PrivateTim Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I think it a bit disingenuous to automatically assume they were ignoring Will. Seriously, if I didn't know that CAP was free of supernatural elements, this would be the perfect setup for a Freaky Friday plotline (if not a better one than the horrible remake). lol Hey, dat's what I said! From my review..... There are always two sides to every story, everyone is pissed off at Robbie for not taking Will's call and everyone, including and especially Will, are assuming it was to spite Will. Has no one ever missed a cell phone call before and not known it? This story is in 2000, cell phones were not as sophisticated then as they are now. There were very few multi-line screens on cell phones back then. As a result texting was not ubiquitous yet and seeing missed calls wasn't as easy. I still don't like the idea of Kristin and Gathan back together. It just makes no sense to have a girlfriend in Ohio when you are a freshman in college in Palo Alto. I also agree about the remake of Freaky Friday, the Jodie Foster version was much better. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 I think that would have been an interesting point, to discover whether Robbie and Brad actually heard their phones ring. They could quite easily have turned them off when they went into the game (good manners), or not have gotten the call when it came through, or not have heard the ringer. That would have played out in a calm, rational conversation. But that is really the point here. None of these people (except Wade) was being calm and rational. Robbie and Brad are pissed off at Will, and vice-verse. Add to that the fact that Gathan is in the hospital, and that's a big crisis, especially for Robbie, who is notoriously bad at handling crises like that. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjo Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Just a aside, I think this story maybe more than any other has brought out different views of parenting. Both my parent were older than most of my classmates. I also grew up in a very religious household. I would never have thought of doing most of the things Brad, Robbie or Will have done. I relate maybe more to JP. I guess I find it very interesting the more conservative viewpoints from most people who I would not think would be conservative at all. I guess I have grown to like Will a lot and think Brad and Robbie arn't doing a very good job of parenting. Also remember Will called both Brad and Robbie both twice. So it was not just one missed call but a number of missed calls. I am awaiting a new chapter as this saga goings on. Thanks Mark for the best story I have ever read any where. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Just a aside, I think this story maybe more than any other has brought out different views of parenting. Both my parent were older than most of my classmates. I also grew up in a very religious household. I would never have thought of doing most of the things Brad, Robbie or Will have done. I relate maybe more to JP. I guess I find it very interesting the more conservative viewpoints from most people who I would not think would be conservative at all. I guess I have grown to like Will a lot and think Brad and Robbie arn't doing a very good job of parenting. Also remember Will called both Brad and Robbie both twice. So it was not just one missed call but a number of missed calls. I am awaiting a new chapter as this saga goings on. Thanks Mark for the best story I have ever read any where. I'm not sure it's a conservative vs. liberal difference, I tend to think that it's more generational. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1ue Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 It is entirely possible that the two just missed the calls. Hell I miss calls all the time, even with the phone on me. There are times when I get voice messages and the phone never rang. This is a good point, but I'm guessing you allow for the possiblity before accusing someone else of not trying to contact you. I am willing to believe that Brad and Robbie simply missed the calls. It can happen to anyone. It doens't sound like they did, but it could have happened like that. But where I take exception is that Robbie lays into Will for not contacting them. And he clearly either didn't check his missed calls first, or DID know Will called and did not pick up. I can't think of a third possiblity for his hesitation to hand over his cell phone. At least Brad was quicker on the uptake on that score. There's hope for him yet. I would love to see Will even TRY to say the kind of stuff he's said to Jeanine, and say that to Claire. I think he'd be verbally bitchslapped so quick his head would spin. Claire, in the stories she's been in, has not taken crap off anyone for any reason since she was about fifteen. Losing her brother and child very close together, and seeing the mistakes she made that led up to those losses, grew her up very quickly. Not something I'd wish on anyone, but it appears to have been a mixed damnation, in some ways. And Jack, for all his exuberance and horseplay, acts as an authority next to god for a great many people. Quiet, but firm, authority seems to be their style. I doubt either one of them has an issue with making "no" stick like Brad and Robbie seem to. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 Claire, in the stories she's been in, has not taken crap off anyone for any reason since she was about fifteen. Losing her brother and child very close together, and seeing the mistakes she made that led up to those losses, grew her up very quickly. Not something I'd wish on anyone, but it appears to have been a mixed damnation, in some ways. And Jack, for all his exuberance and horseplay, acts as an authority next to god for a great many people. Quiet, but firm, authority seems to be their style. I doubt either one of them has an issue with making "no" stick like Brad and Robbie seem to. That's a really good summation. I think that looking just at the parents, though, leaves the other half of the equation as unsolved. Kids are different, and while Claire and Jack seem to be lucky in that John and Marie are relatively easy to handle, I haven't really gone into that too much. If Marie turned into a complete rebel, with a boyfriend who had lots of tatoos and a pierced tongue, some of that calm veneer may just crack a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1ue Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Nah, the real fun is going to be when John knocks up his date to the junior prom. I mean, what can they possibly say to that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 If Marie turned into a complete rebel, with a boyfriend who had lots of tatoos and a pierced tongue, some of that calm veneer may just crack a bit. I'm rooting for Marie to turn into a hipster/future Occupy! chick, complete with the intentionally ugly wardrobe and addiction to cigs and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Gee...you'd almost think Will has written off Brad and Robbie completely, like it's past the point of no return. I doubt that it is actually to that point (yet), but it's sure looking like it really is. Wonder what it would possibly take for reconciliation to happen...cause I don't know if I can imagine it happening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I kinda of feel like JJ must be privately laughing his ass off in his room, glad that Brad's control freak tendencies don't extend out to him and he doesn't need to go all rebellious like Will does. