Five Things We Hope To See From DAYS’s New Head Writers
(From l.) DAYS’s John and Marlena (Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall), Sami (Alison Sweeney), and Bo and Hope (Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso)
Last June, the soap world was rocked by the news that Ron Carlivati was let go as head writer of Days of our Lives and was being replaced by former head writer Paula Cwikly and longtime DAYS writer Jeanne Marie Ford. The question on most fans’ minds was: how would their vision for the show change the future of Salem? Because the show shoots so far in advance, the material crafted by Cwikly and Ford won’t hit the airwaves until spring, which is now right around the corner. Here are five things we at Digest hope to see once the new regime’s storylines begin to unfold.
1. All In The Family
Would it be too much to ask that we see more of the families we love? The representation of the Hortons needs beefing up. Why on earth isn’t Bryan R. Dattilo back on contract, driving story as Lucas Horton? Not only that, but his kids need to be front and center. Will and Allie are pivotal legacy characters who are well due for a comeback — not just a brief visit. Thank goodness for matriarch Julie. Seeing Susan Seaforth Hayes always fills us with joy and the only thing better than seeing her occasionally would be seeing her far more. A great way for that to happen would be to bring back her grandson Eli and his family (wife Lani and their twins, Jules and Carver). Julie needs to be interacting more with the next generations, not to mention how much “ELani” fans would cheer having their faves, Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers, back in action on the canvas. Sure, it’s nice that Gabi and Rafe got a cousin in the form of Al Calderson’s Javi, but the Bradys could stand to see some more members return, too. At least we got Shawn and Belle back!
2. Put The Super Back In Supercouples
There was a time when DAYS was synonymous with romance. The show had a plethora of supercouples in the 1980s, a decade that saw bad boy with a heart of gold Bo romance headstrong Hope, super-spy Shane fall for troubled Kimberly, criminal Patch become hero Steve thanks to the love of nurse Kayla, Jack’s sharp edges softened by compassionate Jennifer, and, of course, Marlena help amnesiac John Black regain his life (well, actually her “late” husband Roman’s), falling hard for him in the process. No one did love in the afternoon better than DAYS — but with few exceptions (one being Bo and Hope’s daughter Ciara falling for Ben a few years ago), very few of the show’s pairings seem to be hitting with fans. Here’s hoping that the new writers put a renewed focus on romance, longing and love — in all its various forms.
3. Give Bo and Hope A Happy Ending
Viewers were thrilled when it was revealed that Bo was still alive, but that dream come true was short-lived. Before Bo could enjoy a proper romantic reunion with his true love, Hope, he was shot by his son, Shawn. He has lingered in a coma for nearly two years now, and his Fancy Face is likewise in limbo, devotedly waiting at his side for him to wake up. To say that “Bope” fans felt cheated by this turn of events would be an understatement. If any couple deserves their happily ever after, it’s these two. The new writers are bringing fan faves Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso back to reprise their iconic roles, and the stage is set for this historic, legendary couple to finally get the earthly version of that swoon-worthy heavenly reunion from Beyond Salem. Will the new writers pen a story that lives up to viewers’ anticipation, earning hero status among fans? We sure hope so!
4. Good To Be Bad
The show needs a powerhouse, story-driving female troublemaker, a void that was left when Alison Sweeney exited as Sami Brady (full-time, at least) back in 2014. The show has tried to slot various women into this role (think Gabi, Gwen, Sloan), with varying degrees of success — but certainly, in all these years, no character has packed the high-impact punch of Sami. Thankfully, she is returning this year. But we also know that given Sweeney’s thriving career outside of daytime, it won’t be for the long haul. Dare we say the time has finally come to consider recasting Sami? It would be a risk, but think of all the pockets of the canvas that would get a jolt of adrenaline if Sami was in Salem year-round. Failing that, the show’s writers would be wise to make it a top priority to nurture a worthy successor to Sami’s pot-stirring throne. Our suggestion: Will and Gabi’s daughter, Ari. She’s Sami’s granddaughter, after all. Mischief-making runs in her blood!
5. A Legendary Sendoff
The passing of Drake Hogestyn shook every DAYS fan down to their foundation, and fans have been bracing themselves for months for the death of his beloved character, John Black, who first captured fans’ hearts back in 1986, a story that has now kicked off in earnest (read what Hogestyn’s leading lady, Deidre Hall, has to say about that here). Late last year, the show did a beautiful job crafting its good-bye to Doug Williams, played by the late Bill Hayes, whose memorial was filled with flashbacks, returning characters and poignant emotion from those who loved him. The show has already filmed John’s death, and we fervently hope that it duplicated this winning formula to pay proper homage to the iconic hero Hogestyn brought to life — and that the impact of his immeasurable loss will continue to resonate through the canvas as John’s loved ones find a way forward without his loving and courageous presence. Done right, the good-bye to John (and, by extension, to Hogestyn) has the potential to be the event that sparks a nationwide shortage of tissues.
What do you think about this list? What did we leave out and what did we get wrong? Sound off in the comments section below!
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