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.

Monday Jan 19 is special episode with cast talking about Season One of the show.
link to Errol's article

Edited 15 hours ago15 hr by janea4old

1-15

Yep. Last week I hoped that it was not a flop. But this week...yeah, the writers have their rhythm again and I'm loving it. This episode was prime A story with other stories going on. And I liked that. I guess my only problem now that we are on Thursday is they still have not looped around to the cliffhanger with Tomas overhearing Kristen Dimera...I mean Hayley.

I've liked that they have been exploring all angles of the Anita's Cancer story. But it was nice to see Anita post-first treatment. And I loved how throughout the episode that you got to see Anita struggle. And there is still her being mean with Vernon. TT is doing great, but I do worry about the overkill of it. But I feel them beats are getting played. As long as other stories are going on, it won't be too depressing. Speaking of...

I'm kinda really excited for Cotillion. It's slowly moving from a background C plot to a solid B plot. We haven't really had a teen story since Ty and his bullying and Samantha's sexual awakening urges. So...overdue. And I do like how this is fleshing out the drama already going on between Ty and Jessica. So I wonder with all of this build-up, are we going to actually see it? Like a Teen story, it's overdue for another event.

Ashley bring GOOD C plot wasn't on my bingo card. I can't believe that she's being somewhat fun again. I loved her scenes with Shanice (so cute that she was out of the gossip loop) and Naomi. It was truly girl talk and the ice cream (while I was actually eating ice cream) took me out. Made Shanice frisky and got her to make a move on Ted. Got Naomi to be nice. And got Ashley ready for a Round 2 with Greyson...who I'm loving her with. And Mmmm Jordi. lol. But...uh oh.

SIDE-NOTE...something else I've noticed. The episodes have gone back to ending on nice little cliffhangers again. And sometimes not just one. Keep going.

So...we might be getting Dark Derek after all. Uh oh now.

I don't know what to think about Hayley. lol. I thought she was sincere when she text messaged Naomi. And Naomi thanking her in front of Bill was well-timed given Bill and Hayley had just fought. Now I wonder...did she plan that? But every scene and thing involving Hayley/Bill/Dani was giving me Kristen/John/Marlena circa 90s DAYS.

The best thing about Eva for me is Ambyr's hair. Kat called her out for being fake. And KAT WAS NOT WRONG. If Ted didn't ask her, Eva wouldn't have done it. Be sincere, bitca.

I can't believe how well June has managed to fit in.

19 hours ago, Taoboi said:

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

IMHO, Derek turning to the dark side has most likely been in the plans since day 1 of the show.

I know someone in this board mentioned there was an interview they saw where it was mentioned that the first six months were mapped out when production started and that the show pretty much followed those plan.   So when I looked at episodes 120/121 (the six month mark), I saw that the plan was still for Andre/Ashley to be end game with the implication being that he was sticking with Dani because she needed him after Chelsea's kidnapping and she was sticking with Derek because he couldn't walk. The scene was presented/acted as if they were being kept apart due to obligations and misunderstandings.. not because they weren't interested in one another.

I think had Andre/Ashley been popular with viewers, the whole Derek faking his recovery angle would have played out a lot longer, but because he and Dani were so popular together, the story ended suddenly. Now the show is regrouping by establishing Ashley as a single woman slowly getting back out into the dating field while a jealous Derek is looking to sabotage it.   

Let's see if the writers actually follow through on this new set up, or if they'll drop it like they've dropped so many promising threads when it comes to Ashley thus far.

1-16

Two good weeks in a row. And Dark Derek LIVES!!!

I think for me, I like the fact that last week it was about the testing for Dani and Nicole. And this week was not only the follow-up for them, but we get the testing for Chelesa and Naomi. It just organically flowed from step to step. I definitely can't wait for this coming week...which from the next week synopsis already looks good.

Yeah...I can see (outside of Ambyr's hair) that I have completely soured on Eva. So much so that I'm over her with Izaiah, too. And I at least enjoyed them. She is just sitting here being a victim and uhhhh NO. I need my gray layers back for me to like her. And right now...I don't see that.

