Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: EJ Is Murdered! The End Of The Epic Story Of EJami!
Courtesy/NBC
On Friday’s episode of NBC’s Days of our Lives, it was the gun shot heard around daytime! NOTE: If you have not watched the episode, we advise you not to read on as we give a short recap of the action within this post.
After EJ (James Scott) got into a fight with the very criminal Clyde (James Reade), next thing you know a gun shot was fired by Clyde’s henchmen! EJ was left shot and bleeding on the ground. Sami (Alison Sweeney), who went to find him was in the park and in the woods, heard the shots and called 911, and then proceeded to try and find EJ. And when she did find him, she found her husband bleeding out and struggling to stay alive. As the scenes unfolded, fans of the love story of EJami were getting the feeling that this could be the end of the line for their favorite on-screen duo!
James Scott (EJ) who made his exit from the NBC soap opera known back in May of this year shortly, before when he wrapped his final scenes, had made the decision to leave DAYS over a year ago. Now what was left for Scott’s many fans was to see how EJ would be written-out! Would Sami and EJ have a happy ending, since Alison Sweeney is also set to depart the series after almost 22 years later this month? Or, would they kill-off EJ? From the looks of yesterday’s episode, all indications point to the later, especially since later in the episode, EJ is pronounced dead.
Major kudos go to both James Scott who played his final moments with Alison Sweeney to the hilt, especially when a dying EJ told Sami, to tell the children he loves them. And as for Alison, she continues to give some of the best performances in her soap career in her final weeks on DAYS as next, Sami kept telling EJ she was going to continue to tell him she loves him, over and over again, if he will just stay with her! Sadly, when the paramedics and Rafe (Galen Gering) arrive on the scene, EJ is dead.
Courtesy/NBC
Later, it was in the hospital scenes that Alison Sweeney continued her stellar performance as she could not give into the realization that EJ was truly dead. Stefano (Joe Mascolo) calls in the middle of it all and puts two and two together after a shortened conversation with Sami, that EJ is in the morgue! Roman (Josh Taylor) comes to comfort Sami, but she tells her father to go tell the children who are at Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Will’s (Guy Wilson) that her and EJ can’t make it to the party they are having.
Finally at the end of the episode, Sami goes to visit her dead husband in the morgue, where she cries placing her head across his chest, realizing his heart is not beating.
So DAYS fans, what did you think of EJ being murdered? Were you sad to see James Scott written out this way? What did you think of the performance of Alison Sweeney? Are you still of hope that EJ isn’t really dead after all in soapland? Share your thoughts at this game-changing moment below!
I am sad he is leaving!! Days won’t be the same but I still love it and it is better than all the other soaps.
OK. So, just watched Mondays show. What the hell did Kristen just inject into EJ’s arm?? I’m gonna be glued to the TV all week!!!
It looked to me she removing blood from his arm. Stefano told her to get to the morgue it was of the essence I think he will try to clone ej
So, we dont’t know if Kristen injected something into EJ or withdrew blood?
Is it possible that Kristen is privy to EJ faking his death?
Then again, that would mean Stefano knows also, which does not quite jive with his behavior right now. He is actually mourning his son.
I just hope we will soon find out and not let it drag on and on.
Is it possible that Stefano stole the embryo from Abigail and needs EJ’s blood to keep it alive? Just a thought. I always believed she was pregnant and all of a sudden she isn’t. I look for something like this in the future to come about. A son she didn’t know she had or someone had for her.
HOLY SHOOT! ! I’m so upset with NBC for not paying what their actors are worth it. Specially their ( numero uno) #1 couple EJ and Sammy. I hope the management , and writers will not screw up this time. I hope they will not allow EJ and Sammy to leave Day of Our Lives due to matters of money disputes like always. Because, if they leave I will quit watch the NBC channel. Yes! My husband and I we did quit watching NBC late night show when Jay Lennon left. Regardless of our Canadian kid Jimmy Fallon being a great entertainer . He doesn’t do for us – the old folks followers and lovers of Jay Lennon. Therefore, we quit watching late night show. Now, I’m facing another challenge choice.This time is weather I stay with NBC or forget the channel for many years. (thanks to Netflix) If EJ and Sammy leave I will leave too. It about time to tell NBC “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH NBC” . I will quit watching the channel once for all. “FOR MANY YEARS”.
