Act Like You Love Me

OMG, this one is so cute!! This is the one starring Alexandra Soroka and Artem Plonder, not the newest one starring Jarred Harper. These two Ukrainian actors has starred together in multiple Vertical Dramas and every time I see them together I am happier and happier. They have fantastic chemistry and I enjoy watching them so much!

The High: The gay best friend, Humbert… I cannot find his name anywhere, I can hardly find the information for this Vertical anywhere either. It’s really frustrating and there should be more people dedicated to updating information about Vertical Dramas, honestly I’m surprised their reps don’t have this on lock. They don’t have interns to update their clients IMDB profiles? Seems like a bad business model. I can often find a TikTok clip for a Vertical trailer, but it’s frustrating that those trailers aren’t listing the cast members. They don’t even tell us Humbert’s name until episode 44! I have never missed name cards so much in my life!

All spoilers and no filters ahead.

Somehow the story is Christmas Eve, but also not Christmas Eve…it doesn’t make sense, you’ll see. After flashing a title card that says Christmas Eve, the story begins with Gina Rose getting run over by a woman flipping off the building and screaming at an unseen person. Gina finds a dog on the sidewalk and does a good deed by walking it back to the apartment listed on the dog tag. Once there she meets Walt Henderson at the door with his open pajama top. Walt drags her into his apartment.

30 minutes earlier Walt is woken with his lover at his side by his mother. Mama throws ice water on the lover and tells him to get rid of her. Walt spies Gina outside his window being so kind to his dog while his mother demands that he finds a decent girl to get all that he deserves.

Gina freaks a little that Walt pulled her in and he says he wants to buy her for a whole day. She looks at him warily like WTF? She clarifies she’s not a hooker and he’s all, “Do I look like a guy that needs to buy company?” He says he wants her to work for him for one day and hands her a fat wad of cash. She pretends to agree to his proposition and as soon as his back is turned she tosses his money and runs off. Walt, an internet tech genius immediately tracks her down.

Here is my FAVORITE thing about Vertical Dramas. While she’s in the car, she’s watching a Vertical Drama! And not just any Vertical Drama by one starring herself, Alexandra Soroka. It would have been even better if it was her and Artem Plonder as well, but still! I love that little connection back to Vertical Dramas! Makes my day! Meanwhile, Walt has made contact with the taxi company and hijacked Gina in a deserted parking lot as the driver locks her in the car and runs off. Gina freaks out and shouts at Walt. Walt trades her freedom for a favor.

Walt and Gina arrive at the hospital for a family charity photo op. Walt’s father (Richard) is investing a huge amount of money for Lymphoma research. Gina is just barely cooperating with Walt when Richard announces Walt is there with his fiancé. Gina is obviously looking all WTF at Walt and begins chewing off his ear. Walt hands her an NDA that she barely skims and signs. Gina is ready to leave when Richard walks over and invites her to Christmas Eve dinner in a week (see what I was talking about??). Gina is about to voice her objections to everything when Walt cuts her off with a kiss and she walks away. Richard makes some smarmy remark about not being able to keep a woman in line, so he says Walt has a week to make it happen or he can forget about the company. Mom comes over to rally Walt that he needs to show with his fiancé to dinner or his father was going to give the company to his half brother. Brother Henry comes over to stir the shit.

Gina goes to work and gets a package from Walt. Humbert is fishing for information and we learn about Gina’s ex, Spencer, that she left because Gina can’t have kids and he wanted a family. Humbert keeps fishing for more info after he finds a bank card from Walt. Gina insists he’s a walking red flag and cuts up the bank card.

Humbert goes off to teach a theater class about how to “act passionately” and pulls Gina up to be his partner. He also awesomely asks Gina’s permission to touch her with his hands and mouth. Love that! Walt walks in mid lesson and get jelly, pretty jelly for a guy that literally met Gina just hours after screwing his last lover, but ok. I guess when you know, you know. Humbert is mid-lesson, staring into her eyes and pulling her body into his and fakes a passionate kiss with her. Walt shouts out for attention, and Humbert pulls Walt up to the stage to recreate the passion lesson with Walt. He tells the class sometimes partners on stage or film hate each other and need to learn how to fake the passion. Humbert gives Walt and Gina the job to kiss each other so everyone believes they are in love. Walt dives right in, kicking out his chair, opening Gina’s legs and leaning in for a kiss. Humbert interrupts and says he’s doing it wrong. He needs to close his eyes and imagine a happy scene. He yammers on and on about the happy feeling and taps Gina to get up and leave, then takes her seat for her. Walt leans in and kisses Humbert. Walt is all “What the hell?” and Humbert apologizes but says Walt is just his type, which clues Walt in that Humbert is gay and Gina and he are just friends.

Gina visits her Grandma in the hospital who is in a coma. Her ex, Spencer, is her doctor and he’s a total dick. He isn’t even trying to hide it at all. He says only a miracle could save her. Gina flashes back to the charity photo op and calls Walt telling him she’s ready to meet.

