j swift

I have a hunch that we are gearing up to explore an alcoholism subplot for Sloan, perhaps as a means to rationalize her baby-switching actions. It seems like the series is delving into a multitude of dependency themes. Perhaps it should be renamed “Anonymous Days of our Codependency.”?  With the frequency of episodes featuring Sloan's drunkenness, it's becoming increasingly evident that this will be her storyline.

So,

Also, I hesitate to speculate where Johnny was keeping that guitar this whole time.

But, if the twist is that Jada is a terrible person, that would blow my socks off!  Although, the timing of getting rid of her sister now makes sense, because she could've verified Bobby/Everett's identity. 

5 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Johnny’s singing was nice, but I’m still unsure why a Dimera sounds so much like a southern country boy

The scab writers have confused his time in Southern California, for Southern Kentucky. 

13 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Because by the time everyone found out that Neil was Sarah's father, he and Angelica had already divorced and didn't have much of a relationship with Alex anymore. 

That's precisely why I brought up Jack and Adrienne. Despite not knowing each other in their youth, they developed a strong bond as adults through their common parent. I'm not proposing they start calling each other siblings; rather, I simply crave more diversity in scene partners.

Additionally, do you reckon Judith Chapman often left work with a headache from all that eyebrow arching? It seems rather taxing.

I was watching this promo where Tom tells Justin that Alex is his child, which makes the current ret-con even more ridiculous.  I mean, if you can't trust Dr. Horton, who can you trust?

However, it got me thinking about Dr. Neil Curtis.  And I wonder why Sarah and Alex aren't closer?  Days has had siblings with more tenuous relationships that were closer (i.e., Adrienne and Jack).  I recall that there was a throwaway line from Maggie that Neil would have been proud that Sarah was a doctor.  But, Alex was adopted by Neil and was referenced throughout the 1989 recaps as Alexander Curtis.  So, I wonder why those two characters don't cross paths more often?

All of which is to say, I still enjoy it when DAYS mixes up the pairs in scenes in order to avoid monotony.  And Alex desperately needs another talk-to than Marlena.   

Ep4 solidified my theory, The Swans and their access to the press controlled the narrative.  Yes, Truman was probably sad about the loss of his friendships.  But, his struggles with sobriety, loneliness, and companionship which much larger issues.  Past portrayals of this story were much more reductive in saying that the loss of Babe Paley and the difficulties finishing Answered Prayers were his undoing, so I appreciate the more nuanced approach.

Once again, Diane Lane is really the weakest link.  I don't know what kind of accent she is striving to achieve, but it comes off as overly mannered and stiff.  I think there were such interesting parallels derived from Slim's feeling of liberation by being single versus Truman's aching from the need to feel connection which kept him in an abusive relationship. 

The inclusion of the John O'Shea stuff has been a highlight for me.  I hope they explore the literal explosive ending of their relationship (spoiler alert) and the rumors that O'Shea stole Capote's final manuscript. 

The fictionalized meeting of Babe and Truman was silly and much less powerful than the true story.  As often told, in reality they never spoke again.  And one day, when Truman was finally able to get Bill Paley on the phone, he dismissed Capote by saying Mrs. Paley was “busy”.

Is anyone else watching, or am I screaming into the darkness? (not that it has ever stopped me before)

3 hours ago, carolineg said:

Wow, the show really wants to make Sloan unlikeable.  At this point she should just tell Eric the truth.  She doesn't want the baby and barely even seems to like Eric.  

I'm amused by Sloan, and her ill-planned baby swapping antics.  She'd rather face a pack of hungry wolves than deal with babies or the men who cater to them. If only it weren't for Nicole's heartache lingering in the background, the whole scenario would be comedic.  Despite Sloan's baby bungling and Alex's penchant for mischief, I'm secretly rooting for them to reunite as a duo of self-absorbed troublemakers.

10 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

And a lot of the gifts that they gave each other were really nice.

Valentine's Day gifts were cute, but the whole “red herring” box trick got old faster than a wilted bouquet. It was like a never-ending loop of anticipation and disappointment.

