Bright Eyes

Watch it still be more of a classic than what B&B and Y&R would show.

Aw, I care about Melissa. Hope's OG bff, and I'm talking before the SORAS. #neverforget I think the polite thing to do is just a simple Happy Anniversary, plus heartfelt message, without the mention of specific years. Did Melissa ever interact with Billie or Carly? I'm guessing fake Melissa did with the latter before she left? That picture made me realize I've never really thought about how it was pre-Steve and John existing. And no Roman, or Kayla, or Doug and Julie. Who was Bo's best man? And who are the three people next to him in that picture?

Peyton Meyer is 26, but I'm telling myself Doug's about 21, since all the actors in his group (Tate/Holly/Arianna/Sofia) are all a few years older than their characters. Actually, Leo Howard is a decade older than Tate! Still not the greatest optics, but still much more tolerable.

Does anyone else think Lauren Buglioli talks too softly? I get she's supposed to be a pampered princess, but I can't connect to her performances because I always feel like she needs more grit or something. She needs to be more ferocious for me. More of a firecracker, because she's coming off like less than a sparkler. I will say bringing on Tracy was exactly what Anita needed because she's been all stoic all the time. Seeing her be infallible made her feel human, rootable, and relatable. This was the first episode where I feel like the new Ted had settled in well. Pretty good for a near immediate recast.

Pretty much my exact sentiments. The good DAYS are here again! We are so back! Rejoice! Viva la Salem! (Am I being too extra?) To add to this, Ari being immediately dick hungry made me instantly like her. I think Julie's scenes today added so much, too. They could have easily not been part of the episode, but it just added to the emotional stakes. Was her flashback part of the CoD story? And that little scene Maggie had with Philip earlier in the week added so much heart to drama of that story. Matriarchs are so back! When Kayla had to tell Marlena that John was hurt again, I couldn't help but think back to when she went off on Bo for leaving Roman to go after Stefano. I wonder if they'll have her go off on someone like Kayla or Steve and initially blame them for John's death. It should be stated Kristian Alfonso still looks amazing, but I did think it was ridiculous that she was wearing a Chanel suit to go help with the dangerous mission, but it was good to see her be part of it while we had Kayla and Marlena sitting back and waiting for the best. The only part I didn't like was Ciara mentioning how great Ben is. Not buying sis, but the fact Konefal returned and immediately was crying her eyes out was impressive. Since Hope mentioned her, I wonder if we'll get a Chelsea return next week? Also, during Bo's dream/purgatory scenes, did anyone think we were going to see a return from a dead character? Isabella or Zack since he was mentioned in the episode would have been a good shout or both. I can't think of a better one where the actor hasn't also passed. I can't decide if that John Black montage were the most emotional moment of the episode, but holy f*ck was it bittersweet to see Drake Hogestyn back on my screen again. Phew! Again, a great week, and a fantastic episode to finish it off.

Not to harp on, and I don't know if it's always been there and I just noticed it today, but why the hell does Ashley have her microwave on top of the fridge? What sense does that make? Irrationally, It made her more intolerable than she already was in this episode.

Steak and a tomato salad, with some Italian bread.

Sorry, the image isn't working for me. New man ... marcosfromthe305 ...

A fly. Would you rather type one word per hour or speak 1000 words per second?

X - Xavier

On

... a sign of life, a creature unknown to me. I've found myself in my favourite soap opera town, I'm going to make sure to ...

N - Nada Surf

X - Xanadu (Rush)

W - Wings

I - Ian Gallagher (Shamless)

In addition, no one seems to be eating the show right now. EJ is a great example. James Scott's EJ is one of my most hated characters, and that's nothing against the actor, because he was gorgeous and great in the part when he wasn't having a blinking fit, but the amount of episodes he racked up in his relatively short amount of time on the show is absolutely insane. Coming back to this show as a regular view last fall, I was prepared for that hatred to be further ignited, but I needn't have worried, because the only true albatross on the show is Leo, but he's not even on that much, he's just that awful.

It's sad she can't be a part of his on-screen tribute somehow.

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.