4evaQuez

Does anyone on canvas - besides Xander - care about Sarah enough to ask those questions or make those connections? Once Maggie returns - assuming she does - I feel the show would have to address Sarah's whereabouts. It isn't realistic for Maggie to not hear from Sarah for months - years? - without it being addressed. The only other person on canvas who had a relationship with Sarah is Marlena.

Sometimes Ron can deliver some really great Soap. Having Jan find Chloe in the car she stole - that happens to be Kate's car - is such an old school Soap coincidence. It was actually pretty exciting to see the look Jan made as Chloe begged for help. "Maybe someone really doesn't like her singing." BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Rafe and Shawn have to be the worst cops in Salem history. Bo and Hope must be so ashamed that Shawn is what they produced. He just didn't get any of their amazing traits. The show couldn't even let him be the one to find Claire and make the Jan has two hostages connections; Philip had to do it for him. I was thinking last night that for him to be a Brady/Horton/Kirakis, Shawn has some pretty flimsy connections on canvas at the moment. Rafe's only talent is asking the same question repeatedly and somehow being shocked when he gets the same response. The Sami/Rafe conversation could have ended after the first exchange as I could no longer take the, "What do you know, Sami?" "I know nothing, Rafe" variations in multiple scenes. Again, Philip is the one who discovered Chloe is locked in Kate's trunk and not Rafe. Why didn't Philip become a detective? He's much better at it than the two men who have been doing if for more than a decade at this point. Kristen and Brady were amazing. EM frustrates me, but then he has scenes like today and yesterday that remind me why I love his Brady occasionally. I also liked SH's response. She was delusional and finding excuses to the very end. Very in character for Kristen Is Susan still in prison? I was actually surprised at the selflessness of Claire. Being willing to forgo her own safety to help Chloe was a great moment for her. It definitely felt like a Marlena or Hope moment from Claire. I wish the show knew who Claire was or gave her a consistent identity outside of Ciara. In theory, the granddaughter how Marlena/Hope/Bo/John - three of whom are my favorite Days' characters - having a mixture of those qualities should be an ultimate Soap heroine. It's sad that the show has failed Claire in every way possible. And I mean both Claires as I haven't found either to be particularly memorable in the grand scheme of the show.

Austin started out as a great character, but the show turned him into a complete idiot when Austin Peck took over the role. He was a professor the last time he was on the show. Rex is supposed to be some type of genius, but I don't think the recast Rex has ever successfully portrayed that.

"What will be your defense for what happened to my mother?" "She chose to exit the vehicle before it came to a complete stop." Bwahahahahahaha! I must admit that the verbal confrontations were on fire this episode. I also loved Kristen telling Philip Kate has some recessive gene that makes her sons losers who are only successful because Kate keeps sleeping with billionaires. Considering Austin and Rex are Kate's other sons, Kristen may have a valid theory. I thought this episode had a good amount of intrigue with balancing the conclusion of stories with the beginnings of new ones - allegedly EJ, Sami, Lucas. It's been a long, long time since I've been an EJ fan and even longer since I've been an Ejami fan, but if that's really EJ at the door, I'm ready for him to cause havoc in Salem. It's interesting that 3 different people are searching for Chloe and three different people are searching for Claire and both have been missing for less than 24 hours. Sarah must be furious. Again, I thought EM/Brady did a great job. The way he looked at Kristen at the police station felt like he was seeing her for the first time. The utter disgust on his face, and I love that it isn't simply Chloe that he's disgusted by but just the accumulation of damage that Kristen brought to Salem. I hope this truly is the end of that relationship.

I agree completely. I also wish we could have gotten more of a build up to Dr. Snyder. He's in the Gwen storyline, the Jan storyline, and Steve and Kayla (um, this isn't really a storyline) set of scenes. A villainous doctor is needed on the show. I wonder if the show would consider casting a villainous Dr. Jeremy Horton - if Carrie, Belle, and Justin could magically become lawyers why not Jeremy a doctor. He could easily fit in the Last Blast generation with a little SORAS - he was in the Stephanie Johnson generation the last time he was on the show.

