j swift

4.3/10 Blake Berris really plays enigmatic well. His performance is the entire reason that the BobEtte story is working for me. Every time he's on the screen, I wonder what he's thinking, unlike certain actors playing cops who appear completely dead behind the eyes. I'm mixed on the Julie scene. On the one hand, I like that Julie is a vital part of the BobEtte story. I think DAYS has done an admirable job of keeping her in the lives of the younger generation without being overbearing or judgmental, which is a trap that befalls many older characters. On the other hand, when characters are self-aware about the outrageous nature of their history, it distracts me. For example, if Julie had a list of how many of her loved ones returned from the dead, it would seem impossible for her to still be surprised. Which would impede future stories. So, I am happier when they are less reflective. Although it is ironic that from Tommy to Hope, Alice was always the one to figure out her family's true identity. In a house full of doctors, you could depend on Alice for knowing the truth. She was truly a clever one, or rather a clever bun in her case. The Marlena/Jackee scenes were very sad, even though I questioned that pairing for that scene.

So, @Vee are you then suggesting that Ava's reaction to getting the letter and the gun, while she was alone, was because she was horrified someone saw her kill Austin? Because that part doesn't seem to fit with her being the killer (or the person who ordered the hit). I feel like she didn't do it, but she has learned who shot Austin more recently. It's fun to speculate, but I assume our east coasters will know the truth within hours.

Aren't Paulina and Kate meant to be close friends? I hope we'll see Kate's reaction soon.

Didn't Sally give birth to Kevin in Boston? I hope the Shearers didn't use that nefarious Royal Dunning to adopt Julia.

This is a dumb thought, but I can get it out of my mind as others discuss the Lifetime Documentary. In multiple scenes, she is shown wearing this Louis Vuitton jacket. But, LV doesn't make or sell that jacket. On their website and in stores like Saks, they don't make anything like it. More often they use denim or real fur like this. So, is Wendy's stylist ripping off her by using Canal St knockoffs? Or are they making custom stuff for her to wear? Again, not a vital topic, but writing about it gets it off of my mind.

Oddly, I don't associate George Reinholt with being either subdued or reserved. I may be biased because I recall more of his work as Tony on One Life than Steve. But, to my recollection, he was a bit blustery and prone to table pounding or other physical indicators of his character's emotions. And his baritone voice felt like a better fit for stage work rather than the intimacy of TV.

I think it is impossible for Ava herself to have killed Austin. IIRC, they cut from a scene with Ava to a brief scene of Austin seeing someone he knows, a gun shot, and then a pair of men's boots. Indicating that she couldn't have been at the scene of the crime. Now, she might have hired someone, but her reaction to the evidence being mailed to her seemed genuine. And, I'm still surprised that they exonerated Nikolas when Ava accused him of killing Austin. I find it mildly amusing that amongst Ned's recovery and BLQ's wedding, there's been no mention from any of the Q's about Austin. They clearly don't miss him. And, I can't imagine that the new writers will do anything to tie up the loose ends of who benefited from Austin's estate, or inherited his shares.

I can't decide if it is too subtle or too obvious, but she's also wearing a red coat (sign of a traitor).

And it does fit the characters. Susan had grown weary of Liz's interference in her marriage, and Dan had dated Alice. So, who were they going to run and tell in Bay City that they adopted a child in Boston?

Susan and Dan went through a divorce but reconciled before departing in 1979. While I'm not entirely certain, Julia appears to be a retcon. During Susan's involvement in the Olive storyline, which initially led to her breakup with Dan (who subsequently dated Alice), she did not have a child. From what I remember, despite holding a job at the hospital, she moved between staying with Liz and Alice because she was single and unattached. It's funny to characterize Julia as filling a family void, although I understand what you mean. When Susan left, Sally was going through her adolescent rebellion and tried to triangulate Susan and Alice. But, by the time Julia showed up, Sally was in her full ingénue era. So, I guess Liz needed someone to fret over.

Troy Hall (with his frosted tips) is probably just happy to remembered at all, regardless of his moves, given the noxious character of Tito that he played.

It screams "new producer", like when people try to do a new opening, or a new set. Very low impact on the actual show, but enough of a flourish to get people to notice a change. I recall when AMC did the same thing, and as a long term viewer it interferes with my imaginary internal map of the town. But, it is fine.

