Lifetime's VC Andrews Movies Topic (Flowers In The Attic, The Dollangangers, The Casteels, etc) - General Discussion

[JAYJAY1979]

I'm so happy that I can now view the past movies on mylifetime.com.. since I hadn't seen all of the movies (including My Sweet Audrina).

I'm going to be honest and say that I enjoyed the adaptation of that much better then most of the adaptations.  It kept the gothic feel of the novel.. while updating/omitting some of the more toxic elements of the novel.  Arden is less toxic and doesn't succumb to Vera until she drugs him, which is a change that works because it underscores the darkness/evil that is within her.  If she set up her own cousin/half sister to be raped in the woods.. then it isn't too far out of the realm of possibility that she would attempt to rape Arden by spiking his tea.  And Audrina had more agency/backbone in this then she did in the novel.

I'm crossing my fingers that the gothic feel of the Cutler series will be kept.. since the makers of Ruby diluted the southern gothic feel of the Landry novels in their adaptations.

[Kiki777]

OMG Joey MacIntyre as Michael Sutton - I hope this new series will be good like the Garden of Shadows series…

[andromeda331]

On 6/3/2023 at 8:11 PM, Kiki777 said:

OMG Joey MacIntyre as Michael Sutton - I hope this new series will be good like the Garden of Shadows series…

So do I. Lifetime did such a good job with Garden of Shadows. I hope they keep it up.

[Scarlett45]

So I realized I’m going to be late on the 2nd movie because I have to escort my Mom to a bday party in Las Vegas. Yes I’m more excited for these movies than going to Vegas (I’m only half joking, I know I can catch a replay the next week). 

[CountryGirl]

On 6/5/2023 at 12:49 AM, andromeda331 said:

So do I. Lifetime did such a good job with Garden of Shadows. I hope they keep it up.

I still wish they would go back and re-do the other movies, starting with the rest of the Dollanganger series as it's been plenty of time since then. Petals on the Wind needs four moves to do it justice. 

I also still would love to get a downstairs movie that runs parallel with the Flowers in the Attic. 

[Scarlett45]

7 hours ago, CountryGirl said:

I still wish they would go back and re-do the other movies, starting with the rest of the Dollanganger series as it's been plenty of time since then. Petals on the Wind needs four moves to do it justice. 

I also still would love to get a downstairs movie that runs parallel with the Flowers in the Attic. 

Petals on the Wind would be served well by four movies- 

 

1. Paul taking the children in and adopting them, creeping on Cathy.

2. Christopher going off to medical school, Cathy’s relationship with Julian. Carrie’s hard time in HS.

3. Julian’s death, Jory’s birth, Carrie’s relationship and suicide. 

4. Cathy deciding she ain’t fucking playing with Corrine no more and her plan to destroy her life; an epilogue showing Corrine in the asylum, Paul dying after claiming paternity of Bart and giving Cathy/Chris his blessing. 

[CountryGirl]

43 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

Petals on the Wind would be served well by four movies- 

 

1. Paul taking the children in and adopting them, creeping on Cathy.

2. Christopher going off to medical school, Cathy’s relationship with Julian. Carrie’s hard time in HS.

3. Julian’s death, Jory’s birth, Carrie’s relationship and suicide. 

4. Cathy deciding she ain’t fucking playing with Corrine no more and her plan to destroy her life; an epilogue showing Corrine in the asylum, Paul dying after claiming paternity of Bart and giving Cathy/Chris his blessing. 

This is exactly how I was envisioning the 4 parts in my head. Cathy's showdown at FH at the Christmas Party needs to be at least 30 minutes of the final part. I want to see her in the emerald-green dress that is almost an exact replica of Corrine's from many years earlier when she and Christopher watched the party from the chest (and whoever notices the difference in snowflakes, as Cathy once said). She needs to be in that dress, wearing the emeralds she took from the safe as she knew the combination (Corrine's birth date). I want to see Corrine's mental break seeing Chris Jr and think he's her dead husband, Chris Sr. All of this got short shrift in the movie. 

