j swift

I concur that Alex is slightly more complex, and certainly less problematic than Ben. He's cute. The accent is thick, and funny within the context of Salem, but hardly offensive (reminds me of early KA's thick accent - go back to Bo rescuing her from the wedding, she sounds like a Boston-southie Housewife). And when he wears a shirt, it so tight that it might as well be see-through. Also, he's usually reactive to his partner's story, rather than anchoring the action. For example, his fraud inheritance story was focused on Theresa. And, his complications with Stephanie have mostly been due to her conflicts. So, I never feel like it is the Days of Alex's Life. I think there's character work to be done in how he fits into the Xander/Philip dynamic. They are such charismatic players, Alex often looks like a third wheel. They tried to make him friends with Chad for a moment when they played catch, but that's not gone anywhere. He's been a jerk to Brady and most other guys. So, he needs more time with Steve, or Maggie, or even gfb Bonnie, to reposition his charm. I would say that in terms of conventionally handsome soap hunks, we could do worse. And there are undoubtedly more pressing concerns with regard to dead weight characters like Rafe.

Remind me, does the royal coronation predate the Garden of Eden, or did Greta need to pass that test to be coroneted?

Back in the day, even an unlit candle in the dorm room was a big offense. But, I agree, it didn't look like Sophia entered the room with an intent to start a fire. Looking back, it even makes her plan more dumb. She could've snapped Holly's bra pix, time-delay texted it to Johnny, and snuck out before anyone saw her, and without need to steal the phone. But, again, that's why I am a bit sympathetic toward Sophia. Her impulses, in retrospect, were influenced by trauma. [post-script] I just finished Friday, and I'm certain to have more reactions later. However, IRL, I've never had the impulse to throw anything so it would break (like Xander and his vase). But, he made it look cathartic (the impulse, not the breaking, since they made such a heavy-handed point of him not throwing it). I get it, but I don't have anything I'm willing to throw, and it would probably freak out my neighbors. Of all the soap nonsense, throwing a vase is one I'd like to try. That, and always having a magically filled ice bucket in the living room. I'm not sure why they doubled back on Sarah & Xander's break-up. But, hopefully we'll get divorce settlement drama, and not the silly "make 'em jealous" story we got after the initial breakup. -- forcing myself to not look ahead. And, not to open old wounds, but today makes the point that Brady and Johnny currently have the same concerns (what should they do for a living), and they both complain it about. But, it seems so much more desperate for Brady to be at a crossroads in his career than Johnny, because Brady is a single father of two, and needs to get his tush in gear, and find a purpose. Why doesn't he sing? Both Brady's love to perform. -- Also, hasn't Carrie worked in legal at Basic Black in Europe for years now? Why not let her take it over? She probably cares about it more, even if John wasn't her father. I enjoyed Alex/Johnny/Chanel/Stephanie in the pub. It felt natural. The setting was correct. But, Alex and Johnny seem to have smoothed over their tiff off-screen. I recall Johnny having a poor opinion of Alex, after he found about Chanel, Alex, and Allie's ménage à trois. I don't mind it. But, their chumminess has not been explored. Yet, it seems realistic to have a beer with a dude you don't enjoy because your wife is friends with his girlfriend. Final though for this post. I don't know if Sarah should call Justin as a divorce attorney. Xander is his first cousin, and Justin has an interest in Titan. I think she should go with either Belle, or even Melinda. They'd fight for her. And, it would be super juicy if Maggie could use shares Sarah won in the divorce to gain even more influence over Xander and Philip.

I mean... I don't want to spoil anything for you, but, Sophia does not escape soap justice.

@asafi Nice catch, thanks. What do you make of characters talking to themselves out loud versus using voiceover? I thought it was fascinating to see both techniques used in the same scene. Marlena’s spoken lines felt like her conscious, observant self. She was wrestling with guilt over Laura’s situation. Meanwhile, the voiceover came across as her unconscious, reminding her that the guilt stems from her own trauma of being locked up. It was a cool way to visualize Marlena's multi-layered torment. It seems quaint and old-fashioned to have soap characters express themselves in voiceover, but I still found it surprisingly effective. Also, I have to say something about Jordan’s hair. It’s like a 90-degree mullet—short on top, wild on the sides. Party perimeter, no business center. Bold choice.

