2 hours ago, j swift said:

Eric Martsolf’s Brady makes my skin crawl.  I don't get why RSW gets so much guff, when EM is objectively bad, and no longer cute to boot. Whether it’s the smarmy game show-host energy, the oddly dyed facial hair, or the aging heartthrob vibe, the whole package feels off. He plays Brady like a petulant man-child, not a romantic lead.

I never realized that you weren't a fan 😂

37 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I actually dislike the way the make Anna seem dumb and flighty.  She's spoiled and vain, but she isn't stupid.  And the show makes fun of her and her design career like she's tacky, which IIRC, was actually quite a successful venture for her in the 80's. 

 

6 minutes ago, Michael said:

They've really leaned into the "Anna is kooky" thing since... maybe not her return in the 2000s, but since Tony's death in 2009 for sure. And yes, this weird little Tony interlude reeks of an Andre swap. Ugh.

I hope they don't make Anna like that now, especially if they do go there with a swap. In 2007, she was the one person that realized it was actually Andre who had been impersonating Tony for all those years.

12 minutes ago, Michael said:

They've really leaned into the "Anna is kooky" thing since... maybe not her return in the 2000s, but since Tony's death in 2009 for sure. And yes, this weird little Tony interlude reeks of an Andre swap. Ugh.

Did anyone catch that establishing shot of the neighborhood that the Horton home is allegedly in? It looked like a planned subdivision or a golf community or something. Such a weird mismatch.

I did like a lot of the dialogue between JJ/Theo and Jen/Chad, though!

Yeah, I don't really get the Anna is kooky or vapid thing.  LH doesn't air much, but when she does have scenes with Tony, Marlena, or even Carrie she doesn't seem like that at all.  She's often very astute and other characters like EJ and Gabi are calling her tacky, silly, and selfish.  When I see no evidence of that.

The Horton home shot was odd.  I thought the one of the Spectator office was worse though lol.  You are telling me that little cubicle is in a high rise, fancy building?  I thought it was seriously in a strip mall or something.

3 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

I hope they don't make Anna like that now, especially if they do go there with a swap. In 2007, she was the one person that realized it was actually Andre who had been impersonating Tony for all those years.

It's not starting well to be honest.  They made Anna seem hysterical and embarrassed when it is actually concerning Tony went missing.

The silliest dialogue of the day was Brady explaining the rage room.  Sarah got dressed especially to go there.  We imagine that they drove, parked, and paid admission.  So, why is Brady mansplaining catharsis to Sarah?  Obviously, it was to orient the audience, but it was jarring because it left me wondering if Sarah would've worn coveralls if they were just going to the Pub?

I haven't decided on the establishing shots.  Certainly, they seem incongruous to the sets.  To me, the police station is the weirdest.  But there's something interesting about this seasonal tour of how early 2025-AI envisions Salem in autumn. (I know many still find AI problematic in and of itself).  There's also some clarifying information about the class and status of characters, that their sets may not express as clearly.  It intrigues me every time, but I have yet to recognize common places, like the Horton House, from the establishing shot alone.  For example, when they show the gates, I still never remember if we're going to Maggie's house or EJ's living room.  Yet, even now, I could describe the difference between Courtland Manor and the English/Tyler/Wallingford Estate on AMC.  I adore a blueprint, and I'd love to see imaginary blueprints as identifying shots introducing a change in scenery.

Or, do me the largest favor, do an establishing shot of Horton Square, from above, and finally answer the lore of whether there is a dome above the square protecting them from inclement weather - SORA2 will make that in a snap (much better than Grok did with a two sentence prompt).

Edited October 28Oct 28 by j swift

-- The establishing shots on DAYS are the worst of any soap -- by far. I actually enjoy them because they're so laughably bad. It feels like Janet Spellman-Drucker hits the Google Machine and goes with the firt image she finds.

-- Good scenes with Xander and Marlena. Paul Telfer makes it clear why he won the Emmy for Lead Actor.

