Ava kidnaps Hope!

File this under, don't speak too soon: Okay, so  I have been fairly impressed with new Days headwriter Dena Higley's work. Although I am not a fan of killing off vets, the death of Grandpa Shawn (Frank Parker) following the riveting plan crash drama gave the Days cast a chance to do some really good, meaty acting and more importantly it actually drove story. 

I' ve also enjoyed Bo (Peter Reckell)'s battle with a mysterious pancreatic ailment. No I'm not some morbid tragedy freak, but I like good, character-driven drama rooted in history and that's what this story has been. Not only is Bo's diagnosis timely (Patrick Swayze's current courageous battle with pancreatic cancer), but it ties into the history of the show since Bo's half sister and Victor's daughter, the late Isabella Toscano Black (Staci Greason) succumbed to pancreatic cancer, and I am glad to see Victor (John Aniston)  front and center fighting for his son. And just think this time his superstar daughter Jennifer didn't even have to plead his case on a talk show to get him airtime!

Here comes the but...yep, sorry, there had to be a but and it's a big one.

Think: Aunt Modean after a hot Texas summer inside eating bon bons and barbecue-big...WHY in the WORLD are we long term fans having our collective intelligence insulted by having to sit through this "Will EJ get deported" debacle?

HELLO, the character was born right here in these United States to one Susan Banks (Eileen Davidson)! Remember Dena? A barren Kristen (also Eileen Davidson, who should have won the Emmy. She was robbed, ROBBED I tell ya!) planned to pass off her toothier lookalike's kid as her own with John (Drake Hogestyn)? Weren't you on the writing staff then? I mean, come on!

I understand the need to come up with yet another plot driven obstacle to keep Sami (Alison Sweeney) in EJ's orbit (okay I'm lying, no I don't) in an attempt to water down the effects of him having raped her, but this isn't the way to do it! I would rather see Sami LASH out at EJ (James Scott) because of what he did to her. To see them deal with the painful, horrific, psycholgical issues related to the rape, all along with EJ confessing his love for Sami, which causes her to be torn-can she actually forgive her rapist? This would make much more since than sweeping it under the rug via one contrived situation after another that forces the characters to interact.

There' s no secret that James Scott has awesome leading man potential and incredible chemistry with Alison Sweeney, but it's time Days actually dealt with the Elephant in the room instead of  trying to make us forget their painful past history via shenanigans and tomfoolery.

Exiting Days of Our Lives heartthrob Brandon Beener (soon-to-be ex-Shawn) blogged about his and Martha Madison (soon-to-be ex-Belle)'s last day on the set on his official website and although I have to admit I have never been much of a fan of this incarnation of Shelle (couldn't get over Jason Cook and Kirsten Storms in the roles), I have to say I am sad to see them go, especially Beemer. He has really risen to the occasion during the aftermath of Grandpa Shawn (Frank Parker)'s traumatic death and Bo (Peter Reckell)'s medical crisis. Beemer's Shawn has been a steady rock for his mom Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Grandma Caroline (Peggy McKay) and has even made me able to stomach his bratty, self-centered half sister Chelsea (Rachel Melvin). Here's hoping another soap snatches him up pronto! Personally I think he would make a GREAT Thomas Forrester on Bold and the Beautiful. Just "putting it out there in the universe" as Lisa Rinna used to say on Soap Talk!

Here's Beemer's goodbye blog in its entireity: 
So... a lot of people have been asking me how it went down on our last day.. so here it is. Our last day was not a fun one. We had an afternoon call time so I had a lot of time to think before I went in. I wasn't really sure what to expect.
I got to work and I have to say that I found myself really appreciating more than ever the time I got to spend with everyone, walking the halls, sitting on set, sitting quietly in my dressing room, etc. It was very strange how aware of everything I was that day... knowing that this was my last day I will be doing this. I said my good byes to those that had to leave early and packed up everything in my dressing room before we started to tape our last scenes.
We had about five scenes to shoot at the end of the day... they went by really quickly and before I knew it we were on our last scene. It was hard...all the time that it took to shoot it seemed so great because it allowed us more time to stay on set and do what we love so much. Then it was done. Everyone gathered around as there was great applause and I stood there wishing I could run away from this moment and then come back to find that it never happened... but I figured that it probably wouldn't go down that way.
A cake and three presents were wheeled out on stage. Then they played a pre-recorded speech that Martha had done to thank everyone that she wanted to thank. She thanked everyone...it was very sweet. Then it was my turn..I thought it would be a piece of cake but I have to tell you that it was not easy. I said what I had to say or shall I say what I COULD say. When emotions start to overcome you, it's almost impossible to speak. Ed Scott gave a very nice farewell speech to us.. that man has got to be the coolest man ever!! Then we said our goodbyes, took our pictures and that was the End of our run on Days of our Lives. (Sounds soooo dramatic huh?!! Lol)
I am so thankful for every memory that I have and all the amazing people I met because of that show. The last year and eight months have been the best of my life. I will cherish everything that I have experienced. And I thank you all that have been so supportive during my run on the show and through this crazy last 8 weeks. I will never forget what you have done.

