Beyond the Gates: Daily Episode Discussion

[TiffanyNichelle]

I've noticed that some of the actors who've been struggling (IMO) have started to settle down more especially in scenes that are different from their usual. Like the best Derek has been was in a scene with just Jacob at the bar and with Hayley at the diner. Tomas at the diner with Eva where he was giving her advice and wasn't doing the seduction eyes he does with Kat. And the other day Doug at the hospital was miles better than him at the "casino".

I especially liked his stuff where Vanessa was freaking out at the thought that Doug was cheating on her. It's so interesting that she's told Nicole that her marriage is dead, she's happy to sneak around but she doesn't want to give up her marriage because she's comfortable in it. But here it seems she's more than just use to the marriage, she really does want to stay with Doug after all.

I also think that the doctor who suddenly started talking about gambling with Doug was being made to do that by Joey. Joey already sent in Randy who couldn't get Doug back to the tables so the new doctor was sent in.

I want the product placement to get even more deranged. Like why was the Tide bottle on the dining room table? And what about fabric softener?

[AnimeMania]

S01.E38: Friday, April 18, 2025

[Marisagf]

21 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

Is it weird that I thought that was Samantha until she said she wasn't, now I know how people feel when they say that the men look too similar.

I only figured it out because one had shorter hair.  The major male characters all have beards and mustaches or goatees.  I still have trouble with names!

[drivethroo]

3 hours ago, TiffanyNichelle said:

I've noticed that some of the actors who've been struggling (IMO) have started to settle down more especially in scenes that are different from their usual. Like the best Derek has been was in a scene with just Jacob at the bar and with Hayley at the diner. Tomas at the diner with Eva where he was giving her advice and wasn't doing the seduction eyes he does with Kat. And the other day Doug at the hospital was miles better than him at the "casino".

I never thought Doug was a struggle actor but he's much better and much more likeable at the hospital than he is at the casino (or even with Vanessa).

Tomas is way better when he relaxes and isn't trying to play Puerto Rican lover boy. He's perfectly fine with Bill and the gang in the office and with Eva. 

Derek is terrible with Ashley and vice versa.  Break them up and move them in other areas.

Both Kat and Chelsea had good points about working with/not working with Dani. Although Kat is correct they have a wealth of knowledge and connections with Dani that they'd be foolish to pass up, Chelsea is also correct Dani will take over.  If Dani takes over, Chelsea then starts to have negative feelings about the purse business and her creativity declines. 

Ultimately, I would have to agree with Chelsea -- for now.

[One Tough Cookie]

While I was interrupted mid way thru I thought Anita's hair looked fabulous.   Brightened her face and made her look younger.  I guess she sings in the epi, looking forward to it.

[bayviewbubba]

Joey (Jon Lindstrom) really seems to be enjoying himself.  I like when that happens. 

[TiffanyNichelle]

It's good to finally know what Joey's plans are regarding Doug. He's trying to get Doug to need so much money that he has to go to Vanessa and then Joey will launder money through Vanessa's business. I'm sure him getting close to her is just part of that but I also hope that it turns into something more.

[smartyshorts]

I'm really enjoying this new addition to the Soap Opera universe.  First...the MUSIC.  

Second I love the little touches like Nicole and Dani calling each other "Sissy", which is something I do with my own sister.  It makes the familial bond seem much more real without being forced. Along with  the alternate versions of the Happy Birthday song. You can tell these people like spending time with each other, even when its messy.  They are supportive of each other, even when they disagree (except Martin, he is such a pill)  And the teenagers who are moody and angry and a little rebellious, but still love their family.  The family connection grounds the more out there plots which so far are still mostly not that out there...past infidelity, gambling addiction, kids not doing what you want them to do)  For the life of me, I cant figure out how or why Ashley and Naomi are friends.  Were they both friends with Hayley too?  Did they meet AFTER the affair came to light? Did they explain this and I missed it?

 

 

[Elizabeth233]

I think Ashley and Naomi are friends because  Ashley's mom works in the gates as a maid I'm guessing and probably met as kids.

[JAYJAY1979]

There needs to be a strong 2nd family on the show.  Too many Duprees.

And after almost 40 episodes, I still think Dani is a pointless character and should have been off screen living her life.  She could have been introduced later...same as her daughter Chelsea.

Naomi could have been a viable character and the conflict between her and Hayley could have been explored without Dani being around.