-- Also some really good work in the JJ and Theo scenes. I've said it before, but Tyler Joseph Andrews has been a great Theo recast. Casting absolutely nailed it.

-- The rage room set was ridiculously small and just, well, ridiculous. My favorite part was when Sarah finished and then sat on all the broken glass.

Really enjoy what I’ve seen of TJA as Theo and I’m hoping they keep him around for a good long while.

50 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

Really enjoy what I’ve seen of TJA as Theo and I’m hoping they keep him around for a good long while.

I agree. BTG has done a great job casting women, but they haven't nailed a casting addition to the show like this.

I am tired of Theo’s unforgiving attitude towards JJ.

Hi Liam! Nice to meet you.

I admit that I thought the way that this storyline came together was a little weird, but I don't actually mind Abe being a mentor. It's a lot more believable than him being a soap producer. And I can't even imagine how much James Reynolds must have enjoyed this storyline, and working with Hank Northrop. I'm really interested in seeing this storyline play out, and what Days does with the character of Liam, and also what Hank Northrop can bring to Days, in general. He can be involved with any character and paired with any character too. I'm especially looking forward to when him and Theo meet again. And yeah, he is cute lol sometimes when he smiles or makes a facial expression, I can see his father.

But I am curious if there was a reason why, if Paula/Jeanne wanted to bring back an old Days family, they chose the Selejkos.

I also enjoyed Theo and Paulina's scenes. The two of them being at odds with Abe could be a pretty good dynamic in not only Liam's storyline, but the Dimera storylines as well.

And I'm glad that JJ has decided to remain on the police force and that he was able to lend a sympathetic ear to his cousin Jeremy. They seem to be in a similar situation and I like that they were each able to discuss their feelings with a character that each has a troubled past. Plus, if there are any good things that can come out of this One Stormy Night thing, I hope that this is one of them. I still think Days is making too much out of Stephanie's big reveal though. Btw, when the hell did Stephanie write a second book?

As for Jeremy and Jada connecting on a dating app... idk. What happened to Shawn?

Is JJ's sympathy toward Jeremy logical given his treatment of Stephanie?  I know JJ isn't Joey, but I wonder about his closeness with Stephanie.  And how does JJ feel about Alex?

Edited October 29Oct 29 by j swift

One critique against Tyler Joseph Andrews: He throws his hands and arms around too much in every scene. 

I'm happy to meet Hank Northrop as Liam. Solid start so far and a strong presence. He worked well with James Reynolds. Just the thought of his first scene with Deidre Hall makes me wispy. Interested to learn exactly how he's tied to the Selejko family.

Happily, Jeremy was without one of those awfully cheap and ugly leather jackets that all the Horton men wear. JJ unfortunately continues not to be as lucky. Jada going on a date with Jeremy is a wildly blatant Horton replacement/switch out from Shawn. Unless the writers are going to grace us with some sort of Jada/Jeremy/Belle/Shawn quad, which I highly doubt. Of course, Michael Roark is an infinitely better actor than Brandon Beemer could ever hope to be, so that's a slight win. Shame that TPTB seem to feel that both can't be in play though.

It may feel like small potatoes, but I would love if these arguments lead to permanent end to Paulina and Abe. I'm a Paulina hater as I find Jackée Harry a horrible actress on this show, so the end of her marriage lead to the end of her time on the show as well, I'd be very pleased. I can only hope Jackée has had enough and decided to move on. I just hope if she were to leave (which is probably just be grasping at straws) that Chanel would remain and her place on the show wouldn't be diminished. 

Edited October 29Oct 29 by Bright Eyes

I still don’t understand what Abe is doing with Liam. They’re reading books together, but to what end? Liam clearly doesn’t enjoy it, can’t show up on time, and looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. If he’s Theo’s age, a grown man with a degree, why is he still going along with this? Is this some kind of literary probation? That would be a twist, but it doesn’t track. I’m glad he’s not illiterate, but the whole thing feels like Abe is running a book club for people who didn’t agree to join.  (are we foreshadowing Abe's journey to learn to be a better listener to Theo?)

