3 minutes ago, soapfan770 said:

Touché! And actually I could live with that as well 😎

Hehe. Just saying.

It's wild how people are about them, but no one is indifferent so the show is doing their job.

I like that they keep mixing it up, but the show has done a pretty good job at keeping them in separate storylines for the most part to have character development with both of the characters. I thought they did a good job of that with Dani and Bill last year when the show started so when he winded up in the hospital after his stroke, there was more investment due to the audience getting to know the characters individually. I feel that's what they are doing with Kat and Eva at of late. So much so that I actually turned on Eva which surprised me.

@Taoboi I’m still #Team Eva all the way and have enjoyed Eva with Izaiah (really reminds me of early Adam & Sally on Y&R and I love it)

That said, my other wish for 2026 is for a complete rival family à la the Spectras to make their debut.

Just now, soapfan770 said:

@Taoboi I’m still #Team Eva all the way and have enjoyed Eva with Izaiah (really reminds me of early Adam & Sally on Y&R and I love it)

That said, my other wish for 2026 is for a complete rival family à la the Spectras to make their debut.

We are on opposite ends cuz #TeamKat, but I still love you. ;) I was loving Eva with Izaiah, but that has dimmed due to them being in a bit of a rut while I feel she is playing victim (as if she didn't give as good as she got) one too many times for me.

You and the majority of this board. lol. I do feel we might get that rival family this year though. The real question is...will it be the Hawthornes like I theorized to be a family that is working class OR another rich more evil family?

This show better be landing somewhere with this Plasma Ring story because right now, I don't care. Even if Carlton turns out to be the head honcho (something that would actually make him and his spray-painted on beard interesting), I am not sure I will care.

I would care about Jacob solving the Laura Peterson case though. We all know that since Kat tampered with the evidence, that might be Leslie Dana's "get out of jail" card...eventually and that crooked cop Marcelle could actually find the evidence to prove it. Dig up that shady lawyer who once worked at Bill's firm to defend Leslie and you might have an honest-to-goodness classic daytime drama umbrella storyline. During the trial when it seems like Leslie might actually do serious time, (after witnesses appear on the stand, including some very interesting witness testimonials. The revelations which cause the jury to decide not to convict, due to reasonable doubt. Leslie eventually walks, but not without losing a substantial chunk of her inheritance to legal feels and a civil suit brought on by Laura Peterson and her recently contracted lawyer...wait for it...Naomi Dupree Hawthorne. The story practically writes itself (or I could write it, for a fee 🤷🏾‍♀️)

I miss soaps that knew how to utilize all their characters, including the minor ones from the past.

Characters on BTG are going 'a wasting. I vacillate between being reasonably entertained and being frustrated with this show. The elements are already there but the writing is resisting them, probably in favor of placating Paramount/Skydance.

I like that the writers are being creative with the spelling of Izaiah and Kial. I also predict BTG is about to have a ratings surge.

21 minutes ago, DramatistDreamer said:

would care about Jacob solving the Laura Peterson case though. We all know that since Kat tampered with the evidence, that might be Leslie Dana's "get out of jail" card...eventually and that crooked cop Marcelle could actually find the evidence to prove it. Dig up that shady lawyer who once worked at Bill's firm to defend Leslie and you might have an honest-to-goodness classic daytime drama umbrella storyline. During the trial when it seems like Leslie might actually do serious time, (after witnesses appear on the stand, including some very interesting witness testimonials. The revelations which cause the jury to decide not to convict, due to reasonable doubt. Leslie eventually walks, but not without losing a substantial chunk of her inheritance to legal feels and a civil suit brought on by Laura Peterson and her recently contracted lawyer...wait for it...Naomi Dupree Hawthorne. The story practically writes itself (or I could write it, for a fee 🤷🏾‍♀️)

LOVE.

1-21

My other favorite current B story...the cotillion. I know I'm going to be very disappointed if we don't get an event out of this. They have to make it up to us for Winterfest.

They are slowly, but surely building it up. I'm sorry the GOSSIP GIRL fan in me is getting excited over it. Will it be fine? Do we even know who will be Samantha's escort? Or will Jessica cause some mess? Will that be the ONLY mess going on if she does? I just have questions. And Samantha being more in the know about things with Jessica than her own boyfriend is telling. Not to mention the tension between Ty and Jessica outside of the cotillion. It is also a story that is slowly bringing Martin/Smitty back into play so good.

Meanwhile, loving seeing my Nicole. They continue to give her a POV. And her and Carlton are still being built up. Nice scene between Vanessa and Kial as they continue to build up his character. Also nice to see Vanessa remember that her main job is real estate. More of Old Vanessa. And I called it when I said Ted/Shanice would wind up where Nicole/Carlton would be. Though I had hoped that it would happen during the upcoming Joey/Vanessa double date. I'll take it so Nicole could be the cliffhanger. Did I mention Nicole is my favorite character? Honorable mention: Shanice's near-miss...so SOAP.

SHANICE...YOU...BETTA...READ. Cuz Antiques Road Show took me out. LOL!!! She read Anastacia doooooooown. I really can't believe this show has me behind this pairing when I was totally against it.

Ted vs Kat. I was Team Kat. And I STILL thought she was being too soft. Given what she has already been through, I could understand. And as a person, I don't care if my news is good news, too...I don't like someone who I don't like knowing ANY of my business. While I like the apology tour line...uh Ted...WHEN?? When did you?

And now Jacob is getting his own story? Good. Let us see where this plasma ring storyline go. And hehe at Jacob immediately figuring out Marcel/SPS real quick. And interesting that the Laura case is still an OPEN case. I thought Jacob's father took care of it. Things that make you go hmmmm.