[Scarlett45]

7 hours ago, CountryGirl said:

I want to see Corrine's mental break seeing Chris Jr and think he's her dead husband, Chris Sr. All of this got short shrift in the movie. 

Ooooo I would love it if there was some wonky camera work and we got to see a flashback of Chris Sr, and Chris, and Corrine losing it. 

[andromeda331]

On 6/9/2023 at 2:07 PM, Scarlett45 said:

Petals on the Wind would be served well by four movies- 

 

1. Paul taking the children in and adopting them, creeping on Cathy.

2. Christopher going off to medical school, Cathy’s relationship with Julian. Carrie’s hard time in HS.

3. Julian’s death, Jory’s birth, Carrie’s relationship and suicide. 

4. Cathy deciding she ain’t fucking playing with Corrine no more and her plan to destroy her life; an epilogue showing Corrine in the asylum, Paul dying after claiming paternity of Bart and giving Cathy/Chris his blessing. 

 

On 6/9/2023 at 2:54 PM, CountryGirl said:

This is exactly how I was envisioning the 4 parts in my head. Cathy's showdown at FH at the Christmas Party needs to be at least 30 minutes of the final part. I want to see her in the emerald-green dress that is almost an exact replica of Corrine's from many years earlier when she and Christopher watched the party from the chest (and whoever notices the difference in snowflakes, as Cathy once said). She needs to be in that dress, wearing the emeralds she took from the safe as she knew the combination (Corrine's birth date). I want to see Corrine's mental break seeing Chris Jr and think he's her dead husband, Chris Sr. All of this got short shrift in the movie. 

 

On 6/9/2023 at 10:49 PM, Scarlett45 said:

Ooooo I would love it if there was some wonky camera work and we got to see a flashback of Chris Sr, and Chris, and Corrine losing it. 

I love all those ideas. They would be perfect for Petals on the Winds. All parts are important to the story. 

[qtpye]

On 9/9/2018 at 2:03 AM, andromeda331 said:

Why can't the villains in these stories ever actually really pay for their crap or have someone dish it back?

I felt that way about Jillian (Heaven's grandmother).

Jillian's comeuppance was that she aged out of her beauty.  However, since this pretty much happens to everybody, it did not feel like a satisfying ending to such an evil character.

Most of the terrible events in the Heaven series can be traced back to her and her insane narcissism. 

She makes Corrine Foxworth seem deep.

 

Edited July 7, 2023 by qtpye

[Scarlett45]

Who’s so excited for tomorrow? It’s been so much fun watching these movies with you guys. Very few people in my real life enjoy VC Andrews so when this thread gets lively it’s extra fun!

[andromeda331]

I can't wait!

[CountryGirl]

Thank you for the reminder that Dawn premieres tonight. I’m hoping to watch live but will set my DVR just in case. Have we talked about Jesse Metcalf (Passion’s Miguel and Gaby of Desperate Housewives’s boy-toy) playing Dawn’s dad, Ormand Longchamp? 

And they are re-airing FITA: The Origin right now!!!!

[Spartan Girl]

I read the plot of Dawn and Blech at the romance—he’s still your brother even if you aren’t blood related, Dawn—but I probably will take a peek.

On 6/3/2023 at 5:16 PM, JAYJAY1979 said:

I'm so happy that I can now view the past movies on mylifetime.com.. since I hadn't seen all of the movies (including My Sweet Audrina).

I'm going to be honest and say that I enjoyed the adaptation of that much better than most of the adaptations.  It kept the gothic feel of the novel.. while updating/omitting some of the more toxic elements of the novel.  Arden is less toxic and doesn't succumb to Vera until she drugs him, which is a change that works because it underscores the darkness/evil that is within her.  If she set up her own cousin/half sister to be raped in the woods.. then it isn't too far out of the realm of possibility that she would attempt to rape Arden by spiking his tea.  And Audrina had more agency/backbone in this than she did in the novel.

