I'm not sure if there's any big juice behind it, but JER didn't have a lot of control then, and I think he just pitched ideas to Corday and NBC like a normal writer does. But then I think Alfonso/Corday began talks. I read on SON before from Matt or Keith or CSW or someone along those lines who knows a lot about DAYS' history that JER wanted to then bring her on as Gina who is this girl who looks like Hope, but isn't, but Alfonso wouldn't return unless she was, in the end, playing Hope and had it put in her contract. Did anyone else ever read/hear that?

I renege part of my statement. I blame Corday, the useless hack

I'm not sure if there's any big juice behind it, but JER didn't have a lot of control then, and I think he just pitched ideas to Corday and NBC like a normal writer does. But then I think Alfonso/Corday began talks. I read on SON before from Matt or Keith or CSW or someone along those lines who knows a lot about DAYS' history that JER wanted to then bring her on as Gina who is this girl who looks like Hope, but isn't, but Alfonso wouldn't return unless she was, in the end, playing Hope and had it put in her contract. Did anyone else ever read/hear that?

Wow so maybe that is why it took so long for the reveal that she was Hope. I mean for awhile Days made it appear she wasn't and it really seemed like she would just going to be Gina. I wonder if RKK departing and Reckell returning played a part in cementing her as Hope. I wouldn't blame her though for wanting to be Hope-who knows how long the Gina character would have lasted. Hope would last forever so of course she would want her character back.

I also remember being enthralled with the puzzle box story, and I was sooooooo excited when Gina finally opened it at Carrie and Austin's non-wedding. That was so awesome. I wish I could buy a replica puzzle box.

And then remember when Gina and Bo were at the Brady Pub, this time played by Peter Reckell, and Gina began to recite the love letter from memory that had been sealed inside the box, thus confirming her identity? And then there was also a lone fingerprint on the letter that matched Gina's and proved once and for all that she was really Hope.

If you're going to talk about the DVDs, doing it by PM. Networks do read SON.