We asked you to vote to determine each show’s top tales. Here are the results.
1 of 5
The Truth About Mike's Paternity
The gold standard of "Who's the Daddy?" secrets was kept from 1968 to 1976 — and crushed the Horton family when it was finally exposed. The details were undeniably sordid: Young Mike was conceived when a drunken Bill raped his ex, Laura, in a rage after she married his brother, Mickey. Privy to the fact that Mickey was sterile, Laura, Bill and Tom (Billy and Mickey's father) concealed the truth about who sired young Mike form an unsuspecting Mickey. Viewers waited for years as the show teased the big reveal, but always backed off from delivering it. Finally, in 1976, Mike (now a teenager on-screen) needed a blood transfusion. Bill was the only match, and Mickey finally pieced together the painful truth. Dramatic fireworks ensued as Mickey went into a rage, shot Bill, and was sent to a sanitarium, where he ended up blurting out to Mike that he wasn't his real father.
2 of 5
Photo credit: JPI
The Sydney/Grace Baby Swap
After miscarrying EJ’s baby in 2008, Nicole concocted an elaborate scheme to hold on to her man by pretending she was still pregnant. Her diabolical plot had viewers hooked as Nicole arranged to swap pregnant teen Mia McCormick’s child with Sami’s baby ... since Sami was secretly carrying EJ’s child herself! With the help of sleazy Dr. Baker, Nicole took home Sami’s newborn daughter (Sydney), and Sami left the clinic with Mia’s infant (Grace). The drama intensified when Grace suddenly died, and Sami mourned the loss of a child that wasn’t even hers. Fans ached for Sami — and longed for her to be reunited with her real child. She finally was in March 2010, when a suspicious Rafe uncovered the truth, and Nicole was forced to relinquish Sydney. All the tears, angst and drama culminated in a heartwarming mother-and-child reunion.
3 of 5
Photo credit: JPI
The Sydney/Grace Baby Swap
After miscarrying EJ’s baby in 2008, Nicole concocted an elaborate scheme to hold on to her man by pretending she was still pregnant. Her diabolical plot had viewers hooked as Nicole arranged to swap pregnant teen Mia McCormick’s child with Sami’s baby ... since Sami was secretly carrying EJ’s child herself! With the help of sleazy Dr. Baker, Nicole took home Sami’s newborn daughter (Sydney), and Sami left the clinic with Mia’s infant (Grace). The drama intensified when Grace suddenly died, and Sami mourned the loss of a child that wasn’t even hers. Fans ached for Sami — and longed for her to be reunited with her real child. She finally was in March 2010, when a suspicious Rafe uncovered the truth, and Nicole was forced to relinquish Sydney. All the tears, angst and drama culminated in a heartwarming mother-and-child reunion.
The Salem Strangler
Getting dumped by his fiancée, Angel, an alternate personality of Jessica Blake, propelled Jake Kositchek to attack and murder several of the town’s women in 1981. The Salem Strangler was the soap’s first serial killer and played to twisted perfection by actor Jack Coleman. In an intricate game of cat and mouse, Jake began making disturbing calls to Dr. Marlena Evans’s radio show, blam- ing the shrink for integrating Jessica’s personalities and sparking his reign of terror. The plot introduced Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, the detective assigned to protect Marlena, kicking off a legendary DAYS romance. It also pulled a fast one on viewers, who were outraged when they witnessed Jake kill Marlena, only to later learn he’d actually offed her twin, Samantha. Roman ultimately shot Jake dead, ending the mayhem in 1982.
4 of 5
Photo credit: NBC
Marlena's Possession
Heroine Marlena crossed over to the dark side
when she became possessed by Satan in 1994. The benevolent psychiatrist fell victim to mind-altering drugs administered by villain Stefano DiMera and, in her weakened state, became a vessel for demonic forces. Although the outrageous storyline caused huge con- troversy, it also garnered lots of attention for the soap.
It was bold, daring and featured riveting special effects (Marlena’s eyes glowed yellow, her voice was altered and she even levitated above her bed). Eventually, John, who then believed he was a priest, figured out what had happened to his ex and swept in to save her in 1995 by performing daytime’s first exorcism.