I've said this quite a few times but I love Jan/HL. When she told Charlie that this was for Claire, Allie, her and every woman that had ever been abused by a man like him, I actually felt sympathy for JAN. I also loved her response to "Mrs. Brady?" and she said, "No. Not yet." Oh Jan, even when you're dangerous you're hilarious. I thought, as always, she was the highlight of the episode. It's been a while since, I've seen a villain - of any gender - that I truly love, and her Jan actually reminds me of Janet Green - Robin M's version - from All My Children. I never want her to go away. It's great that the afterlife has such wonderful salons and a Bloomingdales. Jordan looks great. Somehow, I remembered CS being a better actress in the past. Her line readings were painful. I've stopped paying attention to anything Gwen/Abby/Jack related, but with Abby gone, how is Dr. Snyder blackmailing her? She's also admitted to lying about Abby pushing her. I guess I could pay attention to the scenes, but I'd rather remain confused. It's just painful to get through now. I truly despise Kayla, Steve, and Tripp. Truly despise. This may belong in the unpopular opinion thread but I hate the Johnson/Devereaux clan - not including Jennifer and Abby. What's weird is I found Kayla to be every bit as mean and unlikable in her role as doctor as they are claiming Dr. Snyder is. She's hostile, cold, and short with people when she's in doctor mode. I wish Nancy and Craig and Ann - anyone remember her? - would return and devote their lives to making Kayla and Tripp lives a living hell. It's what they deserve. (Oh, and if Jan could shoot all of them, even better).

I agree completely! While I think MM is the better overall actress, I find KM to be the more compelling Abby. As you said, she has much better chemistry with the cast, and she especially has explosive chemistry with the actor who plays Chad. I'll choose KM everyday over MM.

It seems everyone's speculation was correct. It seems Tripp will be the one to uncover that Gwen is lying. With Abby offscreen, I'm not certain how much I should care. I know Julie annoys a lot of people, but I can't wait to see Julie vs. Xander. There's also Eli and his kids ( and Lani by marriage) for Hortons. Ben is a Horton by marriage, and there's also Allie and her kid. Also, Holly may be considered an honorary Horton. I know Danial had a Horton ornament for being Maggie's son, but I can't remember if Holly ever received one. I don't believe she or Nicole have been to an ornament hanging since Holly's birth. While I'm indifferent to Dr. Snyder, I do think he feels an important niche in Soap Operas. Villainous doctors open the door to so many storyline possibilities. I wish the actor was a little more commanding on screen, but he's getting the job done. As for your comment about Jake and Kate, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Chloe works with Brady and Nicole, and Philip works with Gabi. However, I do agree that Claire needs something outside of Ciara to justify her existence. Actually, I think I misread what you said. My bad.

Chanel is entirely too good for Tripp. He would bring her down. I get the impression that the show is preparing a Chanel/Allie/Tripp triangle with Allie as the prize to win, so to speak. Chanel's language regarding Tripp with Lani seemed like the writers were setting up a rivalry. I would love to see Tripp paired with Isabella, Samantha Evans, Renee Dimera, Zack Brady, Nick Fallon, or any other character who's dead, gone, and off-screen.

I begrudgingly admit, I liked the Lani and Chanel scenes. I like Lani with Chanel and Paulina. The characters make her feel real. "The only label I acknowledge are the ones I buy on Rodeo!" YEEEEESSSS! I wish I could drunkenly marry and then immediately annul my partnership with Chanel. It'll be the happiest 72 hours of my life. I truly dislike Jake. He was in a scene with Eli, Gabi, Rafe, Kayla, and Tripp. These are all characters I wish were off the show, and he somehow pissed me off the most. Gabi gets such odd writing. They waver between Gabi the Disney cartoon villainess and Gabi the person. Her scenes with Rafe, Eli, and Jake are the cartoon. Her scene with Rafe solo was an actual person. Either way, I'm just over her. Xander and Kristen are an enjoyable duo.