Hi gabby im with u I love ej and Sammy and if they go I go I wanted them two to stay together have ups and downs but I loved them two him taken care of her they knew each other even if ej (james) and (Allison) Sammy had to go for what ever reasons then put someone else on to play them..but I love this ej hes hot and I hate to see him go I stoped watching days till he came and started seeing i t again now they have to go and mess everything up .plz dont let ej go hes so good plz nbc brong him and sami back plz dont do this or im done with days till then two come back..
Ma’am…it’s JAY LENO…not Lennon….not a Beetle.
Jimmy Fallon was born in Brooklyn, NY. He is American through and through, not Canadian.
CeeCee…It’s the Beatles, not Beetles.
Who wants to watch Days now with that goody goody two shoes Jennifer and her stupid daughter? I think they are slowly killing the show off.
It was a good episode but i still believe E.J. isnt dead…it is a soap!!! If the actor returns some day that is…lol…unless he shows up on GH as Valentin Cassidine!!!
Good call!
I will probably be watching GH since they are killing Days so badly.
James Scott and Alison Sweeney gave tremendous performances in those scenes. I so hoped the door would be left open for EJ’s return someday. Of course, this is a soap and the trigger man was on EJ’s payroll. I’ve really grown to love EJ and Sami in the months I’ve watched Days.
I wish James Scott all the best in the future.
I agree kudo’s to the two best actors. they each gave their best, outstanding! I will miss James Scott and Allison Sweeney. now have too hope for the best for days of our lives. hope they can keep their ratings up. now it’s time to bring back Bo & Hope
I completely agree. They should have left an opening for EJ to return. I’m soooooo ticked off!!! I already left a comment of NBC. You should do the same- everyone. Let them know how upset we are!!
yeah but hope is getting involved with that new dude who is so not her equal aiden
Now if E.J. is really killed off, Johnny will probably return next year as a 20something vengeful Dimera vowing to find his fathers killer and falls in love with Abigail and her deliciously baked cookies…lol
Stop with whorigail bs ! She ruined Ej for his last year, Johnny should loathe her !
But everyone falls in love with goodygoody Abby…the Pope is even naming a Saint after her for help showing E.J. for the monsterous Devil he really is…lol…you do know my comments on the subject are just me joking around…lol
I never took to Abbi….not so attractive….contrary to public opinion. I will never like this character.she is pointless.
I loathe the character of Abigail; even more so when they call her Abs. Utterly ridiculous given her track record how the story was played off that EJ manipulated or seduced her. I have now taken to officially fast forwarding every scene between her & Ben.
If you were familiar with jimh’s writing, you would sing a different tune…jimh is a sweetheart !!!!
I know, i know but if i could never heard her name in relation with Ej and Sami again, it would be GOOD. lol.
Omg hahaha that comment made me laugh but you are so right!!! I love when they age the kids on soaps from 5 to 25 years old yet the parents still remain 30 something’s! Take Carly and Sonny on GH for instance! Michael was shot around age 12 was in a coma then came back as a man! Hope I look that good when I wake up one day and my kids are in their 20’s! lol
Weird and funny, right, Carrie? Technically, Will was born before EJ, wasn’t he?
Yes CeeCee he definitely was! Will was born in 1995 2 years before crazy Susan had EJ but now Will is 22 and EJ is supposedly almost 40! So Will literally stopped aging for 20 years! lol
I am glad someone other than myself gets Jimh dry humor, Carrie. He cracks me up.
I’ve watch soaps for close to 40 years and that was a fake death if I’ve ever seen one. I have a sneaking suspicion Ejami might yet get that HEA we all want for them.
that would b great if those two made a plot of this
I don’t think E.J. is dead. He faked his death and Sami is in on the scheme.
stellar performances by Sweeney and Scott. sad to see Ejami end
You are so right, robert. I cried so much….what a performance from both….and what a way to go! Not what I had imagined. I never thought TPTB would kill EJ off.