@carolineg I honestly don't understand your point. I have clearly differentiated between the womb and eggs. As we both know, a woman only has a certain number, so as they menstruate there is less chance of conception. Thus, when @brisbydog suggested that Sarah and Cat might face an unexpected pregnancy. I replied that IRL that would be unlikely. Which then naturally became a secondary support for my argument that I don't like that the entire 30-50 set are given the same set of repetitive issues (i.e. Brady and Johnny's search for career inspiration). In order to make my point, I searched the 2024 census report, and had Google summarize, if the issue is that you would prefer that I cut and paste it. I can assure you that I am the only who seems to have offended you by tagging in a post that I incorrectly assumed you would find entertaining; not AI. I can infer your frustration, and I don't wish to inflame it or make you uncomfortable. I know you didn't like what went down with your buddy. Honestly, I am just trying not have intentions misunderstood. I trust that we can respectfully disagree about our perceptions without the need to accuse each other of ill-intent. Especially, given that my only intent is to engage on the topic.

OK, I re-wrote that forum post 12 different ways to avoid the implication. My point is that Holly is 8 times more likely to get pregnant from a one-night stand than Sarah or Cat, given the number of eggs in Holly's fictional womb. That is a fact, not an opinion. So, to suggest that Sarah and Cat might conceive, in their late 30s, after one moment of passion is as factually unlikely, as a submarine sailing through the Salem river. It doesn't mean it does not happen, however less than 4% of all births annually in the US in 2020-2023 were by women 35-39 ( a census fact, regardless of source). The idea that DAYS has a history of absurd pregnancies, is not a valid reason for it to continue. It is silly to suggest that recognizing the fact that women menstruate is ageist.🧓👧 And, the entire idea has been lost that this was based on my grip that because DAYS tends to flatten the character issues of those between 30-50, we get Brady & Johnny (what job should I do?), and Chanel & (possibly Sarah and Cat) dealing with the same plot, despite their fictional age difference. No harm, no foul. However, I feel unfairly judged based on a clip of a post, that neglects the context. It only provides an ill-founded opportunity for those who only seek to argue, and never read the background. And, it lessens the impact of valid concerns; such as yesterday's casting discussion in the BTG forum.

In my fanfic aftershow, Maggie dissed Marlena, by suggesting she got Xander and Sarah to admit the truth to each other in under ten minutes, while Marlena's been trying to do: couples therapy, hypnotherapy, and anger management all at once. 😎 Also, I really liked Rachel and Belle today. Even though they still dress Rachel like she's going to a gothic tea party, Belle's dress was very pretty on her. I enjoy Rachel's vibe with Belle and Sarah. And how she's still a little naughty toward Marlena. IYKYK, but I don't think Thomas should pin any romantic hopes and dreams on that one just yet.. Maybe: Also, I'm so dense, I hadn't even considered the possibility of Mark and Javi. Did we ever get Mark's direct comment on his sexuality, or was he just accidentally flirting with Leo last year because he prefers ugly shirts regardless of gender? Finally - @carolineg not to be agist but 😉 - In the US, approximately 7.9% of babies were born to women over the age of 38 in 2023, based on the most recent data from the CDC. This figure is a combination of the birth rate for women ages 35-39 and the rate for women age 40 and over. More specifically, women ages 40 and older accounted for about 4.1% of all births, and women ages 35-39 made up the remaining 3.8. So, it stretches credulity that Sarah AND Cat would get pregnant after a one-night-stand. Given that there is less than 8% chance that they would conceive naturally at their age after a single interaction with a sperm. Wheras, a woman Holly's age has 60% chance of conception after a single sexual interaction.

