Current Plots Discussion: Actually Today's Episode

[boes]

I'm also enjoying Hope and Ciara's relationship and for me - it seems real.  Theo is such a delight IMO.  I think the actor is doing an excellent job portraying Theo with his autism.  It's lowkey and maybe easy to miss.  The actor has a real ease about him IMO.

 

Chase.....so it did happen, all the way or so "they" say according to Andre.  I liked Chase, like the actor but how can the character come back from this?  Jack, okay, but I don't see it happening again.  He knows what he did and he's not acting psychotic about it.  Although I enjoy crazy Andre, it's a weak part of the story to have him and Chase partnering up like this.  

And truth be told the whole storyline just depresses me.

 

I like Hope and Ciara's relationship even if Ciara isn't the best actress.

The actor playing Theo continues to impress.

Brady really isn't that rest when given anything that's supposed to have depth to it -- the craptastic story isn't helping, but his acting really isn't impressing me.

 

I like your understatment about Brady, that his acting really isn't impressing me.  You are so much kinder than I am.  While I think Eric Martsolf is absolutely charming in interviews, he has all the acting range of A to B and that's when he's really stretching.  I think Show keeps him around because he manscapes well - and he's TOPS at being overbearing.  

If Nicole had been on the beach when he went under and just smiled and walked away I'd have cheered.  Other than him having a lot of money I still don't get why any woman would be so thrilled to be with a guy who has the intelligence of a dead flashlight battery.  Even with shiny nipples.

 

Were you all worried that Summer's Eve wouldn't be rescued?  Or hoping, like I was?  She's going to have a "mystery" about Daniel that she'll drag out and out and OUT while she has fits and breakdowns and probably a few break dances thrown in there for good measure. 

The only mystery about Daniel that could possibly be of any interest is why Show inflicted him on us as long as they did.

 

NOW, maybe, can Show go back to Jenn and Eric?  I appreciate not having to see or hear Abigail lately but what happened with Jenn and Eric??

[BlackMamba]

NOW, maybe, can Show go back to Jenn and Eric? I appreciate not having to see or hear Abigail lately but what happened with Jenn and Eric??

Yes!!! Jenn/Eric is a pleasant surprise.

Who knew two messed up junkies could be so hot. I want to know if they had sex because how deep that kiss was like omg...

[Happytobehere]

Joey is 17 years SOASRED.

Joey is 16.

[Frozendiva]

Andre is the puppetmaster, but Chase still has the freewill to do what he wants. He's a boy with no power who chose to get some.  I do wonder if Andre knew exactly what Chase did. Except for having feelings for his step-sister, there really wasn't much of any motivation for him.  Ciara is not obligated to have interest in her stepbrother. Just ugh.

 

I enjoyed Kayla's slapping Ava.

 

Maybe Ciara will talk to her mom or visit her Aunt Kayla for help. Once she gets past Martini Day.

 

The Summer/Daniel story so far seems like a waste of time. Maybe it would have been more interesting if 'Summer' saw Dr. Dan's obit and came to Salem. Have no idea why Brady has women chasing after him. Maybe it's his money or his shininess.

[Happytobehere]

The only thing that threw me when Ciara said to Theo, she'll be in 18 in a few weeks. Waitttt how she jump from 16 to 18 in a matter of 4 months.

I get what your saying as the SORASing is ridiculous, since she was what 10 less than 5 months ago. But it does have some continuity in the sense that Ciara was a toddler when Joey was born, so if he is 16, she should be 18 or 19, if that makes any sense. In terms of the SORAS Theo was SORASed then deSORASed as he should be what 21/22 based on when the kids were actually born, since I recall Theo being born befor Hope was even pregnant with Ciara. However, given this logic, Stephanie, who was aged to her early twenties when Joey was born, should be about 40, and Sammi, who was aged to her teens when Belle was born, remember she kidnapped Belle, should be at least 50 with the latest Belle SORAS, and so on, and so on. Not to mention how old all this SORASing makes the varies parents of Salem. This is why SORASing is always problematic.

[teacake]

As a fellow skinny, I don't want to comment about TB's body, but it reminds me that Ava's little bodyshaming gesture Kayla today was really gross.  I totally believed Ava would do that, but it was kind of low for the show.  I guess the writers have called Ava "scrawny" and "bony" a few times, too, though.

 

Either the show or MBE herself doesn't want to have her in love scenes anymore, but it makes a bad story worse when things are so uneven in terms of what they show.  I'm certainly hoping that flashback of Ava coercing Steve has almost had its last hurrah.

[Rick Kitchen]

 

I enjoyed Kayla's slapping Ava.

 

I normally hate that the shows always go with slaps, but that backhand was awesome, as was the subsequent punch.

[bobcat1946]

Why would Kayla be allowed to lay a hand on Ava since Sami was not allowed to slap the princess trollop?

Edited February 23, 2016 by bobcat1946

[Apprentice79]

Kayla was so awesome today and I loved her going after Ava. She was always  fiery heroine like her big sister Kim...She never had a problem standing up for herself....I despise Ava and I hated how she acted like her sexual past with Steve gave her an advantage over Kayla, implying that Kayla was inferior to her. It is insulting because it was the same thing that was written with Steve's retcon first wife Marina..Marina was just as vile as Ava.....Why is Ava still on the show? She was awful in 2008 and she is still a piece of sh....t in 2016...I will never understand Dena Higley's obsession with that disgusting character...

