edgeofnik

Now that's what I call a SLAP! SW plays Diane so perfectly as a cool, controlled manipulator, it's awesome to see her lose it - even if, as I suspect, it's Phyllis' fantasy. PB once said during SW's first run that the real chemistry was not between Jack and Diane, but between her and Phyllis. He's so right. SW and MS have always been good screen partners.

Was Taylor sober when she killed Darla? Or was it really an accident along the lines of Aly's 'MUH-DAH!'? I'm curious because everyone claims Taylor shooting $B in cold blood and leaving him for dead is 'not like her.' It's too bad they've chosen to wrap this story at warp speed because I'd enjoy a week of episodes where every cast member repeats to each other: 'I can't believe $B is going to marry her! 'B has *truly' gone too far/lost his mind!' 'Sheila manipulated him into ditching the pre-nup.' 'Someone has to save $B from himself!' 'No one in our families will ever be *safe* if Sheila become Mrs. Bill Spencer, despite the fact that she'll be loved, happy, and rich.'

It's too bad the writers aren't having Sheila mention her desire to be a part of Finn/Hayes life. If Thomas can get well with one week of *intensive* therapy, certainly $B can get Sheila a whole group of live-in therapists. Since B&B is always on point - the flickering lights will return and clue Sheila in. Could Sheila's rich benefactor be a still-alive Massimo? Is it a mere coincidence that Deacon's Pizza Shack was funded by Italians? Is Deacon no longer on parole or did $B also get Deacon immunity for harboring a fugitive? If Ridge isn't living with Taylor or Brooke, why would he need to keep up the rouse that he's out of town? Are we supposed to believe that he's spending the past 3 months 24/7 in the surveillance room? So many plot holes, it could be a drinking game. 'Why did I drink?' That's why!

Will any of the *missing* contract players be added? CF (2021), CH (2020!), AL and SW (both 2022). CH is obviously the most glaring. SW's return certainly revitalized the Abbott family dynamics.

Is Y&R the only show that's included a cast-center opening on every episode? Meaning no abbreviated opening (like B&B). It's really interesting how the full title theme has always been an integral part of the show. The Red Opening worked for that era - nothing beats some of the most memorable shots: ED, JW and, of course, HT. On the other hand, a decade earlier we had JW pushing down her panty hose and Brittany Norman twirling with her handbag...

I'm glad I'm not alone in recognizing an obvious and terribly forced rewrite. The Ridge/$Bill dialogue is below even B&B's usual. It's subtle, but I noticed KB's energy has been off the last few episodes. She's even hard pressed to pass off this twist. A Sheila redemption story wouldn't be that hard to write. Deacon, Quinn, Thomas all got them. I suppose Brad's only vision of Sheila is cartoon villain, which is a shame. Speaking of rewrites, I'll add the quick abandonment of the Douglas at Steffy's - that was a huge story - for a week and Hope wanting Thomas at HFTF with Steffy against it. Suddenly both stories got flipped. And what was that strange look of wanting Hope gave Thomas? C'mon. Bizarre.

This obvious rewrite rivals the Brooke 'I'm an alcoholic because I'm lonely' quick wrap-up. No matter how bad B&B writers get, no way, to quote $B, 'this crazy scheme' was the original story. I figured whatever was going to happen would peak in May sweeps. Bet this wraps in 3 weeks.

I'm all for twists, but the logic of putting Sheila behind bars where she was until $B sprung her. Illogical, except @Soapsuds noted the show literally had nothing to start the year. Then we got the forced Thomas intensive therapy/redemption, Douglas moving in with Steffy for a minute. Hopefully, RJ's arrival will kick-off bringing in some fresh stories and characters.

500 more episodes! This is great news not only for DAYS, but also for the remaining 3 soaps because it's proof that streaming is viable. DAYS has been a Top 10 mainstay so clearly enough people are watching to make it financially viable. Peacock is super weak when it comes to streaming subscribers. Unfortunately, June 26 ends 'free' Peacock for millions of Xfinity subscribers.

This is beyond bizarre. Which card will Sheila pull this time: 1. Remember when Steffy shot me and I didn't report it? 2. Liam really shot Bill I seriously don't get it why they wouldn't use this opportunity to slowly integrate Sheila as the fantastic manipulator the show desperately needs (watching those 1992-1994 episodes has been a good reminder). Bringing one of Sheila's kids on canvas would expand Finn's story in interesting ways. Oh well. Brad was the one that turned her into a cartoon villain so this isn't really a surprise.

My point was that KA could be used in better, more interesting scenes than accompanying Thomas to work. Taylor is a strong enough character to have her own stories. Talking with Bill is logical because her fate hinges on Bill's protection of Sheila and the fact that they share a grandchild - though it's rarely mentioned. Taylor as the world renowned psychiatrist could be visiting Bill to get more info on why he's behaving this way, etc. Taylor/Deacon - she could unwittingly be Deacon's *beard* in this Sheila mess, but a more substantive relationship develops, etc.

