On 5/22/2026 at 5:36 PM, DramatistDreamer said:

I saw a guy on a YouTube video who doesn't even refer to Vanessa by her name, he just calls her "Trash". When I heard him say it, I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing.

The holler I just let out.

9 minutes ago, MontyB said:

Completely agree. I really Vanny to snap out of it.

And I am ready for the egg on her face.

Vanessa is a nasty ho. I'm waiting for Deanna to call her out and put her on blast.

On 5/22/2026 at 8:53 PM, Antoyne said:

Pretty sure Doug was a fantasy but I hope it means he will come back.

Same.

I loved the little picture that was floating around on Twitter like a good promo for revenge. If Doug comes back, it should be like that.

On 5/24/2026 at 6:18 AM, GLATWT88 said:

I was hoping that this Plasma Ring story would have been over by the end of May, but it seems like we will still focus on this Impaler. Lord, just make it stop.

Same.

On 5/24/2026 at 6:18 AM, GLATWT88 said:

I feel like there were other deaths that would have had a greater impact. Heck, I would have gone for Jacob ending up in a coma after he saw the Impaler and being the only one to know the identity.

See? Now THIS is good soap.

On 5/24/2026 at 5:24 AM, Forever8 said:

Speaking of the BTG next generation, I feel like they're getting a hand on Tyrell/Jessica/Chessy/Donnell and, of course, Deanna. I also love the latter's friendship with Kat too, though I do feel like Samantha is the weak link of that set, though I do hope since summer is approaching, they'll figure something out for her.

Thank you for this. Sometimes I feel like the only person here for the teen stories. And there really aren't too many teen/youngfolks stories on soaps these days that feel young. I liked BTG teens for the most part (and the B&B young'uns, GH Gio&Emma, not sure if DAYS is still really teening) and wish they had more of them. Perhaps this summer? And yes to Kat and Deanna who seem to have so much in common and are yet so different, too.

Optimistic me is hoping that the whole Bill/Hayley/SPS scene was groundwork being laid down for Hayley framing SPS for the poisoning. The only area Hayley has played her cards right so far is the way she dismiss SPS, refuses to engage with, and being the supportive wife to Bill to the point where even Chelsea and Naomi have to admit that... even Dani remarked once that Hayley finally had some good judgment not liking SPS.

Not only that, but SPS has shown herself to be reactive when it comes to Bill.. and she has motive for wanting to poison Bill.

On 5/26/2026 at 4:56 AM, DramatistDreamer said:

😭I mentioned this months ago.

I thought it would have made sense for Leslie to use her connection to Marcel to either taint evidence, essentially, the helmet, or prove that other sets of fingerprints have touch the helmet besides Leslie (Eva's prints have got to be on there, Kat may have worn gloves when she handled the helmet but I don't remember) thus muddying the chain of evidence and creating "Reasonable Doubt". I also mentioned months ago that when Leslie is arrested, that would have been a good time for BTG to bring back Mike Davis, because he's the only lawyer that Eva could find to represent Leslie. Of course, the show makes up this silly malpractice lawsuit against Madison to bring back Mike Davis (they listen but they don't listen 😩🙄) because the show needs a good ole fashion soap opera style court case with a jury and members of the community and county in the court room gallery. I also mentioned that during this time, Leslie should spend some time behind bars in prison and maybe run into Allison but I remember a few folks poo-pooed that idea🤷🏾‍♀️but I think those scenes could be interesting. It's not a problem for Mike to show up again and Bill will roll his eyes and say "I really should have had that guy disbarred when I had the chance" as he watches Mike deliver his opening statement from the gallery. Procter & Gamble soaps had some fantastic court cases, I always loved seeing character's reactions to testimony revelations and when the judge admonishes a witness (I could imagine that happening to Kat when she tries to add in extra commentary during her testimony😂), even a bit of a reversal when on the stand, when Ted (who the defense has called as a character witness) has to admit under cross-examination the number of times Leslie has crossed the line, including the time where he wound up in bed with her and Ted reluctantly admits that he did not give consent, causing gasps from the gallery. That would be the perfect time for Leslie to urge her lawyer to put her on the stand when her lawyer Mike has been explicitly trying to avoid this but with Ted's revelations they may have no choice. Leslie, under oath is forced to admit that she and Ted never slept together that night in his hotel room because he was passed out cold. More gasps from the gallery and the camera closes in on the Duprees reactions, Nicole's face and Anita's face as she looks at Nicole's reaction with concern. When they get to the issue of the helmet, Leslie, Eva and at least another set of unidentifiable prints are on the helmet which builds Mike's case for reasonable doubt. We can see Kat's face, searching her mind to try to remember whether she wore gloves when she handled the helmet (a well placed flashback would go there).

