This was a good episode:

Nice 1:1 scenes with Nicole and Vanessa.  About time we see this good friendship vibe play out since it was mentioned in the past they were good friends.

Ted/Nicole do have some chemistry and I knew that Joey's mama had to be deceased especially when Joey had a brief look of 'Oh *hit' when Vanessa mentioned wanting to meet her to show her properties.

Naomi/Bill/Caroline/Client scenes were pretty good and it made sense that Cheryl Davis was the script writer since they appear to be an attorney in real life.  

With Caroline and Shanice being back in action, when can we expert Mona to come back for an appearance.

I'm hoping the last scene isn't a cop out.  I could see Bill playing it off and convincing Naomi all is ok since he doesn't want to appear weak in front of his daughter.

Hope MVJ can resist taking on the bad traits of her former boss at B & B.. although if she's bringing Jamey G onto the show as a breakdown writer.. maybe not.

Carrie (the blonde) has a hairstyle that reminds me of younger Y&R Christine Blair

17 hours ago, Taoboi said:

And then Andre and Dani. Hmmmmm...they are being everything I need them to be right now. Together, but not. Connected, but not romantic. The kind of relationship they are in does exist in the real world so it's nice to see it on a show. Would I like it to turn into love? Sure. But it doesn't need to be either. If it grows, great. If not, okay. But right now...in this moment...it's a needed thing between them and secretive, but adult. I'm probably not explaining it well, but I do like it. And I think somehow Andre will help her move on from Bill.

I love this take

Don't forget the off the charts heat generating love scenes set to an R&B slow jam.

1 hour ago, Maxim said:

She is. And so natural... which I can't say for some. 

💯

I think I am the only one who likes both the lawsuit and the gambling stories.

I don’t particularly care about Doug but I am already a fan of Vanessa. The heart of the story is not Doug’s addiction (though I expect this to be addressed) but Doug’s debt to Joey and its repercussions on Vanessa. The story also encompasses Jacob and his family by revealing that Marcel is also one of Joey’s minions, and Elon is ok with it. We know why Joey wants a police officer in his employ, what does he want with a cardiac surgeon? And a realtor? The actual scenes of Doug playing poker are extremely short so it’s not something I will grumble about.

The heart of the legal story is not about the recurring characters. It’s about the backstory of Naomi and Bill, how the affair damaged their once-close relationship, and exploring the consequences of the court battle on the larger Dupree family. Anita and Vernon intervening to try to protect Martin by encouraging Naomi to go easy on Bill adds another contour to the story. The fact that Bill started an affair with Hayley while she was in his employ is yet another contour. At its core it’s a story about family drama.

I like that BTG is not just giving us the “nuts and sluts” soap opera formula although that is present as well. But not every storyline has to be about murders or affairs.

 

With that said….

 

Showing Naomi take confidential meetings with her clients in a diner and in the opposing counsel’s office is a huge blunder. It’s just as bad as Nicole letting “Sherry” wander back on to the roof without so much as a psychiatric hold. I do think that MVJ and the writing team have picked up bad habits from their recent years on the legacy soaps. BTG would benefit from being more grounded in reality – and yes, that includes offering viewers some clarity on the ages of the main characters.

Today’s writer, Cheryl Davis is an attorney. She knows that Naomi should have her own office. I don’t expect it to be as large or as swanky as Bill’s. A desk, chairs, and some filing cabinets would suffice. Of course, a scriptwriter doesn’t have the power to commission a new set. But I hope she made a suggestion.

3 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Wish there were some outdoor scenes sprinkled in as in Wk 1. Provides variety and realism.

We have seen Joey lurking around outside on the Assembly Studios lot lately.

I would love to see a permanent backlot created. A shopping center like Salem Place or Brookside Parade would provide a realistic setting for characters of different backgrounds to bump into each other. No more awkward reasons to be at the hospital.

1 hour ago, janea4old said:

Carrie (the blonde) has a hairstyle that reminds me of younger Y&R Christine Blair

Good call!

 

Beyond the Gates...brought to you by Febreze!

13 minutes ago, Cheap21 said:

 

Beyond the Gates...brought to you by Febreze!

This and the Tide placement from yesterday is the ultimate realization of Irna's vision for soaps on tv in 1948:

"The intriguing angle, of course, is the commercial angle where the product could be seen and used, but not announced…offhand i can see two girls washing out sheer hose in a hell of a dramatic scene." h/t @wonderwoman1951

"Seen and used, but not announced." It only took 77 years for her vision to be realized.

At least it's more subtle than Caroline Brady hawking heat-and-eat orange chicken.

 

Are they really trying to imply that Doug and Randy are the same age? Doug looks at least a decade older han him. I dont buy them as childhood friends

30 minutes ago, Alan said:

I don’t expect it to be as large or as swanky as Bill’s. A desk, chairs, and some filing cabinets would suffice.

Or even Naomi taking them to a meeting room- an entry door, some prints on a wall, plant in the corner, a whiteboard perhaps, large table with chairs around and a tray with pitcher and glasses etc

Something basic they could redress for different purposes.

3 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Wish there were some outdoor scenes sprinkled in as in Wk 1. Provides variety and realism.

I agree. We also got our hopes up when episode 1 started with the Emotions' Best of My Love. I hoped for an occasional real hit, but I don't think we're getting it.

-- Naomi with no office is a major fail, and I also have a problem with all of these meetings taking place regardless. Yeah, I know, soap opera. If Naomi and Bill hashed out an agreement BTS, we wouldn't have the women get excited about any agreement.

But why didn't Naomi say that contract Bill drew up could be a good starting point? Why not close those loopholes she talked about? Makes no sense to me.

-- Joey is a decent looking guy, but is he really "fine," as Vanessa calls him? Girl, you've been riding Diego, so I doubt that Joey is fine.

 

6 hours ago, Liberty City said:

Becky, Carrie, and Stefania are going to be powerhouses. I know they are. They are the tres amigas, and I love to see it.

I wish I agreed, but I don't. I believe they could work at a law firm, but I'm not seeing powerhouses. Not one of them saw any flaw in that agreement Bill offered them.

6 hours ago, Liberty City said:

Despite her unhappiness, I feel like deep down Vanessa does care about Douglas and his well-being. That's refreshing to see and take witness of.

That's another thing I'm not seeing. I think Vanessa is over Doug completely.

3 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

Joey is a decent looking guy, but is he really "fine," as Vanessa calls him? Girl, you've been riding Diego, so I doubt that Joey is fine.

This is something we see often IRL. The number of ordinary looking men deemed 'hot' and desirable by women. Lindstrom, wrinkled kinda dishevelled but that's OK . Lauren B, wrinkle free (botoxed), groomed. 

Plays into the different expectations/standards demanded of men and women.

That's what otherwise makes BTG stand out-the men are pretty much as attractive as the women.

Nothing about Joey qualifies as fine or delicious. Setting the looks aside there isn't even any swagger there.

4 minutes ago, ReddFoxx said:

Nothing about Joey qualifies as fine or delicious. Setting the looks aside there isn't even any swagger there.

But the tortellini! It's as good as Sonny's sauce. 😅

@Liberty City You have SAB and Tate as writers for Thursday, but it was Gregori Martin and Cheryl Davis today.

The last two weeks have been kind of boring, and the lack of background music really emphasizes the boringness when the stories/scenes aren't good.   I also really hate the way the show fades to black or transitions to the next scene with no background music.  It's so lackluster.  I really hope there will be changes later on.