BTG: February 2025 Discussion Thread

[dragonflies]

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[Errol]

Beyond the Gates still trending at #2 nearly 40 minutes after the show aired on the East Coast:

 

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[Liberty City]

Yessssss!! This is a brilliant sign!!!!

[Maxim]

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Now I can say... After waiting for an entire year - Today, the 24th of February 2025... I KNOW these people. 

And I'm getting goosebumps writing this down. 

Happy BTG Premiere Day, SON! 

[DemetriKane]

I freaking loved it! This was a solid premiere and set the tone. I was hooked from the moment Nicole drove up with classic black music playing in the back. Everything was new but felt familiar at the same time.

The core four carried the show no doubt about it. The dialogue was so great, but most importantly it was written with heart. I wanted to cry once, Vernon spoke with Dani. 

Karla is electrifying in this role. Dani has my heart! I am eager to see what she does with her life after she is done with the revenge.

I would love to be a in a family this understanding, and encouraging. 

[dragonflies]

Karla coming for that emmy!!!

[Maxim]

YES! YEEES! YEEES! Karla was born to play Dani.  BORN TO!  That's the type of rollercoaster character that I'm most obsessed to in any soap opera. 

[Errol]

Right! And with Martin being Gay, there's none of that "coming out" storyline b.s. most soaps present as topical or socially relevant.

[Liberty City]

I agree; that is so refreshing, and it will be interesting to see the dynamics between Martin & Smitty.

[Soapsuds]

I wasn't sure who Martin's parents were at first, but then it was later explained who they were.

Martin is adorable.

[Errol]

So...

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[Alan]

I just finished the first episode of our show!

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Nicole driving up to the country club listening to the Emotions set the tone for the opening act and had me smiling ear to ear. It was brilliant because it helped prepare the viewer for Anita's first appearance and put you in mind of the kind of music she might have performed with her girl group. As far as exposition, their conversation was the most natural and effective of the episode. Some of the heavy exposition later on made me chuckle but it needs to be done.

Dani is definitely the star of this episode and it seems like she is going to be driving the story for at least the next several months. KM put in a very strong performance and I can see how this character may end up polarizing the audience. Hayley seems to be very wounded by her past and may end up being very root-able. Vanessa McBride definitely gives me Lucy Coe vibes and I found her likeable enough. CD is very charming as Vernon and has great chemistry with TT. TKD was also terrific as smarmy Bill. It's clear that he is involved in illegal activities.

The line Chelsea delivers to Kat about wanting to compete with the Kardashians struck me as silly in the promos but now I see the story in the larger context of the soap.  The real point of the purse story is that Chelsea is going against her mother's wishes by moving away from modelling. I can also see Bill supporting Chelsea by investing in the purses or bringing her clients or business contacts - deepening the rift in the family. 

As for Ashley and Derek - it's difficult to see where they fit into the larger story when they are not related to the Duprees and do not live in Fairmont Crest. I think Jacob and Naomi will have a baby storyline within the next year.

The final scene, after Dani's slap, was brilliant as Hayley realizes that all of the Duprees are lined up against her. I loved seeing all of the individual character reactions - Anita the fierce mother tigress, Martin embarrassed and wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.

Production notes: The pacing was excellent. The only scene that felt slow was when the fan introduced herself to Vernon and Martin. I noticed that BTG has eschewed the traditional tag before the commercial break. It will be a funny contrast to B&B where the tag reigns supreme. I liked both the incidental and diegetic music, especially the diegetic music in Orphey's Place. I love that we are getting establishing shots of homes and businesses. We have already seen so many bits and pieces of this episode through the promos and teasers it was a relief to finally see how it all fits together. I can't wait for tomorrow!

[MontyB]

Exactly how I feel.

[BetterForgotten]

They should just ask Lynn Herring to play Vanessa’s mother eventually, lol

[MontyB]

I know should ignore this, but you're actually basing this off of one episode?  Okay

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