Taoboi

Yeah, I think he will still get used. Mind you...I just hope that it won't be as a spoiler in Ashley's next story.

Yeah, it was about time he showed actual layers which he did with Laura who I still say could be in a love/hate relationship with Erza down the road. Time will tell.

Suuuuuure did. Dark Unhinged Willow is far from over. And goodness knows the actress has been playing it as such.

IKR!!! I rolled my eyes sooooo hard at that reveal. Ugh. Tracy bested you. Get over it. Same. But...not surprised. CM has half of the time played Drew as being obsessed with Willow more than in love with Willow. SO OF COURSE, he hassssss to be her hero above anyone else! Rather than let Alexis just do her job. I loved (and rewinded) his meltdown while Michael got to sit there rightfully smug. As for Willow...now that she has said it on screen that she don't love that man...it's refreshing how it is there on her face while Drew is blind to it. Same. HA but true!

MMmmm oh so good. And you know I am crowing at it, too. Moreso cuz it looks like I was right. Let the games begin. Same. More reason to keep him away from Lulu.

Aha!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I feel like Brad's been waiting a triangle since Luna was in Electra's spot.

Wait a minute? They are recasting RJ?

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.