 

I just watched that one recently and I liked it too. I liked that movie Arden wasn’t a douchebag like he was in the books so Audrina got a happier ending.

Honestly, these VC Andrews men…if they aren’t assholes or perverts, they’re related

[JAYJAY1979]

Donna Mills read the prequel for research on Lillian before playing her... so I'm intrigued to see how she brings Lillian to life.

https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2023/07/08/donna-mills-brec-bassinger-jesse-metcalfe-joey-mcintyre-vc-andrews-dawn-lifetime-interview/5631688774541/

[Kiki777]

So excited for tonight! I doubt it will be truly good like The Origin but it will be fun either way 😊

[Scarlett45]

7 hours ago, CountryGirl said:

Thank you for the reminder that Dawn premieres tonight. I’m hoping to watch live but will set my DVR just in case. Have we talked about Jesse Metcalf (Passion’s Miguel and Gaby of Desperate Housewives’s boy-toy) playing Dawn’s dad, Ormand Longchamp? 

And they are re-airing FITA: The Origin right now!!!!

Yes I saw Jessie Metcalf was in this. 1. He’s old enough to play a dad now, 2. He’s still yummy- I actually like the beard. He’s done a few Hallmark Christmas movies, I anticipate him having a career like Justin Hartley, he needs that big name middled aged role (Housewives didn’t give him the star power he wanted). 

[Spartan Girl]

It’s hard to believe Jesse Metcalf is old enough to play dads now.

[Kiki777]

Yeah the dude’s zaddy material now and dang that makes me feel old 😂 

[Scarlett45]

So what did we THINK???

 

I didn’t read these books but knew a basic outline from what was discussed here-

1. I called Dawn not being a biological Cutler because why else would the Grandmother treat her so badly?

2. Jimmy and Dawn is still gross- they were raised as brother and sister, ewwww no. 
 

3. I am so glad Dawn called Philip out on being a skeevy rapist- she was smart to negotiate boarding school to get away from his nasty rapist ass. 
 

Questions- are we going to see Jessie Metcalf again? Where is baby Fern? Will Randolph learn Dawn isn’t his bio kid?

 

Edited to add- I put my dog in the bedroom (where his dish and bed is) because he was so jealous of the attention I was paying to the film. He is a big ass baby and got jealous of VC Andrews!

[Snow Apple]

I agree Jimmy/Dawn is gross and is there just because it's a VC Andrews book (her name anyway). It wasn't necessary for him to be Dawn's love interest.

I'm not sure why that couple always bothered me when I was fine with Cathy/Chris who were real blood siblings and Dawn/Jimmy were not. LOL

[Kiki777]

Yeah at least Chris/Cathy was explained away by them being locked up for years during puberty and playing house with the twins.  Dawn/Jimmy was like ‘oh we’re not related so let’s bang’

[Scarlett45]

14 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

I agree Jimmy/Dawn is gross and is there just because it's a VC Andrews book (her name anyway). It wasn't necessary for him to be Dawn's love interest.

I'm not sure why that couple always bothered me when I was fine with Cathy/Chris who were real blood siblings and Dawn/Jimmy were not. LOL

Because Cathy/Chris went through deep psychological trauma (being locked in the attic and being protectors of the twins) and were forever bonded because of THAT. Not that knowing you were kidnapped at birth isn’t traumatic, but there was no reason for that flip to switch. 
 

What @Kiki777 said.
 

I also thought it was SO GROSS that Annie and Luke (Casteel series) were all over each other the second they realized they weren’t half siblings OR bio-cousins. It’s still gross as they were raised as such!

Ruby and Paul (?) (Landry series) didn’t gross me out as much because they met as teens and fell for each other before they knew the truth, and Paul married her after she had Pearl to give her protection and status (he also loved Pearl too). 

[andromeda331]

I love it. Donna Mills was perfect as Lillian. I loved Dawn finally turning the tables on her and threatening to out what she did and negotated Ormand out of jail and herself to college. 

