Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Casey Moss and Camila Banus Hit All The Right Notes In Emotional Suicide Prevention Story Arc!
Courtesy/NBC
In the pick-up of the haunting episode of Wednesday’s episode of DAYS, Thursday’s episode brought out the hankies, as we witness what happens to JJ (Casey Moss), after he intends on ending his own life by going to Horton Town Square on Christmas Eve to do it.
However, a knock at his door changes everything when none other than Gabi (Camila Banus) shows up. A smart Gabi notices JJ is in his police dress uniform. She knows from her brother, Rafe (Galen Gering) that an officer only dons that for weddings and funerals. She then notices the pile of letters on the desk, and shockingly finds the one that is addressed to her and opens it. Gabi begs JJ to tell her this is not what she thinks it is … a suicide note!
Once realizing the full scope of what JJ is about to do, Gabi reveals that even she contemplated suicide when she was in prison, but knew if she were to take her own life that would only cause more pain and guilt for her loved ones. No matter what she says, JJ cannot ease his pain and guilt over shooting Theo (Kyler Pettis), and pulls out his gun to go to the Horton Town Square to end his life. A desperate Gabi tries to delay him as she rips open each letter he wrote and reads them aloud. She then opens the gift she came to give him from her daughter, Ari and forces him to look at it.
Then, in one of the most hankie-inducing moments of the soaps 2017, JJ breaks down and cries, as he puts his gun away, and Gabi hugs him.
Gabi does the selfless thing for a friend in need, and offers to stay with him through the night with her goal to keep an eye on him through this difficult time.
Next, Gabi helps JJ get out of his police uniform, and asks him to tell her that he will go talk to someone tomorrow for help. JJ says he will. He thanks Gabi for everything. While there is a soapy plot twist at the end of the episode, where Lani (Sal Stowers) misinterprets a hug between JJ and Gabi which sends her reeling, the episode also ends with a message and the number to call for the suicide prevention hotline for those in need.
So, what did you think of the scenes between Casey and Camila as JJ and Gabi in this emotional episode? Comment below!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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Casey Moss and Camila Banus gave excellent performances. You really felt Gabi’s desperation and determination to stop JJ from going through with his suicide. And poor JJ is a broken, exhausted soul. Casey and Camila work great together.
Understated, heartbreaking performance by “JJ.” Great “one-man” solo performance. Painfully realistic. Kudos.
Phenomenal episode ! All the acting was top notch. This show is on fire. Casey really brought his A game, I was in tears. I believe that was an Emmy worthy performance.
The suicide prevention number at the end of the show was a great moment as well.
Gabi did a good job, but why didn’t she call Jen or someone else???? Marlena.
Days has sure improved…you should had printed that suicide prevention number at the end!!!…Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Micheal Fairmen-no one does a soap site better then you…wonderful interviews and stories ect-you keep us well informed and we all appreciate it,,,,and Happy Hanukka (spelling) and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!!
They did print it after the solo performance of “JJ.”
Well acted, sad subject, handled delicately and in a sensitive manner. NOW let’s move on – enough – let Abe have a Christmas Miracle and let Theo come magically out of his coma – he looks great by the way for someone who’s been in a coma for weeks –
Okay, so now Lani comes in and sees JJ with Gabi – and probably will jump to the wrong conclusion. Wouldn’t it be nice if JUST ONCE a character can catch someone in a compromising position and give them the benefit of the doubt?
While I can appreciate the effort to bring this topic to light, the huge problem here is that once again an unqualified writer has left people with the impression that all you have to do is cry it out and get a hug and then everything will be all better. Snap, crackle, pop: the whole problem is solved, from start to finish, in a matter of days. That’s an awful thing to do. If you’re going to do this, do it right or don’t do it at all.
What is a qualified writer? Ron Carlivati is doing the best work of his career. Also, Gabi stopped the suicide attempt, but did not solve any problem. She repeatedly told JJ that he has to go to therapy. Shouldn’t we watch a few more episodes before judging?
I am not sure this episode could have been any better. Casey Moss was amazing. There have been so many great performances on the show since Ron C joined the show. Camilla Banus is the most gorgeous woman on daytime and has the acting talent to match. The scenes on Friday show with Jennifer and Abe were outstanding.
For Emmy consideration:
Eileen Davidson (Susan)
Alison Sweeney (Sami)
Chandler Massey (Will)
James Reynolds (Abe)
Ari Zucker (Nicole)
Casey Moss (JJ)
Lauren Koslow (Kate)
Camilla is that–a beauty! She nicely played off Casey–well done!
Good stuff Would have been better if she had accompanied him to a hospital as far as helping people know what to do but have to make some allowances for soap twists
While it was nice to see Casey’s performance, I do think it’s problematic that this story about the shooting of a young African American male has now shifted to being a story about the white police officer. This story should be centered on Abe and the African American family instead.
I think DAYS is telling the story in a balanced way because ALL LIVES MATTER, downtownla.
The situation isn’t balance in real life. African Americans are being targeted by the law enforcement. And to say All Lives Matter is like saying, “Save the Dolphins” is a dumb campaign because ALL ANIMALS MATTER. The way the past two days has played it, it’s Abe who has to apologize for being a jerk. His son is shot, but he is the one that is wrong because he did not give forgiveness, the way a kind white person gave him forgiveness all those years ago. So is the lesson in real life that blacks should forgive all the white cops because white people helped blacks before when blacks screwed up? This story is not topical and has nothing to do with the crisis of young black men being shot.
Yeah, this was not a credible foundation to do a story about police shootings, because (despite Abe’s irrational, emotion based take on the situation) nobody is really going to believe that JJ had any racist intent in shooting Theo, nor does anybody believe that Theo was a hardened criminal.
