Loved Nicole and Dani finally having real conflict over Dani’s situationship with Andre. I think Nicole is valid for feeling betrayed and concerned, here’s yet another person lying to her over what will likely be a disastrous coupling. DD and KM did great in those scenes and I love that Dani refused to tell Vernon anything.

I want to like Chelsea and Madison, beautiful actresses with decent enough chemistry but this has been so oddly written so far. One episode they meet, the next Madison acts weird as if she’s not interested, the next we get the doctor reveal and Madison starts fan girling on Chelsea like a stan, then they’re all over each other as if they’ve been dating for weeks, then they sleep together and now she’s introducing her to the family??? I’m glad Vernon pointed out the red flags but I wish the show had played more longing between these two and really made us feel invested in seeing them get together.

Ted going from being so lovey dovey with Nicole to barely fighting for her after the Leslie and Eva reveal is so odd and doesn’t track with me. New actor, new interpretation I guess but I need his reasons for being so distant better explained. The recast really did take the sail out of that story and couple for me, which sucks because I been a fan of KR since Power Rangers.

I’m continuously baffled by the amount of air time given to Ashley and Derek. You can tell with Ashley specifically that someone upstairs is very impressed by this actress and character but 4 months in and I still have absolutely no idea why 🤦🏾‍♂️ this break up drama has only highlighted how unlikable everything about her is and also how lacking in charisma the actress is, she’s been given some decent enough scenes to showcase her value and I’m not seeing it at all. I actually see it more for Derek than her at this point but man I need them both gone ASAP. Andre and Ashley don’t work either and that little dream sequence just reinforced I have no interest in seeing them get together.

I did love the scenes at Bill and Hayley’s house with Shanice and Naomi. I like seeing Shanice interact with more of the canvas and Bill’s eyerolling and frustration dealing with her was hilarious.

I hope the show plays more of Hayley and Naomi too, I still feel like we barely know anything of their prior dynamic as friends. Hayley is played like such an airhead its hard to see why Naomi would be so close to her but the actresses have interesting chemistry, I want to see more.

3 hours ago, ranger1rg said:

Fully agree with you about all the anvils and the setup that Andre and Ashley are "the star-crossed long-suffering romantic couple struggling to be together."

My worry is that this is MVJ's plan.

And BTW, if Ashley is pregnant, that's another roadblock in the way of the star-crossed lovers. GAG ME is right.
 

They need to cut their losses with Ashley. 

Someone made a good point, maybe part of MVJ's tweet was about her being upset that people aren't liking Ashley/Derek and Ashley/Andre. It's clear this character is someone's favorite. Cause While I agree with what she said in some aspect's, at the same time it did seem like it wasn't just about the complaining either 

50 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

They need to cut their losses with Ashley. 

Someone made a good point, maybe part of MVJ's tweet was about her being upset that people aren't liking Ashley/Derek and Ashley/Andre. It's clear this character is someone's favorite. Cause While I agree with what she said in some aspect's, at the same time it did seem like it wasn't just about the complaining either 

Just from looking at instagram comments, it seems like Jen Jacobs is very popular on set with the cast and crew. She's also posted in the past about feeling down after reading comments about herself. I do feel bad for her because I think she's a good actress but the character has been botched from day one.

If they love her so much they owe it to her to try something else. You can't convince me that there is a place where they have data showing that people enjoy the storyline or character. They need to make this breakup with Derek stick and find something completely different for her to do. I feel like the easiest path would be to let her be single (and please god no pregnancy) and work her around the cast as a supporting character. Once people start to like her then you can attempt a different romance but it can't be with Andre or Derek. 

Maybe they could do the long speculated reveal that Joey is her dad. That would allow her to develop something with Doug and Vanessa. Would also be interesting to see how she reacts to have a dad who isn't perfect. 

Ashley started out as a cheery MarySue - but now Ashley seems to be written to be much more neurotic/annoying, so *perhaps* something has shifted since the show began airing?
Maybe they realized that the original characterization was a dud. Or maybe the shift was long-planned?  Who knows.

Personally, I don't think MVJ was upset about viewer reaction to Ashley in particular.
I don't even think she's upset -- It seemed (to me) that she was just being blunt or a bit gruff. 
I think she's simply saying that there's longterm stuff coming for *all* the storylines/characters, which will eventually air and surprise the viewers, and cause the viewers to understand why some things currently seem weird or "off".

