Kelly! I was so excited to see a new episode up and now that I have the time on my hands to catch up on my favorite serials, I am glad to once again leave reviews for each episode. The site is simply striking upon first glance- you’ve done such a wonderful job with the design and color scheme. Furthermore, when one takes the time to delve further they truly find a gem in this series. It’s wonderful to have you back and congrats on the launch of the second season!
I really like my site to look clean and pretty. One of the things I constantly wonder is the site over shadows the story and the episodes within it, so thanks for the compliment about it being a gem. I like to think of West Lake and the people who live there as a gem, it is great to hear that from a reader.
I loved the opening of this scene! By detailing to the exact minute, it really put things into perspective. I was also hoping that it would be Austin, but it was a nice surprise to see Peter instead. It was nice to see Liz release some needed tears as she cried onto her brother’s shoulder. This scene was very personal for me, because I have been in Peter’s spot more than a few times. I myself have had family and loved ones really suffer from drugs and alcohol and while you want so dearly to help, you must realize that the only person that can help your loved one is them. Indeed, sometimes they really have to hit rock bottom, as hard as it is to watch, for them to truly realize that change is pivotal for them to continue on.
What a powerful scene. Poor Liz, she seems so heartbroken and lost. I hope she can piece herself back together. I would love to see that for her.
Thanks guys! Liz's scenes have been really emotional for me to write this season, as drug abuse hits close to home in my family and I wanted to portray it as realistically as possible. So I think showing that Liz is changing is a good thing and her knowing exactly how long she has been clean was huge for me.
You did a wonderful job at providing a little recap of the recent events as the scene opened. I still can’t believe everything that transpired, Kelly. Brilliant twist to this superb mystery and I’m really looking forward to seeing where you take this. My first inclination would have been to slam the door in his face as well, but she obviously wanted answers and I like the fact she took the higher road and actually gave him the time of day. Furthermore, I think she has every right to not ask him to publish the book….it’s the least he could do.
Love the interaction between Vanessa and Brian. I hope they can both work out their sh*t and just move on, WITH each other.
Thanks again Jay and Scott. I know that people are rooting for Jake/Vanessa, Scott has been dying for Brian/Vanessa to make it. I hope to add a bit more to the triangle this season but at least give readers some sort of justice on both ends. I do think Brian and Vanessa have a lot of storyline left to tell. I wanted to portray that Brian honestly never meant to hurt her, but on the other hand he needs to deal with respecting her wishes now that the truth is out as well.
WOW. So Jessica is going to use a false pregnancy revelation to try and keep him? Good luck to that, girl! We’ve seen this play out in too many soaps and it always blows up in the woman’s face. It will be interesting how you play this out, Kelly. I know you’ll do a great job with this storyline and it will be interesting what happens when the truth comes out.
Love Jessica's cattyness by saying "I was perfectly clear the first time." Perfect comeback line.
Of course she is she's Jessica, she wouldn't go down that easily. Plus I love to torture Jake on a twisted level. I debated for a good few weeks on whether to include her catty line to Jake and I am pleased that the payoff worked in the scene.
I would have to say the theme of this episode would be “unexpected visitors.” Nicely done- it’s always fun to leave your readers on the edge of their seats wanting more and knowing that they’re going to get something that differs from what they expect. BTW, I have to throw in here that I *love* the name ‘Cade’. I loved the last paragraph about how she didn’t expect him to act so coldly, but that she knows she brought everything upon herself. That pretty much sums it up….and he is right indeed- once a cheater, always a cheater it seems.
WOW. What a shocking revelation. Cade reacted exactly like how I thought he would. Throwing that picture into the fire was shocking to me, didn't see THAT one coming. Feel bad for him, though. He seems really broken up about it.
I thought it would be out of character for Cade to simply just raise Austin's kid with Kate given everything that has happened. I also am enjoying Kate's journey this year of actually being honest for a change in her life. Cade goes on a very good journey this year that I am looking forward to playing out, so I am thrilled that this worked for you guys.
I’m sorry, but even though we want to have some sympathy for Paige, I just can’t. Knowing what happened for all those years and still not coming clean? I think she deserved to rot in prison for awhile and realize what it feels like to be on the other side of the bars. She got herself into this mess by not coming clean, now she’s going to have to dig herself out by herself hopefully. I hope no one comes to her rescue (right away at least) so she has time to go over the consequences of her actions.
Paige breaking down really hit me, I felt the emotion, but I feel like some of it was fake, and not real.
You have no idea how happy it made me to hear that both of you are having a hard time feeling sorry for Paige, because you aren't supposed to and I tried to show that as much as I could with her scenes with Austin. Paige has to deal with the consequences this year of her actions from that night and I am very excited with how things play out.
Geez, this Ryan character really has a list of dirty laundry, doesn’t he? Nice detailed recap in the second paragraph- it tied everything together for me and made me realize all that he did. However, the true scum of West Lake has to be Jessica- God, she is one of those scheming characters I just *love* to hate. I’m looking forward to how this ‘mastermind’ handles things to come and if and when the truth comes out, how things might blow up in her face.
LOVED that scene, intense and perfect. I love it. Knowing Jessica isn't pregnant really adds a twist to the whole story!
Ryan is a piece of work and a character I find myself enjoying to write because of how literally screwed up he is. I am glad that you picked up on all the clues about his involvement in certain aspects of the accident. As for Jessica, she is by far the most devious piece of work that I have ever created, but I love to write her. She has her reasons as to why she is doing what she is and why Ryan is helping her so stay tuned! I've always felt that her and Ryan matched because of their dysfunction and I am thrilled that their scenes come off as intense for you both as readers.
All in all, a superbly written episode and an enjoyable ride through West Lake. The whole episode was captivating and kept my attention which is a bit of a challenge sometimes with my ADHD. At any rate, I can’t wait for the next installment. Keep up the great work, Kelly!
One of the things I am trying to do with season 2 is to cut down on the actual wordiness that normally is my writing style from season 1 and Dangerous Tides. So I am beyond thrilled that this worked for you!
Thanks again guys for the awesome feedback! Episode 16 will be out in 2 weeks.
Kelly
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