Taylor's scenes with Thomas have been so awkward. The helicopter mom showing up with her son for his job *interview* were strange. Her cheerleading and pleading his case to Steffy/Brooke/Hope - strange. Sitting in/participating in Thomas' therapy session is further evidence why Taylor should've had her license revoked years ago. Thomas is creepy enough, but now that creepiness is spreading to Taylor. Certainly Taylor can be used in other ways: visiting Bill; developing a friendship with Deacon.

Well, the picture posted on Deadline didn't hint at that...

Perhaps they will have a RJ v Zende rivalry thrown in. Maybe they can de-age Mary from the disaster *Erica* storyline. Mary is close enough to be age appropriate since on-screen birth dates don't matter. Mary/RJ not only causes predictable conflict with Logan/Forresters, it also introduces Finn to one of his *many* Sheila siblings.

I'm surprised Thomas didn't give Brooke a little island berry treat to pave the way for forgiveness. Side Note: I recently saw the episode where Brad confronts Sheila in 1993. A babyfaced DD! I had no idea they'd shared scenes on B&B.

ADT. Who's daughter or son will arrive as a love interest/conflict generator?

@soapfan770 You beat me to it! SK and KB really work well together and they clearly love it. Since B&B is always on point - Liam's comment to $Bill: 'Sheila matters and I don't know why.' That may be the *real* story here, which revives the who truly shot Bill theory.

@Fevuh B&B's writing is completely illogical. Sheila doing a 180 on $Bill is simply Brad's way of wrapping this story ASAP. This follows the quick change with $Bill being assertive/DD returning to normal speaking voice. Considering Deacon's *grand opening* has been mentioned several times - even though the restaurant is open under Deacon's management - it's probably where $Bill turns on Sheila. Sheila being Mrs. $Bill Spencer trying to make amends while also relishing in the fact that she's back in Bel Air society. $Bill/Sheila blackmailing/manipulating rich folks to get on boards, charities, etc. Stories like that would've been far more interesting to watch than what will probably get - Bill/Katie reunion.

So I'm watching Season 7 - early 1993. I can't help but laugh, while still kinda amazed by KB. Sheila 2023 devouring Deacon with the threat of $Bill sending her to prison Sheila 1993 devouring Eric with the threat of Lauren sending her to prison

Yeah, I think they'll try to make the hospital a new focus location. Was surprised to see Li in her coat in Finn's office. If so, can they at least bring Bridget back?

Hope to Liam: 'Mom needs to be with someone she knows' Liam rules out Deacon, Ridge, Bill. Hope wonders who else knows/understands Brooke. Brooke: 'I need to be with someone I know.' B&B never drops accidentally hints. I suppose they really are going to go there with LIam when Hope has a meltdown over Douglas or something weird with Thomas or Hollis goes crazy and Liam saves Brooke, etc. Brooke has climbed the Forrester and Marone trees, I guess the Spencer tree is inevitable.

@Toups Isn't it odd that Deadline, THR, Variety haven't covered this story? It's highly unusual for Deadline to skip out on this type of story considering the amount of content they generate daily, including big stretches to cover '45' for clickbait! LOL It makes me wonder why those outlets are silent. WGA negotiations officially start in 3 weeks (March 20). I wonder if this was a ploy by Sony to hire Fi-Core writers in the event of a strike.

Why does the Paul (Hollis) story give me major stalker vibes? That conversation with Deacon was super creepy - that Paul's been admiring Brooke for years. This seems far more than filler during TK's absence. Who will rescue Brooke? Widge? Liam? Sheila and Deacon?

@Noel@dragonflies I thought the exact same thing. The last scene Tuesday had Taylor pleading with her kids because their family is on the verge of imploding, the next time we see Taylor, she's more concerned about filling Brooke's *open heart* with pizza sticks. The Brooke/Taylor relationship is so utterly creepy. Way too much, too fast and I simply can't buy it. Sheila/Bill is more believable and that's saying something.

I'm not defending or accusing anyone because we aren't privy to who ultimately makes these decisions. However, these cuts are happening industrywide. Just yesterday, Deadline reported that SWAT and Blue Bloods renewals weren't announced because CBS has requested major budget cuts. Have y'all seen how many shows have been cancelled on streaming services during the past six months? The fact is that the four soaps produce a total of 1000 episodes annually, which ain't cheap. The threat of the writer's strike is also driving a lot of decisions. The networks renewed most of their shows early so that the writers' rooms could open and crank out enough scripts to cover the start of the next season. This is also the reason why few pilots have been greenlit because they will be crushed when the strike hits. It's not just Y&R.