BTG: March 2025 Discussion Thread

27 minutes ago, skiman12082004 said:

I think some of the fans are being way too harsh on Ashley & Derek. They are not poorly written as some have stated, IMO. They are building up to a triangle/quadrangle with Ted and possibly Dani. We have 40 characters to learn about and that's going to take some time. We just need to be patient and trust MVJ.

Of all the storylines that are getting heavy screentime, it does seem to be under-developed compared to the others from a writing standpoint. Ashley has been in almost every episode and we've seen her with her mom once or twice even though her mom has been in several episodes. Derek also has no connections to anybody so his character hasn't been developed at all.

This definitely stands out compared to the other storylines. It would be an easy fix from a writing standpoint so fingers crossed they get there soon.

2 hours ago, Antoyne said:

I literally never rewatch episodes except this show.

Same. It's like some of the best tv shows or every really great movies where you can go back and watch something and come across something new every time you watch.

 

26 minutes ago, skiman12082004 said:

I think some of the fans are being way too harsh on Ashley & Derek. They are not poorly written as some have stated, IMO. They are building up to a triangle/quadrangle with Ted and possibly Dani. We have 40 characters to learn about and that's going to take some time. We just need to be patient and trust MVJ.

I agree with this. Especially the bold. They were already appearing to start a triangle with Derek/Ashley/Andre (with some Dani on the side I hope), but it seems like they are slowly starting to put other potential conflicts in the mix by this fire situation whether it's Derek with a condition now or just Derek going crazy himself. Not to mention Ashley being mad at him for running into the building knowing it was going to fall. 

 

1 minute ago, Chris B said:

This definitely stands out compared to the other storylines. It would be an easy fix from a writing standpoint so fingers crossed they get there soon.

Yeah, like I said, it does seem like they are about to start with this fire situation. 

3 hours ago, Contessa Donatella said:

Starving specifically for a different kind of soap.

 

Now, I have been rewatching GH for at least 2 years, not every day, but some days. I know I started before Mulchahey, which has been 1 year. Dang, I can't remember why I began it.

 

Good for you. I will give PM his due that some of the scenes during that time I rewatched. But whole episodes has been a looooooooong time. Some (like me) are starving for something more than 'factory settings' though.  

26 minutes ago, Chris B said:

Of all the storylines that are getting heavy screentime, it does seem to be under-developed compared to the others from a writing standpoint. Ashley has been in almost every episode and we've seen her with her mom once or twice even though her mom has been in several episodes. Derek also has no connections to anybody so his character hasn't been developed at all.

This definitely stands out compared to the other storylines. It would be an easy fix from a writing standpoint so fingers crossed they get there soon.

I can totally respect that. Thanks for your perspective. 

1 hour ago, skiman12082004 said:

I think some of the fans are being way too harsh on Ashley & Derek. They are not poorly written as some have stated, IMO. They are building up to a triangle/quadrangle with Ted and possibly Dani. We have 40 characters to learn about and that's going to take some time. We just need to be patient and trust MVJ.

Finally someone said what needed to be said.

1 hour ago, skiman12082004 said:

I think some of the fans are being way too harsh on Ashley & Derek. They are not poorly written as some have stated, IMO. They are building up to a triangle/quadrangle with Ted and possibly Dani. We have 40 characters to learn about and that's going to take some time. We just need to be patient and trust MVJ.

it feels as though we’ve met almost all of those 40 characters in the first few weeks, which is a lot — maybe too many? — in such a short time. 

...& that's how it's done! Don't you love the costumes on#BeyondTheGates? I'm on the ex-wife's side because her hat & outfit are so very fabulous-I'm superficial... (sometimes;-) https://t.co/4Y2CTmJzXJ

— Robin Strasser (@robinstrasser) March 16, 2025

2 hours ago, skiman12082004 said:

I think some of the fans are being way too harsh on Ashley & Derek. They are not poorly written as some have stated, IMO. They are building up to a triangle/quadrangle with Ted and possibly Dani. We have 40 characters to learn about and that's going to take some time. We just need to be patient and trust MVJ.

Did you mean Andre instead of Ted? I don’t see how Ted would factor in their story in that way.

Overall I disagree and don’t think its harsh at all. We’re going into the fourth week now so I think its more than fair to point out what is or isn’t working on the show at this stage for us as viewers. With the amount of screen time and focus they’ve carried so far, Ashley and Derek are a complete chop on every level for me, from acting to writing and chemistry. When they come on I feel like I accidentally changed the channel to a show I immediately want to turn off.

I do hope they get better but that triangle the show is setting up with Andre ain’t working so far either. 🤷🏾‍♂️ 

Edited March 16Mar 16 by detroitpiston

Ashley is on almost every day. We’re well within our rights to say she sucks at this point.

38 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

I don't know what takes me out more...the fact that THE Candiace is watching BTG...keeping that lovely Housewives connection or Robin retweeted it. 

 

Love it!!

5 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

Ashley is on almost every day. We’re well within our rights to say she sucks at this point.

I agree. And it's no big deal. This is a soap opera. Not 100 percent of the story and characters will work. It's normal for people to express opinions and not like certain aspects.

46 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

LOL I'm not surprised that Robin is on Dani's side because Dani has some of Dorian's campy ways.

 

 

1 minute ago, ReddFoxx said:

LOL I'm not surprised that Robin is on Dani's side because Dani has some of Dorian's campy ways.

LMAO!!! THIS. 

Ashley and Dani are examples of negatives that all soap operas have been doing in their shows over the last few decades.

Ashley is an example of telling instead of showing.  All the characters talk about how wonderful and gifted she is, and we've yet to see many examples of that.  It's as if the writers are intentionally trying to sabotage her character on a subconscious level.

Dani is an example of a character that we're supposed to root for, but the writing and acting don't justify supporting such a vile character.  Karla saying she's trying emulate the Reva and Erica characters fascinates me because her acting choices don't support that.

It's only been three weeks, but my initial instincts say that MVJ is good at implementing other people's ideas/visions.. but doesn't have the ability to be an effective headwriter/showrunner.   I get Sally Sussman vibes from her (another talented writer that lacked the ability to be a showrunner/head writer).

At least MVJ has the good sense to have writers and a co-head writer (Bob Guza) with ability join her staff unlike Tyler Perry.

Just now, Soaplovers said:

It's only been three weeks, but my initial instincts say that MVJ is good at implementing other people's ideas/visions.. but doesn't have the ability to be an effective headwriter/showrunner. 

Oh good grief.

46 minutes ago, detroitpiston said:

Did you mean Andre instead of Ted? I don’t see how Ted would factor in their story in that way.

Yes, I meant Andre. My mistake.