Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Delicious Doppelgängers, Chabby Drama, Hernandez Bro Conflict: Ron Carlivati’s First Three Episodes Raise The Bar To Engaging and Entertaining!
Courtesy/NBC
Right from the start of this past Wednesday’s episode of Days of our Lives through to cliffhanger Friday, when viewers tuned-in to see the debut of heralded head writer Ron Carlivati’s work on the NBC sudser, longtime fans could not help but notice the vast improvement in dialogue, story pacing, nods to the shows history, and humor and dramatic conflicts that are signatures of the Daytime Emmy-winning scribes work. In addition, the editing of the episodes seemed quicker and more intense, and when the scenes went to commercial break, it felt it was at just at the right spots to leave the audience clamoring for more.
Courtesy/NBC
So, how did Ron make us keep glued to our screens to see how the action played out? Well, let’s start with the return of the doppelgangers orchestrated by Morgan Fairchild as Angelica Deveraux in her plan to snare Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth) all for herself. However, she has brought in some bubbling cons to assist her … chief among them, Hattie Adams (Deidre Hall) who is trying her best to learn “shrink” jargon to parade around town as Marlena, such as when quizzed how she would handle a patient’s anxiety dosing. Hattie spouts “I’d zap the dula with a gargantuan dose of diazepam.” In another moment Hattie mixes up “bipolar disorder” by calling it “bisexual disorder”.
Courtesy/NBC
Marlena (Deidre Hall), who finally gets to see her man return to Salem John (Drake Hogestyn) is then not so happy to learn he is running off with his son Paul (Christopher Sean) to try to find the real killer of Deimos Kiriaskis, since Sonny (Freddie Smith) is in jail. They are off to talk to another convict, Xander! It was also good to see Paul Telfer back on our screens and in some snappy repartee’ especially when he snarls at Paul that Sonny would not be, “Man enough to kill Deimos.”
Meanwhile, Hattie is roped into Angelica’s plan, because she wants Roman all to herself and Angelica pivots that if she sticks with her they both will get what they want. You can see the stage is set for some major miscues and interpretations once Hattie infiltrates Marlena’s life. At the end of Friday’s episode, Angelica enlists Hattie to do one more thing … to go back to Statesville prison and get none other than Adrienne’s doppelganger, Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans) be part of the master plan. And as viewers saw, conflict is arising between a jealous Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) vying for the attention of Adrienne against Justin. Looks like, trouble is ahead for all involved.
Courtesy/NBC
Carlivati also re-set the story of Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Marci Miller) as star-crossed lovers, now that Dario (Jordi Vilasuso) has turned into one bad dude. Abigail learns about his embezzling of the money from Countess Wilhelmina, and wants to tell the police and Chad. Dario blackmails her with a photo of Chad kneeling over the body of Deimos, which looks like he could be the actual killer. He turns the tables on Abby. Later, she finds out from Kate (Lauren Koslow) that Dario lied to her about his immigration papers and status and trapped her into marriage.
Courtesy/NBC
At TBD, Chad confronts Dario, but he still doesn’t know the full extent of what evidence Dario has against him and is hiding from him. He tells Dario in their heated exchange, that he is going to get “all of it” back that is his; meaning the money and Abigail.
Dario is glib, and with Dario being in trouble with the law, it put some conflict into the relationship of Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Rafe (Galen Gering), when Rafe admitted to his lady love that he knew of Dario’s plan to marry Abigail, and what he was up to which was to keep him from being deported. Hope is not happy that Rafe lied to her, but later Rafe arrests his brother, just after Dario talks to his contact Myron and tells him to speed up their plan.
You can watch the promo for next week’s DAYS after the jump, which indicates some major drama is about to go down for Chabby.
So, what did you think of the first three episode of Days of our Lives under head writer, Ron Carlivati? Are you encouraged for what is to come since the show tapes six months ahead and his new stories will also begin to reveal themselves? Comment below.
