I am SO disappointed with the confrotational scenes between Susan Flannery and Betty White. Lord almighty that felt very off. I am a fan of La Flannery, but I really don't think she was as brilliant as she usually is. Betty White and Alley Mills were exceptional, but Flannery couldn't match them. If Susan Flannery submits this for the emmy, she may be nominated but I doubt a win. Also, SF was good but I do think the writing was limited. Where was that Patrick M guy? He would have brought justice to these scenes. And the music was also wrongly selected. Now say if I compared this to Erika Slezak's abuse storyline, then Slezak had Flannery blown out of the water. I think SF has a difficult time showing vulnerability, whether the writing was to blame or not, but that was not her best yet. I hate to be a downer, but I expected more. Though Betty still has a couple of episodes left so you never know....

I don't disagree. God knows it's blasphemic to criticize La Flannery, but I thought there was something cheesily melodramatic about Steph's mannerisms (if that makes sense to anyone else...probably not. LOL) Banging her fists, scrunching up her face. It just rang false to me.

I floved Betty White, who I thought would be to "Rose" for me to accept, but hit all the right notes of self-delusion tinged memories. And Alley Mills was wonderful.

I'm not so much disappointed in SF, just surprised at the choices she made. I do think the writing let her down a bit too...Eric has to step up and make Ann listen? Yeah...right.

Oh I've seen Betty White in tougher roles, lol. But yes I do see what you're saying.

Actually Wednesday and Thursday's episodes were written by Patrick Mulcahey. I enjoyed the confrontation scenes for their writing and acting so I guess it's different strokes.

My only displeasure has been at the nauseating PSA style scenes with Taylor becoming a guardian for abused children (she may be a drunk but hey, at least she never hit her kids). The way she explained it all, Felicia's pity party and Brooke's hollow scenes with Ridge and Hope...it was cheesy, heavy handed and could have been done in a much subtler way.

I think Susan has been superb but it is not her best acting at all. I have seen her do lots better.

She can actually show vulverability but I guess it has been so long since she has done it. Stephanie never has had that side. Now when she was on Days as Laura Horton and won her Emmy it required a lot of it. She is remarkable but she didn't bring her complete A game this time, but I still think she put herself in the top 5 again. I really had discounted her even though she was wonderful earlier in the year. But I think she has put herself back on the roster.

Actually Wednesday and Thursday's episodes were written by Patrick Mulcahey. I enjoyed the confrontation scenes for their writing and acting so I guess it's different strokes.

My only displeasure has been at the nauseating PSA style scenes with Taylor becoming a guardian for abused children (she may be a drunk but hey, at least she never hit her kids). The way she explained it all, Felicia's pity party and Brooke's hollow scenes with Ridge and Hope...it was cheesy, heavy handed and could have been done in a much subtler way.

Well then I'm disappointed in Patrick Mulcahey too. He's much better than this. Stephanie's heart attack stuff was better than this. Thursday's episode was like a 20 minute PSA. The writing is hitting all the wrong notes, and taking away from what should be an emotionally compelling story.

Hopefully she'll have another chance when Ann comes to L.A.

Maybe I'm used to great things from Susan Flannery so I don't tend to scale it but her scenes (particularly with Alley Mills) actually had me welling up. That's only the second time I've teared at B&B, the first being Felicia's death... of course we all know how that worked out.

I think what makes me a sucker is that I've always hated Stephanie yet the couple of times she shows vulnerability I'm a goner. It works in her favour that she has cried only on a number of occasions -- it gives it more resonance. Remember her devastation when Thorne trashed his office? The one time her crying didn't work for me and in fact made me laugh was when she was ranting at Brooke about something I can't even begin to recall and Eric tossed her out and cancelled their wedding.

Anyway I'm going on a tangent. Perhaps people will feel differently when the story continues next week. It's really interesting to read another view though...it's always fun when someone says something against the grain.

I have to disagree. Flannery was wonderful in these scenes. Honestly, I was expecting much less than what we got, so I was very satisfied. Mills and White were great as well. I'm not a fan of this storyline, just because it really came out of nowhere, but I feel everyone involved did a wonderful job.

Possibly, but right now Betty White and Alley Mills are the shining stars. I still think SF is great....but I don't think she has a "for sure" tape yet, like other leads such as Nancy Lee Grahn, Maura West, and even Kim Zimmer who I tend to can't stomach.

Susan Flannery just isn't bringing IT.

Oh, I would never submit these scenes if I were Flannery. They weren't that good and I don't think they would even get her a nomination. What else has Stephanie done this year?

Flannery has been on top form. I have to laugh at the comparison to Slezak, who ive always known to be daytime's greatest ham! Those scenes of Viki's classic 1995 alters storylines only worked for me because of the amazing Robin Strasser. I've never found Slezak subtle in the least, she's like an over zealous stage actress... that's RADA training for you, i suppose.

Cool, the boards back.

Yes I did compare her to Slezak. Yes I do find Slezak to be overappreciated. But her work during that story was better written and acted. JMO.

Betty White for sure carried those episodes. Susan was good, but not as good as she has been in the past. I think her best work was the Friday when she called Pamela in Taylor's office and Monday when she told Eric the truth about what happened. I think she has enough for her tape...and B&B will have a shot at Outstanding Show.

What do you expect? Stephanie was confronting her mother after years and years of distance. I didn't expect Stephanie to try and choke or kill her own mother. This was Stephanie at her MOST vulnerable.

I thought the writing was fantastic in their scenes, especially when they revealed "Stevie" was Steph's childhood nickname. I think the only problem they faced was trying to explain SO MUCH backstory in two or three episodes. This should have been at least two weeks of shows, IMO. I think the pacing and outline for the story were lousy(possibly due to Betty White's scheduling). I would have rathered all this come to a head right AT Christmas.

And, Alley Mills is great, but I don't see her as "the future" of B&B if LaFlannery retires. Mills is fantastic in the role, but Pamela often strikes me as a woman without a backbone, hence the reason why she is taking care of Ann.

I think LaFlannery could submit these for the Emmys. I don't think she'd win, but these were Emmy Bait all the way. She'll score a nomination.