just all-around authentic things going on that was not at all boring. I really don't know where to start. I guess for me what stood out was the maneuvering of Brooks. Or maneuvering period. Brooks was moving like a good HW villain. Her very presence is divise. Look at how that table was. It could have been a gang-up on Brooks. But it not only turned into Caroline vs Sara, but it turned into Lesa/Ayan vs Sara. Brooks was able to sway her way out of a takedown that started out as Taleen vs her by changing the subject from her deteriorating friendship with Taleen to last episode's talk behind Lesa's back. And a gang-up was forgotten. And Taleen looked heated. As Lesa herself would say...Taleen could take NOTES. And speaking of notes, Lesa did some maneuvering at the end herself. The Brooks/Taleen friendship was already on a slippery slope post-Beyoncegate. And Brooks was already threatened by Taleen being around Caroline. So that it's LESA who dropped the video to Sara who gave it to Brooks that showed Taleen and Caroline out drinking...there is nothing that will hurt a friendship more than to see your BFF with your (current?) worst enemy. Lesa was not slick. And it's well-established that while Lesa is civil to her, Lesa does not at all like Caroline Stansbury. So...we see you. Maneuvering. And then...there's Caroline Stansbury...still having her best season (outside of LADIES OF LONDON Season 2 hehe) ever. VERY (emphasis on VERY) unbothered. I can't believe she jumped into the middle of that Brooks gang-up just to pick a fight with Sara. She wasn't wrong, though...lol. Ayan also say that Sara is holier than thou. But it was just so left field. And then she was giving good Confessional and nothing, but real moments, too. And we know Caroline is at her best with a henchman. And since Juliet has not cameo (yet), her hanging out with Taleen is a power move as well...something Taleen also recognizes. Again...maneuvering. All the shifts and alliances were well done around all the real moments. And ending on the mid-season trailer...because we STILL don't know how Ayan and Lesa fell out. Could it be because of similar maneuvering? hmmm. CAROLINE. MOM KNOWS...LOL. What is it that the kids say now? We are soooooo back!!!! Caroline continued to give Peak LADIES OF LONDON, and I stay loving it. That left field attack on Sara. Her Confessionals giving looks. Her shade at Brooks at the end. Meanwhile, there was her scene with her daughter talking about Sergio. And even moreso the scene with Sergio's Mom seeing right through her and Sergio. There was just so many juicy bits with her. And just how she's carrying herself was also a vibe. TALEEN. I see my side-eye at her continues. I feel that I should again say that I don't dislike her, but there are things that I see her doing that I am not liking. Like how pressed she was at Brooks managing to get everyone off of her and onto Sara at the brunch. And then she was being sad about how her friendship with Brooks has gone downhill only to be ki-ki-ing with Caroline in the next scene. It seem phony to me and not a good look for her in terms of being a friend. If anything I feel like I'm giving her too much of a shadow of a doubt. BROOKS. They could never make me hate you...lol. Cuz I'm still in awe at how she turned that gang-up around at the brunch table. And I see her, Sara, and Lesa have branched off in this episode into a little group with Caroline/Taleen in another group and Ayan in the middle. Hmmm. And her body language while everyone was going after Sara was Team Lesa which was cute. SARA. LOL!!!! They were really wacking her at that brunch, weren't they? I was hollering. As for Wannabe @Cat, I was meaning Saba trying to have Sara's back, but all the ladies paying her no mind. LESA. Team Lesa. That said...this episode...I saw it. And by IT I meant the comparisons between her and Caroline. Which I always kinda saw. However, this time around for me, it was her subtle scheming. I said at the end of the S1 reunion that the rivalry should be between her and Caroline. And now that Caroline is playing the game, it was apt that Lesa did as well. So the fact SHE was the one who sent the video of Taleen/Caroline hanging out to the others stood out. Meanwhile, she was still dealing with her mother as well as talking to Ayan about potential issues with Rich. So giving some realness just like Caroline has been this season. Which is going to make whatever caused the split between Ayan and Lesa...which the midseason trailer did not spoil...that much more juicy. AYAN. I loved her scene with Lesa where she gave her good advice. She was a good BFF throughout this episode, and that shined through. She told Lesa they were talking about her and explained herself well. So I admit that now I worry if Lesa did something rather than Ayan. And that is shadow of the doubt. It was another good episode. More of this please. I so love the ladies calling Sara out. I don't know if it will make sense, but Sara and her image and how it has been talked about (by Ayan mainly) has all the makings of a running joke so when Caroline brought it up out of left field, it was hilarious. Someone else FINALLY noticing. And Sara was flabbergasted. That is why I really loved that Ayan/Lesa scene as well. It really felt like that. Same. re: Brooks. That scene with Sergio's mother was soooooooo juicy. And yep when Yasmine said he moved him barely a day after Clem left. Hmmmm

I was working on writing about Dubai, but...I can't seem to stop crying. Thank you, dear friend. I really needed that hug.

PAUUUUUUUUUUUUUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehe. He's been busy with work and needs a good distraction after that sad news today so WOOF.