I totally agree with @carolineg Steve needs a purpose beyond advice to the lovelorn. I also think a geriatric detective agency, where they're related to all of their clients, feels like pandering for Steve and John to have something to do. So, I propose three new roles for Steve and John. (1.) Daycare, let's give Julie a break, somebody needs to raise Chad's kids and John is so good with children. (2) Matchmaking, Salem doesn't seem to have dating apps so welcome to black/patch the city's newest yentas who will provide research to make sure your new boyfriend doesn't have amnesia. And (3) An employment agency for ex-spies, from Harris to Shane, Salem is filled with ex-ISA agents, and they can't all be police commissioners, so let's let John and Steve find them jobs in the tech or fashion industries. However, given the new AI establishing shots, I would advise black/patch to stair clear of window washing the many new highrise buildings in Salem because with one eye, and an out of warranty brain chip I worry about accidents. BTW, I'm giving the new producer a month to coordinate the establishing shots with the sets. The current views out of the windows make no sense.

@AbcNbc247 That is the funniest promo ever! It feels like an SNL-Stefon sketch, "Bay City's hottest club had got everything, boxers on roller skates, politicians dancing with no rhythm, and a dude in a shirtless hoodie staring directly into your soul..."

😆 Also remember to. Breathe in breathe out Because, Here’s where you go when it looks like the rain won’t end, don’t cry And yet, Do you think we might wake up some day? And be aware of all the games people play.

The wiki neglects his time as a priest or a jewel thief. So, I don't know if that's been retconned out of John's history, or if we should factor those times in between when Forrest had his swimming accident and 1985?

It's the nonsensical lyrics for me, dog. If you're going to play six stanzas over and over, at least give them some meaning. You are my way to another world (huh? Why is that a good thing?) You are the one who lets me fly so high (ok, metaphorically, love sets her free) You are the rain when my spirits run dry (isn't raining on a parade a bad thing?) You give my life a hope that's real (not very self-reliant, if one needs others for any sense of hope) 'Cause when I'm with you You take away to another world (not a better world, not a magical world, just another world) Although no soap theme lyric will ever be worse than Guiding Light's - Everybody wants truth, everybody wants hope, everybody clings to sex like soap on a rope

I wonder in the relative span of John's fictional life how long his bad guy period could've been? He's lived in Salem (or has been with Marlena abroad) since 1985. I've always had the sense that Forrest Alamain was an adult when he left his family. And it takes some time to study as a priest. So, between then and the time he became the Pawn, he seems to have really packed in a ton of stuff.

I wonder if Paulina is going to get Clyde's heart? Soaps being soaps, somebody on the canvas has to donate the heart. Even if the possibility of a middle-aged man donating his heart seems preposterous. And I've totally forgotten where Stefan's heart is located. And how are they running out of oxygen in that huge open space?

Also, it's beginning to feel like the Theresa thing is becoming permanent and Gwen is just a distant memory. At one point, it felt like Theresa could not survive past the Alex reveal, but the Tate and Brady stuff seem to have given her an expanded lifeline.

For me, it's the one-two punch of Dick Van Dyke and then Konstantin. I am far more entertained by John's interactions with Rachel and Tate. I don't need more backstory.

of course, but at least play with a little intrigue, a little apprehension

But, is Spinelli the only one who is concerned about their personal safety? I mean, that fur collar on Ava's coat doesn't seem bullet repellant. And the henchmen, are right behind them, not spread out like snipers. These folks are not great at planning a drop.

May I ask someone who actually watches the show to explain Ava's presence in the Friday episode to me? They're trying to draw out Sonny's shooter. They know it is going to be a dangerous situation. So, who do they decide to bring along? The local gallery owner and mother of Sonny's child? Because as Julien's sister, she knows how to make a deal? Even Selina Wu questioned it for a minute. But, then was instantly cool with it. To me, it made no sense. And don't get me started on GH trying to do a social conscience vaping story, contrasted with a bunch of geriatric mobsters holding guns on the world's smallest dock.

I forget more than I recall of Another World, but that image of Reinhart's shadow that dissolved into David Canary's face for his first episode will always be memorable. I still think it was such a creative way to clue the audience about Steve's return.