I agree that Belle has become much more enjoyable lately. Today, her scenes were really very good, both with Chad and Jennifer. I liked the way she tricked Chad into thinking she was calling Social Services to wake Chad up into realizing he needs to care for Thomas even in his grief. Belle was right into mentioning that Jennifer is definitely in no shape to take care of that baby.
Speaking of Jennifer, she really annoyed me today when she wanted Belle to keep quiet about her relapse as it would hurt her chances in gaining custody of Thomas. Jennifer may be grief stricken about Abby, but she should realize that if she really loves Thomas, then it is not in his best interest for her to take him away from his dad at this time (or really at any time unless Chad becomes incapable or incompetent to care for him) and raise him in her condition.
I did like Julie taking Jennifer to the AA meeting at the hospital later in the episode, and it looks like Jennifer will still be needing help with her addiction. It was unrealistic for her to be over her addiction after that one night with Jack and Lucas helping her a couple of months ago and I am glad that the show finally is showing that she is still having problems with it.
Ciara did get a good setdown by Chad today. I am glad he let her go as Thomas' nanny as she overstepped herself and he rightfully put an end to it. He should hire a more competent nanny for Thomas, (but not Nanny Emma as I am still suspicious that she was involved in Tate's kidnapping and we have not seen or heard from her since he was taken).
As I mentioned above, I actually like the friendship between him and Belle and hope it continues as a platonic relationship because I like her with Shawn and want Chad back with Abby if she returns and the show seems to have a problem with men and women being friends with no romance. One thing I always liked about 80s Hope is that she was great friends with Steve and Shane with no romantic involvement with either of them.
The teens were painful to watch today. Ciara was certainly having a bad day. After her encounter with Chad, she found Claire and Theo making out. While I like Claire and Theo individually, there is really no spark between the two of them. I also don't like it that Claire seems to fall for the guys that prefer Ciara, first Chase and now Theo. Can they bring someone on the cast that prefers Claire over her aunt? Theo obviously still is not over Ciara. While I would prefer him to move on as well because I did not like the way Ciara dumped him, I don't think pairing him with Claire is the answer.