24 minutes ago, Toups said:

This entire week has been really good!  First starting with Xander beating up Philip.  I too didn't expect to see Xander get so violent, by kicking Philip numerous times. And I didn't expect Philip to tell Xander that "Sarah knew," which lead to Wednesday's wonderful scenes with Xander/Sarah confronting each other.  I think those scenes were definitely Lindsay's best acting that she's done on the show.  I'm not really a huge fan of Sarah/Xander as a romantic couple - I don't hate them either.  But Lindsay and Paul do have a ton of acting chemistry and these scenes proved that. 

I don't read spoilers so I had no idea Bo/Hope were going to be on today.  That was a nice surprise.  Same with Ciara showing up. I totally forgot Ciara has two kids with Ben. I liked how she talked about them and Zack.  I've always liked Victoria Konefal and thought she did a good job today. And yes, I didn't mind seeing Ciara's usual cleavage shot during those emotional scenes. Thank you, wardrobe department!  LOL

Could the lead up to John's death have been better?  Sure.  But I didn't hate it.  I liked that John's final act was saving Bo's life.  And that full circle moment at the hospital with Marlena was poetic. 

I was starting to get a bit teary eyed during today's episode.  Next week is going to be tough.

Pretty much my exact sentiments. The good DAYS are here again! We are so back! Rejoice! Viva la Salem! (Am I being too extra?)

To add to this, Ari being immediately dick hungry made me instantly like her. 

I think Julie's scenes today added so much, too. They could have easily not been part of the episode, but it just added to the emotional stakes. Was her flashback part of the CoD story? And that little scene Maggie had with Philip earlier in the week added so much heart to drama of that story. Matriarchs are so back!

When Kayla had to tell Marlena that John was hurt again, I couldn't help but think back to when she went off on Bo for leaving Roman to go after Stefano. I wonder if they'll have her go off on someone like Kayla or Steve and initially blame them for John's death.

It should be stated Kristian Alfonso still looks amazing, but I did think it was ridiculous that she was wearing a Chanel suit to go help with the dangerous mission, but it was good to see her be part of it while we had Kayla and Marlena sitting back and waiting for the best.

The only part I didn't like was Ciara mentioning how great Ben is. Not buying sis, but the fact Konefal returned and immediately was crying her eyes out was impressive. Since Hope mentioned her, I wonder if we'll get a Chelsea return next week?

Also, during Bo's dream/purgatory scenes, did anyone think we were going to see a return from a dead character? Isabella or Zack since he was mentioned in the episode would have been a good shout or both. I can't think of a better one where the actor hasn't also passed.

I can't decide if that John Black montage were the most emotional moment of the episode, but holy f*ck was it bittersweet to see Drake Hogestyn back on my screen again. Phew!

Again, a great week, and a fantastic episode to finish it off. 

Edited May 23May 23 by Bright Eyes

19 minutes ago, Bright Eyes said:

To add to this, Ari being immediately dick hungry made me instantly like her. 

 

That was another thing was surprised me in a good way. Having a teenage character hook up with a total stranger on her second episode?  Wow. We don't often see that.  But to have it happen with Diddler-Doug? This is now the second girl he's gone after who's still in high school.  In my mind, Diddler-Doug is in his mid 20's, unless the show has established that he's not?

9 minutes ago, Toups said:

In my mind, Diddler-Doug is in his mid 20's, unless the show has established that he's not?

If he's younger, he is very precocious when it comes to loan sharking, prison, and poetry.  I wonder if he is meant to be younger than Javi?

Edited May 24May 24 by j swift

4 minutes ago, Toups said:

That was another thing was surprised me in a good way. Having a teenage character hook up with a total stranger on her second episode?  Wow. We don't often see that.  But to have it happen with Diddler-Doug? This is now the second girl he's gone after who's still in high school.  In my mind, Diddler-Doug is in his mid 20's, unless the show has established that he's not?

Peyton Meyer is 26, but I'm telling myself Doug's about 21, since all the actors in his group (Tate/Holly/Arianna/Sofia) are all a few years older than their characters. Actually, Leo Howard is a decade older than Tate! Still not the greatest optics, but still much more tolerable.

I just think with high schoolers, you have to establish the age of their romantic interest.  Otherwise, it can get really creepy.  If Doug was 19-20, I would've enjoyed his poetry/books discussion with Holly because on paper, it was actually pretty good. 

5 minutes ago, Bright Eyes said:

Peyton Meyer is 26, but I'm telling myself Doug's about 21, since all the actors in his group (Tate/Holly/Arianna/Sofia) are all a few years older than their characters. Actually, Leo Howard is a decade older than Tate! Still not the greatest optics, but still much more tolerable.

Doug can legally order drinks and has since he arrived so I assume he's like 22 or 23.  A little too old to be creeping on Holly, but they are all graduating or graduated (Ari) so it's not the worst.

Never forget, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bo and Hope, that their age gap was so wide it gave OG Doug a heart attack.

Edited May 24May 24 by j swift

2 minutes ago, j swift said:

Never forget, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bo and Hope, that their age gap was so wide it gave Doug a heart attack.