57 Leave a Reply
He’s back! Praise the soap gods, he’s back. Most entertaining soap all week! (And I am a lapsed Days viewer.) I started with the episode before Ron’s return, which was slow and the pacing was terrible. In one episode, everything changed. I was riveted.
Next not so big surprise I expect is Raines being the one masterminding Dario. Hoping it leads to Police Commisioner, Hope Brady!
Ron knows how to write soaps.
I so agree, Karen…..I am really anticipating a complete alteration of stories and characters. About time….do what you do best, Ron!!
I like Raines as Commissioner.
Ron Carlivati takes no prisoners which is what I love about him. I haven’t watched DAYS steadily since Abby was left crazy after killer Ben. It got so boring with the horrible teen set and the snooze fest stories. I started watching again when Ron took over the writing reigns. Now I am not a fan of doppelganger stories but I do love the humor of Ron’s writing. It makes the story enjoyable through laughing. Deidre Hall is good when she gets to be someone other than Marlena. She has some comic timing I think. Hattie cracks me up. Then we have Judi Evans…..diamond! I will watch for awhile and see where it goes. Eileen Davidson and Alison Sweeney are on their way. I want to see this. I love them both. I do have to say that Morgan Fairchild is not worthy of that role she is in. She used to be a great villain but she has lost something. And she is obviously struggling with the aging process as well. I have never seen her this increased in size. But her acting has lost some of it’s campy flair too. Sad because in her prime she was a GREAT VILLAIN!!! I will give DAYS a fair shake. I am hoping the injection of good writing will help it out some.
The first three days of NewDays were strong. I can’t wait for the first full week!
It wasnt shown here in tx because of the changes in the white house and one day it wasnt on because of O.J I had just watch it on fox news so I didnt what to see it again guit interution are shows
I started watching again with Ron’s first episode. The difference is obvious. The pace is faster. The dialog is energetic. There is humor. Ron is definitely breathing much needed life into Days.
Llanview fan here too. Yeah totally agree!
I think Ron is great and would not be surprised if Days moves above GH in ratings. I think it would be well-deserved.
I keep thinking Deimos’ murderer was someone not even at the party, but hopefully they don’t make Zander the culprit because it would be a waste of Paul Telfer who should be a leading man.
I agree ; I love Zander!
I watched the episode before his first one, too. Amazing difference. I haven’t watched Days in decades but I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I am so hoping that DAYS is making a place for Paul Telfer to stay
I like him and Xander too.
I started watching on Monday to try and figure out characters and story. Bit boring and slow, then Wed hit and it was like a new show. Love Ron’s writing and the only reason I am watching. It was much faster paced and the dialogue was MUCH improved. I bet the actors were happy when this switch occurred 6 months ago.
Go Ronnie C! Yes. Love you and excited for more.
He already has the boys in tight tank tops! Go Ron!
hi Robert..
you’re going to have many ”twists & turns” RC will keep you on your toes!
RC is the Master of twist & turns and Surprises! WOW! moments..
and- you will have laughs!! he has great humor.. (sugar to ease the vinegar)
Lol true. I think he’ll have Ava’s son on for a long time. Maybe we can get him to bring back that bellhop boy that got with Paul.
Don’t know any back story on anything Days but so far like Chad, Abigalle, Justin, and the computer hacker kid, reminds me a bit or Rex Balsom from OLTL.
I think the best scene was at the end of Friday’s episode when Hattie went to see Bonnie at the jail. Those two were cracking me up! I can’t wait to see what they do, I hope they are around for a long time.
Ron C. has brought the energy and fun back to Days! james O’Reilly has to be loving this from heaven.
was at Target yesterday… and I was reading some story on Judi Evans… and her “delight” on playing two roles.
