carolineg

Not more than usual? 🤣 I don't know how this story makes him look good in any capacity, but it was mostly between Leo/Nancy and Leo wasn't being a jerk either. But obviously it could be all fake. John was telling Brady it's a bad idea to try to break Craig/Leo up because Leo could have changed and that's where I do think this is going, but that's just my spec.

To be fair, Nick was his baby momma's happy ever after, so I am not going to read to much into that. It was an extreme work of fiction lol.

I hate DE. It's so stupid. If no one mentioned it again and it just disappeared with no explanation I would not care. Anyhow, Wilson are finally back! To stop Leo! Which is probably the least important thing that has happened to their respective families in the last 6 months, but whatever. I am liking Marlena losing all her patients. We talked about it but I am shocked it's happening. I am not sure why Marlena is going to fight the hospital instead of just opening up her own practice or retiring, but at least there is some consequence there. Although I think we can all see her curing Sarenee with her clutch skills and all will be forgiven. Not sure the point of the Nancy/Leo scenes. It's way too fresh for anyone to be okay with any of this.

Yes you are correct. I don't remember being terribly shocked by her "death" though. There was really no easy way to get Brenda off the canvas and out of the Jax relationship without killing her off and they didn't find a body so it was clear it was open for her to return. I honestly can't think of any other way to write her off without Jax being in limbo unless she suddenly left with Sonny, but the show was close to getting MB back permanently at the time I think. I was shocked that Vanessa actually appeared in a cameo as Brenda in 2000 to help with Ingo's exit. I was personally super surprised, but apparently ABC had been airing a promo all week spoiling it🤣

I think the affair left her vulnerable to the Devil, but it wasn't so much the act but the guilt and loneliness she felt? Plus, Stefano's nightly visits had something to do with as well I think? They left her physically weak and opened her mind to darkness or some nonsense. I think Stefano had a big part in it too-I just can't remember the exact "explanation" I suppose you can look at it from both sides. John was the only one that could save her despite their sins, so God is on their side and has forgiven them and it re-ignited the John/Marlena soulmate narrative that had been pushed aside for a while. But I totally understand what you are saying, especially since the devil got in again while John/marlena were legally, happily married recently. Listen, I don't know why I am even defending this stupid story. I do think JER wanted to make it clear that adultery was a sin, but at the same time Roman was given such a rough edit during and after the affair I still think we were supposed to sympathize with Marlena if not actually root for Marlena/John. Once the show dumped Wayne the writing was on the wall, but I think the show pushed John/Kristen and gave them more than a fair shot. I honestly always did root for Jarlena even though I did like Roman and thought everyone in town took the whole affair WAY too seriously for WAY too long. I often wonder what would have happened to Marlena if John/Kristen became super popular. I wonder if they would have brought Wayne back even though it was clear JER loved his John/Marlena.

Easily the most shocked I have been by a soap ever. Obviously when they started intercutting Jax/Brenda and Lily walking to the car you knew something was going to happen, but I genuinely assumed Lily was just going to lose the baby not that she was going to die lol. Longest weekend of my life. Even watching back, there were some subtle clues Lily wasn't long for the world, but nothing major. Marlena being the desecrator was a shock, but when you watch again there are a lot of clues-I just missed them lol. Did we know Sami was pregnant before she sabotaged Austin/Carrie's wedding? I remember being really shocked by that at the time.

There was a time when Lexi transitioned from cop to Dr and she could have transitioned into a business person instead, but I am not sure if the timing lines up with when she found out Stefano was her father. I see Kristen (especially ED's Kristen) working well as the head of Dimera. She was a social worker, but hasn't appeared to have any career aspirations since about 1996. The thing is DE wasn't really a thing until much later. Stefano had businesses and money, but there wasn't any story about running it, a board, control, what they owned, etc. It's a much more recent thing that people now care about. For example, someone like Peter would have been the obvious choice to run it back then, but he was a shady lawyer instead.