Edited February 23, 2016 by Apprentice79

[neuromom]

As a fellow skinny, I don't want to comment about TB's body, but it reminds me that Ava's little bodyshaming gesture Kayla today was really gross.  I totally believed Ava would do that, but it was kind of low for the show.  I guess the writers have called Ava "scrawny" and "bony" a few times, too, though.

 

Either the show or MBE herself doesn't want to have her in love scenes anymore, but it makes a bad story worse when things are so uneven in terms of what they show.  I'm certainly hoping that flashback of Ava coercing Steve has almost had its last hurrah.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense to skinny people. It's a matter of perception I guess. I just think she is a little TOO skinny. Though, like I said, I feel bad for her if it's caused by an illness. But, I did NOT see the bed scene, so I can't comment on her unclothed body. And I wonder if blocking and filming has anything to do with that?

At any rate, I wish TB all the best......on any other show except THIS one! :-)

[salvame]

Show is really, really taxing my ability to stick with it.  Since I have been travelling, I have watched sporadically, but this rape story on top of months of dark story lines may be the last straw.  In this day and age, there is no excuse for misogynistic story lines such as rape, kidnapping, beating or otherwise victimizing women.  

They better figure out a way to end this story line quickly if they hope to retain viewers.

[DisneyBoy]

I can't fathom this Brady storyline...he's got two women after him and now a third? And a half-brother succumbing to booze, which he and Theresa know something about and could help with...but won't...and a young baby...

What does this add to the show??!?

Edited February 23, 2016 by DisneyBoy

[salvame]

 

What does this add to the show??!?

 

About as much as a gratuitous teen rape story. 

[teacake]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense to skinny people. It's a matter of perception I guess. I just think she is a little TOO skinny.

 

Oh, no worries by me.  And I think the whole "the camera adds ten pounds" thing is probably in play here too.

[Lastwaltz]

I wonder what happened to Eric and Jenn -- the last time we saw them, weren't they kissing in Jenn's living room? I was afraid they'd  be caught en flagrante in Jenn's house when Ciara and Theo dropped back in. Way to drop a hot moment, show. 

 

Andre is beyond horrible.

 

Steve is just destroyed and it took a lot of guts to tell his son that he was coerced into sex with the woman his son had a crush on last week. I hope things go well for them all, but I don't see how Kayla can close her eyes and not see Ava. What a taunting creep Ava is, I hope she's gone for good soon, the wretched rake. 

 

Not much to say about Brady/Summer/Nicole and now Theresa -- but oddly, I'm a bit interested in Summer's back story with Daniel. I think there could be some good stuff there and as long as Daniel himself isn't in my TV, I'm willing to go with the mystery at this point. 

[bantering]

Did Ava confiscate Steve's phone or something when she blackmailed him into sleeping with her? (I didn't watch the entire progression of the storyline since Ava's teeth bother me). 

EJ had a gun held to Sami's head, but I didn't see any guns flying around in Steve's flashback scenes. Did Steve forget to re-charge his phone and forget to bring the charger with him? WTF. Am I over-thinking this?

Edited February 23, 2016 by bantering

[shesajar]

Why would Kayla allowed to lay a hand on Ava since Sami was not allowed to slap the princess trollop?

Because Steve is infinitely > EJ, even with the crappy writing surrounding what went down w/Ava.. 

.Abigail didn't rape EJ, manipulate Sami's son, or kill Sami's father. Kayla showed more restraint than Ava deserved.

[bantering]

Interesting - when I saw her in Patch!Romp 2016, I thought - Damn, that is the best female body I think I have ever seen.  Would others care to weigh in?  (no pun, yada yada)

 

 

I think she has a really good physique (especially considering she must be 40 or so -- I therefore assumed she works hard to maintain it so on that level her body seems impressive to me), but gosh darnit, her character is so annoying. I think she might be even more irritating than Kristen, who at least had comic timing that made for some funny moments at times with some of the other Dimeras. There's nothing I can point to in Ava that could be considered charming personality-wise, even when she's just having casual conversation. (Even Kristen and Kate, while nuts, can be kind of amusing at times). 

Edited February 23, 2016 by bantering

[Lastwaltz]

Yes! For some reason, I adore Kristen (and Eileen Davidson) and gave her a pass most of the time. The thing with Eric was hard to take, but other than that I just loved her campiness and the vulnerability that Eileen brought out in that character. Ava has only one awful dimension. 

[DisneyBoy]

Kristen love! Wait, let me pull up a chair...

I also hated basically everything that happened with Kristen after she raped Eric, which was the most pointless thing to do to her character especially after all of those years of making her such an interesting human villainess.

Taking Theresa's unborn baby, while completely implausible, at least made sense given who Kristen is and what she has always wanted. Raping Eric was a stunt and one that majorly damaged her character.

Ava is just oily and fake and vacuous. I think the show has reached a new low with her because her particularly flat brand of evil isn't even interesting to watch. She is just so smug and that's about it. You wants to pop her like a balloon. Was Ava a little more interesting in her first appearance? It doesn't seem like she was...

Kristen love! Wait, let me pull up a chair...

I also hated basically everything that happened with Kristen after she raped Eric, which was the most pointless thing to do to her character especially after all of those years of making her such an interesting human villainess.

