I am glad that the writers are not trying to write either Carlton or Kial as the next love of Nicole's life because let's face it, both are fück bois. Upper middle class ones but fùck bois nonetheless. It's not that deep.

I notice society nowadays seems to either shame those that do it with too many people and also shaming those that don't do it with too many people either.

In regards to how Dani spoke to the young girl yesterday, it's on par with the way Dani speaks to everyone that she deems beneath her. Massively insecure individuals like Dani tend to talk down to those that they either find a threat or feel superior to.

And I don't think Dani loves Bill... I think all the crying and crazy antics she displayed in the early episodes was a result of a bruised ego of a narcissist. And I think deep down she enjoys having Andre around because he's younger then her and also because it drives Bill crazy.

Writers:
Natalie Minardi Slater
Skyy Sandifer

Director:
Michael V. Pomarico

And this is why you shouldnt be smashing the people that you work with. This is a preview of what Carlton has in store for Nicole. Messy

Hayley is cracking me up today, love the real her.

original release date: Thursday, February 12, 2026 | writers: Natalie Minardi Slater, Skyy Sandifer | director: Michael V. Pomarico

Thoughts:

• A steaming hot cup of Joe(y)? Dana doing too much once again.

• Vanessa is ready for the piping hot tea that Nicole is about to spill concerning the shift from Carlton to Kial.

• Damn, Carlton. Beyond rude just because you cannot keep your own jealousy/personal life out of your work one? Unprofessional. Good on Ted for calling him right out! Tame him!

• Kial is multi-talented? Oh-la-la, I love hearing this! Get it, Nicole! Get that talent! You deserve it.

• Not Randy clocking Hayley for her mugging scheme. That is hilarious.

• Love how supportive Vanessa is of Nicole, especially given how doubtful Nicole had been of Vanessa's relationship with Joey.

• I really appreciate the honest conversations Shanice and Ted keep having. It shows there is understanding on both sides, and I hope it does lead to something more in the future.

• Dana wanting the intel on Marcel's wife is hilarious. You would think she would be able to obtain this herself, via one of her multiple disguises. And Joey having none of it? And mentioning a therapist and joking about it being Nicole? That is hilarious to me.

• Damn, Bill. He is coming down hard on both Caroline and Tomas. It is very disappointing to see Hayley setting up these two innocents because of Hayley's motives.

• GO VANESSA GO! Set Dana straight and assert yourself. I love it. So much.

• Tomas is thinking right. But it could end up getting him hurt or wrapped too much into Hayley's con, which would be a bad thing.

• I like seeing Nicole and Ted having a cordial separation and that they are able to respect their boundaries as exes.

• Go, Shanice. Set Carlton right!

• Lynette is going to get what she is owed and is going to use Hayley to do it. But they are both dumb, continuing to get caught together.

Notes:

• So glad it is a Paige day, because she does exceptional dialogue.

• This month has been very limited in the varied number of directors. I wonder if something has changed behind-the-scenes or if it simply came down to certain people not being available.

• The 2026 wardrobe budget is budgeting for Keith D. Robinson (Ted). He looks much more tailored than he did last year, and that makes me very happy.

• Lauren Buglioli (Vanessa) is delicious. I love seeing her continue to work!

• Dominique Madison (Lynette) is just too good. Dare I say... I almost wish she had been cast as Hayley and Marquita Goings had been kept for Lynette.

Oh snap !!!

Lets see how the Fairmont Crest City Girls get outta this.

I want more Joey and Leslie. It doesn't have to be romantic but Id love them as some slick frenemies

Nicole's visit to Ted was totally unnecessary and braggadocious. And her lecturing anyone about judgement was hypocritical when she looked down her nose at Dani regarding Andre and threw a fit that she wasn't notified.

Carlton's angry streak really showed today and Shanice was right to put him in his place. Nicole should be worried about knowing who Carlton really is instead of lecturing Ted.

People calling Nicole a whore confuse me especially when two of the biggest whores were on today (Bill & Vanessa). Vanessa caused her husband's death because of her sex addiction, which I hope is addressed down the road.

Carlton has given creepy vibes since the very first episode he showed up on the show.

Real Hayley = hilarious

Joey doesn't have time for gossip nor finding out about Marcel's personal life.... but SPS doesn't understand that most people have common sense and are sane.

