49 minutes ago, j swift said:

I’m still puzzled by Marlena dropping Cat due to “cutting back,” yet somehow she’s still seeing half the town

Marlena didn't "cut back".  She left the hospital on personal leave.  She doesn't need an assistant as she's only seeing private patients of her choosing in her own home.  Xander and Sarah are literally her only patients along with a couple of sessions with EJ that haven't continued at her request.  I am not sure how that's half the town.

I don't think she's even seeing Leo anymore.

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by carolineg

22 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I am not sure how that's half the town.

You have to excuse the hyperbole, but now that another therapist has been introduced, it feels like a lost opportunity to use a more objective character.

I'm trying to remember the show that used the camera POV as the therapist for couples, that could be an intriguing way to play their story. 

Also, as a non-Sarah fan, and while clearly their responses were inequitable, I still feel Sarah gets off easier because Xander over-reacted with violence.  She kept secrets from Xander, and didn't trust him long before he beat Phillip.  And by entangling Xander's anger therapist into their couple's season, it will always give Sarah the defense that her offenses were not as bad.  Rather than keeping score, they need to figure out if they are suitable long term.

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by j swift

12 minutes ago, j swift said:

You have to excuse the hyperbole, but now that another therapist has been introduced, it feels like a lost opportunity to use a more objective character.

Marlena said Rachel's therapist is a child's therapist.  I suppose that doesn't mean a lot in Days world, but she did specify that.

 

14 minutes ago, j swift said:

Also, as a non-Sarah fan, and while clearly their responses were inequitable, I still feel Sarah gets off easier because Xander over-reacted with violence.  She kept secrets from Xander, and didn't trust him long before he beat Phillip.  And by entangling Xander's anger therapist into their couple's season, it will always give Sarah the defense that her offenses were not as bad.  Rather than keeping score, they need to figure out if they are suitable long term.

I am not much of a Sarah/Xander fan either and it falls under a couple that has great chemistry but keep making the same mistakes.  Either Sarah lies, has a medical issue, or Xander does something illegal.  It gets tedious, but it's probably the most popular couple on the show in awhile.

I think at the very least trying to work out their problems through therapy is a lot better than love just wins in the end, which is the normal trope.  

 

Also, are we meant to think the tension between EJ and Marlena is behind them?

I know they’re both keeping the Rachel secret, but Marlena’s social stance toward EJ still feels inconsistent. She was pretty dismissive of him in the square with Paulina, and then today they’re sharing breakfast in coordinated outfits (his purple tie, her purple jacket).

But, this confirms Marlena doesn't have a kitchen in-cannon.  Otherwise, if she is working from home, and seeing her first clients in the morning, why wouldn't she have breakfast in her kitchen? 😉

I think since she can't cook, she turned her kitchen into a home office.

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by j swift

22 minutes ago, j swift said:

Also, are we meant to think the tension between EJ and Marlena is behind them?

I know they’re both keeping the Rachel secret, but Marlena’s social stance toward EJ still feels inconsistent. She was pretty dismissive of him in the square with Paulina, and then today they’re sharing breakfast in coordinated outfits (his purple tie, her purple jacket).

But, this confirms Marlena doesn't have a kitchen in-cannon.  Otherwise, if she is working from home, and seeing her first clients in the morning, why wouldn't she have breakfast in her kitchen? 😉

I think since she can't cook, she turned her kitchen into a home office.

Marlena was getting lunch with Belle.  Belle was running late.  They said it yesterday and in today's episode.  EJ was meeting his mother for lunch. 

EJ plopped himself down next to Marlena in yesterday's episode.  Her behavior wasn't inconsistent.  She answered his questions about Rachel and visibly was uncomfortable with him.  She was also very short with him when she left the pub.  I don't know where you are getting that they are cordial?

Sarah and Xander were at the park and brought Victoria back home and then went to Marlena's session.  

It wasn't first thing in the morning.

 

I really just wanted an excuse to comment on their matching outfits.

And, I still want to be explained why EJ borrowed money from Gwen, if Tony is rich enough to buy back Dimera?  I know there's history between Tony and EJ.  But, it seems more likely that EJ would ask Tony to fund the project, rather than Gwen.  Her money suddenly feels unnecessary.  Whereas, when that was first discussed, it was logical that EJ needed more money for something, and Gwen was rich to have a diamond necklace stolen, and not be very concerned.  But, now that Uncle Tony "big bucks" is in town, why does EJ need Gwen's money?  And why do they still let her live in their house?

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by j swift

8 hours ago, carolineg said:

I don't think she's even seeing Leo anymore.

