Well, I was not about to let February get away from me without talking about that Valentine's Day episode...well...that week period since I did rewatch it.

I think my highlight from that week was the Valentine's Day episode. Except for Joey and Vanessa (and even that showed some little nuggets about Joey), I loved all the couples displayed. I of course was living for Vernon and Anita having their moment. Dani and Andre were adorable. And while I will miss each and every time Dani shaded Ted, I liked she came to a truce with him since he and Andre are so close. And of course I loved Shanice and Dani tag-teaming Silk Press Sheila who got what she deserved and winded up ALONE. Ha! I thought that coda was great and hoped for a return to villainess SilkPress, but alas...that was not the case. Meanwhile, I've been enjoying how the plasma storyline has introduced a growing rift between Smitty and Martin. Last year, it was Martin's secret that gave them drama. It is shaping up to be Smitty's turn this year.

Now let's talk about my favorite thing going on the show this week...KRISTEN DIMERA...I mean...Hayley!!! I love that after fits and starts, the story has taken on another angle. Lynette's introduction promised some mess. And it wasn't unusual on DAYS for some sidekick character to pop up with the potential to expose a schemer's scheme. But Lynette has been slowing finding her legs. And I just love that her and Hayley creating this attacker story is leading Bill right toward Hayley. Then you have Tomas (of all people) starting to get suspicious. And lest we forget, Joey is hovering around...and has strong ties to Bill, too. Three different ways for Hayley to be found out. There's tension within that storyline. And tension can lead to stakes. And it was felt. At least this week.

Samantha...and Donnell? Well, I am happy to have Donnell back. And I felt he left too abruptly. The cotillion storyline has been my other enjoyable storyline at the moment. So I'm happy the show got around to revealing Samantha's date.

Yeah, I like Ashley and Grayson. This week had Neurotic Ashley back when she tried to help him with his mother. And it didn't drive me up the wall like it would when Ashley was with Derek. And it...just fit. They had a nice moment.

Yeeeah, I'm over SilkPress around Anita. That whole scene of her talking and talking and talking and then Anita falling over. SilkPress should not be the center of Anita's storyline and should stay out of it. Go focus on that clinic. I did like that Anita went on CBS MORNINGS and revealed her cancer diagnosis to back all her enemies off of her starting rumors.

I liked the Dani/Nicole scene this week. But I live for her sister dynamic.

And it's just funny how Jacob's undercover storyline was the C plot this week. I know that I was happy to see him have a storyline. But it has felt so disjointed. And I really didn't like Naomi messaging the burner. It's supposed to be in case of an emergency. That said...also there was a cute little Hayley/Naomi scene. I don't know what to say about their scenes now that I know Hayley is a con. Still nice.

A decent week.

5 hours ago, Aback said:

As for long-term romance, it must be hard to develop a romance when you just have a bunch of sets and you can't do remotes (for whatever reason). There's only so much you can do with that.

Why would remotes be needed to write a successful long term romance? A compelling romance can be super popular with limited sets and no remotes. All it really requires is good writing and good acting.

I could say the same about murder mysteries/murder trials. Just good writing and good acting, a few sets, and (of course) a courtroom set. That's all it takes.

I agree with what was said about good writing and good acting can make anyone overlook limited sets.

That said...I admit that I am hoping that the climax to Bill/Hayley/the poisoning involves a remote. It just feels that way. Or at least, have a remote that feels like St. Barts...because I feel like that's where it would come to a head.

Yeah, I think it's time to ship Dana/Leslie off to jail. I'm tired of her antics, I was never that impressed by her cartoonish need for revenge, and she really doesn't have a purpose other than hurling annoying taunts. I'd much rather see Anastasia challenge the Duprees for a while.

I'm all for Mother Anita, the proud strong life force of her family. Can we dial back on the St Anita talk though? The idea that even 24 hours later, all of those breast cancer awareness/reactions could be organized is ridiculous.

Speaking of Anatasia, while she's a pain, her horror at Anita's "tail-shaking" past is hilarious. Because every EGOT winner (which I swear they said Anita was; because BTG is never subtle when praising the Duprees) never "shook" anything.

I get Kat's frustration with her life. Even if Tomas isn't worth spit, he's what she's got. Chelsea literally fell in love in two days, and somehow made it work (well, that's what Kat perceives anyway.) Even her mom's got two hotties on the hook. I don't really mind that she took it out on Chelsea. Chelsea sort of annoys me. I wanted to slap those ridiculous butterfly earrings off her this week. Kat needs a new man--a guy she's really in to. Tomas ain't it.