Bright Eyes

Keith D. Robinson has a lot less screen presence so far than Maurice Johnson had, but I think he's probably a much better technical actor. I couldn't be happier we're finally moving along with the caucasians. Andre and Ashley better be f*cking by the end of the week, or so help me, just to move the story along even quicker. That's the second time there's been a hint that Dani will get involved with the Doug/Vanessa/Joey story somehow. Maybe it'll happen in response to Andre/Ashley getting together?

Thank you! I feel the exact same way. Xander and EJ are great villains. This moment between Xander and Philip has been building since November. It was ugly, it was horrible, but it was real. Not some Nickelodeon b.s. that this show has constantly served for years. Now, a big part of why I like these characters are the actors who portray them. They are dynamic, charismatic, and genuinely talented. They actually feel like the new Stefano and Victor, but without being carbon copies. They are their own messed up, villainous, bastards. There are multiple characters in their corner and against them at any given time. Both good and fellow bad people in the community praising and damning them. The show feels like a soap opera again. And crazy as it is to say, I'm even more excited to watch it then I am Beyond the Gates most days, and that's saying a lot. As for Stephanie's book, they're keeping me intrigued wondering where it's going. Bringing in Kate was a genius move. However, I'm still Abigail Klein's biggest hater on this board. Generic Barbie is literally the Sofia Mattsson of DAYS to me, just a complete wash of an actress. However, I think her being a PR person is a damp squib of a profession and since we're stuck with her this could be a way of finally getting her away from her "successful firm." Body and Soul was her lowest low, even worse than when she was poisoning apples or whatever trying to kill Chloe of all people. Philip returning was the best thing to happen to her character in ages. When both stories were happening simultaneously, you could literally see the difference in how much energy she put into performances from one scene to the next.

I think both of them have been given balanced, nuanced, and honest writing about who they both are, flaws and all, for months now. It's not so basic or black and white.

And those two couples cover all the main families on the show. As long as good story is happening than I'm happy to continue on with them together.

Ew.

Kate being the one that Alex called was a nice surprise. The cut to her looking all sheek made me instantly get excited for her to get back into business mode. And the Jack reference from when she first came to town (on-screen) was inserted naturally which is always welcome. When they were talking about how much sex sells, I almost got the impression they were sizing each other up in a May/December type of way. All the Philip stuff was gruesome. I'm happy the show isn't shying away from Xander's ugliness. I love them both, and it just makes me intrigued for the aftermath for it all to be taken seriously. I cheered when Philip spat out at that Sarah knew the truth. I'm on tenterhooks for their eventual confrontation. I was surprised that Kate wasn't a little vicious towards Sarah for Xander's obvious behavior, but maybe that's still to come. How wonderfully entangled is it that both Philip and Shawn/Steve stopped each other from getting the drug. Both equally at fault. Who/what will ultimately save Bo? And with everything going on, is a Salem where it's looking likely that EJ is about to own the hospital imminent?

To be fair, more than half of them are dead now.

Off of the Xander/Paulina scenes in Thursday's episode, I really hope that means we're getting Theo coming home permanently. I didn't really see much of Cameron Johnson in the role, and though he was pretty and I'm thankful for his occasional thirst traps on Insta, Kyler Pettis could not act, so a brand new recast would be fine by me, but if you all think Cameron doesn't a real shot, I'd be fine with that, too. I just want Theo to be taken seriously as a character for once and make his place on this show like he deserves. I was annoyed the second Susan showed up again, but I do admit it was interesting to see her reunite with Marlena and see their dynamic when EJ joined them. Hopefully now we're done with her forever. As for John, this last bit of hope Marlena is getting before the inevitable is already so devastating. This is going to be so hard to watch. Xander reminding the audience he IS a cold blooded murderer, point blank. Paul Telfer was devilishly terrifying. Taking off his jacket was such a sexy power move. That Philip doesn't have a permanent dent in his face will be a miracle. It'll be interesting if it'll just be the one punch or if next week will see Philip more battered and bruised. How bad are they going to make Xander look? I will say, the best part of this story is that I'm not rooting for one over the other. How Philip reacts to this violence will be interesting. I also liked how everything with stealing the drug ended up. Very messy. Steve even made me laugh at one point, and I've been indifferent to him for years. I hope poor Kevin doesn't get scapegoated, but it'll be nice to see him presumably reunite with Shawn next. We'll be really lucky if Belle somehow crosses paths with him, too.

