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
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” 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.