BTG: March 2025 Discussion Thread

[Jonathan]

I thought Dr. Kinder was a psychiatrist of some sort. He was the one who was prescribing painkillers to Erica which she eventually became addicted to.

[YRfan23]

I liked Martin and Smittys kids! Hopefully they both get more of a story of their own later on. 

I loved the music during the Leslie and Eva scene too! It sounded like something taken from 90s Y&R!

[Vee]

If they just straight-up copied the old Another World story with Val Dufour's Walter Curtin where Martin keeps opening a safe and cradling the scarf of whoever he killed and (woodenly) weeping into it over and over, then died in a fiery wreck and was replaced in Smitty's life by, I don't know, Vernon's long-lost hot British son or something, I wouldn't hate it. I'm just putting that out there!

If BTG wants to make Martin end up like weepin' Walter Curtin I won't hate it, Michele Val Jean. That's the Vee Guarantee. 

Edited March 13 by Vee

[Chris B]

Completely out there thought but it would be interesting if Eva was Nicole and Ted's child. I'm getting the sense Nicole may already know about the affair and we know Leslie is spiteful and a bit nuts so I could see a world where Nicole was pregnant and she stole her baby and made her believe it was a stillborn to keep a piece of Ted with her. That may be a little too on the nose Sheila though.

I loved the scenes with Martin and his family today. The more I see him the more I'm liking Martin and Smitty as a couple. I really felt it today and thought including his dreams was a good reminder that he isn't fully in his right mind which helps explain why he's been so short with Smitty. I wasn't thrilled with them having teen kids but surprisingly it felt natural and worked.

[marceline]

Caught up. Random thoughts:

I love how everybody on this show has fabulous hair, even the white actors. Victoria Rowell has been vindicated! LOL!

Watching the scene of Daphne Duplaix sitting next to Tamera Tunie. What perfect casting. They absolutely look like family.

I don’t mind Ashley like some others do.

Martin and Smitty. Good concept but not working for all kinds of reasons.

How long before Vanessa, Chelsea, and Diego end up at some Eyes Wide Shut orgy at one of Vanessa’s properties? 

Edited March 13 by marceline

[EricMontreal22]

Oh you're absolutely right about Bill too, and we have heard how Dani quit her modelling career when she married him, but it seemed more like it was her decision (though one he would have wanted) and not as blatant as with Martin.

[te.]

This is why it would've made more sense for Martin to be Anita and Vernon's youngest child - besides the obvious age issues with him and Nicole, it would certainly explain why he'd be so desperate for approval by Vernon to the point where it's self-destructive. Being the only male child of Vernon and Anita, being the one who's supposed to continue the family name and trying hard to fit into that mold would explain a lot. 

I just don't think the same type of pressure applies with Nicole and Ted who so far have come across as very level-headed and modern-day progressive.

[AbcNbc247]

Yeah… #FreeSmitty

And honestly, free Mike, Jaden and Najah too.

Count me in as someone else who was impressed by Tyrell and Samantha from the very beginning. And they too acted circles around Brandon Claybon. I don’t know if it’s the pacing of a soap or something but he is not good. Yeah, he’s no Garren Stitt but he’s heading there pretty fast. And not just in scenes with Smitty/Mike Manning, but with every other character he interacts with, and those dream scenes at the end, as well. 

And while I do like their storyline, Martin being so worried about how Smitty going back to work might make him look but having no problem with how Dani’s behavior might make him look makes no sense to me at all. 

And, we finally got a kiss! Now, we just need a shirtless scene

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It was nice, and so was the little family bonding moment at the end.

Derek and Ashley are boring but they don’t bother me like they bother y’all

But I’m interested in whatever Joey’s trying to do with Doug. Hopefully, it’ll tie into what Vanessa’s doing with all the hotties at the country club lol

The sudden jump cuts to commercial are really strange though. 

[te.]

I don't mind Jen Jacobs, but honestly, the writing has been dismal for her and Derek mostly. I just don't get why they have to constantly remind us what an amazing person she is - if you have to say it, it's probably not true lol. She and Derek are the definition of filler material, but I guess she and Dani might eventually go head-to-head over Andre so that might make things interesting.

He just seems to oddly over-enunciate some words and it's very awkward. They definitively need him to work with an acting coach because I'm seeing the other newbies gradually improving. There are some sour spots, but compared to week one even ole' Lughead is less stale. 

Wednesday's show was so-so honestly. I think the issue is that we've had so little exposure to the c-plots so far and they kind of dominated this episode. But not every day will be a winner for soaps and set ups needs to be done. 

[1974mdp]

I suspect the Joey/Doug casino story is going to somehow connect to a larger story on the show. Just a hunch.