UNLIKE most of the shootings that have made headlines in recent years (and Hell only knows how many that happened before cell phone cameras caught them in action) this tragedy was purely one of a misunderstanding. The scanner that Theo was holding that night DID look like a gun, from a distance.
It might have been a better story if the cop who shot him was not somebody whose family had been friends with Abe for decades, and somebody whose personal history would make it unlikely for him to be a racist.
So let me see…according to you we shouldn’t see the pain and turmoil that both families are in? It is not like they were strangers. Their families have been intertwined for decades. Shame you feel that way.
I totally see this as a legitimate concern. It does feel like they are downplaying the “white cop shoots an unarmed BLACK man” aspect to this story, even though it’s been promoted as one of the major layers to this story.
I think because this is a soap opera and they can show so many perspectives, seeing the aftermath for the officer is totally acceptable. But I would agree they aren’t telling the AA side of this story nearly as clearly or precisely.
I actually think they handled a topical subject matter pretty well – everyone had “their say” from “their perspective” – it’s too bad that in real life, victims don’t magically come out of their coma – If the writers get ‘too preachy’ it would turn-off the Viewers, and, this is a Soap, not an In-Depth Documentary on how many innocent victims are shot by Police.
And I feel it did that also.
The story is solid and well-done as a soap story. Lots of twists and good acting. However, don’t try to connect it to the current crisis in America. It has nothing to do with it and there is nothing to learn from watching this soap.
I’m going by what was shown on DAYS, downtownla. Viewers saw JJ was within his right to shoot Theo because he thought Theo had a gun and Theo turned around with the “gun” raised.
We saw JJ agonize over his decision to shoot. We saw Abe relentlessly attack JJ’s actions. We heard Abe mention of the “black boy wearing a hoodie”. The insinuation was there. There was even a conversation between Eli and Gabi about the ” appearance” of the shooting.
I understand the realities and unjust situations of the world involving innocent blacks being shot/murdered by cops, but I also know cops are targeted for simply being cops and they are murdered. I see nothing wrong with showing a cop as a human being struggling with what he did.
Above all, it was a storyline about the father of the victim and the cop who pulled the trigger. DAYS never said it was a Black Lives Matter Storyline.
I don’t think anyone should forgive anyone if they don’t feel right about it. As for Abe, he understood the suffering he felt when he accidentally shot Brady years ago.
Each real life case should be looked at separately and not clumped together. And the soaps have a job to entertain viewers and not necessarily to teach viewers.
Just to be clear, downtownla, Abe had every right to be angry because he was grief stricken. That was good, but it was also good when he saw clearly through his anger/grief that JJ wasn’t a racist, rogue, cop turned attempted murderer.
Kudos…Camilla & Casey!!!
Emmy-worthy. Plas, so much more. Kudos to Camila and Casey!
I didn’t think it should have been Gabi that found and stopped him. She didn’t seem like the best person to get through to him, even with their past history. It kind of felt out of the blue. But then having seen why- the bad timing for his ex-girlfriend to walk in and find comfort in Gabi’s current beau’s arms- I got it….it progresses story.
That said, those scenes were very well done. Camilla did a beautiful job, and Casey is ripping his guts out in this storyline.
WATCHED , today ep’ 12/25/17
James Reynolds blew me away. his scenes with JJ prior to the “miracle” of Theo … w/his family by side.
Abe Carver … knocks me out and over. APPLAUSE
AND YEAH – SO – many – DAYS cast members are , should, and be deserving of emmy nods.
Casey Moss – you have grown. as a person and in your craft. LOVE YOUR WORK
Excellent performances by CM, CB, MR and JR. The story is still being told. Many aspects of story: the black young man, the police officer and family members of both. It is not just one character’s story.
These scenes were so beautifully delivered and I really appreciated the fact that they highlighted the friendship between JJ and Gabi.
I have found myself going through mood swings and depression this year (new for me) and of all my family in my life (I am a married mother of two little boys), it was my younger, married, and recently became a father, male friend who always noticed when I was not myself. HE was the one who seemed to reach me when I was in despair and just knowing he was there for me made all the difference in the world. Sometimes the only ones that can reach you are those you do not expect.
Being a parent is the best job you will ever have, but having a FRIEND is the best gift you will ever receive.
I also appreciated the scenes of friendship between Jennifer and Eric.
Days of Our Lives is firing on all cylinders when it comes to the dynamic of friendship and the subtleties of what true friendship is. Hopefully the story will stay at that — no one needs to know what happened between Eli and Lani, but it is soap so it will probably be discovered.
Yes, yes, and a thousand times, yes, Chrystie!!!!!!!! Incredible performances with both underlying and obviously poignant social issues…..
Now, here come more juicy, bad-girl ( and bad-boy, if Stefano makes an appearance) scenes …..VIVIAN!!!!! All the way, milady. Do your thing!!!!
Stefano and Vivian are behind the DiMera “hacking”…… licking my lips in anticipation……
And then, there was the day after.
The JJ, Gabi, Lonny, Eli switcheroo was so contrived, stupid and poorly written, that Days may well be on it’s way to the cartoon GH was when RC got fired.
Just sayin?
I have never really been a fan of Gabi’s, but this episode changed all that. These two actors hit it right out of the park. I was almost in tears watching JJ and his taking all the blame. His pain. This is also the first time I have not liked Abe. He has been the worst. His son broke the law, and everyone else is guilty. BS. JJ did exactly what cops are trained to do. Theo pointed what looked like a weapon, cops have seconds to respond. Or they could be shot. JJ responded. Hope should have told Abe to shove the job where the sun don’t shine, and then made a stink till Theo went on trial. Everyone paid for this except the guilty, Theo ,and Kate as usual.