4evaQuez

Nothing against Melissa Archer, but I despised Natalie Buchanan on One Life to Live and Serena was offensively boring. I'd rather another actress be recast as Sarah. This would never happen, but my dream Sarah casting was Becky Herbst/ Liz Webber General Hospital. Personally, I'd rather the show keep EJ/Sami married but keep EJ off-screen. Sami is a much more interesting character solo, and EJ just isn't an interesting character.

I don't know if this exit is that abrupt. Just last week, I commented in the main thread asking if they were transitioning Sarah out of the show. In at least 3 episodes fairly recently, they literally have Sarah show up for one scene in an entire episode. It seemed like they were trying to get through her guarantee. So while I'm still surprised she's leaving, especially right now as she finally has something substantial to do, I'm not shocked. To me, outside of Xander, it's hard to see Sarah's place on the show. I think giving the character some time off-screen as a chance to reboot her is a great strategy.

Why does Ciara have grape jam all over her face? What on earth was Nicole wearing this episode? Overall, I thought this was an okay episode. I actually did smile when Ben and Ciara were united. There's just something soapy and beautiful about someone opening their eyes and seeing their true love. I also liked the Necktie Killer line from Ciara. I know a lot of people will disagree, but I think the show has always used Ben's past against him in some realistic and compelling ways. While execution is spotty, the idea behind it usually works for me. I found it interesting that Marlena is always so concerned about Ben. I like their relationship, and I hope it never changes. It's also episodes like today that makes it hard for me to jump on the "Marlena loves all her children except Sami" train. Marlena has always been protective of Sami and as Frozendiva acknowledged, she even grimaced at Belle for the harsh - but true - things Belle had to say about Sami. While I believe Marlena doesn't like Sami as a person, I'll never believe that she loves her any less than any of her other children - including Carrie and Brady. I've never been a Lumi fan, but I did like their scenes today. Whenever Lucas isn't yelling at someone, I find that he's a great secondary character. I do wonder why Lumi's kids are so emotionally weak and dependent on others. When Allie looked at Nicole to fight Allie's battle against Rafe to see her mom, that encompassed why writer's can't just make a Sami clone. I actually think it's believable for Will and Allie to constantly look for other's to fight their battles with someone like Sami as a mother, but it would be best if writers stopped giving them Sami's leftover storylines. I like Claire and Allie's friendship. I also agree with Frozendiva that I wish the Claire actress was Allie instead.

I wish the actress well, and I really liked her and Sarah when she first debuted. However, the character and actress have lost their footing, and the show did a terrible job integrating her into the canvas. I hope they can see this as a break and necessary reboot before they bring the character back - preferably with a new actress - in a year or 2.

Someone on another Days board mentioned that the writing implies that Julie doesn't even know Sarah is the bride Xander is marrying. I haven't seen the episode yet, so I can't comment on that. Sarah shared scenes with them during the Horton Ornament Hanging. I'm not certain if she's ever shared scenes with them outside of that. I mean Kayla was going to be her maid of honor and she's had to settle for Bonnie. She obviously is desperate and isolated.

It's supposed to be Jennifer's house. The show specifically had dialogue about Doug and Julie moving into the Horton House when Jennifer was still dealing with her addiction as a way to help her. The show was quite clear then that they were visitors in Jennifer's home. I think the writer's just don't remember who owns the house at any given time. They do the same thing with the Dimera Mansion, so at least they're consistent.

