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These episodes (mid-season 4) have been a tad boring but any time Angela Robinson is on screen, I'm riveted. Drunk Veronica is the one of the nastiest soap bitches I've ever had the pleasure to watch.
Justin confuses me. His character seems drastically different from when he was introduced and I can't decide if that's because of lazy writing or the writers giving the character interesting layers.
Charles is gorgeous, but I miss Landon.
Justin confuses me. His character seems drastically different from when he was introduced and I can't decide if that's because of lazy writing or the writers giving the character interesting layers.
Charles is gorgeous, but I miss Landon.
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Well, I obviously just watched the episode before the mid-season break and it was quite exciting--Katheryn clears out the mansion and leaves Jim, Melissa slits her wrists and climbs into bed with Jeffery and it looks like Candace's son was shot by War and his goons.
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I wonder if the actors ever feel unsatisfied acting on this show? Since this season I am watching basically takes place in one day, Wyatt has done nothing the entire season except experience withdrawal symptoms--shaking and sweating and grimacing and complaining about a headache for the entire season.
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I don't really ever find much on this show that moves me--the whole thing is too shallow and over the top to cause any sort of emotional reaction, but . . . I did tear up a little when Benny was crying over his nephew. I think it's because I like the actor so much. He's very endearing.
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...and save a lot of money in set design!
I recall Tyler Perry bought Fort McPherson, a military base near Atlanta that got closed down during some military cuts, and refurbished it as the home-base studio of all his TV and movie productions. If the timing is correct, I'm guessing the transition from the old studio to the new, revamped studios is why they had most everyone suddenly migrate to other homes/hotels/places.
I recall Tyler Perry bought Fort McPherson, a military base near Atlanta that got closed down during some military cuts, and refurbished it as the home-base studio of all his TV and movie productions. If the timing is correct, I'm guessing the transition from the old studio to the new, revamped studios is why they had most everyone suddenly migrate to other homes/hotels/places.
New
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I'm not usually one to rant about the show currently airing (in the interest of keeping @Jason73 un-spoiled) but I can't keep this in. They're out-doing themselves in ignoring the passage of time, and I can't believe no one pointed this out while they were writing the scripts or actually filming the scenes. They are in the midst of one of their month-days, still on the same night as the cliffhanger events.
Benny got stabbed, went to the hospital for surgery, got patched up and is now back home, interrupting Hanna and Derek's sexytimes as if nothing happened--all in one night! Katheryn confronted Roderick and Rocky about their prostitution ring at her hotel, roped them into a threesome (OMG...) then got interrupted by Jim, who then practically neutered Rocky in the hotel bar. He went home to argue with Katheryn, and discover Wyatt's "escape", and talk to David on the phone...while Katheryn called Roderick to demand to see him again right then (twice in one night??)---all in one night! Candace and Charles went to see how Benny was doing at the hospital--complete with Secret Service detail--then broke up in the car on the way back (supposedly) and Landon threw himself at Charles (with bad results)--all in one night! Jeffrey threw his mother over a balcony and she ended up in the hospital, too--and just like Benny, she recovered quickly. She went home to get drunk, resisted the advances of RK, and got a threatening phone call from David, who was also home from the hospital too soon. Madison, Jeffrey's boyfriend/David's nurse, was present when Jeffrey threw Veronica over the balcony so he felt obligated to accompany her to the hospital. After taking care of her, he attempted to leave and he got beaten up (and his car trashed) by Angry Justin. Madison got patched up and left again, because he was back to David's house to help change David's bandages (he'd just left the hospital earlier in the night and already needed the bandages changed?) and overhear how David and Jeffrey wanted Veronica dead for all the usual reasons---all in one night! Hanna went to the hospital with Benny, got to see Candace with Charles (and give Charles and earful about Candace), went home with Benny and Derek in tow, but he ultimately decided to go home--all in one night! And the night isn't even over yet!!