Damn, there was a tiny pre-emption where I'm from and I missed the Kat/Nicole scene, according to recaps.

I'm glad the truth is all out regarding Roman and Kate's secrets from each other, and also happy Roman didn't make much of the letter forgery, because why would he even care? They are a good solid couple. However, not to be mean, when Roman had his little flashback at the DiMera mansion he seemed more like an old man that was lost. How wonderfully aggravating that we still don't know what the hell happened with Johnny the night EJ was shot. I can't wait to find out. I've my feelings clear on Paulina, but she was definitely written much more adult and Jackée even seemed a bit toned down, for the better. Nothing boring about either scenes for me. I like the little drama between Xander and Cat, for the newness of the interaction alone. AnnaLynne McCord is much better at material where she's not acting dementedly lovesick. Seeing that side to Cat was integral to remembering she's not a moron, and I am definitely intrigued by the heck could be calling her. Kevin Lambert returning is a cute little surprise. I never watched Chadwick Hopson in the role though, was he any good?

I also hope there will be a follow up to Dani noticing Vanessa with Joey. We need another scene of them two together. And does Dani have any knowledge of Vanessa's affairs?

One of the soap greats. I wish I had a stronger connection to her, but her major soap stints passed me by. However, the way veteran watchers have described watching her back in the day makes me yearn for the glory days of soap. As a DAYS fan first, her time on the show is basically an enigma. As years have passed as a member of this board, previous and current members have talked in fondness about her obviously major story with Dickie and David's death, but even more interestingly, her romance/friendship with Bill, and the fascinating tangled tale of her encounter in the park with Eric Peters. It's such a shame DAYS never swayed her back home where she belonged. Though I am more than thankful RC and JG didn't get their grubby paws on her, especially with the horrible example of how they saw fit to write Marie and Liz's relationship with all the nuance and sophistication of a pigpen. SSH's remembrance of her was wonderful to read, so thank you to whoever posted. Could be cool too if any of her Clear Horizon material popped up. Does anything of that show exist?

I'd already long convinced myself that this show had a minimum of two years, but happy to have the news confirmed.

The Anita scene with Ted was written all wrong. Dani should have come in like she did, all guns blazing, with Anita showing up and ushering Dani out, as she stays alone with Ted. He's ready for more fury, but at first she treats him like her son, not just some man Nicole married, she's confused and heartbroken, needing explanation. Then, she drops the motherload and tells him to get his damn act together like she did. Anita came off completely one-note. And with both Dani and Anita in the scene, the self-righteousness just made both look like harridans who wouldn't shut the hell up. Very disappointed in that scene. The scene with Eva was much better. It could be good if somehow Vernon starts to soften towards her and that puts the first signs of strife into their marriage. We need something interesting to happen with them, for once. Mona was the MVP today for me. I love Leslie and especially Eva, but I was firmly on Mona's side today. She deserved to get her two cents in. The scenes just left me wanting more of her and her inner life. They should really drop Ashley, Derek, and Tomas and put Mona, Laura, and Shanice on contact stat! I don't get why Leslie continued to lie about where she got the money Ted gave her though? What purpose would that serve? Faint hopes that Mona would still forgive her, I guess? Kat really gets some of the best lines. Through all the bitchiness and judgment, she has a talent at keeping me on side because somehow she's never come across unlikable to me, where someone like Dani, even Anita, falls. The scene with her, Martin, and Nicole was a necessity. Things are coming together to making that part of the family feel more like a family. Now I anxiously await Kat and Ted having a one on one confrontation. It would be perfect if it happened to be in the new Ted's first scene/episode.

