1 hour ago, 1974mdp said:

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

I am wondering if it is somehow connected to Martin and his nightmares and the DuPree's or Bill 

6 hours ago, te. said:

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.

I do think Vernon has a secret male love child floating around out there somewhere with a former lover played by Victoria Rowell or Debbi Morgan

Bill is hysterical at the dueling press conferences, in the best way. TKD is so good at this stuff. Calling Dani a 'raging bull!' "Dani Dupree is a manipulative serpent!" LMAO! They'll be waist deep again by September. This stuff is all great and well-cut together, with the have-nots watching at Orphey Gene's.

Less great: Jacob's hilarious intro scene with Marcel Malone, poor acting and writing on both sides. "Maybe you thought I could act because I am a venerated detective and also an old man. But you were wrong!"

Edited March 13Mar 13 by Vee

I can't see Victoria Rowell on BTG. For all the publicity it might bring, it would also bring up a lot of negative stuff from the past. And her presence might overshadow other actors/ characters. 

Martin and Smitty's kids are too old to be Martin and Smitty's kids! Yes, I know they're adopted. But I'm thrown off by this age difference.

7 hours ago, EricMontreal22 said:

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.

I don't know about that. I can see Bill doing it, not coming from Dani. When you think about it & what we've seen, to me that is the more likely possibility.

Tomas' delivery is giving male enhancement pill voice-over guy. When does he tell us about the occasional side effects of blindness, rectal bleeding and psychotic fugue?

11 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Martin and Smitty's kids are too old to be Martin and Smitty's kids! Yes, I know they're adopted. But I'm thrown off by this age difference.

Same... They should be younger like upper elementary or middle school aged.

1 hour ago, VelekaCarruthers said:

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.

From Episode #2 (Feb. 25). Martin and Smitty are talking about their kids and they mention that Tyrell is 17 and Samantha is 16.  So not twins.

The list of official character descriptions has a different character(s) as parent(s) of twins; but since this hasn't aired yet, I'll put it behind spoiler tags.

Spoiler

The official character description says Vanessa is "the mother of twins" but no details were listed for their names, ages, genders.
From Episode #8 (March 5). Vanessa showed her husband Doug a picture on her phone and said: "Look at our Deanna looking like Miss Collegiate on the quad.  She's so bundled up with all those hats and scarves, you can barely see her face."  That's likely their daughter; but I suppose "our Deanna" could be someone else close to them.

--

The show continues to move along. I thought this weeks scripts were better than last weeks. Everything is a little plot heavy, but I don't think that's a terrible idea when you are trying to establish a show with a cast and crew that doesn't have intense dytime experience. I wouldn't want to see lengthy monologues wasted because the actors, and writers, are still finding their footing. 

The Nicole / Ted / Eva / Leslie story continues to be the most intriguing. In recent years, when long lost children are introduced I don't feel like the effort is put into the parent other than the established lead so seeing Leslie's perspective is refreshing. I don't mind that Ted had an affair once. It's not the same as Bill marrying Hayley. Both may be ramifications from an affair, but both are in very different stages. Parallel plots are not uncommon. I might be a bit more concerned if Leslie and Ted were shacking up at the moment from the start, but that doesn't even seem to be a story possibility. Eva worming her way into the Richardson family is fun and her dynamic with Kat continues to be full of potential. I'm not sure where they are going with the Eva / Andre angle, but despite potentially being cousins, I think that is the most intriguing possibility presented for Andre. 

I don't think Nicole knows as much about the affair as others have suggested. Otherwise, why wouldn't Ted tell Nicole that Leslie was back? I don't think Ted knows about Eva because that would have been something he should have asked about when he saw Leslie. Though, it may just be the writing team not being on the same page as MVJ, but I don't really think that is the issue. 

The domestic stuff for the Martin Richardsons was fine. I'm still not wowed by Mike Manning and think Claybon will become more comfortable in time. Martin isn't a likeable character though I get the sense that he is driven to that point by his insecurities regarding his secret from the past as well as his sexuality. I'm glad to see Martin / Smitty kiss though that wasn't the only thing that left me feeling the show was uncomfortable with their sexuality. Though, my other concern, not addressing the element in the room that Martin is concerned about being gay in the public eye, was addressed wonderfully by Samantha. I also don't hate the set up wiht the older kids because it is different. I am not going to complain about a show launching with four generations of a black family. Also, I don't think there is any need to adjust the family relations to meet the needs of the casting of actors. Tamara Tunie, Karla Mosely, and Daphne Duplaix are all too young for their parts, but I'd rather have them then cast older just to meet the demands set in the writing. Though, that's a probably a belief that isn't prevalent here, which is fine. 

The Ashley / Derek stuff was better than earlier stuff, but the bar was super low.

The McBride family stories aren't bad in concept, but there is so little sense of the two as a couple for either thread to be as compelling as they are. I hope there is follow up on Doug skipping out on Vanessa to go to the game arranged by Joey. I think if the show were to explore organ trafficking with Doug / Joey, that has potentially to be interesting though I cannot help but wonder if it won't be Doug giving Joey access to Vanessa and her real estate connections. 

The Dani / Bill / Hayley stuff is tough for me because the angle I'm most interested in (Hayley) seems to be underplayed. I think Hayley's acceptance, or fight for acceptance, into Fairmount Crest is the most intriguing element. I can't wait for someone to drop the bomb on Hayley that Bill blackmailed the Duprees into showing up and Hayley wondering what he has over them. I want to see her try and hire household staff only to be unable to with Bill telling her the Duprees have blackballed them when it is actually Bill trying to keep Hayley tied to the house. 