I doubt he’s really dead…something’s up.
I cried too – not just because EJ died, but because James Scott is
leaving. I do think he’s faking his death & that he & Sami get out
of Salem. From what I understand, the children have been written
out of the show as well, so it would make sense for the whole
family to leave town. They discussed leaving a few weeks ago.
Does anyone know if Alison Sweeney is being replaced? I heard
that Anne-Judson Yager will replace her. She looks exactly like
her!! But….then I heard that Alison Sweeney promised to come
back for holidays & such. How could she do that if another actress
has her part?
Yep the girl you talked about, looks like Ali Sweeney, however she will not replace her..i don’t think and i admit hope they will never do that..Ali Sweeney as Sami just left a too much important impact on this soap, looks doesn’t make everything.
You’re right Elsa. (BTW, my little nieces would love your name…’Frozen’) Sweeney cannot be replaced. It would be like replacing Erica Kane or Victoria Lord, or Victor Newman, or…..LOL. You get my drift…..
yep. I cried too. WTF is wrong with these soaps? Why do they get rid of their best people???
Agreed! I dont think she could EVER be replaced and someone new be welcomed by long time fans especially after portraying the same character for 22 years (that is more than half her life) how many actors can say that at age 38? Plus NOONE could EVER do that character justice or even come remotely close to imitating her attitude! I have always loved her character and how she could go from good, bad, ugly, conniving, back stabbing, bi*chy and sweet (and sometimes all of them in one episode) lol I will definitely miss the scenes between her and Lauren Koslow (Kate) there was NEVER a dull moment between those two! 🙂
Fake death…good!
It was very campy to watch. I laughed a lot. The only one who made me sad was that old hypocrite Stefano. Definitely a fake death. Sami’s not in on it. I hope EJ uses this as his chance to get away from her for good and she from him. If there was ever a couple who do NOT deserve a HEA, this is the one. vThey are toxic.
Like all Days departures, I expect to see one or both of them return eventually. I hope that ejami is never revisited. They were such a polarizing couple and did so much damage to Days’ viewer numbers. U’m sure the show will take a brief hit, but once former viewers realize that they’re actually gone, the numbers will go back up.
I agree. That is one pair that do not deserve a happy ending. Like you, I expect Ali Sweeney to return eventually while I’m not as sure about James Scott. Now that the show is rid of the toxic Ejami, I hope they will never revisit that sickness again.
May EJAMI live on FOREVER !!!!!!!
Some bitter and delusional folks here..i see..lol
Ej and Sami were the most popular couple on Days this last decade, face it..it is quite pathetic to trash them and deny it.
Wow, realitycheck, I didn’t attack any posters, didn’t call anyone else bitter or delusional, just expressed my opinion about fictional characters on a soap opera.
Than you for saying everything I was thinking.
And Michael, I guess as per the comment above anyone that doesn’t do the group think Ejami crap is bitter and delusional. I hate how anyone that doesn’t like Ejami is labeled, ridiculed and bullied and you let the comments stay here.
There always has to be one “toxic” couple on a soap! If not, what would we have to talk about on threads like this? lol
There was so much talent to have been had by Ejami. This couple played its part to the hilt, AND to the very end. I never considered Ejami toxic….it’s called life-drama. And, at the risk of saying this ad nauseam, fiction does, in more cases than not, imitate reality.
It is sad to see the couple go,so for those who are glad to be rid of the pair, that’s how YOU FEEL. You can’t help how you feel, I understand. It is your opinion and I gladly accept different views.
But, please understand that those of us who are saddened by their departure are very disappointed. Sami, especially for me, had become a fixture in my daily routine.
i believe that ej faked his death – smai does not know about it yet – i believe that later on she will receive word from ej & she leaves salem with the kids then they will get their happily ever after…………
points to ponder:
the emt’s didn’t even try to do cpr on ej – when he arrived at the hospital they took him directly to the morgue with out a doctor pronouncing him dead…..
ej probably set everything up with miguel – he probably took the drug that slows the heart down so nobody can detect a heart beat…………….jmo
I agree. The paramedics and Rafe were in on it, also.