Laura Jean and Clara Jean annoyed me. It's Sue.

I'm not sure they showed Laura Sue as someone who's always pretending to be sick to avoid doing anything while also pampering herself. 

They did a good job with Randolph he was weak but I did like him compromising with Dawn on the name and finally did send the letter. Sometimes I wonder what he'd been like if Lillian wasn't his mother.

Clara Sue was about what I expected. I loved Dawn slapping her and Clara Sue jealous of all Dawn's new clothes. I also love the insult Laura Sue gave her about her size although I doubt she meant it as an insult. It was great.

I'm glad they didn't do the rape. Dawn bit him and I love her telling him off later.

Dawn and Jimmy in love is still weird. I've never understood how finding out they weren't related changes anything. They were still raised as siblings. It was weird with Luke and Annie too.

I liked Dawn a lot. Her standing up to Lillian. Remaining strong with all the crap of Clara Jean and Philip pulled. I liked her and Missy. 

I can't wait to see how Secrets of the Morning is. 

 

[Spartan Girl]

1 hour ago, andromeda331 said:

I'm glad they didn't do the rape.

Me too. I’m fine with books tackling serious and disturbing stuff, but VC Andrews novels always feel like “Would you like some more rape on top of that rape?”

[Scarlett45]

Also- I loved Donna Mills’ makeup. Lillian looked stunning and cold and fierce, it really worked. The cool tones silver of her hair worked for the character as well. 

3 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

They did a good job with Randolph he was weak but I did like him compromising with Dawn on the name and finally did send the letter. Sometimes I wonder what he'd been like if Lillian wasn't his mother.

Does Randolph now know Dawn wasn’t his bio child? I can’t see why he was okay with her being treated so differently than the other two. Laura Jean knew the truth so I saw her going along with it as not to piss off Lillian, but why would he??

[Kiki777]

3 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I can't wait to see how Secrets of the Morning is.

I’m excited to see my childhood crush Joey MacIntyre playing a creepy bad guy, how weird will that be???  Little Joey Joe 😆 

[Scarlett45]

4 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Me too. I’m fine with books tackling serious and disturbing stuff, but VC Andrews novels always feel like “Would you like some more rape on top of that rape?”

Yes- it gets gratuitous. 

[CountryGirl]

I finally had a chance to watch and enjoyed it quite a lot. 

This Dawn was definitely a huge step up from the decidedly IQ-challenged Book Dawn. 

Jesse’s Ormand was a hot DILF. #shallow 

They nixed the rape - thank goodness - let’s hope they keep it that way.

Hair color and other quibbles - Sally Jean and Laura Sue should have swapped hair colors and quite frankly, the actresses should have swapped characters. Philip should have been blond as well. Fern and baby Dawn looked like the same baby. I’ve already expressed my annoyance at Clara Sue being renamed Clara Jean - why?

Cutler’s Cove was very much how I pictured it, especially its location on the coast. The cemetery scenes added that VC Andrews touch of goth.

Jimmy and Dawn - they were raised as brother and sister!!! Thankfully, we were spared them kissing. Him checking out Dawn in her nightgown within the first 60 seconds of the show starting was all kinds of ew. WTF, Jimmy! Show Dawn, so far, doesn’t seem to be reciprocating which was another welcome change.

Donna was perfect as the icy Grandmother Lillian. Her hair was perfection as were her mannerisms and steely gaze.

I’m really looking forward to Secrets of the Morning. @Scarlett45, Dawn’s biological father is revealed at the end of the book and I’m hoping show will follow suit.

 

 

 

[JAYJAY1979]

5 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Me too. I’m fine with books tackling serious and disturbing stuff, but VC Andrews novels always feel like “Would you like some more rape on top of that rape?”