In sum, one group is reading Wuthering Heights.  I forgot the book Marlena got from the book club.  But, I recall that she was reading One Thousand and One Arabian Nights to Rachel, when Rachel ran away.  Kate, Kayla, and Paulina are reading Stephanie's book.  Rachel and Thomas read those knock off Harry Potter books.  We've clearly established what everyone is reading, but I am waiting to see how it pays off.

Then there’s the blackout looting. We keep hearing about it, but where’s the damage? Julie’s bookstore opened right on schedule. Sweet Bits is spotless. No graffiti, no broken glass, not even a crooked flowerpot. It’s hard to feel alarmed when the town looks like it always did (even in the establishing shots).  And did anyone else clock the waitress at The Bistro?  Who runs it now that Stefan is in Alamania and Ava is in the far east (side of LA).

And Stephanie’s big reveal. She’s a nationally best-selling author with two books out in four months. She’s also a PR expert. So naturally, her strategy is to tape a cardboard poster outside a local bookstore and hope Julie connects the dots. Julie, who never figured out Jeremy’s disappearance in 2007, is now the linchpin of the Anastasia Sands publicity machine. That’s bold. (note use of hyperbole for the sake of humor).

Fanfic idea: Stephanie's next book is based on the adventures of young Dr. Mike Horton, and reveals his past with Robyn and Ivy.  I assume Write Out is based on Alex's time on Body and Soul (aka the show that shall not be named out loud).

Edited October 29Oct 29 by j swift

Oh!

 

Hank Northrop debuts.

 

Watching the episode later tonight!

2 hours ago, Bright Eyes said:

Happily, Jeremy was without one of those awfully cheap and ugly leather jackets that all the Horton men wear. JJ unfortunately continues not to be as lucky. Jada going on a date with Jeremy is a wildly blatant Horton replacement/switch out from Shawn. Unless the writers are going to grace us with some sort of Jada/Jeremy/Belle/Shawn quad, which I highly doubt. Of course, Michael Roark is an infinitely better actor than Brandon Beemer could ever hope to be, so that's a slight win. Shame that TPTB seem to feel that both can't be in play though. 

I'd probably have more of an opinion about this if we had seen what gotten Jada to this point and why her potential relationship with Shawn didn't work. Hopefully, we'll get an explanation tomorrow. You could definitely have gotten some drama out of the fact that Jada seems to be moving on with Shawn's cousin, in addition to him being Stephanie's ex.

It's even possible that they can weave Belle/EJ and Stephanie/Alex into this whole situation as well.

1 hour ago, Soapsuds said:

Oh!

 

Hank Northrop debuts.

 

Watching the episode later tonight!

Looking forward to hearing your perspective 👍😂😂

Liam kinda gave off that 'bad boy with the heart of gold' vibe today.

A general food for thought that came to me whilst watching Julie today. I was just reflecting on how wealthy characters, introduced in the last century, don't appear as rich and privileged today, like Jack Deveraux and Shane Donovan. For example, do you think Doug was wealthy when he passed?  

• On second thought, Shane was so rich, Stefano bought the Dimera mansion from him.  So, why was his daughter, Theresa, worried enough about Victor's illegal will to go to jail, when she could hold out for Shane's will when he passes (eventually)?

Back in the day, Doug wound up being a man of means.   And, we knew they went on world cruises (like Anna and Tony).  At one point, they were similar in status to Stefano, in terms of Salem society. I've always assumed their wealth didn't diminish over forty years.  Meanwhile, I understand the logic of Julie living in the Horton House, and I don't want her to move.  But, when you watch Julie today, is she still supposed to be as wealthy as she was when Doug and Julie left Salem in 1984?

 

Edited October 29Oct 29 by j swift

2 hours ago, j swift said:

...Ava is in the far east (side of LA).

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