Overall, I have to agree people in Salem are sharper these days, and the older women are being given great dialogue and interesting stories. It was a particularly good day for Maggie. I love when a character reacts to the same visual cue the audience uses to spot a lie. I also liked the quiet implication that Maggie already knew who Xander was. She was just waiting for him to say it out loud. And of course, nothing is more soap-operatic than Sarah walking in at that exact moment. She was just in a hospital scene, so I can’t tell if that was a deliberate misdirect or just one of those storytelling quirks where people magically appear wherever the drama needs them. I'm sensitive to concerns about comments on a lovely actress's appearance, but @brisbydog pregnancy theory made me take a closer look at Sarah. Amy Choi looks younger than Sarah, even though she plays a grandmother. And it is not just the racial differences between their features. Meanwhile, Sarah might be facing another unplanned pregnancy. Beyond, the idea of the impending pregnancy pandemic in Salem, stories about fertility and motherhood are being recycled across characters aged 30 to 50 in ways that don’t really fit. Chanel, who’s young and healthy, is struggling to conceive after one radiation exposure. But Sarah and Cat, who are at least a decade older, are sexually active, single, and professionally stable, yet birth control never seems to enter the conversation. It’s not just unrealistic; it erases the nuance of age, experience, and choice. They ignore the biological and emotional differences between a woman in her early thirties and one approaching fifty. Instead of tailoring arcs to character and context, the show treats fertility like a plot device that can be dropped on anyone, regardless of logic. Given, everyone may or not may be infanticitpating, so that criticism is jumping the proverbial gun. But, Brady’s storyline is another example. He’s a grown man, a father of two, living in his stepmother’s condo, and yet he’s spent weeks dithering about what to do with his inherited wealth. It’s not endearing. Watching a privileged character with no financial pressure wander around aimlessly doesn’t build sympathy. There’s no urgency, no consequence, and no real reflection. For a character in his fifties, the lack of direction isn’t charming—it’s a failure to evolve. Especially, when Johnny and Brady virtually share the same plot. Why haven’t they figured out that Sophia started the fire? Holly shouldn’t be facing probation. Sophia was the one who committed arson and attempted murder. But everyone’s focused on the text she sent of Holly’s bra. The priorities are completely off. Still, credit where it’s due. That tear running down Sophia’s cheek was beautifully done. Whether it was camera/makeup trickery or not, it worked. A quiet, effective send-off for the character. And an important reminder to wear moisturizer daily for a dewy complexion.

Which then leads to the question: Does Tate know the circumstances of his gestation? Now that Johnny knows how he was conceived, is it a domino effect of Tate, Holly, and Ari all learning about their personal history? Certainly, the Salem PTA would remember the remarkable tale of Tate's womb displacement. It could become a semi-annual staple where one kid in Salem reacts to the extreme events that lead to their birth every six months. That's a good use of cannon.

The TL:DR version of Wuthering Heights from my generation In fairness, the pregnancy doesn't need to be literally adapted. But 98% of my spoiler is just supposition, just so we're cool.

EJ's logic in hiring Mark does not hold up to scrutiny. Yes, Mark is desperate, and has shown a willingness to do as he is told. But, Mark has also demonstrated that he not above changing test results to achieve his purposes. So, he is not trustworthy Note: Why doesn't Jeremy take off his jacket when he is at home? And why is he discussing dating with Thomas. Not only is the kid his student, given the way Thomas c-blocks his father, and trusts Rachel, he is not a reliable judge of character.

I don’t know if you’re concurrently watching currently, and I don’t want to spoil anything—but Lexie’s complexity was recently completely neutralized. Abe, speaking to their son, recalled her solely as an upstanding citizen. It felt like a quiet act of narrative revenge: Abe as the last one standing, rewriting the record in his image. As we know, history is written by the victors—though not the Kiriakis kind (pardon the pun). Isn't it ironic that you can't repeat those stories now because there's no physical media. That tape cassette was shown endlessly. But, now there's no McGuffin to carry around and threaten people. Even a thumb drive feels passé.

Side note for @AbcNbc247 , why wouldn't Holly's testimony be enough to allow Chanel and Johnny to adopt? There's no logical reason to wait for Sophia to respond. Holly's the granddaughter of one of the richest families in town. If she told CPS that she had been exploited in her dorm by Sophia. She has proof it was Sophia, because Sophia used Holly's phone. And, Leo would publish a story about CPS's mishandling of the case of the Fire Station Orphan. So, cough up that baby, and let's free it from its stroller.