I liked Friday's episode much more than Thursday's episode. First, the Kristen/Sarah scenes did not work for me. I think they could have been powerful, and I did like Sarah more than I usually do. That being said, her depiction of Sarah and her tragedy doesn't really align with how they've characterized Sarah these past few months. Sarah has mostly been lighthearted and, since her first haircut, she and Xander have basically had this Lucy and Ricky like comedic duo depiction. I'm also not sure why the show is skipping the internal angst and conflict of Sarah having conflicting feelings regarding Xander's baby switch actions. I believe Sarah that she sees it as Xander wanting to protect her from the pain of a lost child. However, that decision forced her to lose two children. One of those children is alive, and Sarah has had moments where she has been in contact with Rachel in Salem only prolonging that pain and loss. I wish the show would realize that it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I also wish the show would have Sarah listen to the ways Xander has played a crucial role in destroying people's lives to play into the her internal angst of whether this is a man she should love. Rex questioning why any woman would love Xander could have been an amazing question coupled with the Sarah/Kristen scenes delving into Sarah's conscious and unconscious reasons for loving Xander. Sadly, Rex's question was played for humor, and Sarah's dialogue was surface level. Another missed opportunity. Regarding Kristen's side of the conversation, I understand we have Covid protocols and small children can't be on set. That being said, they make so much of Kristen's reasoning about Rachel, but how is killing Chloe helping Rachel? How is holding Chloe hostage helping Rachel? How is knocking Sarah out helping Rachel? Even her escaping from prison and pretending to be Susan is more about Brady/Chloe, and she just tacks Rachel into the reasoning because - in my best Lani voice - "She's a MOTHER!" It's also weird to hear Kristen talk about Xander/Sarah's decisions regarding Rachel to be the impetus of our current storyline, but until this very moment, I don't remember Kristen mentioning Sarah or Xander and Kristen seems to have a lot more vitriol toward Chloe than the people who stole her daughter for a year. If it is really about Rachel, shouldn't her revenge plan center on the people who took Rachel from her? To be fair, maybe I'm overthinking this, but I did want to love the Kristen/Sarah scenes and I do think both actresses did a good/great job. However, the actual dialogue and series of events leading to that moment let the actresses down. Onto lighter topics, I don't understand Xander in arguments. The writers will have the character - Rex in this case - mention some truly horrific deed of Xander. Then, in response, Xander will mention some much milder in comparison offense as a retort. "You let her think her baby was alive when you knew she was not!" Oh yeah, "you cheated on her." While both are horrible actions, these actions are in no way equivalent. This happens a lot of with Xander. Jack is the father to Xander that he should be to J.J. Brady/Chloe are wonderful. The two seem so at ease with each other, and they are a highlight. I still can't believe the show isn't doing a Brady/Chloe/Philip triangle. Both pairings are still so popular, it's been more than a decade, so it's in no way a retread, it incorporates so many characters with long history with all three leads - Belle, Sami, Nicole, Kate, Lucas, Victor, Shawn, Maggie, and as much as it pains me to admit, yes even Kristen. I really hope Ron does well with them. I have so many reservations, yet I still can't help but smile when they're on the screen together. I find it weird that the show is seemingly forgetting or choosing to not acknowledge Chloe's relationship to Holly. When Chloe came back around Christmas without Parker, I thought it was noticeable that she and Nicole never mentioned Chloe spending time with Holly. They even specifically mention Chloe having no where to go for Christmas - which itself is odd but okay - and she does not mention getting Holly anything for the holiday. Now, they have Chloe telling Brady that she would love to have a little girl. Again, I get the context of the statement, but it's odd that she wouldn't say something about being able to raise Holly for a time and how she misses having a daughter in her life. It's just a weird decision that they are focusing so much time with Chloe/Rachel and seemingly forgetting the established history of Chloe/Holly. Ben/Ciara - Hearing Ben summarize he and Ciara's relationship; all I could think is these two have gotten about a decade's worth of storylines in about 2/3 years. I actually like Ben/Ciara, but they are exhausting, and I was rooting for Evan to shoot them. I'm happy Evan's ending was ambiguous as I actually do like him as a villain for the two, and I would even be open to a Gwen/Evan pairing. It's feels like it's been too long since we've had a villainous couple doing villainous things together, and I actually would love that as a change of pace. Did we get any of the murder mystery this week? I don't remember Sami being on at all, and Julie discussing it with Claire seemed to be the only mention of it. Don't tell me Ron is already getting bored of it.

