24 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I think it's the smirking.  Lol.  I agree Chandler never seemed (seems) unhappy.  He just doesn't care that much or has moved on.  He likes the fun little few days and is happy to go back to his regular life after.

The smirking is the worst. He cannot stop doing it. Every scene gets ruined. 

When an actor can't take material seriously -- whether it's good or bad -- that actor should go. His performance had been embarrassing for years.

Days was uploaded early today!

And welcome back, Paul and Andrew! We've missed you 😊😊😊

I'm so glad that they were included in the 60th anniversary celebrations. They're so good together, and I like that they're looking into adopting a baby. I don't mind them investigating Tony's disappearance either. I just wish we could see them more, especially since Andrew was revealed to have been Cat's ISA handler. That's another one of the many story opportunities for the two of them. But just like with Will and Sonny, if we can't get them both full time, I'm more than fine with them getting a happily ever after and popping in once in a while. I just wonder why they're not allowed to kiss. Colton said there was a reason, but he never said what it was.

I also liked the buildup to the gala, and how those moments that honor Days, its history, and its characters were combined with current storylines, even though some of those current storylines are kinda missing the mark, Leo being the clearest example of that. I'm probably gonna die on this hill lol but Johnny should be the one investigating EJ and trying to take him down. And I did have a feeling that the gala was going to be in the square. Friggin budget 😂😂

But I love that John was honored at the gala. That was a very smart decision, on part of the writers, even though it was very weird that Will and Ari were the only Hortons there. But the tributes to John were beautiful. I loved that Marlena and all of John's kids got to say something about him and Isabella as well. And I did tear up a little when Belle revealed that his donation to the hospital was going to be used to fund pancreatic cancer research. You could tell that nobody was acting in those scenes

There were also a lot of those nice family moments today that I really enjoyed, especially with Sami and Eric, and Eric and Holly. Sami admitting that despite the times that he hated John, deep down she always loved him was really sweet. And I'm glad that Sami finally got to have scenes with her granddaughter. Too bad that she had to leave already.

Belle being a dick about Sami to Marlena was a little unnecessary though. But luckily, that was overshadowed Sami making her look stupid. And, by Marlena's trip down memory lane about John. And yes, Marlena. Will did look handsome 😂😂

Speaking of Will, I like that he had no time for EJ's crap. And I don't hate the idea of Will bringing up him shooting EJ possibly being the catalyst for Rachel remembering the truth about her shooting him.

Ending the episode with Gwen was a bit of a mistake though, IMO. The last scene should have been of Marlena starting to feel sick. I hope she's OK.

OMG those vintage Horton flashbacks!! Production really spoiled us. The 60s/70s vibe, the emotional weight, the history - perfection. Manifesting a full release of that rare footage!

2 hours ago, asafi said:

 Manifesting a full release of that rare footage!

Agreed.

Anything would be better than them just wasting away in a storage room somewhere. 

5 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Agreed.

Anything would be better than them just wasting away in a storage room somewhere. 

I am sure Corday is still "working on it," in between removing media online.

Arianna gave me whiplash. She shows up in front of the Pub with Holly, then "skedaddles" for no reason, then shows back up at the Pub to meet Will/Eric/Sami, then presumably is going to the Gala, but is nowhere to be seen during most of it, then randomly appears for one scene. The other weird thing is that no one greeted Paul/Andrew when they arrived at the Gala. And in a personal affront, Emily O'Brien I guess is going to annoy me like Stacy Haiduk in not wearing any nail polish ever. I have to believe it's the actor's laziness, and beyond that, it would be out of character for both. It just looks wrong. Lastly, it was a missed opportunity that Tate wasn't shown to have any emotional moment during any of the speeches about his grandmother and John. Missing out on small things like that when they would add so much is disappointing.

However, all those grievances out of the way, I thought this episode was a great watch. It felt so busy and bustling (for DAYS in budget cuts hell 2025). I'm not a big Chandler Massey fan, but one of my favourite scenes was him with EJ. The sexual tension is still there! And reminding the viewer (i.e. me!) about the similar circumstances of when he shot EJ was a smart move. 

Can someone remind this on/off viewer of when Belle and Sami's relationship first started to fracture? I was hoping there'd be a comment from one of them about how close they used to be.

Superficially, Cat and Arianna looked snatched! But the biggest eye opener was the hairdo Kayla was sporting in that flashback. What a brave choice!

And as the episode ended, these immortal words ruminated through my mind ...

Edited November 13Nov 13 by Bright Eyes

1 minute ago, Bright Eyes said:

Can someone remind this on/off viewer of when Belle and Sami's relationship first started to fracture? I was hoping there'd be a comment from one of them about how close they used to be.

I think it really started to fracture after Sami caught Belle in bed with EJ in 2022

Sami then ratted her out to Shawn.

42 minutes ago, Bright Eyes said:

However, all those grievances out of the way, I thought this episode was a great watch. It felt so busy and bustling (for DAYS in budget cuts hell 2025). I'm not a big Chandler Massey fan, but one of my favourite scenes was him with EJ. The sexual tension is still there! And reminding the viewer (i.e. me!) about the similar circumstances of when he shot EJ was a smart move. 

This reminds me of how much the Will/EJ stuff annoyed me at the time. It felt very cynical because they could have winking and nodding they knew would never go anywhere, using it as an excuse to rush through Will exploring his sexuality. This, and how much I disliked the contrivance of trying to recreate Sami seeing John/Marlena having sex in him finding EJ/Sami (imagine if that story had just amounted to Sami shouting "whore" to Marlena 50 times), are probably why I don't have the nostalgia for that era of Will I know many do.