In the book, the ghost writer did a copy and paste when Philip raped Dawn.  Almost word for word what happened between Chris and Cathy in FITA.  Normally I would be against it, but I give the ghost writer props for using it to show that this wasn't passionate or consensual but rape.  And Dawn in the book also let Philip have it (and didn't blame herself for leading him on unlike Cathy).

I haven't watched the Lifetime movie yet...but based on clips, I see Donna Mills has approached playing Lillian exactly like the book version of the character.  No Abby Ewing whatsoever in her portrayal.

I'm more intrigued to see how the actress playing Laura Sue will tackle the part.  Laura Sue in the book was all about appearances and living in her own world (a way to cope with the rape  and having her daughter kidnapped).  I only know of the actress from the Aurora teagarden movies where she played a character that was so not delusional or a doormat.

Dawn loses her intelligence in Secrets of the Morning so let's see how Dawn comes across in that movie next week.

Edited July 9, 2023 by JAYJAY1979

[Scarlett45]

20 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

Jimmy and Dawn - they were raised as brother and sister!!! Thankfully, we were spared them kissing. Him checking out Dawn in her nightgown within the first 60 seconds of the show starting was all kinds of ew. WTF, Jimmy! Show Dawn, so far, doesn’t seem to be reciprocating which was another welcome change.

Jimmy and Dawn locked lips passionately in his last scene! Did you miss it??? She seems to be all into him  and waiting for him to turn 18 and come back for her NOT as a brother.

 

20 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

Hair color and other quibbles - Sally Jean and Laura Sue should have swapped hair colors and quite frankly, the actresses should have swapped characters. Philip should have been blond as well.

I thought all the kids were blonde- a darker blonde but Philip looked blonde to me, same shade as Clara Jean. Who’s Sara Jean?

12 minutes ago, JAYJAY1979 said:

I'm more intrigued to see how the actress playing Laura Sue will tackle the part.  Laura Sue in the book was all about appearances and living in her own world (a way to cope with the rape  and having her daughter kidnapped).  I only know of the actress from the Aurora teagarden movies where she played a character that was so not delusional or a doormat.

We don’t know much about Laura yet, I want them to give her more to do. 

[Moxie Cat]

I really enjoyed Dawn! And I've been lukewarm on most of these adaptations, except for Garden of Shadows.

The actress playing Dawn is a dead ringer for Britt Robertson. I kept doing a double take! 

Only one quibble: it's clearly supposed to be set in the 1970s, based on "Eugenia's" gravestone. But I don't remember hair claw clips in the '80s, let alone the '70s. Otherwise, the fashion is pretty fun.

[CountryGirl]

1 hour ago, Scarlett45 said:

Jimmy and Dawn locked lips passionately in his last scene! Did you miss it??? She seems to be all into him  and waiting for him to turn 18 and come back for her NOT as a brother.

 Who’s Sara Jean?

OMG. How did I miss THAT?!? Could it be I’ve finally lost my mind after all the Cathy/Chris, Ruby/Paul, Corrine/Chris, and Bart/Cindy brain-bleach inducing moments?

Or could it have been CountryBoy poking his head in at just that moment to ask what crazy show was I watching now?

I was going to rewatch anyway but damn!

I take back what I said about show Dawn. Girl, gross!

Sally Jean is Ormand’s wife, the woman who raised Dawn, although not sure they actually referred to her by name. 

[Spartan Girl]

There honestly hasn’t been one VC Andrews male I liked.

But the only one I can think of that was an asshole, creep, pervert, or related was the minister guy Carrie should’ve married instead of killing herself. At least he seemed like a good guy in the movie, I never read the book.

Well, upon further reflection, I did feel sorry for Ruby’s first husband because he couldn’t help that they turned out to be half siblings and he, unlike Philip in Dawn, never tried to force himself on her after they found out (at least in the movie).

Edited July 9, 2023 by Spartan Girl

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

Sally Jean is Ormand’s wife, the woman who raised Dawn, although not sure they actually referred to her by name. 

Oh thank you! I noticed Dawn and her mom (that raised her) did favor each other. 

