by Hannah
video by Maej26

DOOL is getting dark – and it appears that the writers are focusing on the character psyche and internal struggle. I don’t think I remember a storyline and its theme being this intense since Marlena’s possession – and in my opinion (and from others I’ve had the chance to solicit) the Marlena possession storyline is a “drop in the bucket” in intensity compared to the current EJAMI storyline.

EJ’s character by definition is dark, multi-dimensional, and intense. Rooted in DiMera values and culture, EJ has been raised to be loyal to the family at all costs, at all lengths. As revealed to the audience this summer via an EJAMI conversation, EJ entered Salem with the sole purpose to invoke and develop the Brady-DiMera vendetta (and don’t you remember how many times the word “vendetta” was stated during that year or so in dialogue?). It was during this EJAMI conversation we realized that upon first meeting Sami, EJ’s internal struggle began: the fight to stay true to his family or to stay true to his heart, meaning his love and devotion for his Samantha. This forces him out of the atypical, soap opera mold for villain.

As time progressed, there were situations when EJ’s devotion for his family won, and there were times when his love for Samantha won. When we as the audience understand this is the root of EJ’s internal battle, perhaps most of his decisions and actions are more understandable – maybe justifiable. But one thing is for sure: his love for Sami is the bulwark of his soul.

At this time it is important to note that EJ and Sami are mirrors for each other. When they look at each other (in a metaphorical sense of course) they see their own personal imperfections and flaws, but they also see what could be – in a redeeming sense. Therefore, EJ and Sami have taken turns wounding and saving each other – it is the very nature of their relationship – it’s how they’re defined, thus making them hard to analyze. Their decisions encourage a divide in those who ardently support EJAMI from those who ardently do not. Individually, Sami and EJ are both gray characters; thus, their relationship is gray in nature. They’re not the typical “soap couple”, which is a reason why some viewers can never “root” for them.

As also shared with Sami this summer, when EJ looks at her, he sees the man he could be – and so desperately wants to be. It wasn’t until this summer that we began to see the process of EJ’s redemption – he has yielded and allowed his love for Sami to take over, and in a sense, “cleanse” him from his struggle. It has been argued that this “redemption” was a scam in order to “own” Sami. However, I disagree, as we can clearly see how deeply Sami’s rejection of him as a partner in life – as a father to her children – has affected him.

EJ’s epiphany and decision to become the man Sami deserves occurred, however, under the shadow of his vengeful decision to take Sydney. As my mom brilliantly stated, (we have our “DOOL Debrief” Daily) EJ didn’t come “clean” with Sami because he was hoping to make a wrong right by doing yet another wrong, which is slipping back into his “default mode”. In his ideal mindset (in case you haven’t noticed, both he and Sami are idealists), he was hoping that by consciously changing for the better, the “Sydnapping” consequence would just disappear. He had faith that Sami would understand his motives, just like he understood hers when she decided to conceal her pregnancy in the first place.

Now that the truth is revealed, EJ must go through the “cleansing process” on his own, without his Samantha. We saw yet another layer in EJ’s dynamic character revealed to us this past week, as he drowned himself in alcohol and contemplated suicide. Everything has been stripped from him – the love of his life, his children, his dreams – and what has ultimately caused him to drown in his sorrows? The fact that he KNOWS he brought it on himself.

Like it or not, EJ’s character is being crafted as more of the victim in the storyline, which is a “twist” in and of itself. His path toward redemption and forgiveness came too late, in that it did not produce the result for which he had hoped. The fact that Sami has not experienced a similar epiphany in coming to full and complete terms with her love for EJ (she did state to EJ that she loved him) and is now on her own pursuit for revenge and retaliation makes EJ more of the victim instead of the villain in this storyline, as revealed in a recent interview with James Scott. But in my opinion, she will be forced to look in the mirror and face her true self, just as EJ did in the late Spring/early Summer. I think it is NO MISTAKE that the EJ shooting scenes were shot through the perspective of the mirror, as it seems to be an image that symbolizes the very nature of their characters.