Taking Theresa's unborn baby, while completely implausible, at least made sense given who Kristen is and what she has always wanted. Raping Eric was a stunt and one that majorly damaged her character.

Ava is just oily and fake and vacuous. I think the show has reached a new low with her because her particularly flat brand of evil isn't even interesting to watch. She is just so smug and that's about it. You wants to pop her like a balloon. Was Ava a little more interesting in her first appearance? It doesn't seem like she was...

[LeftPhalange]

Ava is ridiculous. 

[bobcat1946]

Because Steve is infinitely > EJ, even with the crappy writing surrounding what went down w/Ava.. 

.Abigail didn't rape EJ, manipulate Sami's son, or kill Sami's father. Kayla showed more restraint than Ava deserved.

 

 

Roman Brady is still very much alive.  At least he was today.

Edited February 23, 2016 by bobcat1946

[shesajar]

Yeah, I know Roman is still alive. I'm saying that Abigail, unlike Ava, hasn't killed the father of the woman whose husband she had sex with. Abigail may have deserved a slap or two, but she's no Ava, and the circumstances between her and Sami are nowhere near as complex as the one between Ava and Kayla.

[bantering]

I think Abigail is the one who wound up slapping Sami but then I'm not sure who Abigail hasn't slapped on this show..

 

Maybe she can slap Ava once she gets within Chad's proximity. At this point, I'm not sure if I even care if Abigail is the one who has to get down to business. The smug on Ava is way too much...and what is she smug about? It's not like she got Steve to sleep with her through normal means.

Edited February 23, 2016 by bantering

[bobcat1946]

Yeah, I know Roman is still alive. I'm saying that Abigail, unlike Ava, hasn't killed the father of the woman whose husband she had sex with. Abigail may have deserved a slap or two, but she's no Ava, and the circumstances between her and Sami are nowhere near as complex as the one between Ava and Kayla.

IA that abigail is not Ava but she was off to a good start invading a home without be invited and then slapped the victim, Sami.

[LadyJaney]

Still my wishful thinking and hopes is that Chase did not 'go all the way" as he told Andre but is making him think he did to work with Andre to reveal his deeds to Hope and all. My wishful theory:

 

Chase was listening to Andre and went over to see Ciara and had that awful moment where he pushed her down and was ready to have his way with her.  Suddenly he realizes what he has done and stops before going any further and leaves.  Ciara is still traumatized by what almost happened and doesn't want to see Chase after this.  

 

Chase realizes what he almost did and that he was swayed by Andre's words.  He knows that Hope had warned him and Ciara about him and realizes that Andre is using him as a pawn.  He then tries to one-up Andre by letting him think he did rape Ciara in order to gain his trust and see what Andre's next plan is.  Once he knows his agenda he will go to Hope and he will be dealt with.  Perhaps he feels in a small way he can make it up to Ciara for what he almost did.  

 

Chase will confess what happened, Hope will be conflicted but not want him near Ciara.  Ciara will be conflicted too and steer clear of him until she heals from the trauma and someday forgives him.  She and Theo grow closer.  Chase feels like a pariah in Salem.  Claire is the one who comes to his side and they slowly fall for each other.  Chase hesitates because he feels he has it within him to be a monster, but Claire tells him otherwise.  Claire and Ciara have difference due to Chase.  Somewhere in the mix,the truth comes out that Chase is the child of Ava and Steve.  He blames his "monster" side on Ava and hates her or maybe is close to her because he feels he is his mother's son.  However, Steve tries to be a father to him and show his the ways of redemption along with Claire by his side.  They are the next generation of a Steve/Kayla romance. (Claire=Kayla, Chase=Steve, Steve=mama Jo, Ava=Duke, Joey=Jack)

 

What do you think?  I so want this to be the case.  I hate to think that Chase is a full-on rapist and dumb enough to trust Andre.  However, I very, very little faith in these writers and feel they would take the lazy approach to this storyline.  I wonder if Jonathan McClendon has a long-term or short-term contract with the show.  that could also determine Chase's fate.  

Edited February 23, 2016 by LadyJaney

[BlackMamba]

Joey, stfu. You are annoying as hell!

We get it you hate that Steve got to boink Ava. There will be many fishes in the sea youngin.

Thaao/Andre is definitely in character in this story. This story works for Thaao's strength as an actor.

Rafe's character is more interesting.

The best he's ever been written IMO...

HA! Summer even can't believe this story is horseshit. This story won't be as awful as the Elephant but it sure going to be the worst story of 2016.

Lol, Ava and the doing older women crack at JJ was funny. Yet how she know that. Gossip? Of course, JJ gets knocked up side the head and kicked. Typical dumb cop mistake.

Andre has Chase in his backpocket. Clearly needing him for something bigger. Andre knowing Chase has done the unforgivable, he might use this to his advantage. Chase is now saying he'll be 18 soon... Again, Andre is in character. Hes playing the ultimate game of chess with these people now.

Eww they chem testing Brady and Summer on the beach! Wouldn't that be borderline incest since Brady has Daniel's heart

Edited February 23, 2016 by BlackMamba

[Rick Kitchen]

Where did Andre take Chase?

 

Oh, boy, they're sure telegraphing bad things happening to Ava and Kayla being held responsible. I wonder if Joe will be the one who does whatever to her.

