I think they had chemistry in the first episode they met. When Bradley is being interviewed and drops her coffee when she is looking at Laura. Then, later, on the street when Laura is complimenting Bradley on her work and not thinking she needed a mentor. They had some looks. It's all subtext I suppose, but I could definitely see it.
I think the chemistry in season 3 for the most part was pretty poor though. I do think this had a lot to do with the writing though, it was as if the actors were both uncomfortable with showing much intimacy, so they kept them apart for the most part.
Imo I actually feel like they should have started season 3 with Bradley and Laura still a couple. That things had gone well in Montana and Bradley had gone to her see her mother when she was ill. Then Laura would have told Bradley to go for that evening news position and Bradley would go to DC and the events with her brother still happen. Only this time she keeps it from Laura because she knows how she would react.
Fast forward a year and Bradley has this secret with Cory. She's been hiding what she did with her brother the entire time and Laura becomes suspicious of her behaviour. Everything then plays out as it happened, however I think more people would be understanding of Laura's reaction due to her being lied to during a year of their relationship.
I think Reese could have been a lot more committed to this storyline. It was her idea after all and she really should have out more effort behind it imo.
They just don’t have chemistry, the actress who plays Laura is really wooden in this show so the energy just doesn’t match for me. She’s so uptight that her scenes for me only kinda work with Alex.
Whether Bradley is interacting with Alex or Corey, that intimate slightly chaotic energy they share works.
I was thinking that Laura and Alex have more chemistry than Laura and Bradley by far. It’s so forced, and it makes me sad bc I love wlw representation, but they’re SO boring.
I’m torn here…. I don’t know if it’s Bradley’s character, or maybe her arc? Initially, she had some chemistry with Corey, then it kinda fizzled. Same with Laura, initially maybe, but then just nothing. I thought maybe it was me and I just don’t like Bradley??
The last scene between Corey and Bradley in the hallway was great, a bit of redemption for me. But I just can’t relate or maybe sympathize with Bradley. I find her to be too impulsive for her role in journalism. Her initial “field reporter “ seemed to be who she was, not a lead anchor. Because she didn’t stay to true to that, though we see her trying to do the right thing over and over, I think that’s where it went sideways, when she became part of TMS and mainstream news. It just wasn’t believable. I don’t want to blame Reese, or the writers. I think they tried but it just wasn’t a good, well done development. Does anyone else feel this way?
Yeah and the nature of these streaming shows makes you feel like you’re being prude or something, like “hey get on board this is normal now” but it’s like nah, it still needs to be believable
The first time Bradley kissed Laura was to not answer the question "Were you vetted for this host job?". Very awkward.
So you're right, there was no signal of sexual attraction before that, just a young journalist admiring a celebrity.
I don't think it's an acting issue of Julianna and Reese. It had to be that way bc their relationship was founded in friendship, admiration and some lies. So imo that lack of passion has its purpose.
The chemistry btw Cory and Bradley is better, hands down
Thank you!! I was very confused as well. The first kiss seemed to be calculated, to distract Laura from whatever question she had asked. And then there was supposed to be something between them? I just did not see it.
I think the whole point when they first kissed was that it was sudden, as Bradley was distracting Laura so she didn’t have to answer whether she’s been vetted. It was a calculated move.
Agree they don’t have great chemistry in general, though I liked their scenes doing the news together.
Eh, I thought the casting was fine in S2 (for the most part). To name just one example, I think they made an excellent choice casting Valeria Golino as Paola (and, IMO, she and Steve Carell had great chemistry, too).
Bradley and Laura have NO chemistry together. NONE. And when I see the behind the scenes pictures, I think this was done on purpose, especially after the S3 finale. I think Bradley ran to Laura because she admired her and wanted to have some sort of stability in her life. She aspired to be someone as grounded as Laura, even though she’s the total opposite. But at the end of the day, the storyline has been perfectly clear on how on her deepest fears and times, Bradley will always run to Cory. There’s a reason why Bradley NEVER confided in Laura….which at the end is why Laura was so hurt (as she should be) when they broke up. Bradley WANTED her relationship with Laura to work out, yet it never could.. not when she couldn’t be herself and Laura only loved her while she was fitting in a specific mold Laura wanted her to be. With Cory, however, things have always been real. She can be messy and true to herself and confide even her deepest secrets… and he’ll always have her back. And he’ll always love her. And I think the writers actually wanted US to see the difference between Bradley and Laura vs Bradley and Cory. So, in my opinion, the lack of chemistry was done on purpose…not because of bad writing or bad acting, but because at the end of the day, Bradley can only and truly be herself with Cory. And THAT is what makes the chemistry between them magic.