So, where does the storyline go from here? In my opinion, EJ is at rock bottom, and things can only improve from this point on. I speculate that EJ’s character will take a new direction. I also predict that in the coming weeks, Sami will have to come to a place where she once and for all deals with her internal struggle considering EJ in order for the EJAMI storyline to take on a new form. Therefore, it’s always darkest before dawn, as the cliché states – and as far as it affects EJAMI, only time will tell how long the darkness lasts.

by Amy and Jabie Plouf

Rafe proposes to Sami. Stefano finds EJ shot. Maggie warns Brady about Victor. Carly and Ciara bond.

by Josie

Sheri Anderson, TV producer, will be writing a series of novels based upon the storylines and characters of DOOL. We will get to read the first book around DOOL’s 45th anniversary (this November).

Anderson is known for her work at creating super couples. To her credit include greats like Luke and Laura, Bo and Hope, John and Marlena, Patch and Kayla, Shane and Kimberly and also Tony and Anna.

by Sarah
Looking back a year ago in Salem, I remember a particular storyline that was beginning to form eloquently, the bitter family feud between the dynasties of Stefano DiMera and Victor Kiriakis. Hits were being ordered on Philip, Brady being beat up, Stephanie locked in a morgue drawer, the accidential death of Tony DiMera and explosive meetings between Stefano and Victor, and their sons Philip and EJ. I was rather disappointed when Victor and Stefano made a ‘truce’ about stopping the violence and leaving each other’s families alone.

The shooting of EJ provides a perfect opportunity for the Dimera/Kiriakis family wars to begin. Stefano will be out for blood for who shot his son, and although, we know it was Sami, if Stefano believes Victor is behind the attack, a new wave of their feud will begin. I would love to see the two mob families come back into the light, and Stefano to go back to his evil self. I love the chemistry of Kate and Stefano, and the chemistry of Victor and Vivian, and I think there are so many possibilities that could fester from this feud. Here are a few Plot Ideas that could involve these family wars:

1.Stefano seeks revenge on EJ’s murder, and in turn blames Victor. This ignites a torpedo of violence including kidnappings, shootings, drug wars, extortion, and more. It will become a whole new era for Days, taking away from the repetitive conversations actors seem to have with each other and the storylines that drag out. A bitter war will create suspense and thrill.

2.Stefano steals the Phloe baby, which is really his son with Kate, after he had Dr.Rolf impregnate Chloe while she was in the hospital

3.Brady seeks revenge on the DiMeras, and since his character is going dark, buries a member of the DiMera family alive.

4.Nicole and Brady team up to exact revenge on the DiMeras after everything they’ve done to her.

5.Stefano orders Melanie to be kidnapped

6.What if Will is really Stefano and Kate’s son and Chad is Lucas and Sami’s son? Stefano switched the babies at birth.

It could extend to many new storylines. What are your ideas?

If this feud is going to get going, I would love to see the return of John Black, Megan Hathaway (Stefano’s adopted daughter), Ava Vatale and her father Martino, Troy, and Dr.Rolf . I think it would really be Emmy-worthy.

Also, it might be time for Jan Spears to return to campus and for a serial killer to hit town….

What are your ideas?

by Ron

Bo Doesn’t Want To Do Right
Uploaded by rondays. – Classic TV and last night’s shows, online.

- Roman’s house
- Crimes actually solved by the Salem P.D.
- Abe actually on the job as the Mayor
- Chez Rouge
- Someone go to jail that actually deserves it

I’m just listing things that over the past few months we’ve seen almost as much as CarBo together as a couple. Its bad enough that Bo was gone for two months but since he’s returned I’d literally be shocked if the number of scenes these two have had together even cracks double digits. It seems like Carly is in more of a relationship with Chloe than she is with Bo at this point.

I’ve racked my brain trying to figure out why this is. Why are the writers not giving them scenes together? I’ve never seen a loving couple spend less time together with the exception of Pac-Man & Mrs. Pac-Man(I’ve never seen them together). I thought maybe the lack of CarBo was because other storylines needed more time so they just got pushed to the back burner. For a second I thought maybe the writers keep forgetting CarBo was a couple now, which actually wouldn’t shock me. After some more extensive thinking, the light bulb came on and a question popped in my head. Could the lack of CarBo scenes be on purpose because they don’t want the fans to get too attached to them?

