I preface this with the usual disclaimer that I hold the unpopular opinion of not shipping John/Marlena, but even I knew the significance of their reunion on the docks (Doc on the docks!) in 1991, with John - at that point - still believing he was Roman.
Of course, the fallout from that, the two Romans, the gorgeous Chichen Itza remote in Mexico (back when soaps still had a budget!), and everything in between with Bo, Carly, Isabella (who had just discovered she was pregnant with Brady), well...it kept me watching. As much of a colossal mess that John Black later became, I still respect Days for not firing Drake Hogestyn (he did earn his own popularity when playing Roman), since that's usually the fate of recast actors when the original actors return to a role, and the whole saga fueled stories years down the line. Besides their former "brotherly" relationship, maybe it's another reason why John/Bo remained close. Both of them experienced their wives returning from the dead. LOL!
In all seriousness, as much as Alison Sweeney's SORAS'ed Sami did shake things up, I still think the show chickened out in aging the twins when it did, since the consequences could have also driven story, i.e. maybe John suing for visitation and the Bradys being torn, Carrie caught between love and loyalty for two fathers, etc. It would have been messy, but a mess rooted in history and realism, no sci-fi needed! But Marlena's return was a ripple effect for John, the Bradys, Isabella, and the 'real' Roman himself. Objectively, it was a big moment that paid hefty dividends soap-wise.
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Wendy ·
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