Taoboi

Well, first of all...GOOD. Love the actor. Love the character. And what he represents cuz Liason fan. And I've been liking Jason actually interacting with his kids since he made it back to town so I'm looking forward to those scenes.

I will always be for the Heather storyline because it was (under PM) giving an old school soap situation in that you got to see ALL point of views and there was no propping. It also gave a chance (as I've said before) of Heather being rebooted into a calmer, less-goofy, more cunning schemer again. But I trusted PM could do that. Now that he is out, I'm not sure if I would like the story to continue now. Moreso if it's more of the goofy. I honestly feel the same. re: Finn. Michael Easton definitely gave some good performances to the end of his arc though. But there has been all of us speculating about the BTS drama for months. In during that speculation, the idea was put forth that it seem clear it was not FV's idea to bring in PM so I would safely assume that the actual person who did also wanted FV's faves out and good writing to do that. Enter: Patrick Mulcahey. FV clearly did not take that well. So I feel He Who Was Behind It will keep Finn gone. We will see. I hate to say it, but I agree. It was just bad timing. But those optics were telling. A shame because there were so great scenes that came out of it (Portia dragging everyone about Heather and it made sense, Trina at Spencer's grave, Stella and Tracy). TBF it looked like Pikeman was going to be that, but we couldn't have that cuz BTS drama. And I would say the closest lately was the reveal of the Natalia recording because regardless of her newbie status, she actually connected to so many characters the audiences actually like. Hahahaha.

That definitely for me is a sour note in PM's run re: black characters. There definitely have been great moments with our black characters. And it was nice to be able to get the characters scenes that were given, but it would have been nice to see what direction they could have gone in. I still feel that was stalled due to BTS drama. I don't think Mulcahey liked the story, but I felt that when he started that the Pikeman story started to get focus and a direction and a way for Mulcahey to clearly define characters like most of his run was doing. And by clearly define, I mean set up a character's natural end. And by that, I would say Valentin. It was clear the story was leading to his exit. But again...BTS. YES. Oh, yes, totally. And like I mentioned, Mulcahey might not have liked the story, but he quickly started to build it into a potentially great umbrella story that would have had consequences as he set up new directions that led to some exits.

Very. I still remember Taggert's scene in the elevator once he found out that Trina was not his daughter. That scene resonated and I wanted to see where it would go. But alas. Hahahahahaha!!!!

Hmmm Karen. So much history there. I loved Karen. I don't think it was necessary either since Taggert is still in town...or is he?...because Taggert could have been used in the same way and has just as much history well more history than Jagger. That's just more reason for this Pikeman story/Jason returns story to end. With it over with, we can see what the actor can do if they plan to keep him around. I think the potential is there, but he could have been someone new given how they haven't touched on his history too much since he was in scenes with Sonny constantly taunting him over Karen.

7-10 YOU BETTA BRING YOUR A-GAME, AL AND MM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cuz that was HOT!!! But just as hot...was Nate and Audra. I really enjoyed their scene today. He was giving some pretty good advice to her. I mean Tucker. Now Kyle. She's playing a dangerous game for someone who plans to be the HBIC. I'm wondering if Faith is back for whatever Sharon's story is going to be, or is Faith going to be getting a story of her own? I assume her and Lucy being around each other is for a reason outside of Sharon. That said...I can't figure out what Sharon's story is going to be. Yet. At least with Ashley's storyline, Eileen Davidson was deliciously dropping hints to the audience before the audience saw the story in story. I don't have a clue. BUT back to Kyle vs Summer!!! Oooooo that was so good. And Kyle was nasty AF for throwing the fact Summer is not Harrison's biological son in her face. And Summer was on point when Kyle tried to deflect by throwing Summer's feelings for Claire in her face. The acting. The inflections (especially surprisingly MM) in their voices. Some of the camera angles were straight out of old Y&R scenes. I really loved their fight. Summer being on a warpath is bringing out the best in AL.

Awww thank you. I think it's safe to say that Wagger is a complete flop. In fact, I keep forgetting he is there until he pops up. And given his history and his importance to Jason's storyline and the Pikeman storyline that is surprising for sure.

Color me shocked as well tbh. I remember when I first started that I disliked her. But finally sitting down to watch and watching her, I have respect for her in a villain I loved to hate. And I LOVE Jessel destroying her ass in the finale episode. So to see they are actually friends now says a lot. And Sai handled herself extremely well at the reunion. And more importantly OWNED her crap.

While true, it's the fact that for the last decade or so, the writers barely try to write for Jax as nothing, but a white knight who dislikes Sonny. And when Jax tries to color outside that line, he winds up back. I would hate to see that happen to a fine (and FOINE hehe) actor like Charles Masure. I immediately thought Drew when this conversation started. Going back to what I said about a white knight. Drew kinda would be the closest to that. You're not. It might be somewhat subtle, but it IS there.

While I think it would be an okay idea as well, I feel that even with Charles's talent, being Jax would box the actor in. The writers would never really allow Jax to be a gray character.