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I could swear the dialogue between Jeffrey and Justin is copy and paste from last year (or last week. Difficult to remember since it can be the same setting and story...). And they obviously brought David and Veronica closer again to do the same with their dialogue. Tedious. But I'm still in for
-Madison, sexiest male nurse ever
-Kathryn's threesomes with those 2 shirtless guys from her hotel
-hope there will be a scene with Benny and Mitch showering one day after hard work (in case they actually work ever again)
-a dream sequence where Landon gets seduced by Charles (knowing this show there is a 50:50 chance)
-Gabriel from How to Get Away With Murder hustling
-those two stupid bodyguards who are unable to cope with Wyatt in the Cryer's mansion
This show is really catering to their female and gay viewers: the most attractive ensemble of males (even the older ones as Jim and David) on TV.
And last week they actually had a very moving reunion between Hanna and Candace. The first time I noticed some H20 leaving my eyes watching this show since Quincy's death.
-Madison, sexiest male nurse ever
-Kathryn's threesomes with those 2 shirtless guys from her hotel
-hope there will be a scene with Benny and Mitch showering one day after hard work (in case they actually work ever again)
-a dream sequence where Landon gets seduced by Charles (knowing this show there is a 50:50 chance)
-Gabriel from How to Get Away With Murder hustling
-those two stupid bodyguards who are unable to cope with Wyatt in the Cryer's mansion
This show is really catering to their female and gay viewers: the most attractive ensemble of males (even the older ones as Jim and David) on TV.
And last week they actually had a very moving reunion between Hanna and Candace. The first time I noticed some H20 leaving my eyes watching this show since Quincy's death.
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The repetitive dialogue with Justin/Jeffrey is only surpassed by the repetitive dialogue Wyatt has been spouting at...well, everyone since season one. Aaron O'Connell must be ready for the loony bin after having to do the same exact scenes for seven years.
Justin and Jeffrey have been on "lather, rinse, repeat" mode for two seasons. But I think there is a method to this madness as they get closer to the season ender (next episode, I think). Jeffrey and David have suddenly started acting like they're wanting their insane exes back, but I think they both are out to get Justin and Veronica out of their lives for good. They just haven't stated those intentions out loud (yet). David's job is obviously a lot harder, but he is much more determined. He's been strangely calm and playing his cards close to the vest. Jeffrey has the added complication of having Madison (yes, he's cute) around to point out the obvious with respect to Justin. Unlike David, who is very deliberate and calculating, Jeffrey just explodes in anger and inflicts physical harm--I fear he will do just that at some point when he gets Justin alone. I'd give Jeffrey better odds of succeeding in killing Justin than David will have in getting rid of Veronica, simply because Veronica just isn't expendable to the show.
Madison is fulfilling his function as the voice of the audience, pointing out the insanity of all this, but there are times when I wonder if Madison is also an informant for the police and/or the FBI, since he just hangs out and listens to all of Jeffrey and David's very personal discussions about the crap Veronica pulled/still pulls. Earlier in the season when Alice, Veronica's latest victimized maid quit, she had a line about how she (Veronica) ought to pay closer attention to the "little people" she always dismissed and treated poorly, because they see things; they take note of everything; and they can easily be your downfall. I've nursed the idea that Alice (who threatened to file a 'hostile workplace' lawsuit) is working with the FBI on their investigation of Veronica's bombing David's car. Why not also bring in Madison, who is right there in the middle of the whole mess?
I'm not sure what to make of the guys at the hotel. Yes, nice eye candy, but I can't get over the decision to name the three guys Roderick, Rocky, and RK. It's as if the writer said "Hey, they're all the same, so why differentiate them?"
And yes, I did seem to tear up a bit when Candace and Hanna had their reunion. It was likely an attempt to make the viewer believe Candace is about to leave town with Charles as the season ender creeps up on us. Luckily they injected some reality (I know, rare) by showing Charles's political opponents finally figuring out what should never have been able to keep secret--that Candace is a big ol' ho with a rap sheet that resembles Santa's 'Naughty List'. I've never been a fan of this "President Elect" storyline because it defies credibility (even on this show), but I like that they took the situation with the FBI vs. Trump in 2016 and mirrored it with this story. Torn from the headlines, indeed. Looks like Candace might end up being the Jessica Hahn (get the joke?) of her generation.
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LOL. So true. Poor Aaron O'Connell!
I had to google Jessica Hahn's name. From that scandal I only remember the names of the crazy Bakker couple.
You give the writers way too much credit in Madison's case because that would be an interesting plot. But right now I think he really serves only as the audience's voice as you wrote.