[drivethroo]

14 hours ago, smartyshorts said:

For the life of me, I cant figure out how or why Ashley and Naomi are friends.  Were they both friends with Hayley too?  Did they meet AFTER the affair came to light? Did they explain this and I missed it?

Hayley was part of the Ashley/Naomi/Derek/Jacob friend group before the affair was found out.  It's becoming clear to me Naomi was the center of that group but the show has not explained why Naomi decided to hang out with the working class crew instead of the upscale Fairmont Crest crew.

12 hours ago, Elizabeth233 said:

I think Ashley and Naomi are friends because  Ashley's mom works in the gates as a maid I'm guessing and probably met as kids.

Now that's a good possibility!

5 hours ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

There needs to be a strong 2nd family on the show.  Too many Duprees

The Dupree family built the Fairmont Crest neighborhood so they are going to be the primary family on the show.  I don't think there needs to be a secondary family on BTG at this moment and if there is, they won't be living in Fairmont Crest.

 

 

[mbluecpa]

On 4/17/2025 at 9:49 AM, YaddaYadda said:

Cady McClain's weird accent or tone is just weird.

I kept getting distracted from the dialog in the Pamela/Dani scenes trying to figure out what she’s going for there. Somehow in my years of soap viewing, I’ve never seen her in her other roles; is this her normal voice/delivery? 

On 4/18/2025 at 10:09 AM, TiffanyNichelle said:

I want the product placement to get even more deranged.

I doubt P&G would consider it, but in the soap in my head Leslie would be great to take the product placement OTT. I’m thinking like using a product to clean up evidence from a crime scene.

I’m glad we’ve gotten some insight to Joey’s plan with Doug, which also gives us a little closer link to the police investigation. 

[bayviewbubba]

Cady McClain had a broad southern accent while on All My Children.  Actually pretty good. I've always enjoyed watching her.

I'd like to see the modeling girls running around with Crest White Strips in, slathered in Olay lotions and using Pantene on their heads.  We could work in the old folks using Metamucil and Fixodent.  There's a multitude of products that could be used to clean crime scenes and the inevitable babies will be swaddled in Pampers.  All the angst will lead to bumper crops of Rolaids and Pepto Bismol. There could be a running joke of someone opening a closet (Fibber McGee style) and all the products spilling out. P&G has a potential gold mine here.

[TiffanyNichelle]

13 hours ago, drivethroo said:

The Dupree family built the Fairmont Crest neighborhood so they are going to be the primary family on the show.  I don't think there needs to be a secondary family on BTG at this moment and if there is, they won't be living in Fairmont Crest.

I bet in Bill's mind, he and Hayley are now building the second family to challenge the Duprees. Right now it's the Duprees world and we are just living in it. No one is really challenging them.

[JAYJAY1979]

17 hours ago, drivethroo said:

 

The Dupree family built the Fairmont Crest neighborhood so they are going to be the primary family on the show.  I don't think there needs to be a secondary family on BTG at this moment and if there is, they won't be living in Fairmont Crest.

Every soap opera has more than one family..and a family living outside the gates would be perfect

[boes]

6 hours ago, bayviewbubba said:

We could work in the old folks using Metamucil and Fixodent. 

Just, please God, don't let them mix them up!!

 

[Kerri]

I'm still watching last week. The Cady McClain character is weird. Just an empty character for Dani to react against. And I just don't buy the friendship or the history. When she comes on screen my primary thought is- oh there's CM, bc they felt like they needed a name to bring in viewers initially and this is who they got with Lindstrom. 

Is there a reason it isn't Vanessa in these scenes? It would be much more interesting. I feel like Vanessa and Dani dishing about their lives over drinks would be more fun. 

I enjoyed watching Bill fire Mike. This is maybe a UO, but I kind of like Bill. I have since the beginning for some reason. 

Hayley- they've played her as this naive innocent who just fell in love for a while now. They really need to have a scene with her and Dani where the act just drops and she says- yeah, I had a plan from day 1 and it was easy. Just embrace the schemer. It would be a shock for the audience, and it would make the character a lot more interesting. 

