Jump to content

DAYS- Steve and Kayla


Recommended Posts

  • Members

I think that's exactly it- their return is for those who saw them in the 80s. For me, who never saw any of that, the pacing is horribly, horribly off.

I didn't automatically connect to either one or a love story between the two, and the writers didn't do a good job reintroducing them for newer viewers, imho. They were just there all of a sudden.

And the storyline hasn't flowed well, either. It follows a typical Days pattern of slow-stop-lurch, but it isn't grabbing me the way a lot of the other ones have. I agree with the idea that he got his memory back too quickly, but that's partly because I was enjoying Billie & Steve (again, no connection with Patch/Kayla means I had no need to see them get together quickly).

Bottom line though, the writers seem to have assumed a familiarity with and affection for the characters that, for a lot of newer viewers, just ain't there. JMHO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 68
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Members

I wouldn't mind seeing the characters go on their seperate ways. Steve is very interesting and I think he would make a good addition to the currently failing police force. Kayla on the other hand, is a complete bore to me for the most part. I do however like her scenes with Bo. Those two display a phenomenal brother - sister relationship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Well, Px, the writing was all over the place in the beginning due to the transition. JER left, then there was the ghost writer, and then Beth Milstein wrote before Hogan came on. It took Hogan awhile to get them and he really didn't get them until his memory returned in December. He got Steve but not Kayla. Actualy, I don't think he really has grasped Kayla until the last few weeks where she has been more active in story and not just supporting Steve.

Steve and Kayla's return suffered big time with the transition. I also think they rushed their reunion in the beginning. Both actors returned and were reunited on screen in 2 weeks. I think they should have waited and used that as a Wimbledon cliffhanger. They dragged their feet with Steve and Kayla all summer because of the transition and, even when they were on, I think SN and MBE improvised on alot of their lines just to try to make it true to character. They then did the Steve/Billie thing which seemed like nothing but filler until Hogan came on. Hogan then used it for some character development for Billie and as a complication for Steve/Kayla until he remembered and he could buildup to their current story. The amnsesia story probably would've been better if not for so many writing changes.

In summary, the transition hurt them. I think more would care or be at least interested in them if not for that. Some are starting to like them right now because the story at least attempts to grab at your attention and there is direction and good material to play. Some will say they should've waited to bring them back but I think it was too late. Too many balls were rolling already and they had to go through with it and make the best out of it. It was lacking big time but Steve and Kayla are hitting their stride now IMO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I still see a lot of chemistry between Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Nichols. The writing has been strangely paced for Steve and Kayla. But, IMO, their reunion scene in December and some of their scenes this past week are as good or better than anything I saw of them in the '80s. IMO, Evans and Nichols are great additions to Days because of their great talent and work ethic - throw any type of storyline at them and they will deliver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The writing for these two have been terrible, and putting them frontburner above any other couple is just wrong. Making Steve a psycho mind-controlled temper-tantrum terror is a great way for people to instantly become annoyed by him. I like Kayla, mostly because I like Mary Beth Evans, but as a couple, Steve & Kayla do nothing for me. I'm not interested in their history except for how they're connected to other characters (Bo, the Brady family, etc.).

People have commented that Austin & Carrie did nothing for the ratings. And that's very true. Although one was re-introduced in September '05 while the othe was re-introduced in December '05. Evans & Nichols returned within a couple weeks of each other. And they haven't done anything for ratings either. These last few weeks, which has been nothing but Steve & Kayla and the under 25 crowd is proof that they (combined with their horrible storyline) aren't luring back old viewers.

True, I didn't see their first go-around. But I also didn't see Bo & Hope's first go-around until their original portrayers returned ('95), but instantly fell in love with them as a couple. So whether or not I experienced the 80's Steve & Kayla hey-day shouldn't impact how I'm enjoying their present-day chemistry. I don't see anything great about them. Honestly, I don't *care* about them, even though I feel I should simply because they're a part of DAYS' great history. But I don't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

That's an interesting point about the transition affecting their return. I can't let it excuse things- these are arguably the biggest returns they've had since...I want to go back to Alfonso as Hope. They should've had things worked out well in advance of even asking the actors to return, and they should've committed to it. I know that's totally unrealistic and unfair to the replacement headwriters, but it would've been nice for the viewers, especially after they botched Austin and Carrie's return to the show (though frankly I think they screwed that one on purpose to stop people like me from ever wanting Carrie and/or Austin to come back again- they killed 'em dead now and I don't want to see them again).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Well, it would've been planned out if they didn't have ghost writers, then Beth, then Hogan. No story can flow easily through all that. They had a plan when they first came on but, like alot of things last summer, alot of it fell apart due to writers in and out. It't not an excuse becuse Days did do alot of good things last summer too but some crucial story threads were messed up because of the writing situation. Steve and Kayla goth the worst of it.