You are a lot like I am when it comes to soaps! Always thinking about what will happen! I agree 100% with your theory! After watching for so long you almost feel like you could become a writer on the show since we already “know” what is going to happen! I’m still waiting for DOLL or GH to throw us a curve ball so we can finally say “wow I didn’t see that one coming!” lol
His father will come to selma and get his son body the same thing that he did to Patch and he came back after several years, Tony also so EJ will open his eyes again and Sami will leave and go wherever EJ is
There will be a fake cremation to ward off the dogs.
I despise Ejami, so I am not sad to tsee their “love” story end. As for James, I’m sorry to see him go, because I actually liked EJ, just not with Sami. Great acting on both ends.
Same here. I am not sad to see the end to that so called love story. That is a joke, there was only obsession, not love. EJ was a good villain but they ruined him by putting him with Sami. He was so much better with Nicole.
I, too, loved EJ with Nicole. Sami was better with Lucas, or even Rafe.
And the Agenda shipping shows its ugly head yet again. A True EJ FAN WOULD WANT A HEA FOR EJ and that person WAS SAMANTHA THE ONLY LOVE OF HIS LIFE.
I am glad James Scott and Alison Sweeney left this dive of a show.
Jamison rocked their scenes and I expect A HEA!! Thank you for supporting anyone but EJami for the last 8 years.
He loves/loved Sami not Nicole, it is not hard to get.
And Ej was so much more and layered than a basic ‘villain’.
Actually Ej was ruined by superficial relationships like the Nicole one and the trashy out of nowhere ‘thing’ like the Abby nightmarish hook up one. On the other hand, his complex relationship with Sami Brady is one of the element who made his character so unique, who made him what he is..of course you have to ‘get’ the Ej’s character to understand it, i guess.
So if Sami has to be with Lucas for some, obviously, Ej should be with Nicole although he never really loved Nicole, was quite a cartoon villain with her and Nicole’s real love (her words) is Eric Brady..ok..Fans of Ej doesn’t want him with his usual rebound Nicole, the same way Nicole’s fans doesn’t want her with the guy who always see her as second choice instead of her true love Eric..how sad and pathetic it would be..come on.
I can’t really argue with you, Ann. But, IMO, EJ brought that obsessive drama into Sami’s life….the passion, the sexuality that was so uniquely Ejami. That’s what makes the world go ’round in soapland, and ,sometimes, the universe.
From the onset we felt the sexual tension between the two. And, inasmuch as I was never really a fan of EJ, he delivered.
I doubt if the audience would have been treated to the same breathless chemistry with any other pairing.
I did not watch when Sami was with Lucas, so I will not comment. But, I saw how Sami and Rafe interacted. I loved their pairing….Rafe was healthy ‘food’ for Sami…..however, her life was probably becoming too stagnant and sedate for her taste. It does happen, especially with someone as restless as Sami.
I guess EJ brought the two most important ingredients to her life—-love and excitement…..a combination which is, in many cases, a rarity.
I agree, csaults, I enjoyed those couples, too.
he is not dead too easy
I wish I could have taken out my hankies, but soaps have ruin all death scenes for me, because most often they are not real— I have seen bodies in coffin, no heartbeats, explosion where no one could survive–only to learn the person faked their death, or a doubled had died, a random stranger was the body they found or it was all a dream– whatever, enough times to ever accept a soap death for what it appears to be.
The fact it was EJ’s henchman, who supposedly turned on him, that pulled the trigger makes me suspicious—the fact the medical response team didn’t even try to help him is another. I think like others it was a set up, and eventually when Sami leaves town she will end up someplace and the minute she walks into her new home, EJ will be there and they will say “We did it” or something like that.
If it doesn’t happen that way I be surprise– but even if they truly killed off the character, we all know what one writer did, another writer can undo, so if Days is on long enough I suspect EJ might come back from the dead, like his brother and father have done so many times in past.
Wouldn’t it be nice to actually have a curve ball thrown at us though? After watching for so long we all know what is going to happen! lol
this sounds about right because ej was sure Stefano would harm his family THIS IS SO EXCITING as mad as sammie makes me, no other fellow on that show can make her caliber she is very strong-willed
Oh My Gosh !?!? I’m a week behind….