Thank God for Paula/Jeanne 😂😂😂

7 hours ago, j swift said:

And, I still want to be explained why EJ borrowed money from Gwen, if Tony is rich enough to buy back Dimera?  I know there's history between Tony and EJ.  But, it seems more likely that EJ would ask Tony to fund the project, rather than Gwen.  Her money suddenly feels unnecessary.  Whereas, when that was first discussed, it was logical that EJ needed more money for something, and Gwen was rich to have a diamond necklace stolen, and not be very concerned.  But, now that Uncle Tony "big bucks" is in town, why does EJ need Gwen's money?  And why do they still let her live in their house?

I'm two days behind, so there might be info I don't have, but Tony didn't buy DiMera back, right? He used the information about the fraudulent letter as leverage to get Xander and Philip to GIVE him DiMera back.

Sounds like we're going to be meeting Liam soon.

Abe and Theo's scenes were one of the strongest parts of today. Seeing the two of them at odds is something different and refreshing. And is also being played and written very well. I'm enjoying it. Even though I probably wouldn't have picked this mentor storyline for Abe, I'm definitely looking forward to what this could all lead to, especially if it pits him against Theo and Paulina, and Theo's work at Dimera. Or if Theo is pit against Liam with Abe caught in the middle. And is this a much better and more effective way to use Abe than the last way that he was used? 🤮

Absolutely 110% YES! 

Btw, congratulations Aaron, I think lol

I actually felt the same way about Tate and Aaron's scenes today as I did about Gabi and Tony's scenes yesterday; they were really good but the big reveal needed to be held back until the end of the episode to give us a good cliffhanger and a good hook to get us to tune in tomorrow, instead of happening in the middle or beginning of the episode. And even though there were a lot of holes in Aaron's explanation and also made him look a little stupid lol, it did make some sense to me. I also felt that the writers tried their best to not make Aaron look like a coward either. Better that he be stupid than a deadbeat lol I'm really looking forward to all the upcoming confrontations when everybody finally tracks down Sophia. But again, Leo Howard's shocked/angry acting... 😂

Tate and Aaron's bro hug was really nice though 😊

10 hours ago, ranger1rg said:

Tyler Joseph Andrews has been absolutely great as Theo.

 

ITA. He's only been on for a short while, but I think he's already the best Theo that they've had. He's incorporated some of Theo's autism behaviors very well and just has a spark about him.

2 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Thank God for Paula/Jeanne 😂😂😂

Yes.  I am thankful the Leo/Marlena friendship has been dropped.

2 hours ago, Michael said:

I'm two days behind, so there might be info I don't have, but Tony didn't buy DiMera back, right? He used the information about the fraudulent letter as leverage to get Xander and Philip to GIVE him DiMera back.

My understanding is that they gave Dimera back as well.  Why else would everyone in the Kiriakis family being pooling their own personal resources to keep Titan afloat?

So, they didn't need the board's approval, because they didn't sell it, they gave it away?  I guess that makes sense... (at least I will accept it for what it is, even though it doesn't make sense).

How about this question --- Is EJ only cutting corners with the upkeep of the rest of the hospital, and spending it all on his project? (I.e. the blackout)  Or is the project construction also cutting corners (like using cheap drywall that Leo can punch) -- and that will be the weakness of "the lab"?  -- And, why are they cutting corners at all if they're using Gwen's money?

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by j swift

58 minutes ago, j swift said:

So, they didn't need the board's approval, because they didn't sell it, they gave it away?  I guess that makes sense... (at least I will accept it for what it is, even though it doesn't make sense).

I don't think it makes sense.  I believe Tony wanted both and was willing to pay something for Titan and the family declined and settled on giving Tony the Dimera company back.  

You would think someone like Shin at least would have some say.  

OK, now I'm just playing what if -- What if Titan was able to go private after the merger (using the profit to buy back the stock).  Now, there's no need for stockholder support, but they're left with 1/2 a company and no investors?  --- It would be a lot to assume, given a lack of exposition, but it would explain the current business story in human terms.

Edited October 15, 2025Oct 15 by j swift

I always find it funny that Sophia always seems alone or abandoned by her family. Where is her dad? Does she have one? I think Sophia mentioned a sibling once or twice before. And her mom is barely seen. No wonder she seems a little crazy. The first Sophia could at last act. Rachel Boyd is so bad she is fun to watch lol.

I liked how Abe is being used and Abe is right Paulina has no idea how the Dimeras have ruined or turned many Salemites over the past 4 decades.