WOW another brilliant eppy.

VICTOR is Victor!! In the 90's this was the cold and calculated Victor that manipulated Bo into getting Carly all for himself, this was the one that Shawn Douglas had to squel out (it'd be funny if they throw a nod at this considering these two are at odds with eachother). It is absolutely wonderful to see Victor back and in action. Shows don't need to bring in new villians, I'm glad DAYS didn't, Victor is the MASTER. He's always been like this, his "stroke", and as Hogan would say it, penile excision, was pretty much a complete knock down of his character.

Victor and Kate scenes were brilliant. Suspense, wonderful. This all should have happened in November, maybe the ratings would have been higher.

Also I can't believe I like Mimi again. She's so tamed. Max and Mimi is being written like any new romance should... it's amazing! And they have chemistry.

Anyways this episode was AWESOME. I love DAYS. Loved the ending too, I almost expected the DAYS OF OUR LIVES logo to come up on the screen since thats how they used to end the shows when they were THIS good.

ITA. Shawn chose Belle and his daughter over that skank Willow (who I now suspect is not a DiMera operative, but hired by Victor to make Shawn look bad so Philip will have more ammo when it comes to Claire). He wants to be a decent father to Claire and he deserves that chance. It's not Shawn's fault that for almost a year, he didn't know Claire was his, and for his own grandfather and wife to keep that from him was sickening. Philip was a good father to Claire, but now that his marriage to Belle is over, he has no claim to that child. The only good part of this story is that we will finally have some conflict between Bo and Victor that was swept under the rug for years, when Bo finds out what Victor is up to, not to mention Belle and Shawn doing anything they can to protect their daughter. This is a new chance for Shelle to grow up and be a dominating couple, in the tradition of other DAYS couples. Seeing a ruthless Victor is fine, but not one that is willing to ruin his own grandson and sever all ties with his son just to get a child for his other son that isn't even his.

Oh, and John and Marlena rock!!!

That's all true, Bree, but you have overlooked where Victor is coming from. His hero son has been burned beyond recognition and certainly his heart is devestated for that child and wants to do what he has to in order for him to have the will to live as required for a successful recovery. Without that in the equation, it does seem heartless. Even Shawn and Belle would be swayed to help Philip if they knew.

Bree, WELL SAID!!!!!!!! Every point you made was right on the money.

Thanks. It irritates me when people think Shawn and Belle should suffer for no good reason. Why? For what purpose?

Granted, Shawn has anger problems and can be a hypocrite, and Belle isn't a perfect angel, but they had the right to know Claire wasn't Philip's (and Philip should have known for that matter, because he's been ruined too). Shawn is not a deadbeat dad, doesn't want to be a deadbeat dad, and Belle's first priority is her daughter. She also wants Claire to know how good a stepdad Philip was to her, and wants Victor to be a part of her life, even though she doesn't trust him. They are not the villians here and they don't deserve to lose their child.

It amazes me that so many are so sympathetic to Sami's plights, but Belle (and Shawn) should face nothing but heartbreak. The hostility towards some of the "good characters" on this show is interesting, that's for sure. If DAYS was featured with nothing but Victor, Sami, and Chelsea clones, it would make for a boring, one-sided drama.

Oh, and to respond to Jean's latest posts, I agree that Belle and Shawn wouldn't be heartless towards Philip (Shawn dropping the custody suit after realizing what it was doing to Philip is indication of that) but they should not be asked or made to give up THEIR child to a vindictive man and his son who is a few steps away from becoming just as vindictive, and a little psycho. It's not easy for anyone to see their loved one in agony, but destroying others family members' lives is not the way to ease the pain. What Victor is doing is in total character, but in the end, he will not only lose Claire, he will lose his other grandchild as well. I think once Bo (and Hope) find out what he's done, they will cut all ties with him. I won't blame them for that.

I'm glad Shawn is waking up and realizing that he needs to step to the plate and be there for Claire...

I really loved the scenes with Kate, when she came face to face with Phillip...