5 of 5
Photo credit: JPI
Will Comes Out
After having sex with his girlfriend, Gabi, in 2011, Will abruptly pulled away from her — because, it would soon become clear, he was grappling with his sexuality. Though Will’s friend (and future husband) Sonny was comfortably out and proud, Will was unable to cope with his own feelings, in denial that he, too, was gay. He began drinking and lashing out but ultimately, struggling not only with his own identity, but how it would affect his relationships with his family if he were to come out. Finally, in powerful scenes that aired on April 5, 2012, Will confided in his grandmother, Marlena, “I’m tired of fighting what I know is true.... I’m gay.” “And I still love you with all my heart,” she responded. Marlena’s acceptance and encouragement helped Will shed his shame and self- doubt, and eventually, to find true love with Sonny.
The Truth About Mike's Paternity
The gold standard of "Who's the Daddy?" secrets was kept from 1968 to 1976 — and crushed the Horton family when it was finally exposed. The details were undeniably sordid: Young Mike was conceived when a drunken Bill raped his ex, Laura, in a rage after she married his brother, Mickey. Privy to the fact that Mickey was sterile, Laura, Bill and Tom (Billy and Mickey's father) concealed the truth about who sired young Mike form an unsuspecting Mickey. Viewers waited for years as the show teased the big reveal, but always backed off from delivering it. Finally, in 1976, Mike (now a teenager on-screen) needed a blood transfusion. Bill was the only match, and Mickey finally pieced together the painful truth. Dramatic fireworks ensued as Mickey went into a rage, shot Bill, and was sent to a sanitarium, where he ended up blurting out to Mike that he wasn't his real father.
The Sydney/Grace Baby Swap
After miscarrying EJ’s baby in 2008, Nicole concocted an elaborate scheme to hold on to her man by pretending she was still pregnant. Her diabolical plot had viewers hooked as Nicole arranged to swap pregnant teen Mia McCormick’s child with Sami’s baby ... since Sami was secretly carrying EJ’s child herself! With the help of sleazy Dr. Baker, Nicole took home Sami’s newborn daughter (Sydney), and Sami left the clinic with Mia’s infant (Grace). The drama intensified when Grace suddenly died, and Sami mourned the loss of a child that wasn’t even hers. Fans ached for Sami — and longed for her to be reunited with her real child. She finally was in March 2010, when a suspicious Rafe uncovered the truth, and Nicole was forced to relinquish Sydney. All the tears, angst and drama culminated in a heartwarming mother-and-child reunion.
The Salem Strangler
Getting dumped by his fiancée, Angel, an alternate personality of Jessica Blake, propelled Jake Kositchek to attack and murder several of the town’s women in 1981. The Salem Strangler was the soap’s first serial killer and played to twisted perfection by actor Jack Coleman. In an intricate game of cat and mouse, Jake began making disturbing calls to Dr. Marlena Evans’s radio show, blam- ing the shrink for integrating Jessica’s personalities and sparking his reign of terror. The plot introduced Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, the detective assigned to protect Marlena, kicking off a legendary DAYS romance. It also pulled a fast one on viewers, who were outraged when they witnessed Jake kill Marlena, only to later learn he’d actually offed her twin, Samantha. Roman ultimately shot Jake dead, ending the mayhem in 1982.
Marlena's Possession
Heroine Marlena crossed over to the dark side
when she became possessed by Satan in 1994. The benevolent psychiatrist fell victim to mind-altering drugs administered by villain Stefano DiMera and, in her weakened state, became a vessel for demonic forces. Although the outrageous storyline caused huge con- troversy, it also garnered lots of attention for the soap.
It was bold, daring and featured riveting special effects (Marlena’s eyes glowed yellow, her voice was altered and she even levitated above her bed). Eventually, John, who then believed he was a priest, figured out what had happened to his ex and swept in to save her in 1995 by performing daytime’s first exorcism.
Will Comes Out
After having sex with his girlfriend, Gabi, in 2011, Will abruptly pulled away from her — because, it would soon become clear, he was grappling with his sexuality. Though Will’s friend (and future husband) Sonny was comfortably out and proud, Will was unable to cope with his own feelings, in denial that he, too, was gay. He began drinking and lashing out but ultimately, struggling not only with his own identity, but how it would affect his relationships with his family if he were to come out. Finally, in powerful scenes that aired on April 5, 2012, Will confided in his grandmother, Marlena, “I’m tired of fighting what I know is true.... I’m gay.” “And I still love you with all my heart,” she responded. Marlena’s acceptance and encouragement helped Will shed his shame and self- doubt, and eventually, to find true love with Sonny.