j swift

To be fair, Stephanie just cheated with Alex when he was with Joy, so I hope she's not going to narc on Jada and Shawn.

I watched an old video of the prior version of OG-Rachel and this one pales in comparison. I know the character has aged, and she's been through a lot, but the OG had been through trauma, but was still very appealing. Also, it felt like Shawn-D's scenes were filmed on separate days. Why would he leave the station to go talk to Jada in the square? And, how clunky was the dialogue between Steve and Rachel? When he referred to Ava as the mother of “one of his sons” I actually spit out my coffee. The only thing worse would have been if he sacrificed getting more information from Rachel for even more exposition (i.e.,”her other son was a rapist who returns as a ghost every Halloween, until he was cast on a new soap premiering Monday on CBS”). It is such a soapy thing that characters sacrifice vital information for unnecessary exposition. Meanwhile, is Cat's Mother still in Canada? Didn't they prove that she was coerced by Clyde? I was hoping for some old lady jail unit where Rachel and Catherina could be roomies.

It is interesting to note from today's Instagram post BTS of the photoshoot for the anniversary episodes, Shawn-D and Jada are being shot together as a couple, so it seems like they'll last a bit (at least 8–9 months 😉)

I liked the establishing shot, but it was then remarkable that nobody seemed to acknowledge the snow in terms of how they dressed, or how they traveled from place to place. And, of course, there was no trace of snow in Horton Square.

It is remarkable how Marlena has avoided discussing Belle, Eric, and Sami's love lives. That was always John or Roman's domain. I mean, she counsels half of Salem on their intimate relationships, but she barely says a peep about her own kids. I guess it is like the proverbial cobbler's son who has no shoes.

Is it weird to say that I felt bad for EJ today? His relationship with Belle seems both mature and fun. I enjoy his scenes with Arnold, and he even humanizes Kristen. We all know what’s going to happen, and I just hope that they have written a viable way for him to get out of this mess. It was funny seeing the adults celebrate Valentines after all the focus on Holly and Tate. I am much more entertained by adult romance than childish relationships. In particular, I see a real future for Jada and Shawn-D. I just wish that there were more scenes to establish the relationship between Jada and Belle. There are no motives to keep their relationships private, and I would appreciate it if they all treated each other like adults. It will be interesting to see how Xander responds to learning that he's been betrayed by both his family and his wife. I wish Maggie was more clued in (or at least suspicious). But, it has been an excellent setup to see Xander be so well socialized, knowing that he is suppressing an anger that is seething to be let loose.

So, Arnold has been living at the Salem Inn since New Year's Eve? And he doesn't wear Rafe's clothes? And he really makes no attempt to sound like Rafe? And, how does he know what to do as the Police Commissioner? Is it that easy that any shmoe from Argentina can waltz in and do the job? What about Rafe's passwords and thumbprints?

Not for nothing, but Kristen dated Brady, and she could've literally been his mother. (jk, I agree they look odd, and they are not Bo&Hope 2.0)

It is bizarre to me that they totally avoid the topic of race.

To be fair, they gave her a lot of clunky dialogue on her first day. She had to convince Amy to allow the adoption, and assure her that the baby is going to a good Christian home. Amy's capitulation after weeks of demanding that Sophia get married felt completely unmotivated. So, Sophia just looked dumb. But, I was amused by how bratty Chanel and Johnny are written. They see a baby and just say, “I want that” and everyone bends to their desires. I mean, all of their friends are out of a job, and they're eating breakfast in bed (that they don't need to clean up). I look forward to next week when Johnny admires Abe's sweater and Paulina makes him give it to his son-in-law. They are truly the least deserving golden couple. Can't have a baby? Here's one. You like to bake? Here's a business. Need a job? We'll move filming to Salem so that you can still live in your Dad's mansion. Need some cash? EJ's just giving it away. It is as if they face zero conflicts in life that can't be solved immediately.

Why hasn't the Woman in White asked about Peter? I guess Kristen hasn't had much time to fill in the blanks, and Rachel said she followed the news about Kristen, but it seems like she would want to know about her son. Did he precede her in death? Or, does she know about the backstage drama?😎

While predictable, it is straight up nuts that in the Salem Universe people can adopt a child based only on a handshake agreement.