I'm really glad that they are bringing Victor back to how he once was...I guess he'll return back to hating Bo again too soon, as he once did...

It amazes me that so many are so sympathetic to Sami's plights, but Belle (and Shawn) should face nothing but heartbreak. The hostility towards some of the "good characters" on this show is interesting, that's for sure. If DAYS was featured with nothing but Victor, Sami, and Chelsea clones, it would make for a boring, one-sided drama.

I think that has a lot to do with the lack of sophistication in characterization, but that's for another thread. I don't exactly endorse it but I think the reason for it is worth examining (not in this thread though ).

ITA. Shawn chose Belle and his daughter over that skank Willow (who I now suspect is not a DiMera operative, but hired by Victor to make Shawn look bad so Philip will have more ammo when it comes to Claire). He wants to be a decent father to Claire and he deserves that chance. It's not Shawn's fault that for almost a year, he didn't know Claire was his, and for his own grandfather and wife to keep that from him was sickening. Philip was a good father to Claire, but now that his marriage to Belle is over, he has no claim to that child. The only good part of this story is that we will finally have some conflict between Bo and Victor that was swept under the rug for years, when Bo finds out what Victor is up to, not to mention Belle and Shawn doing anything they can to protect their daughter. This is a new chance for Shelle to grow up and be a dominating couple, in the tradition of other DAYS couples. Seeing a ruthless Victor is fine, but not one that is willing to ruin his own grandson and sever all ties with his son just to get a child for his other son that isn't even his.

Oh, and John and Marlena rock!!!

I completely agree with your whole post Bree. I think that Shawn has every right to be a part of Claire's life. I want to add on my thoughts too. People(including Victor) seem to be forgetting that Philip was the one that walked out on Claires life. If you remember back Shawn dropped the whole custody suit so Philip could be more of a father than Shawn could. It was Philip that decided to leave town on his own. Both Shawn and Belle wanted him to be a part of Claires life.

I don't agree with Victors antics. I just dont think it was right that he scared Belle the way he did by having that lady kidnap her like that. Hell I do not even understand why Victor just doesnt come out and say "Philip is back in town and he would like to see Claire" because I am sure that Shawn and Belle would be more than willing to let Philip see her. The way he is going about this is just pure evil and I know exaclty what he is doing.

Victor is trying to make Belle and Shawn look like unfit parents so Philip gets full custody of Claire.

As ridiculous as SHELLE fans think my view is is exactly how ridiculous I think the SHELLE view of an obvious rape being romantic is, too. At the time Belle was engaged to be married to Philip. Shawn was treating Belle like dirt beneath his feet and really hateful to her. There was no love there. Believe me. I started watching in August 2004 and never saw one tender moment pass between Belle and Shawn. I hated him and the way he treated her, so there was not one ounce of tenderness or love in that scene. He was not unconscious. I don't believe for one second an unconscious man could get an erection much less ejaculation. He was aware. Obviously, he blocked it out though. I still don't like Shawn for that and don't know that I ever will.

Sorry you are just blatantly wrong. If you don't like Shelle, that is totally fine, but claiming that Shawn some how raped Belle when they were unconscious is absolutely ridiculous and IMO only discredits your argument against the pairing.

There is NO WAY Shawn raped Belle in that barn, BOTH of them were out of it and slipping in and out of consciousness, BOTH of them were actively involved in the sex, it wasn't one person dominating another and for the record males CAN get erections and CAN ejaculate when they are unconscious...proven fact!

Despite the way that both of them were treating each other prior to the sex is completely irrelevant since the sex did not happen when 1 or both of them were conscious!

BTW..CSW LOVE the sig, lol!

Oh, and John and Marlena rock!!!

So simple, yet perfect!

I want to add on my thoughts too. People(including Victor) seem to be forgetting that Philip was the one that walked out on Claires life. If you remember back Shawn dropped the whole custody suit so Philip could be more of a father than Shawn could. It was Philip that decided to leave town on his own. Both Shawn and Belle wanted him to be a part of Claires life.

