Days of Our Lives Is Leaning Into Romance as It’s Already Planting the Seeds of a Major ‘Whodunit?’

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The show seems to be wrapping up a number of storylines with just about the snap of a finger, but that could be because it’s clearing the way for big things to come. One thing that is clear, though, is that Days of Our Lives is leaning into romances right now; some old, some new and some sure to drive folks crazy. 

True Love On Its Way?

OK, my theory with Cat was an absolute dead end. Clyde just wants her free so he can kill her. Which seems odd, since he seemed to be able to do whatever he wanted to when Gabi was in prison, but who am I to question a criminal, er, mastermind? Either way, here’s the opening for a real relationship to build between her and Chad. Methinks he doth protest too much about how much he despises her.

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I’m guessing this will lead to some scenario where Chad has to make the conscious decision to physically save Cat from Clyde when their plan goes sideways, which will open the floodgates for the two of them. And getting Abigail’s remains back will allow him to move on in some way that he’s struggled to so far. It’ll be like “OK, I need to accept that she’s gone and never coming back” moment.

Though if Chad and Cat do get together, it’ll be over JJ’s dead body. Because… JJ is back! Boy, did he deliver a great takedown of Chad and Cat when he was face to face with his sister’s imposter. And he stepped in to pull EJ away from Gabi and have an honest talk with her about their own sordid history. (I feel like we should have had a drinking game this week over how many people yelled at EJ for letting Cat go.) If Rafe’s quitting the force and they’re short-staffed, does that leave room for JJ to step in and stay permanently?

Please keep him around long-term, Days. I think he and Gabi could be lovely this time around, especially with her newfound maturity. That’s if he can (and let’s be honest, should) get past how she threatened Julie and messed with her pacemaker. But hey, if Xander’s still trying to murder folks and no one has a problem…

The Easy Way(s) Out

Let’s tick off a few things that happened this week. The Sophia/Tate/Holly triangle was just dropped the second he said Holly’s name and ran back to her. Philip’s revelation that Xander tried to murder him got little more than a shrug from Sarah. Kristen just up and changed her mind, dropping her bid for Titan to give Brady Sarah’s serum no strings attached. And Sarah and Kayla seemed to be reluctant to use an unknown serum on her (And also, is this legal? Should they be doing this in a professional setting?), but then decided it was safe in record time and to do it.

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Did I miss anything else? It was like everything that’s been set up just… evaporated. Maybe the show’s clearing the way for new storylines as we get into the farewells. Speaking of which: Good news for folks who just are not having Body and Soul. It will be shuttered and the show’s going to get back to tell real stories about real people. We don’t know when yet, but it is coming. Hopefully, they find someplace for Joy once all this is done.

I like her, but it’s still overkill with how they keep talking about her being a homewrecker… on Body and Soul! Get it? Get it?! (Yes, we do. Please stop.)

Explosive Potential

The good thing with the teens is that I’m starting to see how they’re integrating more into the adults’ stories. The relationship between Sophia and Ava has been genuinely sweet to watch develop. And using Sophia and Tate to pull Brady and Ava together feels fairly natural and easy. And that means putting Brady and Ava together is bound to cause drama for Sophia, Tate and Holly, not to mention tension with Kristen. EJ and Ava already despise each other and adding Kristen to that mix while she fights for Brady and is still clashing with her brother would just add a whole lot of volatility.

It seems like a no-brainer that this is where they are and should be headed. And it would also help set up what’s sure to be a big mystery: EJ’s shooting. Kristen can get distracted by fighting with Ava, at which point EJ can step in to try to swipe DiMera from her, infuriating her. We already saw seeds of that with him gloating about how she botched the Titan acquisition.

On top of that, we know Johnny’s marriage is likely to be on the line, making him even more volatile when he learns about EJ raping Sami (in the preview video). Then there’s JJ and Gabi clashing with EJ and the DA getting mixed up with the Cat/Chad/Clyde mess now that he’s let the former faux Abigail free — and ticking off a ton of people in the process. All of this is building up to what I’m hoping is a fantastic whodunnit and the fact that I can see the teens having even a tangential role in that is kind of exciting. (And I also really hope I’m right that this will all tie together.)

Though don’t count on EJ dying or Dan Feuerriegel leaving. He’s still filming and with how far in advance they are, that means EJ survives. Unless he gets a sudden twin.

Stray Thoughts…

• I loved Xander explaining how he’d buy Body and Soul’s streaming service and shelve the soap if Kate didn’t get Philip to back down. “If it could happen to Batgirl, it could happen to you.” My comic book geek heart is still stinging over that indignation.

• I was a bit worried when Gabi started talking to Jada about the commissioner promotion, but she was understanding, wise and supportive. Jada has reason to be proud, and I’m glad they didn’t tank these two future in-laws.
• I also get Rafe’s position, but I’m a little worried about what’s in store for him without the police force. Maybe he’ll team up with Steve as more of a private eye now that we’ve lost John.
• I’m even more on team Aaron and Holly after their catching up this week. Aaron’s going through a lot right now, and Holly showed maturity that she didn’t use to have when she was understanding that he’d encouraged Tate to go for Sophia.
• Since Days of Our Lives did that Playgirl thing a little while back, you’d think they could have struck a deal to use the actual name for Alex’s shoot and not “Playgal.”