I hope … as Lou states
he faked his death… and he’s with his mother…. Susan… in London
it just seems so final…. when it’s a quality actor, who graced our screens
and you never want to let go of them
He brought SO much to DAYS
and nevermind his charisma as a DiMera
Oye
salute to ALL the “Ejami” fans
what a rollercoaster of a ride
Thank You James Scott
man… when he was on AMC… I never thought much of
didn’t he blow us all out of the water … Wheres my Elvis
i think ej fake his death i see the end so he is the fake one who die he will be alvie he will be back when as someone who will vist sami and the kids
This is soap opera land. Fans are upset EJ is leaving Days to begin with. I don’t think the writers want viewers to turn off Days. Therefore I believe EJ is alive and there will be a happing ending when Sami leaves the show. Do they ride off into the sunset together?….I think yes, that the writers will do this for their fans.
I agree, Carol. A few posts back I had said that there was a reason for Susan’s sudden appearance.She specifically came to Salem to take her son away. But, I never thought she came to get him in a body bag. I was shocked. Now, the reason becomes clear.
I doubt Sami knew or knows. The morgue scene does not suggest any knowledge that she knew….it was so real. I was really moved….then again, I easily get weepy…LOL.
What about Stefano? He wasn’t fake crying for anybody’s benefit. I am assuming he believes his son is dead.
I thought the same exact thing when I saw Susan too!
I am not sure, the writers so screwed them over this last year..that i doubt everything now..particularly something positive for them..sadly.
I hope u r right Sami and ej were one of the reasons that I watched days of our lives just like years ago with Marlena and roman
I have been watching DAYS since it first aired in November of 1965. I don’t think EJ is dead. I think he faked it to throw Stefano and other enemies off the trail, and to get out of going to jail. We will see. Hopefully he will come get Sami and the kids and they will go to an island somewhere and live happily ever after. Great performance by Ali Sweeney. We will dearly miss her, and James Scott too.
I think your wish will come true. He faked his death without Sami’s knowledge. Later, he will reappear, explain everything and take her and the kids away with him. Both actors filmed their final on air scenes together long before they filmed what we saw on Oct 10.
I don’t think EJ is dead — this is, after all, DOOL — the home of all resurrections! If they did, actually, kill him off, I am disappointed. Not a good way for them to write him out. Stellar performance by Sweeney though.
I thought GH was where all the action was….where all the dead came alive….you know? Cryogenics? I have never seen more zombies walking around on any other soap…..lol.
I think GH and DOOL tie for resurrections but Stefano definitely wins for the most fake deaths of the same character! I believe he is now at 13! And they say a cat has 9 lives! lol
MY HEART IS BROKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EJ isn’t dead…there is no way they will end Ejami like this. Sami is in on it, they are faking his death and going to leave Salem and live abroad….:)
So happy to see the actor receive the respect of a good exit storyline. I was saddened to hear both actors chose not to renew their contracts, and that James would follow Allison as she chose to leave. I am VERY happy that they gave him a great exit and not just a goofy hand wave as they left the show. James and Alison have put in MANY uninterrupted years at Days and never faltered in their contracts; Sad to see them go. CANT WAIT for the surprise day they decide to come back. Cause it always happens. Waited around 15 years for Stephen Nichols to return, hopefully James will be back!
I agree! you have to admit that Friday’s show was fabulous! I hoped for a happy ending for both EJ and Sammie but they were fantastic on Friday’s show. Yes they can come back someday as that’s what happens on soap operas.
Just to change the subject for a minute – please check for spelling errors before you hit the send button – the English and spelling on some of the above comments are so poor that they are almost not readable – some of you sound/look like idiots.
lol Cathy…you sound like me. A self proclaimed grammar snob. 🙂
When I made a comment , many, many posts ago, I was blasted for correcting another poster’s grammar. I have learned not to do so again.
Nonetheless, I must agree with you . There are a few pathetic sentence structures that defy the intellect. My pet peeve is subject/verb disagreement…you know?……when each is the subject and then a plural verb is used?……how about between you and I, instead of you and me…….the latter being grammatically correct.