The 3 stupid R's in the hotel get points for being just handsome while adding absolutely nothing to the storyline. I mean Candace is the escort with history - so what was the point to add three more to the show? So far they don't have Candace's skills to exploit clients and they probably end up as victims to either Kathryn's or Veronica's next outbursts of dissatisfaction. What I miss here is a soap element where one discovers to be the long-lost child of anyone in the cast. But of course since they're on the show for two seasons they probably work in the hotel for less than a week. So how should they find out so fast?
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The glacial pace of this show is remarkable, isn't it? I wish I had the patience to sit down and re-watch the show from the beginning just so I could chart how many days/weeks have passed in the lives of these characters since the premiere. It can't be more than two months. Recently it took eight episodes for them to get through one 24-hour period, and I nearly fell off the couch when they actually allowed 10-12 hours (a night) to pass between episodes seven and eight of this season. "Cutting to the chase" is NOT their strong suit. Melissa was pregnant for almost three years, but had not even started showing when she went splat.
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LOL. Yes! The pace - it reminds me of Christmas in my childhood, when time goes by so slooooowly. But I have to admit the show delivers quite sensational cliffhangers. And the majority of the cast is actually good. The Veronica actress could have been a godmother to Olivia Pope on Scandal.
Aside from timing: David's mansion looks pretty empty. Don't they have enough money for props? I mean for apartments or mansions where people actually live? Candace's place looked empty (well minus the dead body in the garden). The same for Kathryn's mansion, especially the often used entrance, even though Wyatt's room doesn't appear that empty. Must be easy to clean the sets.
Aside from timing: David's mansion looks pretty empty. Don't they have enough money for props? I mean for apartments or mansions where people actually live? Candace's place looked empty (well minus the dead body in the garden). The same for Kathryn's mansion, especially the often used entrance, even though Wyatt's room doesn't appear that empty. Must be easy to clean the sets.
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It's difficult at times for me to determine whether they're filming the scenes at Kathryn's in an actual house, or if it's a very lifelike set. There's so much natural light coming in that foyer/parlor area that I tend to land on the "they're filming in a real house" side. The scenes in other parts of the house, though, are likely studio sets. The stuff at David's house seems more likely to be in a real house--again, the natural light and the ease with which viewers can see out the windows. David's spartan décor is actually explainable, since he and Erica were in the process of furnishing the place when Veronica decided to drop the bomb on them*. David's been in the hospital and Jeffrey's too busy with his dramas for them to drop by Rooms-to-Go. It is kind of odd that David didn't just hire a decorator to fix up the place while he was laid up in the hospital. But if they're filming in an actual house, it would make things easier for the crew if the place is sparsely decorated, because they would not have to move furniture around to accommodate the cameras.
You could always tell the Cryer mansion was a set (albeit an extravagant one for a fledgling series), but the Hargrave mansion (Kathryn's dad's place, where she currently lives) is a bit harder to figure out.
I recall Candace's old place, and how nothing that contemporary would EVER be built in a well-off neighborhood in Savannah. It was pretty normal for certain sections of Atlanta (which is where it was), but Savannah still has very old-fashioned ideas about how neighborhoods should look. Mid-century modern is considered "rebellious". The sets they built for the Artesian Hotel are nice enough, but they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the décor of the Westin Resort, the hotel HAHN uses for the exterior shots. I may have mentioned upthread that the establishing shots of the "Savannah Courthouse" are actually shots of City Hall; the Chatham County Courthouse is an ugly, cinderblock building that is not "telegenic" at all. And I'm not sure what they're using as the so-called Savannah Police Department/jailhouse and the hospital everyone keeps going to (St. Claude's, I think someone called it). No hospital in Savannah looks anything like THAT one.
But why on Earth would I try to apply real life to this show??
* Remember when they found Erica's charred remains in the car, post-explosion? Her burned-up corpse in the driver's seat, with the seat totally intact (not a singe, much less totally melted around her) and not a scratch on the surrounding car? The windshield had not broken, and the paint job was only discolored right around the window. Quite a selective car bomb. That's the sort of continuity flaw I love in a soap. TP wants to blow up a car in a scene, but he wants to make sure he gets his deposit back when he returns it to the dealer.