This was more than a decade ago during Nicole's very first run. As she was leaving the show, she and Roman had a random hookup. The two - as far as I know - have never mentioned it, and I don't believe anyone on the show knows they hooked up. At the time, I remember thinking it was set-up for Nicole to have a child by Roman to be an obstacle for Nicole/Eric, but that obviously is not where the show went.

I don't have to imagine it. Black people deal with micro (and macro) racial aggressions every single day, and the idea that people would be appalled at every single one is just not the reality we live in. The show also did show one of those microaggressions with the Julie wanting to touch Valerie's hair, and they showed everyone being quite kind to her and giving her the benefit of the doubt to her microaggression. The show also showed how people are already being less favorable to Aunt Paulina when she overstepped and stole Julie's godmother title. The show also showed that Paulina is trying to use her familial relationship to Abe in order to get him to help her buy the storefront. Paulina isn't as one-note as some comments - I'm not directing this at you - are trying to make her.

It was nice to see so many black people on Days. I was kind of shocked, as a lot of shows seem to have an unofficial rule that no more than 3 black people can congregate at any given time. As for Paulina, I find her hilarious. I understand other people's concerns, but she doesn't bother me. Ben/Shawn. They are so nice to look at, but they should never be given words to say. I'm not certain why Claire thought it was a good idea to enter Ben's apartment solo with a stranger in his place. I'm also not certain why she would announce knowing his identity as he was leaving. I guess their transitioning Claire's archetype from pyromaniac to damsel in distress since this is her second bout with danger in weeks. Roman/Gabi. I kept thinking about Roman/Nicole having sex and that the show seems to forget that happened. Gabi needs a friend. This is neither here nor there, but I could never imagine Wayne's Roman respecting the woman who put his daughter on death row. These shows are becoming more difficult to watch, but here I am.

Thank you! That was one of the times I wasn't watching as much, so I missed those interactions.

I get what you're saying. I don't feel that way about Gwen or Ben, but I do feel that way about Sarah. I'm not sure how I feel about Lani regarding if she "feels" like a Days character or not. That being said I agree that this feels like a weird show. I'm not sure what you mean by that, but for me, the weirdness comes that this doesn't feel like a cast that can be naturally integrated. Even characters that could have a natural connection, i.e.Eli, Sarah, Shawn, Abby being Hortons, they don't feel like people who would naturally interact. They don't feel like people who would have much in common and all are in such different spaces in their lives right now. Granted, it isn't impossible, but the show definitely lacks a community feel, and I'm not sure how the show could remedy this issue with this cast.

I actually thought that moment between Eli and Gwen felt fake and forced. Eli and Abby have no relationship, and it felt off hearing him call her his cousin. The two barely interact, and the show often forgets he's a Horton. How can Eli say what type of person Abby is when he doesn't know her. Granted maybe Julie talks to him about Abby and she and Abby have a great relationship, but I'm not certain what allegiance Eli would have to her. There was something I liked about the Gabi/Jake scene; he noted that she has no friends in Salem. He asked if she was just desperate for a connection. If this were a better written show, I think there a narrative string the show could follow, but I'm sure it was just meant to insult Gabi. I did like how Gabi was written this episode. She felt more like a person and not the caricature she's been for several years now. I felt two ways about the Paulina conversation. On one hand, I actually thought she made great points. I didn't think she was saying she should have it for "diversity," but the optics of a town square that is presumably for everyone only having white owned businesses and how that can be seen as valuing or favoring one type of customer over others. I thought it especially made sense in the current conversations and times where people are asking for more diversity in every facet of life. That being said, the actual dialogue felt a little too on the nose. I question how many people use terms like "BIPOC" outside of social media or academic or professional settings. That being said, since they were in an unofficial business meeting with Paulina arguing her case to be in consideration for the storefront, I'm ultimately okay with it. Watching the Abby/Chad scenes, I just felt that the Abby/Chad moment has passed. I used to love them, and all I could think is that their best storylines are behind them. They peaked in 2015/2016 for me, and it's been all downhill ever since regardless of whom plays Abby.