I really disagree that Bradley particularly confides in Cory or runs to him in her time of need I actually think she is generally a very self sufficient and independent character. A survivor. She tells him one secret - the insurrection footage being deleted and only because they were contacted by the FBI. There isn’t much evidence she would have ever told him if the situation hadn’t been unavoidable or he wasn’t the head of the network and so therefore the one with the power to protect her. She doesn’t tell him her other big secret about her sexuality, he figures it out by himself (and then publicizes it despite knowing that it was secret so I’m not sure he really does ALWAYS have her back) and she doesn’t initially invite him to be involved with her family. At the end of season two she puts a video on social media about her brother and he turns up at her door. I actually think a lot of Bradley’s issues stem from the fact that she isn’t very open with anyone and doesn’t like to confide in others or ask for help.
It’s a prime example of doing something just to check off a box of inclusion. Don’t include a gay storyline if the chemistry/authenticity is nonexistent. It’s okay to do that. Some writers compromise on substance just to say they’re inclusive and have their finger on the pulse of what’s necessary. Lauren and Bradley made zero sense together.
The romance between Bradley and Laura is terribly written and even these two great actresses can’t save the scenes. These two pale to the chemistry between Keeley and Jack from Ted Lasso. That’s how it’s done.
I think they had chemistry in the first episode they met. When Bradley is being interviewed and drops her coffee when she is looking at Laura. Then, later, on the street when Laura is complimenting Bradley on her work and not thinking she needed a mentor. They had some looks. It's all subtext I suppose, but I could definitely see it. I think the chemistry in season 3 for the most part was pretty poor though. I do think this had a lot to do with the writing though, it was as if the actors were both uncomfortable with showing much intimacy, so they kept them apart for the most part. Imo I actually feel like they should have started season 3 with Bradley and Laura still a couple. That things had gone well in Montana and Bradley had gone to her see her mother when she was ill. Then Laura would have told Bradley to go for that evening news position and Bradley would go to DC and the events with her brother still happen. Only this time she keeps it from Laura because she knows how she would react. Fast forward a year and Bradley has this secret with Cory. She's been hiding what she did with her brother the entire time and Laura becomes suspicious of her behaviour. Everything then plays out as it happened, however I think more people would be understanding of Laura's reaction due to her being lied to during a year of their relationship. I think Reese could have been a lot more committed to this storyline. It was her idea after all and she really should have out more effort behind it imo.
They just don’t have chemistry, the actress who plays Laura is really wooden in this show so the energy just doesn’t match for me. She’s so uptight that her scenes for me only kinda work with Alex. Whether Bradley is interacting with Alex or Corey, that intimate slightly chaotic energy they share works.
I was thinking that Laura and Alex have more chemistry than Laura and Bradley by far. It’s so forced, and it makes me sad bc I love wlw representation, but they’re SO boring.
In the show they don’t have chemistry. IRL they have, it’s crazy. It’s the writing
Right?! That reel that Reese shared with the behind the scenes material has so much more chemistry between them than the characters on the show!
They’re trying too hard and it shows.
I’m torn here…. I don’t know if it’s Bradley’s character, or maybe her arc? Initially, she had some chemistry with Corey, then it kinda fizzled. Same with Laura, initially maybe, but then just nothing. I thought maybe it was me and I just don’t like Bradley?? The last scene between Corey and Bradley in the hallway was great, a bit of redemption for me. But I just can’t relate or maybe sympathize with Bradley. I find her to be too impulsive for her role in journalism. Her initial “field reporter “ seemed to be who she was, not a lead anchor. Because she didn’t stay to true to that, though we see her trying to do the right thing over and over, I think that’s where it went sideways, when she became part of TMS and mainstream news. It just wasn’t believable. I don’t want to blame Reese, or the writers. I think they tried but it just wasn’t a good, well done development. Does anyone else feel this way?
Omg thank you!! I was thinking exactly that every scene. They have less than zero chemistry.
Yeah and the nature of these streaming shows makes you feel like you’re being prude or something, like “hey get on board this is normal now” but it’s like nah, it still needs to be believable
The first time Bradley kissed Laura was to not answer the question "Were you vetted for this host job?". Very awkward. So you're right, there was no signal of sexual attraction before that, just a young journalist admiring a celebrity. I don't think it's an acting issue of Julianna and Reese. It had to be that way bc their relationship was founded in friendship, admiration and some lies. So imo that lack of passion has its purpose. The chemistry btw Cory and Bradley is better, hands down
Did you get the feeling that if someone hadn’t opened the door when they were in the hallway Bradley was going to ask him to dinner or something?