 

Edited April 20 by Kerri

[Badsamaritan]

38 minutes ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

Every soap opera has more than one family..and a family living outside the gates would be perfect

I think they're still world building and they've started to highlight enough tertiary characters that eventually, they can build other families. Vanessa and Doug have college age kids, plus they've alluded to her family being wealthy so she could have other siblings eventually. Smitty could have a family out there, we've only seen Jacob's dad so far, and Ashley and her mom could have ties as well. I think they may be trying to see which characters seem popular that could have other family brought on canvas. I wouldn't want them to rush it with a bunch more new people while we're still getting to know the mains. 

[michelec]

17 hours ago, Kerri said:

I'm still watching last week. The Cady McClain character is weird. Just an empty character for Dani to react against. And I just don't buy the friendship or the history. When she comes on screen my primary thought is- oh there's CM, bc they felt like they needed a name to bring in viewers initially and this is who they got with Lindstrom.

 

For now, Pamela is leaving me flat, But since it's still early days, I'm okay to see how she develops.

17 hours ago, Badsamaritan said:

I think they're still world building and they've started to highlight enough tertiary characters that eventually, they can build other families. Vanessa and Doug have college age kids, plus they've alluded to her family being wealthy so she could have other siblings eventually. Smitty could have a family out there, we've only seen Jacob's dad so far, and Ashley and her mom could have ties as well. I think they may be trying to see which characters seem popular that could have other family brought on canvas. I wouldn't want them to rush it with a bunch more new people while we're still getting to know the mains. 

I would like to see Anita's side of the family down the line. We know she came from humble beginnings, so how did her new life change the dynamics with her siblings (assuming she has them)? Did their fortunes change? Did she leave them behind? Does she have resentful nieces and nephews? Possibilities are endless.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E39: Monday, April 21, 2025

[drivethroo]

4 hours ago, michelec said:

I would like to see Anita's side of the family down the line. We know she came from humble beginnings, so how did her new life change the dynamics with her siblings (assuming she has them)? Did their fortunes change? Did she leave them behind? Does she have resentful nieces and nephews? Possibilities are endless.

That very well could be the secondary family because I don't any of the other characters caring enough about bringing down the Duprees to justify a secondary family to challenge them.  Perhaps Anita's family is mad because she moved on up to the east side and left them poor and broke wherever it is she came from. That still wouldn't provide any future Romeo & Juliet storylines because they'd all be related. 

Today was a fun, cute episode. Anita had valid fears about not wanting to sing in public while rusty.  She wouldn't have had any problems in her living room but out in public where everyone is live streaming? I get the hesitancy.

Tomas is more natural and relaxed with Eva. I don't know why Jonathan and Julia aren't planning the party themselves.

Doug could end all of this today by telling Vanessa the truth.  She would pay Joey off the gambling debt and stay away from Joey but Doug isn't going to do that.  I feel like Doug would be dumb enough to forge Vanessa's signature or embezzle from her and that's what's going to end their marriage. 

Dana has a brand new wig for the party.  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AnimeMania]

Fun episode.

Martin shouldn't have a picture of an underaged boy in his boxers on his phone, let alone showing it to anyone who will look.

Chelsea's earrings were as big as her head.

They should have the Articulettes reach out to Anita or the press for a reunion and then have things get really messy. Maybe Vernon had fooled around with a couple of the members or they have some very racy stories about what happened while they on tour or they give the real reason why they broke up.

[ShadowHunter]

Joey continues to show what a real threat is not like that over the hill Mobster joke that is Sunny on GH.

The Dupree family getting together was nice and great hearing Anita sing and I agree her concerns were valid. I think they need a rival Family this is a soap after all. Ted and Martin didn't even interact with each other lol. 

Chelsea's butterfly earrings were a bit too big for my taste. 

Eva continues to be my favorite. Course Leslie already spending the money she got.  While she is nuts I do enjoy her friendship scenes with Mona and Jan. 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E40: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

[Matteo]

I did find it kind of hilarious and tone-deaf that Martin wants to help his son get over the humiliation of his photo and then proceeds to show the photo to all of his family and anyone else around.  Way to embarrass the kid even more...  Did Vernon and Chelsea really need to see it to understand the bullying? Haha, I'm sure Tyrell wouldn't appreciate that.

[Kerri]

Is this a picture of the kid in underwear? That is so weird. Here (Ontario) distribution of an image like that- police would be involved, and even if it was just other kids distributing it. Kids have been charged under that law.  An adult distributing it- uh yep cops for sure. And distributing can be as simple as just shaowing/sharing not like a mass film ring or anything. T

I find it strange the show is just sidestepping that but maybe it's ok in the US? But it's been bothering me since the start. 