I could go on and on….I take pride in my mode of speaking and writing. I don’t mean to preach, but I find it so sad that the English language has been reduced to such a low, low standard.
I really believe technology is the culprit. Children just do not read any more. And, let’s not forget that some educators have a problem with using correct grammar themselves. Unfortunately, it will only get worse,
I was very Devestated that ej died getting shot, I actually thought him and sami were gonna run away together with the kids to escape stefano.
I am one who will be happy to see this dysfunctional pairing exit the show. Hopefully, it will free up some airtime for other deserving actors, characters and couples who have been sorely missed the past few years while the show pushed a really unbelievable pair on the audience.
Oh my gosh Ann, give it up already. You’re the only one posting negativity over and over again. We get it, you don’t like Ejami.
If you read the posts here, you will see that I am not the only one who didn’t like EJami. I hardly think that one post and 2 replies constitute “posting negativity over and over again.” I believe everyone is still entitled to their own opinion. We happen to have different opinions, that’s all. No need to attack posters and make this personal over fictional characters.
It is time to get over it..Ej and Sami are soon gone so stop the ranting and trashing in articles about them and enjoy your so much better characters and couples who will still be onscreen..eyeroll.
Everyone is entitled their own opinions. Just because yours are different than mine, doesn’t make them wrong. They are opinions, not facts. To each his own. I am not sure who has been ranting and trashing in articles but it’s not me since I have probably made 7 or 8 posts on this site this year, 5 of those in this thread.
Thank you, I will certainly enjoy the characters and couples who are still onscreen. I hope you, too, can find some characters and couples to enjoy now that your favorites will soon be gone.
You are entitled to your opinion, Ann, so don’t allow any poster’s comment to deter you. I can’t stand Abbi. I mean I REALLY CAN’t . …or Jeeeennnyyy…or Daniel. So, if anyone has any objection, speak up. No one is trashing anyone….just opining.
I don’t understand why everyone hates Abby. Just like I could never understand why everyone loved Melanie. Every male on the show was in love with her at one time or another. She wasn’t even pretty. I was happy when she left. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion
Well, Sandy, Melanie was attractive, much more than Abbi, who ,IMO, has bovine features. However, you brought looks up, not I. Not her fault, is it? But, this has nothing to do with beauty or lack there-of. Sometimes a viewer develops an antipathy toward a character.
I just don’t like her; it is what it is. I am sure Ms Kate could care less what I think. Who am I? No one, in the scheme of things.
So, I have to like her because you do? With all due respect, I think not!
EJ is not dead, but Sami thinks he is. This is what happened:
EJ wanted his employee to shoot him in front of Clyde. He was shot with a drug that puts the body in a total coma position. He appears to be dead to everyone including Sami. His mother Susan is still in Salem and takes his body out of the country. She has ashes put in a urn and sent to Dirmera house. Sami will be shocked with this delivery, but eventually will discover EJ faked his death and this was a scheme, which he felt necessary to protect their family from Stefano.
The week of October 20th. Sami has confirmation that EJ is alive. EJ asks his mother to visit Sami with the news. Sami will convince her family that she needs to leave Salem to protect herself and children from Stefano. Sami and the children will join EJ, who now lives in one of his homes in Europe.
EJAMI will be re-united and be end-game!
Sounds good to me…like something i usually think off…i like it Amanda and think it just might happen that way or very close to it…
I agree. The shooting by EJ’s goon even shocked Clyde. Doesn’t add up that his goon would shoot him simply for punching Clyde.
EJ was shot with a coma-inducing substance, I would think….Wow, only in soaps!
We all knew that this couple would eventually make up and exit happily ever after.
But, not this way. I honestly thought Clyde was a threat and Ejami and kids would be running from him. Never did I once think of this turn of events.
I agree Sami will hear word that EJ is alive and she will go to him….wherever…London, maybe? Too obvious?
Omg! I love it! I sure hope so. I cried with her.
I hope you’re right about this Amanda. My tears of sadness will then turn to tears of joy!!!
Oh I hope you are right!!!!
Perfect 🙂
this sounds about right!
This just can’t be true. They have to keep EJ. I thought I was going to cry.