She also shared… she had NEVER , WORKED, with Deidre Hall. AND THAT they were having the best time doing so.
isn’t that something… you know… I don’t mind in this case that it’s “doppleanger” or whatever… we’ve seen these two before… so it’s not like it’s that far out their.
just saying…WE GET – more – Judi Evans.. and MORE POWER and creativity for Deidre.
I posted… I’d love it if Hattie and Eileen Davidson Susan connect.
argh! I really do hope @DAYS is a bigger distraction than GH.
That’s great, you can tell Judi Evans and Deidre Hall are having a great time playing Bonnie and Hattie.
Hard to believe Judi and Deidre never got to work together after all of these DECADES!
If they interacted with Eileen’s Susan, that would be so awesome that the world might explode! lol
Judi either forgot she worked with Deidre or meant she hasn’t worked with her on a larger scale…They’ve had a few scenes together, including the argument between Marlena and Adrienne in the hospital a few years ago when Marlena confronted Adrienne about Adrienne’s remark that Will wasn’t good enough for Sonny, especially because of Sami.
@4.
you are correct.
perhaps she meant that the two of them, are being scripted @working together, to drive story, for the first time.
that was some NICE NICE work by Judi Evans. only looking out for Sonny.
WOW… I’ve got me some DAYS back. oy! I plan on keeping up this time around. it’s tough to balance two shows. this is worth it.
Salute
So much fun!
I pretty much stopped watching on a regular basis right around the time that Ben Was revealed to be the neck tie killer. It got stale and boring after that but If Ron can do what he did in the last few years of OLTL and breath some new life into it, I will be back Daily!
I do not understand why people love Ron C so much. He’s a terrible head writer. And they need to recast Anjelica with Judith Chapman.
So far I have really not enjoyed the past 3 episodes of Days. the new writing is sub par and yes terrible
Awful! Banal, trite, and more of the same. How can anyone really find Bonnie and Hattie entertaining? They are written as utter gutter trash with only a doiuble digit IQ between them. No way could either of them be believable for one second as Marlena and Adrienne. Let’s just talk motivation here for a few seconds regarding Anjelica. She was always a little manipulative, but she was never an outright delusional psychopathic stupid lunatic!! She was a mature wealthy woman who faced reality and lived accordingly. She would now charitably be 70 years old. She comes to town after 26 years and is so full of lust for 50 year old Justin (whom she hasn’t seen in a quarter century) that she has just gone completely batshit crazy?? Everyone in town KNOWS Hattie and Bonnie…so the second Adrienne and Marlena start acting weird, everyone should notice or else the whole town is going to look like complete imbeciles!! There is nothing to invest in emotionally as it is just roll your eyes stupidity ! Has Anjelica or Hattie thought what could happen if Hattie inadvertently caused the death of any of Marlena’s patients? The legal ramifications would be astounding! That’s why I say…the Anjelica of yore was not just a typical Ron C psychopath with no reasoning. She was more like a Dorian Lord on OLTL whom Ron wrote very successully for! It is SO demeaning to women when soaps write stories all about a desperate woman trying to “get” a man when any functioning human being would realize it was futile. There is no entertainment value in watching deluded female senior citiZens sit around plotting how to “get” ROman and Justin. It’s like Ron ripped the pages “How Not to Tell a Soap Opera Story” and “How Not to Write Soap Dialogue” from Jim Reilly’s handbook and is just going full tilt with it. If I wanted to watch a cartoon, I would!! I cannot believe that in a last ditch and last gasp effort to save Days….this is what comes of it! Yes… because doppelgänger stories receive SUCH positive reception from fans!! (NOT)! Maybe 40 years ago, when it was a relatively new and mildly shocking gimmick, okay. This is just lame, unimaginative, repetitive, absurd nonsense! Ken Corday has To have stopped caring andisnust waiting for the official cancellation announcement.
I totally agree. Ron’s writing is very bipolar. The highs are highs and the lows are very low.
