As someone who came back to DAYS for Marlena's possession, which many people still express their hatred for, and watched about every minute of JER's first run, I can say that I like what I'm seeing now. The show ain't perfect and it never will be.

Yes there is still quite a bit of things that need fixing: Sami maturing and regressing from episode to episode, Hope finding and then losing her brains again, Chelsea constantly trying to bring her parents back together, and that god-awful Swillow character.

But there are some things that happened that we would have never seen with JER. Such as Mimi supporting herself and trying to be a better person. Belle getting that backbone that most of us wanted her to have since 1999. Kate being involved in a story other than meddling in her childrens' love lives. Victor is back. The gloved hand was revealed pretty quickly. John and Marlena reunited. Patrick is actually more interesting than when he was first seen on the show three years ago. And the family and character interaction has improved.

Thank you, Thank you to BOTH of your posts. They perfectly sum up how I feel about the show and what direction I want this show to move into.

The emotional punch that has been missing for years on this show is finally returning and characters are finally driving story, not plots!

I am sick of these outlandish events and "never-before-seen" moments...I just want a story with a well thought out beginning-middle and end..is that soo much to ask for!

I second all that. It is exactly what I want and what I thought I would never see again. I resigned myself to the fact Days would never be what it once was which is why I forced myself to like JER's writing just as long as I still had my Days. Now-it's back. This is the show I grew up with and the show that used to make me rush home so I didn't have to miss a show. Things are happening everyday. I don't need some party of big umbrella event. You need to build up to those and not do too many. It would be overkill. I love what I am getting now and if this quality continues to be maintained I will be pleased. Like Bree said, it will never be perfect but it is what it should be right now and is really going in the right direction.

Yep, it's improving. I have a lot of pals that quit the show in umbrage over this or that detail and while I understand frustrations and even harbor a few irrational grudges of my own, if you're being honest and fair I think it's clear that the show has made major strides. And no, I don't know or think that Hogan Sheffer is the messiah, and he'll do some stuff I don't agree with along the way, but he's definitely a capable writer from what I've seen and at least is putting effort into the show.

I second all that. It is exactly what I want and what I thought I would never see again. I resigned myself to the fact Days would never be what it once was which is why I forced myself to like JER's writing just as long as I still had my Days. Now-it's back. This is the show I grew up with and the show that used to make me rush home so I didn't have to miss a show. Things are happening everyday. I don't need some party of big umbrella event. You need to build up to those and not do too many. It would be overkill. I love what I am getting now and if this quality continues to be maintained I will be pleased. Like Bree said, it will never be perfect but it is what it should be right now and is really going in the right direction.

Thats excatly what i did. I'm not a Reilly hater. In many ways his outlandish style marked the 90's and made Days an industry leader. I don't hate the man, and I was really glad when he replaced Hackley. I mean words can't even start to describe how glad I was to see her go.

However, I gave up too. I resigned myself to Days remaining in the same rhut just because I loved the show. I would never stop watching, and I would have never bashed it like some fans did. It just seems pointless to watch a show simply to complain about it, so I never joined that bandwagon.

The point is, what seemed impossible happened, and the good ole' Days have been revived. I see eye to eye with Phoenix, Mitch, and Bree's post. It's not that I hated Reilly, or didn't enjoy some of his ideas, I just know "Days Of Our Lives", and folks, this is it.

The part that angered me was Matt Ashford being fired again, just after he'd signed a new contract.

because this has never happened to any other actor before

Yes, Jack/Jen had a nice send off, but the whole thing was so rushed and contrived!

as opposed to all of their other stories. Like Jack being dead a million times, them running off to the circus, Peter Blake, raping Kayla ...

J&J fans would have accepted a Jennifer recast if Matt Ashford had been allowed to stay on DAYS.

then what's the point?! Melissa Reeves is Jennifer. The show's pathetic recast attempt already proved that. You're not only not a fan of the show, but you're not even a fan of the couple if you're so willing to cast away what made Jack and Jennifer be "Jack and Jennifer".

All of those who call J&J fans selfish, put yourselves in our shoes: how would you feel if for example Kristian Alfonso/Peter Reckell or Deirdre Hall/Drake Hogestyn were fired and written off DAYS? I bet a lot of you would be turning off DAYS permanently.

if the show still offered good story, good writing and was still entertaining then I would definitely still watch. As would the other, non-stalker fans who aren't watching just to see two people.

It's not perfect yet but it's getting pretty damn good to my eyes. Kayla in quarantine has definitely gone on too long but having the whole family involved and getting J&M doing something has really been great. Nick is wonderful, Benjy is intriguing. Chelsea is getting a soul, Shawn and Belle are getting personalities. It really works for me. If DOOL can finally get the mark of Reilly off it I think it'll be in good shape. Yes, he was very influential, but I feel that in the end he did a lot more harm than good. JMHO. I think what we have now is/should be a good mix of the classic Bell soap and the Sheri Anderson supercouple/adventure era.

I agree that something is still missing. The show is much better written and much more consistent and like everyone. I love those unusual interaction here and there, but there´s nothing really audience captivating right now. You are not feeling ashamed for watching it, like I felt many times during Reilly and some of his stories, but there´s is also nothing what would really force you to tune in next day. It´s just ordinary, the kind of show you are able to enjoy when you are at home and there´s nothing else to do, but you are certainly not running to your Tivo first thing when you came back from work to watch a new episode.

