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Asexuality isn't necessarily a trap because it would just mean the character be taken in a different direction that didn't involve relationships. And asexual doesn't mean aromantic so a compelling story could be how an asexual and sexual person attracted to each other had to work out how to be together.

There probably is some intent to tie the stories together. June is not likely to seek custody, but I can see Regina making waves. That said, the children are old enough to decide where they want to be so a custody case would be a hard sell.

Leslie is hiding from someone because there is no way she's turning down the prospect of some money. "You want to do that again?" Lol. As stiff as Tomas was dancing he couldn't possibly be better at other things. Alison peeking from around the corner was a little scary.

What could Randy's connection to Hayley be? Relative, lackey or side piece?

Derek is behaving like a doormat for Ashley. He was dumb for following Jan's advice and he should let Ashley go. Did Hayley actually get pregnant after the fake sonogram and then lose the baby because of the fall? Then again, shady Randy's involvement implies that she is lying about everything. Not sure what direction this is going in, but Dani being gaslit into blaming herself for something that didn't happen would be an interesting story.

Kat is stiff as a board in that dance with Tomas. She's not going to be able to keep up this relationship much longer.

I think Elon is capable of trying to off Jacob. When this whole story eventually wraps up that could be part of the climax. He looks at Jacob like he wants to burn him with a hot iron.

Jacob got steamrolled by his father. Elon is not about to lose all the money he's gotten on the take. Hayley was like meh when she told Bill she lost their "baby". She certainly has gaslighted Dani into feeling some sort of blame. And Randy already has enough problems without getting caught up in Hayley's scheme.

Hayley's fall definitely wasn't intentional. It messed up whatever her plan is because now Bill is not taking no as an answer for going to the doctor.

I repeat that I feel that Ashley is being pushed because the network wants to adequately fill the quota for White characters getting screen time and have a White character that is supposed to be perfect. You have two very nice White male characters in Smitty and Derek, but the other White female character is a tramp involved with a criminal so CBS definitely wants some balance on that front in the form of Ashley.

Hayley calling Dani dried up was a stretch. But Dani let Hayley goad her into a back and forth when she should have taken Pamela's advice and left. Ashtray was not giving any chemistry or connection at all.

No pregnant woman is going to fall down hard on the floor and then decline to go to the doctor. Hayley is definitely not pregnant. Ashley just wants Andre's money. All that talk about travel is proof of that. Doug is coming unglued and is going to get himself hurt.

Scott retired.

Hayley took a Life Call/Life Alert style fall.

The Dobsons grabbing the Emmy before she could get to it lives rent free in my mind.

The ending was very moving. It goes back to when soaps actually displayed actual emotion in the characters. Plus the past couple of episodes added a lot of what soaps lack and that is joy.

To be fair to Sharon and Tracy neither one of them are on the Magic and Makeup level. Anita had to try to get them some more checks after all they've been through with the group.

Might be time to bring in a Congressional colleague that can be a source of support for Martin and give Smitty a run for his money.

Everyone has different likes and clearly Beyond The Gates isn't up to your standards. But factually it makes better use of all it's characters in a way most soaps haven't done in decades. Honestly it sounds like you just have a petty grudge against the show for whatever reason because that money laundering comment was very bizarre.

Annie Dutton in action. Can't see Hayley being this crazy, but she probably will falsely accuse Dani of harming her somehow.

Leslie was more well behaved than usual, even though she did steal the ticket. I think the genre choice for the Articulettes was carefully chosen to avoid any grumbling from anyone connected to Motown. In fact, the Articulettes music doesn't resemble any real life girl group and that was a wise choice. Again, Carlton is sleazy and not even subtle about it.

Y&R consists of the same conversations over and over again with very little movement with the most unrealistic sounding dialogue. B&B is it's usual melodramatic, campy self so it stands on it's own. Beyond The Gates has exceeded both it's CBS neighbors in terms of actually bringing drama and not just dancing around it or having over the top scenes with no further pay off.

Sharon is a big talker, but is the one that had a panic attack, lol. Martin and Smitty need their gay cards revoked for even considering missing a diva concert. At least they both finally decided to go, though.

In fiction we are expected to suspend our beliefs to buy much more absurd than a character being an EGOT. Anita could have easily got a Grammy for music, a Tony for producing, an Oscar for writing a song and an Emmy for a concert special on PBS. It's definitely not a crazy stretch in terms of a soap.

Vernon needs to shut up. Him co-signing that Anita do a solo is nothing but trouble and Anita should have not even entertained it. Nasty Nikki (sorry, I like that nickname Leslie called her, lol) was getting a little bit too high up on that horse even considering not going to the show. It's fine if she wants to be mad at Anita, but not attending the show would be taking the grudge too far. In this situation, Dani actually was the reasonable voice.