DAYS: May 2025 Discussion Thread

[Soapsuds]

Doug looked delicious in Thursday's episode. The episode wasn't as great as Wednesday's. I was a bit disappointed.

It was nice seeing Paul again but I'm not thrilled at the way their writing John's exist.

[carolineg]

Yeah.  As one of the biggest John and John/Marlena fans here I don't like this exit.  I know the circumstances were difficult and Drake apparently signed off on this.  I think him dying while killing Orpheus was the way to go.  There isn't a scenario I can imagine John not immediately running home to see Marlena before he helps Bo.  It's very difficult to watch his family wait for him and be so excited.  

I am positive the aftermath will be great.  I just don't love the exit.

[Efulton]

It is such a joy to watch Days again.  Gone is the silliness and the show I watched off and on since 1985 is back.  The writers are doing incredibly well considering the mess they had to fix.  They were also challenged with 3 huge tasks - killing John, correctly the misstep that was Bo's return and crafting a 60th anniversary celebration.  I think we are in for a rewarding ride over the next year.

[AbcNbc247]

Everything happened too fast with Doug III/Ari. The script literally went from Point A to Point Z in one scene.

We should’ve seen Point B, C, D, etc. 

I mean, there’s nothing wrong with John dying as a hero to save Bo. It’s just that everything surrounding it seemed to be a problem.

John disappearing/Orpheus and the bomb turning out to be nothing, fighting with some random U/5 junkie to get the drug, John getting back to Salem and not seeing Marlena and his family, etc.

John Black getting taken out by some random junkie? 

Edited 4 hours ago by AbcNbc247

[carolineg]

Yes.  I am not capable of telling you what my perfect ending would be for John, but I think it would involve being a hero and taking out Orpheus or even a now alive Stefano or something.  But then they would win.  Idk, it just an impossible circumstance for the writers.  There is no way the John we know would just immediately go help Bo before going to see his family.   

I had a similar feeling when John was killed off in a "random" car accident years ago, but that obviously wasn't permanent. 

[janea4old]

I disagree. I think John would do the right thing and help Bo first if Bo's life were in danger, and that his family would love him for being true to those ideals.  To me, that's just who John is.

Edited 3 hours ago by janea4old

[carolineg]

We will agree to disagree on this.  He would go see Marlena first, explain he has to help Bo, and then go meet Steve, Shawn, Hope, etc.  I know that realistically isn't possible, but John would never keep Marlena hanging like that IMO.  She's always been the most important person to him.

There were also MULTIPLE people working on the Bo situation.  John could have taken 1/2 hour to see Marlena especially when she was obviously so worried about him.

Edited 3 hours ago by carolineg

[j swift]

I don't like it, but…

Roman originally died falling off a cliff, while fighting Stefano.  That's completely beyond the limits of today's production, but I think the Orpheus tangent paid homage to that idea.  And, as we've discussed, it would be difficult to determine who John's ultimate mortal enemy would be, that is still alive.  It is arguably not Orpheus, whose been more of a pain to Marlena.

I object to it not happening off-screen.  I can think of a dozen ways that Marlena could be watching a live stream, and we see it from her POV. Or, Shane has to tell the family that he died in the line of service.  Or, Andrew has to tell the family that John died saving him, and he feels guilty.

What I don't like is the tacky optics of watching not-John in danger, and presumedly watching people say goodbye to not-John.   From the establishing shots, to the costuming, to this casting choice, it appears that DAYS has more problems with the visuals than the dialogue.  All things being equal, that's not a terrible place to be.

To @carolineg's point, I believe John would've at least texted his wife that he was back in Salem and home soon.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by j swift

[Liberty City]

I am 

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 with you on this!!

[carolineg]

I would have preferred it happened off screen as well.  The excitement his family had about him coming back makes it that much sadder and tragic.  I don't really need to see a family say goodbye to not-John.  

I won't even go on my Orpheus rant who's beef is actually with Roman and not John.

[asafi]

Seriously, why not just write John off with cancer? No need for all this over-the-top drama. 

[carolineg]

Umm.. that would be highly insensitive considering Drake died of cancer.

[Liberty City]

I agree; that would hit too close to home.

[Days22]

idk about some of the surrounding issues but John Black dying while in bandages is actually genius. Going out the way he came.

[carolineg]

I did get that full circle moment and appreciated it.