I enjoyed that other stories/characters were focused on that weren't tied to the cancer story.  And Friday's episode had a new breakdown writer.. one of the long term veterans of breakdown writing that was on Y & R during the Bill Bell era.

The one thing I wish this soap would fix would be to stop having just Dupree only gatherings.

When people say that this show has P & G elements, I can't totally agree because most of the gatherings seem be Dupree only events when the great soaps like GL & AT& T were all about the community gatherings/events.

Also, I see Derek looks to be resuming his gradual path to being a darker character.  It's been in the works on and off going all the way back to the first time he had a frantic/jealous look on his face the second he laid eyes on Ashley/Andre interacting with one another.

His scenes with Jan told me that he's playing the remorseful guy that is telling Jan about Ashley's new man out of 'concern', but I think it was done in order to cause a bit of trouble for Ashley post break up.   I have to say I find this gender reversal to be refreshing since this type of play is usually reserved for the third party female character as seen from infamous 3rd party female characters like Kristen Dimera, Sami Brady, Annie Dutton, etc.

On 1/14/2026 at 4:43 PM, Vee said:

It was very interesting how they contrasted Nicole's minor crashout with Dani and Andre coping maturely while blissfully in love. You compare that to a little over a year ago where Dani was binge-drinking and passing out daily.

Good comparison.

On 1/15/2026 at 12:34 PM, Antoyne said:

Moving Leslie over to the Joey and Marcel world and away from Ted has done WONDERS for the character. THIS is how you keep a bad girl Viable on canvas.

I'm up for all the mess that Joey, Marcel, and Leslie are gonna bring. Leslie becoming a female gangsta in her own right would be a good way to get an individual rivalry between her and Vanessa to escalate.

On another note: I want a episode or two of June, Regina, and Samantha spending time together.

2 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

Also, I see Derek looks to be resuming his gradual path to being a darker character.

I sooooooooooooo thought of you as I watching Friday's episodes.

1-14

Well-timed.

The Anita's Cancer Storyline is off to a good and strong start as an A story. But yep...that subject matter is heavy and/or triggering for some. And for it to work, it does need to have some side-stories. So I liked that while there were echoes of it, the episode was about other stories.

I shouldn't be surprised. For better or for worse Joey was the most solid of B stories last year. And no shock that that train is still going. And Joey vs Silk Press Sheila has been building nicely this year. And Marcel and Vanessa being mixed up in that...with all the stories they are tied...makes it very fun to watch. And now Bill has been added, too? Bring it!

I enjoyed the friendship scenes. Since this show is very good at people popping up when it gets mentioned on here a lot

like Kial popping up next week and Donnell down the road allegedly.

hereeee's PAMELA. I liked her scenes with Dani. And I liked Vanessa's with Nicole. Though we know my friendship preferences. I also saw some people discussing Pamela. Well, there's that Vanessa/Pamela rivalry they teased a while back so...if they want to use her more...it IS possible.

And wait a minute! A double date for Vanessa and Nicole. I feel like that is going to be trouble. I don't mind it though. The Joey/Vanessa storyline has been mostly backburnered. Part of that I feel has been that they want the secret of Doug's death to grow and that needs time to breathe. But they really have not done much since they came public. So I'm here for Nicole being a spoiler short-term for them.

Hehe at Hayley. That said...with her poisoning Bill over the last few months, I take it this part of her story will go on until February Sweeps. Perhaps a climax with a remote?

Dani, Dani, Dani. But that ending...classic soap.