I really appreciated all the movement in today's episode.  It resonated with me that it felt like the sort of nervous energy that can surround a family after death.

I want to point out the EJ scene.  I was riveted by his multi-layered performance. When he told Belle that he went to her because he loved her, and then saw that she was embarrassed by him, and rejected the part of her that was attracted to him.  It started to make even more sense why he would try to protect Johnny (who I still don't think shot him). 

EJ feels like a pariah (although TBH, it wouldn't have hurt to bring Marlena some of that tea that everyone had been promising her all morning).  And he doesn't want to pass that along to his son by exposing him as the shooter.  It is interesting that we see none of those same concern between Kristen and lil'Rachel. 

Edited June 4Jun 4 by j swift

Excellent Roman and Kayla scenes. Best work I’ve seen from Josh Taylor. That was real emotion there. Awesome comments to wrap up Roman and John.

Deidre Hall was once again perfect. When she slightly snapped at Abe and Paulina for asking about the funeral. Just perfect.

Hope we get a lot more of Julie with Marlena. 

As rude as it is, I wish they would’ve done another Eileen/Stacy switch for this story. Stacy’s Kristen is completely defined by Brady and we don’t get flashbacks.

The balls on EJ to show up at Marlena and John’s home.

3 hours ago, MichaelGL said:

That final scene of Marlena playing John’s voicemail over and over again really got to me 😭

It was so perfect and sad.

Great work from Deidre. Tears were flowing.

4 hours ago, Antoyne said:

 

As rude as it is, I wish they would’ve done another Eileen/Stacy switch for this story. Stacy’s Kristen is completely defined by Brady and we don’t get flashbacks.

 

I was left kind of wishing this too. I couldn’t help but to think how Eileen would’ve acted said scene.

Another great episode.

I was loving how everyone had someone to seek comfort in as they absorbed the news about John’s death, particularly Johnny/Chanel and Paul/ Andrew 😊😊

Seriously, Janel has become one of my favorite couples lately. Chanel has been such a steady hand in Johnny’s life and I’m looking forward to seeing how they’re there for each other in the aftermath of John’s death.  But I am also looking forward to seeing the next conflict for them lol especially since EJ’s shooting is still dangling out there and that Johnny is gonna start working at Titan. 

Paul and Andrew were sweet too. I love how Andrew comforted him. Idk if I’d be able to get married so quickly if I was in Paul’s shoes, but I do agree with the fact that it is what John would’ve wanted. I enjoyed their scenes with Will and Carrie too, even though Will and Andrew acted like they weren’t cousins. Hopefully, we’ll get more scenes of them coming up. But yeah, I will never not believe that a Will/Sonny/Paul/Andrew quad is a massive missed opportunity. There are so many story possibilities for the four of them, especially now. But again, if we can’t get them all full time, I’m fine with each couple getting a happily ever after. Away from Salem and safe from Leo.

Btw, Colton is really tall 😊😂😂

And, unfortunately it looks like Sami won’t be making it to John’s memorial and that really sucks. Friggin Sydney lol

I was also loving Bo’s reunion with his family. They work so well together as a family and I couldn’t be happier that we’re finally getting moments like this. The three of them filling Bo in on what’s been going in Salem for all these years was nice but also a little sad, especially after Bo found out about Victor and Doug. But I wonder if Bo’s going to have any scenes with his new brother, Xander. Or how he’s gonna react to finding out about John.

And, I guess it was necessary for Bo to meet Ciara’s little serial killers too. 

Announcer: Two gay cousins fight for the same man, Paul.

 

Announcer: Days of Our Lives.

 

@AbcNbc247 😁😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😊😍😂😂😂

10 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

Announcer: Two gay cousins fight for the same man, Paul.

 

Announcer: Days of Our Lives.

 

@AbcNbc247 😁😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😊😍😂😂😂

Leading to a knockdown, drag out brawl in the Brady Pub 👊🏻😂😂

There’s so much fanfiction running through my mind right now 

7 hours ago, Antoyne said:

As rude as it is, I wish they would’ve done another Eileen/Stacy switch for this story. Stacy’s Kristen is completely defined by Brady and we don’t get flashbacks.

 

Totally feel the same. Stacy’s fine, but this version of Kristen just exists for Brady’s storyline. No flashbacks, no real layers. Eileen always brought that extra spark - and her chemistry with Drake back in the day? So good. Definitely feels like a missed opportunity. Can you imagine Eileen’s Kristen walking in, all shaky, and just hugging Marlena? Both of them crying - like actual, messy, earned tears? That would’ve hit so much harder. Pure soap gold.

I did not expect Peter Reckell to be the one to break my heart today. Incredible scenes with Bo and his family.

The live video tribute to Drake last night with current and former actors
Thread with link to video:
https://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/68987-days-currentformer-actors-live-video-tribute-for-drake-hogestyn 

They said that the episodes were filmed out of order over a span of time.

As we already knew,
re: the upcoming memorial service (not spoiling the airdate here)...
the memorial service was taped *before* Drake passed away, and then the studio was on a preplanned hiatus, and the actors learned of his passing during the hiatus.

New info from the video last night, is that some of what recently aired (such as June 3rd episode ) was taped *after* the hiatus, so after Drake passed away.
Maybe I misunderstood what Martha Madison said, but it sounded that way.

My god, I don't know how the actors filmed it, especially Diedre. 

 

JOHN'S FAREWELL SONG...

 

Goodbye My Love (For Now) performed by Vanessa Bryan.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_migDRYg34

Hump Day Thoughts

Let me start with the snark: I can accept that John's memorial will be held at the pub—but I do not believe that a man who spent years thinking he was a priest (and fought the devil twice) wouldn’t have wanted a church funeral. It’s not the choice of venue that bothers me—it’s the casual, throwaway dialogue that pulls me out of the moment.

That said, I was genuinely riveted by the scenes of everyone catching Bo up on what he’s missed. His sense of shock and grief felt earned. Imagine waking up to find that so many people you loved had died—and that you’d caused so much pain to your wife and son. That brief moment of overwhelm was beautifully played. And if you think back to EJ or Stefan's resurrections, there was no acknowledgement of an adjustment.  (Of course, IRL, someone would’ve eventually told him: “Honestly, Bo, you were lucky to sleep through the Ron C. years.” 😉)

Also, kudos to Hope for maintaining Bo’s beard, haircuts, and dye jobs all these years. I actually found it realistic. Many families of coma patients do keep up with grooming, partly as a way to pass time at the bedside. And let’s be honest: in real life, a lot of bearded men wake up clean-shaven because the machines require it… or because their wives secretly hated the beard all along.

Props to Brandon Beemer today for stepping up and showing more emotional range than his usual “intensity mode.” It added depth, and it was needed.

As for the chatter about the gay quad. I’ve read the comments, and I get the appeal, but I’ve never been a Paul fan. The guy’s just a drip. Not for me.

 

Edited June 4Jun 4 by j swift

Side note: I was thinking about the irony of the number of children John, Victor, and Stefano found later in life.  I wonder if Tony Dimera will ever find a long-lost child?  Either from Melaswen (I hope not), or a kid that Anna's kept hidden.

2 hours ago, j swift said:

As for the chatter about the gay quad. I’ve read the comments, and I get the appeal, but I’ve never been a Paul fan. The guy’s just a drip. Not for me.

But he's the only one of John's kids who can carry on his legacy 😂😂😂