Nobody is saying anyone has to like them but they are here to stay. I just don't agree with how some feel that they shouldn't have come back at all. They HAD to come back at some point. It's too bad the writing has not been better for them because I fully think that is the problem here. I also think for some reason that many more recent fans have issues getting used to or invested in Steve and Kayla. I don't know why but it seems like the older, die hard fans love them and recent fans don't care for them or like them better individually then together unless they are big Days history buffs and then in most cases they do.

Again, though, to each their own. I know some that dislike Bo and Hope and other couples. It's all personal taste and preference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I would rather see Jack and Jennifer, Bo and Hope, John and Marlena, and many others before Steve and Kayla. Having said that, I think Nichols is one of the better actors around and wish he and Matt Asford could work together again. I can only imagine scenes with Judi as Adrienne, Matt Ashford as Jack(the dark sided version of him), and Nichols as Steve, all 3 awesome actors. I don't know what it is but I don't really enjoy many Steve and Kayla scenes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I actually don't belive in the whole "you had to be there in the 80s" thing. Chemistry is either there for ya or it isen't. I despised Bo and Hope for like 10 years of my viewing time, but that was about character. I saw the chemistry, I just despised some characteristics the hacks had them develope. Chemistry and writing are different things. Writing that go up and down, chemistry is either there or it isen't. Through all the crap of the late 90s and 00s, J&M, B&H and J&J all suffered with writing, but it didn't damage the chemistry. They SHINED when they had some half-decent writing, but you could enjoy the chemistry none the less.

IMO anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I was a big fan of Steve and Kayla in the past also. Right now I'm sick of seeing them constantly on the screen, I just don't see it anymore. I'm disappointed with Days as a whole these days. I was so hoping it would get better, but now I go for days without watching it. It really hasn't improved in my opinion, and I'm very disappointed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I guess I'm in the minority on this one because I'm thrilled Steve and Kayla are back. I'm one of "those" people that started watching again after years of never giving the show a second thought, and now after several months of watching again I've come to a few conclusions.

The first thing I noticed when I started tuning back in was the horrible writing and pacing of the show. While all the characters (at least the ones I remembered watching from years ago) suffered from this, I think Steve and Kayla were definitely victims of shoddy writing, and their return was botched from the beginning right through the writer transition. I think it has been difficult for viewers who are unfamiliar with the characters to get to know them due to the months they were backburnered and the uneven writing during that time. Having said all that, I think Nichols and Evans did their best with the material they were given and I think they have done some amazing work in the past several weeks. I also think their chemistry is as strong as it ever was and it really shines through in the quiet moments (like when Steve isn't having a Tarot card meltdown).

In my opinion, it also appears the characters of Steve and Kayla have carried a large bulls-eye on their backs from the moment they showed back up on the show. I'm not sure if this is something unique to them or if other couples receive the same attention, but it has been interesting to see. I'm sure there was a certain amount of curiousity, by those who had never seen the characters, to see what the fuss was about and a natural desire to compare S&K to their favorites. But apparently, other characters lack of airtime, lack of storyline and people being fired from the show all were caused by these two characters, as well. There has been an amazing amount of hatred heaped on them for things that were happening behind the scenes on the show. Not everyone has to love them. Heaven knows there are several characters that make me want to spork out my eye, but I would never dream of running to every message board calling for their head on a pike.

Like I said, I'm happy the characters returned--I wouldn't be watching otherwise. I believe they were an important part of the history of the show and they have as much right to be there now as anyone else. I'm enjoying watching them and I'm hopeful they will have a better conclusion to their story than the one I was stuck with for the past sixteen years. I'm going to continue enjoying watching Stephen and Mary Beth work their magic and I'm grateful for every day I get to see it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

IA with Gray Bunny.