I've been eagerly awaiting Kate's first episode under the new writers, and I wasn't disappointed. I started reminiscing about all of Kate's misdeeds when she said how good of a liar she was and how she saw right through Roman's lying. I really buy this matured, but still wise Kate in 2025, and the fact that you know under the right circumstances, the more ruthless side is always there, under the surface. Hopefully, with Roman about to confess, we get the full truth about just what the hell happened with Johnny the night EJ was shot, then all the major suspects will be eliminated, just for the writers to throw in that wrench that's waiting for it's time to shine. Everytime Brady thaws even a little bit towards Kristen I immediately get concerned. I was entertained by their fight, and it was smart to mention Kirsten having no friends, let alone positive female relationships except for Lani in regards to why Rachel is such a loser. As a viewer, do you think Stacy Haiduk as Kristen was at all thinking about her former friendships with Jennifer and Billie in that moment? I wonder if she's even aware that they were, or who Billie even is. Anyway, I do wish Kristen could have also thrown in Brady's face that he's literally the biggest slut in Salem. Rachel seeing and possibly hearing about him going from woman to woman would also negatively affect Rachel's negative ideals about women, and possibly her own self-hatred. I thought Doug's favourite class being English lit was a good through line from how impressed he was with grandpa Doug's poetry book to Julie. Hearing he dropped out because no one at home cared just made me yearn for more information about Charles LeClair as a father and person. Maybe it was this time that Robert LeClair was dying so Charles was distracted and it all fell apart after that? Alex with Kristen today is the most interesting I've seen him written. He was smarmy and cold and for a quick second looked like he was enjoying playing with Kristen clearly throwing herself at him, but when she dropped her facade he became merciful, but still unwilling to budge. He would have fit in well in the more complex 70s era as a cad with a heart underneath his bravado. However, and I can't stress this enough, I absolutely despise whenever he calls Philip, 'Phil.' It just itches my brain in all the wrong ways.

In theory, a Hidden Passions mini-series would be fantastic, wouldn't it?

I casually watched it as a kid, but I finally started X-Men: The Animated Series season 1. It's going to be fun watching it from beginning to end.

Funny, I've been thinking that she'd turn out to be Haley's mother. Maybe she's all three!

She, the star of the show that she is, was fantastic in the episode, and the scene does include her, but it's more on the embarrassing side of things, much more. It's certainly a fresh idea, I can say that.

You guys are going to die when you watch the first scene of today's episode.

So just an excuse for Josh Griffith to be mind-numbingly boring on purpose.

Well, of course, it's unlikely. But in the what-if fantasy world, I wonder if the actors/characters would work well together.

Embarrassing, I meant Taggert.

I'm just picking a potential option without knowing if they'd be viable, but could Jagger and Lois be a good item? If both were actually invested in, of course.

Frankie Donner and Max Becker are no biological relation, but Frankie took care of him as best he could until Shawn and Caroline adopted them both, changing their name to Brady. Max was mute for a time. Frankie is Carly's brother, which was a later retcon in the early 90's that didn't make much sense at the time. Kind of like Sarah being Neil's daughter, which coincidentally happened around the same time. Anyway, Trent Becker was Max's biological dad. His mom was said to have died. I forget why Trent had abandoned him, but I think he had scenes with Jennifer and Frankie and decided Max was better off with the Brady's and left him in their care without Max seeing him. This was the original story in the 80's. In 2008, he was reformed to be Trent Robbins, played by Roscoe Born. It was revealed he was Nicole's first husband, never previously mentioned, and that Max had a sister Melanie, Trent taught to be a con artist. Melanie obviously turned out to be Daniel and Carly's kid, and Trent was later murdered by Nick, to protect Melanie. Benjy was a deaf kid that Steve and Kayla ended up befriending. The first of Stefano's retconned children. He left town with his grandfather, Orion Hawk. Pocket was taken care of briefly by Steve and Kayla. This was in the mid 2000's. He is the biological kid of Philip and Melanie after The Gloved Hand (EJ, and Patrick as his forced henchman) switched the fertilized eggs of Mimi, who was married to Shawn, and Belle, who was then married to Philip. Philip and Mimi ended up letting the baby be adopted. As far as the audience knows, his name is now Tyler Wilkins.