I assume we’re going to see more Cat and Rafe working together to investigate EJ. But even from this setup, I already find it distracting. Rafe is with the FBI. Cat is ISA. And now they’re teaming up to look into how EJ used funds from the Titan–DiMera merger to influence a hospital board vote. That’s not something either agency would be involved in. The money wasn’t stolen. There’s no sign of fraud. And this isn’t the kind of case the ISA handles.

It’s also strange that the FBI would assign Rafe to investigate EJ when, not that long ago, EJ kidnapped him and replaced him with a lookalike. That seems like a basic conflict of interest, even in a soap.

Days often asks us to hold two ideas at once: that these characters live in a fictional universe filled with international, midwestern based spies and magical cures that need to be rescued from crack dens, and that they also operate in a world where the FBI, cancer, and basic legal structures still exist. That tension is part of the show’s identity, but it also creates moments like this that are frustrating to me. When the storytelling leans too far into one side without acknowledging the other, it becomes harder for me to stay focused on the plot.

I also created a helpful chart to keep us up to date.

2 minutes ago, j swift said:

I also created a helpful chart to keep us up to date.

Thanks for posting. This is great!

2 hours ago, j swift said:

I assume we’re going to see more Cat and Rafe working together to investigate EJ. But even from this setup, I already find it distracting. Rafe is with the FBI. Cat is ISA. And now they’re teaming up to look into how EJ used funds from the Titan–DiMera merger to influence a hospital board vote. That’s not something either agency would be involved in. The money wasn’t stolen. There’s no sign of fraud. And this isn’t the kind of case the ISA handles.

It’s also strange that the FBI would assign Rafe to investigate EJ when, not that long ago, EJ kidnapped him and replaced him with a lookalike. That seems like a basic conflict of interest, even in a soap.

Days often asks us to hold two ideas at once: that these characters live in a fictional universe filled with international, midwestern based spies and magical cures that need to be rescued from crack dens, and that they also operate in a world where the FBI, cancer, and basic legal structures still exist. That tension is part of the show’s identity, but it also creates moments like this that are frustrating to me. When the storytelling leans too far into one side without acknowledging the other, it becomes harder for me to stay focused on the plot.

I agree with every word of this. Soaps lose me when they write like this.

 

-- Stephanie's novel should be trashed as a story idea. It's just terrible, and now it's compounded by hearing how embarrassed she'd be if people knew she wrote sex scenes.

-- Xander and Philip scenes continue to be interesting and enjoyable to watch.  Paul Telfer and JPL are really good together. It took JPL a while to get control of his character, but now he owns it.

-- EJ/Johnny scenes have also been very well written and acted. Carson Boatman has improved a lot since his early months on the show.

It’s wild to me that Xander is threatening Sarah with custody when, legally, she’s the one holding all the cards. They got married before he inherited his half of the Kiriakis estate, so unless there’s a prenup we haven’t heard about, Sarah is entitled to half of his half. That makes her a quarter-owner of Titan-DiMera Industries. If he pushes her into a legal fight, she can come back with a community property claim and wind up with board-level power, full custody, and a chunk of the company. The show has built those conditions into the story but is still scripting Xander like he’s the one with leverage, which doesn’t track.

7 hours ago, j swift said:

It’s wild to me that Xander is threatening Sarah with custody when, legally, she’s the one holding all the cards. They got married before he inherited his half of the Kiriakis estate, so unless there’s a prenup we haven’t heard about, Sarah is entitled to half of his half. That makes her a quarter-owner of Titan-DiMera Industries. If he pushes her into a legal fight, she can come back with a community property claim and wind up with board-level power, full custody, and a chunk of the company. The show has built those conditions into the story but is still scripting Xander like he’s the one with leverage, which doesn’t track.

They were married after he inherited. He was in his office at Titan having just accepted that it was his destiny when she came in and told him they were getting married that day

10 hours ago, j swift said:

It’s wild to me that Xander is threatening Sarah with custody when, legally, she’s the one holding all the cards. They got married before he inherited his half of the Kiriakis estate, so unless there’s a prenup we haven’t heard about, Sarah is entitled to half of his half. That makes her a quarter-owner of Titan-DiMera Industries. If he pushes her into a legal fight, she can come back with a community property claim and wind up with board-level power, full custody, and a chunk of the company. The show has built those conditions into the story but is still scripting Xander like he’s the one with leverage, which doesn’t track.

I agree Sarah holds all the cards, but not because of money.  Sarah is privy to all the illegal things Xander has done in the past.  Even if he got away with most of it, no judge would give him full custody.  He's a criminal.  Sarah is a Dr. from a respectable family and while she does boneheaded things-she's a good person.  There really isn't a fight here.

 

On 6/26/2025 at 4:20 PM, j swift said:

Good episode today. I’d give it a 6 out of 10.

It made me think about two things. First, the show played with the idea that Kate might misread the hug between Roman and Marlena. But they didn’t go there, which was the right choice. Marlena just buried John, and the characters know each other too well for that kind of misunderstanding.