But I did watch their first go around and everything was so different back then. Storylines went on with a purpose NOT around in circles. Romance was there to compliment storyline progression, not to "FILL" airtime. Steve and Kayla have been doing the same thing for over 6 months now, which really is nothing. There were a few awesome scenes like when Steve got his memory back but everything is just VERY uninspired. I always heard that Hogan was a good story teller and that he loved Mary Beth Evans but she is not but a second fiddle in this dreaded storyline. Even if a big climax were to occur I don't think it would be efficient rather than coming across as rushed since we spent over 6 months with no progression. This storyline is stuck in the lame duck territory and I also agree that the show took the lame/easy way out of it by attributing it to the DiMeras once again, pretty much throwing history out again. I hope it all makes sense later...

I also agree with px780, these two returns were as big as Alfonso and Hall in 91 and 94. They should have been planned out well before the actors appeared on our screen. The ratings would have skyrocketed had we had another Maison Blanche.

I also don't agree with S&K should not have come back. They are historical fixtures for this show and have earned their spot where they are. They just need to be written for right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The writing is the biggest problem with S&K right now.

I think what happened is when they returned last June, JER was going for a Steve/Kayla/Jack triangle as well as the three of them teaming up to find out what happened to Steve all those years ago. But Matt was fired, JER was fired, so Hogan and his team had to figure out what to do next. So Billie became the third party and filled Jack's role until S&K reunited. Now they're together and the story is progressing so slowly, no wonder many viewers aren't liking it, or them. It also doesn't help that we're supposed to believe EJ was behind Steve's torturing when technically, he's only 10 years old.

That said, I still like them, and I think MBE and SN have wonderful chemistry. I just wish their story would pick up and the writing would show how good they can be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think bringing back S&K had to happen some time, it was one of those things that I bet Corday was just sitting on and sitting on. What stands out to me is the bad planning and writing, but I'm not trying to convince anyone to give them a chance just because I blame the writing above the characters' intrinsic value (which is in large part written too, so yano). For me, I pretty much expected that the writing would hurt the return, because it was so low-quality across the board.

As for what's front burner right now, I think none of the stories at the moment are in the position to "carry" the show. I don't think that means the characters have no place on the show, but it really is the storyline that brings the ratings, not the characters in themselves (IMO). Shelle were not in a position to be the Big Happening Romance yet, they needed a little while longer to shed their Overgrown Teen vibe. Like for some of you, Nick and Chelsea are a bright spot for me but they need to be careful not to overexpose them. Steve and Kayla were just not introduced well enough to newer viewers to be the big thing yet. That doesn't mean they're not big in a historical context of the show, but there are logistics to consider also. It's also notable that had they gotten the proper build-up since last summer they could be at a point now to really carry things, but the writing here and now would also have to be better (it's pretty silly for Shelle and S/K, and it's a little pushy for Nick/Chelsea too, though they're fun, as well as Lumi -- it's just silly across the board). Lumi to me are the characters that really make sense on the front burner right now, and you can find a riddle of problems with how their storyline has progressed too.

What I would've done is carry on with Bope a while longer, even though they were on a whole lot in 2006. They didn't need to be on as much these last two months but they should've been on more than they were, people are pretty invested in the Bope relationship and I would've given them serious adult writing to resolve their problems rather than sweep them under the rug. I think that would've provided more continuity. While I like -- maybe even love -- Nick and Chelsea I would've paced their storyline so that it didn't come off so melodramatic (still love them!), if they were going to do the Lonely Splicer stuff I would've taken some time and shown their actual correspondence so you could see what it is they were saying to each other, and that could've been diluted out over some weeks). Shelle, well I don't quite know where to begin with Shelle, lol, I don't really get them and I would've sent Shawn away to the Merchant Marines when JC left and worked on Belle's character, let her go up against the big bad Kiriakises and work on making her strong that way. All the while I would've wrapped up the Lockharts and crept the Dimeras along until J/M and S/K were at a point to take off with it. In the meantime I would've given meaningful romance stuff to those two couples -- J/M reconnecting and S/K with a whole lot of angst (I also think they gave Steve back his memory way too soon and robbed us of the chance of seeing them fall in love again).

