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A Critic’s Review Of Days of our Lives: Dual Messages, Debate & Cheer Factor

The author’s opinions on DAYS are his and his alone. They’re suitably scathing, fairly humorous, and normally bang on target.

days of our lives critic's review for august 28 – september 1, 2023, three images, sarah, chad, and paulina.Sarah Horton, Chad DiMera, and Paulina Price Carver.
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When it comes to Days of our Lives, every fan has their own opinion – and Soap Hub is no different. For five days we sat and watched the good, the bad, and everything in between, and now we offer you a handy review, and a cheeky critique, of the Days of our Lives week that was.

Note: The following article contains a discussion of themes including suicide, which some readers may find upsetting.

Days of our Lives: The Critic’s POV

What can I do but praise Brandon Beemer for his plumbing of Shawn’s darkest depths and Days of our Lives for not only tackling the issue head-on but impressing upon viewers the dual messages that it’s never too late to ask for help and that you can’t ask for help one too many times.

If there’s one aspect where I do feel that the show dropped the ball, it’s in their failure to buttress the programs featuring Shawn’s suicidal ideation with both trigger warnings and indicators on where a person struggling with similar thoughts and feelings could turn. Still, the messages that were made loud and clear were most appreciable ones.

Further DAYS Musings

* Now, I’m always one to harp on dimbulb Brady Black (Eric Martsolf), the poster child for “Own Worst Enemy”, but even I’m wishing someone — other than his pops that is — would cut him some slack on wanting revenge himself on Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier). I mean, his ex I could understand, but his own sister?

* So…the one-year time jump just didn’t happen after all? Or, am I expected to suspend even more disbelief and accept that Salem wasn’t actually in 2019 when said time jump took place?

What do you think? Post a comment!

* Well, we can stop the debate. Leo (Greg Rikkart) is hopelessly devoted to Dimitri (Peter Porte) and vice versa. The rub? Neither gentleman is in the least bit worth cheering for nor do I find myself particularly caring to see whether or not their love will “conquer all”. Can I please get Andrew and Paul back on my screen? Pretty please?

Speaking of the cheer factor, I no longer find myself enamored of Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) and I’m actually hoping that she just returns to Chicago with Rex (Kyle Lowder) and is never seen or heard from again. I’m also WAY past rooting for her and Xander (Paul Telfer) to reunite, so I’m not in the least bit looking forward to their inevitable reunion as I’m all but certain Ron Carlivati sees the two of them as endgame. Ditto Chad (Billy Flynn) and Stephanie (Abigail Klein). Is there anybody out there rooting for those two to make it as a couple?

* Why oh why were we deprived of actually seeing Paulina (Jackée Harry) and Abe’s (James Reynolds) disastrous dinner date? And what can I say about Steve terming Abe a “self-righteous prig” other than I wish he hadn’t walked it back immediately after? That IS how Abe has been acting for far too long now.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. There is always help available via text, chat, or talk.

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