Yes to all that, Amanda!
Hopefully EJ isn’t really dead and he comes back after a while or he contacts Sami and her and the kids leave town to go live with him but hopefully he will come back
Great performances by James Scott and Alison Sweeney. DOOL will not be the same again without their leading couple. James and Alison moved generations of viewers to empty boxes of tissues. EJ and Sami truly have chemistry, only they could have pulled it off and made it believable to viewers. I hope to see them return to DOOL and reclaim their role as DOOL Great Couple. Best wishes to both phenomenal actors and their endeavors.
oh he better not be dead, hopefully its a twist with the ending… sammi and ej made the show. loved their drama. so sad they are both leaving. hope in the further they come back
I really hope Ej is not dead. That is a horrible way to have him exit DOOL. I think he faked his death like others said because the EMTs didn’t even try to revive him. He will soon let Sami know he’s still alive and they will have their HEA. I love Ejami and am sure gonna miss them both. Thanks James Scott and Allison Sweeney for all the wonderful years you gave us on DOOL!! I hope you return someday.
Oh, I am deeply disappointed that they wrote him out this way. Knowing that the actors were leaving the show,I was hoping they would take the kids and ride off into the sunset together. What a crappy way to end the story! I have been watching Days since 1984!
I’ve been watching DAYS since 1984 too! The Ejami story isn’t over until Sami leaves…That’s when she may be reunited with EJ in England…where Susan is!!!
They need to bring ej back cause same already said she was quitting the show
I’m still in awe over the performances by Ali Sweeney these past few months especially Friday’s episode which I believe was her absolute best performance EVER on DAYS. I had hoped for a HEA for Ejami (and we may still get it ) but I was so spellbound by the acting of Ali & James and the fantastic writing of Melissa Salmons that I can’t imagine anything could top Friday’s episode. Not the Ejami ending I was hoping for, but totally worth watching and watching again. I bow to the greatness that is Jamison, especially when written by Melissa Salmons. #EjamiAlways
Amanda I like the way you’re thinking and feel the way you do that EJ is not really dead his death was faked so that Sami and his children would be safe from Stefano.
I’ve only been watching the show for about a year so I was surprised at how heartbroken I was to see EJ die. It is not often that a soap makes me cry anymore, but these powerful scenes brought me to tears! I really love both of these actors. I hope his death is fake and the actors return to the show after about a year. Days of Our Lives is such a good soap!
Great performance from my Alison Sweeney(Sami) I cried seeing how much pain she was in and James Scott(EJ) was great as well what a loss those two characters will be Days won’t be the same without them.
I think its a fake death as well I think this because I bet you Ken Corday will be fighting to get them back he knows Ejami was his most popular couple and they the reason why his show remained on air. Even when ratings were not good they created who buzz for Days now they gone this show is going be very boring to watch.
I am betting EJ faked his death in order to avoid his tax evasion charges and Sami knows about it too.
it would have been better if it was written that
They both left Salem with their family
Not for EJ to be killed
And now because he was killed I don’t
Ever want to see days again
To me it will be like AMC and OLTL
The end of an epic soap..
It should have been written differently
Like they all went to the party told will
They planned to leave Salem forever
Then told Samis family. But to kill
Him off was a dishonor to EJ and Sami
I know people come and go all the time in soaps and they have their reasons but I would like to still see ej come back somehow in the story line with Samantha too I love their relationship of true love I don’t know if I can watch days without them both im really heartbroken
Well, i don’t know it is fake or not..what i know is this show/TPTB/writers have wasted Ej AND Sami on such an insipid character like scary looking Abby for their last year..That, was a serious disrespect to Ej, Sam the character but also their portrayers James Scott and Alison Sweeney and their fans..so death or not, they already did a number on Ej and Sami. I can’t be erased, sadly, we had to endure this nightmare for almost a year..A YEAR. Now, good luck to this soap with this type of mentality and writing moves..
As for the performances, James Scott, Joe Mascolo were just great and heartbreaking but Ali Sweeney was outstanding..if the system was fair she should get her emmy with these scenes.