I am no Bo/Hope fan girl, but I think the ages were about 18/22.  It was more Doug finding Hope in a comprising position with Bo that gave him a heart attack lol.

16 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I am no Bo/Hope fan girl, but I think the ages were about 18/22.  It was more Doug finding Hope in a comprising position with Bo that gave him a heart attack lol.

Here's the question, let's say you're Melissa, -- Would you be forgiven for not posting about Bo & Hope's anniversary today on social media because you didn't include the number of years that either of them were assumed dead in the last 40 years?😎😉

Is it rude to Billie and Carly, if the Brady's ignore the time Bo was with them?

Edited May 24May 24 by j swift

9 minutes ago, j swift said:

Here's the question, let's say you're Melissa, -- Would you be forgiven for not posting about Bo & Hope's anniversary today on social media because you didn't include the number of years that either of them were assumed dead in the last 40 years?😎😉

Is it rude to Billie and Carly, if the Brady's ignore the time Bo was with them?

Lol.  No one cares about Melissa.  She's a non factor.

I do side eye the Billie/Carly years and the multiple divorces, but I still consider John/Marlena's 1986 marriage to be their real marriage even though it's not, so I'll let the whole thing slide with Bo/Hope.  Kristian looks great so when you hear 40 years of marriage you think she was like 11 when she got married.

5 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Lol.  No one cares about Melissa.  She's a non factor.

I do side eye the Billie/Carly years and the multiple divorces, but I still consider John/Marlena's 1986 marriage to be their real marriage even though it's not, so I'll let the whole thing slide with Bo/Hope.  Kristian looks great so when you hear 40 years of marriage you think she was like 11 when she got married.

Aw, I care about Melissa. Hope's OG bff, and I'm talking before the SORAS. #neverforget

I think the polite thing to do is just a simple Happy Anniversary, plus heartfelt message, without the mention of specific years.

Did Melissa ever interact with Billie or Carly? I'm guessing fake Melissa did with the latter before she left?

That picture made me realize I've never really thought about how it was pre-Steve and John existing. And no Roman, or Kayla, or Doug and Julie. Who was Bo's best man? And who are the three people next to him in that picture?

Edited May 24May 24 by Bright Eyes

27 minutes ago, Bright Eyes said:

And who are the three people next to him in that picture?

The third man is Howie Hofstetter, Bo's friend who helped Hope get out of marrying Larry Welch.

🎼I'm holding out for a hero…

I'll let someone else tell you who the other two are, because it will blow your mind.

Poor Bo & Hope had a free destination wedding in England, at a castle, and only the "B" team of Salem was available to attend!

Also, (to paraphrase an old song) tonight we're celebratin' the love of Hope's scullcap at her English wedding.  A lot has happened in between. But, it was still an amazing headpiece. That deserves recognition for not only how long KA kept it pinned to her head, but then she loved it so, she wore it at her real wedding.

Edited May 24May 24 by j swift

29 minutes ago, Bright Eyes said:

Aw, I care about Melissa. Hope's OG bff, and I'm talking before the SORAS. #neverforget

I think the polite thing to do is just a simple Happy Anniversary, plus heartfelt message, without the mention of specific years.

Did Melissa ever interact with Billie or Carly? I'm guessing fake Melissa did with the latter before she left?

That picture made me realize I've never really thought about how it was pre-Steve and John existing. And no Roman, or Kayla, or Doug and Julie. Who was Bo's best man? And who are the three people next to him in that picture?

Lol.  I just really disliked Melissa.

Melissa was gone before Billie and I THINK before Carly.

I have no idea who the people are on the right of Bo.  Was that the weird time they recast Caroline and Shawn?  I think the kids are Eric and Sami.  

Marlena and Abe look fancy and fresh lol.

Also, I'm giving Hope's Chanel jacket and Ceara's leather pants a pass, because I don't think they knew that they would wind up in Salem today when they got dressed.  So, there's been no time/opportunity to change outfits.

Although 😉 it reminded me that Sami and Hope seemed to have both shopped at a Chanel-knockoff outlet recently.  And if Hope, Ceara, and Bo suddenly have a change of clothes next week, I'm gonna need a throwaway line about how Hope raided Aunt Maggie's closet because of all that shopping she's been doing with Julie.

1 minute ago, carolineg said:

Was that the weird time they recast Caroline and Shawn?

Yep, it must be why they so rarely show flashbacks of the whole wedding party.

Caroline looks like Kate 1.0

Just now, j swift said:

Also, I'm giving Hope's Chanel jacket and Ceara's leather pants a pass, because I don't think they knew that they would wind up in Salem today when they got dressed.  So, there's been no time/opportunity to change outfits.

Although 😉 it reminded me that Sami and Hope seemed to have both shopped at a Chanel-knockoff outlet recently.  And if Hope, Ceara, and Bo suddenly have a change of clothes next week, I'm gonna need a throwaway line about how Hope raided Aunt Maggie's closet because of all that shopping she's been doing with Julie.

CIARA's outfit would have been fine if the cameraman wasn't literally filming down her shirt.  You could see Victoria's bra and boobs for at least half the episode lol.