I was thinking about how soap couples virtually never stay together in tranquility for a long time, since the adage goes "a happy couple is a boring couple." Then, I remembered that I could not think of any serious problems that Tom and Alice--certainly one of the genre's most popular couples--had in their many years of marrage.

Granted, I am not a DOOL historian, which is why I am asking the question: Did Tom and Alice ever have marital problems? If so, what were those problems? What was the biggest disagreement the two of them had? Did either one ever commit adultery (which is something I can't imagine)?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think they experienced any of the typical soap problems. Though it was discovered in the early 90's there marriage wasn't legitamate (I don't know the reason) they had to remarry.

They had one storyline where Tom was going somewhere every night and apparently he was doing something poetry related, but I believe Alice suspected him of carrying on an affair... this may or may not have been around the time of the remarriage.

The many trials and tribulations suffered by their children and grandchildren were enough to keep Tom &Alice stressed without having problems themselves

e.g an amnesiac son returning from the dead and falling in love with his sister,a son raping his brother's wife.a daughter having a breakdown and becoming a nun etc.

Like Chris & Nancy Hughes they provided support,wisdom and stability to contrast all the other craziness happening.

Something today's writers have neglected-older characters involved with the lives of the young'uns.

One source of conflict,I think,surrounded the fact that Bill had raped Laura and that Mike was his son,not his nephew.I think Tom knew this for some time but withheld it from Alice.She was angry when the truth came out.

Give Hoagy enough time, though, and suddenly, Thomas "Homerun" Horton will be a lecherous alcoholic with a secret family no one ever knew about.

After Stefano and Andre framed Roman for the Salem Slasher murders, Roman was arrested. Alice and Bo concocted a scheme and drugged a doughnut; Roman ate it and had what appeared to be a fatal heart attack. In reality, Roman was alive and went on the run. In order to keep the police off his trail, he set up an explosion and faked his death again. As Salem began to mourn Roman's "death," Alice was arrested by Abe for her part in the scheme. She had been lying to Tom about her part in all of this, and he didn't want to talk to her for a brief time (very brief). Tom and Alice were both very close to Roman and Marlena, who lived next door at the time, and Tom accused Alice of having a part in Roman's death. Alice was convinced that Tom was going to divorce her. She finally got upset and said she would give Tom a divorce. Marie and Julie talked some sense into her, and Tom forgave her. This wasn't the last time Alice would keep the truth from Tom about scheming to protect her grandkids or involve herself in matchmaking.

Alice also made several comments over the years about other women being attracted to Tom. She was very jealous. There's a cute exchange somewhere on youtube in the "Concert" series of clips.

In regard to the wedding story: Alice opened the door to a delivery man who dropped off a letter and got out of there fast. She opened it, and it was from City Hall where they had been married. A fire had destroyed all of the records, and unless she and Tom took care of the paperwork within a set time, their marriage would be invalid. The only problem was, the letter was 50 years old. Jennifer made a crack about Tom and Alice "living in sin" all those years, and Alice didn't think it was a bit funny. Stupid story, but nice wedding for Tom and Alice.

Edited November 7, 200718 yr by Dr. Chip

Who wrote Tom and Alice getting remarried?

I was shocked to come across that little piece of history years ago, learning that Tom and Alice were practically living in sin (and having all those kids out of wedlock).

They had one storyline where Tom was going somewhere every night and apparently he was doing something poetry related, but I believe Alice suspected him of carrying on an affair...

Too funny.

Like Chris & Nancy Hughes they provided support,wisdom and stability to contrast all the other craziness happening.

Something today's writers have neglected-older characters involved with the lives of the young'uns.

Really? I thought that's all the oldest characters were kept around for on any show. They certainly don't get their own stories.

Tom and Alice were both very close to Roman and Marlena, who lived next door at the time, and Tom accused Alice of having a part in Roman's death. Alice was convinced that Tom was going to divorce her. She finally got upset and said she would give Tom a divorce. Marie and Julie talked some sense into her, and Tom forgave her.

If Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell were in charge, they'd probably pick up on that, ret-con some insta-affair for Tom (complete w/ long-lost child!), then crow about how it totally fits w/in DAYS history.