I agree, but it's also why I think SORASing can make storylines and relationships unnecessarily complicated. I saw when the original Kate and Lucas were introduced to the show, but something I wonder is how is what we saw and know match with a SORASed Philip. I mean Philip can't be anymore than 10 years younger - and they look closer in age than 10 years - but how much time are we the audience supposed to believe Kate and Lucas spent alone before coming to Salem with the SORASed Philip to take into account? That is a rhetorical question because there's no way you or I can answer it, but it's just something that confuses me sometimes when I think of the Kate/Lucas/Philip dynamic. Kate's relationship with Will seems healthier and less obsessive than her relationship with Lucas. Though that's probably because Sami/Will can so easily fill that dynamic. I think that just goes with LK's Kate version of love. Just because you love someone and put them first doesn't mean it's healthy or conducive to a beneficial relationship. Kate's version of love is often attempting murder, blackmail, framing people, etc. Kate isn't an emotionally healthy or balanced woman, so I don't expect her displays of love to be sane and reasonable. Hence the usually turbulent relationship with Lucas, though to be fair I don't think they've had a falling out in years. However, I'm sure that's partly because of Lucas's many comings and goings in Salem.

"I can't think of a single person in this house who gives a damn about you." Damn Chloe. She's taking off the gloves, and she's ready to throw hands. Kate just sat on the bed where Jake and Gabi just had sex and were in the middle of having it a second (or maybe more) time. Yuck and eww! I wish Sami and Lucas could have somehow made a Carrie mention, then Lucas could have discussed all his ex-wives who saw him as a consolation prize. Kate really is the only woman who always puts him first. I really liked the John, Marlena, and Brady scenes. EM's reaction when he admitted that Kristen is dangerous and the police needs to be called was surprisingly good. Someone upthread said the actors seem invested and energetic and I agree completely. It was actually cool to see Chloe and Kate temporarily joining forces against Kristen. Yesterday's episode did not disappoint. It had a great balance and the humor was actually on-point. Can't wait to see how this all plays out. You're the second person I saw mention this. When was Kate buried alive? Is this when Robin Strasser was in the role?

I agree wholeheartedly. The mini cliffhangers, rise of tensions, characters getting more pieces of the puzzles and just enough for them to figure out the bigger picture, and villains losing complete control of what was supposed to be a small plan into an epic disaster. It did feel like the best part of the early 90s soaps. Why was Rafe so rude to Lucas? I know the Kristen storyline is frustrating to a lot of people, and it's frustrated (and bored) me at times, too. However, I have to say I love the development of it. What was supposed to be Kristen just posing as Susan to get rid of Chloe has evolved into kidnapping Sarah, impacting Rex and Xander, kidnapping Kate, impacting Jake and Gabi, blackmailing Sami, involving a fake brain tumor for Lucas, and now kidnapping Sami and Lucas, and finally, nearly accidentally killing Brady. Worst part for Kristen, all of these schemes reignited Chloe and Brady's feelings for each other. I love the irony, I love how this has turned into a mini umbrella storyline with actual consequences for other characters and theirs relationships, and I love that John and Marlena are now being looped in. Bravo Ron! I felt indifferent to Jake/Gabi since it didn't really match their interactions or Gabi's characterization for the last few months, but I did love a broken, beaten, and battered Kate escaping death solely to see them in bed together. Classic soap. (I never realized LK/Kate had arm tattoos before). I also agreed with a lot of what Xander said to Nicole. While I can't imagine Nicole ever returning to her dead baby lies and burning proof of rape documents of the past, I also do think old habits die hard, and this episode is a prime example. When Nicole feels unsure or insecure, she lashes out. I wouldn't mind a Eric recast because this does have a lot of potential. I'm looking forward to today's episode.

I actually do wish the show had not made them both cops, and Abe was a former cop and now the mayor. Lexie was a cop turned doctor. I actually do hate the "noble black person" positions tv shows often give black characters. I'm honestly not sure what I'd rather they be, but I do sometimes get frustrated at the positioning. I get what you're saying regarding Chanel, but I also find her a breath of fresh air. She in no way needs to be a "credit to her people" because there are enough black characters on the show right now to not make her representative of all black people. From what I remember, wasn't Paulina horrified at her daughter skipping out on the bill before she paid it. Paulina has given Chanel several lectures regarding her irresponsibility and lack of regard for others, and Paulina has been reflective of how her own ambition and parenting choices helped to create the Chanel we see today. I will never nominate Ron for an Image Award, but in this regard, I do think he's done a good job of making a young vixen and balancing her with other black characters to not make her "the bad black character." I often compare her to Erica Kane, but in some regards, she is also a young Drucilla from Young and the Restless - not in terms of character but in racial positioning of being balanced by other black characters, so she can be more daring a character. Lani, Eli, - regardless of how much I dislike these characters and still struggle to characterize them as individuals - and Paulina have all commented on Chanel's actions in one way or another. They have all shown genuine - although varying - levels of concern for her and see her as an individual and not a caricature. I think that's important, too. I can't remember if Abe has ever commented on Chanel, and I found the new Theo boring, so I don't remember their scenes. However, so far, I think Ron has handled Paulina and Chanel well. I reserve the right to change my opinion based on future episodes however.