3 hours ago, carolineg said:

I am going to be honest I still don't get what geo cashing is and I know the show has tried to explain it, but I am still lost.

Oh, geocaching, the magical money-making method for hospitals? Who knew a little treasure hunt could fund the entire healthcare system? Too bad they left us in the dark about the trivia clues.

I enjoyed the suspense of Everett's bewilderment, but if the big reveal is that he has an evil twin named Bobby, who not only cheated on Jada but also shot Harris – well, color me disappointed.

Tripp's "kidnapping" could've been avoided if he simply asked Rafe about the need to move to safety via text. It's akin to a bank claiming they'd never text for your password. The plot's convolution lies in Tripp and Wendy's tech prowess contrasting with their lack of utilizing it effectively.

1 hour ago, carolineg said:

I don't think drug stories on soaps are often very realistic.

 My conspiratorial instinct wonders if sponsors don't approve of prescription drug abuse stories on some soaps because you can't watch daytime TV and not see multiple commercials for different drugs for consumers to ask their doctor about.  I know historically Erica on AMC and others had addictions to prescriptions, but that was before drug companies were allowed to advertise like they today.

1 hour ago, carolineg said:

I will say I prefer this type of story that reaches several people on the canvas over, say, Megan kidnapping 3 grandmas and putting them on ice. 

Certainly, but I may recall that shot of the women in their frozen chambers longer than that time when Tate went to rehab camp.

What's timeline of Marlena's return to the change in writers?

I barely recall an “E!” Behind the Scenes special about DAYS when Deidre Hall previewed that John and Marlena would reunite.  IIRC the special was pegged to the Salem Place set which was new at the time, and Marlena was dressed as a clown for some reason.  And, it feels like they dispensed with Isabella, and the entire Toscono clan, fairly quickly.    But, I have no concept of how long that was from the time that she returned to the show, or when changes occurred within the production team.

I'm delighted that Brady had that scene with Kristen. It was really satisfying to see him confront her about all her crimes. Eric Martsolf's acting range may be limited, but he excels at portraying passionate anger. In a soap opera where characters rarely stay in jail or dead, it's refreshing to see some semblance of justice, even if it's not through the legal system.

I find it amusing how Julie and Maggie have essentially become caretakers for Victoria, Thomas, and Charlotte. Julie wasn't the most attentive mother to David and Hope when they were toddlers, and Maggie didn't even meet 2/3 of her children until they were much older. I assume Maggie must have help around the mansion to clean up after the kids, but if I were Sarah or Chad, I'd consider hiring a nanny.

Everett appears quite suspicious. I've mentioned before that I hope his shadiness is limited to being an adulterer and nothing more sinister.

14 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Him and Sarah being weaved into the drug storyline adds another layer to it all.

I understand that the storyline aims to highlight the dangers of drug use. It began with Holly innocently trying marijuana, but now months later, the situation has escalated to assassinations and arson. However, it feels like the emphasis on the sale of marijuana and prescription drugs is exaggerated. These substances don't typically require imports by boats, nor do they generate enough profit to corrupt law enforcement. It's reminiscent of the 1990s DARE/Scared Straight campaigns, and if Brady starts cracking eggs to deter Rachel from vaping, it wouldn't be surprising given the juvenile treatment of the issue.

As a social issue narrative, the story misses the mark by not addressing the ease of access to drugs. Instead, it characterizes the problem as a massive cartel led by a stereotypical villain. For instance, wouldn't it be more impactful if Holly were struggling with stimulants prescribed by Tripp to help her keep up with schoolwork alongside Tate? This would provide a more nuanced portrayal of drug abuse and its roots.

I'm commenting more on people's looks than usual, but Marlena looked gorgeous today.  Sometimes the women on soaps are so stunning that one has to mention it.  She's certainly much too lovely to get some cheap key ring as a gift.  At least give her something useful like a bulletproof vest, or a kitchen. 

Did Alex have Everett's ring? Or do we really not know where it went and why he had it in his pocket?

The wedding in the hospital room was a bad omen.  But, I had to laugh when it was suggested that Johnny and Chanel say their own vows, and they magically came up with a monologue on the spot.  As if there was a writer controlling their every thought...

