Home > Days of our Lives > Days of our Lives Recaps

The Rinse: Why Ari Deserves Better on Days of our Lives

The Rinse: Our daily look at the biggest takeaway from the last episode of DAYS. After Doug, Liam, and now Aaron, Ari deserves a romance that lets her have fun instead of dealing with someone else’s baggage.

Ari is featured in The Rinse for Days of our Lives, Tuesday, August 18, 2026.Image Credit: JPI Studios

On the August 18 episode of Days of our Lives, Ari stood by as Aaron spent time with his biological son, Trey. This is the second man with massive baggage in Ari’s life. This terrific catch deserves better.

Key Takeaways

  • Ari’s recent Salem romances have come with far more baggage than fun.
  • Doug and Liam brought criminal trouble into Ari’s life before leaving town.
  • Aaron is a nice guy, but his unresolved emotions could become another burden for Ari.

Ari Deserved So Much Better Than Doug Williams III

When teen-age Ari (Vico Escorcia) returned to Salem, her first hook-up was with Doug III (Peyton Meyer). They met in a bar and slept together that same night. We’re not judging them for that. We are judging Doug for being a conman and a thief who pulled Ari into his schemes to the point where she and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) were kidnapped by loan sharks. The dude was a loser and we were happy when he slunk out of town. Someone as terrific as Ari deserves better.

Ari Dodged a Major Bullet With Liam

Next for Ari was Liam (Hank Northrop). He was an even bigger criminal than Doug. Doug was just a wannabe. Liam was an actual kidnapper. He was also a single dad. Ari has just finished her first year of college. She’s still got a lot of living to do before she settles down with anyone, much less a guy with major responsibilities — and a rap sheet. Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) paid him to get out of town — and he did. Ari was angry. Then she got over it. Made it seem like it was more the principle of the thing, rather than missing Liam in particular.

Ari Deserves Fun, Not Another Guy to Fix

Now, Ari is hanging out with Aaron (Louis Tomeo). Aaron is a nice guy. He seems sweet. But he and Ari just spent their last evening together hanging with the baby boy Aaron gave up for adoption. He pretends to be chill with everything that’s happened over the past two years. But is he really? And does Ari want to be there if/when Aaron is finally forced to confront his feelings? Like with Liam, she deserves to have fun, not constantly be putting broken guys back together.

MORE: Here’s what’s coming up next on DAYS.

Subscribe Now

Get spoilers, news and recaps in your inbox daily.

Subscribe Now

Get spoilers, news and recaps in your inbox daily.