 

20 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

Well, upon further reflection, I did feel sorry for Ruby’s first husband because he couldn’t help that they turned out to be half siblings and he, unlike Philip in Dawn, never tried to force himself on her after they found out (at least in the movie).

I felt sorry for Paul too. No Paul never sexually assaulted, raped or coerced anyone, he actually loved Ruby and Pearl. 

 

1 hour ago, Moxie Cat said:

Only one quibble: it's clearly supposed to be set in the 1970s, based on "Eugenia's" gravestone. But I don't remember hair claw clips in the '80s, let alone the '70s. Otherwise, the fashion is pretty fun.

Yes. Those plastic claw clips were the height of fashion the first time around in the late 90s when I was a tween!!

[Kiki777]

43 minutes ago, Spartan Girl said:

There honestly hasn’t been one VC Andrews male I liked.

But the only one I can think of that was an asshole, creep, pervert, or related was the minister guy Carrie should’ve married instead of killing herself. At least he seemed like a good guy in the movie, I never read the book.

😂 I’m seeing this as a challenge!  Are we talking about love interests only?  I liked Tom Casteel - even though he wasn’t truly Heaven’s brother he was never inappropriate with her and always seemed sweet and supportive.  Worst death ever, though! 😬 🦁 

Edited July 9, 2023 by Kiki777
It was a lion, not a tiger

[CountryGirl]

I liked Troy although yes, he has the related strike against him. Paul as well and I thought he was a far better husband and father than the insipid Beau. Alex (Carrie’s fiancé) and Tom Casteel might stand alone as the only truly decent VC Andrews men. 

ETA: @Kiki777 beat me to it. 

[TattleTeeny]

1 hour ago, Moxie Cat said:

 

Only one quibble: it's clearly supposed to be set in the 1970s, based on "Eugenia's" gravestone. But I don't remember hair claw clips in the '80s, let alone the '70s. Otherwise, the fashion is pretty fun.

With you; I dug the clothes too. I was born in 1971, but 1960s and '70s clothes are my favorite (I have a closet full of them, but I work at home now and don't have much occasion to put them on). I did actually have claw clips in the '80s though. I can't attest to whether they were a thing in the '70s; if they were, I assume my mom would probably have used them to hold back her long (and, of course, parted down the middle!) hair and I have no recollection of seeing one around when I was a little kid. If it is wrong though, it's better then when they left a plastic bottle of water on a nightstand in My Sweet Audrina, haha!

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

I liked Troy although yes, he has the related strike against him. Paul as well and I thought he was a far better husband and father than the insipid Beau. Alex (Carrie’s fiancé) and Tom Casteel might stand alone as the only truly decent VC Andrews men. 

ETA: @Kiki777 beat me to it. 

No one has mention that the actor who played Troy in the 2019 Heaven series is portraying Randolph!

 

VC Andrews men I liked- Tom Casteel, Alex (Carrie’s Boyfriend), Paul, Jory (Cathy’s son) was a good egg too. 

[JAYJAY1979]

Carrie and Alex were truly the tragic V.C. Andrews couple.  Two innocents.

 

Donna Mills as Lillian is scary and that's a compliment.

And I'm surprised that I'm buying the actress playing Laura Sue.  A total 180 from her Aurora teagarden character.  Dramatic, delusional, and a subtle fear of Lillian.  

[Spartan Girl]

I was referring to love interests, yes. Movie Arden was decent too, even though Book Arden was trash. I couldn’t believe they cast William Mosely aka Peter Pevensie to play him.

Paul might have been a little unstable towards the end, but he never hurt anyone or turned creep, and he was indeed a far better man than Beau. 

Other than that  all the others love interests can suck it.

[CountryGirl]

41 minutes ago, Scarlett45 said:

No one has mention that the actor who played Troy in the 2019 Heaven series is portraying Randolph!

 

VC Andrews men I liked- Tom Casteel, Alex (Carrie’s Boyfriend), Paul, Jory (Cathy’s son) was a good egg too. 

