GH: January 2025 Discussion Thread

[DRW50]

Realizing Carly has been on the show for almost 30 years makes me feel decrepit.

You're right that there are some moments of charisma and talent. I guess I just don't see them overcoming the sea of blandness. And I was thinking of some of the next age group too, even those I like.

It's also hard to figure out what age group some like Brook Lyn (another I don't dislike but just makes me feel sleepy) would even be in soon with the Gio reveal.

[Planet Soap]

For a non-sweeps month, this is been a very active time on GH. What's in store for February!

Exactly. Where does Wilh*e You get off trying to be Michael's medical proxy.

Similar to the discussion we had in the Leslie Charleston tribute thread, I found the writing for the Quartermaines went from comedy drama in the '80s to more serious in the '90s. Particularly with Alan and Monica, in the '80s it was like War of the Roses but in the '90s it was more of a complex dramatic exploration of a dysfunctional marriage. 

Yes the Quartermaines were a loving family that had moments of funniness but there was a lot of toxicity and drama as you mentioned.

Still, everything Drew said to Carly in the chapel was correct. Michael's entire chaotic life is because of Carly, and the desire to shut AJ out of his life was just for Carly's sake, not for what was mess for Michael.

Getting shot, raped, and dodging bullets was a heck of a lot worse than the scheming machinations of the Quartermaines.

Edited January 17 by Planet Soap

[Contessa Donatella]

If I understand it correctly, the kids are Carly's but since she needs to be at hospital because of Micheal, the kids are just staying at the Qs, so Tracy is just the senior member of the family where they are staying at the family compound. I don't believe that Tracy has them ahead of Carly. It does get murky that Tracy is refusing to give up those kids. She is confident that she can have her attorneys take on any comers, legally. If Michael were able he has grounds to accuse Willow of being an unfit mother. And, there is the matter of her taking Wiley across state lines without even notifying Michael that she was doing so.

[Vee]

Katelyn MacMullen is doing very good work these last few weeks. All these late in the day deconstructions of Willow's character they've done recently in various scenes are very much trying to rebuild things after their rushed and half-assed execution of this storyline, but at the same time the motives and explanations do make sense. I just wish the dialogue was as smart as it was last spring.

It does remind me a lot of what happened to Barbara Ryan on ATWT when Doug Marland came aboard - she went from put-upon heroine to bad news virtually overnight. Willow isn't quite there yet but she is being portrayed as the clueless naif in the clutches of the heavy, and when push comes to shove she often veers towards breaking bad. The setup is Right There for them to do this, same as Barbara did - Willow finds out Drew slept with her mother and she gave everything up for nothing, then turns full vindictive bitch on everyone. It can work. And should be done. She should do what Barbara did, too - seduce Chase again because she can, to fúck with the Qs. It would also be an easy way to get boring Chase off the show.

Jane and Laura did very good work together today as well. I would force Carly and Tracy into business together somehow for that reason. We could watch them clash 2-3 times a week.

Should Nina make Gio her boytoy? I'm just asking questions! Watros would be very funny with him, but Ava once again falling for a barely legal twunk and two-timing Ric with him would be equally so. Cody with Nina would also work.

Edited January 17 by Vee

[Taoboi]

1-16

 

As said earlier, I would say this was the weakest of the week. Even though it was full of good moments, even the emotional stuff (outside of Tracy and even that did not go as well as I expected) felt very paint by numbers.

 

I don't mind Trina and Kai. Well I don't mind them now. Like I said with Trina and Gio's scenes...when they are allowed scenes to breathe and just being, they have spark now. It's when they do things like today and it comes across as gimmicky is when there is a problem. 

 

Yeah, those after-the-fact scenes with Willow did nothing for me, either. That said...Katelyn M. DID step it up. And throughout, I felt she was getting a POV and thus layers in a way that Willow normally does not. More hints of Dark Willow (pun unintended)? Time will tell.

 

Well, well, well. Those Alexis/Curtis scenes felt like more foreshadowing for the oft-mentioned murder mystery since she starting to see Drew like everyone else. Another one on 'The List.'

 

Oh, look at Gio in a short-sleeve shirt!! hehe. But I kinda dug the Dante/Cody scenes. It actually felt like it has been a minute. And enter: MS. WU!!! I've been waiting and per usual...worth the wait. Though I did wonder if she was about to kidnap Gio. 

