Good show.

Things have escalated for Shawn; he's drifting further and further from the good people in his life and Beemer plays it deliciously, even when he's not in boxers. Reckell scared the crap out of me when he came back and slammed the door. I expected him to hit Beemer! Majorly intense. Great stuff. Then, later with Belle not being around and Shawn basically deciding that she's not worth it, and her secretiveness making her seem worse.

The Philip story is easily the best story going right now. The plastic surgery angle is a throwback to the old days in the 80's when recasts were high-profile and we knew they looked different- like Drake as Roman on Days, or Robin Mattson as Janet on AMC. I love it. And the Victor vs. everybody else is so gothic and awesome. Give me more, Hoagie!

That said, I don't not enjoy the DiMewra umbrella storyline, though I'm being very disappointed with some things. Celeste's presence is just wonderful. I love that she's back to being feisty, fierce, mama bear Celeste who once worked for Stefano as a henchwoman. I can see the resemblance. I also love that they'r eusing her real hair these days- she's just gorgeous, that Tanya Boyd.

The Philip story is easily the best story going right now. The plastic surgery angle is a throwback to the old days in the 80's when recasts were high-profile and we knew they looked different- like Drake as Roman on Days, or Robin Mattson as Janet on AMC. I love it. And the Victor vs. everybody else is so gothic and awesome. Give me more, Hoagie!

ITA with this - great comparisons....and yes this whole storyline is gothic and intriguing!

Brandon was looking hella FINE today! lol

I'm loving seeing Celeste too - but the whole story is kinda 'blah' to me so far.

I found the whole show intriguing today. At first, Philip's spoiler about a face transplant seemed so bizarre, but it is being written very well and I loved the whole part of it today with Victor, the doctor and Philip. Truthfully, face transplants are only experimental but possible. I wonder what Philip will look like and how long it takes for a face transplant to heal.

Belle was amazing. It's refreshing to this Philip fan to see her be concerned about his welfare as he was totally devoted to her for so long. Of course, he will ruin that, but for now it's nice to see.

Max and Mimi look great together and I really enjoyed their soiree and look for the next episodes of them.

The best part of today were the scenes involving Roman, Abe and Celeste, then later Bo. Celeste always has an aura of suspense and mystery about her. She has set the tone for this story very well. I'm enjoying the DiMera umbrella, but I'd probably call it a general umbrella due to so many being involved. Celeste called it war so it's the DiMera/Brady feud wide open. I wonder how long it will last.

Was this a Monday show or have they caught up? It was one of the best.

One thing I really thought we'd see, but did not, of course. I thought that Willow might be behind the door in the bedroom listening to what Bo had to say to Shawn so she could report it to EJ.....however, she came out all dressed and wasn't listening at all. That was disappointing LOL. I've got her pegged to be a spy for EJ.

I really hope Willow is not working for EJ. I want her to be genuine. Sure, how genuine can a hooker be? But I love Willow and I love her with Shawn. She makes Shawn barable for me. I loved the intensity between Shawn and Bo today. Beemer and Reckell have amazing father/son chemistry. Jason who?

Victor/Philip/Dr. Weinstien was so eerie. I loved it. I agree with Keith. I love how Hogan is realistically explaining why Philip will look differently when he returns. Recasts are so common that I understand not every character being recast can go through plastic surgery. It's just so much more understanding when it happens. Evil Victor is back and I love him! His last line today was chilling. Max and Mimi better watch out.

Speaking of Max and Mimi, they sure went to and came back from Chicago pretty fast. That's even more evidence that Salem must be located in Illinois. I like that Belle went to Max about too. More character interaction!

Celeste's tarot card reading was the best part of today's show. Celeste is back to being her old self. After she quit working for Stefano, Celeste's character declined in herself. She's back to being the woman she was in Masion Blanche. I love it! I like how she's taking charge and not letting Abe force her into signing a statement or anything. She knows the danger that's about to ensue. Looks like the Brady/DiMera feud is back open. Hopefully, this time, we'll finally get the reason for the start of it.