Actually, you have got this confused. What happened is that when Belle lost her baby, she left the hospital and went to the penthouse and asked Philip to bring Claire to her. Philip took her over and asked Belle if there was hope for them and Belle told him that she had no guarantees for him. Philip left immediately leaving Belle and Shawn a chance to work out their lives. On the other side of the story, Shawn also turned his back on Belle thinking that Belle and Philip would work it out. There was no Shawn and Belle wanting Philip to be part of Claire's life at that point. There simply wasn't any Belle and Shawn, it was Belle and Claire. Belle and Shawn are just now coming together. They definitely would be sympathetic to Philip if Victor was truthful with them, in my view.

Despite the way that both of them were treating each other prior to the sex is completely irrelevant since the sex did not happen when 1 or both of them were conscious!

You just described rape.

Wisely said, Jean. Philip took the high road and stepped aside, knowing in his heart that Belle loved Shawn. Belle wanted to be a family with Claire and Shawn. Philip knew this and that is why he left.

And that is the way Philip would be written except Hoagie decided it would be worthwhile to make him a young Victor and so he made him not only be minus a leg, but now he is minus his face. How sadistic. I hate that, but what can a viewer do. Just roll with the punches. At any rate, the best can be said is that Philip is not himself being he has been traumatized more than any of us can imagine (hopefully) and is pumped full of pain meds, etc. This is grusome to think about. I simply do not see why the story had to be this awful to Philip but I suppose it had to be in order for Victor to have any basis for his turn against Shawn and Belle to get Claire for Philip. I wonder how this will play out in the end. I hope there is saving grace for Philip.

I don't see how anyone can think Victor has a right to take Claire away from Belle and Shawn. That is THEIR child, and Philip has NO CLAIM to her. Face it, Shawn and Belle are probably the best parents on the show right now. Belle, and Shawn to an extent, are focused on this baby. They have every right to distrust Victor.

Jean, It's one thing to not like Shelle, but to compare their relationship to a rape is disturbing, especially to justify why Shawn should be paired up with a worthless character like Willow. For someone who says they've been watching since 1967, you sure have a perverted view of DAYS.

Definition

The various definitions of rape range from the broad (coercing an individual to engage in any sexual act) to the specific (forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse). The United States Code includes the crime of rape under the more comprehensive term "sexual abuse." Two types of sexual assault are defined in the code: sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse. Sexual abuse includes acts in which an individual is forced to engage in sexual activity by use of threats or other fear tactics. Aggravated sexual abuse occurs when an individual is forced to submit to sexual acts by use of physical force; threats of death, injury, or kidnapping; or substances that render that individual unconscious or impaired.

Last I checked, someone has to be awake and alert to rape another.

Actually, you have got this confused. What happened is that when Belle lost her baby, she left the hospital and went to the penthouse and asked Philip to bring Claire to her. Philip took her over and asked Belle if there was hope for them and Belle told him that she had no guarantees for him. Philip left immediately leaving Belle and Shawn a chance to work out their lives. On the other side of the story, Shawn also turned his back on Belle thinking that Belle and Philip would work it out. There was no Shawn and Belle wanting Philip to be part of Claire's life at that point. There simply wasn't any Belle and Shawn, it was Belle and Claire. Belle and Shawn are just now coming together. They definitely would be sympathetic to Philip if Victor was truthful with them, in my view.

That has nothing to do with Claire though. What you mentioned about was about Belle and Philips relationship. She didnt lolve Philip any longer and did not want to be with him. She has said time and time again that she wanted Philip to be in Claires life that he would alwyas be her father etc... So what if she wanted to be a family with Shawn? That does not mean that Philip couldnt be apart of Claires life too. Belle was right in the decision she made there because she no longer loved Philip. Her doing that was something that needed to be done long ago.

As for Shawn he does want Philip to be in Claire's life and told him so back at the loft.