Roman involved in the Possession would have been interesting, but impossible as you said because Marlena was always going to end up with John. Roman would end up looking like a fool again. Although I believe Roman would have saved her from the Devil. Even though the logic is very iffy, I do think it was JER's way of proving Jarlena's love was righteous and pure. He still wanted Marlena to keep the guilt of the affair in the forefront of her mind because it's a sin, but wanted the audience to know we should be rooting for them. Because their love was approved by God lol. I do think the audience may have needed that reminder though because the show had been pushing Kristen/John for quite a bit of time at that point. To me in Maison Blanche it seemed clear Jarlena were getting back together and then the show went really hard for Kristen/John and dropped the Marlena angle for awhile. Until the Possession switched to Marlena tempting Father John I honestly wasn't sure John/Marlena were endgame. And John didn't even verbalize he loved Marlena until a year later in Aremid. Of course, outside the Devil aspect, the story made no sense with John being a priest who doesn't even remember being a priest, someone who was clearly still tempted by women/sex, didn't previously have strong religious beliefs as in he was fine with pre-marital sex, living together before marriage, children out of wedlock etc, etc. He wouldn't be the guy to take on the Prince of Darkness or anything lol. That being said, if JER had to tell this story I can't think of a couple on the show besides them to do it with. Maybe Bo/Hope, but Hope was still Gina at the time and Bo/Billie was in full force. Again, it's easy to pick apart the Possession 1.0 if you didn't like it like us, but there truly was an intent, story, and arc there unlike whatever is happening on today's show. I believe (and I could be wrong) they got married before Brady was actually born because I remember Isabella refusing to leave for the hospital like an idiot because she wanted to be married before Brady appeared. Which I always thought was weird because she was already 9 months pregnant-the cat's out of the bag on that lol and neither she nor John seemed overly religious previously in that regard. I think John ended up being married to Gina/Hope sometime in 2012 and they had to go to Alamania to resolve it, so I think John ends up being in a similar situation as Marlena with Alex as well. Because John really wasn't ever a priest for real, right? Once we get into the 2000's my grasp on John's past isn't great due to constant rewrites and the fact I wasn't watching regularly.

It's just very interesting in JER's world that Marlena is the ultimate sinner, but John could be a priest committing the same sins but beat the devil because John/Marlena's love was pure. It makes so little sense when you think about it. It's almost like JER decided to change the narrative for them midway through the Possession and Idk if that was fan response or him just changing his mind.

This sounds good. I am just so exhausted by Kristen. I don't even want to see SH play this. If it was ED I might consider it. But there is very little to redeem about Kristen these days so [!@#$%^&*] with Marlena would at least make historical sense to me.

I am not an overly religious person (although I was baptized as Catholic), but I was more curious as how it would realistically work. Since JER brought in a lot of religious/Catholic undertones and made things very black/white as far as religion goes, it's weird he didn't explore the good faith of all Marlena's marriage and at least bring up the fact both marriages would be considered valid in different ways and didn't give Marlena the chance to say to Roman. I loved John. I did marry him in love and good faith. But then she wouldn't be the ultimate Hester Prynne and carry her A around for half a decade.

So how would John being a priest the entire time fall into this? Putative because of good faith? It's all so silly to even try to reconcile lol. At some point the Catholic Church should have just been like John/Marlena/Roman just marry whoever you want, but please not at our church🤣

ED would definitely play this better, but I think Kristen's characterization goes in and out and the switch outs between ED/SH don't help. I do think the show has given up on SH's Kristen being the 'good' girl hugging and hanging out with John/Marlena just by the fact Brady is full force into Chloe at this point. It all seems a little too late, but I do think the super villian direction is where they are headed with her. Although, I wouldn't mind them killing off Rachel to further story.

I never expected Days to play that even though JER heavily laid into Catholicism. It's a much more mundane topic than Devil Possession. I just think there's an argument that Roman/Marlena's marriage is as much in good faith as RoJohn/Marlena's marriage and they could have played the details of Belle's paternity not being disclosed on her birth certificate if they kept Wayne on through the Possession or any times Marlena was kidnapped.

I think there is an argument that Kristen is the new supervillian. Not a good one, but she seems to have the most power.

Lol! It's weird because they referred to Belle as Belle Black I think after her and Roman divorced, but then never changed the birth certificate until 1999? I guess they couldn't since Roman wasn't around to consent even with DNA tests? Or they just chose not to because everyone knew the true paternity? It seems like a slippery slope considering all the times Marlena/John's lives were at risk, but Belle was in John's will as of Aremid. And I know Marlena got custody of Brady if John died in the gas chamber, so I guess just no one cares about biological ties in this. But I, think, theoretically, if Marlena died Roman would have had a solid case to get custody of Belle because of the birth certificate. I assume Marlena would totally be the hit of the mommy group. She could have brought Belle, Brady and her own grandson Will at the same time lol. I think Susan would have been really popular with the kids not the moms.