And Naomi said it. So her storyline continues abreast.

I thought the last three episodes were wonderful.

For a hot second I felt transported back to ATWT except it was Black folks and the White folks were the supporting cast. My point is, it felt like classic P&G with a nice twist.

It appears someone received the message. Let this be the course moving forward.

Love the ATWT comparison. When Anita collapsed a fade into the galactic 80s closing theme from ATWT would have fit perfectly.

2 hours ago, skiman12082004 said:

I like that the writers are being creative with the spelling of Izaiah and Kial. I also predict BTG is about to have a ratings surge.

Same.

14 hours ago, Taoboi said:

We are on opposite ends cuz #TeamKat, but I still love you. ;)

TeamKat till the end. 😍

15 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

This show better be landing somewhere with this Plasma Ring story because right now, I don't care. Even if Carlton turns out to be the head honcho (something that would actually make him and his spray-painted on beard interesting), I am not sure I will care.

I would care about Jacob solving the Laura Peterson case though. We all know that since Kat tampered with the evidence, that might be Leslie Dana's "get out of jail" card...eventually and that crooked cop Marcelle could actually find the evidence to prove it. Dig up that shady lawyer who once worked at Bill's firm to defend Leslie and you might have an honest-to-goodness classic daytime drama umbrella storyline. During the trial when it seems like Leslie might actually do serious time, (after witnesses appear on the stand, including some very interesting witness testimonials. The revelations which cause the jury to decide not to convict, due to reasonable doubt. Leslie eventually walks, but not without losing a substantial chunk of her inheritance to legal feels and a civil suit brought on by Laura Peterson and her recently contracted lawyer...wait for it...Naomi Dupree Hawthorne. The story practically writes itself (or I could write it, for a fee 🤷🏾‍♀️)

I miss soaps that knew how to utilize all their characters, including the minor ones from the past.

Characters on BTG are going 'a wasting. I vacillate between being reasonably entertained and being frustrated with this show. The elements are already there but the writing is resisting them, probably in favor of placating Paramount/Skydance.

This would be "Must See TV"

13 hours ago, Taoboi said:

They are slowly, but surely building it up. I'm sorry the GOSSIP GIRL fan in me is getting excited over it. Will it be fine? Do we even know who will be Samantha's escort? Or will Jessica cause some mess? Will that be the ONLY mess going on if she does? I just have questions. And Samantha being more in the know about things with Jessica than her own boyfriend is telling. Not to mention the tension between Ty and Jessica outside of the cotillion. It is also a story that is slowly bringing Martin/Smitty back into play so good.

I'm with you about Cotillion. Maybe we will finally meet Jessica's parents, and I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea OD there too.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Forever8

Writers:
Teresa Zimmerman
Skyy Sandifer

Director:
Steven Williford

original release date: Monday, January 26, 2026 | writers: Teresa Zimmerman, Skyy Sandifer | director: Steven Williford

Thoughts:

• This bitch better not mess up her father's lunch date with Shanice. Enough. Mind your nose.

• I love how congratulatory both Dani and Nicole are of Tomas on landing partner with Bill's law firm. And yes, Tomas can keep his mouth zipped tight, unless it comes to getting what he wants (I assume he can and will play dirty).

• It was so sweet of Ashley to wait up for Naomi after her appointment.

• I get Anita not wanting to make a fuss, but she just got back from a round of chemo. She really should have paramedics come check her out, or even a private care nurse.

• Dani is such a girlie; knowing her sister "got some" on a date, and it is hilarious. She wants the juicy details, and I do not blame her.

• Good for Vernon sticking to his intuition and calling Dr Ahn; this is not something to mess around with. I know hospitals suck (trust), but this is not something you just hold onto until your next appointment.

• "Is Dani really worth the risk?" Tomas is asking the right questions and is putting his cards on the table with Bill. And I have to say: the answer is YES!

• Seeing Nicole beam with "post-sex" pride is amazing, and Dani has tips for handling "too good"? I would like to hear those.

• I like Ashley setting Naomi straight about not telling Jacob. I get why she wants to keep it to herself, but she does need to tell him.

• Potato skins? Do not mind if I do, because those sound delicious.

• Climbing like Mount Everest? Sign me up! Carlton is a tall and dark drink of water, and Nicole should be climbing him every single chance she gets.

• Shanice being hit, bit, etc. makes me mad. I know sometimes patients cannot handle themselves, but nurses are unsung heroes. They deserve more recognition than they get.

• Oh. Dani wants to know if Carlton is more substantial than Ted. I love it. She is relatable as fück.

• I love that Ted showed up to help assist in Anita's at-home care and even extended a hand to assist anytime he may be needed.

• Hot sauce? On popcorn? No, thank you. If I am forced to have popcorn, give me extra, warm, melted butter only.

• That moment of honesty between Anita and Vernon was real. So real.

• G'damn Nicole! You are looking hotter than hot at Uptown! You are ready!

Notes:

• A second consecutive day of Zimmerman and Sandifer; they worked well on their first episode together, and their second followed close suit. The latter definitely learnt more from Michele Val Jean than she did from writer², thankfully.

• The lighting on the soap continues to improve, from the onset ones to the accent ones that are meant to radiate from outside of the sets. It is all incredible.

• The continued approach to friendships is so refreshing. We need more friendships with deep ties, or at least loyalty ties. It is classic soap-telling.

• That new 'do on Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole) needs to stay, because it complements her so much!

• I love these new flashbacks of Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill) and Karla Mosley (Dani), because it shows just how palpable their chemistry actually happens to be.