Are the fingerprints hers? Are they Marcel's? Or someone who Marcel found to taint the evidence?

Ultimately, the jury finds Leslie "Not Guilty". Once the judge bangs her gavel after the verdict, the Duprees look around to see that Laura has disappeared. Kat and Naomi offer to try to find her.

News gets around that Leslie was found "Not Guilty". The reactions are mixed. Vanessa shakes her head in disbelief and is irritated to see that Joey only chuckles in response. Joey mentions something about Vanessa being naive about the way the wheels of "justice" and how it actually works. Mona and Jan are outside of the courthouse. Mona, in particular is angry, Jan questions whether Leslie actually could have done it and points out that she was found innocent. "Not guilty...it's a big difference", Mona corrects her.

Later, Leslie is scene with Mike and Eva at the country club. Leslie orders a bottle of their best champagne. Eva squirms under the stares and glares of the other patrons.

At the Dupree mansion, commiserations all around as Nicole is on her phone and declares that there is still no word from Laura. Anita, backed by Vernon, reminds everyone that Laura is one of the most conscientious people she knows and won't do anything rash.

Kat and Naomi are at Uptown when Laura walks in. They have been looking all over town for her and are ready to console her when Laura says she went back to the courthouse but everyone had already left, she's also been looking for Naomi and wants to discuss something with her and she thinks it needs to happen fast.

Later-

At the Dupree mansion, Nicole informs everyone that Naomi texted her to let her know that they found Laura and are discussing something, and Kat's on her way.

Caroline enters Bill's office and says "he insists on seeing you", Bill groans and says "show him in". Mike, gloating says "what a great day to be in the legal profession" to which Bill responds "I should have had you disbarred when I had the chance". Mike replies "It's not to late". Bill: "too late to do what?" Mike: "bring me back to the firm". Bill is slack-jawed. Mike: "my answering service is overflowing with clients who want to hire me...more clients for me, would be more clients for this firm...think about it" and Mike leaves. Bill heaves a deep heavy sigh.

Naomi and Laura are outside of Uptown. Naomi is on her phone. Naomi: "Can we have that done today?" she looks at the expectant face of Laura and nods. Laura breathes a sigh of relief.

Ted sits in an office. Ted: "I can't believe I'm sitting here in a therapist's office. And it's not my ex-wife's". Therapist (a Napiera Groves type) "well, I am glad that you have entrusted me to guide you on this journey. Shall we begin?" Ted, nervous, nods. Ted: "let's begin".

At the Dupree mansion-

The Duprees, Jacob, Mona, et al are gathered when Naomi enters, followed by Laura. Everyone looks sad but relieved. Anita takes Laura by the hand. Anita: "how are you?" Laura: "I am trying to deal with...all of it but thanks to Naomi, I think there may be some shred of justice that can come out of this whole situation". Vernon: "Wow, that is an optimistic way to look at things". Laura: "It may hit me later but, then again, I'm still in processing mode"-

At the country club:

Leslie, looking like the cat that swallowed the canary, tries to clink glasses with Eva.

Leslie: "Aww, Eva, one more 'gain.

Eva: "Enough mama, don't you think you've had enough? It's late, why don't we call car service?"

Leslie: "Baby, don't be a wet blanket or is it...a party pooper? In all these years, I thought I told you how to live it up?"

The maître d', followed by another man walk over to Leslie and Eva's table.

Leslie (tipsy): "Don't tell me you called a bouncer?".

Man: Leslie Dana Thomas?

Leslie: "No autographs please".

Man, hands her an envelope. Man: "You've been served". Man, processor server walks away.

Leslie has a sober expression, Eva is stunned.

At the Dupree mansion.

Kat (to Laura): I'm glad you're going to stay and have dinner.

Anita (to Laura): I was worried you wouldn't have an appetite.

Nicole, with her arms around Laura. "I know it doesn't seem like it now but, we'll find a way through this".

Laura, silent, has a faraway look on her face and a glint in her eyes.

Music cues as scene fades to black

Geez, I could write this storyline myself in one weekend.💅🏾

I meant to come back and say...

