Agreed, that the vets should be happy. They've earned their happiness.

But all the other couples... screw em'. Send them all to hell and back and then do it again. Make them earn their happiness too 😂😂

Edited August 9Aug 9 by AbcNbc247

I wonder if he'll throw some shade again 😂😂

 

I just watched Weapons and did not realize until the credits that Cary Christopher (Thomas DiMera) played Alex. I knew he looked familiar but I could not place him. The kid was brilliant.  Great movie too.

A lot of dopey people were written very intelligently today.

Belle was the perfect example of that lol I'm glad that she had Marlena to vent to though. We're getting a much better understanding of how she's feeling. And that understanding continued in her scenes with EJ. It was a pretty good fight. Belle brought up a lot of interesting points to EJ and it was great to see. I'm also curious to find out if this all results into her career being put in jeopardy or something. I thought MM and DF did a really good job too.

Sarah's a dope too but she also seemed a lot more mature, both with Brady and with Xander. I don't mind her and Brady finally sharing a kiss, but I think it shouldn't have been written as such a childish move. She should have actually wanted to do it, not as a way to spite Xander. But Xander deciding to become one of Marlena's patients could be interesting.

And I was also impressed by Brady too. His scenes with Gabi where he talked about Basic Black and carrying on John's legacy were really good as well. I still think Paul is the best person to carry on John's legacy but this new writing for Brady has really improved the character. He actually has seemed very John-like recently. And luckily, it's looking like the Bristen ship has finally sailed. 😂😂

Gwen wasn't necessary though. She didn't really have a purpose today at all. 

10 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Gwen wasn't necessary though. She didn't really have a purpose today at all. 

It doesn't feel like they even have story for Gwen. It's like they wanted to give EOB a job, so they made her be the one to have the necklace, and they're just moving her around town bothering people with no real narrative.

36 minutes ago, Michael said:

It doesn't feel like they even have story for Gwen. It's like they wanted to give EOB a job, so they made her be the one to have the necklace, and they're just moving her around town bothering people with no real narrative.

Agreed.

This is one Ron storyline that the new writers didn’t need to follow up on. If they wanted to pair Xander with someone else for a little while, they could’ve paired him with Gabi. Or even Stephanie. 

Watching today’s episode, I noticed the show really underlined a line from EJ to Gwen: they “never” keep pain medication at the mansion—because of Stefano. That stuck with me, because back around the time of the shooting, it felt like we were getting the start of a pain-medication dependency beat for EJ.

I checked the recaps, and on May 2, 2025—weeks after the shooting—EJ explicitly told Kristen he was going to take his pain medication. Here’s the image from that day’s synopsis:

So which is it? A change in direction after May 2 that quietly erased an earlier idea, or a deliberate contradiction meant to serve as a clue in the shooting story?

Given the chatter about whether Gwen is “necessary,” I think it’s worth noting that she was the one in this episode positioned to hear and relay this information. If the pills become important later, her knowledge of them could be a key.  Also, still a bit of a Gwen fan (don't throw rocks).🪨

2 hours ago, Michael said:

It's like they wanted to give EOB a job

I really get that feeling with almost half the cast lol Maybe that's why there hasn't been the casting changes like in the past with regime changes, the higher ups like the actors to much.  The role some of these characters are filling could be filled by another character who fits better with the characters on the canvas who actually belong there, and one who hasn't been written horribly for years. 

10 hours ago, j swift said:

Watching today’s episode, I noticed the show really underlined a line from EJ to Gwen: they “never” keep pain medication at the mansion—because of Stefano. That stuck with me, because back around the time of the shooting, it felt like we were getting the start of a pain-medication dependency beat for EJ.

I checked the recaps, and on May 2, 2025—weeks after the shooting—EJ explicitly told Kristen he was going to take his pain medication. Here’s the image from that day’s synopsis:

So which is it? A change in direction after May 2 that quietly erased an earlier idea, or a deliberate contradiction meant to serve as a clue in the shooting story?

Given the chatter about whether Gwen is “necessary,” I think it’s worth noting that she was the one in this episode positioned to hear and relay this information. If the pills become important later, her knowledge of them could be a key.  Also, still a bit of a Gwen fan (don't throw rocks).🪨

My guess would be a lack of continuity, honestly. That earlier beat didn't feel to me like it was setting up a medication dependency storyline, though maybe I'm forgetting some other beats. That whole thing yesterday was so weird -- these people who are constantly getting shot don't keep Ibuprofen in the house?! It felt like it existed mostly just to lay down some "clever" dialogue. But maybe there was an actual point to it! Gwen really does seem to just be moving in and out of random scenes.

A short one today. Only 32 minutes.

Despite some stupid, unnecessary choices, especially those that involved Leo, I didn't think today was completely terrible.

Everything surrounding the trial was the best part of today. I liked the build up to the court scenes, even though a lot of it seemed rushed. And I was glad to see that in the Brady/Kristen/Rachel scenes at the Pub, I didn't get the impression of Bristen being on the verge of reuniting, which is a good thing lol I also liked Johnny and Belle discussing everything that happened in court, and about Belle's relationship with EJ. I'm interested in seeing what's going to happen for all of them in the future. I still think Johnny and EJ should be at odds though.

I was impressed by Rachel's testimony too. That little girl is a pretty good actress, and she actually makes the character of Rachel likable, despite what we've all suspected and after today, might possibly be true lol I still hope that there's a twist coming though.

And yeah, I still don't care about Javi and Leo. 

I can’t get past the ridiculousness of the trial. Belle not excusing herself because of the conflict of interest in sleeping with the opponent. EJ defending Johnny. Leo being a juror while writing about the trial in the gossip rag. Bad writing on so many levels. Not impressed with Cwickly/Ford.

4 hours ago, TEdgeofNight said:

I can’t get past the ridiculousness of the trial. Belle not excusing herself because of the conflict of interest in sleeping with the opponent. EJ defending Johnny. Leo being a juror while writing about the trial in the gossip rag. Bad writing on so many levels. Not impressed with Cwickly/Ford.

I can't get past it either. I understand the shot they were taking by aving Belle and EJ as opposing lawyers, but it's not working on any level.

Belle wants Johnny to be found innocent yet has to go as hard on him as possible? This makes no sense, and every time she questions him, I can't believe what I'm watching.

Well Hellooo Tate 😍😍😍

He looked really hot today, and it was nice that he and Holly got to share a little romance. I'd still prefer that Doug III was in Salem, causing problems for the two of them though. It would be better than Sophia suddenly remembering her feelings for Tate because right now that just feels clunky to me. I mean, if Sophia wanted to be with Tate, why would she give up the baby? Even if she didn't want it, wouldn't it be the perfect way for her to hold on to Tate and cause problems for him and Holly? Unless it's gonna come out what we all suspected about the baby.

And like I said before, with Doug III gone, who's Ari gonna be paired with now, especially now that it looks like she's going to Salem U in the Fall? I did enjoy her scenes with Sophia though

Btw, Belle walking in on Tate and Holly...

😂😂😂

Javi, suspecting that Tesoro might be Sophia's baby could lead to something interesting happening. Maybe it'll break up him and Leo 😂😂 

I really don't know about Rafe being a spoiler for Chad and Cat.

And I'm really looking forward to Marlena being put on the stand. I liked the little red herring that we got in her scenes with EJ today, and hopefully it ends up meaning something.

 

Darn, there's that word "hot" in @AbcNbc247description of Tate in today's recap episode.😂😍

I'm going to have to watch.