3 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

That could be a red herring, just like the male cop eavesdropping on Stefan and Ava today. I like that they’re not making who it is too obvious.

I guess it could be both (I don't know any spoilers).  But, Clyde was complaining about someone making a decision without consulting him on the day that Goldman shot the drug dealer, nobody saw her shoot the dealer, and now the hurt shoulder seems to be leading in that direction. 

Meanwhile, still no word on how Clyde is funding an international drug ring from prison.

@dc11786 I like the rich sister/poor sister setup of Rituals.  Because for a thirty-minute show, they needed more reasons to have the different social strata interact than the university.  So, it might have been cool if Rose and Gwen were sisters.

I feel like Loving was one of the last shows to use a class structure as the backdrop for the show.  On Generations, everyone was upwardly mobile.  The City had everyone living in the same building.  And Sunset Beach had a rich family, but Annie was not driven by a desire to climb the social rankings like Ava or Erica.  All of which is to say, that perhaps by the early 90s the Donovan's became irrelevant because class-based stories became out of fashion, and the Rescotts made them somewhat redundant.  Not an excuse, nor a defense, just an observation. 

11 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

And I like how the show is still making it a mystery as to who the dirty cop is. I’m actually unsure if it’s the guy or the girl. 

Goldman saying that she strained her muscle at the gym was an obvious tell, given that Kate shot the suspect.  Although the assassin didn't seem female, and I think there was more than one.

11 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

I am interested in Wendy agreeing to spy on Ava and not tell anyone about it. It could lead to some good conflict between her and Tripp.

OK, so the cops find a burner phone at the back of the bistro.  But rather than dust for prints, they immediately hand it over to Wendy?  The Salem PD is incompetent enough on their own, Clyde doesn't need a spy on the force.

11 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

I really, really hope that the Christmas ornaments survived somehow.

They were so specific at the holidays to mention that they keep the ornaments in the basement, so I'm surprised that they wouldn't survive.  The fire seemed centered on the living room, so it seems odd that their clothes are gone (unless they are just smoke filled or soaked with water).  Although I smiled at the idea that Chad is wearing Victor's clothes.  Also, Julie's shrunken body from aging is so surprising, it is amazing to see how much smaller she is than Maggie. 

12 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Did I miss something?  Did Chad and the kids just give up the apartment?  Stephanie doesn't live there, so why don't they?

Chad needed Julie to raise his kids, so they moved in together.  I guess for story purposes, it is easier to say that the kids are upstairs than in their tiny room in a three bedroom microapartment with a kitchenette rented by the heir to one of the wealthiest families in Salem.  

I liked Poor Little Rich Girl (although not as much as Little Gloria.. Happy at Last). Even though zero attempts appear to have been made to help Farrah Fawcett look like Barbara Hutton.  Looking back, it is one of those stories that might have needed even more time than a mini series.  It was as if she marries and divorces Cary Grant between commercials.  But, if we're going for the trifecta, Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke in Bernard and Doris had the correct tone for this type of story.  A tortured heiress is not inherently sympathetic, so a little camp helps to humanize the main character. 

To me, the problem with Clyde is that he's not very scary.  Joe Mascolo was somehow still menacing well into old age, so when Stefano made a threat, it felt as if something big was going to happen.  Clyde just seems smarmy and scummy.  So, it is hard to believe that the combination of Chad, Stefan, and Ava couldn't take care of him with one phone call.

I think Clyde has to die.  I mean, he's already in prison, so that's hardly justice if he is sentenced to more time.

 And considering Sloan is going broke babysitting for Nicole while she's in Europe (jk), we need to see some justice equally applied to the men of Salem.

I have to laugh at the hypocrisy of posters “boldly” telling us that they've stopped watching, or quit when it moved to streaming, and then crying over the loss of the Horton set.

There's a reasonable difference between a stunt and a slap in the face to viewers.  As a 40-year viewer, I would argue that stunts, from casting to plane crashes, are as much a part of DAYS history as Tom Horton's chair.  So, thanks for checking in and telling me that this is the final nail in the coffin, or an expression of anger from a fired producer, but I'm fine, and I am certain the set will be as well.

