BTG: May 2025 Discussion Thread

[Soapsuds]

Yup, I went to my grandparents' anniversary party back in the day.

[Toups]

You can't have the entire cast on in one episode.  LOL They were not needed for this.  We didn't need to see what their reactions would be. 

[GLATWT88]

So, I finally watched and I will have to agree with everyone that TMG and Ambyr are stars. 

This episode reminded me why I thought Maurice Johnson was a poor actor in the beginning. He does well with the light, fun and loving dad/husband stuff but today he brought his scene partners down through his failure to tune into the emotion the scenes needed. I also didn't enjoy Claybon's scenes. He's improved for sure, but yikes it's rough having him play these intense scenes like he's narrating a science documentary. 

Another thing I will say and I'm not sure whether this is good or bad (yet), is that I didn't know who to emotionally connect with. Many times I didn't feel anything at all or a connection with the character's emotions. I feel like the Duprees are the "good guys" that have villainous ways and the villains actually have a lot of layers to them. I didn't even feel sad for Nicole, but today didn't seem to be about Nicole. I actually didn't know what to feel about anyone. I think the only time I felt strongly was when Ted pretty much dismissed his own daughter (Eva) to go after his wife. Granted he's not completely sure that Eva is his daughter, but the way he pushed her away again in that moment was rough. 

Edited May 3 by GLATWT88

[Soapsuds]

Maurice Johnson wasn't bad, but he lacked the emotional impact acting the story asked for.

[John]

Yeah his acting was flat today

[MissPhoenixGirl92]

This was definitely one of the best episodes so far. So much to unpack. I'm really disappointed with Ted. I honestly thought that maybe he would come clean and maybe try to explain his side of things, but nope! He was denying everything. Also, I was not expecting to hear that Nicole and Leslie were pregnant at the same time. That can't simply be a coincidence. For a while I wasn't so sure of the fan theory that Kat and Eva might be twins or switched at birth but after today's episode I can't help but wonder if it might even be possible. If the writers really want Nicole to eventually warm up to Eva and accept her, I won't be surprised if it eventually turns out that they are actually twins and Leslie stole her or something. And I'll be honest, I actually really like the idea. 

I don't know where the writers are even going with the whole Ted/Nicole/Leslie thing, but if Ted doesn't end up having a drastic personality change with the recast, then I can eventually see Ted and Nicole reconciling. At the very least for the time being I can see Nicole asking Ted to move out and he ends up staying at a hotel for the time being until he gets his own place. If not... then I guess Dr. Carlton is waiting in the wings... 

[ranger1rg]

Great episode today. Strong follow-up from yesterday, and a lot of really good dialogue.

-- Lots of comments here about Vernon being the Olivia Pope of BTG, but I'll let you know when that happens. He and the family "move into action" after a scandal, but they've yet to really accomplish anything. Vernon couldn't even clear the room of everyone but family when he tried.

-- Wardrobe did a great job overall. Anita wins Worst Dressed. That gown did not flatter TT and that gigantic necklace was bad.

-- Sean Freeman did great work as Andre in Andre's scene with Eva.

-- Brandon Claybon was great as Martin in his most dramatic scenes. I don't know how anyone can avoid seeing how much he's improved.

-- There's way too much criticism here of Maurice Johnson's performance as Ted. If we didn't know he was replaced, I don't think we'd see this "He's not giving enough" stuff. My feeling is that this is all confirmation bias. I think the guy's done a nice job. Ted didn't whine for pity and he didn't scream like he's a victim. He's spent decades hiding this, and I think it's fair that he feels blindsided and unable to respond.

-- I don't want to hear Vanessa lecture and moralize about any other character when she's so compromised. She's a cheater and a ho.

-- It would have made more sense for Vanessa and Doug to be at the party. The hospital visit was weird, and seemed like an excuse for the scene where we (again) realized that Doug knows his wife is a cheater.

-- I love this board, but damn, do people give away Emmys around here like gummy bears.

-- I wish I knew what Leslie's end game is. Is it enough to destroy Ted's marriage to Nicole? Does she really think she can win Ted back? Or is she just so batsht crazy that it's impossible to know what she wants?

[GLATWT88]

I do think Claybon has improved, but I still don't think he's anywhere near good. It may be his tone, which makes things come across as if he's narrating rather than dialoguing. I didn't even think his scene with Ted was very good although some seemed to disagree. 

As for Maurice, I can only speak for myself. I mentioned Maurice as one of the weak actors along with the actors that play Chelsea, Naomi, and Martin from day one. That for me hasn't changed. I warmed to Maurice, because I thought he was improving in the good dad/husband stuff he was doing. I still don't want the actor to be replaced, which I have mentioned before as well. However, today confirmed what I said all those weeks ago that he's not the most skilled actors on the cast. He really struggled to get the emotion in those scenes today.

 

Edited May 3 by GLATWT88

[Soapsuds]

Claybon was okay. He has slightly improved, but he still needs more improvement.

Edited May 3 by Soapsuds

[GLATWT88]

Also, where has Dani worn this dress before? I recognize it, because the first time she had it on I was like why is my girl wearing party streamers. Then when I saw it yesterday, I was a little surprised that they were having Dani who pulls out 4 episodes in a single episode repeat a outfit so soon. 

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[BoldRestless]

The preemptions helped me catch up. Watched the last two episodes today. Obviously fantastic stuff.

Martin's acting was really great when he was confronting Ted. He's finally clickin.

The look on Naomi and Chelsea's faces when Silk Press talked about Bill... but was she telling the truth? This does explain what I always wondered which is why Silk Press didn't just sue for child support.

Hayley all scandalized that Ted had an affair like she isn't a ho.

Vanessa all scandalized that Ted had an affair like she isn't a ho, and Doug being like "ummm... ?" but Vanessa having kind of a point, and this setting up a good dynamic that Doug isn't that cool with the arrangement (and, the B&B of it all, with the A storyline going and the B characters sitting around talking about it).

That guy popping up to say "that much is true!" about Eva being locked in the closet.

Nicole's understated acting and Eva's emotion.

Ted not being able to handle Eva at the moment, but you get the sense he's not closed off to her completely.

Andre and Eva's unexpected bonding was nice.

The point made to Dani that she shouldn't be upset because Ted technically did what she wanted from Bill which was to recommit himself to the family after the affair.

 

Edited May 3 by BoldRestless

[janea4old]

Dani's dress  https://wornontv.net/511259/
Brand page:
https://onalaja.com/en-us/products/zusi-maxim-dress

about the company:
https://onalaja.com/en-us/pages/brand-story

I don't think she has worn it before, this is her wardrobe so far:
https://wornontv.net/beyond-the-gates/dani-dupree/

Edited May 3 by janea4old

[GLATWT88]

Amazing resource. Thank you!

I'm pretty confident that she's worn it before. I'll look into it. That or I'm having some serious deja vu. 

[Liberty City]

I think you're thinking of the dress she wore on April 15 from her Ebony cover shoot when Andre had to put her in bed.

[Chris B]

I don't know if it was the writing or performance but I felt like we finally got to see the real Ted. Especially the way he talked to Martin when confronted, felt like a completely different person. He felt darker and like a total liar who was mad he got caught. I expected him to be remorseful and want to apologize to each and every family member who he came into contact with but he seemed like he didn't care.

It completely changed how I view him and it makes me wonder if this is the direction they're going to take Ted in with the recast.