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What did everyone think about this episode?

We've got a few new characters in here: Von Hartmann, Cameron Morris, and Nicole.

For me it never clicked that Cameron Morris is the brother of Kandy Morris until I saw it on AIOWiki. But it makes sense: Kandy did said to her mother in “As Iron Sharpens Iron” to give "Dad and Cameron" her greetings. This is most interesting. He made no mention of his sister. I want to say he's different from her. However, considering the fact that he was the one starting the rumors, it makes me think otherwise. Spolier below contains information about the next episode in this album. Along the lines of Cameron, I will also say that the actor does an excellent job! I love the dynamic he has with Zoe and Jay's reactions to it! We would not have this if it hadn't been for "The Smouse Show" in which Jay finally quits his flirting around Zoe and agrees to just be friends. Therefore, Jay feels torn about Zoe getting along well with Cameron, but doesn't have much he can say about it. This will be very interesting to see going forward in future episodes. I would like to see more of this.

Von Hartmann and Nicole, I am wondering if we will hear from them again.

Good to hear Rhonda Adelaide again! And this also marks a second instance in which the plot of one of Shakespeare's plays becomes a major point of the flow of action in the episode. The other instance was in "Welcome Home, Mr. Blackgaard", which Jack Allen speaks to Edwin about his actions and links it to Hamlet. Here Ms. Adelaide does so with Olivia, but with Othello. I have not read the latter Shakespeare play and this episode makes me want to read it!

Those are some of my thoughts, anyway. Overall, I can say that I enjoyed it, it had a good story and has grabbed my attention and made me interested in what is to come for these characters!

Anyone else have any thoughts? Let's discuss!

Polehaus53 wrote: ↑

Sat May 23, 2026 7:32 pm

For me it never clicked that Cameron Morris is the brother of Kandy Morris until I saw it on AIOWiki... He made no mention of his sister. I want to say he's different from her. However, considering the fact that he was the one starting the rumors, it makes me think otherwise.

Olivia made an extended statement against this assumption. ;-)

Technically, we don't know that he did. We only know that Nicole 'accidentally' dropped his name. It could have been her mistakenly revealing the truth, but then again she might have just wanted us to think it was. So while I agree this is possible, and based on meta-information even plausible, the only hard evidence we have in the episodes is currently inconclusive.

Polehaus53 wrote: ↑

Sat May 23, 2026 7:32 pm

Therefore, Jay feels torn about Zoe getting along well with Cameron, but doesn't have much he can say about it.

It's realistic; I have to sympathize, even if I wouldn't necessarily say I'm big on the Jay/Zoe ship at this point in their lives*.

Von has the potential to be a recurring character, but unfortunately he seems a lot like a one-shot. But who can say? I didn't foresee necessarily that Nicole would ever show up again in any context, and we've had other, less likely characters make comebacks.

I like Miss Adelaide's portrayal in this episode (and in most other episodes, actually). Although we strongly disagree on important things, that doesn't mean that she is an unalloyedly bad person or that she will never have anything wise, true, or helpful to say about a situation.

I thought this was another good episode.

*The trouble with that ship isn't that it's obviously outlandish; it floats and sails. The trouble is when you stop to think about it and whether it is set up for a safe trip and whether it would go to where we want the characters to go. Realistically, it would not. Their relationship works, or could be made to, on an emotional and social level; I admit liking it on those terms myself! They do sound and feel good together. But we know that they're spiritually incompatible, and that has to be a dealbreaker.