Its no secret that once CarBo breaks up, that’s it, its a wrap, they’re not getting back together. That’s the biggest difference between EJami(and even Lumi fans) and CarBo fans. No matter who Sami is with there will always be light at the end of the tunnel for the EJamis and Lumis. There’s always a possibility of reconciliation. But when it comes the the CarBo fans when Bo & Hope get back together, they’ll be together until the end of time, unless someone leaves the show. There are no more conceivable reasons for Bope to break up anymore. The writers have obviously been teasing Bo & Hope reuniting for months now and maybe they feel like if they keep showing us less and less of CarBo, we’ll slowly start forgetting about them and when they break up, it will be easier to take and will be less of a backlash from the CarBo community.

Look, I like to think of us CarBos as a highly intelligent bunch. We know that the end game is obviously Bo & Hope, though it doesn’t make sense because despite their 25 year history(and there are a bunch of gaps in that 25 years) Carly is obviously better catch of the two. I’d like to think I speak on behalf of Team CarBo when I say that if you’re going to break up Carly & Bo at least make their time together memorable. Give us some stuff that makes us satisfied with the time that Carly & Bo have had together, because at this point the writers are failing miserably in that department. I want CarBo reuniting to actually seem worth while and not just seem like the writers are just biding their time until they pull the trigger on Bo & Hope reuniting.

So I ask, is it possible that the writers just don’t want us to get too attached to CarBo, or could there be another reason that a couple with so much chemistry is hardly written for?

by Amy and Jabie Plouf

Looks like Sami did it. Any chance of a hidden gunman?

contributed by Libby

By Libby

A new storyline

How do you solve a problem like Nathan?  Well, some of the DaysTalk community want to see Nathan pursue Melanie again or even Chloe.  But Chloe has a number of men and a baby on the way.  And I am not sure pairing Nathan and Melanie will fix the boredom problem since we have experienced them in the past. Back when Nathan first arrived in Salem, I was enthralled with how cute and sweet  this medical resident, Nathan Horton, was.  Now, not so much.  He is still cute and nice, but his stethoscope has tarnished for me over these few months.  He and Stephanie are always in the midst of some romantic tryst scene or he is pensively looking at the ceiling.  In my opinion, he is a pretty dull fellow now.

As a legacy character and a member of the vanishing Horton clan, Nathan should play a bigger role than he has.  When I first saw Mark Hapka as Nathan, he reminded me of the Bucky Carter character on Ryan’s Hope in the late 1970’s.  Now, I really started to watch Ryan’s Hope on Soapnet back a few years ago.  I did not watch during its original run.  It seems Soapnet only runs the first  2-3 years of the soap in a loop with two back to back episodes airing from 5 am – 6 am weekdays.

Bucky  Carter was a neurology resident at Riverside Hospital and heir to a 30 million dollar trust fund. He was very sensitive about his patients and his money.  I think parts of Bucky’s character profile could help the character profile of our Nathan in Salem.

First, I must admit I would have Nathan make a break with Stephanie. He clearly does not love her and it is painful to watch her desperate attempts to keep him tied to her.  Days of Our Lives needs to show what Nathan is really passionate about – and not make it  about a girl, for now. As  we know in the DaysTalk community, Nathan’s father has never been identified.  His mother, Melissa, was involved with Pete  Jannings back in the 1980’s.  But Pete Jannings  was never publicly  identified as Nathan’s biological father.

Well, here is my proposal.  Nathan’s biological father dies tragically in a plane crash at age 48.  Melissa returns to Salem to let  her son, Nathan, know of the tragedy.  She had cut off communication with his father long ago.  Nathan’s father had made inquiries about Nathan several times, but she never responded.  The pain had been too deep with their breakup and she was still concerned about her ex- boyfriend’s stability.  Well unbeknownst to Melissa, Nathan’s father had developed a small computer program which was purchased and incorporated into a best selling software package making him millions over night.  Nathan’s father  decided his good fortune should be put to good use after his less than well-spent youth.  He invested his money in environmental recycling and other  software development opportunities and amassed a fortune of $30 million dollars.  He was an anonymous giver to many medical and environmental charities around the world.  He was returning from a humanitarian food relief trip to the Sudan when his plane unexpectedly crashed and burned upon takeoff – killing him instantly.

