methodwriter85

Mark hinted as much as that when he decided to reveal that JJ actually learned how to surf in some attempt to feel closer to Will after Will moved to Palo Alto. If JJ was really a lost cause, I don't think Mark would bother with writing him because then there's nowhere to actually take the character. I can't agree with that. Mark writes JJ like he is Blair Warner from the Facts of Life. Mark wrote Bitty like she was Kathryn from Cruel Intentions. Meaning that Bitty intentionally hurt people while delighting in it, while JJ's just stuck up snob who can't read the room.

I think Mark has done something interesting with the Kris relationship. It's the first time JJ has ever actually been called out on his behavior by a love interest. I've been calling it JJ's "Taming of the Shrew" arc. Lol He's 18. And while he's a self-absorbed stuck-up douchebag, he's an entertaining one, as opposed to a cruel one. Hopefully he'll mellow out a bit as he gets older. I think he already has. Two years ago in CAP time he wouldn't have even questioned himself at all. Now he is.

There's something I really loved about how JJ was so pissed off about the entire diner thing, but as soon as the spotlight was on him, he snapped into a professional and sang with Travis. He didn't try to sound bad to bring down the performance, he just blended and complimented with Travis's performance. JJ is always going to be a performer.

It's actually cannon that JJ has a decent singing voice, as per the Robbie/Brad wedding musical extravaganza. That's why I applauded Mark having the continuity moment where JJ sings along with Travis and he does it quite well. Probably not the "voice of an angel" like most of the Hayes men and of course Travis, but he carry a tune. Probably could have been pushed into recording an album if Jeanine had decided JJ should be a Disney boy instead of an ice angel. LOL No, but seriously, JJ is more of a 2000's romantic comedy character. Not to say that he couldn't be in a musical, but he's more like that snobby New York City boyfriend who gets dumped by the lead for the handsome, salt of the Earth New England cowboy. Or the stuck-up work rival that gets his comeuppance at the end. Or the stuffy boyfriend with a Manic Pixie Dream Love Interest who teaches him how to be loose and enjoy life and whatnot before said love interest dies. JJ and Will are so "Popular" from Wicked.

Ah, okay. Anyway... Chapter 15 -When Brad takes Jack for a ride in his limo and talks to him about the state of his marriage. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac -When JJ buys an obscenely expensive watch to apologize to Kris. "Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison -When JJ and Kris kiss and make up. "Magic Man" by Heart

Ah, okay. When was Isidore's wedding to Frank? 2003 in CAP time?

Methinks that Marie and John are about to get a little half-sibling in the near future. I remember Television Without Pity called that "secondary off-spring." LOL Speaking of, I wonder if Ace and Bianca wound up giving Courtney a little half-sibling as well. We haven't really heard much from Ace since he left for Italy. Then again, Bianca isn't a younger trophy wife (she should be in her early 40's like Ace), so maybe not. Yeah, I'm liking that both JJ's counselor and his current love interest seem to be onboard with calling JJ out on his crap. He really needed that. Like, seriously needed that.

Chapter 14 -When Brad and Claire go riding, and talk about Jack. "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac -When JJ very regretfully goes with Kris to the singing diner. "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Franki Valli and the 4 Seasons -Travis performing "Kokomo" with JJ doing a back-up assist. "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys -When it slowly but surely dawns on JJ that he fucked up. "Stupid Girl" by Garbage

As a visual, this is the face that JJ was trying to use to intimidate Kris with: Yeah, I can see why it didn't work. LOL In any event, way to go Kris. This was like Taming the Shrew, or "Taming the Bitchy Ice Skater." Alex never got to see JJ's bad side because he always acted like an angel around him, Tony let JJ be a total bitch because he knew that's what JJ needed, and Zanie and JJ were too much alike to ever actually challenge each other. I also liked that as bitchy as JJ was in this chapter, as soon as the light was on him, he went into performance mode in his duet with Travis. It was also a nice "continuity yay!" moment, because it was established during Brad and Robbie's wedding that JJ is a decent singer. Probably not to the level of Travis (which would probably added to his annoyance), but he wouldn't have had anything to be embarrassed about when it came to singing.

Chapter 13 -When Kris gets his slowmo "wow, he's hot" entrance. "You're So Damn Hot" by Ok Go When Brad and JJ say their goodbyes, and Brad remarks that JJ is the happiest he's been since he was a little boy. "Maybe This Time" by Liza Minelli That is a damn good theme for JJ and his general character arc/development. -When Will tells Travis about his plan for a threesome, and Travis decides to go for it. "I Want Candy" by the Strangeloves I really do love that adding Travis in makes me think of a lot of 1950's/60's tunes. Such a great era for music.

Right, Beach Movie era.

Travis is hilarious, though. He's so anachronistic. Like he belongs in the 1950's and I like that about him. He reminds me of the Civil War re-enactment guys I knew when I was a teenager.

Chapter 12 -When Will cheers on Ian Thorpe, who wins his race. "Let's Get It Started" by The Black Eyed Peas -When Travis apologizes to Will. "Let It Be Me" by The Everly Brothers When JJ spirals mentally about Brad showing up. "The Worst Day Ever" by Simple Plan

Yeah, JJ is the only son that Brad can actually cower into doing what he wants him to do. I think that's why JJ is so scared about this visit, because he's worried Brad won't like Kris and will want him to dump him. Because deep down, JJ probably would do it if push came to shove. At least at this point.

JJ doesn't really care about controlling money or making it as long as the flow of money remains constant.

Chapter 11 -When Will uses his panic button to take care of the homophobe. "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West -When Will and Travis are reunited. "Heat Wave" by Linda Rondstadt -When JJ is given some food for thought by Will. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" by Postal Service

JJ being scared shitless that Brad will find some way to fuck up his honeymoon era. Lol

Chapter 10 -When JJ and Kris get ready for the Tom Ford show. "Make Me Believe In You" by Curtis Mayfield -When Sebastian throws a big fit and Kris explains the situation to JJ. "Le Freak" by Chic -When Kris swears an oath to JJ who wonders if they're making love now, not just having sex. "Is This Love?" by Alison Moyet -When Will pulls the "Do You Know Who My Father Is" trick and is annoyed that it doesn't work. "Move Bitch" by Ludacris

Surprisingly though, he hasn't hooked up with as many curious straight guys as you think he would. Just a couple, Ryan and John Hobart (I'd guess John Hobart to be a little more then just curious) being two of them. I would bet he would have if he had been involved in team sports. In Crosscurrents, you get the vibe that Andy is able to pull so many straight guys because he lives such a straight boy life, so that makes straight boys comfortable with Andy. I don't think you could get the same deal with Will.

Chapter 9 -When Marie gets her "Damn, she's hot" entrance. "Naughty Girl" by Beyonce -When Will hooks up with Ian Thorpe. "Dip It Low" by Christina Millian

Chapter 8 -When JJ decides that he and Kris mesh together perfectly. "Accidentally in Love" by the Counting Crows -When Will checks out the crowd in sun-dappled Greece, enjoying the scenery of the Olympics. "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys That feels like such a perfect summer song. -When Will gets to flirt with Ian Thorpe. "Oops Oh My" by Tweet

Travis is probably the weirdest CAP love interest Mark has written, and I mean that in a good way. LOL

I'm looking forward to what Private Tim is going to think about a bipolar teenager moving his boyfriend into his condo after 2 dates.

Isn't he a criminal defense attorney? I imagine he's busy as fuck right now.

Chapter 7 -When Travis and Will DTR but in like a weird roleplay way. "Braveheart Theme" -When JJ travels to his therapist. "The Only Living Boy In New York" by Simon & Garfunkel