16 hours ago, carolineg said:

I always want Lois back

And you two can make it three. I have fun memories of Lois from when I was young. And I fell in love with Rena Sofer...she of the beautiful eyes and jet-black hair...back in the days when she led THE CHRONICLE.

 

While it has gone to heck since then, I felt she had one of the better returns to this show. They just don't know how to write for her. 

43 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

It been a welcome return this time as far as his investment in having emotional scenes. Before he was Stone Cold, but was still Jason Morgan, he still showed a lot of emotion. At a certain point with the dual volatility going on with Sonny/Carly, it kind of felt like Jason was the only stable one in that group. Steve has done an excellent job this week with both having restraint, and also letting the emotion out.

Jason always felt like the stable one to me.  It stifled him though because he couldn't play anything but the solid, consistent guy cleaning up messes.  Jason still had a lot of vulnerability when he was paired with Robin and to lesser extents Liz.  He and Sam were hit or miss.

I agree he's done a good job this week as well.

5 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

And you two can make it three. I have fun memories of Lois from when I was young. And I fell in love with Rena Sofer...she of the beautiful eyes and jet-black hair...back in the days when she led THE CHRONICLE.

 

While it has gone to heck since then, I felt she had one of the better returns to this show. They just don't know how to write for her. 

There is something about Lois that almost makes me feel she's very moment in time and 90's.  I adore Lois and Rena, but the show seems to have some trouble capturing a modern day Lois and using her properly.    

5 minutes ago, carolineg said:

There is something about Lois that almost makes me feel she's very moment in time and 90's.  I adore Lois and Rena, but the show seems to have some trouble capturing a modern day Lois and using her properly.    

I agree. She was a moment in time. Still...I always hoped she would come back. And I was excited when Rena finally did. I did wonder, given that she was a moment in time, if she would fit in. So I was happy to see how seamless it was...sidenote...love the dream intro during the Eddie Maine story with the leather, the nails, that hair and the slow side-turn with music before Eddie woke up. I ate that up. She was an older and somewhat wiser Lois, but she had not lost her essence. Until that stupid story about her accent that is. And let's not even touch on her part in the Gio story. 

27 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

I agree. She was a moment in time. Still...I always hoped she would come back. And I was excited when Rena finally did. I did wonder, given that she was a moment in time, if she would fit in. So I was happy to see how seamless it was...sidenote...love the dream intro during the Eddie Maine story with the leather, the nails, that hair and the slow side-turn with music before Eddie woke up. I ate that up. She was an older and somewhat wiser Lois, but she had not lost her essence. Until that stupid story about her accent that is. And let's not even touch on her part in the Gio story. 

Outside of the Gio mess, it feels like Lois's life was paused.  Lois is more mature, but she's never really stated what she was doing all these years.  I know managing bands, but even that's on pause.  She didn't find new love (won't talk about Lesli Kay's run and Alcazar), have more children, travel, Idk, do anything but hide Gio with her mom and cousin?   There are all these untapped years that Lois could have been doing anything and it's a shame it's unexplored.

22 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Lois is more mature, but she's never really stated what she was doing all these years.  I know managing bands, but even that's on pause.  She didn't find new love (won't talk about Lesli Kay's run and Alcazar), have more children, travel, Idk, do anything but hide Gio with her mom and cousin?   There are all these untapped years that Lois could have been doing anything and it's a shame it's unexplored.

It's insane. And it absolutely should be explored. Any sensible soap would've run hard with that stuff over the almost 2 years she was back (not counting her recent absence in the last few months). And I still would.

But I don't know if they've actually had a scene where Tracy got to properly rake Lois over the coals re: Gio. I remember her confronting Lois when she found out there was a child, but nothing after the reveal. If there was I missed it and would love to see it. Because the fact is Lois' pathological behavior re: the Qs goes back to the '90s and how they reduced her relationship there to that near the end of Rena's run, spiriting Brook Lynn away for years, etc., and her doing this to them with Gio is both in character for that turn in the character near her exit and also proves she learned nothing.  And I say that as someone who wants Lois back full time, but it should be fully addressed.