I'm glad the writers are having Belle be concerned for Philip and she's not downplaying her role in his leaving. Martha is doing a tremendous job, and we had some nice Marlena/Shawn scenes as well. Those two characters haven't interacted as much as they should. Brandon also had some nice interaction with Claire...looks like the babies are warming up to him.

The two highlights in today's episodes were Victor and Celeste. They're back to their old selves. Although it was silly to have three cops treat Tarot cards so seriously, you can see how they're so desperate to connect EJ to the DiMeras, and believe the DiMeras are back, they would trust a psychic.

Willow can still jump off a clip. She isn't necessary. If she is a DiMera operative, I hope EJ kills her off.

I loved Marlena, Belle, Shawn and Claire... Just awesome, sweet scenes. Marlena trying to get S&B to see that they do care, and SHOULD get along. I liked that she never said they should get back together, but that they should both give Claire what she CAN have. Both parents in her life. At the same time, I love that Belle misses Phillip and realizes that he was the main parent in Claire's life for weeks when Belle was ill, and that he was a great partner even if she wasen't in love with him.

Max/Mimi - kill me now. DIEMIMIDIE.

The babies that play Claire - adorable as few. And I love that they follow Deidre around with their eyes. They're always looking at her, it's so cute. Been that way since their first scenes in January.

Good show.

Things have escalated for Shawn; he's drifting further and further from the good people in his life and Beemer plays it deliciously, even when he's not in boxers. Reckell scared the crap out of me when he came back and slammed the door. I expected him to hit Beemer! Majorly intense. Great stuff. Then, later with Belle not being around and Shawn basically deciding that she's not worth it, and her secretiveness making her seem worse.

WORD! I loved these scenes, Beemer was such a good recast for Shawn that Jason Cook has basically become a very very very small afterthought! Who knew Shawn could be this enjoyable.

Love that they are taking Shawn down this road, it is true to his character and absolutely believable with what he has gone through this year and the destruction of his family.

The Philip story is easily the best story going right now. The plastic surgery angle is a throwback to the old days in the 80's when recasts were high-profile and we knew they looked different- like Drake as Roman on Days, or Robin Mattson as Janet on AMC. I love it. And the Victor vs. everybody else is so gothic and awesome. Give me more, Hoagie!

I totally agree. It definetly is one of the best storylines DAYS has right now, mainly because it is just so classic soap opera and the fact that it is now a viable storyline vehicle for John Aniston and this man is SUCH a good actor I would watch him read from the bible. Love that the DAYS is brining the Kiriakis family back to their dark roots, where they SHOULD be!

That said, I don't not enjoy the DiMewra umbrella storyline, though I'm being very disappointed with some things. Celeste's presence is just wonderful. I love that she's back to being feisty, fierce, mama bear Celeste who once worked for Stefano as a henchwoman. I can see the resemblance. I also love that they'r eusing her real hair these days- she's just gorgeous, that Tanya Boyd.

I disagree. I think this storyline is absolutely one of the best on the show at the moment. I am loving the SPD/EJ Wells cat-mouse antics, I love Kate being involved, I love the John/Marlena angle of it and I love love the inclusion of Celeste (as she is a VITAL player in the history of the DiMera's IMO) and I love that this storyline is now leading to what is going to be a great story arc for John & Marlena and their trip to Italy to investigate EJ's past!! I cannot wait until they find Stefano alive...even though it will not be Joe Mascolo (though could be in the near future).

I also cannot wait to learn more behind the Celeste/EJ interacction and of course just WHO EJ is and who is giving him his orders (whether it is Stefano, Tony, or who knows maybe even Kristen). The potential for this storyline is ENDLESS at the moment!

Today's show was really good.

Marlena/Belle was nice and so was Shawn/Marlena. I loved them finally interacting. I think it's the first time since the teen years and this time it was so much better with Beemer in the role.

Someone needs to tell Willow to STFU. Belle is playing mind games now? GMAB!!

Loved Bo/Shawn. Very intense.

