I agree with you... Besides the last line. They were in love before that became a possibility. She loved him as Stefano for heck's sake.

See, the way I seeit, she couldn't understand why she was attracted to a man who may or may have not been Stefano. When they were on the run, every time he got close, she got closer, then reminded him that he was Stefano. When it came out that he was Roman, she just went ahead and fell "back" in love with him.

And then seven years later, that was all screwed up.

I meant it is the best potential story in years for Marlena. The idea is great and that is what I am pointing out. They always have Marlena involved in something far out or something where John and her have to fight someone a la Stefano and Kristen. It is so nice to see Marlena struggling to be on her own and to stop being dependent on someone else. Days is making an effort here to do something that is character-driven and that involved character development-WOW haven't said in a while. I know it has only been 2 days but them two days were enough for me to say that this story is going good and where it should be going.

I'm hard-pressed to agree. As it's mapped out now, I just find it funny. Marlena apparently thinks she's Meryl Streep's character in Kramer Vs. Kramer. At least in that one, Mr. Kramer wasn't the one who had to leave. Nor did he have to sit around wondering if the relationship was ever going to resume again.

It just strikes me as yet another storyline where Marlena is essentially going to have her cake and eat it too, while John warms the proverbial bath for her.

However, like I said, it's way too soon to tell how things will go, but I'll definitely give the show credit if they go in the character-driven direction you've already assumed them to be in.

We don't know for sure that John and Marlena will reunite. Once Hogan gets in, all bets are off as to whether any of these "destined couples" will get back together. He can't be as predictable as JER was.

You're totally right about that.

Marlena seemed *sooo* much happier when she was with Fauxman than when she was with John.

I love the fact that John thought sleeping with Marlena would change everything. That was vert realistic. It is the little things that make a show and Days has been doing alot of those little things right of late.

I agree with Bree-some of the couples are not going to be together. Hogan is not into the whole destined couple thing. He writes stories for characters, not couples, and when he has a story in mind he does not adjust it or change it because a supercouple has to be together in the end or fans have a fit. He follows through. The man can writer but Days fans should know he isn't going to be gaga over couples. I don't think he will break them all up like JER did but I do think he is going to mix things up a little which is fine by me.

This is an interesting concept. Too bad he wasn't writing for the exit of Jack and Jen because he might have seen it like I suggested, Jen and Frankie exit and Jack stays completely free to start a new life in Salem. Heaven knows, we need more men in the mix. Do you suppose that John and Hope could get closer? I'd prefer that to Hope with Patrick. After thinking about this, it seems that Hope needs some of that empowerment, too, being as she feel into Patrick's arms the way she did.

This is an interesting concept. Too bad he wasn't writing for the exit of Jack and Jen because he might have seen it like I suggested, Jen and Frankie exit and Jack stays completely free to start a new life in Salem. Heaven knows, we need more men in the mix. Do you suppose that John and Hope could get closer? I'd prefer that to Hope with Patrick. After thinking about this, it seems that Hope needs some of that empowerment, too, being as she feel into Patrick's arms the way she did.

With all due, I want those two to stay as far apart romantically as possible. I never liked them together. But, there are rumors of some returns that could work out to his advantage.

Hogan is not into the whole destined couple thing.

Here's hoping!

Marlena seemed *sooo* much happier when she was with Fauxman than when she was with John.

Well, yeah, because there was no romantic pressure or reason for her to feel bad around him about her recent decision.

John and Marlena's return has been great. Marlena's rejuvinated sense is great and this pro-woman thing has previewed hasn't it? Was it by the insiders or the mags?

All we need is some sense of unity but its nice that these characters aren't returning automatically knowing everything else in Salem.

IMO, this summer of Carrie/Austin/Sami and Lucas has been great. I know there are haters and some calling it boring, but these characters are so familiar and now their lives are finally interesting again! It's nice to have the summer focus on more grounded characters rather than Shawn and Belle alone. Since the summer has to be about younger demos, it's nice that they chose them and not just Shelle alone.

RBSoapFan, it's funny you should mention the pro-woman thing and how it may have been previewed. I remember discussion on this board about Carrie leading a feminist organization. So, it shows you that someone had the right idea, and definitely has sources, but how things can get lost in translation or maybe even, changed at the last minute.

We don't know for sure that John and Marlena will reunite. Once Hogan gets in, all bets are off as to whether any of these "destined couples" will get back together. He can't be as predictable as JER was.

Naa, he's not as predictable. I think people who don't know Hogan's writing are scared, but they've got nothing to worry about. As long as ONE of the destined couples ends up back together I'll be happy (and no, it's not the couple referred to in my signature... lol)

The summer has focused on the younger set nearing 20, also. I'm more enjoying them than Belle etal during this summer. Maybe because they haven't got into messy stories yet, except for Chelsea who hasn't drug any of the others into the mud with her. I think they are the ones to watch now except when Belle is left after Philip, Shawn and Mimi are gone. I hope we see her with a worthy story as she can certainly handle one and one that will be mostly a happy one. She may be set on the backburner though (thinking out loud here) while the older generations stories are laid out. I'm really excited to see what all is in store.

We don't know for sure that John and Marlena will reunite. Once Hogan gets in, all bets are off as to whether any of these "destined couples" will get back together. He can't be as predictable as JER was.

Boy, do I ever agree with that and hope this is what Hogan will do.

I get tired of watching the same old pairings and hearing from the fanbases that their couple is "fate" and "meant to be."

As much as I love Bo and Hope, even I think that this divorce is needed. Actors get stale working with the same person and need to have fresh new challenges.

What is up with Marlena anyway? She finally gets her memory back, remembers how much she loves John.............and then poof! She wants a separation????????? What is up with that? Also isn't she scared that the weird doctor might come back and try to kill her again? They never did find his body did they?