So many!!!! I always felt that every time though, it got torpedoed. So it was hilarious that it took a recast to give fans what they really wanted. Exactly!

7-5 Oooooooooooo that's what you all were talking about? And honestly? I can see Chelesa doing that. It should say something to how Adam has been written and MG's acting that I just don't see him sleeping with Chelesa when he's head over heels for Sally and chased her so much during the Nick/Sally/Adam triangle. Totally plot. That said...given how JG has been doing everything to push Billy into plot...I was expecting something. And also Billy is swimming around Lily again. So it was making me go hmmm...would there be a Chelesa/Billy/Lily/Adam/Sally quintet? Now I am wondering. On another note, FINALLY!!!! It looks like the writers are playing to AL's strengths again. Loving it. The stuff with Claire being a nanny. And now, Summer being on the warpath with Kyle. AL Summer is coming across as she's about to go force of nature and I am looking forward to it. She's been looking fierce, too, so bonus! We know I'm enjoying all the Traci stuff.

Ironically, I was just talking about Shannen last week with my co-worker and said the same thing. I...just felt it. But she has been so strong, but something told me I should start to brace myself. The good, the bad, the ugly. Shannen did keep it real for better or for worse which is why I respected her and admired her. There has been so many times in my life growing up I would truly think...what would Brenda do? Cuz her loner vibe with the group during their first year of college on BH resonated through as a teenager dealing with his identity. I forgot about Nightmare Classic!! But I adored her on Fairy Tale Theater as a kid with her expressive eyes and ethereal vibe. It has been surprising me over the last week how much she has done because I have not heard from her again up until last year. There are definitely films that have been mentioned that I will want to search for to watch her going forward. Yes. Richard and Dr. Ruth are both memories from my childhood that it just saddens me they are gone. They seem like they would be around forever.

7-1 Well due to today's morning news, goodness knows I need to distract my mind for a bit. So where is a good place to start, but my catch-ups. Since I have been watching, but just busy. That said...when it comes to GH...the clock is ticking on PM's name coming off the screen. So coming into July, it occurred to me, that hatred aside, PM got to finish two stories in this too-brief run. ALEXIS THE LAWYER IS BACK!! I've said before that I loved that Alexis was starting to want to get her license back. So it has been great watching her journey. Watching her doubts. The twists and the turns...and in spite of pacing during PM's run it DID have them. I liked it all. I was sad watching Alexis quit (though I love the Sean mention) because I would have loved to have seen her balance her lawyer with the Intruder. But it was a nice cap on a good story. FINN'S SPIRAL. The best story that this version of Michael Easton's character has ever had. Not only is Liz free to be with Jason someone, but it did what I hope that PM's run would do. One thing that his run did was move people into different positions and new directions. Very much Douglas Marland's Rule-ing. And I'm saddened we only hit PM's middle of his arcs. I also mentioned that it looked like he was writing people in directions that appeared to be aiming them at exit storylines. I would point to Finn, Valentin, and Ava for this. And I also said given how the majority of the people posting would love that (especially in Val's case, Ava...not so much) that was not a bad thing. So it was nice to see one of those theorized exits happen. And you know what? It was a good one. There was one week where Finn's storyline was the clear A storyline, and it was interesting enough to carry all the way with one day where it was the background while the other stories took the stage...like how soaps used to write. I thought that was well done. And while I know thoughts over ME's acting is mixed, I really thought he did a great job. The only problem I saw with his storyline is keeping Violet here. I feel safe saying Finn is gone gone so I expect when he is well, Violet might be sent off. So another good end to a storyline. Not looking forward to PM's name vanishing. And it looks like glancing at what's above this post (wow...you all already at 20 pages!!), it looks like there is some un-doinging of what PM might have been planning. Like Heather, who I said they could use this reset to make her calm, but cunning as the Heather of old I heard so much about. But sounds like they want to go left. And another false note, Ava burning her bridge with Trina. I just did not see her using Trina to get to Sonny. Ava usually keeps Trina away from her cunning/scheming stories. So I was shocked. That said....it's nice to have a clear (but still complex) villainess running around Port Charles again.

*HUGS* It just sunk in. Totally beside myself.

I am definitely going to need a hug when it sinks in because it WILL be a doozy for me when it does. I just woke up and wondered why people were tagging me, but I guess I know now. Outside of Vanessa Marcil's Brenda...the only other Brenda (and SCARY MOVIE's Brenda okay and URBAN LEGEND Bren) I acknowledge. Shannen was my Heather. She was my Brenda. And she was fierce AF as Prue on CHARMED. And she always acted. She was always a fighter. And I watched just about everything she was in growing up. There was just something about her eyes. How she could do a smile or a smirk. No matter if her characters made you want to shake her, she always came across as an underdog that you wanted to see win. My love of her knew no bounds. And watching her fight cancer these last few years, my heart went out for her. And yet she still kept going. And it was nice to see as she grew older, she was moving past a lot of the feuds that she was known. Older. Wiser. But still tough. I am just rumbling and fighting tears. With Shelly Duvull, Richard Simmons, Dr. Ruth, and now THIS...it's too much.