Team Smitty.. .Martin can kick rocks for all I care

1 hour ago, Cheap21 said:

I cant stand Smitty. Like why did you even show up just to lave 2 minutes later? Its like he wanted to twist a dagger in Martin's chest. He could have stayed home instead

he literally said he was there to support Anita/The Dupree's.....

the video tribute to Barbara

#BeyondTheGates #Articulettes #BarabraMitchell pic.twitter.com/xDs50AtLYn

— #VernitaPrayerCircle! (@SWPRAYERCIRCLE2) August 4, 2025

Edited August 4Aug 4 by janea4old

13 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

he literally said he was there to support Anita/The Dupree's.....

Did he even see Anita? No. He walked into that country club, spoke to Martin and left. He supported no one, took a sht on Martin and left

Edited August 4Aug 4 by Cheap21

40 minutes ago, ReddFoxx said:

To be fair to Sharon and Tracy neither one of them are on the Magic and Makeup level. Anita had to try to get them some more checks after all they've been through with the group.

Its goinig to be a disaster! The Articulettes broke up early into Vernon and Anita's relationship, so Im guessing before Nicole was born? Lets say about 50 years ago. Their core audience is like late 60s-90s. People are not going to concerts to see them. Maybe if Anita was with them but Sharon and Tracy have no been in the public eye in decades. Its not like Patti Labelle and Anita Baker going on tour as they have always worked and gained new fans. The Articulates witho the main draw, Anita, is no going to sell.

11 minutes ago, Cheap21 said:

Did he even see Anita? No. He walked into that country club, spoke to Martin and left. He supported no one, took a sht on Martin and left

Smitty did see Anita at the country club. They had their own conversation.  He told her "you are a goddess", and bowed down.   Anita said "You are a saint, Vernon and I owe you an apology" (reference to the Martin secrets) and Smitty acknowedged: "What you did was out of love for my husband. I can't say I'm over it yet, but remembering that will help me get there."

Smitty told Martin he wasn't forgiving him, but he did sincerely hug Martin and wished him well before leaving.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by janea4old

Didn't they say Tracy and Sharon had no real solo careers without Anita once the group split? That's the impression I got from the exposition a few months ago, due to Dante Green's machinations and whisper campaign against them.

Still, I am glad if they are getting their moment in the sun even if I agree a tour is implausible if they had no prior solo attempts.

Just watched today's episode on Paramount+. All I can say is -- My God, this is a good soap opera!  How did they pull-off that concert believably without leaving the studio?  No location shooting, no long shots from the back of the theater.  But I believed every minute of it. It was perfectly and believably shot.  The director and production designer both deserve Emmys for this episode.  The writers too, and the actors as well.  And most especially MVJ.  Emmys all around.  In my opinion, today's episode of BTG was flawless.  

Smitty understands why Vernon and Anita made Martin keep the secret, and isn't over it yet but will get there.
But Smitty's not forgiving Martin for doing what Vernon and Anita told him to do.

I mean that's inconsistent but actually human -- humans have flawed reasoning.   That flawed inconsistency is realistic.  So, objectively, that's good writing.

But I'm annoyed at Smitty nevertheless.

6 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

Just watched today's episode on Paramount+. All I can say is -- My God, this is a good soap opera!  How did they pull-off that concert believably without leaving the studio?  No location shooting, no long shots from the back of the theater.  But I believed every minute of it. It was perfectly and believably shot.  The director and production designer both deserve Emmys for this episode.  The writers too, and the actors as well.  And most especially MVJ.  Emmys all around.  In my opinion, today's episode of BTG was flawless.  

It was filmed on location at a local college campus theatre in the Atlanta area.
It was supposed to be this real-life theatre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Theatre

Edited August 4Aug 4 by janea4old

9 minutes ago, janea4old said:

It was filmed on location at a local college campus theatre in the Atlanta area.
It was supposed to be this real-life theatre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Theatre

So it was taped on location?  Wow, it didn't seem to be.  Hmm. Thank you for correcting me, as I had not heard or read that.  I know it was supposed to represent the real Howard Theatre, but it didn't appear to be location shooting to me.  I suppose that might be a good thing.  

Either way, still a flawless episode.   

Edited August 4Aug 4 by Tisy-Lish

16 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Smitty did see Anita at the country club. They had their own conversation.  He told her "you are a goddess", and bowed down.   Anita said "You are a saint, Vernon and I owe you an apology" (reference to the Martin secrets) and Smitty acknowedged: "What you did was out of love for my husband. I can't say I'm over it yet, but remembering that will help me get there."

Smitty told Martin he wasn't forgiving him, but he did sincerely hug Martin and wished him well before leaving.

My apologies then. Still he showed support for her by going to the concert. He wasn’t needed at the country club if he was going to leave that quick 

4 minutes ago, Tisy-Lish said:

still a flawless episode.

agreed. I've watched today's episode three times so far!

The fact that some posters support Smitty and some support Martin, shows that both characters are written with layers, which means there is depth to this show, and that's a good thing!

22 minutes ago, janea4old said:

Smitty understands why Vernon and Anita made Martin keep the secret, and isn't over it yet but will get there.
But Smitty's not forgiving Martin for doing what Vernon and Anita told him to do.

I mean that's inconsistent but actually human -- humans have flawed reasoning.   That flawed inconsistency is realistic.  So, objectively, that's good writing.

But I'm annoyed at Smitty nevertheless.

I think both sides are justified in their feelings, but I'm leaning toward Team Smitty. While I understand Martin was going through hell mentally and emotionally trying to contain this secret, and believed he was acting in the best interest of his family. 

However...what I can't excuse is his cruel and frankly abusive behavior toward Smitty. Not once has Martin apologized or even acknowledged the ways he dishonored his husband. Blocking Smitty from returning to work, all those smug patronizing remarks and comments. That had nothing to do with keeping his family safe and everything to do with his incessant need for power and control. That alone is enough to justify a separation let alone the big secret. 

Edited August 4Aug 4 by INFJWill
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