Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Nicole Says Her Final Goodbyes To Daniel & Chad Remembers!
Courtesy/NBC
It was heartbreak city for many Salemites on Wednesday’s episode of Days of our Lives with sad goodbyes, plus a major breakthrough for another.
It had been decided that Brady (Eric Martsolf) will get Daniel’s (Shawn Christian) heart, and the transplant surgery needs to begin asap. Next, Nicole (Arianne Zucker) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) must say their final goodbyes to Daniel. Arianne Zucker really made viewers tear up just as Nicole was, as she was overcome trying to say farewell to the love of her life. Nicole tells Daniel in their final moments: “Thank you for loving me. You were an unbelievable gift in my life.” Maggie also had to be strong in the face of the most tragic circumstance a mother should ever have to endure.
Courtesy/NBC
Meanwhile, Billy Flynn delivered another touching performance as Chad finally makes his major breakthrough from his heinous brainwashing at the hands of Andre (Thaao Penghlis)! Chad recalls his love for Abby (Kate Mansi) and their relationship and relates to his newborn son, Thomas! It was once again powerful work by Flynn and Kate Mansi. Later, in the hospital, Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) tells Abigail that Daniel did not make it. Abby is devastasted while in the midst of her happiness with Chad.
The heartbreak continued after the heart transplant surgery when Nicole insists on seeing Daniel in the hospital morgue. Once again she breaksdown as Fynn (Alexander Bruzt) stands by her.
So, what did you think of the performances on Wednesday’s Days of our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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Days is my favorite American soap right now but thats not the reason i believe Days should sweep the emmys next year…its because of the improved writing and bravo performance by its vets!
Hi, Jimmy,
You may be right about Days, as doing better, even after the best storyline has taken a ‘leave’. As macabre as Ben and his madness was, his story kept me on my toes. But, Jimmy, I have had it with Hope and the continuation of her stupid revenge/hate/futility into all that is Days. So boring……so annoying…..so not entertaining. Right now, that is the only deterrent for me. I wouldn’t mind if Hope disappeared altogether. Later.
..Hope shot the Steph…she will probably get off with temporary insanity…i would rather Ciara leave-she is a snooze and so is the whole teen snoozapalozza gang!
@jimh
Lol, Jimmy. That stupid shooting was so weird. It just didn’t seem real. It was as though it all played out in Hope’s head. She should be locked up; not for shooting Stefano, he deserves every rotten thing coming his way; but for her revenge-binge…….an asylum? I said this before. She didn’t seem so concerned about Bo when she was doing the IT with pie-faced Aiden.
Ciara? Mousy-looking girl, and just as boring. Someone remarked she looks like a young Kristian Alfonso. My gosh….Kristian’s face was so beautiful at that age. I watched old episodes. Ciara doesn’t even come close. The only thing they have in common is their Italian heritage.
Another great episode for Suzanne Rogers and Ari Zucker. I also think Billy Flynn just keeps getting better – a true leading man.
It was so sad I cried seeing Nicole crying.she is such an amazing actress.I hope she stays around for long time
Ari and Suzanne are killing me. I’m literally sobbing every day.
I love Billy Flynn! Aside from Jen Lilley, and Patch and Kayla being reunited, he is the single-handed BEST thing DOOL has going for it.
That being said, I am so glad Chad got his memory back because if I have to see him envision that spider, the lions attacking one another, the maggots, etc., again I think I was going to scream. Pretty poor brainwashing there, Andre, if putting one’s infant in your arms can undo everything.
I am happy that he snapped out of it because this week with all the doom and gloom at least ONE couple should be happy and an infant child really does better to be able to bond with both its mother and father from the beginning. I remember when our 4 and 6-year-old boys were infants and all the time both me and my husband spent with them laying on our chests. They call it kangaroo care and it is such a special thing for both parent and child to experience.
With whatsherface leaving as Abby, her and Chad wont be happy for long…Andre will catch on to Chad’s deceit and Abby will vanish…its just a guess…unless they do a quick recast!
Chad remembering was very clumsy came way too fast. And it didn’t really answer, for Abby, what had happened to him.
On the other hand, I thought Nicole saying goodbye was very sad.
Where is Maxine? And why has no one told Maggie ERIC WAS DRUNK AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT????!!!!