Edited April 22 by Kerri

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, Kerri said:

Is this a picture of the kid in underwear? That is so weird. Here (Ontario) distribution of an image like that- police would be involved, and even if it was just other kids distributing it.

He's in chess boxers.  I don't know that would be illegal since boxers offer quite a bit more coverage than briefs.

On 4/21/2025 at 2:19 PM, drivethroo said:

Anita had valid fears about not wanting to sing in public while rusty.  She wouldn't have had any problems in her living room but out in public where everyone is live streaming? I get the hesitancy.

That whole sequence made me wish they gave Anita/TT more to do.  She was fabulous trying to shut everyone down.  She should really be given more of a story to showcase her power.  I'd rather her be some power player rather than go back to singing.

[Kerri]

I still think it's weird. IRL I would have a lot of questions about anyone passing around a photo like that. Even if it were my brother and my nephew. And then without consent? Like wtf. 

I find the way they are framing this story really weird and off putting.

Anyway different sensitivities I guess.

Edited April 22 by Kerri

[JAYJAY1979]

Martin seems to be one of those parents that mean well..but make things worse.

Potentially unpopular opinion: I support Bill utilizing Tomas as a ringer on the new board.  Those three women shouldn't be trusted to head any sort of committee/board.  Plus...men need just as much protection in the work place as well.

I noticed Hayley was dressed professionally and doing work outside of Bill's office.

Unpopular opinion: Free Andre from creepy Dani.

[Rodney]

Okay.  Now we have a maiden name for Anita.  It's Williams.

Kat had a good idea, and Samantha seemed to agree with it.  Having Dani on board would be a good idea.  Chelsea did get sold on it, but Dani, unfortunately, said no.

Interesting that Bill really didn't know what was going on with Mike because he was too focused on his affair with Hayley to pay attention to everything else going on around him.  And it sounds like Hayley was aware of what Mike was doing, too, and was disgusted by it.  But is she really pregnant?

Eva's been in your life for all of two months, Nicole, and you already want her at the table with you?  Uh . . . okay.

So Tomas is on the road to partner in Bill's firm?  I'd like to actually see him as an attorney down the road.  But he and Kat were once again adorable today.

Anita is terrified of getting back in the saddle and reviving her singing career?  Understandable, given how long it's been.

Decent episode today.

[AnimeMania]

47 minutes ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

I noticed Hayley was dressed professionally and doing work outside of Bill's office.

That's funny, because I thought Hayley was dressed unprofessionally, since it looked like a large portion of her back was exposed.

[bayviewbubba]

"Business dress" in real life is a real regional thing.  Washington DC is much more conservative, like the Midwest.  California, Florida- wacko rules.  New York and Texas- somewhere in between.  Soap business dress is a real oxymoron.  It's strictly character driven, in broad strokes, with no tie to time of day, season, or occasion. For reference see Lauren Fenmore in Genoa City.

[SiouxB]

4 hours ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

Unpopular opinion: Free Andre from creepy Dani.

Not unpopular with me… Dani is my least favorite character on the show…

Karla plays the character too broadly, and I was never a fan of hers going all the way back to guiding light days.

Andre is a great character and the actor is decent and I like him with anybody but her…

[Norasuke]

I'm still waiting for Chekhov's straw to come up again and ruin Dana's whackadoo ambitions with a definitive DNA test.

[ASpring1900]

It is almost exactly two months since BTG premiered, and it has become my favorite of the five airing soaps. I actually look forward to the episodes. The sets and wardrobe are beautiful and the writing is fresh. I still don't have all the names down (and some of the bearded men I cannot tell apart), but I'm getting there. I haven't looked at the ratings-- I hope it is doing well. 

Off to buy Tide and Febreeze!

[Badsamaritan]

I think Dani and Andre are sexy as Hell, I don't even care lol. Loved that photo shoot with Andre feeling like a piece of meat and Dani telling him he was wagyu all the way lol! I also found their convo about whether or not he should stay when Chelsea came calling. Speaking of, I was glad Dani told Chelsea no. Chelsea waffled way too long, if it was anybody else she would jump at the chance for them to shine their light on her new business. I love Kat standing on business and basically telling her to get over herself. She's trying to be a mogul but is afraid of her own mother? They're gonna have to deal with people exactly like Dani and even worse in the fashion industry, she better get a thicker skin. Samantha should in NO WAY have a say in the business though, she's been in the game for all of 30 seconds. 😑

I'm so ready for Eva to bust up her mother's plan. It's obvious to Stevie Wonder that Leslie hates Nicole because she is the wife and thinks Ted will choose her, unlike before. And, I am NOT down with her taking that shit out on Nicole, who is innocent in all this. Leslie's plan needs to start unraveling soon.

