BTG: April 2025 Discussion Thread

[Taoboi]

Now that I have some wiggle room lol...I liked yesterday's episode. For me, it kinda goes back to what I said the week before last. I know that the show has had pacing problems and have been finding its rhythm. That said, I said one of their errors has been to not feature one of their clear A stories. At the time, I said their main stories from Week 1 was Dani/Bill/Hayley, The SilkPress Sheila storyline, and Martin's Secret. Part of the reason that the first few weeks were superb was that you could focus on one A story and litter it with their subplots. Week 1 worked focusing on Dani/Bill/Hayley. Week 2 worked focusing on Nicole and SilkPress Sheila.

 

And from there, weeks have varied. I still liked them, but it has not been the same as the first two weeks. And while I've liked some of the weeks that just focused on the B/C plots, it has not been the same, either. Moreso if it was a B/C plot you don't like *cough*Derek/Ashley/Andre*cough* But knowing they pushed the SilkPress Sheila storyline next story beats back to end of this month and May Sweeps...and that story being the best story with the best pacing...yeah I can see that struggle. They cannot go to the well of Dani/Bill/Hayley again because Dani is overexposed, and Bill/Hayley need a honeymoon phase and to be developed more. Martin's secret apparently is dancing on the backburner. And regardless of how it being there gave time to invest in the characters involved and to BC becoming comfortable in the role, that left a void in major A story. And sadly, that shows. 

 

And that is why I liked yesterday's episode. Now that the SilkPress Sheila storyline is about to climax/turn at the anniversary party, it appears to be A story again this week. And everything just clicked. She got the last frame before commercial break (with ominous music I might add). She got the cliffhanger ending. And the episode built throughout through her, giving it a charge/edge that I enjoyed. See what happens when you focus again on one of your main plots with subplots littered about? I actually got annoyed at the Chelesa/Samantha scenes because it was taking away from Sherry Time! lol.

 

Something that I've been complaining about has been my impatience with Anita having a story. So I like since Friday, it does feel like they are slowly building one. I was starting to think that Anita does not want to sing again because perhaps it would not be in her best interest to do so due to a secret of some sort. I still feel that. But the misdirection has been interesting to watch and plausible. After years of not singing, a fine singer would have their own fears about their voice (and Anita was giving Mariah Carey in that regards). Another by-product of this storyline has been a marvelous friction between her and Vernon. I don't want them to break up at all because I love them together, but I do love that it gives more energy and shades to play with. And yes...that song is bop.

 

I love Shady Kat. She was giving it to Hayley and Bill. Loved it. It was so Blair Waldorf coded. Her whole persona actually was in this episode. Just like I felt Brandon Clayborn's acting was intentional and he just needed to get comfortable, I'm starting to think Tomas actor is slllllowly doing the same. Him and Kat look pleasing together. But he has more chemistry with Eva. And personally, I am not sure that I like that he likes hanging around with Eva when he knows Kat don't like her. Hard to root for Kat/Tomas as a couple knowing that. 

 

MMmmm Dani and Andre. I guess it was more of the same. But it's nice to see. I like how they lean on each other. Because again, those couples do exist. And I like that Andre agree with the rest of us. Dani would be in her element starting a modeling agency. He also seem ready to come public. A brief uh oh. I did like that Dani appeared to have decided to run with working with Pamela. I was surprised to see her be so indecisive. And I loved her firm no to Chelesa when Chels asked if she would work with her. Rightfully so. Sorry, Chels. The idea was sound, but I would feel it was a step backwards for Chelesa who clearly has some resentment toward her mother from all the years as her momager. 

 

And of course, the best for last!!! I cannot believe that it has finally gotten to the build to the anniversary party. Well, it's been simmering a little too much for my liking, but now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, this episode with their parts was good. For weeks, there have been cracks in the SilkPress/Eva duo. So I liked that it has hit surface. Ambyr is doing such a great job showing her conflict in episodes. Within the same scene. And I liked that SilkPress finally truly picked up on it and started to call her out. And clever of her to look in Eva's phone. And not her getting the old supervisor fired...I hollered. And like I said above, I love the camera appeared to be on SilkPress right before break...music, looks, and all. And I love the cliffhanger. It's been a minute since we had a near-miss in that storyline. And I'm sure it will be one. Still...happy to see the anticipation in the storyline back.

 

Speaking of...did I hear Silk Press Sheila, right? Find out who she truly is. Hmmm. If Ted is technically an in-law...was she saying that Eva is a Dupree which would make her Nicole's daughter?  Cuz if so...oooooo

 

And...Kat is going to be LIVID.

[MichaelGL]

I noticed this too.

 

I wonder if all this time off our screen means he’s been getting acting lessons. P

[alwaysAMC]

I sure hope so LOL.  But yeah, he doesn't seem scared and stiff today!  Hopefully this continues.

