GH: November 2024 Discussion Thread

[carolineg]

I think the show brought Chloe on too soon for Jax and made it a love story fast.  In fact, I think the show should have recast Miranda and brought her back to make a new romance more believable.  I still think there is something likeable about Tava Smiley.  While she was a weaker actress, she brought a lot of charm to a cast that was pretty dour most of the time in 1998-1999 lol.  As an obvious Brenda fan I can't say the romance bothered me.  It just felt like a nice placeholder for awhile and he left her the minute he even thought Brenda was alive so it ended mostly the way I thought it would.

I think the story of the Mixed Marrieds went on so long because of backstage push and pull with Alexis/Jax.  Guza wanted it.  Wendy didn't.  I don't think I ever thought NLG was too old for Ingo or that it felt strange because Jax was a man of the world that had a lot of life experience.  But, again, it was probably for the best considering all things Ingo now.   

I agree Ingo did need some heavy lifting from romantic scene partners and needed someone strong like VM and later LW.  That's why NLG would have been great for him. I don't think he is as bad of an actor as everyone makes him out to be though.  I can think of numerous good scenes he did throughout the years and IR did show conviction even in the end when SBu and MB had long since checked out.

I will say Ned became darker post-Lois and never really moved out of that even with Olivia today.  And honestly, I am not sure who really WANTED to see Ned rock out or thought Eddie Maine was believable as a big time rock star.  Sorry, WK, but no lol. 

I will say I think Alexis's trajectory as a character would have been much different if she paired up with Jax back in the day though.  There would be much less emphasis on her always choosing awful men IMO.

Also, I think Ned/Chloe were literally cousins.  Not close enough cousins to make marriage illegal, but still legit cousins so I am not sure where that would have gone if Alexis/Jax hooked up.

[Toups]

Just a reminder that these monthly discussion threads are meant to discuss what's happening now.  Yes, we can discuss about the past here and there, but don't let it go on for multiple pages.  We have other threads if you want to talk about the history of the show. 

[Liberty City]

I liked the concept of Ned/Olivia, but the moment Lois came back is the moment I realized how pointless their marriage is. And while I respect Rena Sofer & Wally Kurth on their decision to not rekindle an onscreen romance, it is something that is.... largely missing between them, and is one romance I'd love to see revisited somehow.

An Alexis/Jax pairing would've been solid; long-time acquaintances/friends turned lovers. He would've been solid for her... but, we know what happened behind-the-scenes that kept this from happening.

Realistically, there isn't really anyone on-canvas I could see Alexis paired with, and it working beyond a one-night stand.

[carolineg]

Currently, as of today, and not the past I don't feel like the show ever put much work into Olivia/Ned.  There has never been a discussion about Ned marrying someone very similar to Lois.  Absolutely no one has brought that up even as just a talking point to explain why Ned is attracted to these type of women.

It would have been nice for someone like Jax, a long term friend, to be there just for Alexis today for Sam's funeral.  Just support for Alexis and only Alexis.

There isn't anyone I see on canvas for Alexis currently.  Maybe Brennen, who I find mostly useless, once the Carly thing is done.

[Taoboi]

As much as I came to like Chloe for that very reason (a different vibe to the darkness all around her), I do admit as a young'un giggling at Jax dropping her like a hot potato at the first hint of Brenda being alive. 

 

Mmm...that is a good question, too. With Gregory done, who would make a good romance for Alexis now?

 

 

[Liberty City]

He likes himself a Bensonhurst lady, lmao.

It is very sad that Jax wasn't there, or there wasn't something scripted to suggest he reached out to his friend, whether a temp. actor appeared or not. Hell, have Josslyn came into the funeral and say, "I heard from my dad, he sends his love, and is sorry he couldn't be here for Sam's funeral." Hell, even a vulnerable moment of allowing Ric to be there for her and Molly, and then later on refusing it, and labeling it as a moment of weakness driven by grief for Sam.

The funeral, in general, felt jagged and rushed.

Like @carolineg suggested: possibly Brennan (although, I'd love for him to go for ANNA!)

[Taoboi]

That crossed my mind, but he seems smitten with Carly. And...if the writers weren't currently trying to downplay the gray area chemistry they had earlier this year...Anna. 

Great minds!!! I just said that. At the beginning of the year he had the same twinkle in his eyes for Anna that he has now for Carly. I would love for it to come back. 

[Liberty City]

Alexis' romances have been: not including her three marriages

• Ned Quartermaine (2000; 2014–2015; 2020)
• Cameron Lewis
• Sonny Corinthos (2002)
• Thomas Rayner
• Pres Floyd (2006)
• Mac Scorpio (2010)
• Shawn Butler (2012–2013)
• David Bensch (2017)
• Hamilton Finn (2018)
• Neil Byrne (2019–2020)
• Gregory Chase (2022–2023)

Ned, outside of Jerry, Ric & Julian, is her most-romanced partner. Realistically, returning Lane Davis' Fergus Byrne would be viable, but highly unlikely.

[Taoboi]

And since I know Sean ain't coming back and Sonny is playing Footies with Natalia and Ned is happily married, I'm not sure who I would want her with. Only a man who would be on her level. 

[Liberty City]

I'd love for Shawn to come back; the briefly teasing of a reunion with them when he came back in 2021. Shame that did not go anywhere; I felt like their chemistry was HOT!

[carolineg]

I don't think the show wants to admit Jax exists ever again.  Which I suppose is fair, but it would have been a nice gesture for Alexis today.

I also think it would have been nice for Ric to reach out just for a moment then become slimy again lol.

Seriously Brennan is the only man on canvas I can even think of.  I am not sold on it or anything, but they seem like they may have good chemistry.

She actually dated Finn?  How do I not remember this?

[Liberty City]

They were brief lovers in 2018 when he was also beginning to entangle with Anna Devane. Hell, even the idea of Jackson Montgomery may work for Alexis. I just think there should be someone viable for her that won't be toxic or a mobster.

[Taoboi]

^THIS.

[carolineg]

Ha!  I totally blocked that out and still have no recollection of Finn/Alexis which is probably for the best.

I think the show just needs to hire someone new for Alexis.  It's strange a cast so large has no viable men in Alexis's age range.

[titan1978]

She ultimately decided to leave because she felt like Lois was regressing into an idiot. She talked about how Labine got that Lois had an open heart and was a good person, but she was also shrewd and not a saint or naive. The whole tone of the show was changing and it was a good time to exit. If Labine had launched her new show Rena has said she would have gone back to play Lois there. I was sad to see her go, but much like Kevin and Felicia, I don’t think Guza ever really had a handle on them or Lois.

I saw Lulu wake up, and I wish they weren’t always in such a hurry. I miss shots that lingered before settling on a reveal like this.  But I’m just nitpicking.

I think there is potential for real emotional material to come with those three kids wanting to stay together. It’s complicated and heartfelt and should be really played.