 

So we have Kayla's brother and nephew arresting Ava, and Hope's son doing the forensic work to prove Andre killed Stefano.  No conflicts there at all.

 

James Lastovic was very good today.

 

Uh, the forensics guy makes arrests? And, uh, were they able to do DNA testing on Stefano's remains this quickly?

 

Hey, Rafe, go ahead and help yourself to Jennifer's food.

[Bwill3133]

Good question where did Jen and Eric go? Nice follow up show. Also Rafe that's not Hope's house. I'm sure Jennifer wants you to eat all her food.

Oh JJ never turn around from the criminal. Rookie mistake.

[Happytobehere]

Ava is just oily and fake and vacuous. I think the show has reached a new low with her because her particularly flat brand of evil isn't even interesting to watch. She is just so smug and that's about it. You wants to pop her like a balloon. Was Ava a little more interesting in her first appearance? It doesn't seem like she was...

Nope. My the vile utter nothing you see, is the vile utter nothing she always was. Nobody wanted her back but Higley.

Chase will confess what happened, Hope will be conflicted but not want him near Ciara. Ciara will be conflicted too and steer clear of him until she heals from the trauma and someday forgives him. She and Theo grow closer. Chase feels like a pariah in Salem. Claire is the one who comes to his side and they slowly fall for each other. Chase hesitates because he feels he has it within him to be a monster, but Claire tells him otherwise. Claire and Ciara have difference due to Chase. Somewhere in the mix,the truth comes out that Chase is the child of Ava and Steve. He blames his "monster" side on Ava and hates her or maybe is close to her because he feels he is his mother's son. However, Steve tries to be a father to him and show his the ways of redemption along with Claire by his side. They are the next generation of a Steve/Kayla romance. (Claire=Kayla, Chase=Steve, Steve=mama Jo, Ava=Duke, Joey=Jack)

What do you think? I so want this to be the case. I hate to think that Chase is a full-on rapist and dumb enough to trust Andre. However, I very, very little faith in these writers and feel they would take the lazy approach to this storyline. I wonder if Jonathan McClendon has a long-term or short-term contract with the show. that could also determine Chase's fate.

No interest in seeing this. Chase can go any time. Nothing that speaks of Ava should ever exist in the show, but this is exactly what we will get because well, Higley. And just where would the raping hell spawn be living, not in Kayla's house surely. Moreover, how would he be Ava and Steve's son unless Steve was carrying on with Ava at some other time than he has told us, because in the initial go round, he hadn't seen Ava in more than ten years, which means the child must be significantly older than Joey, or did the show change this? Would we be in for another round of Steve-splaing?

In your character comparisons, you have Joey as Jack, is he too going to go rapey? Is this some sort of Johnson family tradition? Are we supposed to care for and sympathize with Chase because he is twice cursed?

Joey, STFU, you are a moron of epic proportions. No doubt he gave Ava the keys to the house.

Can someone end this Brady story now, it is simply awful. Dear Theresa, you come across as desperate and pathetic, I didn't believe for one minute you are actually in love with Brady. I think you are in love with the concept of A Brady Type and the sense of validation he gives you. Maybe she will be revealed to be Ava's long-lost child, who it will be revealed was really not a boy.

JJ has clearly been trained at the feet of the best of the Salem PD. On the force for two weeks and proven to be dimwitted and incompetent.

I for one can't wait for Rafe and Hope's house of cards to come tumbling down.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Happytobehere

[kitmerlot1213]

As gross as some of the storylines are, I am super impressed by the actors, especially the younger set.  I was very impressed by the sheer emotion I saw coming off of Joey in his scenes with his dad--Steve and Kayla are always golden and I can finally say that I like their kid.  I loved when his anger just morphed into his crying.  Well done, Joseph :)  Also, Ciara is doing damn well with her internalized anger that just keeps popping out the more she speaks of Chase-also well done, young actress.

 

JJ's being sassy to Ava was rather lovely but Ava's belief that she's this gorgeous woman that all men desire is vastly sad and strangely delusional--much like dear sweet Abs.  And I'm sorry, but Brady and every other person has been describing Summer as this beautiful woman and all I'm seeing is someone kind of strange looking on my screen Anyone else?  :)

Edited February 23, 2016 by kitmerlot1213

[LadyJaney]

 

In your character comparisons, you have Joey as Jack, is he too going to go rapey? Is this some sort of Johnson family tradition? Are we supposed to care for and sympathize with Chase because he is twice cursed?

No, I was thinking more in the terms of if Chase found out he was Steve's son that he and Joey may be brothers in conflict the way Steve and Jack were for a long time in the beginning.  Also, this is all my ideas for if they tried to redeem Chase in some way.  If he didn't go through with the act, this is what could have been.  But I'm guessing it'll play out that he did truly go through with it, and I just can't see him being redeemed from this.  

 

Not really sure of the timeline of the Steve/Ava baby's age.  So I just put the child at Chase's age.  

 

I'm a little surprised to see Ciara still wearing the torn skirt and clothes from her attack.  Usually on the soap you will see the victim shower and change out of her clothing.  But I suppose, as in real life, everyone reacts differently.

 

Good question as to where Jen and Eric are.  I figured after the kiss, where Eric was drunk and Jen was high that maybe they were off having sex or something.  maybe they are.  This is the same day/nigh right?  The next morning, they might wake up in bed not knowing how they got there the night before...

