A Critic’s Review of Days of our Lives: Liars, Shooters, and Horton Ornaments

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. Here, we lead with optimism. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want. So here’s a review of the week that was, including out-liars, revealed shooters, and saved ornaments. Hallelujah!

What I Am Feeling This Week: Jada Hunter Finally Sees ‘Everett’

Elia Cantu really impressed me this week as Jada Hunter FINALLY (I can’t express “finally” enough) spotted Everett Lynch (Blake Berris). The Pub was the location where she learned her friend, Stephanie (Abigail Klein), is dating a man who looks exactly like her cheating ex-husband, Bobby Stein (also Blake Berris).

Sure, DAYS dragged this moment out — this reveal could have happened a million times over the last few months. And I wish it had. However, now that it’s here, I’m beyond glad that this story is moving forward. And I’m even more happy that Jada’s story is getting some much-needed focus. Seeing “Everett” triggered her, and what we instantly got was this more emotional, slightly broken Jada. One that no longer contains her cool.

I think I’ve said it before that I really love when we see messy things happen to characters who are always so buttoned up. To see them unravel and to see Jada so determined to prove this guy’s true identity gives us more than a peek into Jada’s psyche. We are finally seeing what she’s been holding back for such a long time.

I hope she continues to go after Bobby and outs his motives for lying about who he is. If he truly does not remember his life with Jada, then I want to know why and the exact timeline for all of this because the timey wimey-ness of this all confuses me. It feels like he cheated on Jada with Stephanie. Is that how it went down? Were there any other women? Just how bad is this Bobby?

From how Jada reacted, he’s shady to the core. While this Everett!Bobby character is not one I’m too invested in. It’s a good thing I’m invested in Jada. Because she’ll be the character I latch on to as this story continues to go…where? I’m not even sure.

Other DAYS Thoughts:

What Else I’m Feeling: The Wednesday Horton Legacy episode. I would love to see DAYS devote Wednesdays to some sort of theme, romance, Salem History 101, or whatever. Guiding Light did something like that back in the day to varying degrees of success. Because I’ve been enjoying the way the show makes feel as I’m watching classic couples reminisce. And they give me history lessons in all things Tom and Alice Horton. I didn’t know how I would react to the new recreated flashbacks featuring younger versions of the legendary Horton couple. But I adored it and them. Plus, the true flashbacks might have made me think something was in my eye…a little dust. Especially when Doug (Bill Hayes) et al. sang “I’ll Be Loving You Always.” You never really remember how emotionally attached you are to characters and actors until moments like this.

Best Save Ever: I didn’t even want to THINK about next Christmas and episodes where the characters would have to make new ornaments. I don’t mind saying I rejoiced when John (Drake Hogestyn) and Marlena (Deidre Hall) found the boxes of those special Horton Christmas ornaments. It almost made it okay that the Horton house burned to the ground. Almost. Not really. But, seriously, the safety of the ornaments and Tom (Macdonald Carey) and Alice’s (Frances Reid) chair is much appreciated, Show. The destruction of the house? Not so much. But I’ll deal.

Is it Just Me Or: Did you all realize that after coming out of her thyroid cancer surgery, something happened to Paulina (Jackée Harry)? I originally thought that she had a seizure, but it wasn’t until the next episode that somebody mentioned in passing that she had a heart attack. Were we supposed to make that leap on our own? Maybe it was nothing, but I felt like this reveal could have been handled differently.

Also, the expression on Harris’s face as he lies there in the hospital bed is hilarious. He looks like the grumpiest coma patient to ever grump.

Greek Cuisine: Konstantin (John Kapelos) mentioned Pasticcio, and I immediately got hungry. Have you all had this savory dish that really is best described as Greek lasagna? It’s soooo good. Finally, something Konstantin said piqued my interest! Other than that, I cannot believe that Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) doesn’t see through this guy. His seriously shady shadiness is transparent with a capital “T.” I hope Maggie’s just pretending with him.

Redemption Twins: I’m all for a redemption story, but two of them at the same time? Not my cuppa tea. Xander (Paul Telfer) and Ava (Tamara Braun) are working really hard to make us forget their sordid, criminal pasts. I’m a little reluctant to get on board because, in both cases, I liked them better when they were love-to-hate kind of characters.

Even loving Telfer and Braun as much as I do, I still have reservations. I remember the bad things they did. I don’t think you can attach a “bad choices” label to their extensive crimes because what they did went well beyond that. However, DAYS is pretty lucky to have these two performers. Viewers may be more willing to forgive their characters their sins because the actors are so great.

At the end of the day, however, Xander’s ‘”woe is me schtick” as he finds himself framed is a bit much (Karma’s a you-know-what). Trouble didn’t just follow him, he caused the trouble, too. Also, Ava acting like her dynamic with Harris (Steve Burton) is this big, sweeping, love story felt a little like she’s farther ahead in the story than we are.

Stefan the Harris Taker Downer: What would make Stefan (Brandon Barash) shooting Harris on Clyde’s (James Read) orders even better is if Gabi were a visual and viable part of the story. We have to hear from the characters that somebody broke her leg and that she’s constantly in danger. I should be feeling more of the threat, but I’m not.

Welcome Back: I’m beyond happy that Ashley Puzemis and Jamie Martin Mann are back on screen as Holly and Tate. I missed them. They are two of the best additions to DAYS in a long time. They add much-needed life to the show. And while we wait for Holly to wake up from her coma, I liked Mann’s scenes when Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Theresa (Emily O’Brien) visited him at that juvenile rehab facility. I hope he gets out soon. I would love to see Holly and Tate in scenes together again. That’s when they shine the most.

Days of our Lives airs weekdays on Peacock+ in the U.S. and The W Network or Global TV App in Canada. For more about what’s coming up in Salem, check out all the latest DAYS spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.