Max and Betty hook up. He's inherited the house on Sunset, and now Betty's midwestern family have to restore it in order to sell it. It is Beverly Hillbillies, but with a German movie director. The monkey's ghost makes a cameo in episode three, years before Friends ever thought of it.

Bizarre, also the plot with the most spin-off potential is following the all-girl orchestra. Marilyn look-alikes were a dime a dozen. Cast some funny ladies for the driver, the chaperone, and the cellist. They travel around and meet new people every week (or play a residency in Palm Beach, and tourists come to the hotel). It's Petticoat Junction with a six-piece band. Bim, bam, boom, it writes itself.

I like the idea of the origin of Asher, and Liam, in that they are just people who happen to be living in Salem and went to school with other characters. They didn't come to get revenge, or for the infamous submarine service through Salem River. It seems organic that there are people like Theo, Ari, Holly, and others who've known each other for years, because they all grew up in the same town. Initially, I had mistakenly thought the Greene's were from Salem, probably because of Aaron and Tate's friendship. But, obviously, that has been corrected by cannon. Bravo! @JAS0N47 - your birth list is a gold mine. Some of my favorite births facts from the list: 31. 2/21/95 (Episode # 7471): Philip Kiriakis (parents: Kate Roberts & Victor Kiriakis, through in-vitro fertilization of Vivian Alamain; born in a Salem Inn suite; delivered by Kate Roberts; first "Days" baby delivered by a woman) A theme? 50. 12/21/16 (Episode # 12987): Holly Jonas (parents: Daniel Jonas & Nicole Walker, through in-vitro fertilization of Chloe Lane; born in a Lakeview Inn motel room in Chicago; delivered by Nicole Walker) Also popular 27. 5/19/92 (Episode # 6772): Brady Black (parents: Isabella Toscano & John Black; born in room at St. Luke's Church; delivered by Dr. Marcus Hunter with assistance of Dr. Carly Manning) 40. 9/27/05 (Episode # 10153): Claire Brady (parents: Belle Black & Shawn Douglas Brady; born in a room at St. Luke's Church; delivered by Dr. Lexie Carver with assistance of Dr. Marlena Evans) It is hysterical the lengths they will go to not birth at the hospital. Except EJ, the weirdest conception story in DAYS history, born at the hospital like a regular smegular baby. Maybe, I've been wrong all along. DAYS is proof that birth is such a natural instinct, that women can deliver a healthy baby anywhere they want.

We need to see the real consequences of EJ’s hospital cutbacks. Kayla and Sarah have voiced their frustrations, and we got the blackout, but there’s no follow-through on how patient care is actually suffering. If Marlena’s sleep illness or Paulina's cancer aftercare were shown to worsen because of the budget slashes, the story would land with more emotional weight. On a related note, I looked it up—Belle was born at the Horton Cabin. That got me thinking: of the characters currently in Salem who were born on-screen, how many were actually born at University Hospital (in a non-emergency situation)? It is odd, culturally, that soaps (and other forms of entertainment) continue to portray birth as a traumatic event, rather than a painful, but natural experience. For example, asking women to abstain from taking pain medications for fear that it will have lasting negative side effects, (but, I am veering off course..) I also revisited Stefano’s role in exposing John as Belle’s father. That moment marks a turning point in Stefano’s obsession with Marlena. So if the show highlights Belle’s birthday this year, it’s a loaded reference. But here’s my eternal soap question: As an audience, are we to believe that Belle actually knows the full story of her conception? Her horrible christening? The kidnapping by Sami? The paternity reveal? Are we supposed to believe she never googled herself? Or that Mimi never blurted it out? I enjoyed the Theo, Gabi, Xander, Philip scene. But the setup was weak. Theo is there to make sure the transition goes smoothly? How? Titan divested their funds in Dimera, is he looking to get back their key cards and passwords? Finally, I have to give credit to the writing and casting of Theo today. His quick deduction that Gabi planted the listening device, and his instinct that Gabi is keeping that secret from Xander and Philip, was sharp and specific. He’s being written as observant and clever, not socially withdrawn, and that’s an admirable choice for portraying a neurodivergent character who’s accomplished so much. Abe, on the other hand, came off as dismissive. If they’re setting up a Theo versus Liam rivalry based on Abe’s approval, that ship has sailed. I just wish someone would say that Paulina's advice matters because (1) she's been a CEO, (2) she's worked with the Dimeras professionally, and (3) she has a personal ax to grind with EJ, so if she approves of Theo being the CEO, it holds weight. PS, I keep thinking Liam is Asher (I also looked up his name), the crack dealer who Hope busted as a teen, who had gone to school with Shawn, who was part of the story when John Black died earlier this summer. But, obviously, if Asher is Shawn's age, and Shawn is Claire's father, who Theo dated, it is just a coincidence that every guy in Salem grew up with a bully.

