The improved writing for Kayla continued today.

I do love seeing her go head to head with EJ, and today was no different. Though the new writers don't seem to have much of an interest in Steve anymore, which is too bad, I appreciate what they have done for Kayla. She has such a stronger identity now. And I like how she was there for Sarah too.

Speaking of Sarah, her and Javi were a nice surprise. I enjoyed their scenes and it has been really good to see them finally get Javi out of those bubbles with Leo, and with Rafe/Gabi. And he seems to have more of an identity under the new writers as well. Slowly, he's becoming more than just Leo's boy. 

Stephanie was a little boring at the beginning of the episode though. This book thing is still DOA to me, but she did seem a lot more interesting in her scenes with EJ. Her doing PR for the hospital could lead to something good happening. And I can't help but think that there did seem to be a little foreshadowing in the scene when Kayla learned that EJ was meeting with Stephanie. 

As for Daddy Tate and Grandpa Brady, neither of them seemed very bright today but I like how Brady comforted him but Tate was right to chastise himself lol and surprisingly, Brady did seem a little John-like in those scenes, which is definitely a good thing. 

4 hours ago, te. said:

It's gross. It's weird how we have a lot of other gay couples in the DAYS universe (Will and Sonny, Paul and Andrew, Dmitri and unknown dude, potentially Craig with an unknown partner) and they get stuck on Leo. I can only assume Greg Rikaart has agreed to work for the money in the change jar. 

Days really seems to be sticking with that, "we don't write for half couples" mandate, which is too bad, because I'd rather see any of these couplings than any one that involves Leo.

2 hours ago, cody_1990 said:

They should be doing big things. Changing things and reshaping the canvas, not playing it safe. 

If it were me, Leo would've been killed off and completely forgotten about already 😂

And this Gwen's return storyline would've been axed.

Id be ok if Dimitri came back and killed both Gwen and Leo for revenge, and shoot Johnny on his way out of Salem, saying he wanted all the Dimeras to die and wish he would have killed EJ the 1st time around.

That is so weĺl said. And also well thought out.  I'm not sure what my expectations were but they were only met in the sense of  the dread Body & Soul being gone & what initially seemed like more usual writing. Then, sorta nothing. 

57 minutes ago, J Brooks said:

Id be ok if Dimitri came back and killed both Gwen and Leo for revenge, and shoot Johnny on his way out of Salem, saying he wanted all the Dimeras to die and wish he would have killed EJ the 1st time around.

Wait. Are we making a hit man out of that beautiful specimen  or is he just having a really bad day? Just feel the need to clarify, ya know.

9 hours ago, J Brooks said:

Id be ok if Dimitri came back and killed both Gwen and Leo for revenge, and shoot Johnny on his way out of Salem, saying he wanted all the Dimeras to die and wish he would have killed EJ the 1st time around.

True, Leo needs to die.

But Dimitri needs to come back to Salem to cause problems for Paul and Andrew 😂😂

15 hours ago, cody_1990 said:

They are on one of the smallest streaming platforms in the US. They should be doing big things. Changing things and reshaping the canvas, not playing it safe. 

And Peacock is raising prices from $7.99 to $10.99 a month, which potentially loses more DAYS viewers.

I agree with you about the new writers. I was really happy with them in the first weeks after Ron left, but recently the show has slowed down -- as you said, playing it safe. If this is supposed to be something to look forward to, I'm not getting it.

P.S. Hard to believe this show tripled down on more Leo Stark.

3 hours ago, ranger1rg said:

And Peacock is raising prices from $7.99 to $10.99 a month, which potentially loses more DAYS viewers.

There's a $7.99 tier that includes DAYS, NBC and Bravo. If anything they're using Love Island as a bait to get people to pay more for Peacock. 

Gotta say it again, poor Doug III. Even though that was a good slap 😂😂😂

It really is too bad that the new writers clearly had no interest because the character did have a lot of potential. The loan shark stuff wasn't that good but I was really enjoying all the conflict surrounding his relationships with the teens, particularly the Tate/Doug III feud, and the effects that he could have had on Holly/Ari's friendship. It all could have gone in so many different directions and could have played out for a long time. And like I said before, Doug's son and whatever family he might have had after he and Robert left Salem should be explored. I wish it had all worked out.