My thoughts exactly. How did Chad get over the brainwashing that fast & will he turn on Abby the next time he sees Belle? Is Andre gonna grab him from behind at the mansion, chloroform him & do it again? How is it these people just get grabbed & snatched & strangled-what a very scary little town.
I about died myself when they took Daniel to the O.R. & he was in the bed next to Brady & they got out that instrument that starting buzzing-GOD.
And I did not expect them to bring Daniel back & let Nicole see him again after the transplant. I made the mistake of watching this very late last night & just tossed & turned all night. This has been a very disturbing last few weeks on the show.
And where IS Maxine? She will be devastated over this-she should have been on duty that night.
And I wish somehow they could get everyone together & tell them all everything! I mean hardly anyone knows that Eric was drunk-does Kate even know about the accident? Does Caroline? She lives at Victor’s now. You’d think they’d have gotten her up when Victor & Maggie left or at least sent Roman over there or something.
And how weird when Gabby & Rafe were in the square & Gabby checked her phone & said “oh my friend’s mother was in an accident, I hope she’s ok” Seriously? Does Gabby not know that Rafe certainly knows Jennifer & JJ? Why did Rafe not hear about this wreck? He would want to be there for Nicole & everyone else.
And finally, I have not heard Parker’s name mentioned once! Or Chloe! I always thought Parker looked exactly like Daniel from day 1. Who remembers the paternity swtich when Caroline (I believe) made the switch for reasons I struggle to remember.
Anyway, Maggie & Nicole have done me in-so so sad beyond words.
In theory, Gloria…I agree, the entire operating room/instruments scenario was horrifying. Too close to home for me.
I know it’s a soap, LOL, but, what struck me was the fact that Daniel’s coloring was as normal as can be. No colorless lips, no ashen complexion. Plus, in death, the face does not usually look scrunched up….especially, not after the care of a medical staff. Daniel’s brow was furrowed, perplexed almost. That was odd. The make up people should have worked on his face or something. You know, smoothen it out and make him look like a human sans a heart. DEAD!!!! Later.
That’s a good question, where in the heck IS Maxine? Did she go on Family Medical Leave or something? Isn’t she the Lead RN at the Hospital? Just how much vacation time has she accrued?
Kudos go to Arianne Zucker and Suzanne Rogers for great acting through the story of Daniel’s passing. The story with Abbi and Chad is beyond ridiculous. Brainwashing miraculously cured by a baby? Please! The Dimeara powers must be really really weak if that is all it takes. This is where DAYS does NOT follow through adequately. They tell far fetched tales and the pay out is seldom worth it. Now let’s see where the crazy train departs next. I understand that another bloody murder is coming down the line….but seriously it’s getting to the point where I don’t really care. Which is a sad state. Billy Flynn is an acting dynamo who deserves a better story than this.
I also didn’t quite get how Chad picks up the baby and his memory comes back. It was almost, anti-climatic in some ways. I thought maybe he would remember that his evil villainous older brother strapped him to a table and put strange thoughts in his head – at any rate, it was so stupid that I’m glad that portion is over.
But the absolute most RIDICULOUS scene was when John squinted and said he wanted to “donate his heart” for a transplant. Really? Who does that? Of course, maybe I shouldn’t complain because then we would be spared his non stop inquisitive confused squint and his raspy voiced speeches. The scenes between him and Marlena could be used as a cure for Chronic Insomnia.
Jughead does that, Bil. Everything John says and does is open to ridicule. I could go on and on….lol. But, my comment will be banned, if I do.
Nicole (Ari) is always fantastic! She is a great actor, and once again did an outstanding job as she painfully said good-bye to Daniel. She always brings raw emotion, warmth, and realism to all of her performances. As always Maggie (Suzanne) is the dignified matriarch of Days who poignantly and beautifully portrayed a heartbroken mother with the intense emotion that no one would ever want to experience. Both Ari and Suzanne gave excellent performances. They are very important to Days. Billy Flynn has really evolved in his role, and is giving fine performances as a strong Dimera and leading character. Kudos to all.
While these performances have been great, I hope Days will move away from constant deaths and murders. You can only take so much sadness. Romance, intrigue, mystery is fine for a nice soap escape.
Without a doubt, DAYS is THE BEST soap on TV right now. No other show is even close to it. Every day is must watch. It has returned triumphantly to the top. Just great on all levels. Congrats to the whole cast & crew. Bravo!!!!!
k, now that nicole has said ‘ bye’ to daniel she can now say ‘ hello’ again to her true love eric! …# ericole all day!!!