NY Why, yes, I finished the NuNY reunion. LOL. And I felt that it was a solid reunion. After a good 'first' season, the reunion did what it should have...allowed the ladies to see each other again, rehash, and then (usually) have resolution. And what I also liked about this reunion was that it was clear set-up for 'Season 2.' As for how I saw it...PART 1... UBAH. Came in looking for a moment. Cuz what was all that with Jenna. Even if she was right...which it does not seem like she was...it was the delivery. At least she had some tea though in terms of Erin/Sai. Speaking of... ERIN. Well at least she didn't run. lol. But everyone and their mama was coming for her in Part 1. And it's telling that her and Sai were currently on the outs...and Sai had to bring receipts on her doublespeak. Cuz who would know her better than her BFF anyway. It seem like she came to the reunion to try to look better in the audience's eyes, and so far...failing. JENNA. So far, so good. But she definitely needs to learn how to maneuver more. JESSEL. Got to be the cliffhanger!!! And good on her for coming for Erin and holding her accountable for talking on her husband. My eye cocked at her and Sai being on such good terms now. Alliance? BRYNN. They could never make me hate you. She had me laughing all over the place. And her vs Sai. Just woooow. Stopped talking to her for six months? And Brynn's response was soooo Aquarius. But she called Sai out so good. And her shade at Sai being at the end of the couch was chef's kiss. SAI. They could never make me hate you, too! For me, honestly, she has come off the best reunion wise. She's standing in her truth. She's apologizing for those moments where she was in the wrong. SHE...HAS...RECIEPTS. She's played it extremely smart, no-nonsense. If her image has been hurt, she's working her ass off to fix it, and it shows. She was perfection in Part 1. And just the reveal that it's clear her and Jessel have become friends off screen was an interesting tell. But like I mentioned above...so was the tell about how she and Brynn had not talked in six months. PART 1 was totally solid. I feel the only thing that bugged me was Ubah being extra out of left field and Andy clearly by way of their religion having Erin's back. Erin deserves to be held accountable. PART 2. Hmmm. Not as enjoyable as Part 1 for me. But I felt there was true resolution as I mentioned. And it made it very interesting going into their second season where the friendships are going to go. Though Eric Fuller being over there at Production worries me. UBAH. Still searching for a moment. I did like that she was able to explain herself and the phone a little bit more. And also explain that tea she was talking about in Part 1. But her vs Brynn was totally left field and not liked. But I liked when it mattered they forgave each other. ERIN. Finally!!! Some accountability!!! And I loved Jessel taking her to task. JENNA. I felt she was totally more of the meditator among the group this part than even Andy. And it was no more clear than when she worked through Ubah's conversation and showed that it was all a misunderstanding. JESSEL. You betta get in Erin's ass!!! lol. And she did work her way down the couch to Sai as well. But I was happy to see that she was able to explain herself. And she gave more of the HW delusion that I've come to expect from her and what made her a fave this season. I feel she found a good groove after a bumpy start. I did notice Erin give a look while Sai and Jessel were talking. Potential drama next season...? BRYNN. No truer words were spoken than when she said why would she say yes to an engagement that happened AFTER she broke up with any of those guys when they had her and lost her. I FELT THAT. I get readings and I continue to hear there is an ex around me...one of whom might be the person I dealt with all last year. And...it's much too late. So I understood. And I liked hearing the response to her from the audience about her being biracial. However, I can't help but feel the tension between her and Sai. There were moments where they were good, but there were moments when the shade WAS real. SAI. And see we get another layer from her. I felt her story about her mom dying and the conflicting feelings that brought up for her and her family. She was showing realness. And as I mentioned there was so much tension between her and Sai. That said...she was actually my favorite from the reunion. Bring on next season.

I miss it, too. Bring it back!

Uhhhhh

You betta put that bold on that always. I agree. For all the things that I've loved (Alexis's journey, Finn's storyline, Jason&kids, Nina/Drew, character scenes, Sonny's meds) that had a clear direction, there has been things post May that has been giving off signs that PM has left the building (the vanishing of the tween set which says A LOT, Valentin aka Ho, Why You Still Here, Pikeman) because they have stalled or up and vanished. But...like I said...BTS drama.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Quit!!!! I'm trying to not read Y&R, but I was so upset with how the Lily/Daniel/Heather story went down in the end (and @DramatistDreamer gave them an excellent outline that they were following to the letter, too ). Light spoilers sound like Daniel about to get a story at least because it seems like all the potential storylines with him, Heather, or Lily or all of them together has just washed away in the tide. I definitely am liking Billy with this more vicious version of Lily, but it looks like Lily is about to come down again so le sigh. Very. I would suggest that, but Kyle's head would reeeeaaallly explode at that methinks.

I still believe what we have discussed on this and the PM thread briefly. There was (is?) some BTS drama going on that we are not aware of. At least publicly. Just looking at the last month and a half...what stories appeared to be IMHO PM...were hitting the middle of their arcs...revealing why those stories went in THAT direction in the first place. And that goes back to me discussing stalling on some of the stories in order to have a fast reason (ratings) to get rid of PM. The irony of that with them given what they did to Chase would be delicious. We did. Often. There was quite a lot of clowning around on it and speculation.

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.