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Somewhat obvious, but worth noting, there's also a huge difference in Strasser's Dorian in the 80s, versus her comeback in the 00's. Dorian in the 1980s was shrewd. She was a viable antagonist for Vicky because they were both smart, well-educated women, with a solid agenda. Dorian in the 2000s (post-Mitch) was a silly doyenne who spoke with an exaggerated accent and was mostly portrayed as the head of her family. If she was able to scheme against Vicky, it was only because Vicky let her guard down. Because she was so much more driven by emotion than intellect, whereas Vicky's central concern was trying not to overthink every situation. Also, Dorian of the 80s had the means to take away everything from Vicky, the house, Clint, her social status. Whereas, Dorian of the 00's was just trying to keep up with Vicky, and she was never really a threat.

At this point, the B&S stuff feels like we've said as mush as can be said. However, it also just doesn't make sense that they'd kill off either Bonnie or Hattie on the first week of filming. They only have four characters. And hasn't Leo written scripts past the first episode? Also, mocking the flower story is a weird choice. Is he making fun of his own creative choices? Because the scabs were not involved in the orchid story, that was all RonC. So, what does it mean that now it is the subject of ridicule?

I feel like people complaining about actors playing teens on soaps that look too old, is like those who complain about characters coming back from the dead, or killing off legacy children. It is the proverbial low-hanging fruit of soap criticism, and is as predictable on social media as the endless postings about soap cancellations.

I just peeped his Instagram based on @Vee 's comment. To me, it is so odd to see young people smoking cigarettes on social media in 2024. It's such a throwback, actor-y vibe, and one would think it would be frowned upon these days. C'est la vie.

That certainly contextualizes Eric Martsolf's posting about John comforting Brady. Thank you for your intrepid reporting on this subject.

That's very interesting food for thought. I agree that in theory, having a new workplace where multiple characters can interact is always welcome. But, the poorly nuanced airing of grievances is distasteful. He needed to keep a journal and give an explosive exit interview, not malign his co-workers and audience by mocking them.

Haven't watched yet, but had to go look at the spoiler screenshot. I guess my theory that Diana is Mother Greene won't pan out…

I thought Bowen's Moo Deng as Chapel Roan on Update was very funny. But, the cold open was just a run through of guests who can do vague political impressions, without much bite or a point of view. It felt like they were trying to be very “both sides” all night. While, their best lines were mostly at Trump's expense. It also seemed as if they were trying to avoid criticism by finding the most miniscule takes on VP Harris's campaign. The other sketches were unmemorable, and Jean Smart felt wasted in everything but the romance writer math scene.

My argument would be that Tate 1.0 was written as a bratty, insolent teen who was constantly arguing with his parents. But, that actor was too earnest for that dialogue. And unfortunately Tate 2.0 has been written as a kinder, gentler guy, when in fact, post-prison, he should be angrier than ever. I keep thinking back to when Kristen Alfonso took over as Hope. The prior Hope was immature and bratty. But, Kristen brought more sophistication to the role. So Hope developed into a daddy's girl, who was a bit of a rebel, but never a mean girl, just for the sake of being naughty. I hope that the role of Tate becomes more tailored to the actor, because he shows some promise, and he doesn't seem to be going anywhere, any time soon.

It is so sad. It also made me reflect on the longevity of these daytime careers. Except for a few years, Drake has had the same job since he was 32. More than half his lifetime was spent at DAYS. That is remarkable. And it gives me some perspective on the gravity of the loss. Imagine staying in one workplace, or one role, for over thirty years.

I bet having to sit through two full days of Body&Soul (with no FF) that the time capsule will play into the F-Abby story. Much like Hope's puzzle box when she came back from the dead with amnesia. RonC loves a callback, and characters not discussing a mcguffin doesn't mean it has been forgotten.

Much like with Johnny and Chanel, if you took the time to tell me that the source of Johnny's insecurity is that he doesn't want as many failed relationships as his mother. I'd be willing to put up with a lot more BS. I just need those scenes where a character expresses some self-awareness based on their family. Otherwise, having historic characters in name only is pointless. @AbcNbc247The craziest recent example of the shift from scab to current staff was Johnny worrying about a curse on married relationships in the Dimera's, that has never been mentioned again. And EJ talking about not wanting a grandson with congenital disorders within the lineage, during Chanel's pregnancy. And then doing a total about face, and saying he didn't mean it when she lost the baby.

Funny enough, I looked up the actor playing Aaron Greene and he's 22. But older actors playing teens is nothing new in soaps. Laurence Lau was 27 when he played 18 year old Greg Nelson on AMC, and Jay Kenneth Johnson was 22 when he started as Philip. So, again, for me, the age is not the issue as much as the acting and the writing. I hope they develop Tate more and give him more established internal turmoil.