It seems Nathan’s father left his considerable fortune to Nathan, his only child, who he had never known along with a letter explaining why he had been too ashamed to ever approach Nathan directly in his life.  He wanted to give his fortune to Nathan with the hope that Nathan would continue to use the money for good all over the world and in his own town of  Salem.  Nathan is shocked by the news of his father’s death and even more shocked by the responsibility to create a humanity type aid foundation.  At first, Nathan goes through the stages of grief for his unknown father.  Searching for  when and why his father had changed so in his life – yet never contacted Nathan – even after he became an adult.  It was obvious that his father had kept tabs on him throughout his life.  As a matter of fact when EJ had first gone to work for Mickey in his law practice, EJ had helped Nathan’s father set up his will and wishes for the foundation after his death.  Nathan goes to EJ – who is just recovering from his tragic breakup with Sami and revelations of wrong doing with the Baby Sydney kidnapping.  When contacted, EJ was eager to help Nathan wade through the details of the will and the specific wishes that his father had left behind.

All of his father’s personal belongings, with the exception of a small houseboat that he had kept moored in New England for many years, were left to a woman not to be named.  She had clearly loved and cared for his father during his transition to becoming a better man – yet they never married.  Nathan decides to accept the houseboat and have it transported to Salem.  He wants EJ to keep the $30 million dollar fortune a secret to everyone at this point.  He needs to get used to so much that is on his plate, including his latest residency rotation at the hospital which continues to bear down on him.  Nathan has always been a little overwhelmed with the weight of being Dr. Tom Horton’s grandson at University Hospital – he is not sure how he will deal with being the guardian of such a tremendous humanitarian foundation too.   Nathan thinks by moving into the houseboat – maybe he will get a better sense of who his father was and who he became during all of the missing years.  EJ and Nathan quickly become friends as they work through the details of the inheritance and the foundation.  (Now, this is not a Chad/Will or Chill type situation.  These guys are merely friends. EJ and Nathan will remain completely heterosexual.)  EJ can identify somewhat with Nathan’s father who made many mistakes and then wanted to redeem himself and make himself worthy of meeting and knowing his son.  He wants to help because he thinks it will help him to learn how to fully redeem and forgive himself for his errors with Sydney, Johnny and Sami.

Nathan cannot help but be curious about the mysterious woman that inherited his father’s personal belongings.  And he asks EJ to coordinate an investigation into who the woman is.  Because EJ is the executor of Nathan’s estate  he cannot handle this request.  But refers Nathan to Justin Kiriakis to engage investigators. This whole situation softens Nathan.  He promises to always be Stephanie and Melanie’s friend but feels like he is being called in a new direction for his life and it really cannot include either  girl.  Besides, mistakes have been made on all sides of that triangle over the years.  Nathan dives into his work at the hospital and may be getting too emotionally involved in each case.  Melanie and Stephanie both see it.  But feel helpless to interfere.  They wonder about Nathan’s decision to move into a houseboat on his own (and where the houseboat came from ) Nathan is sensitive about the subject.  He does not feel he is at a point to share any information, except with his Grandmother Maggie, his mother in Nashville and his attorneys/friends, EJ and Justin.

In a few months, Justin’s  investigators come back with information related to the woman that Nathan’s father bequeathed his personal belongings.  It is a 38 year old woman living in nearby Chicago.  Nathan is curious about her.  He wants to meet her.  She is a woman who was brought up in a wealthy family in Salem and moved to the Chicago area after high school.  Nathan helps organize a fundraiser for medical aid projects and gets EJ to contact her to come to Salem to participate.  Nathan hopes to meet her anonymously and find out more about her.  She does come to Salem  saying she knows the town well because she grew up there as a child.  She is aware of the Horton and Kiriakis families.  Justin seems to know her well  but does not offer much information other than she was a lovely and caring girl growing up.  Nathan becomes more intrigued and wants to learn more about her.  Perhaps, she could help him manage the foundation that his father wants him to build.  Nathan  becomes besotted with  the older woman from Chicago.  Maggie gently points out that while this woman seems to be  a fine person with a caring heart for others  she is 10 years his senior and still very much a stranger to all of them.  And no one really knows much about her relationship with Nathan’s father.  All of this provides an interesting subtext to Nathan’s ambitions as a neurological resident at the hospital and gives him new friends in EJ, Justin and the older and attractive woman from out of town.

