DAYS: April 2025 Discussion Thread

[j swift]

The only subtle change that I noticed today were characters actually texting each other. One of my enduring soap-related pet peeves is how characters seem to live in a pre-cellphone era—forever waiting to run into each other at the Brady Pub or the hospital before divulging crucial information. In a world where teens practically have phones fused to their palms, it’s refreshing (and frankly overdue) to see the show reflect that.

Now, onto what I would consider the most perplexing scene of the day: Amy, Paulina, and Chanel discussing the potential adoption—without Sophia present. Why is the person at the center of this decision missing from the conversation? Add to that Chanel’s oddly timed “We’re not that religious” line, clearly a setup for her dramatic “I have something to admit” before the commercial break. It felt forced, contrived even. Yes, I understand the episode was engineered to cast suspicion on Chanel regarding EJ’s shooting, only to exonerate her by the end—but I never bought into her as a legitimate suspect, so the dramatic tension fell flat.

That said, I do appreciate the methodical pace of ruling out suspects every few days. So far, we can strike Kristen, Chanel, and Kate from the list. It’s a satisfying narrative rhythm and lends the mystery a bit more weight.

Lastly, I must air a minor grievance: the Chad and Johnny scenes. While earnest, they would feel far more resonant if they were between Johnny and JJ. Not only are they contemporaries in Salem’s ever-flexible timeline, but JJ—being the son of Jack Deveraux, a man with a disturbing past—has his own experience wrestling with familial trauma. A Johnny/JJ alliance would add nuance and emotional heft to both characters.

All in all, an uneven episode with glimmers of promise. Here’s hoping tomorrow’s installment keeps the pacing but ups the plausibility.

 

[Bright Eyes]

For those interested, here is Ron Carlivati's full cast list from his entire tenure:

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[DaytimeFan]

The stock footage they use for establishing shots is weird across the board. The establishing shot for the Kiriakis mansion would be better used for the Newman Ranch over on Y&R.

[Liberty City]

It's almost like they went onto a stock footage archive, said, "We like this," and went with it without a care in the world. Yes, the opening gates would suit the Newman Ranch more (especially with what we've seen of the Newman Ranch exterior), not to mention... it'd fit a location like Wisconsin more than it does Illinois. It does not fit. At all. And they need to fix it.

[Liberty City]

Well, I'm on today's episode. First time since pre-Peacock I've been in this position.

[AbcNbc247]

I thought it was meant to cast suspicion on Amy.

Thanks for posting!

This looks really good

[DaytimeFan]

The show had a much better sense of itself and its exterior back in the 90s, but it's always been a mashup of vague Cape Cod (the Brady Pub), Victorian (the Horton house), and urban landscape (I recall the backdrop of Marlena's penthouse was San Francisco) with some fantastical mansions thrown in. 

The show started going with Illinois in recent times but for years it was some kind of fantasy land where it was in the Midwest but you could sail into the ocean.

[Liberty City]

It's been confirmed in Illinois since 2015, per the 50th anniversary interview with the cast on Today. 

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 But with Chicago being "nearby" and the oft-mentioned 312 area code, it makes sense for it to be in the state of Illinois versus the Midwest or even New England.

[j swift]

I didn't pick up on that at all (lunch was good, so I may have been distracted).

It feels nuts, but I keep thinking that there's no way that they're going to saddle Tate with a baby forever. Given that Sophia is already showing, it would be in poor taste for her to miscarry (we all know soap miscarriages rarely occur this late in the gestational period). So, as I watch, my mind wonders to the thousands of different ways that they can write themselves out of this corner.

Edited Tuesday at 10:48 PM by j swift

[AbcNbc247]

In the beginning, I suspected that 

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but now I'm not so sure.

[ranger1rg]

That ruined the entire 40-minute runtime for me. Stacy Haiduk needs to be retired from this show, period.

 

 

[j swift]

This is speculation, not a spoiler (I know nothing)

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[AbcNbc247]

Agreed.

I would've written her/Kristen out a long time ago

I wouldn't mind that lol especially if it means the feud between them continues to grow.

[ranger1rg]

She annoys me as much as Leo does, honestly. And that's A LOT.

[AbcNbc247]

Friggin Y&R interlopers 

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