5 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Has any mention been made of Derek having a family and/or why he has had no one visit him in hospital?

It would have been nice had a few firehouse buddies turned up and some flowers or a hamper arrive from everyone at the station.

Maybe I missed any of this type of stuff?

No, actually, you didn't. But, I lived away from my home state for 10 years, and I didn't have any family nearby, so it's understandable. However, a throwaway line to explain this would be helpful. Then again, no friends have visited either. Not even Jacob, his so-called bestie has come by. Also, my family from out-of-state would visit me as soon as possible if I were paralyzed. 

It seems as though Derek, as a character, is not a priority to the writers. He's just propping Ashley and providing a stumbling block to Ashtray (my version of AshDre, because they suck together).

5 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Has any mention been made of Derek having a family and/or why he has had no one visit him in hospital?

It would have been nice had a few firehouse buddies turned up and some flowers or a hamper arrive from everyone at the station.

Maybe I missed any of this type of stuff?

One of Derek's firefighter buddies accompanied him to the hospital from the accident site at the triathalon.   But nobody since then.

Edited September 14Sep 14 by janea4old

They could have made some of the white people related to anchor them better to the core. I guess there is speculation that Ashley is Joey's daughter, and, honestly, I wouldn't hate it. Vanessa and Derek could have been siblings, and Pamela easily could have been Smitty's mom. I would also give Tomas and Caroline both some family connections to diversify the canvas. 

1 hour ago, janea4old said:

One of Derek's firefighter buddies accompanied him to the hospital from the accident site at the triathalon.   But nobody since then.

And that buddy needs to come back ASAP because he was 🔥   

20 hours ago, Gatecrashers said:

They could have made some of the white people related to anchor them better to the core. I guess there is speculation that Ashley is Joey's daughter, and, honestly, I wouldn't hate it. Vanessa and Derek could have been siblings, and Pamela easily could have been Smitty's mom. I would also give Tomas and Caroline both some family connections to diversify the canvas. 

Considering there are 50 million Duprees I'm shocked they didn't connect any of the contract white actors. Not just in terms of familial connections but just in general. 

Derek - He should at the very least be a cop especially with the friendship with Jacob. On a soap the chances of using him in a capacity of a firefighter is slim. 

Pamela - I 100% agree that she should be Smitty's mom.

Ashley - I like the idea of Joey as her dad but I also think they've missed the mark on developing Jan. Doesn't she work for the rich families as a housekeeper? Why do we never see that or see her as a talk to in that capacity?

Vanessa was the most successfully developed white character. She has a husband, close relationship with the Dupree daughters and as an extension of Doug, she has Randy. Not to mention the fact that she has kids waiting in the wings. She's the only one that feels as well thought out as the other characters.

Jen Jacob and Mike Manning are next to each other in the opening and look similar enough to be kinfolk. Ashley and Smitty could have totally been brother/sister.

As irritating as Ashley can be, it’s obvious JJ has some talent that’s not being harnessed properly. Her heavy-handed introduction and obnoxious behavior (which the writers don’t seem to have a clear perspective on, even after nearly seven months) were never going to play well. Why is she on this show other than as “a way in” for white viewers à la Piper on OITNB? Even white viewers can’t stand Ashley from what we’ve seen.

1 minute ago, Faulkner said:

Jen Jacob and Mike Manning are next to each other in the opening and look similar enough to be kinfolk. Ashley and Smitty could have totally been brother/sister.

As irritating as Ashley can be, it’s obvious JJ has some talent that’s not being harnessed properly. Her heavy-handed introduction and obnoxious behavior (which the writers don’t seem to have a clear perspective on, even after nearly seven months) were never going to play well. Why is she on this show other than as “a way in” for white viewers à la Piper on OITNB? Even white viewers can’t stand Ashley from what we’ve seen.

Glad someone else sees the potential in Jen Jacob; it is just obvious the writing for Ashley does not benefit her enough.

The problem with Ashley isnt the actress. She is playing Ashley exactly how they want her to be and with that she's doing a decent job. It most definitely is the writing. A different actress isnt going to make how wishy washy and annoying she is any better

14 minutes ago, Faulkner said:

Jen Jacob and Mike Manning are next to each other in the opening and look similar enough to be kinfolk. Ashley and Smitty could have totally been brother/sister.

As irritating as Ashley can be, it’s obvious JJ has some talent that’s not being harnessed properly. Her heavy-handed introduction and obnoxious behavior (which the writers don’t seem to have a clear perspective on, even after nearly seven months) were never going to play well. Why is she on this show other than as “a way in” for white viewers à la Piper on OITNB? Even white viewers can’t stand Ashley from what we’ve seen.

I hadn't thought of Ashley/Smitty as siblings but I do think that would've been great! I also see the resemblance. Smitty is in dire need of a talk to and a sibling relationship amongst the two would definitely help both characters.

I also strongly agree that Jen isn't the problem.  The writers have failed her and need to own that and pivot to something new. You can't convince me that they have data anywhere stating that anybody cares about Derek and Ashley as a couple. And although the Derek actor has improved, I would cut my losses. He's a weak link and the character doesn't have connections to anybody.

12 minutes ago, Cheap21 said:

The problem with Ashley isnt the actress. She is playing Ashley exactly how they want her to be and with that she's doing a decent job. It most definitely is the writing. A different actress isnt going to make how wishy washy and annoying she is any better

This.

I've always said that the writing is at fault in the case of Ashley.

In the case of Thomas... It's the entire universe.

Speaking of Smitty and Ashley, we still dont know who her father is but Jan has alluded to it not ending well and he possibly being a dead beat. Maybe she was a sidechick and had an affair with Smitty's father. It would definitely give her more layers  and that could bring her back into Leslie's circle who calls her out on not being much different than her

Oh gosh, now June is working at OGs. Well, at least she's trying and being given a chance. I sort of wish she's just go away though at this point.

Writers:
Gregori J. Martin
Judy Tate

Director:
Phideaux Xavier

Edited September 15Sep 15 by Liberty City

Silk Press Sheila got a fresh silk press...lol

More June?!