I don't know, I really think the pacing on this show is seriously whacked, I don't know why we have to go so long without seeing some characters and then all of a sudden we see nothing but them. I think with better planning we could see everyone on a moderately regular basis, and I think that it only creates this lurching feeling someone else mentioned that makes the show hard to get into. We're getting nice, isolated scenes, but nice isolated scenes only make you happy you tuned in that particular day. They don't keep you coming back tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • Concluding 1976... Raymond Schafer arrives in Springfield and begins an extensive probe into Malcolm’s death, puzzling Ed, who wonders why most of Schafer’s question sessions keep turning back to Rita’s involvement with Malcolm. Ed assures the man that Rita’s only connection with Malcolm was as his nurse; he is unaware that Schafer knows a great deal more about Rita than he does. Just to protect Rita, Ed has Mike check on Schafer’s credentials, and learns that he’s a  well-respected criminal attorney. The waitress at the restaurant where Malcolm suffered his stroke tells Schafer that the woman who was with him reacted very professionally to the sudden emergency, as if she were a nurse. Realizing that her little sister has fallen hard for Tim, Rita warns him that she’s very vulnerable and innocent, but Tim tells Rita her advice isn’t necessary. But Tim then receives a plum job offer to be chief neurological resident at a prestigious Philadelphia hospital and can’t pass up the opportunity. Evie is crushed by the news and spends the next several days at home crying. Joe Werner, fully recovered, has accepted a post as a medical aide in a destitute village in India and leaves alone, with Sarah to follow him later. Justin asks Sarah to consider a partnership with him in private practice, but she explains that she thrives on the hospital atmosphere. When a call comes from India that Joe has had another massive attack, Sarah leaves on the next available flight and arrives only moments before he dies. The painful news is relayed back to Cedars at once. Sara returns from India a heartbroken woman, but the day-to-day involvement of raising T.J. and of her career seem to be her salvation. Justin shows a surprisingly compassionate and understanding side to Sara, but, ironically, Justin’s ex-wife, Jackie, arrives in Springfield with her diabetic father, who is suffering from a heart attack. In the process of consulting with Justin on her father’s condition, Jackie comes face to face with Sara for the first time since their college days. Evie’s heartbreak at Tim’s departure turns to fury and hatred when she inadvertently discovers a letter which Tim wrote to Rita just after he left. In it he concedes that Rita was right about Evie’s vulnerability where he was concerned but reminds Rita that he badly hurt her in the same way she feared Evie would suffer. Evie is now sure that Rita somehow forced Tim to leave town and is livid at the idea that Tim was Rita’s lover. She insists she’s cutting off her relationship with Rita and will pay her back for any help she’s received in the past. Ben and Hope’s wedding plans are off, as Ben, while still insisting he’s innocent, won’t explain why the robbery evidence points to him. Hope feels his unwillingness to tell her the truth makes marriage to him impossible, but confides to Ann that she is miserable without him. Ben has echoed these sentiments to Mike but won’t confide in him, either as Hope’s father or as an attorney.   Holly is trying very hard to build a life without Ed, but since she sees him virtually every day at work,she’s unable to put him out of her mind. She accepts a date with a member of the hospital administration staff but is unable to avoid making comparisons between Ed and this young man and winds up alone, sadly holding Ed’s picture and recalling how much she loves him. Believing that the hospital board’s conclusions on Grainger’s death have settled the question once and for all, Rita has regained her self-confidence, and her romance with Ed is growing daily. They admit their love for each other, and Ed confides that he intentionally  held back with Rita for fear of making another mistake. Rita then tells Ed she has never married because for her marriage must be forever. Rita’s mother realizes that Rita is truly in love when she confides in her that she doesn’t understand why she’s been so lucky in having him love her and how she wants to be the very best person she can be for him. Ed proposes marriage to Rita and gives her time to think about it before answering. Rita painfully realizes that her past could, if it rose again against her, make a life with Ed a lost dream. But Raymond Shaefer has been quietly but efficiently carrying on his investigation and has learned that Grainger argued with Rita at her apartment. He presents the evidence he’s compiled to District Attorney Eric Van Gelder, who decides the case warrants further investigation. Rita goes to Ed’s office to tell him she loves him but can’t marry him, that she doesn’t deserve him and “can’t do it to him.” As she turns from a confused Ed to leave, she finds the district attorney and a police officer outside Ed’s door, waiting to arrest her. Ed, insisting that a serious mistake has been made, calls Mike to help her as Rita, shocked and humiliated, is taken under arrest through the hallways of the hospital in which she works. Mike manages Rita’s release on bail only after she has had to submit to the degrading booking procedure. Mike sees her alone at her apartment, explaining he can help her only if she tells him the whole truth. Rita equivocates until Mike mentions Texas, indicating to Rita that he knows at least some of the story. Van Gelder has, in fact, let Mike see the bulk of evidence in the case against Rita, to convince him her arrest wasn’t a capricious whim. Rita explains to Mike that Malcolm believed she intentionally vilified him to his father, to do him out of his rightful inheritance, and then wanted his father dead to collect her money. Mike expresses his appreciation of Rita’s honesty, promising to help her. But Rita’s tormented dreams confirm that she hasn’t yet told all the truth, and after Peggy visits, expressing firm support, Rita tells Roger she has to reveal his part in the story. Roger painfully tells Rita about his being Christina’s father to show her that if Ed knew, it would end Rita’s chances with him forever. Rita, who was ready to tell Ed the whole story, now realizes how risky that would be. Adding to Rita’s pain is her forced leave of absence from the hospital until she’s cleared and the embarrassment of seeing her name in the headlines.
    • Please register in order to view this content