Poor Nicole finally finds the right man and he is dead. Ari Zucker and Suzanne Rogers definitely need to be nominated for Emmys this year!
Glad Chad got his memory back regarding Abby and the baby. I hated seeing those stupid clips from his brainwashing. Hopefully Andre won’t be able to do it again.
Is Eric supposed to just come back and be okay?
AZ is one of the few actresses who truly makes me feel emotions. when she is happy, I feel happy. And when she is heartbroken, and crying, she makes me believe it. She should be leading the pack of formidable woman on this show, and have a dynamic love interest!! they squandered MAJOR potential of making her and Eric the next power couple. chemistry like that is something most soaps kill for, but DAYS seriously missed the boat!! Hopefully 2016 finds Mizz Walker large and in charge, and having a man who loves her for HER, not for something he wants or expects her to be!
I have commented on that very thing, off snd on, Dylan, since I’ve joined these boards. Ari is not only drop-dead gorgeous, but also a well-balanced, most talented performer. Nonetheless, not as recognized as some with egos as big as Texas, and not as deserving, in my opinion. Then again, who am I but only an avid fan?
I do agree with the Eric issue, as well. I have made my sentiments known. I think Greg is also gorgeous, but Eric is a big wah, wah, wah, baby. So sanctimonious…. He repudiated Nicole one too many times. I do believe, as yourself, that ship’s sails have lost their wind.
However, you are probably right. The most logical conclusion will be to pair Nicole with someone; albeit, as I said before, Nicole should take it easy for a while. No entanglements.
@Mayrettalady.
Hi, May,
A heart infection is not so simplistic. If not properly treated, such infections could lead to a place of no return. Obviously, you are right, in one sense. Eric’s situation was milked to create drama. But, anything to do with the heart needs to be taken very seriously and studied/examined diligently and delicately from all angles. The complexities of the heart are many, as it controls the body from beginning to end.
This episode broke my heart as I watched Nicole in her scenes with Daniel. Arianne owned the day this episode aired. I couldn’t believe just how real her tears and pain were but I felt what Nicole was going through and this has shown me just how greatly DAYS has improved. The stories that have been told lately have all been a grand slam without a single strike against them. Keep it up, DAYS!!!
I agree that Nicole’s performance was outstanding and she seemed to be crying from the heart. However I do think that it just went on and on too long. She had about 4 or 5 scenes over 2 shows where she just talked to a dead Daniel and pretty much kept saying the same thing. They should have inserted some flashbacks in there of her and Daniel to break up the crying and the talking.
Frankly, I always thought they were a boring couple and always preferred her and Eric. They definitely squandered their potential and Eric’s story line potential. I know he is leaving the show but I hope they don’t kill his character. There is more story potential in him having to deal with the repercussions of driving drunk.
The whole Chad being brainwashed story line was so ridiculous. I am just glad it is over.
I guess I will be criticized for saying this, but some of her crying scenes seemed a little forced and “acted” and I didn’t see any real tears. The actress who played Maggie, I thought, was more convincing. I know they are difficult scenes to play, some actors really over play those scenes. At any rate, it was sad to watch.
Oh, Bil. I saw Nicole’s tears. Her face, especially in her interlude with Chloe. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her nose red and her face blotchy. Her acting out her pain was not as impressive as Kassie’s Eve, but I thought her crying, her mourning, her pain were genuine. Not forced, by any means. Suzanne is much older and much more experienced. It is only natural for her to have given us her all. I am sure she performed many similar scenes a few times in her tenure with Days. Acting is her trade. I would hope she’d impress us, considering how long she has been doing this. But, so far, no one compares to Kassie. Just my opinion.
Nicole, on the other hand, must have truly drawn from a deep painful experience in her life to give that performance. I thought she outdid herself. She was great.
Nicole’s mourning probably had to do with it being her actual boyfriend in real life. What I don’t understand is why they had Eric out for so long when he was only suffering from a heart infection? Sure, he had taken a bump or two but no brain injury or other organ damage. He should have been coherent earlier if you ask me but, then again, there wouldn’t have been the emotional roller coaster for his mother and dad to have their scenes. I thought Kayla stating Eric needed the heart just as bad when clearly no protocol of treatment happened first. The logical person to receive the heart was Brady.