For me, it is not as noticeable when Tate is in a scene with Brady, because Leo Howard is smaller in stature than Eric Martsolf (53). And look like they could be plausibly related. But, I could imagine a conversation amongst production where they've tried to separate Johnny and Tate because they look like contemporaries.

Agreed I was thinking about how when Jennifer Horton was a teen, one of her early conflicts was worrying about the genetic aspects of Laura's mental illness, and if it would be passed on to her or her children. It seems like worrying about his relationship with drugs and alcohol should be the central conflict for Tate. Rather than how he's going to live in a cabin all summer so he doesn't have to go to camp (another plot that we'll forget in two months).

What's the age difference in actors between Johnny and Tate? Because I was just thinking about how the characters must have lived in Los Angeles at the same time for part of the past decade, while Theresa and Sami both lived there. And given that Kim is Sami's Aunt, you'd think they would hang out at holidays when the boys were home from school. So, it's odd that they never have scenes together. In fact, I don't recall them interacting hardly at all since Tate arrived. But, I wonder if they keep them apart, in part, because they look the same age.

I disagree that he has to older, I just think he needs to be more savvy. For example, many people commented on how Tate treated Brady when he was drugged last week. Tate is the son of two addicts, yet he seems so unbothered and uninformed on the topic. I refuse to believe that Kim wouldn't have talked to him about addiction, sobriety, and the familial patterns. And I get that he's a selfish teen, (and he needed to leave the townhouse for storyline reasons), but he just seems dense. Even having conflict between Holly and Tate due to his refusal to drink or smoke pot would've seemed more organic. As for Holly, her desire to get justice for "Aunt Sarah" feels too sudden and totally unmotivated by history. I don't understand how she doesn't see through EJ's obvious manipulation. It would be fine if she was using EJ to get back at Eric. But, the idea that she doesn't have anyone to discuss her misgivings with trusting EJ feels like a mistake. Once again, I wish that they had developed the Holly and Chanel relationship, after the coma, and made Chanel into more of an aspirational force for Holly. Someone who she trusts because she's cool, she's never betrayed her, and she's insightful.

Yes, I was thinking of Chelsea. I recall the actress dyed her hair, so it was confusing. Any way, I agree that it is either Konnie's daughter, or some prior campy older female character that we haven't seen for a while, given RonC's love of nostalgia. My newest bet is Diana. She may have met Clyde in prison, and he has some information that could get her free. Which would explain why Mark can't get together with Leo. And that one day stint over the summer may have been foreshadowing a return. She's also connected to John. I don't know how she lived between her marriage to Leo's father and her return to Salem. But, she could've had some other kids. And giving Leo a family would drive the fans nuts.

Wasn't Melanie back for Victor's funeral? Or was that Chelsea? I get that whole generation confused.

My immediate theory is that it is a fake-out and Fiona is going to confess to drinking, rather than the accident. But, the promo has done its job by making me anticipate next week. I would also bet that Dr. Rolf has some cure for Sarah, that they will leverage to free Brady. In fact, I'd bet having to watch a full episode of Body&Soul that Sarah will be walking by Thanksgiving.

On another note, Stefan, EJ, and Eric have the worst fades in daytime. Why can't someone blend their sides? I also don't know what is so distracting about Brady's beard? Is it the color or the sharp edges that mimic his formerly chiseled face? DAYS wardrobe, hair, and makeup has got to be the worst for men across all soaps. Tate may look a bit old, and his portrayal could use some tweaks, but at least his hair looks natural.

Now I've forgotten two details about Lucas. What did he do for a living? Was he in town for Bobbie's funeral?

Also, way too silly today with the Peacock/Ted references. And it doesn't make sense that Peacock is a streaming service in their universe. But, it doesn't broadcast either DAYS or Body&Soul.

I get what you're saying, and I think part of the issue is that they are not writing to the actor's strengths in that domain. Tate should be too smart for these girl's games. He was a good student in a good school. He's dealt with a lot of family trauma which would have matured him. And he grew up with Theresa and Kim, who would have taught him everything he needed to know about manipulative women. Much like the character of Hope changed over time once Kristen Alfonso took over the role, I wish the same for Leo Howard (wonder if he dropped his last name and is using his middle name to substitute for his surname?)

I'm neither a structural engineer nor an explosives expert, but when the foundation of a home gets bombed, doesn't that require major repairs? I heard Johnny say that the only damage was EJ vintage wines. However, the whole house is built on top of a series of hidden tunnels. So, if they blow up, isn't the mansion unstable? And isn't there any danger from Dr. Rolf's lab filled with toxins down there? It just seems like they've moved on from the bomb rather quickly with no long term consequences. And there's a lot of story opportunity in displaced Dimeras.