Good catch! He’s much better as Randolph than Troy. Yes, Jory was also a good guy. 

[MCMLXXVII]

Just starting Dawn via Google Play since I’m a cord-cutter.  I knew I had forgotten to do  something this weekend.

OMG, why do these two opposite gender teenagers share a bed? 😬 I believe CPS guidelines wouldn’t even let them share a room after age 12. 🙅🏽‍♀️ I guess people weren’t as closely monitored in the 70’s, especially without egregious abuse/police involvement, but yikes. You’d think one of them would move to the couch.

Nevermind, I guess this is the couch/sofa bed in the Richmond apartment.

Edited July 10, 2023 by MCMLXXVII

[Scarlett45]

8 minutes ago, MCMLXXVII said:

Just starting Dawn via Google Play since I’m a cord-cutter.  I knew I had forgotten to do  something this weekend.

OMG, why do these two opposite gender teenagers share a bed? 😬 I believe CPS guidelines wouldn’t even let them share a room after age 12. 🙅🏽‍♀️ I guess people weren’t as closely monitored in the 70’s, especially without egregious abuse/police involvement, but yikes. You’d think one of them would move to the couch.

I’ve known opposite sex siblings to share rooms after the age of twelve because of space/remodeling. Usually they put up a curtain or a screen for privacy. For your own kids (not foster kids), there aren’t legal requirements on bedrooms. The Longchamps were raising the kids as their own so there would’ve been no reason for anyone to monitor their sleeping arrangements in 2023 much less the 1970s. 

I am a cord cutter too- I get the Frndly app for the month these movies are on and Dec, and just cancel it inbetween. $6.99 for each month. 

[Steph Sometimes]

Oh yes. Dawn. The series where "the guy she thought was her boyfriend turned out to be her brother, and the guy she thought was her brother turned out to be her boyfriend."

I thought the Dawn actress was decent, and much better than Heaven who I did not like much. Also, they got her hair color right at least!

[Dr.OO7]

On 7/9/2023 at 11:28 AM, Scarlett45 said:

Yes- it gets gratuitous. 

She and Danielle Steel. It makes their books awful to read because it always happens and there's often no point to it.

As awful as this may sound, it's *slightly* less gratuitous in the VC Andrews books because the prequels almost always result in a child, which kicks off the saga.

[Dr.OO7]

On 6/3/2023 at 5:16 PM, JAYJAY1979 said:

Arden is less toxic and doesn't succumb to Vera until she drugs him

And even then, he's coherent and angry enough to fight her off. 

Aside from participating in the ruse like everyone else, Arden is a MUCH better person in the movie than in the book.

Some changes were just absolutely necessary otherwise we wouldn't have rooted for anybody. I'm still not sure how I feel about Bart and Cindy hooking up in the Seeds Of Yesterday movie, but it's still a much better alternative to him spending nearly the entire book verbally and physically abusing her.

[Moxie Cat]

23 hours ago, Dr.OO7 said:

She and Danielle Steel.

So true! Most Danielle Steel books also include a husband who dies. I've learned to not root for too many of the heroine's first marriages. And in "Zoya," both husbands die!

[qtpye]

On 7/9/2023 at 2:29 PM, Spartan Girl said:

But the only one I can think of that was an asshole, creep, pervert, or related was the minister guy Carrie should’ve married instead of killing herself. At least he seemed like a good guy in the movie, I never read the book.

He seemed okay but it was so sad when he decided not to become an engineer.  Carrie did not feel good enough for him after he decided to become a minister.  Of course, this was not the guy's fault.

Carrie really was traumatized from being abused at such a young age and losing her beloved Cory.

Did the good doctor ever think of getting these kids some therapy?

 

[Dr.OO7]

15 minutes ago, qtpye said:

the good doctor ever think of getting these kids some therapy?

 

The There Are No Therapists/Therapy Is For The Weak tropes. No one ever sees a shrink even though they desperately need to.