Edited September 27Sep 27 by Vee

57 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Outside of the Gio mess, it feels like Lois's life was paused.  Lois is more mature, but she's never really stated what she was doing all these years.  I know managing bands, but even that's on pause.  She didn't find new love (won't talk about Lesli Kay's run and Alcazar), have more children, travel, Idk, do anything but hide Gio with her mom and cousin?   There are all these untapped years that Lois could have been doing anything and it's a shame it's unexplored.

I would love to see more unexplored things from that time Lois has been gone. Perhaps they will at some point. Though given how I felt about this past week (outside of the Monica stuff), I am doubtful that I would trust the writers. Shocking for me to say given how much I've been enjoying the show since I've been back regularly viewing. 

 

And you talking about a new love breeds its own story idea. What if Lois did have new love and her new love came to PC? It would take care of our discussions about getting Lois a love life on canvas.

30 minutes ago, Vee said:

It's insane. And it absolutely should be explored. Any sensible soap would've run hard with that stuff over the almost 2 years she was back (not counting her recent absence in the last few months). And I still would.

But I don't know if they've actually had a scene where Tracy got to properly rake Lois over the coals re: Gio. I remember her confronting Lois when she found out there was a child, but nothing after the reveal. If there was I missed it and would love to see it. Because the fact is Lois' pathological behavior re: the Qs goes back to the '90s and how they reduced her relationship there to that near the end of Rena's run, spiriting Brook Lynn away for years, etc., and her doing this to them with Gio is both in character for that turn in the character near her exit and also proves she learned nothing.  And I say that as someone who wants Lois back full time, but it should be fully addressed.

I don't think there was a Tracy/Lois scene post-Gio reveal.  Someone correct me if I am wrong though.  Lois booked it out of town pretty shortly after.  Obviously, we saw Tracy/Lois this week, but it wasn't the time or place.

I honestly think Ned should be the one to call Lois out on that behavior.  Ned should have a lot more to say given everything that happened in the 90's.  Jane Elliot is practically carrying this show on her back these days. GH can throw Wally a bone and give him half an episode to talk about it.

I do agree with your main point that Lois feels more stunted than she should.  GH does this with most returns for characters that are gone for extended periods.  Should I really believe Lucky never spoke to his son for years to do whatever he was doing?  Brenda, a successful supermodel, was pining after Sonny for 15 years?  Or Lois's only concern was hiding Gio from the rest of the family?  Her accent bothers her now?  GH consistently misses easy beats to play when it comes to bringing back characters.

 

5 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

And you talking about a new love breeds its own story idea. What if Lois did have new love and her new love came to PC? It would take care of our discussions about getting Lois a love life on canvas.

I would have added someone for her almost immediately.  There isn't really anyone suitable on canvas.  It would make a lot more sense if Lois came back to PC to see Brook Lynn and Ned/Eddie if her life had recently fallen apart and she was running from something.  She came back and her life appeared to be successful and she decided to stay for months and left everything behind for no reason.

8 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I would have added someone for her almost immediately.  There isn't really anyone suitable on canvas.  It would make a lot more sense if Lois came back to PC to see Brook Lynn and Ned/Eddie if her life had recently fallen apart and she was running from something.  She came back and her life appeared to be successful and she decided to stay for months and left everything behind for no reason.

Whether it's a new Jax like we talked about (an idea I am still iffy on) or someone entirely new or a man from her past, I would definitely do it. Rena Sofer should not come back after almost 30 years and be relegated to clucking away as part of the coterie at Deception and Home & Heart. She spearheaded story at B&B for a reason and she can still do it here. Her coming back running from something would also be a good angle, even now if she needs a reentry after her brief exile.