"What are you doing down here?" "Looking for a good Merlot. Got any recommendations?" Something about that exchange reminded me of Gilmore Girls, and I got a good chuckle. Anna looks fabulous. Sami/Belle pretty much had the exact same scenes as Thursday. I wish I could like Abby/Gabi as much as everyone else, but I don't. I still don't see much chemistry between the actresses, and I wish KM was playing Abby right now. KM's Abby is so mean spirited, spiteful, and vindictive that I could actually see her Abby kidnapping Gwen and then injecting her with the Rolf poison. MM's Abby just doesn't have that inherent vengefulness, so I don't really feel any sense of danger or suspense in those scenes. I'm kinda just ready to move on. I find it odd that we're supposed to care about a murder mystery that literally no one on the show cares about. It's also odd to hear people like Sami, Ava, and even Rafe - a man who has covered up murder, attempted murder, and has tried to steal men's children several times - call Charlie a monster. I don't care about Charlie, but it would be helpful if the show could insert a more credible moral compass into this story. As of now, it's just something that is happening. I'm ready for Sami to get out of that interrogation room.

Sami is such a terrible person, and I love her for it! I cackled when she gave Belle the fakest and most insincere apology of the last decade about releasing Jan on her and almost getting her killed. Sami basically said, "Oopsie Daisy!" before demanding Belle be her lawyer again. The Sami/Belle scenes were definitely the highlight. I've never been a fan of MM's Belle, but I thought she was great opposite Sami today. She had this no nonsense and fed up quality to her that reminded me of Marlena in some of Sami/Marlena's infamous battles. The only thing I wanted from Belle is for her to tell Sami that her children are all in their 20s (or late teens. Not sure how old Sydney is supposed to be), and they would be just fine without her. When Sami was recounting everyone she'd shot, I was shocked that I'd watched all those storylines and remember them relatively well. I was also shocked that Sami's only shot 3 people. That seems like a low number for her. I like Evan. There's nothing else to say regarding that storyline. Are they transitioning Sarah out of the show? This is the second or third time in a matter of weeks that she showed up for 3 minutes in one scene. Not that I would care, but it makes it all the more obvious how superfluous she is to the show. The murder mystery is horrendously paced. Charlie was shot last Thursday - in real world time - and they are just now continuing that beat, and everyone on cast still isn't aware that he's dead. Everyone who is a suspect still isn't aware he's dead. I will say I did love how Belle played the Charlie Dale is dead scene. It felt like death actually mattered on this show again which is rare.