In other words:
MVJ is aware that frustrated viewers are exclaiming "Make it make sense!"
And MVJ is saying, "Don't worry, it will make sense eventually!"

Obviously I don't know what goes on behind-the-scenes. I'm just giving my interpretation of her tweet -- I'm just guessing.  And I admit that I'm being optimistic.

I'm curious how the Martin reveal will play out, (and also the reveal for the character June) , because currently I can guess about both but really have no idea.  I'm looking forward to being surprised.

Edited June 19Jun 19 by janea4old

Yeah I wonder if something did shift, given they're 3 months ahead, they had enough time to gauge reaction to the character and change course if needs be.

I always say, even if actor is popular with colleague's etc, it doesn't mean to keep them around if their character is unliked. This goes for Liam on BOLD too. Scott Clifton is great but Liam is unliked and has been for years 

I remember when soaps used to actually kill off unpopular character's even if the actor/actress was popular/beloved

👑📺 Even hip-hop royalty needs their drama fix…
Slick Rick is a Beyond the Gates fan! 🔥 #BeyondtheGates #SlickRickhttps://t.co/Xbt5b3iEmC

— Soap Opera News (@SoapOperaNewss) June 19, 2025

I think no adjustments have been made in terms of the character of Ashley or Ashley/Derek.   

I think Ashley being a Mary Sue/eager beaver was always meant to be a facade.. and that what we're seeing of Ashley now is the real Ashley getting a rude awakening that the vision she had of her life/future isn't turning out the way she thought it would.

Now had MVJ and writers written more scenes of Ashley with her mother Jan, or even scenes where Ashley mentioned more about her childhood... it would have helped the viewers get more of a sense of who she is.

I also think Ashley has a lot of conflicts brewing in her head... she thinks Derek is who she should be with... but her heart really feels something completely different.. and it's causing her to lash out.   Maybe she knows who her father is, and if it's Joey.. it makes sense why she would intentionally go for someone like Derek.  Someone the opposite of her father, and also thinking she wouldn't be like her mother....but I will say that Andre wouldn't be a bad choice.

The episode from earlier this week where Dani expressed doubts about her/Andre and that she fears he'll hurt her is classic foreshadowing on a soap opera.   I have a feeling Ashley will realize she might have feelings for Andre.. and Andre will feel torn because he only went with Dani because Ashley wasn't available to him.

 

It's sad that I can think of more avenues/motivation for Ashley then the very people writing her.

53 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

Magnificent to hear. Maybe his appearance can make it better?

Writers:
Sara A. Bibel
Lynn Martin

Director:
Michael V. Pomarico

These folks on the internet don't miss a thing, except the ones that count tho..... 😏

Edited June 19Jun 19 by MontyB

I think an issue I’m having with the show right now is that the stakes to all these stories feel so muted. The pacing moves fast, yes, but the stories don’t feel gripping or as if we’re building to something interestingly explosive. 

The stories need more fire, for the lack of a better word. I want to see if this continues as we approach the 6 month mark, or if they’ll use that as an opportunity to pivot some things. 

LOL..this exchange was so fake....they dont F with each other. Look at Naomi's face...she cant stand her

So Elon is in on Martin's secret, too? Lord...

2 minutes ago, MontyB said:

These folks on the internet don't miss a thing, except the ones that count tho..... 😏

screaming.

Am I the only one getting annoyed with both Chelsea and Kat lately? Their spoiled, entitled attitudes are draining. 

Loving the Jacob/Naomi scenes and their playfulness lately. 

Team Smitty all the way. I hope he blows the whole secret/police department out of the water. I just hope nothing happens to him before he can. He needs to be one of the show's antagonists against the Duprees. 

June's nails. lol. Can't say I would have noticed, but I bet it's done on purpose (as MVJ would say. lol). Interesting character trait if she's homeless yet still wants to stay "fashionable". What in her past makes her feel that way? Was she part of the "Articulettes" in the spotlight? (playing on theories). 

Tomas and Kat are boring. Where's Eva? They need to amp up this triangle as I think it could be a focal point for the show.