Bill and Dani are toxic in the best soapy way, but I'm not seeing them as the divorced couple drawn together because they should be rather because they are both messy. 

I think the Naomi / Jacob stuff fell flat because Naomi's rationale was weak for supporting Dani. I wish they had explored more of what Naomi had said to Chelsea in the first week about how demanding and controlling Dani is. I would have angled the Naomi and Jacob conflict about how Naomi and family always have to keep Dani from going off the deep end and situations like this would make it worse. I would have had Dani at least blame Jacob a little to cause the drama stick, but it would have been more meaningful if Jacob made the point he has already compromised his moral integrity by not doing anything at the wedding. 

6 hours ago, te. said:

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.

The story literally writes itself! You'd have Nicole as the perfect golden child. Martin as the youngest and only boy. Feeling the weight of continuing the family name. Trying to make a name for himself and get out of his father's shadow. Torn between his own desires and what's expected of him. 

Then you have Dani as the neglected middle child who had to fight her whole life to be seen and heard. Which explains her personality disorder and pursuing fame via her modeling career. Perhaps in this alternate version Dani/Vernon have a colder relationship, and Bill was the first man in her life who truly made her feel seen. Which would explain why losing him pushed her so far over the edge.

3 minutes ago, janea4old said:

  Hide contents

The official character description says Vanessa is "the mother of twins" but no details were listed for their names, ages, genders.
From Episode #8 (March 5). Vanessa showed her husband Doug a picture on her phone and said: "Look at our Deanna looking like Miss Collegiate on the quad.  She's so bundled up with all those hats and scarves, you can barely see her face."  That's likely their daughter; but I suppose "our Deanna" could be someone else close to them.

--

No, I'm sure that is one of the twins, who if I'm not mistaken have been said to be in college.

 

1 hour ago, AmandainNC28655 said:

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

Smitty's only role in Martin's life is to take care of the children, do the laundry, grocery shop... be there for whatever, whenever. It's giving 1950s housewife. And not the most respected one. I don't like that, because as much as we are alike... gay married couples have different dynamics than straight married couples. Believe me... I am in one... married to my husband... and we know plenty of gay couples just like us. I've seen a lot of examples... and nothing is THAT straight-basic giving in vibes. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

I agree... that the age should have been at least elementary-middle school. I could have bought it... Right now... if Samantha was not wearing the infantile hairstyle... she looks the same age as Smitty. And the whole... let's now be happy and merry... after Martin just emotionally abused Smitty... is not my cup of tea. I'm not one that buys these types of superficial commercial like family portraits. 

Smitty needs to escape this hell hole that Martin calls family. Or he'll wake up one day and find himself in his mid-50s... done nothing but laundry and dinner. (Nothing against that... IF YOU WANT THAT only - Kudos to you. BUT Smitty wants more.)

 

Do you take me as some FOOL, SMITTYYYYYY

14 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Smitty's only role in Martin's life is to take care of the children, do the laundry, grocery shop... be there for whatever, whenever. It's giving 1950s housewife. And not the most respected one. I don't like that, because as much as we are alike... gay married couples have different dynamics than straight married couples. Believe me... I am in one... married to my husband... and we know plenty of gay couples just like us. I've seen a lot of examples... and nothing is THAT straight-basic giving in vibes. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

I agree... that the age should have been at least elementary-middle school. I could have bought it... Right now... if Samantha was not wearing the infantile hairstyle... she looks the same age as Smitty. And the whole... let's now be happy and merry... after Martin just emotionally abused Smitty... is not my cup of tea. I'm not one that buys these types of superficial commercial like family portraits. 

Smitty needs to escape this hell hole that Martin calls family. Or he'll wake up one day and find himself in his mid-50s... done nothing but laundry and dinner. (Nothing against that... IF YOU WANT THAT only - Kudos to you. BUT Smitty wants more.)

 

@Maxim You make some very valid points here.  I would like to see them explore the character of Smitty on his own.  Explore the back story.  How did he and Martin meet?? What drew them together?

39 minutes ago, Maxim said:

Smitty's only role in Martin's life is to take care of the children, do the laundry, grocery shop... be there for whatever, whenever. It's giving 1950s housewife. And not the most respected one. I don't like that, because as much as we are alike... gay married couples have different dynamics than straight married couples. Believe me... I am in one... married to my husband... and we know plenty of gay couples just like us. I've seen a lot of examples... and nothing is THAT straight-basic giving in vibes. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

I agree... that the age should have been at least elementary-middle school. I could have bought it... Right now... if Samantha was not wearing the infantile hairstyle... she looks the same age as Smitty. And the whole... let's now be happy and merry... after Martin just emotionally abused Smitty... is not my cup of tea. I'm not one that buys these types of superficial commercial like family portraits. 

Smitty needs to escape this hell hole that Martin calls family. Or he'll wake up one day and find himself in his mid-50s... done nothing but laundry and dinner. (Nothing against that... IF YOU WANT THAT only - Kudos to you. BUT Smitty wants more.)

 

This to me is exactly what MVJ is writing. Martin so concerned, as the Duprees are, with how things look, so of course he wants this to be a picture perfect heteronormative couple, but that is a problem, why? Because the Mike Manning character wants more & why wouldn't he? He would. And, we want that for him.

I would add one very important word, dissatisfied 1950s housewife. If this were what he wants, it would be different, but it's not, it’s just not.

(I'm sorry but I really hate his character name.)

 

Edited March 13Mar 13 by Contessa Donatella