Few people in town care about Lani, especially the 20 something characters I'm referring to. My point stands; she's easy to villainize because she has no major family connections. As for my comments saying she is hilarious, we all know what a subjunctive statement is; we type them everyday on this board. We don't need to qualify every single opinion with "In my subjunctive opinion" because that is understood. I and Irlandesa already addressed the "Karen" comments. You can scroll up if you missed them.

In this regard, that is a matter between Allie and Chanel, the two people having the drinks. If Allie had no qualms with the situation, Claire can sit her "Karen" self down.

What an episode to be a Chloe and Chanel fan! I love when the show remembers what made Chloe such a popular character in the first - even more popular than Belle Black! Chloe was never the innocent ingenue the show tries to write her as, and she was never dumb. Hell, she was the valedictorian. I love how quickly she put the pieces of the scheme together, how she blasted Sami and Lucas, and even her intensity to get to Brady. Also, Nadia B. has always been a great crier, and I loved how effortlessly the tears fell when she saw Brady. Broe I loved you then, and I love you now. Chanel is easily the best 20 something character this show currently has. The fact that she is a true outsider - not related to anyone in Salem - I think makes it easier for people villainize and come in conflict with her. She is making things happen and her digs at Tripp and Claire are true and hilarious. I'm looking forward to whatever happens with Chanel/Allie and hoping the Chanel/Claire feud can really get interesting. (P.S. Claire a white lady calling the cops on a black woman for a bar tab is not a good look in 2021/2022. The Karen was strong in that one). I agree with what everyone said about Gabi's attire; however, let me add one thing. Did anyone find it odd that she was dressed in all black with harsh makeup, but she wore a baby/powder blue nail polish. I couldn't help but look at her nails whenever she was in a scene.

Seeing flashbacks from 16 years ago is one of the reasons I love Soaps. Wow, all of the original players in a storyline that can naturally reference history while simultaneously moving the story forward is what I would like to see more of from Ron. Lucas/Sami/Chloe were wonderful. While I've never been much of a Lucas fan, I do think all three did a wonderful job, and I always enjoy Chloe/Sami scenes although they've never had a major storyline together. Allie/Chanel were great. I agree with everyone that the actress isn't the best for what they hope to be going for with Allie. She just doesn't give off "party girl" vibe, especially next to Chanel. However, I did like the suggestions that Chanel will be the Sami to Tripp/Allie's Austin and Carrie, and I also like the suggestion that Claire is becoming obsessed with Chanel. Chanel is what this young 20s set needed to bring some life into them. However, I actually think Allie may be the Austin and not the Carrie in this triangle. I thought Brady/Susan worked well together. Brady was horrified while still being in character with wanting to protect Kristen. The cliffhanger with the car crash felt like great Soap. Kristen did all of this to "protect" Brady while causing him more damage than Chloe ever could. I used to love that irony in Soaps and I loved it today. Jake becomes more pointless with every episode he's featured in.

70 something year old Roman would break 40 something year old Jake in half? The mask fumes is making Kristen/Kate delusional. How long has LK/Kate had this blue hair? I vaguely remember when it was just a streak and it seems to be growing rapidly. It's never seemed in character for Kate. I did like the Gwen/Abby fall. I always love when someone is wrongfully accused for the "death" of a fetus. I hope this means they'll reposition Gwen to be more a villain again because this whimpering heroine isn't doing it for me.

