Back From The Dead: Why Do Soap Opera Characters Never Believe It?

Ok, in real life, the idea of someone coming back from the dead is absolutely absurd and pretty much impossible, but on a soap opera, it happens all the time, so why do your daytime favorites always act so shocked when it happens? And why do they preach that dead people can’t come back?

Back From The Dead: A Soap Opera Staple

Our latest example of this is Laura Collins (Genie Francis) on General Hospital. On Friday, she was absolutely insistent to Ava (Maura West) that Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) couldn’t have been in her gallery because he is dead and dead is dead.

Oh really, Laura? Your whole family has come back from the dead at some point, including your other son, Lucky. You mom? Back from the dead after decades. Your dad, Rick? Yep, back from the dead. Luke? Yep, he came back from the dead. Your current husband’s brother, Ryan. He came back from the dead just this year — TWICE.

And Laura, guess what? You did it, too. You came back from the dead. It’s just a thing that happens. Believe Ava. Embrace the news. Don’t look at her like she’s crazy and then convince her to spend some time in Shadybrook.

Nicole Did This TWICE

Another character to return from the dead TWICE this year was Nicole (Arianne Zucker) on Days of Our Lives. Granted, one of those returns was a back-from-the-dead Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) in a Nicole mask, but still.

Salemites were shocked when Nicole showed up back in Salem and curious about her new personality. When they finally realized Nicole was Kristen, they thought, ok, Nicole must be dead. But wait, three hours later (or so), Kristen told them Nicole was still alive and they couldn’t believe it. But, Nicole was dead. How could she return?

Um, guys, you believed she returned from the dead earlier that same night in Salem time. Why could you not believe it again?

And, this is Salem, where even when the body is found and seems really, most sincerely dead, Dr. Rolf (Will Utay) can work his magic and make sure they return. In the last year, we have seen EJ, Jack, and Vivian return from the dead, along with Nicole and Kristen. Why is this such a hard concept?

Dead Is NEVER Dead

On The Young and the Restless, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), Victoria (Amelia Heinle), Phyllis (then-Gina Tognoni), and Sharon (Sharon Case) all buried JT (Thad Luckinbill) thinking he was dead. Whoops! He was alive. Even Victor (Eric Braeden) recently faked his death, although most of the Newmans were in on that one.

Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) and Taylor (Hunter Tylo) have returned from the dead numerous times on The Bold and the Beautiful. These things just happen on soaps, so our faves need to just accept it and move on.