[Vee]

The show definitely has its foibles and things to work on or problem characters/actors, and the dialogue still ranges from pretty good to B&B-tier from day to day or segment to segment. But it is compulsively watchable so far, and it moves like a son of a bitch without generally feeling rushed or too quick to me. Catching up on a couple days is a breeze.

It feels like a 30 min show at an hour slot, and I think the rhythm experiment they're clearly doing here with trying to pace it for the new bingewatcher audience is working so far. The sheer tonnage of new viewers on TikTok, Twitter, etc. asking if a soap is actually 5 days a week, can they catch up and follow it, etc. is real and notable I think in the early good numbers for the show, so I think that pace is actually a wise choice. We'll see how it goes long term.

Edited March 13 by Vee

[VelekaCarruthers]

Episode 13

The bad:
The actor playing Martin needs to go.  When Smitty mentioned "the dream" I knew we were in for some bad "acting." The choice to give this couple teen kids was a mistake even though both actors seem capable (with some potential). And the writing for Martin's approach to Smitty going back to work is weird. He's being written like Smitty's father giving him permission for one assignment.  

I'm getting Days vibes from some of the sets and lighting, and not in a good way. 

MVJ is making some rookie head writer mistakes. I'm not getting the sense that she's a natural as head writer.  I could name several areas but my overall impression has to do with what happens when I'm watching: creative ideas pop into my head that I'm not seeing on the screen which often means I'm uninspired by what I'm seeing and/or it's lacking something additional or compelling. 

The good:
Derek is really growing on me. The big lug needs a back rub! I'm wondering if they are going to have him experience personality changes from the concussion (ala Jason Morgan). (Side note: They need more tantalizing beefcake in each show. We needed Smitty in a muscle tank top, not LLB long sleeve, Ward Cleaver, pajamas. We needed Derek shirtless in that hospital bed.  Where are the queer directors and producers on set!)

Daphnee/Nicole is the star, just love her.

Andre's clothing is inspired. I want his last Friday/Monday outfit and today's too!

The actor playing Tyrell. He's got Darnell Williams acting potential. I liked how he handled his scenes even though the whole set up (being twins of this couple) doesn't work for me.

Also good: we didn't need to sit through Naomi and Jacob's conflict about the Dani arrest (rookie head writer plot turn IMO).

I'm on the fence after this 12 episodes about extending my 1 week free paramount subscription into annual. I'm hoping Thursday/Friday episodes start to gel more but it's going to be months before they fix some of this issues.  

Overall, I like a lot of what I'm seeing. 

 

 

 

Edited March 13 by VelekaCarruthers

[Marco Dane]

I need to get a good VPN to watch this when I'm in Paris and Guadalajara. I cant miss my show!

[AmandainNC28655]

@ranger1rg I was making a suggestion not saying it is going to happen.  I like Daphne too and the character of Nicole.  So I ask you to please calm down.  You are allowed your opinion, just as I am mine and the other posters in this forum.  

I wonder if it is in the backroom of a warehouse or factory Joey owns.  Maybe he has a bigger business to make everyone think he is a reputable business man.  

I agree with Dani and Andre.  I am afraid he is going to end up with a broken heart or getting burned if he continues with her, as it is obvious she is not over Bill. 

I do like Ashley, but really not impressed with Derek. Ashley outside of Derek has the potential to be interesting if they would delve a little bit into her backstory, flesh out the character and give us a glimpse of her relationship with her mom. Also, I would love to know more about her friendship with Andre. It was obvious from the first episode they knew each other, and I would like to have that explained a little more.  Was there something between them before Andre took off to photograph around the world????  Since all we know about her and her mom is that she grew up middle class and her mom was a single mom who worked several jobs to put food on the table.  I would love to see it eventually revealed that Jon Linstrom's character is her father.

I too am enjoying Leslie/Dana and the actress is a natural and SOOOOO darn good!!!!! I do want to know more about this story, her issues with Ted and Nicole, etc.  Something tells me she knows Eva is not Ted's daughter and whomever she called to help with the DNA test is going to rig it to make it look like Eva is Ted's daughter.  I do wonder if Eva is actually Leslie's daughter or maybe a child she kidnapped and raised as hers.  Either way I think Eva is going to be hurt in this scheme as well. 

 

[AmandainNC28655]

Unfortunately, I think Dani is using Andre and will end up breaking his heart. 

After yesterday's episode with the gymrat/trainer jealously watching Vanessa do I feel that the writers are setting us up for a Fatal Attraction style storyline between those 2.  

I would like to have seen Martin and Smitty have some upper elementary/middle school aged children.