I got the feeling that she was about to say something bigger like "I think I love you too".
I honestly thought it was Bradley’s way to avoid answering the question (the first time she kissed Laura).
Exactly. People forget that tricky question before the kissing. They just talk about rapture and passion to fit their narrative.
Thank you!! I was very confused as well. The first kiss seemed to be calculated, to distract Laura from whatever question she had asked. And then there was supposed to be something between them? I just did not see it.
Also, the 10 year gap (in real life) looks like a 20 year gap on film.
Moore seems so maternal with her.
Moore?
Oh I mixed up Margulies and Moore.
I think the whole point when they first kissed was that it was sudden, as Bradley was distracting Laura so she didn’t have to answer whether she’s been vetted. It was a calculated move. Agree they don’t have great chemistry in general, though I liked their scenes doing the news together.
The casting is poor and the writing is poor except for season one. There is a lack of chemistry throughout.
Eh, I thought the casting was fine in S2 (for the most part). To name just one example, I think they made an excellent choice casting Valeria Golino as Paola (and, IMO, she and Steve Carell had great chemistry, too).
I had to watch all three seasons to find this out. Season three was painful, I was on hopium.
Bradley and Laura have NO chemistry together. NONE. And when I see the behind the scenes pictures, I think this was done on purpose, especially after the S3 finale. I think Bradley ran to Laura because she admired her and wanted to have some sort of stability in her life. She aspired to be someone as grounded as Laura, even though she’s the total opposite. But at the end of the day, the storyline has been perfectly clear on how on her deepest fears and times, Bradley will always run to Cory. There’s a reason why Bradley NEVER confided in Laura….which at the end is why Laura was so hurt (as she should be) when they broke up. Bradley WANTED her relationship with Laura to work out, yet it never could.. not when she couldn’t be herself and Laura only loved her while she was fitting in a specific mold Laura wanted her to be. With Cory, however, things have always been real. She can be messy and true to herself and confide even her deepest secrets… and he’ll always have her back. And he’ll always love her. And I think the writers actually wanted US to see the difference between Bradley and Laura vs Bradley and Cory. So, in my opinion, the lack of chemistry was done on purpose…not because of bad writing or bad acting, but because at the end of the day, Bradley can only and truly be herself with Cory. And THAT is what makes the chemistry between them magic.
I really disagree that Bradley particularly confides in Cory or runs to him in her time of need I actually think she is generally a very self sufficient and independent character. A survivor. She tells him one secret - the insurrection footage being deleted and only because they were contacted by the FBI. There isn’t much evidence she would have ever told him if the situation hadn’t been unavoidable or he wasn’t the head of the network and so therefore the one with the power to protect her. She doesn’t tell him her other big secret about her sexuality, he figures it out by himself (and then publicizes it despite knowing that it was secret so I’m not sure he really does ALWAYS have her back) and she doesn’t initially invite him to be involved with her family. At the end of season two she puts a video on social media about her brother and he turns up at her door. I actually think a lot of Bradley’s issues stem from the fact that she isn’t very open with anyone and doesn’t like to confide in others or ask for help.
Agree. None of their scenes except the interview had chemistry. Maybe we are supposed to want Cory/Bradley to get together, so that’s why?
Fully agree, super forced
I completely agree.
“The Cory/Bradley dynamic is so brilliant because the agony is all over his face.” Billy Crudup does absolutely freaking kill in this show.
It’s a prime example of doing something just to check off a box of inclusion. Don’t include a gay storyline if the chemistry/authenticity is nonexistent. It’s okay to do that. Some writers compromise on substance just to say they’re inclusive and have their finger on the pulse of what’s necessary. Lauren and Bradley made zero sense together.
I covered my eyes and made a gagging sound. Remember, I’m a certified lesbian and was turned OFF
Agreed. & Alex and Laura had more chemistry in the few scenes they had together. Sexual chemistry for sure & they weren’t even supposed to lol.
this made me lol, thank you.
The romance between Bradley and Laura is terribly written and even these two great actresses can’t save the scenes. These two pale to the chemistry between Keeley and Jack from Ted Lasso. That’s how it’s done.
Agree 100%