He's very handsome, and I've been speculating who he might play (old or new). He's working with Abe, so thankfully we know it is not Body & Soul related. Abe could go back to being a cop, or he could help Shane at the ISA, or even Steve at BlackPatch....

https://deadline.com/2025/02/channel-4-a-woman-of-substance-remake-the-rachel-incident-undeclared-war-season-2-1236285460/ They're remaking a Woman of Substance. I was never a Barbara Taylor Bradford fan, I preferred Judith Krantz when it came to trashy fiction. But, is the original worth a watch? How about the other two TV movies in the series?

https://deadline.com/2025/02/days-of-our-lives-brings-back-super-couple-jennifer-jack-deveraux-1236288518/ Such a lazy story from Deadline, they are basically just quoting Casey Moss's Instagram without any other sources or confirmation. Such is the state of spoilers in 2025.

to be fair, she would've been younger than Stefano, because he admired her beauty, so she's probably a contemporary of Maggie (but, she's had a tough life).

Abe figured out that Nurse Whitley (the woman who kidnapped him and got him hooked on the soap in the first place) was the one who poisoned the cast. She used soap twitter and the Salem universe's version of our own Jason47 to track the location of the actors. Her motive was her dislike of the direction of the show, which was used as a device to ridicule fans who would dare to dislike RonC's creative vision. Justin threatened to sue the production due to Bonnie's accident on set, so it was decided that Salem was an unsafe workplace and the show is moving back to Los Angeles. Leo was fired as headwriter. Hattie and Seth are relocating to LA. Alex is staying in Salem to help Stephanie save the hospital from bankruptcy (using her incredible PR skills). Joy is undecided about the move, but Bonnie is staying put until she heals. While Johnny and Chanel have refocused on having a baby, after reconciling earlier in the day.

Somebody needs to point out that Stephanie is an unrepentant man stealer. That whole scene where she and Alex were absolving themselves of any guilt about Joy, because the ends justifies the means, was ethically nuts. Stephanie knows Joy has been going through it, and just because every dude in Salem falls immediately head over heels for Stephanie does not justify her lack of compassion.

I tend to agree because she was not by his side during the whole Theresa engagement/inheritance drama, and he wasn't there during Bob/ette, there's little to inform them as an “end game couple”. And he shares a lot of qualities with Joy, which make them feel well suited for each other. As for Johnny and Chanel, let's try to make it through a year without cheating on each other, getting exposed to radiation, or possessed by the devil before having kids. I mean, who is giving a baby to the couple who just reconciled yesterday, after they both lost their jobs? PS, I still think Seth is kind of funny. 🤭

That story feels too predictable. Johnny and Chanel agree to adopt Tate and Sophia's baby. Then, there's a custody trial because Sophia's Mom contests the adoption. Then, Aaron returns, and we find out that he's the actual baby's father. And, Aaron and Cat leave to raise the baby.

Today made Alex seem like a wuss. It makes no sense that he wouldn't just tell Joy that he wants to be with Stephanie. I get drawing things out, but he has no motivation to try to keep Joy happy. I mean, he told her that he doesn't want a commitment, they just got together three minutes ago, and she wants to go to LA. So, let her go, and move on. Also, Justin living part-time in Salem hardly seems like a reason not to continue with the soap opera. Once again, we have to remind the writers that this is a university-based hospital (after all, it is in the name). UCLA receives over $1 billion in external research grants annually, less than 10% of their income comes from direct care. The writing team seems to have no idea how different types of hospitals work, and once again, they seem incapable of googling it. To me, the highlight of the day is the exit of Hattie. That was an embarrassing portrayal. An evil twin shouldn't only be indicated by her poor taste in accessories.

There are no toilets in their universe. Everything runs off of solar power, collected by the panels over the town square (which also keep out the snow and rain). Hair dye, toothpaste, and deodorant only exist in commercials. And, showers are strictly for making whoopee.😉🚿

@ranger1rg That presumes that they've written themselves into a corner that is inescapable. But, I would argue that the only redeeming quality of RonC's writing is that he is always one step ahead of his audience. The resolutions may not always be satisfying (or logical). But it is rare that villains get away with crimes without some form of soap justice (unless they're named Leo).

Also, I wouldn't mind a Rafe/Ava reunion, their breakup was pretty contrived.

Wouldn't ya think the Woman in White would be confused about whom these people are, given all the SORASing in Salem? I imagine her saying asking about why Kristen is interested in Brady, who was three years old the last time she heard about him, and EJ wasn't even conceived yet!