BTG: May 2025 Discussion Thread

[Cheap21]

I think Krista is too hot or her. I think the current actress works bc she comes across so basic. Thats not a dig but she feels very normal and relatable as an average suburban woman. I think if Krista was in the role, Id want more out of her but I dont think Jan is meant for bigger things

[Chris B]

I see people saying this a lot but I always thought both things were plot points with a specific purpose. Martin running for president (something that would've been years down the line) was just to give us an opportunity to learn about his secret and that it involves Anita and Vernon.

Naomi's lawsuit was used to develop her relationship with Bill and highlight his health issue. Those cases are almost always settled out of court so I didn't find anything odd about that, it was all about Naomi and Bill.

I do wonder if Mike might've had better chemistry with Jen Jacob. At this point I feel he's right there with Derek in terms of being a weak link. He's a better actor but he doesn't have chemistry with anyone. These are the two characters I really hope they get a handle on in coming months.

[janea4old]

Thank you!  

[Contessa Donatella]

In the new Soap Hub Says podcast they now refer to Bill as BilltheFixer. I love it!!! The moniker fits. 

[janea4old]

 

I really like your analysis.   This isn't about a stereotype of black men being cheaters.  This is about a soap opera in which one couple was regarded to be flawed and the other regarded to be perfect, but there were issues underneath the supposedly perfect one.
 

 

 

Very good point that they started the show in these early months with a classic  sex and betrayal story to get people hooked.  I agree with you that we'll see more aspects and layers of all the characters as the months and years go by.

Edited 6 hours ago by janea4old

[Contessa Donatella]

OLD P&G ACTORS? Where is this coming from? In case you've forgotten, which would be hard to do because of TIDE and Febreze P&G is one of the sponsors of this new soap we love!!!

Also Lindstrom never worked on a P&G soap. Cady, of course, did, but that's because she has worked for everyone!!!  Who else? TTunie? You don't want her around because of Jessica on ATWT? Agree to disagree if so!!! And, KaMo just because she was on GL? I cannot go there with you. Sorry. Not sorry!

 

[Liberty City]

I can't recall... but did Jon Lindstrom (Joey; Craig, ATWT) and Tamara Tunie (Anita; Jessica, ATWT) ever interact on As the World Turns when the latter returned in 2009?

[Chris B]

I highly doubt it. I recall Tunie's scenes being limited to a hotel room with Bonnie. By that time both Bonnie and Jessica had been severely diminished on the canvas. 

[Cheap21]

So whats the alternative, everyone be demure and have no negative qualities? There are tons of characters and none of this describes most of them. The show has a wide range of characters. Some good, some bad and some a bit of both. Its a BLACK soap opera. We need black villians that cause trouble and move the stories along

Edited 4 hours ago by Cheap21

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, darn, I did not remember he played Craig. Paul, wrong about Lindstrom and P&G. 

 

[Liberty City]

Oh see, I remember now. Thank you; I do recall those scenes standing out in my head! Plus, the all-too-underutilised Chaunteé Schuler as Bonnie. That was a surprising, yet good, recast.

[Faulkner]

I wish the Black male characters felt more fleshed out (and I’m not talking about gross 2000s-style man pain like with Jonathan Randall or Billy Abbott). I feel like we don’t have as much access to their interior worlds, which—fine—female genre. Right now, the balance on BTG feels off to me gender-wise, mostly because there are a lot of Dupree daughters (Chelsea, Naomi, Dani, Nicole, Kat, possibly Eva) and only one son (Martin). Feel free to disagree. I think Andre, Bill, and Martin feel closest to male “main characters” to me (Jacob had his quick moment), in that they can drive a scene from their POV and not as a supporting character. I’m waiting for the secrets to be fully revealed so that the men can show more layers. But things like having two cheating husbands stand out more in this type of environment.

Edited 5 hours ago by Faulkner

[Chris B]

@FaulknerI do agree with you about the male characters. I feel like I've been overlooking that because a female-driven soap has been so rare these days. 

They have some relationships they could build upon but not nearly enough. The male characters for the most part don't have any friends or family to help develop them. This is also part of the issue with having only one main family. 

 

[Faulkner]

I think Arielle Prepetit is great, but I almost wish Naomi had been Nathan and Jacob were Jacqueline (shades of Tom and Margo). We’d have another Dupree son, and the idea of Bill being a disgraced role model for his male lawyer son would have a different resonance around masculinity and generational trauma, especially since we already have Chelsea for the female Hamilton daughter POV. Just for the balance.

[Melroser]

I absolutely love the idea of Krista Allen being on the show. I wouldn't saddle her with Jen though. I'd create a brand new character for her. She could be a diva who lives Beyond The Gates and is gradually seen at the country club. Then I'd do a slow roll out where the Duprees don't like her and her family because she is part of the first white family that "infiltrated" Beyond The Gates. Then slowly...and I mean slowly...expand Krista's character's family as a rival to the Duprees as some have said the show should have. A younger son to mix it up with Chelsea/Kat, a daughter to maybe run for office against Martin. Krista Allen could easily be a great matriarch for a rival family.