Of course a lot of women in her age range (Alexis, Anna, Laura) all need partners or story, so therein lies the issue - there's too many of them and that's not even counting Ava (or Carly), who at least have options already on hand. I would frontburner Laura again like she was a couple years ago - the treatment of her post-Sprina seems downright punitive at this point - but that's a whole other topic. Anyway, yes, Lois deserves a lot more. But at a certain point the show is spoiled for talented women of a certain age and it's begun to become a question of real estate and space. (Honestly, Alexis is my lowest priority lol)

Edited September 27Sep 27 by Vee

2 hours ago, Taoboi said:

I feel Steve Burton has hit his stride in this return. And while he was always good at Jason, I just feel he emotes in a way that I don't feel that resonated with me before like it does now. I'm not sure how to explain it well. Perhaps it's because he was given stuff to do, and it was there and okay. Or he was more relationship based which SB could always do. But this time around, with trying to connect Jason more with his kids and standing more alone as a character, Steve has centered Jason at this time in his life better. 

I think it's because he no longer entertains thoughts of being the next action star or has a Christian fundamentalist wife breathing her hypocritical air down his neck.

13 minutes ago, Vee said:

Whether it's a new Jax like we talked about (an idea I am still iffy on) or someone entirely new or a man from her past, I would definitely do it. Rena Sofer should not come back after almost 30 years and be relegated to clucking away as part of the coterie at Deception and Home & Heart. She spearheaded story at B&B for a reason and she can still do it here. Her coming back running from something would also be a good angle, even now if she needs a reentry after her brief exile.

 

I am still for the Jax recast idea.  It would give several characters more to do including Carly/Nina and even Sonny.  But at this point I'd be fine if they just recast Miguel Morez and made him the 2nd love of Lois's life or something.  I know.  That's too far.😂

I'd love Lois to be on more as well and to be integrated back into the Quartermaines. I do wish they'd give her something to do personal or career wise. Working at Deception with Lucy and gossiping with Luna Moody is....cute, but frankly a waste of all three of them acting wise. I kind of like the Lucy and Lois work relationship since they were both so close to Brenda.

They have a real romance problem with basically the older women, especially Laura. Her and Kevin have been a nice enough couple, but it's also a little beneath her at this point and has kind of run out of runway if he's back to single digit appearances a year. She really needs a new love interest and so do a few of the other women. I hate that the situation in that age range is so dire that Martin is now making the rounds between all the women because I reckon they're going to try and him Tracy! At least Felicia locked down Mac before they got the idea to try him and Alexis again.

About the memorial, I thought it was lovely and well done. Pleasantly surprised they shelled out for Alan and Emily flashbacks. That wall is getting so crowded sigh.

21 minutes ago, AdelaideCate007 said:

I hate that the situation in that age range is so dire that Martin is now making the rounds between all the women because I reckon they're going to try and him Tracy! 

They are, and it's awful. Josh Kelly has been campaigning for Cody and Tracy in print for some time and I do think it's what Mulcahey may have been slowly angling towards. I would do it.

FV or someone there seems to now have active antipathy towards the Spencers, given not just Genie's obvious treatment in the last couple years (as opposed to her riding high for a few before that - 2022-23 was not that long ago) or the JJ debacle but how Alexa has been largely squandered and the obvious stall on reuniting Dante and Lulu or making them frontburner vs. others. So I don't see it happening any time soon for any of them, which is shameful to me since Laura and her kids should still be central to the show. And yes, I would've introduced a new love interest for her long ago (and reunited Kevin and Lucy). What's ironic is we know that if Tony was willing to make a return I think Frank would probably roll over again. He seemingly gave TG everything and let him run roughshod over his and Ron's own plans in the 2010s.

Edited September 28Sep 28 by Vee

1 hour ago, AdelaideCate007 said:

I'd love Lois to be on more as well and to be integrated back into the Quartermaines. I do wish they'd give her something to do personal or career wise. Working at Deception with Lucy and gossiping with Luna Moody is....cute, but frankly a waste of all three of them acting wise. I kind of like the Lucy and Lois work relationship since they were both so close to Brenda.