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermetically Sealed Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Gee...you'd almost think Will has written off Brad and Robbie completely, like it's past the point of no return. I doubt that it is actually to that point (yet), but it's sure looking like it really is. Wonder what it would possibly take for reconciliation to happen...cause I don't know if I can imagine it happening. I'm not even sure anymore if Mark has ever figured out an end game for it. They're doomed to play out the rest of the CAP series watching hockey games and skating shows, trading barbs. Just need Tonto's ghost sitting off to the side reading her paper, chuckling maniacally. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I kinda of feel like JJ must be privately laughing his ass off in his room, glad that Brad's control freak tendencies don't extend out to him and he doesn't need to go all rebellious like Will does. JJ hasn't exhibited any out of control behaviors to worry about. He doesn't do the things Will does. I am sure if he started to pull the crap Will does, he'd get extra scrutiny too and unlike Pat who I think would cover for Will with Brad, I suspect Michael would rat out JJ in a second to brown nose to Brad. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centexhairysub Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 (edited) The new chapter was excellent... I really enjoyed the interplay between all the main people in this story. I do think that Wade's decision is going to really piss his mother off badly. That being said, I think it is great that he is trying to honor someone that meant so much to him and helped him realize it was okay to be gay. That is one of the great tragedies, the lack of visible role models in the gay community. I mean the ones that the kids in the south or the inner cities can see and relate to in some way. I do undertand Father Tim wanting to check out Wade's uncles past, with a center like this, anything will be a target and you just don't want to give the damn rightwing any ammunition. I really liked the interaction right before JJ went on the ice with Jeanine, Tiffany, Wade, Matt, Will, JJ, and Shane and his mom. I get the feeling that Tiffany was probably Shane's coach for a while. I would like to see Jeanine and Tiffany get back together and to see Jeanine make a recovery from the severe case of postpartum depression. I think that the situation between Brad and Robbie and Will is going to get worse before it gets any better; and yes, I am sure it will get better... I do think that Will is clearly winning the fight on points. The situation with the phone calls were just the latest in a long line of actions by Brad and Robbie that seemed designed to piss Will off and make them look bad. I can accept the fact that you miss a call but not both of them missing multiple calls on two phones. Brad is too anal retentive to have turned his phone off, he always has to be in contact and checking up on the situations going on in his life. I can see Robbie turning his off but checking the messages and missed calls the second he turns it back on. I agree with the comment by someone else that Brad and Robbie can't really clamp down on Will because neither of them are around enough to make it stick. Plus, much like Wade said in the story, they might find a bed full of rattlesnakes. Will is smart enough to understand something if either of them would set down and really talk to him instead of making pronouncements from on high or just talking at him. I think that Brad is still so stubborn that once he digs his heels in, only something really drastic is going to make him change his mind about the sittuation; and Robbie is going to support Brad in the end, even if he isn't sure he is right. I do agree that there is three sides to every argument, each person or couple on opposite sides and then the truth. The reality is that you become blinded to the truth because you become so sure that you are right. Of course, I have never had this problem because I am always right... A side note, it was really good to see Father Tim and Max pop up in the story, they have been missed. I also was glad for even the mention of Claire, she has always been one of my favorites in this story. I realize it is hard to right for her to some extent because I agree that she probably doesn't have the same drama in her life that other do. Edited April 10, 2012 by centexhairysub 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm not even sure anymore if Mark has ever figured out an end game for it. They're doomed to play out the rest of the CAP series watching hockey games and skating shows, trading barbs. Just need Tonto's ghost sitting off to the side reading her paper, chuckling maniacally. I think that's way too pessimistic an outlook on things ...but having said that, I think that if it did go this route, eventually they'd end up no longer on speaking terms as opposed to trading barbs indefinitely. centex's post gave me another thought though...it made me think of when the family turned on JP over the Brian issue (a revolt ironically initiated by Brad). It feels like, if Brad and Robbie were ever to be put in JP's position...Robbie would ultimately cave, and try to make amends, but Brad would stick to his guns and refuse to give in, even if it meant going on as an island unto himself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I kinda of feel like JJ must be privately laughing his ass off in his room, glad that Brad's control freak tendencies don't extend out to him and he doesn't need to go all rebellious like Will does. I dunno about that, if only because I feel like if that were true, eventually JJ would slip up and Will would find out about his delight over the situation - and when that happens...cue the raving bitch fight between them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermetically Sealed Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Honestly, I think that would be the only way to move this fight along, as if Will ever found out that he was being such a drama