 

I felt let down by the Tracy vs Carly scenes, but that has nothing to do with the actresses. I guess it goes back to yesterday's discussion about stronger dialogue. That said...both actresses managed to elevate it by middle of the episode. And Tracy's 'we'll see' with the music in the background and the cunning on her face was superb, making me think of the scheming Tracy of old. Another masterclass from Jane Elliot. 

 

As for the young'uns. I think we have a strong if bland bunch in Joss, Trina, Kai, Gio, and now (apparently) Emma. If only they had stronger writing. But they all...except for Gio...have had a nice moment over the last month so good for now. 

 

[Sapounopera]

I'd rather see Trina spend time with TJ instead of this random boy. (They are not related, are they? lol) This would give TJ something to do and help Trina turn into a more mature and sophisticated young lady. She works in a gallery and used to be involved with a Cassadine. Kai is a story for Charlotte. 

[janea4old]

TJ was introduced as the biological son of Curtis' Ashford's late brother Tommy, both biologically and legally, and he was named after Tommy.
TJ was later revealed/retconned to be Shawn Butler's biological son.
He's still legally an Ashford.

Trina had been stated to be Marcus Taggert's daughter and they had that relationship emotionally as well.
Trina was later retconned to be Curtis's biological daughter.
She goes by the surname Robinson, after her mother Portia Robinson.

TJ and Trina at various times have been said to be offspring of the brothers Tommy and Curtis, but not at same time. So not biological cousins at the same time.    I guess they consider themselves now to informally be cousins, and they both now think of Stella as their great-aunt.
(Stella being the sister of Tommy and Curtis' mother)

Edited January 17 by janea4old

[Contessa Donatella]

WOW, thanks for that. Really well explained.

I would add that there are fans who stubbornly think that Marcus Taggert is really Trina's father. We do not have a leg to stand on since the show is determined that canon is not that. We realize this. Like Tracy, we don't care.

[janea4old]

Same.  I feel that Taggert should still be Trina's father of the heart, and I don't care about the biology or the retconned canon.  Yeah, as Tracy would say "I don't care."

Edited January 17 by janea4old

[Sapounopera]

I knew that there would be some GH retcons in this ... lol.

Thank you so much. I still think that Trina would be better off with an older guy, instead of having a teen romance. 

[Contessa Donatella]

Jane, Here's a pic for those of us "who don't care".

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[Liberty City]

I concur; plus, Tabyana Ali (Trina) & Jens Austin Astrup (Kai) share zero chemistry, and it also feels as if Frank Valentini, Nate Varni, Elizabeth Korte & Chris Van Etten are trying to re-hash the so-called "build up" that Trina & Spencer had, and it is falling short. Honestly, Astrip has had better chemistry with several male co-stars (

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) & Vernee Watson (Stella).

If I am being honest, I'd love to see Jequan Jackson, who plays Kai's friend Quinn, paired with Trina. I think Jackson & Ali have some underlying chemistry when I've seen them in social media posts.

But Trina & TJ would be cute, too, although, I'm still pissed TJ/Willow were never pursued. And it is high-time Ms. Wu (who I am SO happy is back) reveal she switched Trina's paternity in favour of Curtis over Taggert, even though it's very clear Valentini has zero interest in returning Réal Andrews to the role, which is a major downside. Andrews can act, unlike Donnell Turner (Curtis).

[Jdee43]

If they are not going to kill him off, they should at least do a "who shot Drew" story. It's all right there, but with these writers..

I was surprised that these plot driven writers actually took a little  time to try and do some character work with Willow, trying to explain her behavior and give her a POV. The actress did step up as much as she could, but she's still a bit limited. I just wish her and all the actors at GH would stay away from the crying!!! Being teary-eyed does not mean good acting!!!

[Liberty City]

At this point, Drew could permanently relocate to Washington, D.C. with Willow, and neither of them would be missed. Ultimately, their children could go with them, too, and they wouldn't be missed, either.

Also, Tracy ripping Sonny & Carly new asshøles the past two episodes has been delish, and way overdue. Jane Elliot shined in those moments, and I needed more. Hoping we get some more.

[Vee]

Erasing Willow and Drew from the show overnight is a perfect way to get rid of any actual interesting storyline left on this show. I may not like them as people but it's the only thing currently going for GH plot-wise. It's messy and reasonably entertaining soap. The same would go for a Who Shot/Killed Drew murder plot, it works.