7 minutes ago, Vanguardian53 said:

Lamon Archey doesn't sound too bad as Luke Hawthorne at all. Throw in Cassandra Freeman as Darlene and it's complete.

As for Mr. Jamey Giddens, he was pretty stellar with "Ambitions". THINGS HAPPENED on that show complete with cliffhangers. It reminded me of a daytime soap in the best way.

Agree with all of this. Ambitions was my shi.t. Hated it only got one season.

10 hours ago, Chris B said:

and I think he's done a good job of bringing a level of depth like the discussion of how Black women are more at risk from lymphedema in yesterday's episode. That is a meaningful thing to add to a breakdown and something that only a Black writer would've caught.

Posting this as an example of Jamey claiming credit for a story idea.  He did this several times regarding DAYS, claiming that he pitched the idea  AND wrote the breakdown.  This is something he does - tweeting that a story idea was his idea.
I'm not saying the lymphedema idea was or wasn't actually his idea, as I would have no way of knowing.
Just saying that he is a breakdown writer who sometimes claims to have also pitched storyline ideas.

https://x.com/Jamey_Giddens/status/1983543763608772911

I pitched this and wrote the breakdown, so... #BeyondTheGates https://t.co/QMhVy2kjKE pic.twitter.com/sWJJC5rgj4

— Jamey_Giddens (@Jamey_Giddens) October 29, 2025

Edited October 30Oct 30 by janea4old

So in addition to Mona and Laura, Nicole also has Wanda?

Meanwhile no Rowena or any sign of help for Dani.

I'm thinking maybe Mona was supposed to be on and the actress wasn't available at the last minute so they did a quick rewrite?

That can happen with recurring players.

Does anyone else find Martin and especially Smitty way too noble and worthy?

Their dealings with Samantha (who's underage!) showed little compassion IMO. They would have been better off with a softer approach.

And an example of the dialogue that tries too hard.

Martin said something along the lines of 'I'm like a nuclear explosion and you're the cooling system'

Just go with- 'Yea I go over the top and you're the calm one' or something to that effect. Sounds way more like how someone might actually speak.

I did like Nicole putting out Carlton's fire. He took it well and can always be around as one of those backup characters that are useful in soaps to provide a little lovin' b/w big romances.

As for Ted,I really don't know where they can go to next. Nothing about the character is appealing at the moment.

Edited October 30Oct 30 by Paul Raven

I'm here for Ted and June. That's the most interesting he's been since the recast.

 

There was a random RW reference in the episode that I didn’t get but did a to d know that the actor that plays Smitty was on the DC season? I watched this back in the day and didn’t realize it. Honestly don’t remember these people besides Emily as she did a few Challenges

 

 

Edited October 30Oct 30 by Cheap21

Febreze spraying it's holiday cheer. lol 

Nicole looks amazing!

Writers:
Sara A. Bibel
Danielle Paige

Director:
Michael V. Pomarico

Boring episode. Ashley/Derrick. Samantha whining about grounding. This completely drops the momentum the show has had the past couple of weeks. 

date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | Sara A. Bibel, Danielle Paige | Michael V. Pomarico

• Aw, I love the reminiscing of past times with Nicole and Vernon and the history of how the Richardsons did Halloween. So cute. And a scary movie marathon? I love that.
• Good on Bradley and Martin for sticking to their guns and not budging on Samantha's punishment. Look at Tyrell about to have a fun Halloween night out! So cute!
• Dana is legitimately trying to trick-or-treat right now? Sweetie, calm down. Buy your own candy. Stay home.
• Samantha, your parents are adults, and what is it your business what they do and how often they do it? Stuff your teenage piehole and get over it.
• It is so cute to see Nicole and Vernon enjoying their night. That is like the cutest thing I have seen in a long time.
• Okay, so Nathan is stereotypical high school scum. Brings me back to my miserable high school days, but Tyrell, do not do anything stupid. Admirable you want to stick up for Samantha, but do not do it at your own expense.
• Nicole just barrelled through Samantha's story to remove the flowery façade from the forced truth.
• Dani would climb down the window via bedsheets. Ha.
• Of course that is the influence the snot-nosed, entitled bitch would have on Samantha. Damn.
• Right as I was beginning to be on their side and not call them by my nickname for them, the deadbeat goes and eavesdrops on a private conversation. WTAF. So disgusting.
• Not the oncoming anxiety attack for Ashley discussing wedding plans. Oh, sweetie. Derek is not the man for you.
• I appreciate the backstory developing between Dana and Ted. It humanises Dana and also adds more flavours to Ted.
• Oh, deadbeat, calm your ass down. You should not have even been listening to that conversation. Disgusting.

Notes:

• After two consecutive breakdowns by writer², it is nice to have one from someone else. And while Bibel may not be my favourite, in comparison, she is miles better.
• Whew. That Febreze selling ad was cute... but that scent sounds disgusting.
• As ridiculous as she is, Trisha Mann-Grant (Dana) plays those camp comedy moments to the hilt and back again.
• The dated wedding costumes are hilarious.
• I appreciate the continued open discussions regarding sex, sexuality, and virginity. It is relatable and eye-opening, and can hopefully help those who may be dealing with the same feelings/having the same views.

I'm rooting for Vanessa too, Doug was a huge arse loser

 

 

 

Ted and Leslie becoming friends to lovers is on my bingo card !!!!!!!!!

 

Trisha had me grinning all epsiode.

I love that Tyrell didnt have to use hands to beat Nathan. 

Everybody is on Samantha and rightfully so when Tyrell is gonna be the one having sex 

9 hours ago, janea4old said:

Posting this as an example of Jamey claiming credit for a story idea.  He did this several times regarding DAYS, claiming that he pitched the idea  AND wrote the breakdown.  This is something he does - tweeting that a story idea was his idea.
I'm not saying the lymphedema idea was or wasn't actually his idea, as I would have no way of knowing.
Just saying that he is a breakdown writer who sometimes claims to have also pitched storyline ideas.

https://x.com/Jamey_Giddens/status/1983543763608772911

I pitched this and wrote the breakdown, so... #BeyondTheGates https://t.co/QMhVy2kjKE pic.twitter.com/sWJJC5rgj4

— Jamey_Giddens (@Jamey_Giddens) October 29, 2025

Breakdown writers do pitch story so that isn't unusual or unique to him.

Oh, so they really are going full steam ahead with Ted/Leslie then? Okay then... well hopefully these writers have absolutely no plans to put Ted with Nicole ever again and Nicole needs to find a guy who will actually appreciate her. I still think Eva might be salvageable but Leslie... Maybe if the writers would find some kind of satisfying resolution to the whole Laura thing, maybe a lot of people wouldn't be so pissed off at Leslie/Eva to begin with. 

If Phyllis on Y & R can still be a viable (I use that term loosely here) character after running down Christine/Paul... then I have no doubt that SPS will most likely stay a viable character until the actress opts to leave.

Ted being Leslie's friend would not work at all. She ruined his life and is not even sorry for having done so. Not to mentioned he just mentioned the attempted murder which makes friendship even less sensible.

Samantha was completely wrong for blaming her behavior on Kat. She listened to a conversation that did not involve her and was not told to emulate adult behavior.