[Dandesun]

This whole Summer storyline would be so much better if it suddenly became 'and then Bran wargs Summer and she tears everyone's throats out.'

[Happytobehere]

No, I was thinking more in the terms of if Chase found out he was Steve's son that he and Joey may be brothers in conflict the way Steve and Jack were for a long time in the beginning.  Also, this is all my ideas for if they tried to redeem Chase in some way.  If he didn't go through with the act, this is what could have been.  But I'm guessing it'll play out that he did truly go through with it, and I just can't see him being redeemed from this.  

 

Not really sure of the timeline of the Steve/Ava baby's age.  So I just put the child at Chase's age.  

 

I'm a little surprised to see Ciara still wearing the torn skirt and clothes from her attack.  Usually on the soap you will see the victim shower and change out of her clothing.  But I suppose, as in real life, everyone reacts differently.

 

Good question as to where Jen and Eric are.  I figured after the kiss, where Eric was drunk and Jen was high that maybe they were off having sex or something.  maybe they are.  This is the same day/nigh right?  The next morning, they might wake up in bed not knowing how they got there the night before...

Okay. I was really troubled by the lets forgive the rapist aspect. Far too often soaps contribute to this by romanticizing rapists and giving them some sad backstory that makes them forgivable. I don't get how a genre that services a large female population continues to gleefully disregard this horrific crime.

The clothes thing is troubling, but to me represents the complete lack of understanding the writers have of the mindset of a rape survivor -- another issue that makes me worried where this storyline is headed. While it could be a case of different people react differently, I worry that they are setting it up for Ciara being made to question what she knows happened because she can be told that she is not behaving the why someone who was raped would act. I'm hoping the show proves me wrong, but I'm preparing for the worst. I mean this is the same show that just gave us the Steve/Ava crap as "entertainment."

[boes]

Great post!

As gross as some of the storylines are, I am super impressed by the actors, especially the younger set.  I was very impressed by the sheer emotion I saw coming off of Joey in his scenes with his dad--Steve and Kayla are always golden and I can finally say that I like their kid.  I loved when his anger just morphed into his crying.  Well done, Joseph :)  Also, Ciara is doing damn well with her internalized anger that just keeps popping out the more she speaks of Chase-also well done, young actress.

 

JJ's being sassy to Ava was rather lovely but Ava's belief that she's this gorgeous woman that all men desire is vastly sad and strangely delusional--much like dear sweet Abs.  And I'm sorry, but Brady and every other person has been describing Summer as this beautiful woman and all I'm seeing is someone kind of strange looking on my screen Anyone else?  :)

 

I agree about the acting and I was surprised and impressed by how good the actor playing Joey was today.  As was Steve, and Kayla and Hope and Ciara.  

 

Ava really needs to just disappear.  I'd be absolutely fine if Kayla dumped her body in the trunk of her car and dumped her in a feeding pit for livestock somewhere.  SHE HIT JJ!  You do NOT get to hit our JJ, lady, and not pay.  Her sexy come-ons are pretty pathetic.   If TB is playing her as a crazy loon then she's doing a good job.

 

I'll be standing alone in the corner on this one but enough with Steve's apologies about sleeping with Ava as if he did it for fun.  I don't agree he had other options.  They were in Hawaii, Kayla was locked up God knows where and he was presented with a Hobson's choice.  As to how he was able to manage to have sex with someone he loathed, one word answer - "friction".  

So I get Kayla being upset but I don't get her seeing it as a betrayal, and on that subject Steve shouldn't be apologizing to Joey.  Explain it as best he can to a kid, but apologize?  Nah.  

It wasn't some sex romp.

 

Summer on the beach, Nicole and Theresa in the hotel, Brady with his soulful eyes and Marie Wilson with her whatever.....So I guess Maggie's egg had a double yoke and Summer is the other half?  Maggie has TWO daughters already with established history, so bring one of them back, or recast that boring grandson of hers, the doctor, with a better actor.  Another long-lost child she never knew she had?  
I don't think I can bear to hear that quiver in her voice and the BIG EYES as she weeps over her new middle-aged bouncing baby woman child.

 

Now, Show, can we PLEASE step away from the constant darkness and give us something a little less dire??  

 

Still my wishful thinking and hopes is that Chase did not 'go all the way" as he told Andre but is making him think he did to work with Andre to reveal his deeds to Hope and all. My wishful theory:

 

What do you think?  I so want this to be the case.  I hate to think that Chase is a full-on rapist and dumb enough to trust Andre.  However, I very, very little faith in these writers and feel they would take the lazy approach to this storyline.  I wonder if Jonathan McClendon has a long-term or short-term contract with the show.  that could also determine Chase's fate.  

 

I'd love it if it worked out this way but I don't see it happening.   Rape seems to be a courtship ritual on Days instead of the crime it is.  I really like the actor playing Chase and I thought there was a real future in Salem for a character connected to core families but not part of them, like he is, but with what he's done to Ciara, I can't see him as long term.  And if Show brushes this aside, or tries to make his feeling bad about it the excuse to forget about it.....I don't know....just don't know...

Edited February 24, 2016 by boes

[neuromom]

Not really sure of the timeline of the Steve/Ava baby's age.  So I just put the child at Chase's age.  