Thankfully, there was so much going on that I liked. Like Dark Derek. That character was at his best when he was being sneaky. And him seeing Ashley with Grayson and not only got so alone time to get a feel for Grayson, but stirring the pot with Jan...oooo. I guess he is about to get psycho. And that little satisfied smirk at the end. Just messy.

LMAO!!! at Shanice just giving me so much life. And giving Ted life, too. Now THAT'S how you do silliness and it doesn't come off as slapstick-y. JS. Even though I realized rewatching her scenes with Ted. You don't think their date will be at the SAME place as Joey, Vanessa, Nicole, and Carlton??? Was that foreshadowing? She even makes Ashley more likable. Where's her contract???

I know I'm in the minority, but I've been a fan of Jacob/Naomi since the beginning. And goodness knows that Naomi has not made it easy to be a fan of her the last few months. But I guess it says something that Kat can lay out her reasons for not getting tested and I understand, but Naomi not wanting to see her test results is irking the heck out of me. And I liked Jacob had to get in her face about them.

That said...did she just lie about the results? GUUUUUURLLL!!!! lol. But...that does mean one thing? My happy couple is about to get more story. Bring it.

Sidenote...DAYYYYYY---UMMMM CHELS!!! I was eating her in that outfit all the way up!!! I love that the costume designer reveals so much about the characters through their clothes and that fit was just PERFECTION. Same for what Dani was wearing. And same for Kat, too. Heck, I love Naomi's outfit, too, but I looooove vests (just wore one this weekend...it's one of my signature things...hehe)

Good week all around.

4 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

IMHO, Derek turning to the dark side has most likely been in the plans since day 1 of the show.

I know someone in this board mentioned there was an interview they saw where it was mentioned that the first six months were mapped out when production started and that the show pretty much followed those plan.   So when I looked at episodes 120/121 (the six month mark), I saw that the plan was still for Andre/Ashley to be end game with the implication being that he was sticking with Dani because she needed him after Chelsea's kidnapping and she was sticking with Derek because he couldn't walk. The scene was presented/acted as if they were being kept apart due to obligations and misunderstandings.. not because they weren't interested in one another.

I think had Andre/Ashley been popular with viewers, the whole Derek faking his recovery angle would have played out a lot longer, but because he and Dani were so popular together, the story ended suddenly. Now the show is regrouping by establishing Ashley as a single woman slowly getting back out into the dating field while a jealous Derek is looking to sabotage it.   

Let's see if the writers actually follow through on this new set up, or if they'll drop it like they've dropped so many promising threads when it comes to Ashley thus far.

I believe it as well.

I believe that was Chris B. He was also the one with the Karla Mosley tea about Dani/Andre being the happy accident that it was. Because yep, they were totally planning Andre/Ashley from the jump. It kinda does explain the abrupt change in story when you put it like that.

Well, a single Ashley works for me. Her scenes this week with Naomi and Shanice have been standouts. As has her supporting.

I think they might actually follow though. The last two weeks has a great rhythm going for it. Same for the two weeks before (X-mas and NYE). It looks like they have found their momentum. And synopsis for this coming week sounds like it's going to be build on it even more. It read soapy which I liked.

I do agree that the show has found it's rhythm. It feels like "This is Beyond The Gates" much like when you tune into the other soaps and feel " This is The Young and The Restless" or "This is The Bold and the Beautiful", What was not working was scaled back (Ashley/Derek) and it's good to see that a writing team can concede when something is working instead of pushing it.

I just finished watching Wed-FrI.

Ted and Shanice put a huge smile on my face, OTOH Naomi had me kind of tearing up at the end of Friday's episode.

16 minutes ago, MontyB said:

I just finished watching Wed-FrI.

Ted and Shanice put a huge smile on my face, OTOH Naomi had me kind of tearing up at the end of Friday's episode.

Shanice makes everything better. Even Ted. hehe.

25 minutes ago, ReddFoxx said:

I do agree that the show has found it's rhythm. It feels like "This is Beyond The Gates" much like when you tune into the other soaps and feel " This is The Young and The Restless" or "This is The Bold and the Beautiful", What was not working was scaled back (Ashley/Derek) and it's good to see that a writing team can concede when something is working instead of pushing it.

Yep. Especially the bold. I still have some reservations, but I really do like they are going old school soap and seem to know when they need to course correct and can do it quickly enough.