         
    • Yes, but the stories are all pretty awful Seeing Victor rehashing his hatred of the Abbotts  when he married one of them and has a daughter that is half Abbott as well as walking around with Traci's daughter's heart keeping him alive makes him look worse than he already is. And I remember he and Jack chatting amicably in the past few years. Victor interfering in Kyle/Claire is just repeat of Billy/Victoria. Sharon, Nick,Phyllis etc are around but again the stories are lacking.
    • I think Kevin's 1996 Emmy was fair enough. He barely appeared for his second. I don't think anyone else on the list is that deserving but I might have gone with Moore as he did try with the whole Keesha AIDS story. @alwaysAMC Thanks to slick jones' cast list I was able to see that Nikki Rene played Tina. Not much on her, as you mentioned. Tap and a few Broadway listings (it doesn't help that a younger actress with a similar name is in a lot of roles). Nikki Rene: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World https://onceonthisisland.fandom.com/wiki/Nikki_Rene Nikki Rene - IMDb
    • Thank you. That does ring a bell. I remember Theresa and Julian's drunk, giggly fake wedding (with Julian asking "Whassup?" to the minister). Was Bruce tricking the pair as a prank, or did somebody put him up to it? I especially liked Katherine recalling how dashing young Alistair was when he'd pick up Rachel for dates, and how she wished she could be her sister, then feeling guilty once Rachel had her boating accident ...
    • And Kevin Mambo beat Shemar Moore for those two Emmys. I chalk up the wins to the voters not wanting Jonathan Jackson to eventually end up with a five peat (he won 1995, 1998, 1999). These were the 1996 and 1997 Younger Actor races. 1996: Nathan Fillion, Jonathan Jackson, Kevin Mambo (winner), Shemar Moore, Joshua Morrow 1997: Steve Burton, Jonathan Jackson, Kevin Mambo (winner), Shemar Moore, Joshua Morrow
    • https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/denise-alexander-obituary?pid=209074143
    • Today's episode was excellent. Clearly it was confrontation day and they didn't disappoint. I'm glad they didn't forget Mona in all of this and gave us an opportunity to see how she's dealing with this. A major highlight for me were the Kat and Martin scenes. Their chemistry is off the charts and I don't understand why we haven't gotten more of this. I love how they take turns calming each other down. They feel really well matched and believable as siblings. Speaking of siblings, they anvils were dropping strong that Kat and Eva are twins but I do wish someone would mention that they are essentially hood twins which might throw people off the scent.  I'm one of the people who enjoyed Joey and the gambling storyline so it was nice to see him again. It was nice to see different characters like Mona and Eva in that element instead of the usual players. When Doug arrived I don't know what hit me but I just see a funeral in his future. He seems so hopeless and has the worst luck. I just can't see him surviving the year at this rate.
    • In fiction there has become an expectation by some that every Black character should represent excellence and perfection. It's not like we are talking about a Tyler Perry show where none of the characters are happy and everyone hates each other with a passion.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy