bossruen

I loved the giant sign that said “Power Grid” on the chain link fence that Joss stopped in front of to make sure she had her explosive device. Then, in case we hadn’t seen it, the camera panned over to the sign after Joss walked away. It was the kind of soap moment that you wish would be paired with organic music.

Was it, though? This person is supposed to terrify our allegedly fearless Anna.

My God, is it possible that Ramsey was even hammier in this return appearance than during his original run? It’s like he thinks he’s doing a Mad TV sketch parodying soap opera acting. How did Finola not break?

I honestly feel a bit bad for TPTB because the audience is constantly comparing every choice to whatever happened in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I don’t need Willow and Drew to be Monica and Alan because I’m enjoying their particular [!@#$%^&*]ed up dynamic. Two years ago, both characters and performances were flat and boring—reconceptualizing Drew as a narcissistic [!@#$%^&*] and leaning into Willow’s pathology as a cult follower with Daddy issues has revitalized both characters and freed the actors to do their best work. When audiences complain about characters and stories like this one, I honestly don’t know what they’re asking for—endless scenes of Laura and Scotty reminiscing about the ‘80s over tea? And for the nostalgia-driven, the show has made the brilliant choice to squeeze every drop out of Jane Elliot for as long as she wants to work. Plus, legacy leading ladies like Alexis and Anna are vital and dynamic. The show is much more balanced between veteran and newer characters than it was during the HW merry go round of 2023/24, and there’s a lot of strength to go around. For my money, the aimlessness around Nathan (attributable to Storms’s absence) and the wet-match Trina/Kai romance are the only things that aren’t clicking at the moment.

Gio and Braedyn are smart actors, nudging the show into writing a romance for them, lol. I’m fine with Sonny receding into Benevolent Grandpa mode but at some point they have to reduce his guarantees. He was a lowly number 4 in episode count for 2025 (after Drew, Carly, and Jason), which is some progress. Yeah, my understanding is that Hearst’s availability is limited. I believe he also just lost his mother IRL, with whom he co-owned a business until a couple years ago.

Casual DAYS viewer here, but I thought the only dramatically compelling material I’ve seen in the past year or two that wasn’t related to a legacy character’s death was Johnny finding out that he was the product of EJ’s rape of Sami, along with Chanel’s miscarriage. Those are two strong actors, and a linchpin next-generation couple for the show. I know Carlivati doesn’t have a ton of fans on this board, but DAYS has been dull as dishwater since he left. It’s relentlessly backward looking, full of flashbacks and nostalgia, long-forgotten characters dropping in for brief arcs (Peter?). There’s no vision, no energy. It feels like soap hospice, keeping only the oldest and most loyal viewers resting painlessly until the inevitable. And the lack of money is impossible to ignore. Actors crammed in to tiny sets (no more than 12 speaking parts per episode, compared to GH’s 20+), with those same two horrible mugging background actors swapping wigs in every scene. It just doesn’t feel like a professional production anymore. I’m always surprised to see hate for Leo and Gwen, who at least are written and played with a sense of humor (although markedly less so post-Carlivati), and Alex and Stephanie, who at least have some chemistry.

She was serving Alicia Florrick realness at times.

Today is the best work I’ve ever seen him do, period, across AMC, GH, or anything else. Embracing Drew’s petty scumbaggery has liberated his acting—not a bad pivot for someone who’s been known more for his abs than his chops for almost 30 years. Did anyone else crack up when BLQ made a beeline out of the mansion the moment Gio told her Sonny was making chicken piccata?

I’ve been saying! This is the only way.

NLG is often “cringe,” as the kids say, on social media, but I like that somebody in daytime has the guts to speak out about [gestures broadly at currently decaying democracy].

It’s cute that they think we need help forgetting about Dex.

Okay I had to Google the Viola Davis thing. JFC, Nance. Twitter used to be a wild place back when celebs still actually used it.

Gotta give those two credit for eschewing the passionless closed-mouth stage kisses we usually see on soaps these days and really going for it. 🤣

When Wiley handed Sonny a Christmas cookie and mentioned that he helped make them, all I could think was “you know there’s paste in those cookies.”

Kind of astonishing that today’s episode managed to pack in a whopping 33 characters. What other soap can pull that off these days?

This show is weirdly love triangle averse but today reminded me that an Emma/Gio/Trina triangle would’ve eliminated the need for Kai altogether.

Maybe Ezra Boyle did it as a favor for Sidwell, to cover up the bribery and murder of Judge Heran? He’s certainly an expendable character.

We’ve only had, what, 3 days of the trial, so I can’t say I’m bored yet. The best part has been Drew trying to bully Alexis about how to do her job. It’s as if the writers are trying to exorcise their frustration at every old blowhard straight white man they’ve ever had to work with lol. Does anyone else think the trial is a convenient way to get underused contract players to fulfill their guarantees before the end of the year? You have people like Liz and Kristina popping in for half an episode and Trina sitting there silently.

I totally agree with this. Willow’s character arc is one of the show’s more coherent tbh. Cynthia Watros was so funny on Friday’s ep, sanitizing the office, etc.

Howling at John trying not to out Susan Flannery via her relationship with Fannie Flagg.

At least Swickard declined to shave his chest for once.

I will never understand why another soap didn’t immediately snap up Avery Kristen Pohl.

Sonny’s reaction when the rescued dogs rushed into his house was the most authentic take Mo’s delivered in years.

I think the only thing left is to pair Joss with a woman. Cast Victoria Konefal as her new WSB handler and put them in a triangle with Kristina.

Yeah, Gio’s offscreen origin story (the actor auditioned for one of the teen parts but was a little too old, yet Frank got 😍 and immediately created a contract role for him) led to a bit of “catch as catch can” as far as the character’s development is concerned. He did nothing but smile and play the violin for 11 months.