"I don't want the people of Salem to think they can take the law into their own hands." Is this day 2 of Abe living in Salem? The only people who don't take the law into their own hands are infants, and at this point, it wouldn't even be shocking if Henry shot Charlie because Charlie made his formula too hot and burned his tongue. Abe truly does not know the people he shares a town with. "Do you remember what we used to do in the convent?" I thought that conversation was going to go in a completely different direction. Shockingly, I found the Kristen/Susan scenes hilarious be they with Chloe/Brady or Lani. I think SH is actually doing a better job playing the two acting as the other than when she plays them as themselves. Somehow, Lani was actually likable to me in those scenes as opposed to me constantly rolling my eyes at her. I wish there was more menace in these scenes as I can't imagine what threat Kristen will be to Chloe right now, but they are still quite enjoyable. Dare I say, even a highlight. I feel I'm constantly complaining about Abby, and today will be no different. The show expects us to believe that Abby is just too innocent, naïve, and demure to ever know how to seek vengeance against someone who wronged her, so she needs Gabi - who's failed at every revenge scheme she ever planned - to help her seek vengeance against Gwen. This is the same Abby that physically assaulted three of the women in the very episode - Gwen multiple times, Gabi, and Chloe - the same Abby who killed a man, the same Abby who attempted to set another man on fire, the same Abby who faked her death, the same Abby who entered into a quickie marriage, the same Abby who attempted to break up two different marriages. This Abby is just too loving, modest, and timid to ever know how to seek vengeance. I'm not buying what you're selling show but somehow it's still in my basket. I actually wouldn't even mind Abby going to Gabi if it was subconsciously because she wants a fall woman for when her scheme inevitably fails. Or even is she wants to do something terrible, but she needs Gabi, so she can make Gabi accountable for her own detestable actions. "I didn't want vengeance against Gwen. I wanted to forgive, but Gabi convinced me otherwise" type thing. But this is not what the show is portraying to us at all. So, I love to look at photos in people homes. There are two in particular that have been causing me to ask a lot of questions. 1. In Jennifer and Jack's home, they have a photo of Maggie solo quite prominently in their home right next to a photo of Jack. I honestly can't figure out why. If it were Maggie with Alice I could understand, but Maggie solo? Jennifer and Maggie don't seem particularly close, and I just can't understand why it is almost a centerpiece in the home. The picture is very prominent in the background. It's also been more than a decade since Maggie lived in the Horton house, and she barely interacts with them anymore. I just find it as peculiar as if Maggie had a prominent photo of Jennifer in the Kiriakis household. 2. In John and Marlena's condo, there seems to be a real life photo of Deidre Hall and her twin sister - which for the purpose of the show would have to be Marlena and Hattie - since they are older in the photo, so it can't be a photo of Sam. I say "seems" because the photo is far in the background, and the second woman is a little out of focus, but she seems to be of similar height and features as DH, but it's hard to tell. I keep staring at the photo whenever I can see it because I wonder if it's supposed to be a picture of the characters or the real life sisters. I'm sure I'm thinking about this entirely too much.

Hmmm...I'm not sure if Ron loves Soaps or Soapdish - the movie with Whoopie Goldberg and Sally Field. Ron goes for the campier aspects of how people who don't watch Soaps view soaps and not the human emotion and ever-changing dynamics of human relationships that used to be the bedrock of Soaps. I'm not saying he isn't a true fan, but I think his writing would work better for Passions. As it is, he writes like someone who loves the genre but doesn't understand the genre.

I absolutely loved the scenes with Kristen-as-Susan with Ben and Claire. I laughed out loud several times. I agree with you completely; Kristen can just barely contain her rudeness and outright disgust for anyone who isn't Brady and Rachel. When she told Claire to "bite me" and Claire's started and deeply offended reaction, it was the most I enjoyed Kristen or Claire in months. My only question is what characterization is the show going for with Kristen. On one hand, we have Brady, Marlena, and Lani reciting episodes long monologues dedicated to her virtues and tremendous motherhood, but we also have episodes like this where she obviously doesn't give a damn about someone's life being in danger. Lani has to be the worst cop ever, and that is quite a feat in Salem. Susan could give Lani a DNA sample, and I'm convinced Lani still wouldn't figure out that isn't Kristen she's speaking too. However, I was actually shocked at how much more normal Susan seemed. With the exception of constantly playing with or covering her mouth that the actress does when she's Susan, I thought Susan was pretty convincing as Kristen. I agree with your reading about the Charlie/Ava scenes. Nothing about them seemed to be playing a remorseful mother, but moreso a woman who realizes that her lack of love toward her son is what made him a monster - it feels weird to call Charlie a monster in a world where Sami is considered a sane citizen. I'm not the biggest fan of TB's acting, but I wouldn't mind if they explored the idea of not enjoying motherhood and how that impacts the woman. While watching the Ava/Tripp scenes, all I could do is wonder what does the show see in Tripp as a character that they don't see in JJ or Joey. I'm not a fan of any of these characters, but the show obviously has deep investment in Tripp. The Nicole/Allie scenes made it obvious that the show doesn't know what to do with Nicole right now. AZ is easily one of the strongest actresses on the show, but the show is constantly struggling to figure out where to place her. I'm okay with the Nicole/Allie scenes and even like their dynamic. However, with Eric off canvas, it seems strange that Allie is Nicole's strongest tie to the canvas right now. Why isn't Nicole sharing more scenes with Chloe and Brady. It'll even make sense for her to be in the Kristen/Susan storyline considering Nicole's history with the Dimeras and Kristen. I'm just not sure what Nicole's purpose is right now, which makes me sad. Sami by far was the highlight of the episode. I like that they made Rafe a little more bitchy toward Sami and constantly taking little jabs at how many times Sami has found herself on the wrong side of the law. I can't' wait to see her dynamic with Allie and Marlena.