You could always tell the Cryer mansion was a set (albeit an extravagant one for a fledgling series), but the Hargrave mansion (Kathryn's dad's place, where she currently lives) is a bit harder to figure out.
I recall Candace's old place, and how nothing that contemporary would EVER be built in a well-off neighborhood in Savannah. It was pretty normal for certain sections of Atlanta (which is where it was), but Savannah still has very old-fashioned ideas about how neighborhoods should look. Mid-century modern is considered "rebellious". The sets they built for the Artesian Hotel are nice enough, but they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the décor of the Westin Resort, the hotel HAHN uses for the exterior shots. I may have mentioned upthread that the establishing shots of the "Savannah Courthouse" are actually shots of City Hall; the Chatham County Courthouse is an ugly, cinderblock building that is not "telegenic" at all. And I'm not sure what they're using as the so-called Savannah Police Department/jailhouse and the hospital everyone keeps going to (St. Claude's, I think someone called it). No hospital in Savannah looks anything like THAT one.
But why on Earth would I try to apply real life to this show??
* Remember when they found Erica's charred remains in the car, post-explosion? Her burned-up corpse in the driver's seat, with the seat totally intact (not a singe, much less totally melted around her) and not a scratch on the surrounding car? The windshield had not broken, and the paint job was only discolored right around the window. Quite a selective car bomb. That's the sort of continuity flaw I love in a soap. TP wants to blow up a car in a scene, but he wants to make sure he gets his deposit back when he returns it to the dealer.
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Except if they film in Berlin or in my old hometown Bremen I don't look for reality. But sometimes it's just too wrong. In a crime series that is set in my hometown they filmed in a bar that is actually located next to a club. In the series the characters were drinking in the bar and used a taxi (long scene, seemingly big distance) to get to that club. This is so laughable for anyone who lives there. They try to be a little more accurate when they film in Berlin though probably because more people visit the city (good examples: the series Berlin Station and the foot chase in The Bourne Supremacy).
I have the feeling the deposit is also a reason why the mansions appear so empty to me. The owners allow them to film there but limit them to do certain things. For example they have to use the furniture that is visible and aren't allowed to use other because the floor could get scratches from the movements. A friend of mine in Hamburg did that with a production company for his apartment, it was used for a TV series. They filmed for 14 days and they used his furniture, only personal items as photos in the background were not used. The camera operator managed to leave some scratches on the parquet floor and the production had to pay the full repair for it afterwards.
Just read Tika Sumpter could be leaving for a spin-off to the Black-ish show where she will be the lead. And I noticed that she and Nicholas James (Justin) are a couple since 2016. Justin and Candace
I have the feeling the deposit is also a reason why the mansions appear so empty to me. The owners allow them to film there but limit them to do certain things. For example they have to use the furniture that is visible and aren't allowed to use other because the floor could get scratches from the movements. A friend of mine in Hamburg did that with a production company for his apartment, it was used for a TV series. They filmed for 14 days and they used his furniture, only personal items as photos in the background were not used. The camera operator managed to leave some scratches on the parquet floor and the production had to pay the full repair for it afterwards.
Just read Tika Sumpter could be leaving for a spin-off to the Black-ish show where she will be the lead. And I noticed that she and Nicholas James (Justin) are a couple since 2016. Justin and Candace
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Yeah, when she announced her pregnancy a few years ago, nobody even knew they were dating. Everyone was speculating about who fathered her baby, so they 'came out' as a couple.
BTW, just got finished watching the last episode until May 7th. I'm not sure if it is a mid-season cliffhanger, or if that was the end of a season. The description said it was season five, episode forty -four, so they are either filming extra-long seasons or have very different ideas of episode numbering than everyone else.
BTW, just got finished watching the last episode until May 7th. I'm not sure if it is a mid-season cliffhanger, or if that was the end of a season. The description said it was season five, episode forty -four, so they are either filming extra-long seasons or have very different ideas of episode numbering than everyone else.
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Quoting myself...how conceited! But I ran across a visual representation of what I was talking about....
Alexis Carrington should be happy she isn't Extra-Crispy Erica:
Alexis Carrington should be happy she isn't Extra-Crispy Erica:
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LOL. That's really weird.
