A Critic’s Review of Days of our Lives: Pawns and Curses

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.

What I’m Feeling This Week: Anticipation
(The Pawn Story and Johnny and Chanel’s upcoming wedding)

When it comes to DAYS, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming story arc featuring The Pawn. When Friday’s episode featured John (Drake Hogestyn) meeting Konstantin (John Kapelos) secretly, I got excited that this story was going to finally pick up. And even though I’m not the biggest fan of Konstantin, I’m for almost any story that gives John and Marlena (Deidre Hall) something to do.

I’m curious as to what kind of spin they’re going to give The Pawn this time around. Especially now that both John and Steve (Stephen Nichols) are older, wiser, and have a lot of people around them that will save their butts should they need.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some other drama-building moments worth tuning into like the planning of Johnny (Carson Boatman) and Chanel’s (Raven Bowens) upcoming wedding. The Valentine’s Day extravaganza might not go that smoothly considering Johnny is now worried about a DiMera curse. If there truly is a curse (which there easily could be), then consider the other major families of Salem equally as doomed.

Anyway, Chad (Billy Flynn) hesitated to take on the best man duties for Johnny because of this curse. It makes sense why he believes in it considering what he’s been through with Abby (Marcy Miller). It was all good in the end. Thankfully, Chad actually agreed to stand up for Johnny the day of the wedding (although can we get Johnny some besties and a job, please?).

Overall, it’s The Pawn and Johnny and Chanel’s wedding that I’m most anticipating right now.

Other DAYS Thoughts

Showing Growth Award: Theresa — This week, Theresa (Emily O’Brien) really has been trying to take accountability for her actions, especially, for her recent relapse. And in the process, she and Brady (Eric Martsolf) have gotten closer and I’m almost buying it. What’s holding me back are two things: Theresa seems to inexplicably be into Alex (Robert Scott Wilson).

Then there are her secrets. Once they come out they’ll ruin everything she’s trying to build. For his part, Alex is trying to get there. He’s seeing Marlena and trying to listen to people, but there’s something that is still a bit insincere about him. Maybe it’s the way he talks to Maggie (Suzanne Rogers).

Course Correct Success!: Chad DiMera. I’m glad that Chad’s finally okay with taking the time to get himself whole again after losing Abby so tragically. I just wish he had decided to remain alone after she was murdered instead of getting into a relationship with Stephanie (Abigail Klein).

Now, he’s not dating anyone, his emotions are mostly calm and he’s really working The Spectator angle going after the drug epidemic story with Everett (Blake Berris). I like this for him.

What I’m Not Feeling: Speaking of Everett, he and Stephanie exchanging “I Love You’s” and making love and sleeping in each other’s arms just didn’t ring true to me. I don’t care about them yet because we already know he was married to Jada and he treated her poorly (at least at the end). Plus, he’s keeping his past a secret.

Maybe it’s because we know all of this about him as an audience that is keeping me from connecting with them. Also, we know that Stephanie really does need to take a break from guys like she once attempted.

Frustration Station: The fact that Jude isn’t letting Sloan Petersen (Jessica Serfaty) rest for one second is priceless. So is Eric (Greg Vaughan) not wanting to get a nanny because he wants them to do all the baby care themselves. Plus, Leo (Greg Rikaart) dropping by often and putting the screws to Sloan, dropping bon mots that threaten to bust her lies, is great.

Keep it up until she wants to give Jude back to Nicole (Arianne Zucker) AND let Eric know that Jude is truly his biological child. Her telling Melinda she isn’t the mother type was relatable.

Random Comments
-I don’t need “high” concept love scenes like romance novel voiceovers while characters are smashing against a door.
-I think Brady is showing a lot of self-awareness and I adore this for him. Eric Martsolf is doing such a great job as Brady.
-I’m a little disappointed because there was that cliffhanger of Xander (Paul Telfer) talking to the mystery caller who said he had a job for him. And all we got as a proper follow-up is Xander thinking EJ (Daniel Feuerriegel) did it and confronting Stefan (Brandon Barash).
-Maggie can be manipulative when she wants to be. She’s going to get back into Titan by hook or by crook. That board will let her back in, right?
-I really want Tate (Jamie Martin Mann) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) back in Salem. They. Are. Missed.
-Whoa, they actually showed a pic of Camila Banus as Gabi. I don’t know why I’m surprised by that…unless she’s coming back?
-I never want to see Stefan in a bad mood again. His extreme anger and taking it out on Johnny like that was rude and unacceptable. Especially considering a lot of the mess he’s in is of his own making.

Burning Question: DAYS threw another awkward dinner party, this time with Maggie, Konstantin, Xander, and Sarah. Is this dinner party dance a thing now?

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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