 

If memory serves, I believe that Kayla was pregnant with Joey during Ava's last visit, where she made life miserable for Kayal. Which means that a Steve/Ava kid would be older than Joey, by at least a year.

Oh wait, isn't Joey 16, and Chase is almost 18 now? So, I guess that WOULD work. Forget the fact that Chase was in grade school just months ago, and YOUNGER than Joey.

This timeline makes my head hurt.

[Lastwaltz]

Ah, friction! I get it now, boes : ) And I'm with you -- Steve was desperate. He owes Joey honesty and unconditional love while Joey works this out in his head, and that's what he did. (That sobby hug that almost knocked Steve down? My heart.) But the rest of it -- guilt, forgiveness --  is between Steve and Kayla. And there was a nice glimmer of hope in Kayla's talk with Roman about wanting her life back and how she's clearly directing her anger straight at Ava. These two kill me. 

 

And yeah, keep your spindly paws away from JJ, you old witch. Poor JJ -- but how many rookies are out on their own without a partner?

 

I'm not very familiar with Marie Wilson, but the plucked-from-the-sea look wasn't good on her at all. Theresa! There you go again, with your head full of steam and not much else. Including Tate -- where is he? Malibu isn't a hop, skip, and a jump from Salem so he can hardly be with the babysitter, can he? Why do they give these people plot babies if they're just going to forget about them? Oy. 

[Frozendiva]

Theresa, you can do better than man-child Brady. How do you let yourself  be treated with his crumbs? Work out a joint custody arrangement and some support for Tate.

 

Brady just isn't worth all these women being interested in him.

 

No mention of this Summer woman by Daniel at any time.

 

Maybe Theresa and Nicole and some of the other Salem women can go spelunking in the Salem catacombs and perhaps find some long-forgotten male pod-people. Once thawed, they have a personality, charm, wit, etc.

[Happytobehere]

I'll be standing alone in the corner on this one but enough with Steve's apologies about sleeping with Ava as if he did it for fun.  I don't agree he had other options.  They were in Hawaii, Kayla was locked up God knows where and he was presented with a Hobson's choice.  As to how he was able to manage to have sex with someone he loathed, one word answer - "friction".  

So I get Kayla being upset but I don't get her seeing it as a betrayal, and on that subject Steve shouldn't be apologizing to Joey.  Explain it as best he can to a kid, but apologize?  Nah.  

It wasn't some sex romp.

 

Summer on the beach, Nicole and Theresa in the hotel, Brady with his soulful eyes and Marie Wilson with her whatever.....So I guess Maggie's egg had a double yoke and Summer is the other half?  Maggie has TWO daughters already with established history, so bring one of them back, or recast that boring grandson of hers, the doctor, with a better actor.  Another long-lost child she never knew she had?  

I don't think I can bear to hear that quiver in her voice and the BIG EYES as she weeps over her new middle-aged bouncing baby woman child.

 

Now, Show, can we PLEASE step away from the constant darkness and give us something a little less dire??  

 

 

I'd love it if it worked out this way but I don't see it happening.   Rape seems to be a courtship ritual on Days instead of the crime it is.  I really like the actor playing Chase and I thought there was a real future in Salem for a character connected to core families but not part of them, like he is, but with what he's done to Ciara, I can't see him as long term.  And if Show brushes this aside, or tries to make his feeling bad about it the excuse to forget about it.....I don't know....just don't know...

I agree the apologies not to stop. It does Steve no favors. Dena's obsession with Ava has created her usual character and storyline clusterfuck.

Kayla has every right to view Steve's actions as a betrayal because Steve continues to lie and lie and lie. Hell, he wouldn't even have told the truth if John hadn't told him to. Steve continues to lie, claim his actions were all for Kayla, swears his love and devotion, begs forgiveness, and then swears he will never do it again, rinse/repeat. At what point does Kayla get granted the right to hold Steve accountable for wreaking havoc in her life. The issue is not the sleeping with Ava, it is Steve's modus operandi when it comes to handling any issue that rears his head. Think of how differently things would have played out in the park had Steve told the truth. His lies always give his assorted skanks the power to decimate Kayla and he doesn't seem to be able to process this fact. Ava has a plan and once again, Steve's lies are going to allow her to set her plan in motion and Kayla will be hurt yet again. Yes, Steve loves Kayla, but his role as the source of pain in her life cannot be overlooked. Until Steve grows up and actually makes some changes in his life, I don't know that it is advisable for Kayla to allow him in her life. And I say this as a major league Steve and Kayla fan.

I agree that Maggie needs no more magical and Taniel connected children. We never see or hear Maggie think of or mention Melissa or Sarah, if the show wants to give Maggie children to interact with, why not bring back the daughters she seems to have forgotten she had once the Tan Wonder appeared.

I just can't with Chase anymore. I don't want another magically redeemed rapist running around on canvass. Are they going to create another teen set for Chase to hang out with, or are Ciara, her cousin Joey, her niece Claire, and her best friend Theo (who said rapist bullied and tormented -- let's not forget this because Andre didn't prompt that and it was the first sign that Chase was dangerously unstable) all just supposed to embrace this criminal because it would be entertaining. Are the other residents of Salem just going to be okay with this character, I just don't see it. That would really turn me off the show for real. The show can create a new set of non-blood related characters to blend in, a racially diverse set would be nice, but again, this is Days.