Walt’s ex lover, Meg (her name isn’t revealed until episode 35!), surprises him in his office in sexy lingerie. Gina comes at the same time all, why do you need me when you have her? After Walt boots Meg out of the office he says she’s too materialistic and his father liked Gina (for the 3 seconds he talked to her). Gina asks what is expected of her and Walt tells her they have to pretend to be fond of each other and trick his father. Gina agrees and Walt assumes she wants money. She clarifies that she takes care of her own debts herself and asks him instead to find her mother. Walt agrees.

Gina confesses to Humbert that she wants to find her mother as a way to snap her grandma out of her coma. Walt surprises Gina and tells her she works too much. Gina freaks he’s digging in her personal calendar and Humbert says Walt’s like “James Bond, if he was a creepy stalker” LOL. Seriously, Humbert’s the best character! Gina is of course annoyed and Walt says he did it so Gina can get to know him and gives her his full dossier. It has everything to favorite whiskey to favorite sexual preferences. Humbert is snooping through the file and it’s freaking hilarious! Walt tells Gina he’s freeing her and Humbert up from having to work and Gina says Hell to the no! We’re passing out the presents, it’s the best part! So, Gina and Walt will do it instead.

Gina gets Walt dressed up in a Santa costume passing out presents to kids while she sings off key. Walt is like these sick kids don’t look happy and Gina gives him the 411 (OMG! Sorry, I’m from the 1900’s so that is slang for information) on the kids. Michael, Walt’s assistant, peeps Gina and Walt growing close, freaks and calls someone about it.

Walt drives Gina home and tells her to hurry up, they have to find a dress for the Christmas Eve dinner and Gina is all “Naw, dog.” She won’t do it until Walt finds her mother. Meanwhile, a shooter sets up and takes aim at Gina. Walt spies it and saves her from getting shot but he gets shot instead, Luckily it was just a graze. Gina takes care of him and says no one has ever risked their lives for her. Umm…Girl. How often are you in a situation where someone has to “risk their life” for yours? Make it make sense. After Gina is done taking care of Walt, Walt “takes care” of Gina.

Walt immediately jumps out of bed with Gina for a gyno examine because he’s positive his super sperm have made a baby. Gina understandably is like, excuse me. You planned to make me pregnant? Walt is like you got into bed with me without protection so that seems like consent to me. Gina tries to send him on his way claiming she never had any problems before she met Walt and he says that it isn’t true, and he has something to tell her about her mother. Gina wants to know but Walt says she couldn’t handle it tonight so she’ll get the news tomorrow.

Walt’s mom and dad get a message from Michael inviting them to Walt’s place for an announcement regarding a wedding. Cut to Meg sending the message with Michael. Walt is surprised to see his parents arrive when he was going to meet with Gina. Meg spills the beans that Walt and Gina has only know each other for two days, but Richard turns the table and confesses that Richard and Walt’s mother knew from day 1 they were meant to be and conceived Walt that same day. Meg brings in a homeless woman she claims is Gina’s drunk, criminal mother. Walt announces that it’s a lie, because he knows who her mother is. He kicks out the homeless woman AND Michael. He hands Gina a folder about her mother and it turns out, her mother is actually her grandmother…wait, other way around. Her young grandma is actually her old mom. Apparently she was some big wealthy muckety-muck and conceived Gina. Mia Rose the woman she was told was her mother never actually existed. When her father, a big mafia boss, was killed her mother fled with Gina and changed their names for their protection. Gina declines the Christmas dinner because she needs to be with her mother and figure out how to save her life.

Gina returns to the hospital to talk to her mother but some weird alarms on the monitors has Spencer running in with meds. He tells Gina that what she saw is common and happens a few times a week. He tries to convince her to give up on her mom and to donate her organs. Spencer is still a raging asshole. Mom’s hands move and Spencer rushes Gina out of the room.

Humbert and Gina are brainstorming how to help Gina’s mother and it’s freaking funny! Humbert snatches Gina’s phone and calls Walt and says he needs to hire the best doctors for Gina’s mom. He agrees but says Gina has to be pregnant. Humbert says deal. Gina is like, dude, you know I can’t get pregnant. What are we going to do? Humbert asks “Where is my Gina that believes in miracles? If you’re not pregnant, just tell Walt the truth, the truth will always win.” Then he asks if Gina is going to see Dr. Ramirez.

Cut to Humbert wrestling with the doctor telling him to fake the results and tell Gina she can have kids. The doctor is like, I took an oath and I don’t give people hope but medical facts. There is a knock at the door and Humbert hides under the doctor’s desk. Dr. Ramirez tells Walt and Gina they’re pregnant. Walt is ecstatic and asks for a doctors note for his father. Gina is shocked but she sees Humbert under the desk and knows what happened.