I absolutely loved his OLTL, but I came into it new (and didn’t really know the show’s history). That being said i loved most of his story lines like
-Clint going bad
-Tale of 2 Todd’s
-Initial story line in Paris, TX,
-Almost everything David Vickers related,
-The Jessica/Natalie wedding confrontation that led to the return of Tess
-The Ford Bros’ dad murder mystery
-How Ron kept all of the guys shirtless and in tight briefs
That being said, his lows were terrible.
-Tina locking Natalie in the basement for an entire summer
-Return of Marty (good), but only to do nothing with her
-Return of miscast Joey
-Every time the Ford bros were on my screen wearing clothes
As for Days, I thought it was OK as it was faster paced, but all of dopplegangers was ridiculous. I’ll give it a few more weeks, but I’m not holding my breath.
That’s the reason we have the word ,opinion; you have yours and I have mind. I love Ron’s writing!
Judith is on Y&R.
I absolutely loved the first 3 episodes of Ron’s! DAYS is about to become THE soap to watch! I was very impressed with the pace… DAYS hasn’t been fast paced since James Reilly wrote for the show. I find the doppelgänger story to be very amusing…. I agree that Morgan Fairchild is not a great choice for the role. If Jane Elliot cannot come back, how about Marj Dusay? Keep up the good work Ron! Love Abby!
The Hattie and Bonnie storyline is funny, Phil. I wish the negative posters had doppelgangers to take over their lives and keep them from posting here, LOL!
Some might say the same about those who love trashy stories. When you lash out at others you deserve the same treatment
I have mixed feelings with this storyline since doppelgangers stories have been done to death- but i will let it play out to see if i like it or not…show needs some comedy relief…would make a nice twist if Marlena learned Hattie was really twin Samantha who faked her death and Bonnie was really Adrienne’s unknown twin who was taken from her mother at birth!!!
Jim…there is no doubt that that is where they are going with Bonnie and Adrienne. Jo Johnson was a downtrodden abused wife. She could have easily given away one of her twinndaughtersmeaning Bonnie. Not that I want to prolong Bonnie in Salem…but that’s will be her get out of jail free card. Kristen…Hattie…Bonnie../that’s too much female psychotics, combined with a Batshit Anjelica.
One day was not shown due to OJ parole hearing.
Glad Dario is leaving.
Bonnie is jailed for a murder Mimi committed. What?
Shows were good. We’ll see if it holds up.
Was NOT delicious. it was AWFUL. HAD TO DELETE AND DEPROGRAM DVR. THIS WAS FOOLISH BAD CARTOON AMATEUR HOUR. HOPE THIS IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE. IF SO RON MAY BE WORSE THAN DENA EVER WAS.
Stop watching ; everyone won’t be pleased ! That’s life!
I tried watching DOOL since Ron has returned and I didn’t even make it through the first 30 mins…I am no longer interested in DOOL. I won’t be watching and was a fan from the 70’s through the 80’s…it’s not what it use to be…
I like soaps and love cartoons (well the old ones I grew up with, I mean). But I don’t like my soaps to be cartoons. Has Bonnie been in jail for the ten years she’s been out ofthe show? Surley not? Why is she so nasty on Maggie, when Mickey passed away years ago? And Hattie was kinda nice last time she was in the show, she was a Godsend to Hope, one would think she could have found easier ways to meet Mr Roman and even get stuck into Andre. This whole storyline dosn’t make a lot of sence.
I totally forget how Bonnie exited. I don’t understand either why she is so hung up on the late Mickey.
The doppelgänger story line pushed me over the edge ~~ how stupid does RC believe viewers actually are?
NOT loving it, but maybe it’ll get better.
Well, of course the “look-a-like” characters are a bit ridiculous but at least they tried to inject a little humor here and there, it’s better than recent months with Nicole crying and crying and crying during that insufferable baby storyline- enough is enough of all that. This show has been so awful the last five or six months (including the ghastly ‘teen storylines’) that almost anything would be an improvement.