Sincerely, 
Brandon

 

Funerals are traditionally emotional and sacred, no matter whether they are true to life or in the land of television. This week, Days of Our Lives have put on a touching display of family reunions, sad goodbye's and family orientated stories. The funeral of Grandpa Shawn Brady was delivered to viewers across the US with some pretty emotional scenes and complete flawless drama. Where do you even start? I caught the last two segments of the show on YouTube yesterday and can say that Days have never really tugged at my heartstrings as much as they did with the scenes of Shawn's funeral. I must admit, they came close during John's death and funeral most recently, but never much so did they bring a tear to the eye when the Brady children along with Caroline united in front of Shawn's coffin at St. Luke's. The only time Days has moved me in the way it did this week was way back in the early 90's when Kayla left the show. It was when Kayla said goodbye to Shane, her family, then at the cemetery at Steve's grave followed by picking up little Stephanie and leaving the Brady house to the tunes of Linda Ronstadt's "Goodbye My friend". It's almost like Days has come full circle, scary in a way, as in some cases for few shows this spells "the end", but for other shows it's just a simple case of great writing, great acting and great soap production.

Kimberly's return was excellent. I'm unsure why everyone who returns to Days after such a long stint away must come back with red hair. They must have only used half a box on Judi Evans (Adrienne) and decided that due to budget cuts, Kim had to sport red locks too. Kim looked great, but there was a small wee moment when amongst all those teary eyed scenes I found a reason to chuckle. It was when Bo and Kayla were in one screen, then pan across to Rotox and Kim. I swear they both have had work done. Apart from that, it was great to see all the Brady kids together. I know I’ve said this time and time again, but the icing on the cake would have been to have Wayne Northrop return to the role as Roman. I’ve got nothing against Josh Taylor, but it just isn’t the same. Days, PLEASE stop casting from within the same group of characters, it spoils the show. Other than this major flaw, the remainder of the episode was spot on, with perfect family tie moments.

Maggie, Marlena, John, Abe and Lexie were all present. That alone is quality. I probably would have loved to have seen Alice and maybe even more Doug and Julie, but Alice made a cameo in one of several classic flashback moments during the reading of Shawn’s eulogies. In one of the eulogies, Bo spoke about how he was not Shawn’s biological son, but Shawn had accepted him into his heart. Victor Kiriakis was outstanding. I can see him getting more and more involved with Caroline over the next few weeks, during the time of her grieving Victor is going to be her shoulder to cry on. Now that Bo is suffering from a pancreatic illness, Victor will be on hand to ensure he and Caroline’s son receives nothing but the best care from the best medical experts in the world.

Chloe’s performance was terrific. I think her singing; together with the cavalcade of stars was what brought a tear to the eye. A wonderful rendition.

Kayla rose to the altar and spoke about how her Pop never really took a liking to Steve, but after all was said and done, he came around and gave his full endorsement of the wedding between the two. Kayla remembered that the best times with her Pop were when he took her fishing down by the pier.

The flashbacks were coming thick and fast and fans were treated to several. Bo’s classic mullet was displayed during his flashback.

Even Maggie and Alice Horton appeared sitting at the Brady Pub when Shawn brought in a surprise bunch of flowers for Caroline.

The most moving moment was when Kimberly took her turn to speak. Her echoes of “Papa” sent chills down the spine. It was almost like Kim had never left Salem, her acting was superb.

For those that haven’t yet seen this episode, you can watch the last few scenes here. It’s amazing Days drama at it’s best.

Amidst all this drama, NBC were apparently going through some of their own controversy. I stumbled across an article this morning that mentioned Dena Higley had supposedly returned to the helm as Head Writer of the show and there had been talks that Dena was apparently scabbing during the strike. Whilst Writers were striking, it was reported that Dena continued to write for Days yet her name did not appear on the closing credits of the show. Further to this, James Reynold’s who portrays Abe Carver highlighted in a recent interview that he had enjoyed Dena’s work, especially those episodes that were currently on air. I wonder if anyone is going to land into any trouble for this? Days have recently been widely known for their sackings, so if they’re planning on doing this to Abe, they should think again! We all know Dena was a pretty good scribe in the mid 80’s, but her stories in 2003 were far from impressive when she did return to the show. I guess it’s now a case of time will tell. As it happens, many soap scribes have been known to write for the fans and give them what they want, only to turn 90 degrees and put in less time, less creativity and less popular content for characters which in turn bring about a ratings decline. Currently, Dena is writing on the right path, but can she maintain the momentum?

As for the current ratings, I am happy to report that Days had a +.2 increase in the show for the week - 18 Feb to 22 Feb, an overall rating of 2.4 and sitting equal third with As The World Turns. From what we have witnessed with the show’s episodes this past week, it will be no surprise if Day’s continues to rise to the top and possibly add a further +.2 share in viewers. Only time will tell. Now that this whole Brady/DiMera feud has died down ‘literally’ it’ll be up to the scribes (whoever they are) to take the show into uncharted waters and bring with it new vision of stories and use of its core characters. Let’s see more Victor and Caroline, let’s see John play out his role as a DiMera, let’s see a good send off for Shawn and Belle, let’s see more Ava/Kayla/Steve. Bring back Mickey Horton. Bring us more entertainment from Tony and Anna and let’s see where the character of Chelsea is heading. Most importantly give us something dramatic with Bo’s Illness storyline.

Remember Days, you’re on the right track; just don’t lose the plot – ‘literally’.

On this week's Performer of the Week edition of Daytime Confidential Mike, Tina from Primetime Pulse, Jay and Luke choose the actor or actress who each considers to have done an outstanding job during the previous week.

We discuss the ratings for February 11 - February 15, 2008 and how compared to a year ago ABC has lost over three million viewers, CBS has lost over a million viewers and NBC has pretty much held steady and whether or not prevelant ABC soap spoilers may have contributed to their network's ratings decline.

Listen to Daytime Confidential by clicking on the Daytime Confidential Player at the top of the page or Download us for FREE via iTunes. Vote for us on Podcast Alley. Add us as a Friend on MySpace. Drop by our sister site TV Fan Online and visit with other soap fans in the TV Fan Online Forums.