A Critic’s Review of Days of our Lives: Love is a Drug

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 an eventful lead-up to Valentine’s Day.

What I Am Feeling This Week:
In Love with Couples in Love (Various Couples)

While there are a few touches of Valentine’s Day on all the soaps, DAYS seems to be leaning into the annual holiday the most. There’s already been talk about the big day since Johnny (Carson Boatman) and Chanel (Raven Bowens) got engaged.

The week leading up to this day of love, flowers, cards, and chocolate gave us a few treats. There were actual moments that were touching and, even, hot. And they involved couples we know and love. Of course, the peace and tranquility of this lead-up abruptly and violently came to an end with an eventful and killer cliffhanger that I’ll talk about in just a bit.

• John and Marlena: John (Drake Hogestyn) hasn’t had the greatest of weeks. As far as he knows, he and Konstantin (John Kapelos) had a chaotic confrontation where John found out why Konstantin wants revenge. Because The Pawn did away with a woman that was special to him. He doesn’t even remember the part where Konstantin controlled him using a crazy tarot-type card.
  
  This meeting has John frazzled and it also has him lying to his wife. But he’s guilty about that fact. Later, when he and Marlena (Deidre Hall) talk, she reminded her husband of why she loves him so much. It’s the little moments like this that DAYS should have more of, as far as I’m concerned. The two had a great, introspective conversation and I loved it.

That was me reminding you of who you really are. Because you are an amazing father, a spectacular grandfather, a loyal and loving friend, and the best husband a woman could as for. And I wouldn’t have you any other way. I love you. Just the way you are.”

-Marlena Evans Black

• Johnny and Chanel: Johnny was concerned and a little afraid that marrying Chanel would only end up hurting her. It’s the curse of the DiMeras, after all. But their conversation veered to other topics including Allie (Lindsay Arnold), which I feel was a wise move. She’ll always be a question mark in their relationship. And an exclamation point, too, because her very presence could cause alarming results. Anyway, Chanel had to reassure Johnny that she’s with him for the long haul and that he was enough for her.

“I loved you first. And I loved you last, forever.”

-Chanel Dupree

I appreciated the reminder that Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Kayla’s (Mary Beth Evans) anniversary is on Valentine’s Day. This should never go unspoken. Also, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) are in a different place. They may live together and have a baby together. But they aren’t together together just yet. Although it’s clear it’s what Sarah wants. As for Xander, he wants it, but something is standing in his way. And we may have gotten a peek at it during the Friday cliffhanger.

Other DAYS Thoughts

Friday Cliffhanger Goodness: The week’s cliffhanger unleashed holy hell on the town of Salem. On paper, it was a good way to end Friday, with a Harris (Steve Burton) gets shot/Horton house fire one-two punch. As far as I’m concerned, it’d be great if the show did this more. However, it did involve burning down the Horton House. There’s so much history there — good and bad — it’s sad to see it potentially go. I loved Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) talking about the history of the house and the occupants that came before them. Also on the positive side, it raised the stakes in the drug story. And that’s a good thing.

What I am Not Feeling This Week: Chemistry Issues with Couples

• Stephanie and Everett — I’m usually Pro-POV. For everyone. I want to hear characters’ backstories. I love hearing about their past, their present, and their futures. The problem is, at least from the Stephanie (Abigail Klein) side of things, I’ve heard too much of her POV. On the matter of Everett (Blake Berris), we hear every minute detail. And it’s a bit too much for me. Scaling back on this couple would be great.
• Ava and Stefan — Because this Ava (Tamara Braun) and Stefan (Brandon Barash) moment was a one-night stand (hopefully it was a one-time thing), I’m not going to judge too much (except for Stefan’s ‘stache). If the purpose of this hook-up was to create drama if/when Gabi eventually returns, I feel like they may be piling it on too much. Gabi just went back to prison, and she’s in there for a crime she didn’t commit. Whenever she gets out, there will be plenty to play.

Chop Chop: Paulina (Jackée Harry) and Abe (James Reynolds) had a nice evening where they reconnected, and for a second it seemed like Abe had his memory back they were so comfortable with each other. So why doesn’t Abe have his memory back yet? What purpose does it serve?

Nice Backstory: Jada (Elia Cantu) told the story of her first kill as a cop to Goldman, who had just taken her first life in the line of duty. That’s what I’m talking about, I love this.

Key Conversation #1: Ava and Harris. I feel like we should all feel validated for guessing that Ava told Harris all and they’re working on their own angle separate from Ava and Stefan.

Key Conversation #2: Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) and Alex (Robert Scott Wilson). First, how well do these two know each other? For the life of me, I don’t remember them interacting all that much. However, it was interesting that they did so now. They cooked up a plan to keep Theresa (Emily O’Brien) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) apart which is kind of yawn. But now I’m trying to see if there’s any chemistry between Alex and Kristen.

Exhausting: Alex’s jealousy, especially in scenes with Theresa. I can’t with his jealous streak.

The Police Leak Theory: Does anybody think the mole Clyde (James Read) has planted in the police department is Goldman, the woman who shot and killed the drug dealer?

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.

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