True but didn't that story conclude with her trying to set Bo on fire for dating Carly.

Now that you mention it, maybe a recast Hope is taking Ambien again and setting people on fire is sooooooooooo 2018.

It was wonderful seeing Sami again. I'm not the huge Sami fan I used to be, but she's reliable for being unpredictable and pushing story in some pretty drastic ways. Ron's Sami is also mostly despised by everyone on canvas, so she could be the lightening rod this show needs right now. Considering this is Days, I wouldn't be shocked if Charlie is only "dead." I'm sure when the show needs drama for the obvious Tripp/Allie pairing their setting up or a angsty teenage Henry needs a storyline in 2 years, Charlie can be an easy villain to bring back and then half-heartedly kill off again. On Soaps kids are more likely to end up in abusive households that only fuel their need for revenge, so I'm not sure Charlie would get a happier life. The only exception to this rule is when one of the main characters adopt a child, i.e. Mickey, Maggie, and Melissa. Isn't Hope also supposed to be really rich. I feel I've heard her talk about the trust funds she set up for the kids, too. Technically, shouldn't Shawn also be a suspect considering Charlie's threats to Claire on the same night he was murdered. EM's version of Brady has never been portrayed as smart, especially as it relates to women. This also wouldn't be the first time Kristen has deceived him considering the Kristen as Nicole storyline was only 2(?) years ago. I actually didn't even think about that, but it's completely true. What incentive does Kristen have to return to prison? What incentive does Kristen have break-up Kate and Jake? Brady has also shown that he has no qualms with running away from the law with a child - he did the same thing with Nicole and Holly. For this to be the beginning of a murder mystery, this was a rather somber and quiet episode. I'm also shocked the show didn't have Ava go with Rafe to discover her murdered son, have her wail over his deceased body and then scream at Sami as she entered the room, "You murdered my son! You murdered my son!"Rafe barely seemed to care, and his reaction to Sami just seemed like moderate surprise. Come on show, give me some DRAMA! This is not how you get me invested in a murder.

This is one of my favorite storylines from an old 80s Primetime Soap named Knots Landing. The problem was that the character accidentally killed herself while trying to frame someone for her kidnapping. It was amazing and quite the twist at the time. I don't have that much faith in Ron.

It's never really been confirmed. The characters talk a lot about Chicago, and a map of IL is in the police station. However, we've never gotten a true confirmation. And when the cast talks of Salem - in interviews, social media, etc. - they usually say, "Salem, USA." That being said, Salem's laws are dependent on the storyline regardless of its physical location.

Was her last haunting when Brady locked Vivian in the sarcophagus, or has there been another that I've missed? I still remember a hilarious interview with the actress who plays Isabella saying Isabella was an ineffective ghost considering Brady just ignored her warnings. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

I keep seeing people say this, but is this true? Didn't Kristen just hold his niece hostage at Marlena and John's wedding? I can't remember the details, but isn't she also responsible for having Xander shoot Marlena at her wedding. Wasn't she also holding Sami hostage and drugging her. She also kept Nicole hostage and faked Holly's death - which did directly impact Chloe - and he's still been Kristen's biggest defender. That's not even with us getting into all the awful things she's done to Eric in the not so distant past. I just don't see why attempting to kill Chloe would be the straw that breaks the camel's back?