Honestly, the Nicole/Vanessa fight is one of the few moments of consequence that's felt really earned since the show began. Other than some of Anita's scenes, it's easily the most memorable scene of the year.

Please give the Hawthornes a house. So we get to see how the family dynamics work. Meeting at Orphey Gene's isn't enough.

9 hours ago, Aback said:

I guess you’re referring to @Broderick who theorized the Plasma story was a long-term arc to put Nicole in danger and eventually reunite her with Ted. Not sure if you’re caught up with the show, but so far everything points towards Broderick being right again (he was right about Nicole having the BRCA gene). Nobody has ever implied that the Plasma angle itself would have been logical or profound…

The Plasma Ring really does seem like a (lumbering) attempt to achieve some specific long-term goal.

The way we've seen Ted & Nicole announcing that they're "moving on" (him with Shanice, her with various Plasma Suspects) seems to strongly suggest this arc is designed to bring Ted and Nicole back together at least temporarily.

And let's not forget Naomi's LOUD announcement at the Mardi Gras party: "I've got the BABY! Everyone! I got the BABY!" I can't help but believe Jacob is going to disappear temporarily during the Plasma Ring storyline, and Naomi will discover she's pregnant and decide to give birth despite having the BRCA gene. Otherwise, they likely wouldn't have had Miss Anita's cancer be an inherited trait that just happens to fall on Naomi, who's conveniently keeping it a secret.

Let get ahead of myself and say you all know I LIVE for Dani/Vanessa scenes.

4-7

Yeah, I can see why the comments I read on this episode made it sound boring.

The highlight was easily Darlene vs Silk Press Sheila.

Seeing Martin with Smitty just made me realize that we really have not seen a lot of Martin as of late. And at least we got some flirt time from them.

And @DramatistDreamer we were just discussing the June/Samantha angle in the cotillion storyline. I was looking forward to the addition of Donnell to the mix, but if any Samantha/Francsseka rivalry is going to be off screen for now, I think I don't want Samantha/Donnell after all.

Writers:
Jamey Giddens
Jazmen Darnell Brown

Director:
Michael V. Pomarico

Oh let us guess! Jamey Giddens breakdown was terrible.

original release date: Monday, April 13, 2026 | writers: Jamey Giddens, Jazmen Darnell Brown | director: Michael V. Pomarico

Thoughts:

• Dana, do you believe Marcel plans to take you to a five-star dining experience? You would be the one treating him at that point. Let's be honest about that.

• Good to see a chief of staff be prompt in responding to a potential security breach in their hospital.

• Whew.... Deanna is truly her mother's daughter. She is not messing about where Joey is concerned. Vanessa's fiery personality is clearly evident.

• Lia is very level-headed about the situation, although I would wager she could also be trying to protect her involvement in the plasma ring. I am sure of it.

• I feel for Donnell ⏤ torn between his mother and his twin. Two strong, viable bonds that can ultimately pull him in opposing directions. And it is refreshing to see Vanessa think about her history with her mum and hers with her grandmother. Good to see tradition continue to be followed, as unfortunate as it may be.

• Not Bradley's presence sparks some concern for Nicole. See, this is why he should not have used her laptop to access hospital files.

• The way Lia is already on Dana's neck is brilliant. She truly must be the most-hated person in Fairmont Crest. And Lia is beyond unfazed by it.

• Once again, Dana's presence just making Joey lose his mind is hilarious. He does not like her one bit.

• Ashley has become a bit paranoid lately, likely due to Lia's continued feelings towards her. Poor dear. She was doing so well, too.

• Deanna and Vanessa battling is electric. Truly. And if that is how Vanessa was with her mother, it makes me wonder how those confrontations were back in her day. wow.

• I like that Lia is encouraging Ashley, but it also makes me wonder if she has some kind of ulterior motive up her cold sleeves.

• I know Deanna is hurt but she continues to cross lines that she should not be crossing in the way she does. Regardless of how she feels, Vanessa is still her mother and the only parent she has left. And that should mean something to her.

Notes:

• Ugh. Not beginning the week with writer²'s material. And poor Brown being paired with it... at least he can turn s**t into gold.

• The past week's episodes have seen some outstanding improvements in post-production colour quality. It all looks perfect. So perfect.

• The casting of Lauren Buglioli (Vanssa), Alex Cheeks (Donnell), and Angela Fairley (Deanna) continues to be top-notch as family. They work so well separately as they do together.

• Cecelia Sprecht was the right person to cast for Lia. She plays her role well but also has such a dynamic presence that she can play other facets of Lia's personality that remain beneath the surface.

8 minutes ago, TEdgeofNight said:

Oh let us guess! Jamey Giddens breakdown was terrible.

It’s so tedious at this point.

Lived everything about today's episode.

I hate that Dr Lia is a temporary episode. Today was a great showcase for the character.

Keep giving your momma hell in the name of Doug Deanna

8 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

1. I like that Lia is encouraging Ashley, but it also makes me wonder if she has some kind of ulterior motive up her cold sleeves.

ya think? rhetorical question.

more interesting is lia throwing suspicion onto nicole. does this somehow fit into her larger plan, or does she really believe that nicole is complicit?

18 minutes ago, TEdgeofNight said:

Oh let us guess! Jamey Giddens breakdown was terrible.

It was, yes.

24 minutes ago, TEdgeofNight said:

Oh let us guess! Jamey Giddens breakdown was terrible.

It's hilarious at this point!

Is it tedious that Jamey's breakdowns are terrible, or that LC says they are? I'm legit confused.

3 minutes ago, Khan said:

Is it tedious that Jamey's breakdowns are terrible, or that LC says they are? I'm legit confused.

Likely that I say it and won't explain to certain people [who are ignored] as to why, as if they're owed an explanation. And if it's so tedious, they can place me on their ignore lists like they're likely on mine.