Ugh. Bill and his child bride. I loved Kat capping for her Aunt Dani and showing them the video of her getting her girl group number on. Bill is more tolerable to me when Hayley is busy somewhere playing with her Fischer Price toys. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[ShadowHunter]

Hayley you can buy a pregnancy test at any store. 

[TiffanyNichelle]

I also love Andre and Dani. I don't care if it doesn't make sense in the long term, right now it's a fun ride. They connect more than just the usual FWB and have way more chemistry than Andre and Ashley, who I haven't missed.

Hayley's outfit was slightly unprofessional but it was one of the rare things that she's worn that I liked. The color popped on her. It was also rare to see her at the firm actually talking about doing work. Not that she actually did any work.  When she eavesdropped on Bill and Tomas it seemed that she really liked that Bill was being devious and sending Tomas in to spy on the committee. She was just pretending to be bothered by it later. She likes that ruthless side of Bill.

If they want me to buy that the actress playing Samantha is supposed to be 16, don't put her in so many scenes with Chelsea and Kat because she looks their age (and a little older). All the big hair bows, flat sneakers, and nude makeup isn't really selling it as well as they think.

Leslie really thinks exposing Ted as Eva's father will then get Nicole to drop Ted and have Ted choose her. Despite Ted clearly not giving a damn about Leslie. Maybe if they played up any lingering sexual tension in any of their scenes I might suspect it. But Ted has been straight up only about Nicole and he hates that Leslie is around. It was very telling when Eva was concerned about Leslie spending all the money Ted gave her to leave, that Leslie said once Eva takes her "rightful place", they will get even more money. If any money was going to go to anyone, it would just be Eva, who's an adult. Leslie wouldn't get anything.

Just like Hayley, Leslie is reaching for the husbands of Dupree women thinking that would put them squarely in the Dupree world.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E41: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

[Rodney]

So continuing on from yesterday, Dani laid out a good case for why she turned Chelsea down.  And I do like that they ended things amicably.  Chelsea even sounded happy for Dani opening her own modeling agency with Pamela.

It was so obvious that they were using the Derek/Ashley scene to try and show that they're not compatible so that they can lay the path to Ashley getting with Andre.

I thought that Dana would find out that Eva got her fired from Nicole's special award dinner.  Especially when Nicole told her that she had to tell her the truth about the night of said dinner.

Ooh.  Things between Dana and Eva are starting to disintegrate.  But really, why would Dana lie to Eva about why she was really at the country club?

Ted and Nicole's constant slobbering all over Eva has me eager to see if that will continue once she and Dana drop the bomb.

Doug really should've cashed in the $50,000 to start paying back Joey.  Randy was right that he should've done that.  I know that I would've done that.  Instead, he lost it all on a horse.  Idiot.

Speaking of Joey, they're totally setting him up with Vanessa, aren't they?  For now, Vanessa had some sexy time with Doug in what looks like a very exquisite bedroom.

Doug gets a lot of screentime for someone whose actor isn't on contract.  I still feel like his debt with Joey is going to end up taking him off this mortal coil.

Chelsea met up with that couple again.  Funny this happens just as I was wondering whatever had happened to them.

Dani and Pamela were adorable with Andre snapping those shots of them.

Good episode today.

[drivethroo]

20 hours ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

Potentially unpopular opinion: I support Bill utilizing Tomas as a ringer on the new board. 

I have zero problem with Bill using Tomas as a spy. He should finally know everything that's going on in his company.

2 hours ago, TiffanyNichelle said:

They connect more than just the usual FWB and have way more chemistry than Andre and Ashley, who I haven't missed.

They just don't work.  More on this later*.

2 hours ago, TiffanyNichelle said:

It was very telling when Eva was concerned about Leslie spending all the money Ted gave her to leave, that Leslie said once Eva takes her "rightful place", they will get even more money. If any money was going to go to anyone, it would just be Eva, who's an adult. Leslie wouldn't get anything.

