DAYS: Discussion for the month of October

[SouthOfSoap]

What a great episode Thursday was (and the whole week thus far). I've been feeling the separation between Bo & Hope up to now was kind of contrived, but after today, I can buy into it. Reckell and Alfonso both brought it today - Reckell was heartbreaking in his plea to Hope. Likewise Nicole, when she broke down to EJ about needing to keep Sydney, made me once again root for and empathize with her. Today's script was written by Ryan Quan - gotta give the noobie props, he wrote damn good soap.

[Ann_SS]

I have figured out what I like about Days (other than the increased use of John Aniston) and what makes it different from the ABC soaps; on Days the female protagonists drive the stories. Hope, Nicole and Sami specifically, but also Melanie and Mia. The men revolve around the women's decisions, not the other way around. I, especially, love that Hope is the one determined to separate from Bo. She has reached the end of her rope with Bo's self-absorbed behavior and does not see a way forward in their marriage unless there is change. A woman taking charge of her relationship is almost revolutionary on a soap today.

[DRW50]

That's true. There's some of the same misogyny at other shows (like Victor's various comments about Kate or Chloe) but it doesn't drive stories, and the women are allowed to have their own identities.

I like the trivia at the end of the episode too. It's nice to see the mentions of history.

If this were something like GH, we might get:

Q: Who was the first character seen on GH?

A: Sonny Corinthos.

Or AMC

Q: What was Erica Kane's mother's name?

A: Um...Candy.

[Ann_SS]

I have missed a bit of Days lately, but the misogyny does not seem insidious like it is on GH and other ABC soaps. Victor is the exception to the rule, but that is because he is the villain patriarch and sometimes played for comedic relief at times like at Kate and Stefano's wedding.

I have been enjoying Days. It isn't perfect. Some of the acting is dire. Yet the show has vision and direction. Other than the baby switch, most of the stories feel organic even though they are obviously contrived. There are not those WTF moments that litter other soaps. On Days, the female characters are strong and determined even in the face of difficult situations and are never stay at the mercy of the male leads for every long. I don't know if Days will continue to see an upswing in it ratings, but it is superior to the other soaps at the moment.

[DRW50]

You're right, it isn't as insidious. For instance, I haven't heard EJ spend every episode calling Nicole a slut or a whore. The thing with DAYS is that they were built in part by strong, complex, emotional women like Julie. Then they hit such a bad patch in later years, especially with characters like Mimi, who got wonderful storylines like being "punished" for having an abortion, an abortion she only had because she thought her boyfriend didn't want kids.

DAYS still has a long way to go but I think they've done a good job of maturing Sami yet still having her as flawed, and they have other complex women. So far Carly also has a jagged edge. I hope that will continue.

Soaps are a woman's medium, both in terms of viewership and in that a lot of male viewers watch soaps for complex female characters. There are some exceptions of course but I think that is the way forward for soaps, because you really have to struggle to find complex roles for women anywhere. Soaps can do that again, if they try.

[Ann_SS]

Victor to Alexandra, "I would not kill Stefano, not unless I had to... I hope he recovers. I don't want Kate to get off the hook this easily, bitch." LOL!

[Toups]

Melanie and Nathan were so fun to watch today, they were pretty cute today. And their scenes with Maggie were really good.

LOL at Nicole whoring herself to Chad, a 16-17 year old.

I laughed at that too. I was surprised that Victor called her Alexandra, I don't remember him calling her that before.

Victor: I prefer the world where I can think of my old enemy as invincible. The myth of the Phoenix gives us all hope.

Lexie: Do you ever think how much of the world's pain are caused by old men trying to pretend they're not.

Victor: You know, your father and I have a great deal in common, actually. We both had strong, beautiful, good, daughters. He's so lucky to have you.

Maggie: You going out?

Melanie: Yeah...

Maggie: With Nathan?

Melanie: Yeah......I'm sorry.

Maggie: You don't want to go?

Melanie: No, of course not. I just...I know you don't want us to see each other.

Maggie: Well that's not my call is it.

Melanie: I guess not.....I just wish you were just okay with it. I liked it better when you liked me.

Maggie: I still like you Melanie, I just worry.

Melanie: That I'm going to hurt Nathan. And do something stupid like I did with Philip.

Maggie: Yeah, that's why I worry......because Nathan is not Philip. He doesn't have a bazillion dollars to fall back on, what he has is a career. And it's a very crucial time in his career right now. And you know, this is really hard. I swore I would keep my mouth shut.

Nathan: But if you did, you wouldn't be my Grandma Maggie, would you.

Nathan: I'm sorry.

Melanie: Don't be. She's just looking out for you. She just thinks I'm going to hurt you because that's a distinct possibility.

Nathan: It's bull....

Melanie: Nick's in jail.....I made porn star out of Philip...I almost lost you your job and now.....What? Why are you laughing at me? I'm serious.

Nathan: So am I.....Okay, we gotta go, right now.

Melanie: Why?

Nathan: Because it's against the rules for us to kiss......And when you talk like that, I can't help myself.

Today was another great script by Richard Culliton - I easily guessed it before the credits rolled.

[JackPeyton]

the Maggie/Sami scenes from last week were so fantastic. i loved them. i never though id see anything like that on this show between those two.

[DRW50]

I really liked those scenes too. I also liked that they had Maggie say, "If this isn't any of my business..." and had her say she knew how much Sami must be missing Marlena. It was all nicely done, instead of just assuming that Sami never had a mother on the show.

[JackPeyton]

wow. Suzanne Rogers. i dont know what to say. first those scenes between Maggie and Sami last week were fantastic and then there were the scenes today with Nathan and Melanie where she was holding back the tears. I am so happy someone at Days realized what they had and started to use it. I dont care if its because they fired other vets to do it. This woman is great and i am loving seeing her get to do her thing. I really hope she is at the day of days event so i can meet her again.

Go away thressa.

The Victor/Lexie scenes were an unexpected treat. Also loved the Lexie/Nicole and Lexie/EJ scenes. I think Victor talking about Stefano and how hes in the hospital pretty much scares him was a good scene that explains why days gave stefano the dib storyline, because it makes him human when hes been nothing but a cartoon for far too long.

Nicole trying to seduce Chad? LOL! This bitch is delusional and i love it. still, hope someone kills her when the truth comes out.

The sami scenes with ej were amazing. those two. damn. just. go. at. it. already. please! then there were the scenes with sami and mia/will. so odd watching sami interact with her teenage son and his girlfriend who had a baby. how long has ali been on days now? 17 years i think... damn.

[darraholic]

I'm glad Lexie didn't shun Nicole. It was nice to see her defend Nicole since she did the very same thing.

Melanie & Nathan are a very cute couple. I've honestly never really enjoyed a younger couple in a long time. I really hope DAYS doesn't screw it up with them.

[Raven04]

I actually like Mel/nathan too...I hated melanie at first, but dang it...they are a cute couple.

[KevC1980]

I like Melanie and Nathan as well. But don't like the fact that Phillip is going after Melanie now. It just doesn't make sense that he'd be interested in someone so much younger than him, when he could have whoever he wanted.

[JackPeyton]

Philip going after Melanie has a lot of issues, but her age isnt one for me. many men of Philips status go for younger women. He is what, almost 30 now? Melanie is 19/20.

[Ann_SS]

ITA. The quad with Phillip after Melanie and Stephanie interested in Nathan seems forced. I would have preferred Phillip and Melanie thrown to together in a work situation and eventually working out their differences or another man interested in Stephanie leading Phillip to reassess his feelings for her.