(there was also the choice to have such a passionate sex scene for Gabi and Will after his coming out, which made me wonder how many at the show regretted the gay storyline, although they did know it was too late to go back [and bisexual men do not exist on American soaps]) 

Edited November 13Nov 13 by DRW50

Belle/Sami were fine once KS was brought in as an aged up Belle.  Things got rocky when Sami returned during the shoot the bride Marlena/John wedding and it didn't come out of nowhere, but was ramped up to the extreme.  The show pretends that Sami/Belle never got along.  I would disagree with that though.

I think it was a way to try to recreate the Sami/Carrie feud, tbh.

9 hours ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Days was uploaded early today!

And welcome back, Paul and Andrew! We've missed you 😊😊😊

I'm so glad that they were included in the 60th anniversary celebrations. They're so good together, and I like that they're looking into adopting a baby. I don't mind them investigating Tony's disappearance either. I just wish we could see them more, especially since Andrew was revealed to have been Cat's ISA handler. That's another one of the many story opportunities for the two of them. But just like with Will and Sonny, if we can't get them both full time, I'm more than fine with them getting a happily ever after and popping in once in a while. I just wonder why they're not allowed to kiss. Colton said there was a reason, but he never said what it was.

I also liked the buildup to the gala, and how those moments that honor Days, its history, and its characters were combined with current storylines, even though some of those current storylines are kinda missing the mark, Leo being the clearest example of that. I'm probably gonna die on this hill lol but Johnny should be the one investigating EJ and trying to take him down. And I did have a feeling that the gala was going to be in the square. Friggin budget 😂😂

But I love that John was honored at the gala. That was a very smart decision, on part of the writers, even though it was very weird that Will and Ari were the only Hortons there. But the tributes to John were beautiful. I loved that Marlena and all of John's kids got to say something about him and Isabella as well. And I did tear up a little when Belle revealed that his donation to the hospital was going to be used to fund pancreatic cancer research. You could tell that nobody was acting in those scenes

There were also a lot of those nice family moments today that I really enjoyed, especially with Sami and Eric, and Eric and Holly. Sami admitting that despite the times that he hated John, deep down she always loved him was really sweet. And I'm glad that Sami finally got to have scenes with her granddaughter. Too bad that she had to leave already.

Belle being a dick about Sami to Marlena was a little unnecessary though. But luckily, that was overshadowed Sami making her look stupid. And, by Marlena's trip down memory lane about John. And yes, Marlena. Will did look handsome 😂😂

Speaking of Will, I like that he had no time for EJ's crap. And I don't hate the idea of Will bringing up him shooting EJ possibly being the catalyst for Rachel remembering the truth about her shooting him.

Ending the episode with Gwen was a bit of a mistake though, IMO. The last scene should have been of Marlena starting to feel sick. I hope she's OK.

A nice, thorough recap. I haven't watched the episode yet. I was going to watch it as soon as it was uploaded, but I wasn't able to. I'll probably watch it later tonight. Can't wait to see three of my favorites.

1 minute ago, Soapsuds said:

A nice, thorough recap. I haven't watched the episode yet. I was going to watch it as soon as it was uploaded, but I wasn't able to. I'll probably watch it later tonight. Can't wait to see three of my favorites.

👍

13 minutes ago, carolineg said:

Belle/Sami were fine once KS was brought in as an aged up Belle.  Things got rocky when Sami returned during the shoot the bride Marlena/John wedding and it didn't come out of nowhere, but was ramped up to the extreme.  The show pretends that Sami/Belle never got along.  I would disagree with that though.

I think it was a way to try to recreate the Sami/Carrie feud, tbh.

Didn’t they make peace after Shoot the Bride? I can’t remember.

I know everyone was against Belle at that time, even John. 

11 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Didn’t they make peace after Shoot the Bride? I can’t remember.

I know everyone was against Belle at that time, even John. 

They did at least on a surface level.  I feel like that was the first time the show made it seem like Sami/Belle had a long history of being at odds though and always had a tenuous relationship.  And I never thought that was the case.

1 hour ago, carolineg said:

They did at least on a surface level.  I feel like that was the first time the show made it seem like Sami/Belle had a long history of being at odds though and always had a tenuous relationship.  And I never thought that was the case.

Neither did I. The tension was definitely something new.

And while I don't mind it, I'm wondering, especially after today, what's the point of it all if Sami's not gonna be sticking around? At this point, it's just making Belle look bad in some ways.

Edited November 13Nov 13 by AbcNbc247

1 minute ago, AbcNbc247 said:

And while I don't mind, I'm wondering, especially after today, what's the point of it all if Sami's not gonna be sticking around? At this point, it's just making Belle look bad in some ways.

That's why it doesn't work for me. It adds nothing to the show or to future story.

35 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Neither did I. The tension was definitely something new.

And while I don't mind it, I'm wondering, especially after today, what's the point of it all if Sami's not gonna be sticking around? At this point, it's just making Belle look bad in some ways.

It makes Belle look a bit petty.  She slept with Sami's ex-husband and the father of Sami's kids.  Sami also, on the surface, seems to be trying to improve herself and make better life choices.  With John's passing, I feel like Sami/Belle should embrace one another as family.

Also, Tate could have possibly ask his uncle Paul if he wanted kids because it seems like he and Andrew would have adopted Sophia's baby if the option was given.  Amy probably wouldn't have approved, but it would be relatable as Paul is half Asian as well so he would have some cultural understanding for Baby T.