And it wouldn't be Dupree money or status anyway because Eva would be a Richardson, not a Dupree.

2 hours ago, TiffanyNichelle said:

Just like Hayley, Leslie is reaching for the husbands of Dupree women thinking that would put them squarely in the Dupree world.

This is why I can't buy a second rival family to the Duprees.  Individual people against them? Yes. A second family to challenge them? No, and for what reason? They built the neighborhood, so everyone living in Fairmont Crest with the exception of Bill & Hayley** are social equals. They don't think they're better than anyone with the exception of Kat. I've seen some fans wish for a White family*** to come aboard; why would a White family challenge the Duprees (without coming off as racist)? A secondary family is fine but one to challenge the Duprees? For what reason.

43 minutes ago, Rodney said:

But really, why would Dana lie to Eva about why she was really at the country club?

Because exposing Ted has never been about Eva taking her rightful place as his daughter, it's always been about Leslie replacing Nicole. Eva is only a tool for Leslie's quest to replace Nicole.

45 minutes ago, Rodney said:

Doug really should've cashed in the $50,000 to start paying back Joey. 

Doug is a dummy.  He did tell Andre today he was an adrenaline junkie.

46 minutes ago, Rodney said:

I still feel like his debt with Joey is going to end up taking him off this mortal coil.

Doug will be at the bottom of the river or thrown into Beltway traffic very soon.

46 minutes ago, Rodney said:

Chelsea met up with that couple again.  Funny this happens just as I was wondering whatever had happened to them.

The wife seems very into Chelsea.

48 minutes ago, Rodney said:

It was so obvious that they were using the Derek/Ashley scene to try and show that they're not compatible so that they can lay the path to Ashley getting with Andre.

*Ashley is not compatible with Derek or Andre. I think Derek would work best as a Shanice/Mona/Ear Hustling Doctor background type character. Ashley I think probably needs a recast if the show insists on an Ashley/Andre pairing.  I think she's probably a perfectly fine entertainer but I don't think she's right for this role.

**Hayley is really the only one who gets blatantly dissed in Fairmont Crest and that's because of her actions. She can't understand why the Dupree social status hasn't been taken away from Dani and given to her because she's now the wife but Dani always had the social status because it was her birthright; Bill lost custody of it when he dumped Dani.

Dana/Leslie is the same way.  She thinks once she gets Nicole out of the way and can finally be with Ted she will have the same social status as Nicole and again, the social status was Nicole's from birth. Ted just married into it and once it's all exposed Ted will be on the outside looking in along with Dana and Eva.

***There's already a White family on the show: Ashley and her mom.  But we don't know who her dad is and for all we know Jan could be Joey's cheating ex-wife who left him (but didn't tell him she was pregnant with Ashley). But if they do this story, they are going to have to recast the Ashley actress because I don't know if she can keep up with Jon Lindstrom.

[One Tough Cookie]

19 hours ago, SiouxB said:

Karla plays the character too broadly, and I was never a fan of hers going all the way back to guiding light days.

She's bat shit crazy ad with her mannerisms she acts just like Phyllis of YR,  No range, no subtlety.

 

4 hours ago, Rodney said:

oug really should've cashed in the $50,000 t

He'd have to pay taxes on that. he'd probably get 35-40 grind.

There was so much going on today I was dizzy.  Pick a couple of stories and let the others evolve organically.

 

3 hours ago, drivethroo said:

t was so obvious that they were using the Derek/Ashley scene to try and show that they're not compatible so that they can lay the path to Ashley getting with Andre.

good point.  Producers, are you listening?

[JAYJAY1979]

About time there were more love scenes.

Doug and Vanessa have some chemistry in the bedroom.

Derek/Ashley did better acting with their bodies/kissing.  More of that and less talking lol

[YaddaYadda]

The editing was pretty jarring. Doug went from losing his $50K to seeing Vanessa with Joey, to ending up in the bedroom with her. Did I miss something? 

Those who can't tell the men apart . . . 

• Ted is the guy with the baritone voice, and sways in every single scene he's in, no matter who he is interacting with
• Doug, salt and pepper beard and hair, gets turned on by a deck of cards
• Randy is the guy in the always leather jacket and is always in black, because that's how we know he's somewhat a bad guy. 
• Andre is the one who inherited Chandler Bing's vests.
• Bill is tall and sweaty
• Martin is the jackass
• Jacob. If you have a hard time recognizing my handsome Jacob, then you need glasses.