Gina and Walt head to family dinner. Gina is about to tell his parents the truth, when they’re interrupted by gunshots. They said Henry has taken up target shooting as a new hobby. Gina again was going to tell the truth, but Henry walks in and stops the conversation again. Henry brought a guest with him, that piece of shit Spencer. Spencer, the jerk wad, reveals that she can’t have kids. Henry keeps forgetting Spencer’s name which is funny. Walt is like no way, we just saw the doctor. Henry is like, you can get whatever you want from the hospital because we’re giving them millions. Gina tells them she can’t have kids. Pretty shitty for your worth only being your ability to grow more copies of yourself.

Walt demands to know if Henry is the one that shot at him. When Gina leaves, Walt wants to go with her, but Richard stops him with his important announcement. Richard announces he is retiring and he will pass the reins on to Walt. Richard says it can’t go to Henry because he was scheming against his brother. He says Walt can take over the position in 1 year after he starts his own family. Henry walks over to his gun case and starts unzipping it. Henry points the gun at Richard. Richard says he’s not afraid to die. Henry rants about how he’s heard look to your brother, listen to your brother his whole life and he’s not doing it any more. Walt sneaks up to Henry, grabs the gun and punches Henry in the face. He says he’ll examine the gun to see if Henry is the one that shot Gina.

Richard asks for his answer. Walt says, I love Gina and I only want to be with her. Richard says he can’t pick her because she can’t give him his legacy. Mom says, slow your roll. You ruined my life and made Henry a monster and now you’re stealing Walt’s happiness, no sir, no way. Then she looks at Walt and says GTFO, go get Gina.

Cut to Humbert drinking and shaving his legs. He tipsily answers the phone and asks how Walt got his number, then answers his own question calling him toxic James Bond. LOL, I just can’t with this guy! Humbert is fabulous! Walt asks where Gina is. Humbert is like, she’s with you at dinner. Walt tells him he has a role to play and to meet Walt at the hospital.

Gina sees Walt and asks why he’s there. Walt confesses he loves her. Gina is like did Daddy update the inheritance? Walt says he hesitated because he realized nothing means more to him than Gina, even the chairman seat in the company. They share a sweet kiss.

Gina backs away from Walt and says she’s not sure she can trust him with his shadiness and all the maneuvering he’s been doing. How is she supposed to believe this isn’t just another tactic? He get down on one knee and proposes. Gina can’t resist teasing him before she kisses him with her answer. The sneak off for a fuck in his car.

As they bask in the afterglow, Walt asks Gina again if she’ll marry him and she says yes. She gets nauseated and throws up. Walt is a prince and grabs her hair. Walt gets a bit of a smile and Gina is like, I told you I can’t be pregnant. Walt is like well…we are in a hospital, so…? They meet with Dr. Ramierez again and he says the previous test results were forged and that she actually is pregnant. Gina doesn’t get why that would happen, but Walt has a theory about Spencer and Gina’s mother.

Spencer is drugging Gina’s mom again, but Humbert is in the hospital bed and surprises Spencer. He says Columbo was his favorite and he impersonates Peter Falk when he questions Spencer (Okay, again, I am from the 1900s. Columbo was a tv show about a detective named Columbo who would solve the who done it with a squinched eye and tilted head. He also had a distinctive raspy voice-cue Humbert recreating the character himself). He accuses Spencer of telling Gina she couldn’t have kids because Spencer couldn’t but instead of staying with him, she was noble and left him so he could have kids of his own. So he continued to tie Gina to him by keeping her mother drugged so she would still need Spencer. Spencer reveals he has plans to sell her mother’s organs. Humbert says keeping her tied to him doesn’t work because a real man came into her life. Spencer says, the rich guy. Humbert said fuck no, she met me! Although the rich guy did helicopter her mom to another hospital for real treatment and he punches Spencer.

Gina and Walt gather around mom’s bed and love on each other. Mom shows signs of coming out of the drug induced coma. Then cliff hanger-Walt is shown with a gun sighted on his chest, cut away to a gunshot sound and the end of the series. I choose to believe Gina saved him like he saved her and they lived happily ever after.

Regardless it was a damn good story! Even with poor Alexandra Soroka wearing that massive wig, it was one of the best Verticals I have watched in a long time. I’m worried that the new version with Jarred Harper won’t be as good. Although, I guess it could be better? I don’t know. It would be nice if it was a completely different story, but I have only seen the title card and none of the actual episodes yet so who knows, maybe it is. Anyway, would recommend!

Spicy Highlights:

Episode 2: Walt in pajamas, yum!

Episode 9: First kiss, Walt kisses Gina to stop her from talking.

Episode 27: Walt in a tank top, picks up Gina and puts her on the counter and steps between her thighs.

Episode 28: Hot kisses on the counter

Episode 29: They get naked and fuck in bed on the stage in the theater.

Episode 59: Sweet kiss

Episode 60: S’more kisses

Episode 61: They fuck in the back seat of the car