queen that even JJ was laughing at him, he would have no other choice but to change tactics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjo Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Family problems are never a good thing to deal with. First you have two very strong minded people, Brad and Will. Both have been hurt. It seems like a while back Brad and Will talked about this very subject. Brad said that he would talk to Will about things which effect Will's life before he did any thing. If Will did not agree Brad would lay out his reasons and so would Will. However, Brad has chosen to rule of degree. He has not come to Will and talked it over with him as he promised. As he promised! Brad has broken the agreement. Not Will. Matt said Brad has the power. That is true, but for how long? Four years. Will is not perfect, he has pushed, and pushed and pushed. Many people think too far and too much. But Will is a 14yo kid. The question is: is Brad acting any better? A parents role is to guide their children. Part of that is protection but not too the point of servitude. If things don't improve, maybe Will needs to move to Paly like he planned at first. Would that make Brad happy? or Will? No it wouldn't and what is worse, far worse, Brad would have lost his son. And Will his father. That is something so sad I do not want to think about it. To much could be lost. Therefore somebody who has the power to calm both parties and bring them to the table must come forth. Who is that person? Stef? JP? Wade? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK9N Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Stef isn't helping any of this. Will is still a 14-year old kid, even though he's been allowed to do things that most 14-year-olds don't get to do. Will isn't mature enough to understand that his life, his ability to travel, to surf, to live in a fabulous Malibu house, all come because of the success of his parents. And when his parents don't give him what he wants, he's got "Grandma" there who will do it for him. I'm not defending Brad in all this (my Robbie can do NO wrong! LOL), but come on! Kids don't (and shouldn't!) always get their way, even if their parents are perfect and doting. I know Will has been through a lot, heartbreak, kidnapping, etc. but he still acts like it's gotta be his way or the highway. When he turns 18, he can go for it. Until then Will, get your act together or you might end up at a military academy in New Mexico. Just saying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I know Will has been through a lot, heartbreak, kidnapping, etc. but he still acts like it's gotta be his way or the highway. LOL! And Brad doesn't? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 I think we will see a different Will after the CO River trip. In fact I think the story will pivot after the CO River trip. I like seeing old names too. We see a lot of Stef and I suspect we are going to see a bit of JP shortly. It was nice to see Isidore mentioned, I always adored her. John has been conspicuously absent or maybe around, just not mentioned. I also look forward to another Will and Shane interaction. I think it could be a good thing for both of them, not sex, just a friendship... not that a steamy scene wouldn't be welcome, but that isn't why I think they could be good for each other. Shane needs gay friends and Will needs gay friends his age, people he can be friends with, his age without the pressures of sex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 JJ hasn't exhibited any out of control behaviors to worry about. He doesn't do the things Will does. I am sure if he started to pull the crap Will does, he'd get extra scrutiny too and unlike Pat who I think would cover for Will with Brad, I suspect Michael would rat out JJ in a second to brown nose to Brad. JJ in general has a pretty regimented life, as well as the knowledge that he needs to maintain a pretty pristine image where discretion over things like drug experimentation and pre-marital sex would be key. However, if/when JJ decides to start stepping out of bonds(which I don't think he'll do until AFTER high school), I can't really see Brad or Robbie being able to do anything to stop him, because they pretty much gave him over to Jeanine to raise. Similar to how Will completely ignored anything that Jeanine had to say, JJ would completely ignore anything that Brad and Robbie had to say. He'd listen to these people: his coach, Jeanine, Tiffany. MAYBE Matt, but only to a certain point. If you do something to piss JJ off, he'll ice you out like a good diva should. If Brad and Robbie even tried to say anything to JJ about what he should or shouldn't do, he'd give them a death glare, and walk out of the room without a word. End of discussion. So in some ways, it kind of sucked, not being the favorite child, but in other ways it worked out well for him. JJ'll stick around Brad and Robbie if they're giving him praise, but the minute they get critical, he'll totally bounce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddydavek Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Family dynamics are not always smooth and sometimes downright unpleasant, even with the best of people who are smart, talented and yes, monied. From the current chapter, it seems clear that the problems between Will and his dads is reaching a pivotal point which could determine their ongoing relationships into Will's adulthood. I look forward to see how Mark lays out his plot. While we kibbitz, second guess the characters (and indirectly the author) it seems there is a point being made. Life, always has bumps and problems even in the most idyllic situations. How the characters handle their private adversities is the benchmark on which we judge them. It is what is so endearing about Granger in the Bridgemont series. In the CAP series, Mark's characters are more modern and perhaps, more flawed. J.P. has made his mistakes (many of them), Stef has a long history; Robbie was a nut case in college. Brad was a willful and calculating teenager and young adult and has done some not so nice things as an adult too. How it turns out is in the hands of the master story weaver! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjo Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 plot. How it turns out is in the hands of the master story weaver! I wonder what Mark will say about that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 I wonder what Mark will say about that. He's been uncharacteristically quiet since he put the chapter up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 (edited) He's been uncharacteristically quiet since he put the chapter up... I think he is just busy....... Edited April 11, 2012 by PrivateTim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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