56 minutes ago, ReddFoxx said:

Nicole's visit to Ted was totally unnecessary and braggadocious. And her lecturing anyone about judgement was hypocritical when she looked down her nose at Dani regarding Andre and threw a fit that she wasn't notified.

That Nicole visit to Ted was ridiculous. Want to live your life? Then go live your life and stop making space for everyone who has an opinion or raises an eyebrow about how you dress or how you move. I actually wish Ted had shut her down with "I don't care what you do."

39 minutes ago, Soaplovers said:

People calling Nicole a whore confuse me especially when two of the biggest whores were on today (Bill & Vanessa). Vanessa caused her husband's death because of her sex addiction, which I hope is addressed down the road.

Nicole isn't a whore, but I stand by my previous comments that I don't like this new version and the way she's moving. I understand it from a soaps POV, because there's drama there, but for me, Nicole already had her groove and didn't need to get it back. Dating two doctors she sees every day? She's messy these days, and I don't like messy Nicole.

You're on point about Bill and Vanessa.

I rolled my eyes when Vanessa explained/excused her whoring around by claiming her marriage was dead and that "Doug found another mistress in gambling." Girl.

And VANESSA is the one Nicole turns to for support in her dating life? 😂

-- Who knew that Tomas would be smarter than Bill or Carolyn when it comes to Hayley and Lynette? That was not on my bingo card.

-- Hayley had ANOTHER meeting with Randy that was a "Shoulda been an email" thing. She is so damn dumb. Randy rightly called out Hayley for the Lynette stuff, but meeting with Hayley doesn't exactly make him a brain trust.

-- Maurice P. Kerry is ok as Randy, but I wish he'd cut down on the hand acting. There's a constant "both hands explain every sentence" thing going on, and it's distracting.

-- Ted and Shanice are good together, but I already need some drama with them, even if it's morre Leslie interference. Hearing Ted tell Shanice "I really care about you" isn't enough.

I do not get people dragging Nicole for living her life as a newly single woman. I'm not seeing some OTT promiscuousness. The only thing I thought was a bit goofy was the extended public makeout session with Kial in the middle of Orphey Gene's. It should've been at home if they were going to have it go on that long.

I don't see anything unusual for soap storytelling re: the Impaler storyline. We do not know or care about the random flunkies getting roughed up so we don't need lots of scenes with them; Smitty's scared informant was enough for me. The only thing I would've added is seeing the guy dumped at the ER a couple weeks ago for Shanice and Ashley to handle. And let's face it - soap cops with very public profiles, far moreso than Jacob Hawthorne, go 'undercover' all the time. Within the context of daytime there is nothing unusual or silly about him doing so too. He's not exactly as locally/worldwide famous as a John Black, let alone Robert Scorpio, Roman Brady, etc. I have no issue with his hood wardrobe lol.

Not the walls slowly closing in on Kristen Dimera!!!

Or at least Tomas getting a clue...that hopefully will lead to his exit storyline.

Oftentimes it feels like the writers, producers and execs have little to no regard for daytime drama fans but personally, it irks me to my core when they insult my intelligence.

Instead of working so hard to gaslight us into the retcon that they are doing for Vanessa (as if we didn't all see her have sex with her husband, exchange pillow talk and while the sheets were still hot, slither to Uptown and immediately hook up with an escort🙄) where Vanessa plays the role of an abandoned wife, this show ought to focus on coming up with some actual storylines that have a beginning, middle and conclusion. Hayley's hairbrained scheme is treading water and I already don't care about this poorly written blood plasma storyline.

What was the purpose of having Nicole march into Ted's office to urge him not to judge her? If she has really moved on, she wouldn't care what he thinks. Unless there are residual feelings, that entire scene makes absolutely no sense and it is utterly unjustified.

Caroline needs a friend outside of the firm (and it's not Hayley). Ellie Wang is one of the very few actors who have never done daytime soaps that can actually deliver her lines without stumbling over dialogue (I'm looking at you, AA and BC🤨). It would be nice to see the character fleshed out a bit more.

Edited 17 minutes ago17 min by DramatistDreamer

I don't think they're gaslighting us about Vanessa. I think Vanessa has always been that delusional. It's baked in to the character.

Worst Decor Award:

The orange globe on the bar.

Every time I see that big glass globe,I have to laugh. I'm what world should that be there -- on a bar counter in a casino back room where people are drinking and moving around said bar?