I know it’s “just a soap opera”, but I cried like a baby when EJ died! Allison did a FANTASTIC job with her acting abilities. Sami was so very pitiful. Actually I’m tearing up now. I wish the couple had not both decided to leave the show. I ADORE the EJami storyline. I wish they could have been happy forever, together as Bo and Hope used to be.
I did not cry when EJ died. I actually lost it when I saw how his death affected Sami.
The way she was frantically wanting to hear his heartbeat really got to me so much…it was so realistic…the sobbing, desperately holding on to him……the raw pain in her wailing….her body language…everything she did just sent me into crying fits.
NO, I THINK IT IS OVER FOR EJAMI THEY ARE OFF THE SHOW AND THEY CAN’T GO TO ANOTHER SHOW BECAUSE DAYS OWES THE RIGHTS TO THEM. Ti WILL BE LOOKING FOR THEM IN OTHER PLACES AS jAMES sCHEY COULD START THEIR OWN SHOW BUT NO MORE EJAMI
I hope he’s really alive and he and Sami leave town together with the kids so they can live their lives in peace.
Stunning performances by both Ali and James. I’m still mourning the loss of this incredible soap character. Say what you will about EJ, James Scott made us come to expect that well-crafted performances were commonplace. Ali’s performance Friday was so incredibly heartbreaking. She was everything Melissa Salmon’s script deserved. These scenes are already firmly ensconced in my list of remarkable scenes, and Sami Brady DiMera, EJ DiMera, Alison Sweeney and James Scott will never leave my list of characters and actors I treasure. Godspeed to them all. And thanks for the wonderful memories.
Those scenes were heartbreaking and amazingly performed. I haven’t cried that hard at a tv show in a really long time. I’ve got my fingers crossed for a HEA for them, but I’m nervous.
I hate the way they killed Ej It was a good seen with Sami but I’m still holding there’s more to it. And he’s faking to run away Ltr.
All I can say is i hope Amanda ⬆ is right. But I have my doubts bcuz back in May EJ wanted off of the show! I really do hope we get 100% actual confirmation within 1 month as to whether he really is dead due to leaving the show or if he faked his own death to give him time to decide what he wants to do with his acting career. This is the 1st time I’ve actually enjoyed EJ and Sami together (EJami)… So I really do hope we will see this couple again and really soon. But if not, then I wish both Allison and James the best of Luck with their futures, be it in acting or otherwise…
the show will not be any good with out ej and sami if she wants to leave bring a new sami on but ej should not die I have been watch this show for over 40 years so why ruin the show now why couldn’t sami be crying and his heart stast beating and they ruch him to surgey and save him there are a lot of mad fan ej and sami made the show
bring ej back
There is only ONE Sami Brady and it is the one played by Alison Sweeney, no one else..after more than two decades on the role you can’t recast..that is all..even more when it is such leading character who drove stories after stories..It is like recasting Marlena with someone else than Deidre Hall..ridiculous.
we want sami and ej
I hated the way they did this I cried my eyes out don’t want ej dead I will miss him so much n her to why couldn’t they say they just ran away from salmon to be happy together with there kids so so sad still crying aboutthis
I don’t want him dead hope it’s all a plan
I totally agree. The paramedics were too quick to make the call.
Friday left me an emotional mess. James and Ali were outstanding! I cried throughout their scenes, as they talked about their space where they live and Sami telling EJ over and over that she loved him. Then to have her in denial about his passing until she can’t find his heartbeat at the end…heart wrenching! Stefano crying on the phone was powerful as well!
I am hopeful it was in some way faked and when Sami leaves she and the kids will be reunited with EJ to continue their epic love story 🙂
I am very sad James Scott & Alison Sweeney are leaving Days. They are truly wonderful together! I will miss them terribly. I am so hoping this was a set up and EJ is not dead! I’m not sure if Sami was in on this but from her performance, I would say no but then again, this is Days and they’ve done this before. I certainly hope both will return-sooner rather than later!
The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.
To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).
With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.
Courtesy/Peacock
THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE
From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.
Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall). Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.
In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.
Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)
Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.
JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL
Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!
The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.
Courtesy/Peacock
MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE
When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.
As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.
An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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