[Vee]

Again: Some of us have been sensibly critiquing this show all along. It's not an all or nothing proposition.

[Cheap21]

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Doug paying attention to his wife? WHAT!?

[DemetriKane]

Love in the afternoon today!

I am starting to like babycakes in these Cosby sweaters. They fit him for some reason.

[alwaysAMC]

VERY random thought, but I wonder if Karla and Cady talk about Jacob Young, since both were related to him on their respective show and worked with him for many years.

[Liberty City]

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date: Wednesday, April 23 | Christopher Dunn, Judy Tate | Steven Williford

• Nicole, to quote Ms Whoopi in Ghost: "You in danger, gurl!"
• My girl Ashley is back on the scene; unfortunately, she's with her stick-in-the-mud boyfriend. Damn.
• GET YOUR SHOES OFF OF MY DAMN COFFEE TABLE!
• I can appreciate that Dani is turning Chelsea's offer down. It would have been easy for her to slink into the position she was offered; instead, she's forging her own path with Pamela, and I love that.
• How did Douglas come up with the $50k? You got lucky with that scratch ticket.
• Dana has lost her ever-loving mind. She's gone off the deep end, and I imagine a white padded cell with no windows in her very near future.
• The magazine quiz feels very "old school", but with modern-day references. It's a nice little knock to simpler times when magazines had more weight, like a Reader's Digest or even Soap Opera Digest.
• OH! I love that this triangle has not been dropped; it sounds like the wife is more into Chelsea than the husband is... and that Chelsea is into it, too.
• I'm very happy and excited that Dani and Pamela are teaming up, but Pamela, you have to cut that fringe a bit or push it off of your eyes. Oh, iconic photoshoot moment! And it's not for a mug shot. I love it. So much fun is being had on this set. I feel it in my bones.
• Douglas lost? That's got to suck for him.
• WHY DO PEOPLE SIT ON TABLES?! It's a pet peeve of mine; you've got a whole ass couch and chair to sit in, and you sit your heavy ass on a coffee table where people likely eat?! GET OFF OF IT!
• Yes, Eva! Go! Call out your psycho mother (if she even is your mother). Call her OUT! About time someone did.
• Not the ass smack from the wife to Chelsea.
• WHEW! Get it, Vanessa! Mount your man! This is sexy AF!
• Derek, GET YOUR DAMN SHOES OFF OF THE BED! This man is uncouth.
• Imaginary flutes of champagne? Spare me.
• Eva versus Dana... the battle of the death stare. Who will be the one to lose? My bet is on Dana.

Edited 4 hours ago by Liberty City

[DemetriKane]

I realized how much Leslie resembled Samantha when she was talking in the mirror.

[MichaelGL]

If the episode is set at night, I’ve noticed the lighting is immensely better. The country club and Leslie/Evas apartment perfectly lit today. 
 

The ending to today’s episode, again needed some background music. 
 

I can’t believe I’m going to say this but Doug and Vanessa are hot…hotter than Derek and Ashley

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Very random. Lol

[Liberty City]

Steamy AF

That would've been too cheesy for me. No music – it made it REAL, and I loved the emptiness of the scene.

[Taoboi]

Yep. Pretty much.

[alwaysAMC]

Lots of good sexy time today

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Eva and Leslie keep butting heads harder and harder... it'll come to a blow at some point.  I agree, the scene without music actually made it more intense for me.  It actually had very low music though, so it wasn't totally silent.

[Rmodelboy]

I'm back to being scared for Chelsea with this couple. Today's episode seemed to be foreshadowing some trouble.

The more I see of Doug the more I like his character and his sex scene with Vanessa was pretty steamy.

I wonder if this impromptu trip with Ted and Nicole is how they usher Keith in ?

Eva for sure better watch herself going up against her mom

[Soaplovers]

I liked during the Kat/Hayley/Bill scene that Hayley basically paid Kat no mind and resumed doing her job.  I'm continuing to be fascinated by Hayley ,because she seems like she looks at the world more realistically than Bill and the Duprees do.  And there have been instances where she's observed details missed by Bill (i.e. the picture frame, the bottle of wine, etc).

In regards to Tomas/Eva/Kat: I recall my late mom talking about the iconic Steve/Rachel/Alice story from the late 60s/70s on AW and what she said about that triangle seems to be apply to this trio.  Eva/Tomas both seem to have more in common in terms of their more working class humble beginnings.. and both striving to be join the club of the Have's.   Tomas may feel drawn to Kat because of her personality.. but I do suspect it's also because she is part of that elite club that he's wanted to be a part of.  Deep down, he probably is drawn to Eva.. but at the same time, knows that Kat is the safer choice.

Eva is getting annoyed with Silk Press because she's realizing her mother is a loose cannon and knows that if they play their hand too quickly... they'll be out the money (for SPS) and the family (that Eva is craving).  

Edited 3 hours ago by Soaplovers