9 hours ago, Vee said:

I see it the opposite way. I think a big problem with the show is its constantly telling people why the characters are the way they are or why they do what they do. The dialogue is often heavily expositional or leans towards grand pronouncements about who this person is (often with full names!), why they feel this way, etc. That's just not interesting to me.

That is an overly cautious approach of the writers. They feel the need to explain everything to the viewer much like movie musicals once tried to explain why the characters were singing. The writers don't trust the viewers enough to understand writing subtlies and to have enough patience to get to know the characters.

I've said this a lot, but I think part of that is the influence of the B&B/Brad Bell (or just Bell family-adjacent) school of writing. I used to hear a lot of similar grand statements or character declarations on B&B 10-15 years ago, bordering on classic Y&R in their arch style if not the same quality or merit.

MVJ worked at B&B for a number of years after leaving GH. B&B has survived despite or perhaps at times because of its formula, and she may have adopted some of that technique for BTG feeling it has kept their audience. I don't think it works for her or for BTG.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Vee

I think that technique and formula was clear in the Smitty and Martin family scenes today. Everything about the dialogue was stilted and awkward, and it wasn't authentic.

3-26

I really enjoyed this episode. Then it occurred to me why. For once...it was Sara. So...soap structured. The main story this week has been the Anita storyline. And it had stories surrounding that. A lot of stories adjacent to that have been on display this week so it flows well from episode to episode. And of course...a C plot in Naomi having the gene. lol. Also there was a lot going on with moveable plots which I liked.

One thing that I'm happy about with this show has been every time we here on the board start asking about a character being MIA...they pop up!! I'm looking at you, Peaches!!! hehe. I admit that I twitched seeing Silk Press Sheila, but I was pleasantly surprised they decided to write her normal and with nuances this episode. See? She can sassy and all that and still come across as a HUMAN. Goodness knows I needed the reminder. And I'm always here for Dark Vernon so him vs SilkPress was good. I was soooooooooo happy to see Villainess SilkPress over The Cartoon in those scenes.

Another thing this show has been good at...the foreshadowing of characters eventually showing up. We got it with Vanessa's twins. And they set up Darlene for a whiiiiiiile. And...WORTH THE WAIT. Thanks to the Week Ahead synopsis for the heads-up!!!! Classic soap. I would have liked a surprise soap actress, but I love the actress. I can't wait to see her mix it up with other characters. And her family. Has the next family truly arrived?

And 3 for 3 with Sharon paying a visit in terms of recurring characters. It is great to get Anita's POV. And they are still foreshadowing that Devon Winters thread. Good. That can be the next story after the Cancer story.

While I don't like the plasma ring storyline, I do like the potential for the aftermath of it. Of course, I've mentioned how it could affect Martin/Smitty. But this tension between Jacob and Greyson could carry over and affect the Naomi/Ashley friendship. I really don't like how he's such a jerk to Greyson, but it is also nice to see Jacob NOT be nice.

Liked the Bill/Anita scenes. And of course, that will lead to some mess.

ETA: I almost forgot...another great day for Kat. I loved that Ted apologized to Kat and they came to a truce. I really liked those scenes, too.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Taoboi

Lynette ate Katie's azz up today! I do like that we have a new rivalry

Hayley's enormous lie was a classic villain move. At the same time I would have liked to have seen Tomas been a bit stronger in defending himself.

32 minutes ago, Cheap21 said:

Lynette ate Katie's azz up today! I do like that we have a new rivalry

Didn't she though! 😅

Why do they still have this 30 year old woman in a bad wig playing Peaches, who supposedly raised Leslie?

And AA has yet to improve an ounce as Tomas. The fact that the showrunners seem absolutely peachy with his portrayal annoys me and makes me question their taste.

22 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

Why do they still have this 30 year old woman in a bad wig playing Peaches, who supposedly raised Leslie?

And AA has yet to improve an ounce as Tomas. The fact that the showrunners seem absolutely peachy with his portrayal annoys me and makes me question their taste.

There's no way that Peaches actress should ever have been cast. It has to be a favor to a friend.

And not recasting Tomas or ending the character is another awful mistake. I just don't get it.

41 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

And AA has yet to improve an ounce as Tomas. The fact that the showrunners seem absolutely peachy with his portrayal annoys me and makes me question their taste.

Don't worry. I'm sure we are watching his exit storyline. ;)

18 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

I just don't get it.

Outside of his bubble, I don't get it, either.

1 minute ago, Taoboi said:

Don't worry. I'm sure we are watching his exit storyline. ;)

We have been saying that for over six months. I'll believe it when I see it. I think they are too wedded/loyal to some of the original cast. But we're not dealing with Ryan's Hope, AMC '70 or OLTL '68 here. And both the latter shows had folks who dropped out days, weeks or months in, or in at least one case (Sharon Laughlin as Viki Lord) before the first episode aired.

If someone (Hayley, whoever) actually drops a major body like Tomas then I'll buy that the worm has started to turn at the show. I think BTG has a pretty good shot at a renewal, but it's time to dust off someone else (Kay Alden, whoever) to help them gas up these stories. And if it's either EP or creative preciousness about the characters, the action or concerns about positive representation that is slowing things up then it's time to consolidate power. As @Khan once said about the Generations EP change. I don't think BTG's too-many EPs are going anywhere and I don't think it can or should sever itself from the NAACP link, but however they do it it's time to get tougher with these stories and families.

Edited 4 minutes ago4 min by Vee

If they wanted to keep AA for whatever reason, then they should have changed the writing to better suit his 'strengths'. Maybe play up that he is very reserved/emotionless and go from there.Have Kat get frustrated with that and seek out someone more soulful eg Isaiah and reignite Kat v Eva.