The Anita and Andre scenes in yesterday's episode were well-done. It gave me classic ATWT vibes.

Writers:
Teresa Zimmerman
Cheryl L. Davis

Director:
Steven Williford

17 hours ago, Antoyne said:

Leslie and Marcel as two evil hoes finding love works for me as well. Leslie needs someone who isn’t a law abiding citizen to match her and Marcel’s murdering ass is perfect. And they def have chemistry and unlike Ted, Marcel actually comes off like he’s interested.

I came in here to say this and you said it perfectly! I feel the same way :)

I also really enjoy seeing a former "friend" of Hayley and Randy's past... she's interesting and I hope she stays around a bit. They need to watch her...

Ashley is actually likeable today. She is more palatable when we dont focus on her love life. She's fine as a side character, not the main

date: Friday, December 19, 2025 | Teresa Zimmerman, Cheryl L. Davis | Steven Williford

Thoughts:

• I love that it is a tradition for the women of the Dupree family to go hunting for their Christmas presents.

• So sweet to see Sharon and Tracy showing up for Anita in her time of need. Sometimes all you really need are your girlfriends to rally around you. #ArticulettesStrong

• I really like that Ashley offered to work for Shanice after Shanice did it on Thanksgiving; it is also nice seeing the iciness of Shanice begin to thaw overall.

• Damn, Nicole is high on the holiday right now. Haha. Love seeing her embracing the light of the world right now, especially with how 2025 began for her.

• Peaches brings out the most human parts of Dana and it is those parts that I need to see more of from her.

• I love Tracy sharing her own history with her cancer scare with Anita. Shows she has so much compassion and understanding for how she is feeling.

• Looks like Carlton and Nicole are official. I love that for her, despite how much I felt like he was trying a bit too hard.

• That gift from Ashley to Shanice was actually cute. I also would not touch it if it said that on the outside. And likely would not put sh*t in the fridge, either.

• I love how much Dani wants to give Andre a happy Christmas celebration. I hope he is prepared and ready for it.

• Dana, how wrong you absolutely are about Sharon and Vernon, but your nosy-rosy cannot stay out of it.

• Not Tracy calling out Sharon for her whispers.

• Poor Anita, but it is not a death sentence. You can still fight this. I know it.

Notes:

• I love that we started the week strong with Zimmerman and Davis, and we've ended it strong with them, as well.

• The continued discussions about breast cancer, mortality, etc. are so refreshing but also not at all forced. It's beautiful.

3 hours ago, Melroser said:

Greg Vaughan said in an interview he is recurring (at least for now) and is still commuting from Texas for work. I do wonder what the point of Nicole and Carleton were this week if the writers were leaning towards Nicole and Kial. It made no sense. It seemed like Nicole was regressing by going back to Carleton. Hadn't they just agreed to go to Winterfest as friends and then she's making out with him on her living room floor. Weird.

I don't want to see Dani and Bill back together yet, either. I enjoy Dani and Andre and there is no reason for Dani to leave him right now. Of course, if something from his past comes about to put a wrench in that I could see a Dani/BIll hookup behind Andre and Hayley's backs. That might be fun and messy.

I'm tired of Vanessa and Joey. I'm starting to eyeroll every time I see them now. Vanessa is a character I've never understood. I loved her early on when she was a smart business woman, essentially confident in herself, and hooking up whenever she wanted. In control of her life, but now she's a whiny mess who is letting Joey dictate everything she does. I don't like it. The story needs to move forward. I'd rather see Joey involved with backing Bill against Martin for congress than watch him saddled with Vanessa.

The Hawthorne matriarch should definitely be in the picture. It should be an established actress to be another lead. She could be a force who is down-to-earth and doesn't like Anita's "lavish" lifestyle, putting them at odds. Add some more tension between Jacob and Naomi's families. Debbi Morgan could be perfect. The show definitely needs a second major family.

I'm curious to see where Leslie and Marcel go. Are they really falling for each other or are they each trying to play the other? Will Leslie think she's smarter than the cop? Will Marcel be the first to get her to slip up? I'm here for it.

I agree with pretty much all of this.

-- Just started today's show. Ashley is better in her scenes with Shanice, but would Jan really go on a cruise over Christmas, leaving Ashley on her own? Don't buy it, and it just seems random.

-- Peaches in that hospital bed wearing the oxygen mask just makes me laugh. Sorry.

-- I do love the healthcare these people have that enables them to stay in a hospital bed at Garland for weeks.

-- Gotta love Andre being treated like some photographer genius when all he did was touch up a photo the way a middle schooler would using an iPhone.