He has to finish up the Dena stories somehow, not his fault he came into a mess ! I myself am enjoying Bonnie, always liked her better than Adrienne !
DROOL – is FINE. just hotted me out. finished Friday, 7/21 ep. even with losing the first 21 minutes to Sean Spicer quitting.
dag! the menfolk sizzle.
from Rafe to Dario to Xander to Eric to Brady to Chad. plus the fun of Andre.
DAG.. the standout… well he knocks you out when you first see him any way.. Xander.
bowled me over… when he went to visit Jenny Bear. it was like telling her : “look at all me toying with you ” SEXY every thing.
zing zing zing me every where… the hotted out best is in Salem.
ps: these guys act and there was stimulating story to go with
I forgot looking at the dashing father and son . John and Paul.
DROOL
Greg Vaughan’ Eric Brady – SEXY every thing.
that scene with Jenny Bear… had so much sizzle sensual and stimuli.
WOAH
if any of you still have that scene. LOOK AGAIN. “Greg Vaughan”
Monday – 7/24 ep. scorching searing sexy as all get out.
Eric pays Jenny Bear a visit. LOOK AGAIN
I also noticed the greatly reduced use of Aqua Net on the performers.
Hysterical, because I when I watched today’s show, I thought the opposite, haha!
LOL, I meant the men.
I watched a little of today’s show (Weds. 8/2) while home at lunch. I haven’t watched in months (maybe longer). It sounds as though Ron’s cartoonish theatrics have begun; although, his writing has got to be better than the drivel we have been served for the past year+. I have to comment on Morgan Fairchild-wow. Ms. Fairchild was so beautiful in the early 80’s. I remember watching her in a made for television movie when I was younger, and I thought how stunning she was; then, she looked great while she appeared on Friends. I wish she allowed herself to age gracefully.
Ron c version of days is the worst!!!
He turned a fan into one ready to cancel. The dual roles are awful. Propping obvious hiring but demoting favs ! Not happy at all
Days Of Our Lives
THIS WEEK: Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi Exit DAYS As Chabby Says Their “I Do’s” In Heart-tugging Moments
Breaking News
Drake Hogestyn Chats On John Black’s Latest Predicament With Diana and Leo On ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast’
The complex life of John Black (Drake Hogestyn) just got even more complicated on NBC’s Days of our Lives; thanks to the arrival of his ex-flame Diana Colville (Judith Chapman) and the bombshell that bad boy Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart), who has been causing so much trouble for Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith), is actually his biological son! Boy, John certainly has had some kids he never knew about pop up (remember, Paul Narita is John’s son, too). But, is this all a tale spun by Diana, or the truth regarding Leo?
Longtime DAYS vet, Drake Hogestyn sits down with host, Michael Fairman on an all-new installment of NBC’s Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast. During the conversation, Drake talks about his surprise learning from the script that Diana Cooper was indeed his ex, Diana Colville.
The beloved actor reveals that at one point he thought Genie Francis (Laura, GH) might be coming back to reprise the role, but now that it’s Judith Chapman he is having a great time acting opposite her. In addition, being a true historian of DAYS, Drake takes the listeners on some fun facts that they may not have remembered. Later, Hogestyn reveals why he and Deidre Hall (Marlena) have found such success as DAYS’ enduring John and Marlena.
Michael commends Drake on his Daytime Emmy Pre-Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his emotional turn following Marlena being shot at the Jarlena nuptials, and the family saying their goodbyes believing she was going to die, especially she the good doc had a DNR request on her legal forms filed with the hospital.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
In the backstage segment of the podcast, Eric Martsolf (Brady) takes Fairman on what a typical production day is like for him and others in Salem: visiting the wardrobe department, stopping to talk to the stage manager, and chatting it up with co-stars along the way including: Lauren Koslow (Kate) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah).
The new episode of Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast is currently streaming on NBC.com here, and will be available for download via iTunes on Monday.
