6 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

I'm good with Lulu, but I understand what you're saying. More than the other soaps, GH takes characters we're with and behind 100% and then does a 180 with them -- leaving us to wonder why we loved them in the first place.

That's what they've done with Lulu, and they're also doing it with Gio.

I don't know if Lulu has ever been a character people are with and behind 100%. To me this is the character. 

Just now, DRW50 said:

I don't know if Lulu has ever been a character people are with and behind 100%. To me this is the character. 

I hear what you're saying. I think I was just extremely happy with AH as the Lulu recast, and that made me more positive about the character.

9 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

I hear what you're saying. I think I was just extremely happy with AH as the Lulu recast, and that made me more positive about the character.

I get what you mean. I don't think it helps that the story is directionless. I'm not surprised they aren't that interested in Dante/Lulu but stalling the plot by just having Gio lash out (understandable as it may be) and latching onto Sonny is not going to please much of anyone.

The difference is that in the 2000s and early 2010s Lulu was popular with both a large portion of the audience while also a star in the show's eyes, at the same time as many of us also found JMB's Lulu unctuous, cold and insufferable. Technically I could acknowledge Berman was talented and that Dante and Lulu had real chemistry and were quite popular, but the handling of the character as they tried to mold her into mini-Carly (without any of the perceived flaws or hard times) always put me off.

Today, Alexa is an excellent recast I think the audience embraced but the writing and BTS focus has changed. Amanda Setton is Frank's favorite, the Qs are ascendant again and he clearly has little time for Laura or her children. So he has no problem treating Lulu's longtime failings much more honestly. I don't have a problem with that aspect of it - what I have a problem with is consistently making Lulu the heavy or downgrading her and letting her take a huge hit, possibly in fear of BLQ losing her perch as the central below-middle-aged heroine of the show. While Setton is talented and I think BLQ should be a leading character whoever is in the role, I think it is undeniable that Alexa is more talented and capable and I also think Lulu's a stronger character warts and all. I don't want to see her go under the wheels for Brook Lynn and her muumuus, lol. Dominic and Alexa should be leading the show in that age range, not Setton's weird BTS preferences and the amiable but uninteresting Josh Swickard as her arm candy. There's simply no comparison performance or chemistry-wise between those duos.

It's a far cry from the 2000s, when Lulu was untouchable and BLQ was treated like a disposable sex worker or joke whenever she was rarely seen. There is something cyclical and organic about that change in fortune at a soap, sure. But it doesn't have to be one extreme or the other.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by Vee

17 minutes ago, Vee said:

The difference is that in the 2000s and early 2010s Lulu was popular with both a large portion of the audience while also a star in the show's eyes, at the same time as many of us also found JMB's Lulu unctuous, cold and insufferable. Technically I could acknowledge Berman was talented and that Dante and Lulu had real chemistry and were quite popular, but the handling of the character as they tried to mold her into mini-Carly (without any of the perceived flaws or hard times) always put me off.

Today, Alexa is an excellent recast I think the audience embraced but the writing and BTS focus has changed. Amanda Setton is Frank's favorite, the Qs are ascendant again and he clearly has little time for Laura or her children. So he has no problem treating Lulu's longtime failings much more honestly. I don't have a problem with that aspect of it - what I have a problem with is consistently making Lulu the heavy or downgrading her and letting her take a huge hit, possibly in fear of BLQ losing her perch as the central below-middle-aged heroine of the show. While Setton is talented and I think BLQ should be a leading character whoever is in the role, I think it is undeniable that Alexa is more talented and capable and I also think Lulu's a stronger character warts and all. I don't want to see her go under the wheels for Brook Lynn and her muumuus, lol. Dominic and Alexa should be leading the show in that age range, not Setton's weird BTS preferences and the amiable but uninteresting Josh Swickard as her arm candy. There's simply no comparison performance or chemistry-wise between those duos.

It's a far cry from the 2000s, when Lulu was untouchable and BLQ was treated like a disposable sex worker or joke whenever she was rarely seen. There is something cyclical and organic about that change in fortune at a soap, sure. But it doesn't have to be one extreme or the other.

I do agree Frank prefers Brook Lynn to Lulu, and the story has been framed more her way. It's just the aftermath I don't think has done either of them (or Gio) many favors - I feel like they didn't even have much plan after the reveal, other than slotting in the Rocco birth dramas for Britt's returh.

5 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

I do agree Frank prefers Brook Lynn to Lulu, and the story has been framed more her way. It's just the aftermath I don't think has done either of them (or Gio) many favors - I feel like they didn't even have much plan after the reveal, other than slotting in the Rocco birth dramas for Britt's returh.

I don't either. But I think it's largely a question of priorities. Dante and Lulu were one of the closest things to a supercouple GH had after the 2000s, not counting the Jason wars, Scrubs or Spencer/Trina. Even when I disliked JMB's Lulu and couldn't invest in them as a result, I knew they were popular and very capable performers.