[mbluecpa]

Ashley’s “Effective Thinking” magazine looks even less interesting to me than the Ashley/Derek scenes yesterday.  Was it intentional that the large-font headline that she was reading from wasn’t about compatibility but about being obsessed with one’s ex?

Vanessa has seriously been bringing the spark in her scenes lately, really ramping up the tension with Joey and giving us some 🔥 with Doug.

Glad to see the revisit of Chelsea’s relationship with the couple.  I doubt it will rise to a main storyline but hopefully it won’t just get pushed to the side either; the times they’ve explored it I’ve always wondered where the writers are headed.

They’ve also got me wondering if we’ll have the anniversary party reveal or if Eva will get Leslie/Dana (as Sherry) pre-fired from working it.  The rising conflict between Eva and her mom is well-written and well-played.

40-ish episodes in, BTG is doing a good job of having me interested in where plots are going and wanting to watch every day. 

[YaddaYadda]

3 hours ago, mbluecpa said:

They’ve also got me wondering if we’ll have the anniversary party reveal or if Eva will get Leslie/Dana (as Sherry) pre-fired from working it.  The rising conflict between Eva and her mom is well-written and well-played.

Those were really great scenes. Kudos to both actresses, but especially to the actress who plays Eva. She was especially awesome in them.

[One Tough Cookie]

On 4/19/2025 at 4:30 PM, JAYJAY1979 said:

nd after almost 40 episodes, I still think Dani is a pointless character and should have been off screen living her life.  She could have been introduced later...same as her daughter Chelse

Agree.  Hate her scene chewing and mugging for the cam

 

1 hour ago, YaddaYadda said:

She was especially awesome in them.

I think she will be able to handle whatever the producers throw her way.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E42: Thursday, April 24, 2025

[drivethroo]

7 hours ago, mbluecpa said:

Vanessa has seriously been bringing the spark in her scenes lately, really ramping up the tension with Joey and giving us some 🔥 with Doug.

Today's episode was very informational. Both Nicole and Kat are gathering together some clues about Laura's attacker/Eva/Leslie-Anna.

Bill was disappointed Hayley wasn't pregnant.  He was probably hoping for a little boy this time. And I did catch the line about the new kid being a HAMILTON ...because Naomi and Chelsea are DUPREES, not Hamiltons. Bill, Hayley is young.  Give her time.

Doug/Vanessa/Joey:

We learned Vanessa is from behind the gates (not sure if her family is from Fairmont Crest (probably not)) but Vanessa grew up wealthy.

We know Doug is from the hood if he's a childhood friend of Randy. Randy was telling somebody (Joey?) that Vanessa and Doug met in high school. (He never said "he" met Vanessa during high school).

Joey told Randy (and later Vanessa) that Vanessa is into danger.  On one of this week's episodes, Doug told Andre he was an adrenaline junkie and I think he said pretty much the same about himself when having his afterglow chat with Vanessa when they reminisced about Doug sneaking to see Vanessa after school.

So my theory is Vanessa probably went to a high end private school where Doug got a scholarship to attend. IMO Vanessa got off on sneaking around with a black guy from the hood and Doug got off from sneaking around with this white girl he had no business being with.

Now they've been married 20+ years, settled down and there's no more danger to their relationship anymore.  Being with someone of a different race is not as scandalized as it may have been 30+ years ago.  They've been doing minivans, PTA, work/kids/work for the past 20+ years.  The kids are now out of the house and they're bored with each other so both of them are seeking out their danger fix: Vanessa with sleeping around with strange men and Doug with gambling.

The two main reasons they got together/stayed together (danger + children) are gone and both are trying to get that pep back in their step.

Both of them will meet their downfalls with Joey for the exact same reason.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 07:32 PM by drivethroo

[ShadowHunter]

Joey, you smooth manipulate bastard I love it lol. I really laughed when he called Doug a loser. Nice learning more about Doug and Vanessa's relationship. 

Tomas is a snitch lol. Still great scene with Kat, Lesley, and Eva though. Had Lesley stayed away from Kat in the first place she would not have recognized her. 

New Ted is supposed to start in a few weeks. Will see how that goes. 

I am glad Hayley is not pregnant. I do not need to see her and Bill's spawn running around. It probably won't last but for now we have relief.