I have to give Ron his props. The John/Marlena/Belle scenes were perfect old school soap. The moment they are celebrating no one knowing the truth and their ability to search for the framer and real killer in private without any more damning evidence coming to light, Rafe informs them that he has the tape recorder. I loved the reaction shots. Marlena, even after all this time, still knows how to carry and steal a scene. I agree with everyone regarding Ciara's attire. What annoys me more is that it was just inappropriate for the somber, sad tone that the scene was going for. Something more conservative and natural really could have heightened the emotions in the scene. That being said, while I have a lot of issues with how VK plays Ciara at times, I thought she played yesterday's scenes perfectly. There was just enough sadness, regret, with a pinch of what if that left the door open for Cin in the future. Also, it's so obvious that Theo is signing himself up for a world of disappointment and pain. The last scene with Cin at the elevator reminded me of the 50 Shades of Grey film. That was my favorite moment in that film, and Cin did almost as good a job. Sami/Lucas/Chloe/Jan. There's just something about the 90s and original Last Blast Crew that can really make this show. Sami/Lucas reminded me of their teenaged selves, Chloe fit in perfectly with them, and Jan was a master manipulator with Trask. The people who did the casting for the show at that time truly knew how to cast Soap stars with chemistry, magnetism, and charisma. I root for all of them even when I know I shouldn't. Nicole needs to be added to this bubble immediately because she is being wasted with Ava/Rafe. It's funny how the Charlie murder case finally got interesting once all the original players were removed from the story and now it's basically a Evans/Black and Jan storyline. I hope someone somewhere is taking notes as to which cast members elevate material and which cast members do not.

I really liked the Lucas/Chloe scenes. As I've said before, I don't think the show has ever tried to portray them as true love, and their scenes were true to that. I also wondered how much of what Lucas said was actually true. He did only leave Chloe because of Allie the last time they were together. When he returned, Chloe was not on canvas, I believe. While I don't think Lucas has been pining for Chloe, I could see him having a "what if" sentiment regarding their relationship especially since that's the last relationship he's had on this show. I like his protectiveness of Chloe, and it shows how much their relationship has healed since her affair with Daniel, and people thought Lucas would let Chloe die when Kate poisoned her as his revenge against Chloe. Now, he's completely forgiven her, they're friends, and he's protective of her. Also, we actually got to see this development on screen. This is something Soaps used to be great at. Lastly, I liked the brain tumor lie. Considering Chloe's own issues with her health, her reasoning for staying married to Lucas because of his alcoholism, it actually seems like a credible lie that's rooted in character and relationship history. I don't understand Jake's characterization. I didn't like Stefan, but he at least had a personality I understood, and I feel I understood his relationships to the people around him more. His scenes with Gabi just really highlighted that I don't think the writers or the actor know who this character is, and they are just throwing things at the wall because an Alamain/Dimera is great in concept, but I feel it's been an horrific execution - both times. I didn't mind Chanel outburst at the $100,000 check. 1 - it's in-character with who we've seen Chanel be so far and how she's described by others. Childish, immature, and no foresight of her actions and their consequences and someone who has not clue how to take care of themselves. Getting haughty and having a temper tantrum because her plan didn't go as imagined is exactly how I would imagine Chanel would respond. Also, I'm pretty sure we are to think she's in her early 20's based on who the show is connecting her with - Claire, Theo., and Xander constantly telling her how young she is. Even Sami needed time to perfect her lies and schemes. Brady and Sami were nice and so were Kristen and Kate. Soon, we're going to have a Melaswen II scenario if Kristen sends Kate and Jake away to visit Sarah.

I wouldn't mind if Ben killed Theo. I wish the Ciara actress would play her scenes differently. I'm really liking Chloe/Brady and Sami/Lucas inclusion in the storyline. Speaking of Sami/Lucas, didn't Lucas leave to help Allie with her drinking problem? Has that been mentioned at all with Allie? Personally, I actually do think Ron is doing a good job with cast integration. While there are still bubbles, we actually are being given some cast interactions we rarely see. I did laugh several times at the KruSan/Vivian scene. Vivian saying it's okay if Kristen killed someone and that she should do the same to Kate made me laugh harder than I'd like to admit. Also Vivian's boredom of Kristen talking about Brady. While I feel it's more in-character for Vivian to escape from prison through her highly paid attorneys and then scheme against Kate herself, this is still an okay use of the character.

That actually seems like a good core group of characters and personalities to me.

I like it. With her quickie marriage to Xander and her scam on Claire, Chanel is already better integrated into the cast in 2 months than Lani and Eli have been in 4 years. I'm for anything that can continue to make Chanel a viable character causing fun but harmless mischief.