Now, would this be more interesting than Nathan and Stephanie or Melanie at this point ?It also gives Nathan a chance to interact with Maggie and other characters, like EJ, Justin and the mysterious woman. Share with us your thoughts. Would this storyline help or hurt Nathan ?  Or have you thought of some other storylines for him lately?

By Libby

A new storyline
We received some feedback on new storylines for the character of Stephanie in our post, ‘Who Deserves a New Storyline.’ Out of all four of the Salem denizens we evaluated, we got more responses about Stephanie than any other character. Primarily, the feedback was that she did not need to be with Nathan. No one seemed to like her focus on capturing Nathan’s heart at all costs.

In theory, I agree with that assumption wholeheartedly. Call me old school – but Stephanie IS Kayla and Steve’s daughter – a legacy character in my opinion. For one brief minute between being a racecar driver and a simpering hospital PR administrator (was this Carrie Brady’s old job at Salem University Hospital ?) – Stephanie has lost her roots and herself.

To me, Stephanie should be self assured with a strong self image. She should know that she wants to have it all. Not just a man at all costs. What woman on ‘Days’ is really building a really balanced life with style and grace on her own? Huh? The silence is pretty deafening. Stephanie should be sure in her gut that she has a calling … and not one that involves seducing Nathan into bed at each turn in an attempt to get what she wants. She knows that a real life does not show up on her doorstep with a marriage certificate. Kayla raised her well. She needs to return to her roots: focused, independent and empathetic. She has the ability to work with people and persuade people without outrageous flirting and seduction. In my opinion, she needs to return to her roots. Her mother, Kayla, is returning to Salem next month. I hope that Kayla sits down with Steph and has a real straight shooting heart to heart talk with her only daughter!

If you have read any of my posts and comments on the character of Stephanie, they always go back to her focusing on a real career that utilizes her caring and helping strengths. She needs to be multi-dimensional and make use of her family history. I think she is well suited to be Salem’s newest psychologist. She can follow in the footsteps of Laura Horton and Marlena Evans. Now, note I mean she should be a psychologist – a clinical therapist who talks with her patients.

In today’s world, a lot of psychiatrists are pharmacologists. Call me naïve – but passing out pills really doesn’t make great of television. Goodness knows, too many folks in Salem are self medicating in one way or the other. They need a counselor with some wisdom and life experience.

I read a comment from some insightful and very witty ‘Days’ viewer who said – “Are there any women in Salem that are sane right now. Seriously? “ I laughed out loud at reading that line.

So Stephanie – step away from Nathan. Work on your own wonderfulness and ways to contribute to Salem in your own comfortable skin. Away from Nathan or Philip – be their friends – they certainly need that – but do not look at either one of these men as a means to an end. A healthy romantic relationship will blossom only after you are comfortable in your own skin and skills.

Salem always needs a mental health professional. Someone with an open door – but not an open bedroom – a woman of substance and strength like her mother, Kayla. Stephanie could be a caring cousin and much needed friend-confidant to Sami – just as Jennifer has been to Hope over the years. But she cannot do it living the life she leads at the moment.

Would it kill any woman in Salem to build some self respect and be her own person and THEN meet a man and lead a healthy and balanced life without histrionics. ( Ok. It may be a little dull if everyone was well balanced and mentally healthy. But right now – only Maggie holds that title – and I think there is room at the top for a few more.)

Stephanie, kick those men out of your apartment and life right now. Enroll in that Advanced Salem Psychologist tract that should have you an office with a plaque on your door by November. Sit down and really talk to your Mom when she makes it to town – get a life plan, young lady! Salem needs you.

What do you think about seeing some changes? We have all found Stephanie has been much more interesting with her latest conniving and manipulation of Nathan, Philip and Ian, Super-Computer Geek. What we all know is that Stephanie can be exciting and interesting without laying her life and body down to catch a man. It seems to me – in their day – Laura Horton and Marlena Evans both had interesting lives. In my opinion, Sami is not destined to be the next Marlena – but Stephanie could take the mantel of Marlena’s best traits and those of her determined and focused parents.

I say go get ‘em, Stephanie – and that does not mean Nathan or Philip ! Looking to see you in your office active in your psychologist/ therapist office by Christmas. What do my fellow DaysTalk folks think of those plans and storyline for Kayla and Steve’s rockin’ progeny??