If memory serves, I believe that Kayla was pregnant with Joey during Ava's last visit, where she made life miserable for Kayal. Which means that a Steve/Ava kid would be older than Joey, by at least a year.

Oh wait, isn't Joey 16, and Chase is almost 18 now? So, I guess that WOULD work. Forget the fact that Chase was in grade school just months ago, and YOUNGER than Joey.

This timeline makes my head hurt.

It actually doesn't work, because Steve was with Ava pre being turned into Nick, that's why he had no memory of who she was initially (Ava's creation was a retconn and this was how it was explained) Steve had been living as Nick fr a minimum of ten years when Jack stumbled upon him. In order for this to work, the show would have to assume we are all stupid, suffering from amnesia, or pretend what we saw happened is not what happened -- so of course this is where the story will go.

[teacake]

Ava is just oily and fake and vacuous. I think the show has reached a new low with her because her particularly flat brand of evil isn't even interesting to watch. She is just so smug and that's about it. You wants to pop her like a balloon. Was Ava a little more interesting in her first appearance? It doesn't seem like she was...

 

She's a cartoon villain this time around.  Last time I do think she was a little more developed, with the issues about her father and her past with Steve playing more of a role (but totally at the expense of Kayla playing a real role in the storyline, so better in an infuriating way?  I promise, it was its own kind of awful).  She also had much better lines.

 

Re: the Chase-as-the-Stava-baby timeline, I think Steve was in Cincinnati for 6 years, which would mean he was with Ava around the year 2000, or eight years before Joey was born.

 

 

Steve loves Kayla, but his role as the source of pain in her life cannot be overlooked.

 

On a bad day, their relationship really does look like "You're the best thing that ever happened to me" vs. "You're the worst thing that ever happened to me."  They desperately need the writers to flip the script at least once.

Edited February 24, 2016 by lska

[LadyJaney]

Okay. I was really troubled by the lets forgive the rapist aspect. Far too often soaps contribute to this by romanticizing rapists and giving them some sad backstory that makes them forgivable. I don't get how a genre that services a large female population continues to gleefully disregard this horrific crime.

The clothes thing is troubling, but to me represents the complete lack of understanding the writers have of the mindset of a rape survivor -- another issue that makes me worried where this storyline is headed. While it could be a case of different people react differently, I worry that they are setting it up for Ciara being made to question what she knows happened because she can be told that she is not behaving the why someone who was raped would act. I'm hoping the show proves me wrong, but I'm preparing for the worst. I mean this is the same show that just gave us the Steve/Ava crap as "entertainment."

Amen to that.  I would like to see some smart story-telling, but that almost seems like an oxymoron for this show.

 

The sad part is that I liked Chase and felt for him and was pulling for his character...then this happened.  Like you, I just can't forgive a rapist on these shows.  As much as I liked Jack Deveraux I never forgot what he did to Kayla, and back when he was first put with Jen and was something of a comic relief, I was almost annoyed because I knew what his character was capable of.  It was only later when i saw him as more of a darker character that I softened toward him.  But alas, i still never forgot.  Same with Todd on OLTL and Luke on GH.  If Chase stays on long-term and is the rapist that they are portraying him to be, he will be no better.  And it's sad and it's a waste.  This did not have to happen here, there has been more than enough rape on Days over the years that they could have bypassed yet another one.

 

That's why I hope that Chase is just telling Andre that he did, but stopped himself before he did anything to Ciara.  That would also explain away why she didn't change her clothes yet.  But I fear it's just more lazy story-telling than anything with logic attached to it.

 

If Days keeps getting darker, with teen rapes, Hope and Rafe being hypocritical villains and framing creepy Andre when he is actually innocent for once, The weird Brady/Summer stuff, the endless mourning of Daniel, and the grossness that is Ava...I may have to shut it off again and remove it from the DVR.  It's still holding my interest, but I think I'm waiting for it to turn around a bit too.

Edited February 24, 2016 by LadyJaney

[DisneyBoy]

Heck, I'm going to have a lot of trouble with Hope from here on out as a so-called heroine when she's basically murdered someone and framed someone else for it. Obviously she has reasons to want to get back at Stefano, but this goes beyond Marlena injecting him with drugs or Sami stealing money from him. I just don't think it did the character any favors at all, especially since the show expects us to still root for her...

And then there is Chase, who is done in my book. I knew the moment they started to turn him into a bully that they were going to make him "like his father" complete with more out of left field characterization. I don't want him to be revealed to be Steve and Ava's child... I don't want to see him redeemed... I just want this trainwreck to stop. Hopefully they will write him off by June or July at the latest. I was never a fan of Nick Fallon, but I still remember how that played out and it was already ten times more interesting than this. And I don't see how Chase is a good actor either, as he constantly reads to me like someone who's going to end up being gay, which puts an added wrinkle in his desperation to be with Ciara...but isn't especially supported by the text, so...it probably shouldn't be there.

Claire would have been so much better off in a storyline with Eve long term, because then she would have been protected from this ridiculousness.

