1 hour ago, j swift said:

But, the last time we saw Cat and EJ, the Wuthering Heights reference were very heavy-handed (e.g. EJ carrying a copy).  Yet, today, there was really no direct reference to the book.  I guess we could extract the adoption of Tesoro as an abstraction of Kathy's choice to allow Heathcliff to be known as the father of her child.  But, it doesn't make Cat beholden to EJ, like Kathy was to Heathcliff, in any way, so far.  

Are the books a thing?  Is anyone else focusing on them?

I know I'm repeating myself, but this book stuff (Wuthering Heights, the bookstore, Stephanie the author) is DREADFUL. It's not 2025 soap, at least not as it's being used. It reeks and it creaks. There's no life in any of it.

I find it intriguing, and it is not enough to make me stop watching, (I assume the same is true for you).  @ranger1rg

So, to be repetitive,😉 I'm on a wait-and-see track.  If they can make it work, I would be interested.  Thus far, they've introduced the Wuthering Heights stuff this week, and Julie just re-opened the bookstore.  Which is an evergreen teen hangout, and much more suitable than the Pub.  Hopefully, it could grow into Julie's legacy in Horton Square.  I would compare the inspiration to a cultural interest in Colleen Hoover, and the rise in reading among young women -- I always play the game, what were people talking about a year and a half ago?

My only question is -- do the books matter, or was that a single episode device?   Also, where did they get fresh pumpkins in the middle of winter?

Edited October 30Oct 30 by j swift

-- Why does Amy Choi have this much power and control over where her grandchild lands?

-- The Halloween Tour stuff was so bad.

There’s a certain irony in the fact that they’ve just built this new courtroom set for Johnny's trial in August, yet so many current storylines revolve around characters doing everything they can to avoid setting foot in it. You’re absolutely right; Amy Choi shouldn’t have any authority over where her grandchild ends up. But the story hinges on EJ trying to shield Johnny from a legal showdown, preventing Amy from even having the chance to assert control over the baby. Similarly, when Tony reclaimed DiMera from Titan, it was another maneuver designed to sidestep the courtroom. It’s a strange through line: characters keep dodging legal battles, even as the show unveils this new setting for exactly this type of dramatic event.

Characters keep using dialogue about how they don't want to step in front of a judge and make the argument. For example, Amy Choi said that Johnny withdrawing from the adoption would look bad, but why not let a judge decide? Why was EJ certain he could defend Johnny for murder, but not for the adoption?  When there's a courtroom set just gathering dust.  

Edited October 31Oct 31 by j swift

18 minutes ago, j swift said:

Characters keep using dialogue about how they don't want to step in front of a judge and make the argument. For example, Amy Choi said that Johnny withdrawing from the adoption would look bad, but why not let a judge decide? Why was EJ certain he could defend Johnny for murder, but not for the adoption?  When there's a courtroom set just gathering dust.  

All of that would be so much more interesting than light stuff like this insipid Halloween tour.

7 hours ago, ranger1rg said:

I know I'm repeating myself, but this book stuff (Wuthering Heights, the bookstore, Stephanie the author) is DREADFUL. It's not 2025 soap, at least not as it's being used. It reeks and it creaks. There's no life in any of it.

With booktok, there's been a certain pop culture revival for books, although I know that isn't the show's version. It might be interesting to see Julie get a following on tiktok, then have to address some of her old scandals being raked up by the drama channels and social justice channels.

Boy, am I glad that we didn't get some dopey fantasy episode for Halloween this year 😂

Today was sort of an improvement over what yesterday turned into, even though there were some things that I didn't like. Susan was completely unnecessary though. If this is what Stacy Haiduk's been reduced to, just write both of her characters out.

I still think the One Stormy Night thing has been way too hyped up all this time. I mean, where's the drama? And I wasn't here for Leo's pity party about Tesoro either. But I'm looking forward to what this is all going to lead into, particularly Alex vs. Jeremy. And, I wouldn't mind there being a custody battle for Tesoro, even though I wonder what's going to happen now that social services made a decision about him.

I kinda felt bad for Jeremy though. I guess he's not that good of a teacher lol I really hope that they don't trick us in the end and make Jeremy a bad guy. He's been a welcome addition to the cast, and I'd hate to see him get ruined again. And, I think we met Sophia's little brother too.

But I thought Marlena was used very well today. I like how she was there to give guidance to everybody, especially her awful granddaughter lol who needs a slap. I'm not really a fan of her trying to make Thomas as awful as she is. 

The cliffhanger ending was really good too.

Btw, Happy Birthday Dee! 🎉🎉

I haven't watched today's episode yet, so maybe it was a cleared up but has Susan ever mentioned why she's still in town?  Doesn't she have a life and a husband wherever she lives?  She came for Johnny's trial and that's been over for weeks.  I always think Susan is unnecessary, but there is truly not a single reason for her to be around.

Wuthering Heights?

3 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

And, I think we met Sophia's little brother too.

 

I assumed it was her little brother too.  I can't believe Rachel has yet to tell Cooper Choi how evil and psychotic his sister is.  You'd think she'd care more about what happened to Tate rather than petty drama with Chad/Cat.

18 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I assumed it was her little brother too.  I can't believe Rachel has yet to tell Cooper Choi how evil and psychotic his sister is.  You'd think she'd care more about what happened to Tate rather than petty drama with Chad/Cat.

Give her time 😂

I hope Brady was not dumb enough to tell Rachel about Sofia and Tate.  Although, she's bright and might figure it out on her own.

Oh, I don't think Brady told her.  Rachel just seems like the type of child that lurks around and eavesdrops on conversations.  

3 hours ago, carolineg said:

I haven't watched today's episode yet, so maybe it was a cleared up but has Susan ever mentioned why she's still in town?  Doesn't she have a life and a husband wherever she lives?  She came for Johnny's trial and that's been over for weeks.  I always think Susan is unnecessary, but there is truly not a single reason for her to be around.

At this point, the only capacity that she could (possibly) work in would be her trying to mend fences between EJ and Johnny. But for some reason, they’d rather keep her as comic relief. 

All the more reason just to write Stacy Haiduk out. There’s not gonna be any story for Kristen either once the truth about Rachel comes out. 

3 hours ago, Taoboi said:

Wuthering Heights?

Yeah. 

It’s EJ and Cat’s new favorite book 😂

17 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

At this point, the only capacity that she could (possibly) work in would be her trying to mend fences between EJ and Johnny. But for some reason, they’d rather keep her as comic relief. 

All the more reason just to write Stacy Haiduk out. There’s not gonna be any story for Kristen either once the truth about Rachel comes out. 

I haven't really seen Susan even try to mend fences between them nor is she involved with Johnny/Chanel's adoption, so is she there for Marlena's story?

I didn't even understand her last scenes with Stephanie.  She was happy about someone being murdered like in Stephanie's book?  It didn't seem like a warning.  It appeared like she was excited?  So odd...

Kristen has been spent for years.  She is a character who can pop in and out for arcs, but she has no long-term purpose.  At this point Marlena's fairly hands on with Rachel so Kristen isn't necessary.