Plus, Ari's related to like every other man in Salem. Who's she gonna be paired with now? Aaron? She'll eat him alive 😂😂

I was glad to see that Tate ripped Sophia for what she "did", but for him to roll over so easily made him look a little stupid. Maybe I would've liked it more if actions like that had often played more into Tate's character.  But it was nice to see Brady comfort him again. And I am interested in seeing where all this is going to lead though. And Leo Howard actually did a pretty good job too.

I'm also interested in seeing Gabi and Tony teaming up. It could make the messy Kiriakis/Dimera situation even messier than it already is.

As for Xander/Sarah, their scenes today were like classic soap supercouple. Full of angst, but underneath, you could tell that they still love each other lol and it was great to see.

I am also interested to see where the teen scene goes.  I don't think Doug or Peyton Meyer were as awful as most people did.  There was potential there.  Plus as @AbcNbc247 said Ari is literally related to every other guy in Salem lol.

I assume Sophia will leave when her arc is over.  Rachel Boyd has improved slightly, but she's one of the most unnatural actresses I have ever seen.  She is so awkward on camera and I assume she has never seen MK's take on Sophia because she acts nothing like her.

I haven't heard any casting news and if I did I'd forget when they actually air in 2028, but I assume the show will hire more younger guys and girls at some point.  Parker, Noah and Sydney seem like obvious choices.

Days is so boring these ‘days’. The new writers aren’t doing the job of keeping and adding viewers. Yawn.

3 minutes ago, TEdgeofNight said:

Days is so boring these ‘days’. The new writers aren’t doing the job of keeping and adding viewers. Yawn.

Aren't they still using material written by Carlivati? Why do I recall something being said about September being the proper kick-off to their original stories?

1 hour ago, Errol said:

Aren't they still using material written by Carlivati? Why do I recall something being said about September being the proper kick-off to their original stories?

All I remember is April 23rd & then 10 months & one week. Sorry, I don't know anything about September.

9 hours ago, carolineg said:

I am also interested to see where the teen scene goes.  I don't think Doug or Peyton Meyer were as awful as most people did.  There was potential there.  Plus as @AbcNbc247 said Ari is literally related to every other guy in Salem lol.

Parker's a viable choice for Ari.

And he does fit the older guy type that she prefers 😂😂

As for Doug III, the acting could have been better but I liked both the actor and the character too. And the story possibilities for him could have been endless. And to just have everything be wrapped so nicely and have him leave town looking like a loser feels like a letdown, to me. And maybe I'm overreacting about this, but that Doug's grandson. Part of his legacy. You think they'd care more about the character just for that alone.

I felt a similar way about Dimitri actually. Stefano's oldest grandchild deserved a lot better than what he got too.

Edited July 23Jul 23 by AbcNbc247

38 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Parker's a viable choice for Ari.

And he does fit the older guy type that she prefers 😂😂

As for Doug III, the acting could have been better but I liked both the actor and the character too. And the story possibilities for him could have been endless. And to just have everything be wrapped so nicely and have him leave a town looking like a loser feels like a letdown, to me. And maybe I'm overreacting about this, but that Doug's grandson. Part of his legacy. You think they'd care more about the character just for that alone.

I felt a similar way about Dimitri actually. Stefano's oldest grandchild deserved a lot better than what he got too.

It's disappointing because Doug basically came in and left in the same situation, now with a few more enemies.  There wasn't an arc or really even a story.  At least let him go out more heroic-getting Julie's necklace back and maybe sneaking a kiss with Holly.  This was just all a pointless waste of time.  The idea of Doug 3 was fine.  If Peyton wasn't working out they could have recast instead of ditching the whole character all together.

3 minutes ago, carolineg said:

It's disappointing because Doug basically came in and left in the same situation, now with a few more enemies.  There wasn't an arc or really even a story.  At least let him go out more heroic-getting Julie's necklace back and maybe sneaking a kiss with Holly.  This was just all a pointless waste of time.

This is starting to make me wonder what Ron had planned for him.