I wondered why the dx of Selective Mutism, which is more typical in children, than catatonia? IRL, selective mutism describes a situation where a child refuses to speak in a certain environment, but speaks freely elsewhere, that doesn't seem to be the case with Sophia. But, I assumed it will be used as a source of amnesia, up until the holidays when Tesoro while finally find a home and be able to leave the manger with Leo, Javi, and Rafe serving as the three wise men. I also wondered if all the Dr. Mark Greene and Dimitri discussion is setting the stage for Javi's exit?

As I mentioned after watching this week's preview, catatonia turned out to be the perfect workaround for Sofia’s weak acting. 😎 Meanwhile, Amy continues to be used effectively. Her emotional shift across the last two episodes added just enough momentum to make the storyline click by the end. That said, I genuinely thought Sofia was hiding in EJ’s lab. Finding out she was just upstairs at the pub? Wildly underwhelming. Poor planning all around. Also, I’m still firmly on the Amy-Brady train. Her deep-seated hatred of the DiMeras could easily fuel Basic Black into an international power base. There’s real potential there, and I saw some chemistry between the two. Especially because Brady seems more forgiving of Amy than Sarah. @AbcNbc247 I totally agree—the pacing felt off. The episode could’ve ended cleanly with Sofia passing out, but instead we got a wrap-up that tied up most of the loose ends. Still, it was strange to hear two separate scenes recapping recent events. I assume that’s a writer’s trick to gloss over the plotholes and keep casual viewers on track.

Yes, I had thought Salem Place was on the lot in Studio City. Thanks for the correction. Anyhow, it makes sense that they're moving, and it really marks the end of an era for what was once NBC Studios in Burbank. But, I don't envy them having to find a new route to work. It is certainly odd that every major network has sold their Los Angeles based real estate in the past decade.

But, wasn't the outdoor mall at Radford in Studio City (the old CBS/Sony lot)?

A great read on season 13 https://thatsallsiknow.blogspot.com/2017/10/knots-landing-season-13.html - with input by "James Magnuson, who was brought aboard by Romano at the start of the season, and was one of the two writers retained when creator David Jacobs famously shut down production after fifteen episodes, sacked Romano, and sent out an S.O.S. to legendary soap scribe Ann Marcus."

I guess, if we read between the lines, NBC sold Burbank Studios a decade ago (just like CBS sold their Television City and the Radford/Sony lot (where Salem Place was). Now, it has mostly become a ESports productions studio. The only other linear TV production left was Extra, and they moved over the summer to a new studio. Then it was sold again last year. So, it was time to move. Also, Jason47 can correct the cannon, but DAYS has been on at least three different lots since 1989 (Sunset/Gower, Radford, and Burbank), its roots, to me, are not as tied to the lot, unlike B&B or Y&R leaving Television City on Beverly and Fairfax. For example, their studio in Burbank isn't where Alice Horton always stood. On July 15, 2024, Worthe Real Estate Group, QuadReal Property Group and Stockbridge Capital Group would reacquire The Burbank Studios as part of a years-long deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. The three companies paid $375 million for the 27-acre film studio campus in the Burbank Media District in Southern California, property records showed. Representatives announced the deal but did not disclose the value of the sale -- LA Times

Thanks, that gives it an interesting perspective. And, that's a lot of roles, and an entire family to fill (The Greenes), which much be extra difficult. And she brought Serena Scott Thomas and AnnaLynne McCord to daytime, who were a breath of fresh air from the usual round-robin casting between soap.