I don't know why Allie/everyone expects Tripp to get over this all within 24 hours. Give the guy time to breathe. And Allie needs to stop being so sad about it, but almost making out with Chanel. I have no sympathy for her. So, Susan thinks Belle, who is acting completely normal is the devil because she has 666 on her coat? Would the Devil really walk around with 666 on their coat in public? Or was Susan the only one who saw that with her psychic powers? I honestly forgot about Rafe's trial. It's fine it's taking place offscreen for multiple reasons. We all remember the idiocy of EJ's trial that unfortunately took place on screen.

Thank you for such a detailed response! I know Roman was the legal father until John/Marlena got married because there were scenes where Roman/John had the birth certificate changed finally. As far and RoJohn/Marlena weren't they married in good faith as well? I wonder how that would hold up. John was allowed to marry Isabella at St.Lukes but I don't think John/Marlena actively pursued an annulment for that marriage. At least not onscreen. I know Marlena/John did intend to get married at St. Lukes in 1997, but I presume that was okay since Roman/Isabella were dead/presumed dead. It's not like it truly matters I have always just been curious about how that would all work.

Clink Boom on Gh. I don't think that was spoiled at all nor was Lilly Melgar leaving.

So I have a question that maybe someone can answer or maybe not. While I was talking about Belle being born out of wedlock I was thinking about Roman/Marlena/John's marriage legalities. Roman/Marlena got married in the Catholic Church then John (as Roman) got "re-married" in the Catholic church. It was nullified I assume when Roman came back? I guess my question is how did Roman/Marlena get married in the church in the first place because they both were previously divorced. Just because they didn't previously marry in the catholic church? Does that make Carrie illegitimate in the eyes of the church? And with the Alex North retconned back story are all Marlena's kids illegitimate because she never divorced him and therefore never was married to Roman at all?

I am assuming the Devil hasn't given up on Ben/Ciara's baby. But what can it do until the baby is born? I do hope it drops the plan for Dimera though. Makes perfect sense to me. Belle is the obvious choice. Jarlena's out of wedlock baby. Shawn cheating on Belle with Jan could have been enough to leave her susceptible to the Devil IMO. But what doesn't make sense at this point is why the Devil wasted months on Johnny.

I wouldn't mind Belle being Possessed in actuality. I always find her dull, so that would be a nice change of pace for the character. Unlike Johnny who can be an ass possessed or not lol. Belle would have been the better character to jump to from Marlena initially of course. A little higher stakes than Johnny, who we really hardly know. And at least it would give Belle an excuse to cheat on Shawn for the millionth time lol.

Abby's been rumored for awhile, so I don't doubt it. It is horrible to think this story will continue for that many more months though.

I was totally thinking about that random Larry Welch appearance too-which I didn't hate lol. Anyhow, l agree. People like Larry Welch and Orpheus had/have potential, but Days brought both of them back decades too late. It almost ties into this Sarenee stuff because the writers think that because they were a great villian once it will work again without doing any work or thinking how they will fit on the canvas. I don't know, I am not sure if we should retire the supervillian, but we have multiple silly villians right now: Kristen, Orpheus, Clyde, the Devil and to a lesser extent Ava/Gwen. It's too much. The Devil should be wreaking much more havoc than it is worrying about Dimera and stupid Gabi/Jake. JoDevil isn't even scary and Kristen is apparently super human and unstoppable.

One of the main problems with Orpheus is he was gone for a long time and his main bad deed (kidnapping and faking Marlena's death) was undone and retconned to make Stefano the person who kidnapped Roman, Marlena, and brainwashed John. So like how scary is Orpheus? He has literally succeeded at nothing lol. His plots suck. If they brought Orpheus back earlier (say early/mid 90's) I think he would have been established as a better villian. But again, he and Stefano fill the same role as far as their arch enemies. I still think Orpheus could have been Jarlena's big bad and worked with Stefano and Stefano could have branched out to play villian to other characters while still being a thorn in Marlena/John's side. Anyhow, that didn't happen and now we are stuck with a minor villian from 1986 trying to fill a role he just can't because no work was put into Orpheus's characterization. He's better than Clyde Weston, but only slightly.