They have a real romance problem with basically the older women, especially Laura. Her and Kevin have been a nice enough couple, but it's also a little beneath her at this point and has kind of run out of runway if he's back to single digit appearances a year. She really needs a new love interest and so do a few of the other women. I hate that the situation in that age range is so dire that Martin is now making the rounds between all the women because I reckon they're going to try and him Tracy! At least Felicia locked down Mac before they got the idea to try him and Alexis again.

About the memorial, I thought it was lovely and well done. Pleasantly surprised they shelled out for Alan and Emily flashbacks. That wall is getting so crowded sigh.

The show seems to have a romance problem, period - the most the younger set gets is Joss' bed romps, and the very twee or sparse material with Cody/Molly or Emma/Gio. I think it's more noticeable with the older women because they are more compelling so you should expect this to be showcased.

I saw a lot of complaints about the funeral - why wasn't this person there, why weren't the flashbacks truer to Monica's character, why weren't the kids there, and so on. I can see some of the complaints, especially in the inevitable need to sanitize a character and their history or focus on the wrong element, but overall I thought they got it right. Yes it would have been nice to, as I saw suggested, have Brenda or the Wards and so on there, but that was never happening. I'm glad the kids weren't there. And some of the flashbacks were a fun surprise, especially getting to see a moment with Lucy and Monica. I'm also glad, as someone mentioned earlier in the thread, we got a few mentions of Dawn, presumably for the first time in decades. 

I'm just, as already mentioned, so grateful Jane Elliot is there, as she just exquisitely translated material that could have been boilerplate. And she allowed for a more nuanced goodbye for Monica than just the manpain and leather jacketed angst we would have had in the peak Q slaughtering years. 

I never expected Jason and Tracy to be the two heads of the Q family, but it works much better than it ever should have.

2 hours ago, Khan said:

I think it's because he no longer entertains thoughts of being the next action star or has a Christian fundamentalist wife breathing her hypocritical air down his neck.

That is probably a big factor. He's getting older, he has less to prove, the whole badass Sopranos world Frons and Guza enabled is long gone (imagine Guza's reaction to Heart & Home - bullets flying, I would guess). 

There's also much more natural drama in exploring what's left with Jason and the Quartermaines. I imagine that will wane now with Monica gone, but even though Jason will never be Jason Quartermaine again, I hope they will keep those ties. The regret and years of lost chances are very poignant. I think in some ways it's more poignant now because he is just in the middle of two worlds (the Qs and the waning Sonny/Carly nexus) he's a part of but also not really a part of anymore - people move on but he can't because of so much time he has lost, not just with the Qs, but his kids, the women he loved, what have you.

There's also a role for Jake in all this but good luck with that. 

2 hours ago, carolineg said:

I would have added someone for her almost immediately.  There isn't really anyone suitable on canvas.  It would make a lot more sense if Lois came back to PC to see Brook Lynn and Ned/Eddie if her life had recently fallen apart and she was running from something.  She came back and her life appeared to be successful and she decided to stay for months and left everything behind for no reason.

While so many Bensonhurst people are on the canvas and Ellen Travolta still with us, maybe they should do some type of Bensonhurst-based mystery to help explain her years away and behavior in that time.

Edited September 28Sep 28 by DRW50

12 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

The show seems to have a romance problem, period - the most the younger set gets is Joss' bed romps, and the very twee or sparse material with Cody/Molly or Emma/Gio. I think it's more noticeable with the older women because they are more compelling so you should expect this to be showcased.

They do. It's weird. They seem largely noncommittal about many romance stories or in a slow holding pattern with others, for all ages. It's strange that side characters (like the Black canvas), evildoers/troublemakers like Drew/Willow, Ava and Joss (who seems increasingly isolated still) are the only ones seeming actively engaged with either romance or getting laid. Even Jason and Britt, for example, are not going to happen overnight like the first time.

Edited September 28Sep 28 by Vee