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I had forgotten HAHN was returning on May 7th. By pure lucky chance, I was flipping through channels last night and saw they were rerunning the cliffhanger, then realized the new episode would air right afterwards.
It's a mistake for them to devote so much time in an episode to Candace and Charles (and all the politcos) when there are so many other stories needing airtime. I guess they wanted to get their money's worth from that old "Oval Office" set left over from Too Close To Home. For someone supposedly so intelligent and politically savvy, Charles looks like a totally naïve idiot by thinking he could cover up Candace's past and turn her into First Lady material. Too many people know of her activities, people who can't be 'controlled' by Charles's associates. There are several bodies left in her wake, and of course countless enemies who can tell America about her previous career. All her shady associates would gladly sell their stories to any tabloid that came knocking; contrary to popular belief, there is NO honor among thieves.
I'm assuming that Jim is smart enough to know he can use his knowledge of Candace's activities as a bargaining chip in the court case against him, Katheryn and the Harringtons. The man talking to the Attorney General in that scene is heading to Savannah to dig up more dirt on Candace, and lord knows Jim has a small mountain of it he can hand over in exchange for some "favors" from the Department of Justice. As much as I hate the idea of Jim and Co. getting away with what they did, you have to admit that nobody really cares any more about their cover-up and the accident. Wiping that whole case off the docket will give the show (and the characters involved) the chance to move forward rather than continue to be bogged down in something from many years ago. It will give Jim and Katheryn yet another chance to listen to Wyatt moan and groan about how they get away with everything and poor little Wyatt never gets what he wants. Oh, my heart bleeds.
Random thought: why doesn't Jeffrey (a psychological counselor for an addiction clinic), Madison (a health-care professional) and David (a Federal Judge) have Justin committed? In Florida we have a legal maneuver called the Baker Act, where a person who is thought to be a danger to himself or out of control (in the throes of mental breakdown, alcoholism or drug addiction, etc.) can be committed for 72-hour evaluation with only the signatures of a couple of health professionals, a Judge, and/or a relative. After the evaluation they can choose to release them, or keep them for treatment if the Judge signs off on it. Justin's ex-wife is also a judge--I'm sure she would go along with the idea that he's lost his freakin' mind.
It's a mistake for them to devote so much time in an episode to Candace and Charles (and all the politcos) when there are so many other stories needing airtime. I guess they wanted to get their money's worth from that old "Oval Office" set left over from Too Close To Home. For someone supposedly so intelligent and politically savvy, Charles looks like a totally naïve idiot by thinking he could cover up Candace's past and turn her into First Lady material. Too many people know of her activities, people who can't be 'controlled' by Charles's associates. There are several bodies left in her wake, and of course countless enemies who can tell America about her previous career. All her shady associates would gladly sell their stories to any tabloid that came knocking; contrary to popular belief, there is NO honor among thieves.
I'm assuming that Jim is smart enough to know he can use his knowledge of Candace's activities as a bargaining chip in the court case against him, Katheryn and the Harringtons. The man talking to the Attorney General in that scene is heading to Savannah to dig up more dirt on Candace, and lord knows Jim has a small mountain of it he can hand over in exchange for some "favors" from the Department of Justice. As much as I hate the idea of Jim and Co. getting away with what they did, you have to admit that nobody really cares any more about their cover-up and the accident. Wiping that whole case off the docket will give the show (and the characters involved) the chance to move forward rather than continue to be bogged down in something from many years ago. It will give Jim and Katheryn yet another chance to listen to Wyatt moan and groan about how they get away with everything and poor little Wyatt never gets what he wants. Oh, my heart bleeds.
Random thought: why doesn't Jeffrey (a psychological counselor for an addiction clinic), Madison (a health-care professional) and David (a Federal Judge) have Justin committed? In Florida we have a legal maneuver called the Baker Act, where a person who is thought to be a danger to himself or out of control (in the throes of mental breakdown, alcoholism or drug addiction, etc.) can be committed for 72-hour evaluation with only the signatures of a couple of health professionals, a Judge, and/or a relative. After the evaluation they can choose to release them, or keep them for treatment if the Judge signs off on it. Justin's ex-wife is also a judge--I'm sure she would go along with the idea that he's lost his freakin' mind.
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