BTG: January 2026 Discussion Thread

My queen. Shanice is the moment.

Ready for the best American soap to dominate a second year in a row!

Can't believe today is the last episode of Season 1, and Season 2 tomorrow, wow! I wonder if we'll get an updated opening for Season 2?

33 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

Can't believe today is the last episode of Season 1, and Season 2 tomorrow, wow! I wonder if we'll get an updated opening for Season 2?

What would you like to see?

Can't wait for S2! Hoping for bigger and better things. I imagine getting a show off the ground and running is a daunting task, but they should be hitting their stride now. I'm ready for this ride.

Writers:
Christopher Dunn
Cheryl L. Davis

Director:
Steven Williford

I'm intrigued to see if there will be any new breakdown and script writers that will be joining the show for S2. I ask because I recall that Ron C, Chris Dunn, and Lynn Martin are all leaving the writing staff (as announced back in July 2025).

I also wonder what the arcs for season 2 will be other than Anita's cancer story and am curious about how the co-head-writer thing between MVJ and Tracy T works... if they split it 50/50 or if MVJ comes up with the ideas and Tracy T has to implement them, etc.

Today is a heartbreaking episode - all about cancer. So emotional and well-acted today. I'm assuming one of the sisters will have this gene, so which one? I'm going to guess Nicole...

I'm believing too that once they got a Season 2 pick-up, they altered things and Winterfest became tame and they started this cancer storyline.

What a finale.

I cried from start to finish

original release date: Thursday, January 1, 2026 | writers: Christopher Dunn, Cheryl L. Davis | director: Steven Williford

Thoughts:

• Nicole having flashbacks of Anita telling her and Dani about her diagnosis feels all too real. I have been in that situation; it is not fun. I appreciate her reaching out to Ted, though. Growth exists with her doing that.

• I appreciate Vernon being there, side by side, with Anita. That is how a husband should be, especially when they take their vows as seriously as he does. And Anita is radiating, despite what she has just gone through.

• The con artist child bride is acting as entitled as ever. Good to see the New Year has not changed her at all. Must have been her resolution to continue being herself.

• Oh, Chelsea and Naomi, what an unfortunate time to walk in on the conversation. Poor dear.

• Of course she would eavesdrop on a conversation she has no right hearing. Disgusting behaviour from the whore of Fairmont Crest.

• Vernon is so cute at trying to keep peace for Anita's sake, but he really came across as 'desperate' for them to go. And you can tell Chelsea and Naomi are reading it.

• The dynamic difference between how Chelsea and Naomi took Anita's news was beautiful. Naomi is a bit more composed, both as the older sister and someone who knows someone who went through this; Chelsea is a bit more emotional, as the younger sibling experiencing this for the first time.

• Of course the con artist child bride would mock this situation. What a vile, self-centred excuse of a bitch she happens to be.

• Of course the spoilt, self-centred bitch is going to refuse to be tested. Sweetheart, sweetie, this is not about you in this moment.

• Seeing Bill there with Dani, Naomi, and Chelsea feels absolutely right. That is the family he belongs with. And I hope in this year we see it happen.

• I appreciate Nicole checking in on Ted's relationship with the spoilt, self-centred bitch first before she opened up a bit about what is going on with her.

• Aw, I love how Martin knows what to say. He really handled the situation so beautifully. With some humour, appreciation, and determining support.

• Oh my... how beautiful is it to see Anita seeing her memories in that photo album while hearing the voices of her loved ones from over the years? That got me very choked up.

Notes:

• Dunn and Davis continue to be perfectly matched in their roles as breakdown and scriptwriter, respectively. They both know their roles extremely well.

• Williford's direction is spot on this episode. He, after Phideaux Xavier, has the most enriched history within American daytime, and it shows. That alt. shot in the Richardson home, by the bar, was beautiful. In fact, today's episode has some nice shots on the sets that were used.

• Seeing the various characters finding out about Anita's cancer was beyond real. So real. And very compelling.

• Once again, Tamara Tunie (Anita), Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole), and Karla Mosley (Dani) have done exceptional work today, and Clifton Davis (Vernon) continues to rise to the occasion. In fact, the entire cast showed up to work on this day. Episode 200.

• Dani running to Bill before running to her children is very on-brand for the character; the same could be said about Nicole going to her children first. Nicole has matured from her marriage, while Dani still wishes she were in hers, despite being remarried.

• The isolation of this episode was brilliant. True classic American soap opera from beginning to end. The interwoven storytelling across the sets of characters was outstanding.

• That PSA at the end was beautiful and well placed. Wow. This whole episode has me in tears with how beautiful it truly was! Wow! Happy 200 episodes, Beyond the Gates! Perfection.

12 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

1. The isolation of this episode was brilliant. True classic American soap opera from beginning to end. The interwoven storytelling across the sets of characters was outstanding.

which is why this is the episode they submit for the emmys: best show, best writing, best direction; among the actors, tamara, for sure.

Edited 43 minutes ago43 min by wonderwoman1951

We haven't talked about this in a long time, but revisiting Kat's parentage... I wonder if during this genetic testing we'll find out something very interesting... which is why I think Nicole will have it over Dani, since they already set up Kat being against getting tested.