So, do you think John will do next now that Diana is working her way back into his life, and Leo is his son? Will he tell Marlena what is going on? What did you think of the sentiments shared by Drake in the interview? Comment below.
Breaking News
‘Days of our Lives’ Producer Files Lawsuit Against Sony Pictures Television
Denise Richards Joins The Cast Of The Bold and the Beautiful
Melody Thomas Scott Chats On 40 Years As The Young and the Restless’ Incomparable Nikki: The Men, The Booze, The Drama
Jussie Smollett Scenes Cut From ‘Empire’ In Light Of Attack Investigation
This Week On GH: Laura Sees Kevin, Shiloh Makes His Move On Sam, Carly is Pregnant
TODAY: Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott Visits ‘The Talk’ As Her 40th Anniversary Week As Nikki Newman Kicks-Off
General Hospital Writing Team Wins WGA Award In Daytime Drama Category
THIS WEEK: Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi Exit DAYS As Chabby Says Their “I Do’s” In Heart-tugging Moments
Y&R’s Bryton James Stands Up For Michael Jackson After Allegations In New Documentary, ‘Leaving Neverland’
Who Makes Their Cast Look Best? The Young and the Restless Wins MUAH Award For Hair and Make-Up
Chicago Police Believe That Jussie Smollett May Have Been “Active Participant” In His Own Attack
Dominic Zamprogna Making A Return To General Hospital
Ingo Rademacher Back To General Hospital As Jax
Doug Davidson Back To The Young and the Restless
WATCH: All My Children Reunion On Strahan & Sara
General Hospital Writing Team Wins WGA Award In Daytime Drama Category
‘Days of our Lives’ Producer Files Lawsuit Against Sony Pictures Television
THIS WEEK: Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi Exit DAYS As Chabby Says Their “I Do’s” In Heart-tugging Moments
Y&R Alum Matthew Atkinson is B&B’s New Thomas Forrester
Chicago Police Believe That Jussie Smollett May Have Been “Active Participant” In His Own Attack
TODAY: Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott Visits ‘The Talk’ As Her 40th Anniversary Week As Nikki Newman Kicks-Off
Melody Thomas Scott Chats On 40 Years As The Young and the Restless’ Incomparable Nikki: The Men, The Booze, The Drama
This Week On GH: Laura Sees Kevin, Shiloh Makes His Move On Sam, Carly is Pregnant
WATCH: All My Children Reunion On Strahan & Sara
WATCH: The Young and the Restless Tribute To The Legacy Of Kristoff St. John
Victoria Rowell’s Emotional Interview On The Loss of Y&R’s Kristoff St. John
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Shares His Heartbreak Over The Death Of Kristoff St. John
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Speaks Out: “There Was An Attempt By The Former EP and Head Writer To Diminish The Role Of Victor Newman”
GH Alum Vinessa Antoine’s New Canadian Series DIGGSTOWN Releases First Promo
General Hospital Releases Super Tease Promo
Who Will Be Ryan’s Next Victim On General Hospital?
Breaking NewsFebruary 13, 2019Dominic Zamprogna Making A Return To General Hospital
Breaking NewsFebruary 14, 2019Ingo Rademacher Back To General Hospital As Jax
Breaking NewsFebruary 15, 2019Doug Davidson Back To The Young and the Restless
All My ChildrenFebruary 11, 2019WATCH: All My Children Reunion On Strahan & Sara
Breaking NewsFebruary 17, 2019General Hospital Writing Team Wins WGA Award In Daytime Drama Category
Breaking NewsFebruary 11, 2019‘Days of our Lives’ Producer Files Lawsuit Against Sony Pictures Television
Days Of Our LivesFebruary 17, 2019THIS WEEK: Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi Exit DAYS As Chabby Says Their “I Do’s” In Heart-tugging Moments
Breaking NewsFebruary 11, 2019Y&R Alum Matthew Atkinson is B&B’s New Thomas Forrester