6 hours ago, BetterForgotten said:

Ugh - I hate that they have to give Dani a big showcase in every story. Girl, sit your ass down when you know you’d go back to Bill in a heartbeat if he ever gave you the time and day. 

Dani really got on my nerves. Her own life is a total disaster, yet she interferes with everyone else's. What could she possibly say to Ted that will change anything? That will help anyone?

And as you said, while she bashes Bill, she wants him back -- all the while knowing who he is and who he's been for years. None of these scenes are pushing me to appreciate Dani.

-- OTOH, Bill got some very good shots in at Dani. He won that face-off.

-- June is just a ball of cliches and stereotypes to this point. I hope this goes somewhere.

-- Martin flies off the handle much too easily, but I did appreciate that he grew calm and subdued, and even sad, with Ted.

-- I'm glad Tomas is pretty, because damn, that acting.

-- I'm glad Derek looks so good in tight jeans, because damn, that acting.

-- LMAO at Leslie gaining entrance to Nicole's house because Nicole wanted the front door ajar so Door Dash could leave her takeout.

 

7 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

I've gotta say, I know Bill is a dog, but I secretly like him.  The actor is good, and the character is strong, powerful, but flexible.

Yes, I like him too. He is a good actor, and I agree with your comments about his personality. I also want to add, I think that he comes across as realistic and IMO sane. Yeah, he's done some bad things, but he seems pretty in control for the most part and not the least bit crazy. I appreciate that type of behavior in someone who can behave like a villain.

And I continue to buy that he really does love his daughters. Unlike Leslie who seems to only use and mistreat Eva, I have seen Bill soften when it comes to his daughters. And I do believe he would do what he felt he had to do to protect them. His love for his children, helps make him more layered as a character. I really enjoyed his scenes with Dani today.

I enjoyed the show today. I thought that the scenes with Nicole being comforted by both her parents including them switching out to comfort her were sweet and cute. I particularly enjoyed her scenes with Vernon. I love her relationship with her parents.

I also liked Tomas/Eva scenes. He genuinely seems to care about her, and I am interested in seeing how things will play out between them and him and Kat.

Edited May 10, 2025May 10 by xtr

22 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

 

-- I'm glad Tomas is pretty, because damn, that acting.

-- I'm glad Derek looks so good in tight jeans, because damn, that acting.

 

 

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

38 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

 

-- I'm glad Tomas is pretty, because damn, that acting.

-- I'm glad Derek looks so good in tight jeans, because damn, that acting.

 

 

I see a pattern here.😂

1 hour ago, Cheap21 said:

Not just that but Im sure she will be blamed for trying to poison Laura with potassium. Remember when Nicole started to put the pieces together that someone may have tampered with her IV? She dropped it bc she got distracted with the party, but they did make a note to mention that Eva lied and sent a card and flowers there on Nicole's behalf. Im sure they will say that that was just a cover for her to be in Laura's room and come for her

I didn’t even think of that OMG

38 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

Dani really got on my nerves. Her own life is a total disaster, yet she interferes with everyone else's. What could she possibly say to Ted that will change anything? That will help anyone?

And as you said, while she bashes Bill, she wants him back -- all the while knowing who he is and who he's been for years. None of these scenes are pushing me to appreciate Dani.

-- OTOH, Bill got some very good shots in at Dani. He won that face-off.

-- June is just a ball of cliches and stereotypes to this point. I hope this goes somewhere.

-- Martin flies off the handle much too easily, but I did appreciate that he grew calm and subdued, and even sad, with Ted.

-- I'm glad Tomas is pretty, because damn, that acting.

-- I'm glad Derek looks so good in tight jeans, because damn, that acting.

-- LMAO at Leslie gaining entrance to Nicole's house because Nicole wanted the front door ajar so Door Dash could leave her takeout.

 

Tomas not even pretty enough to make taking his “acting” palpable. And his two potential love interests are played by these genuinely charismatic actresses 😭.

I think Martin’s flying off the handle so much is intentional and plays into the secret. The family seems to know theres some rage issues there.

7 hours ago, alwaysAMC said:

Tomas actor still can’t act for sh!t.

I'm thinking he's much older than the age he's playing and botoxed the hell out if his face - that's why it doesn't move. Source: I saw him in a 2012 episode of CSI. Not only was he already in his 20s, but his face moved back then.

I was thinking that June could be Kat's mother and Eva is Nicole and Ted's.