One of the great ideas that I've read on this thread is that Philece Sampler could have been a great recast for Nicole.  First, I like the idea of Michael and Nicole find love behind Donna's back and the development of the sibling rivalry between Nicole and Donna.  Second, Cecile became a farce, but it would have been nice to have Nicole toy with Cass and come between him and Kathleen.  The role of Nicole was always undefined, troubled drug addict, aspiring doctor, scrappy designer.  So, she could've taken on new traits that fit with the strengths of Ms. Sampler.

Also, I like the family dynamic that Donna was Reg's focus, Peter begged for attention, and Nicole was the forgotten one, so she was the most likely to rebel against him when he returned. 

Whether Reginald was miscast is more illusive.  John Considine played a mustache twirling villain with a cringy melodramatic flair.  But, now that I have seen him in prior roles (including his prior stint on AW), I realize that he had more range.  As I've noted, for me the missing piece in that character is not seeing what attracted Mary to Reg for twenty years.  As well as not seeing how the pull of their affair kept Reg out of his family's life for so long.  It was so one-sided toward Vince, that they didn't allow for any of the prior romance to be shown on screen.

Reading the November 1990 recap.

I know talk shows were all the rage at the time, but wasn't Trisha Alden the least likely host, even for a local daytime show?  I could see Shana or Stacy because they would have broad appeal.  But, Trisha was always so stiff and uppity that it seems like a poor choice of profession for the character. 

It's always funny on soaps that when characters get a TV show, it is like a part-time gig. They can still investigate murders, go on trips, and have lavish romantic evenings, despite the fact that they have to go on air the next day.

Also, it seems like it was easier to write a soap before the technology of today.  Not only is everyone unavailable because they don't carry phones, but they had enduring evidence like cassette tapes and processed film photos.  Poor Gwen was caught on VHS, and they waved around that tape for a year.  It was easier to indicate a secret when they could use a prop.

There were some interesting mystery set-ups today, even though they mostly seemed like red herrings. 

Kate was shown with a gun early in the episode.  Someone must have Ava's phone in order to text Harris to go to the docks.  The focus on the shooter's shoes.  And I guess we can rule out the new "lady cop" because all the assassins appeared to be male.

On a side note, after a dozen years of three times a week psychoanalysis, I have to laugh at the remarks that the former producer burnt down a set in order to anger the audience.  No doubt they are trying to be provocative.  But, any analyst would say that the association with trying to punish the viewers is purely projection (a little neo-Freudian humor for the weekend). 

6.7/10

Exciting episode.

Just to be clear, we're supposed to assume that while the fire and Harris's shooting are connected, they were committed by separate people, correct?  If this turns out to be another latex mask situation with Xander being implicated, I might scream.   It is a good thing that Xander already told Stefan about the call asking him to kill someone.  But, wasn't the call about Konstantin, not Harris?

Also, is it me or did the furniture in the Horton living room look different?  I may have been hyper aware because of the anticipation of what I knew would happen, but the sofa looked different that the one used at Christmas, 

Correction, went back and checked photos, same sofa as in the Christmas episode, it just didn't have the holiday pillows and decor (but I have no idea where Tom's chair has been stored).

@Liberty City I added additional data to back up my point, but let's not get lost in sauce here.  DAYS is still is a viable production, particularly amongst fans of this discussion board.  And its future has no bearing on the real issue here, which is a woman who has been publically harassed by two powerful men. 

To me, the arguments about the health of the show, or the hiring of actors with name values, assume facts that are unknown and undocumented.  They infer a causal relationship between the correlation of events that might have had nothing to do with each other.  It would be equally unfair to say that Beverly McKenzie's leaving GL in 1992 was the cause for hiring Petronia Paley.  Two issues that co-occur does not indicate that one caused the other.

I can only comment on my experience as a viewer, and I was shocked when Quinn was killed off.  It caught my attention to watch the rest of the story.  And, yes, I was disappointed in the explanation of the killer's motives.  But, that didn't diminish the experience of the reveal of Quinn as a victim at the time when spoilers were unavailable to me.