My ability to invest changed when they got Alexa, and given how hard Dominic has worked for almost two decades. It's a no-brainer given that lasting popularity and two very talented and present actors now in the roles to have them leading the show. They're not (or rather, are distinctly soft-pedaled for months) because neither actor or character IMO is FV's priority. That's malpractice to me.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by Vee

1 hour ago, Vee said:

I don't either. But I think it's largely a question of priorities. Dante and Lulu were one of the closest things to a supercouple GH had after the 2000s, not counting the Jason wars, Scrubs or Spencer/Trina. Even when I disliked JMB's Lulu and couldn't invest in them as a result, I knew they were popular and very capable performers.

My ability to invest changed when they got Alexa, and given how hard Dominic has worked for almost two decades. It's a no-brainer given that lasting popularity and two very talented and present actors now in the roles to have them leading the show. They're not (or rather, are distinctly soft-pedaled for months) because neither actor or character IMO is FV's priority. That's malpractice to me.

It's all to prop the fake sexy pairing of Brook Lynn/Chase, which isn't where the drama is.  That coupling lacks any drama, spice, or intrigue. 

It's a shame because there isn't really a plan for Dante/Lulu.  I guess he will forgive her eventually?  Sam's been dead for almost a year.  Let's move it along.  

3 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I don't know if Lulu has ever been a character people are with and behind 100%. To me this is the character. 

Yeah, I feel that. While I love Laura and most of the family...when it comes to Lulu...yeah, I...love to hate? hehe. Cuz poor Georgie. And even with her back, I love how Alexia plays her even when I want to shake her. But most of the time, I don't like Lulu. 

10 minutes ago, carolineg said:

It's all to prop the fake sexy pairing of Brook Lynn/Chase, which isn't where the drama is.  That coupling lacks any drama, spice, or intrigue. 

There's nothing and he's an overgrown little boy. But Setton is Frank's favorite, so they're supposed to be leading the show. It would not happen in any other regime lol.

7 minutes ago, Vee said:

There's nothing and he's an overgrown little boy. But Setton is Frank's favorite, so they're supposed to be leading the show. It would not happen in any other regime lol.

At this point it feels like JS is the only actor to capitulate and get behind Amanda's demands and beliefs.  Chase's only job is to defend Brook Lynn and her stupid actions.

Just now, carolineg said:

At this point it feels like JS is the only actor to capitulate and get behind Amanda's demands and beliefs.  Chase's only job is to defend Brook Lynn and her stupid actions.

Yeah, I can tell Frank V is a big Amanda Setton/BLQ fan, but honestly, I don't see the same enthusiasm for Josh Swickard. I just don't see him getting much at all to play.

Swickard has a nice body and is willing to play ball with AS' restrictions. Therefore, since Setton is clearly still Frank's favorite, they're supposed to be the central couple of the show. It's very weird and conservative/Quiverfull-esque.

Again: If this were Guza II or any other regime (or any other soap) Dante and Lulu would absolutely be heading up the show, especially with a past ABCD star as a well-done recast. But instead they're second fiddle to this. It's just bizarre. And I'm not someone saying BLQ can't be a key lead, or that Setton was miscast. Neither is true, but the way she's been handled due to the offscreen restrictions, the very dull but bland pairing, and the prioritizing of her over Alexa Havins and Lulu or DZ is just crazy.

8 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

Yeah, I can tell Frank V is a big Amanda Setton/BLQ fan, but honestly, I don't see the same enthusiasm for Josh Swickard. I just don't see him getting much at all to play.

I mean, I think it keeps JS's job because he should have been dumped a long time ago.  But short of killing someone Chase is always in BLQ's corner when there is actual drama to play.

2 minutes ago, Vee said:

Swickard has a nice body and is willing to play ball with AS' restrictions. Therefore, since Setton is clearly still Frank's favorite, they're supposed to be the central couple of the show. It's very weird and conservative/Quiverfull-esque.

Again: If this were Guza II or any other regime (or any other soap) Dante and Lulu would absolutely be heading up the show, especially with a past ABCD star as a well-done recast. But instead they're second fiddle to this. It's just bizarre. And I'm not someone saying BLQ can't be a key lead, or that Setton was miscast. Neither is true, but the way she's been handled due to the offscreen restrictions, the very dull but bland pairing, and the prioritizing of her over Alexa Havins and Lulu or DZ is just crazy.

Well, Guza loved DZ and JMB so they would of course be front and center.  They were a very popular pairing so I don't get it.

I will go as far to say that Setton was miscast.  Not at first.  It sounded great on paper, but her being a practical nun these days makes her just wrong for the part.  People's priorities change over time-she shouldn't be guaranteed a life time job because she was good on OLTL 15 years ago.

I don't remember Setton being this prudish when she started on GH. I thought it was gradual. I may be wrong. I thought she was perfectly cast at the beginning.

6 minutes ago, Vee said:

I don't remember Setton being this prudish when she started on GH. I thought it was gradual. I may be wrong. I thought she was perfectly cast at the beginning.

I would say she's definitely been a tad more 'conservative' in comparison to what I've seen of her in other roles. But she's usually been covered up top and in either pants or a pencil skirt on the bottom.