I really enjoyed today's episode. It showcased a lot of the other cast and I saw hints of storyline potential (Smitty & Bill). Martin definitely has some anger issues and I recall him being overly scared about protecting his family and having all the doors locked, coming out of one of his "dreams". There's obviously a lot going on there and I can't wait to find out more.

I'm thinking June is going to be more than just the issue story of the week. I think she just might be related to one or more of our main characters.

As for Tomas, yes, Alex Alegria is not the strongest actor, but he's pretty to look at and he emotes something. I'm just not sure what that something is yet.

1 hour ago, Antoyne said:

I think Martin’s flying off the handle so much is intentional and plays into the secret. The family seems to know theres some rage issues there.

interesting idea.  That makes sense, as MVJ seems to have set up each character development (traits) for future plot developments.

Edited May 10, 2025May 10 by janea4old

Just now, janea4old said:

interesting idea.  That makes sense, as MVJ seems to have set up each character development for future plot developments.

Yes. That's called good writing.

6 hours ago, Antoyne said:

I think Martin’s flying off the handle so much is intentional and plays into the secret. The family seems to know theres some rage issues there.

Very. They're building up his story again and picking the perfect time to do so. As the SilkPress storyline climaxes and go off in several great directions, they are building up that story to take a turn.

Random takes from this week:

- Bill’s been played way too soft by the actor. I just can’t buy him doing anything truly sinister. I wish he had more of that old-school Victor Newman edge.

- On characterization: I’m fine with Leslie being shown as a narcissistic and cruel mother—as long as she doesn’t tip into full cartoon villain territory. Dani’s involvement in Nicole’s storyline feels natural to me, and I really like that Martín is such a hothead, which totally clashes with his polished political career. No wonder no one wants to confide in him. Also, I don’t mind Haley’s characterization at all.

- I’m still annoyed they dropped the whole lawsuit storyline. That’s why I’m a bit hesitant about getting too invested in the June plot. Also: I can do without another instant-sibling storyline.

- Ashley and Derek? Totally fine with them in small doses. That’s the best way to handle those two.

- Thank God Ted is getting recast. I honestly couldn’t handle that constant swaying much longer.

- Speaking of Ted: maybe I’m in the minority here, but that hotel set is hideous. The oversized boiserie makes everything look flat, and that artwork on the wall? Bland, ugly, and lifeless.

- I’m 50/50 on the product placement. On one hand, it’s totally misplaced and campy—especially when it shows up in the middle of emotional scenes. It just feels wrong. But on the other hand… here we are talking about Febreze and Tide. So maybe it is working? I honestly don’t know.

- I don’t have any issues with the fashion on the show overall, but André’s wardrobe is just off. Not in terms of style, but size. His tops are way too tight and actually make him look even shorter than he is. Same goes for Smitty. Both of them would seriously benefit from some larger blazers or chunkier sweaters.

Am I the only one who immediately thinks of this every time someone mentions Smitty?   😊

 

I always get the vibe that Martin/Smitty have an emotional abusive relationship set up... but I doubt the show will really go there with that element given that Martin is a Dupree (and we can't have the Duprees be portrayed in a negative light), and because it's a gay male relationship.   Even though abuse in the physical or emotional sense is a huge thing in a lot of gay and lesbian relationships.

The Ashley/Naomi scene reads off to me for one reason....  Ashley was talking about the new scandal without any sort of mention and/or subtext.. considering she knew both Silk Press Sheila and Eva.  I'm not sure if the writers have forgotten, if Jen Jacobs isn't able to play subtext, or what.   It's just apparent the writers do not know how to write a young white millennial couple.. and perhaps they need to get a younger white script writer to be on staff... or let the actors play around with the lines to make them more natural/realistic.

2 hours ago, Aback said:

- I’m 50/50 on the product placement. On one hand, it’s totally misplaced and campy—especially when it shows up in the middle of emotional scenes. It just feels wrong. But on the other hand… here we are talking about Febreze and Tide. So maybe it is working? I honestly don’t know.

First, let me say I love reading all of your takes and thoughts. They always provide a different point of view... a breath of fresh air... in this sometimes stuffy topic. ❤️

You've inspired me to add my 2 cents about this product placement debacle.  I absolutely HATE the way they are doing product placement in BTG. I really hope this doesn't catch on or evolve into more and more of these moments. It's incredibly off-putting to place them in a highly dramatic moment where we are still on the emotional journey with the character. What is next - Dani spraying the house while having a nervous breakdown? It makes me not want to buy the product they're selling. LOL. That's just me.