I also don't like how quickly they have paired off Theo and Ciara. It would have been so much more interesting to see them mature a little bit on the show before admitting that they had feelings for one another. I understand the value of being PC, but there is no way that Ciara is unaware that there could be obstacles in being involved with Theo. The show hasn't done a very good job at specifying where Theo's autism comes into play with regards to his day-to-day life. He just seems to be autistic in a sort of vague way, making it difficult for me to imagine him in a relationship because I'm not sure where he would struggle. They are kind of writing him like a big teddy bear, which would be fine if they weren't also trying to pair him off with someone. There should be drama to mine there, but they haven't set up the parameters of what it could be.

Anyway, let's just get rid of Chase and move on please. We still have to make sense of where Hope is going as a character and how Theo is going to be used in romantic stories from here on out.

Edited February 24, 2016 by DisneyBoy

[shesajar]

I like that Theo's autism isn't a big deal. I'd rather they not try to write anything too autism-specific, as I'm sure they'll totally muck it up. If the writers were capable and in touch with reality, and their rape-a-day storytelling style tells me all I need to know about that, it'd be a different story. I'm pretty sure it's accidental, and they're just trying to minimize his autism rather than presenting it as a normal way of being, but it's pretty realistic. It's just who he is, and most autistic people I know have the same struggles in relationships that everyone has, just w/an emphasis on communicating. Now, no one on this show communicates worth a damn, so I don't see how telling Theo's story would be different than anyone else's!  
I think, at least with Ciara, it's not something they'd need to delve too much into, anyway. She knows him, and understands and supports him as a friend already. Someone new to him might be more complicated, though. But, again...writers.

[Stella Rose]

But, I did NOT see the bed scene,

No worries, we will be subjected to at least 4 - 5 months of flashbacks.

 

I thought she looked a-freaking-mazing.  And I only ever liked Ava when she and Nicole were pals.  Nicole could use a friend right now, and Crazy Eyes sure could use a distraction.  /understatement of the day/

[JAYJAY1979]

If they insist on going ahead with that chase/Ciara plot point...at least play the fall out of it. And involve jennifer in the plot given what happened to her..as well as kayla/adrienne.

Maybe even play up an aspect of vixtim blaming. ..hope being conflicted being the chief of police and a mother..plus her guilt for bringing aiden/chase into her life..continuing her guilt at not being a good mother.etc.

Plus given what is happening in to pop singer kesha..show how unfair the courts are...victim blaming etc.

http://www.chicagonow.com/confessions-coffeeholic/2016/02/kesha-lawsuit-decision-business-or-victim-shaming/

[enchantingmonkey]

Poor Joe.  I really did feel bad for him.  Though it was many moons ago, I still remember how it could seem like the world is crashing in on you when you're a teenager, especially when romantic feelings are involved.  

 

The only thing good about this Brady/Summer nonsense is Theresa being motivated by jealousy to insert herself into the situation.  I hate how this writing team has basically castrated Theresa.  It used to be so much fun to watch her dig herself into another hole.  

 

I think someone forgot what the gashes on Andre's face looked like right after the explosion.  There was one really long gash, now there's three that are about the same length.  Plus, should they still be so raw and bloody looking?  

[Sandman]

I'm sorry -- who thought pairing Marie "NutMeg" Wilson and Brainlock Black was a good idea? I thought the whole point of casting known actors from other shows was to raise ratings?

 

Wow, no.

[DisneyBoy]

I like that Theo's autism isn't a big deal. I'd rather they not try to write anything too autism-specific, as I'm sure they'll totally muck it up. If the writers were capable and in touch with reality, and their rape-a-day storytelling style tells me all I need to know about that, it'd be a different story. I'm pretty sure it's accidental, and they're just trying to minimize his autism rather than presenting it as a normal way of being, but it's pretty realistic. It's just who he is, and most autistic people I know have the same struggles in relationships that everyone has, just w/an emphasis on communicating. Now, no one on this show communicates worth a damn, so I don't see how telling Theo's story would be different than anyone else's!  

I think, at least with Ciara, it's not something they'd need to delve too much into, anyway. She knows him, and understands and supports him as a friend already. Someone new to him might be more complicated, though. But, again...writers.

 

You're probably right - best for these writers not to try to get too specific about it. It just feels to me like the actor is bringing most of the reality to the situation, and the writers are just having other characters treat him as though he's delicate or in need of protecting or something. It's...vague. Probably better that way though. I doubt they'd put in the research to develop an interesting storyline.

 

And ewww on the Kesha thing...I didn't read any details, but if she's felt sexually harassed by her co-worker, she should be able to get the heck out of the situation. Stupid court system.

Edited February 24, 2016 by DisneyBoy

[LeftPhalange]

Theresa has gone back to being pathetic and annoying. Someone slap her eight times.

 

I give negative fucks about Summer's Eve. Someone shoot her eight times. 

 

If a crazy freak gives herself an overdose of drugs in your home in an attempt to screw with you I feel like maybe you're allowed to ignore the Hippocratic Oath and let nature run its course. 

 

Why are there teens on here saying things like "totally rad party"? Clearly none of the dialog writers are under the age of 40. 

[Revlonred]

I am begging...BEGGING them to stop flashing back to the "sex."

And I still have no idea why anyone thought it was a good idea for Chris Kositchek to pretend to be Roman...but he needs to just shut his mouth...which I can't really understand anyway.

Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans should be very proud of themselves (no snark) and the lifetime of work they did on this show, because it makes jaded long timers like me still come around to watch their scenes, even when the "writing" is this bad. Why are soaps this bad??????

Edited February 25, 2016 by Revlonred