As they say, “all good things must come to an end”, and on Tuesday’s episode of Days of our Lives, viewers watched a tear-filled and emotional goodbye as actor Christopher Sean, who played the role of Paul Narita for over four years with such dignity and grace, exited the series in his final episode.

It all comes about after Paul is heartbroken to learn, thanks to Brady (Eric Martsolf) who could not lie to him anymore, that Will is still in love with Sonny.  And after calling things off with Will and setting him “free”, Paul asks Brady to come by his apartment to inform him that he is leaving Salem.  Brady is certain that Paul will “find love again.”

Later, Paul’s dad, John Black (Drake Hogestyn), arrives and learns the heartbreaking news that Paul had decided to move back to San Francisco to be near his mom, and because there is a top-notch rehab facility to help him get back on his feet and walk again.

John asks his son: “Are you sure that you are doing all this for the right reasons?” Paul says he is not running away, but adds: “It would be hard for me to be here in Salem with Will and Sonny back together and all that. But mostly I could be with my mom, who I really, really miss, and I could be hopeful because I could probably walk again someday.”

After looking up the clinic on the internet with Brady and Paul, John concludes this is the best situation for his son.   “I need to get back on my feet again, in more ways that one,: Paul says.  When John asks when he is headed out, Paul reveals now.  An emotional John is filled with tears at having to saying goodbye to the son he never knew he had until a few years ago.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Paul says to John in a tearjerker moment: “I used to lie awake in bed thinking what kind of man my father was.  And then I met you, and I saw the way that you cherished Marlena and the way you protected your family and the way you fought for what was right.  You have surpassed every expectation I have ever had about a father.”  He tells John he is grateful for all the time they had together. John tells Paul, “I’m so proud of you,” and he tells his son to always keep that big heart of his open, and they share a touching hug.

There is then a knock at the door at Luke, the new PT comes in to whisk Paul away to San Francisco!  There seems to be an instant connection between the two, and then Luke says that he knows full-well who Paul is, “You’re one of my idols”.  Luke goes on to say that when Paul came out it gave him the strength in his own life to do the same.  We also learn Luke is single, which is not lost on Brady and Paul, and John.

As a nice button on Paul’s journey he says, “I’m not hiding anymore, and I’m not pretending to be anyone I’m not. And for that, I do owe Sonny and Will a lo.,” Luke says, “Who is Sonny and Will?” As everyone sort of chuckles, it’s time to leave for the flight and John and Brady exit with Luke, as Paul looks around the apartment one more time.

Kudos to both Christopher Sean and Drake Hogestyn for those heartfelt scenes between father and son.  How many hankies did you need while watching them? We needed five!

Share your thoughts on Paul’s exit and the scenes in Christopher Sean’s final episode via the comment section below.