DAYS has never been a realistic show and Sheffer needs to accept it. It has been always escapism, wonderfull combination of bigger than life romance and some outlandish adventure stories. That´s what I´m missing right now. The big umbrela stories like Cruise of Decemption. I loved most Sheffer´s preview for November, because it seemed like the right combination of drama and mystery, but so far it comes flat. Plus, some things are still dragged. Cleverly dragged, but dragged still. I mean, is there any reason why the Patrick/Hope thing is still going? Or why Willow exists, except the fact, Shelle are waiting for new Phillip to be cast, so their reuniting story can finally start? And putting Kayla into coma while Steve is growing closer with Billie wasn´t smartest move either. The Billie angle is really not needed.

But still, I love the show and I have a big hope for its future under Hogan´s guidance. He just needs to unleash his fantasy and don´t be afraid so much.

Very nicely put, Jane1978. You express my thoughts exactly except I am more dubious about Hogan's guidance since we seem to be going backward in some storylines rather than making real progress. I'm still waiting for the big umbrella he has promised.

I hope as Hogan's material gets better and better we start pulling in some new fans so we can be rid of these old Reilly fans who think Days is supposed to be a cartoon.

Mitch, please. You know I am not a bitter J&J fan. And besides, we are all admitting DAYS is better now and good, but not much is going on. And you guys are having coronaries.

And Phoenix, I don't know if you realize it or not. But you do care what people think a lot. You get really offended when people don't agree with you.

The part that angered me was Matt Ashford being fired again, just after he'd signed a new contract.

Yes, Jack/Jen had a nice send off, but the whole thing was so rushed and contrived!

J&J fans would have accepted a Jennifer recast if Matt Ashford had been allowed to stay on DAYS.

All of those who call J&J fans selfish, put yourselves in our shoes: how would you feel if for example Kristian Alfonso/Peter Reckell or Deirdre Hall/Drake Hogestyn were fired and written off DAYS? I bet a lot of you would be turning off DAYS permanently.

There is a rumor that Kristian (Hope) and Peter (Bo) are being written out in 2007. I would hate that tremendously but would not stop watching DAYS. I'd be more inclined to stop watching if Hope were paired with scumbag because that would be a death knoll for the Hope written from the time we knew Addie was going to give birth to her.

John and Marlena have been missing without any loss of fans, too.

Same with Steve and Kayla.

The show must go on and we stay from habit, love of the theme, hope for the future, something to fill up the hour of the day, something to talk about, whatever reason. There is always something.

Actually Phoenix it sounds to me like a lot of bitter Jack and Jennifer fans who will NEVER accept DAYS without them......I would take Sheffer's current writing than ANY MINUTE of Jack & Jennifer under JERk supervision.

These fans need to be happy that AT LEAST J&J were allowed to leave Salem happy and played by the same actors, who KNOWS what would have happened if JERk was allowed to write their ending.

WTF???

I see ONE J&J fan in this thread who has taken that attitude.

I'm a J&J fan. Billyjill is a J&J fan. Jane is a J&J fan. We are all still watching the show. We have all posted positive comments about Sheffer's work. I made one remark about this week's episodes not being that exciting and now I'm a bittter J&J fan?

It pisses me off when a fanbase gets labelled because of the posts of one or a few individuals.

Mitch, please. You know I am not a bitter J&J fan. And besides, we are all admitting DAYS is better now and good, but not much is going on. And you guys are having coronaries.

And Phoenix, I don't know if you realize it or not. But you do care what people think a lot. You get really offended when people don't agree with you.

I think some people could say the same for you. Remember the Austin and Carrie thread...

Generally, I don't care if people agree with me or not. I was a JER fan for 13 years and a fan of other very unpopular things/people. I don't get mad when people don't agree with me about them.

Mitch, please. You know I am not a bitter J&J fan. And besides, we are all admitting DAYS is better now and good, but not much is going on. And you guys are having coronaries.

And Phoenix, I don't know if you realize it or not. But you do care what people think a lot. You get really offended when people don't agree with you.

My comments were no way directed at you.

However, coronaries?? Were not having coronaries, I just think the show is really on a roll right now, and you don't agree...fair enough.

I usually do not disagree with you, but hey that stuff happens and its totally fine.

I think some people could say the same for you. Remember the Austin and Carrie thread...

Thanks Bree.

King I do care what people think of MY show because it usually reflects in the ratings. I will agree to disagree and if people are not as into the show as me and some others that is perfectly fine. However, when people sit there and say there is no movement when their clearly is I get worked uo. Not just that but those wanting more action and some sort of event sound like they are asking for JER's writing. Hogan is just now moving the stories and it is going to take a long time to get JER's stuff off the show. Days has years of damage done to it and Hogan has a mess. It is pretty remarkable IMO that he has been able to bring the show to where it is right now so fast. What you are seeing now IS Days and what many fans know it to be. Big events and the like are great but those aren't needed now. You have to build investment and then pull those out because then people will care. Frankly, I will take what I am getting now and not complain because the show is delivering great stuff. It's not perfect but what show is? This is the best it's been in years and, of course, I know there is different tastes out there. I just don't understand what alot of fans want. They wanted better quality and character-driven stories mixed with romance, adventure, and mystery and they are getting that. The couples are on their way back and the rest will take time to get to as Hogan has only been here for a month.

As I said, this is the way the show was when I was growing up and if this is what we are going to keep getting that will be fantastic. If others don't like it that is fine but if I want to disagree and argue about it I will. It doesn't mean I don't respect opinions-it's just adding to the conversation.