What stood out more was that Roman and Marlena later talked to Johnny together. It made me think about how those two are starting to lean on each other, especially when it comes to supporting Johnny. It also makes me curious how Kate will respond—not out of jealousy, but because Roman’s loyalty is important to her. Loyalty is always a trigger for Kate. And now that Johnny is working under Philip at Titan, today’s episode quietly set up an interesting future conflict: whether Roman’s loyalty will go to Johnny, his grandson with Marlena, or to Philip, through his marriage to Kate. That could affect Roman and Kate’s marriage, which I’d be fine with—I wouldn’t mind seeing Kate move on from the pub. And now that Tony’s back, I’ve always liked the chemistry between Kate and Tony.

I am loving the show right now and the way they wrote that Marlena/Roman/Kate scene and then how Kate decided it was time to "hang up her apron" and take the job at Titan precisely so she can take down Xander. Kate really got the shaft from the Former HW and was relegated to serving up chow at the Brady Pub. The new HW team has reinvigorated her in a big way.

I appreciate that the writers are giving all of these veteran women characters something to do.

I'm waiting on a storyline involving Marlena and clinical depression. I think her talking to Sarah about her normal bloodwork is hinting that Marlena knows something is wrong.

On 6/27/2025 at 6:51 AM, brisbydog said:

Please stop with Stephanie and her novel. I am begging. Kate is only taking the job so she can bring down Xander. If the porno saves TitanDimera from folding I guess there could be a use for it.

I think you're right - the sole purpose of this storyline is to get Kate back into Titan so she can set out to take down Xander. Anyone could have written it, but the writers like the Alex/Stephanie chemistry (truth be told, I do too, they're an attractive cute couple).

2 hours ago, DaytimeFan said:

I am loving the show right now and the way they wrote that Marlena/Roman/Kate scene and then how Kate decided it was time to "hang up her apron" and take the job at Titan precisely so she can take down Xander. Kate really got the shaft from the Former HW and was relegated to serving up chow at the Brady Pub. The new HW team has reinvigorated her in a big way.

I appreciate that the writers are giving all of these veteran women characters something to do.

I'm waiting on a storyline involving Marlena and clinical depression. I think her talking to Sarah about her normal bloodwork is hinting that Marlena knows something is wrong.

I think you're right - the sole purpose of this storyline is to get Kate back into Titan so she can set out to take down Xander. Anyone could have written it, but the writers like the Alex/Stephanie chemistry (truth be told, I do too, they're an attractive cute couple).

Knowing that you and I are the resident Kate lovers around here you have me excited. I know some thought putting her with marble mouth and settling down was a good idea but I never agreed with that. Kate has done and been through too much to Be relegated to the pub. She’s been involved with businesses as long as I can remember.

I truly love Deidre - she carried the show on her back for so many years. But her acting isn't quite what it used to be, and most of her leading men - Don, Roman (the original), and John - are no longer part of the canvas. Her children have mostly moved on too, except for Belle. Maybe it's time for Marlena to take a step back? I’m not sure there’s much left for her in Salem at this point. She could still return for guest appearances, like Maggie, Hope, Julie, Jennifer, or Carrie.

4 hours ago, asafi said:

I truly love Deidre - she carried the show on her back for so many years. But her acting isn't quite what it used to be, and most of her leading men - Don, Roman (the original), and John - are no longer part of the canvas. Her children have mostly moved on too, except for Belle. Maybe it's time for Marlena to take a step back? I’m not sure there’s much left for her in Salem at this point. She could still return for guest appearances, like Maggie, Hope, Julie, Jennifer, or Carrie.

I think it's pretty much heresy to suggest Deidre should take a step back. She centers the entire show. Plus, her acting is fine, and I don't see anything diminishing there.

On 6/27/2025 at 7:24 PM, ranger1rg said:

 

 

-- Stephanie's novel should be trashed as a story idea. It's just terrible, and now it's compounded by hearing how embarrassed she'd be if people knew she wrote sex scenes.

 

I hate/loathe the story as well.

On 6/28/2025 at 1:43 PM, AbcNbc247 said:

 

I almost missed it. It was nice to see Colton and Christopher on. I noticed too but didn't mention the non kiss at the wedding and the awful cake.

And Colton made a new friend.😂😍 Who wouldn't be mesmerized by

 

3 hours ago, Soapsuds said:

I almost missed it. It was nice to see Colton and Christopher on. I noticed too but didn't mention the non kiss at the wedding and the awful cake.

And Colton made a new friend.😂😍 Who wouldn't be mesmerized by

 

His new best friend! I wonder if they ever had that drink 😂😂😂😂

Colton is still so funny 😊😊😊

It’s too bad that he never got to show off that sense of humor onscreen.  

And at least we now know that a kiss was scripted, but was cut for “reasons”

Edited June 30Jun 30 by AbcNbc247

@AbcNbc247

It is interesting that Colton mentioned he thought there would be drama with Will's return for the wedding.

Also, his mention of being tied up and water poured on him is his type of story.

You both think alike in story ideas.😂

If I didn't know better, I'd think you were Colton.😂

1 hour ago, AbcNbc247 said:

His new best friend! I wonder if they ever had that drink 😂😂😂😂

Colton is still so funny 😊😊😊

It’s too bad that he never got to show off that sense of humor onscreen.  

And at least we now know that a kiss was scripted, but was cut for “reasons”

I'm surprised they didn't give him and Chandler any scenes. Maybe when they were chatting onscreen in the background, Colton was asking Chandler out for a drink.😂😍

 

Edited June 30Jun 30 by Soapsuds