I am liking Mimi and Max working together and how they are putting the pieces together with Belle. I wish Belle wasn't so civil to Mimi thought but I guess it's her forgiving nature.

The Victor/Philip stuff just rocks. Aniston is fantastic and his dealings with the doctor (paying him to force Philip higher on the list) was so Victor. I am loving having the formidable Victor back and I was very happy with the way they explained how Philip went back into the service and how the face transplant is coming into play. Love this story.

My favorite today was Celeste and the tarot card readings. I literally got goosebumps. I love how they connected the cards to the gloved hand crimes and then when Celeste was by the window and Abe asked her if EJ was a Dimera and she answered, "He must be." CELESTE IS BACK!!! That was classic Celeste. LOVE IT!!! She is so fiesty and is no longer a gimmick but a character. Props to Hogan there and the death card talk was so chilling. I like the setup for the rest of the week at the end too when they decides to involve John. I do think the writing is on the wall for Lexie though. There are hints left and right about what may happen there.

Good show. Great Monday show (not sure if Days is caught up or this was intended to be a Monday show all along but whatever).

A very eerie and wondeful show today. I really liked how Shawn told Bo he's starting to sound like a broken record, because he is. But, I did think Bo had trned around to come back in and beat some sense into his son. Great acting by both Reckell & Beemer.

Tanya Boyd is simply amazing. She made that whole scene believable. Those three don't know what to do. They better think of something quick, before a loved one dies.

All the stories got pushed up today, and it was great, especially my favorite scenes. This is not foreign to Victor to use surgery of this kind on someone. John well knows about having his face changed, especially since for 6 years everyone thought he was Roman Brady. I just hope that whoever takes over the role will do a fine job.

But, I do have two questions:

1. I wonder if John does know this doctor, and would he recognize him if he saw him? Maybe one twist could be that this man was the same one who changed John's face before he came to Salem, and could give him the answers he seeks about his past.

2. Did anyone catch what Roman said at the end? He said that they needed John in on this. He is a DiMera, and and thinks like them. Since when did John become a DiMera?!

Mitch, I've loved this Gloved SL for a while now, and I look forward to the short term, but EJ's identity was severely disappointing to me. I will continue to ride the wave of talent and good writing, but know I'll personally enjoy the Kiriakis stuff more.

I don't know about your first question Roman but I doubt it. This doctor seems recent because face transplants weren't around back then and they aren't your typical plastic surgery but who knows.

As for your second question, it goes back to B&C's twist in 2002 when they revealed John and Tony as half brothers with the same mother being Daphne Dimera. Plus, John was The Pawn so he would know the Dimera's inside and out even if he weren't Tony's brother so that is what Roman meant.

The Roman line about John being a DiMera was absolute bull, lazy- nothing more to it. It would make plenty sense if Roman still habrored any noticeable resentment, kind of like a little dig, but not in this context or in Taylor's delivery.

I don't know about your first question Roman but I doubt it. This doctor seems recent because face transplants weren't around back then and they aren't your typical plastic surgery but who knows.

As for your second question, it goes back to B&C's twist in 2002 when they revealed John and Tony as half brothers with the same mother being Daphne Dimera. Plus, John was The Pawn so he would know the Dimera's inside and out even if he weren't Tony's brother so that is what Roman meant.

Thanks for those answers. It would seem to me that Roman would know that John was a DiMera Pawn, not a member of the family. That was just a throw away line I guess, but interesting.

The Roman line about John being a DiMera was absolute bull, lazy- nothing more to it. It would make plenty sense if Roman still habrored any noticeable resentment, kind of like a little dig, but not in this context or in Taylor's delivery.

That's the one thing I didn't want it to be. That would just ammo to those who already dog the show out for not being perfect in every way, shape and form.

John is a DiMera in ways. He knows their mindset, because it was his for many years. He knows Stefano as well as anyone can know Stefano. That's why J&M were dangerous to Stefano. John knew how he thought and his logic, while Marlena was his one weakness.

Even with that logic, Linn, Roman's (of Faux, as you adoringly call him) line made zero sense. I'm surprised you'd defend him.