1...you suuuure did.

and

2...loved it then. Loved it even more now.

Playing catch-up on this week and SPS is driving me up the wall. Time for comeuppance.

On 5/26/2026 at 12:57 PM, ranger1rg said:

I agree with you that fanfics shouldn't take over this board or even have any kind of presence. I did appreciate the one that was offered -- and that we had a difference of opinion on.

But to piggyback off this, we all speculate and articulate our ideas about how we would like stories to go all the time. Where it's here, another soap thread, or the Housewives thread. Heck, we have discussed quite a few situations with Kat, the helmet, and SPS's comeuppance since Kat let her black Veronica Mars side out last year, hoping for a courtroom to appear in sight. I don't see how that was any difference.

Mind you... @DramatistDreamer and I have discussed soap story ideas for years which is why we can make in-jokes about it now (like us discussing cotillion). Cuz that one I mentioned about Y&R was uncannily when that happened in real time. And haven't we alleged for ages about Josh Morrow ghost watching this board. Which whether he does or not...them camera angles DID change after I referenced them consistently when Nick was with Sally (and JM upped his fitness game in the middle of storyline). Just saying.

I like (when I get time) reading everyone's posts. After all it is a discussion board about the episodes and the stories within said episodes and the direction those stories are going. Okay...everyone, but the ones who know who they are and what they are doing. So I just had to put in my 2 cents rather than the usual scroll on by.

5-27

Honestly...I liked it. I think Judy Tate has won me over with her one-on-ones. I really thought it was a good episode. Except for two things.

I said it before and I'll say it again...this show stays with the narrative of Ted as Straight Man to Silk Press Sheila's craziness. If they want those two together (or doing what I mentioned first year which was Ted and Nicole in separate stories so we the audience get to know them only for them to return to Nicole/Ted/SPS down the line) so badly...just do it already. I didn't believe Ted when he stood up to SPS at the start of the episode and the fact that he did nothing after they were off camera at the press conference did nothing to make me believe him and his boundaries now.

I loved that we got some Smith/Richardson family scenes this episode. They really have been few and far between in those scenes. So I find them fun to watch. Meanwhile, that Martin/Ty scene was so unexpected and really resonated as a gay man. Not to mention it was a father and son talking about having sex for the first time. The layers.

And oh? It's good we are actually getting the fallout from Ty and Jessica sleeping together for the first time. A nice and relatable teen story. Let me say that again...a TEEN story. lol. Given that Ty and Jessica's growing rift has been a thing, but it fell into the backburner along with the cotillion, it's good to see it back upfront. I'm rooting for them to make it.

And we know I love seeing...THE HAVE-NOTS. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the tea. But still a cute little scene.

I'm not here at all for Ashley. And I was shocked to see Derek's dad. It's a shame he has never appeared before now.

That brings me to what I was not liking. It feels so slight because I really enjoyed the episode BUT...

I don't like that Jacob still doesn't have enough POV about Derek's death. In fact, he feels too adjusted. Compared to Shanice...where I see and feel her grief over Derek...I don't get that from Jacob. I don't think that is all on the writing, but the writing is not helping.

I actually loved the professionalism of the press conference (though I giggled at it being at the nurses' hub), but I didn't like SPS hijacking it. Not surprised. And then Cartoon Leslie at it again with Ted. Just ugh!!!

I was looking forward to a lot of the fallout from the plasma ring storyline. Among that was hostility between Jacob and Grayson, tension between Martin and Smitty over Smitty's role in the plasma ring, and as mentioned Jacob's POV. So the fact they are just brushing past ALL of it is just...no words. Especially if they are going to continue talking about the Impaler. And again...why did Derek die if they are going to do all of this?

Again...I enjoyed the episode, but I can't say the plot beats didn't bug me.

If Vanessa were a man, the name-calling would not be happening. Such a sexist double-standard. Gross and not surprising.

I, personally, would never sex shame Vanessa but she's a terrible Mother IMO. She is extremely self-centered but I don't hate her for it.

I'm an equal opportunity sex shamer.. especially if you're married and encouraging others to cheat on their spouses. I always call Bill & Vanessa whores because they both are whores.

1 hour ago, Soaplovers said:

I'm an equal opportunity sex shamer.. especially if you're married and encouraging others to cheat on their spouses. I always call Bill & Vanessa whores because they both are whores.

😂😂😂 Noted!