Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: John Does His Final Act of Heroism to Give Bo a Chance at Life; Stephen Nichols & Mary Beth Evans Break Our Hearts
In one of the finest episodes of Days of our Lives in a long time, the series legacy heroes, John Black and Bo Brady, are both at a crossroads.
By the end of the Friday May 23rd cliffhanger, their two lives hang in the balance, and in what had been promised by head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, and executive producer, Ken Corday, the soap opera would craft an exit befitting the legacy of John and its portrayer the late Drake Hogestyn. The story perfectly intersects the lives of Bo (Peter Reckell) and John and their best friend, Steve, played heartbreakingly by Stephen Nichols.
As it begins, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) is at Bo’s bedside wishing him happy 40th wedding anniversary as this was the date that they got married in 1985, and we flashback to their London wedding ceremony. In the present, Bo has been given his last rites. Ciara (the returning Victoria Konefal) arrives to be with her mother and father, and sits at Bo’s bedside remembering special moments with her dad when she was growing up (which included flashbacks of a young Ciara played by Lauren Bowles).
Courtesy/Peacock
KAYLA INFORMS MARLENA OF JOHN’S NEW MISSION TO SAVE BO
Meanwhile, Marlena (Deidre Hall) visits Kayla’s (Mary Beth Evans) office at the hospital and Kayla learns that John didn’t return home and go directly to see Marlena. He made a pit stop to help Steve in their quest to get the drug to save Bo. Kayla explains the situation to Marlena and how they just need a single dose of the medication and all they went through, and then Kayla says to Marlena that they both know how Bo is like a brother to both men. Next, we get a flashback of Bo telling his sister, that she can always count on him.
In the present, with tears in her eyes, Kayla recalls the countless times that Bo, John and Steve have stepped up and saved them. Kayla worries this time Bo won’t be able to be saved in time and she will lose her brother. Kayla reassures Marlena that John will finish his mission with Steve and be back to her in no time.
Photo: JPI
BO TRAVELS TO SALEM IN HIS MIND
Back in Bo’s hospital room (which is unclear where he is exactly), while Ciara remembers moments in her life with her dad, Bo is transported to Horton Town Square and eventually to the Brady Pub, where he sees Steve and Kayla holding hands and talking, but he is locked out of the pub and can’t get to them – which is the analogy that Bo is trying to get home to those he loved, but he’s still unable to wake up out of his coma as death looms.
Photo: NBC
DISABLING THE SECURITY SYSTEM
Now outside in an alley, Dr. Russell (Michael Dietz) meets John who begins to help Steve and Shawn (Brandon Beemer) to try to trick the security system of the meth lab so they can get inside and look for a vial of Versavix. Suddenly, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) has joined them just in time when they learn that there is a two-part security system. Hope cuts the wires and disables one system and John disables the other. Next, John, Hope and Dr. Russell enter the lab. Hope asked Dr. Russell to come with them to identify and locate the drug.
Photo: JPI
IN THE WAREHOUSE LAB
There is a person in an unresponsive state on the floor which could be Asher. Hope, John and Dr. Russell try to get in and get out but no such luck. Russell spots the Versavix, but Asher jumps up and attacks Dr. Russell from behind. Hope grabs the drugs as Asher gets into a fight with the doctor and suddenly smoke is filling up the lab. As Asher pulls a knife to kill Russell, John saves the day as he get into a fight with Asher, as Hope gets Dr. Russell out. When she tries to go back, the warehouse is now engulfed in flames.
Later, the firefighters arrive and say they found one survivor and wheel out a badly burned John, who has in his hand the vial of Versavix to save Bo! Shawn gives it to Hope to hurry and rescue his dad.
Photo: JPI
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL LIVES ON THE LINE
At University Hospital, Kayla tells Marlena that there was an explosion and John has been seriously injured. Hope and Shawn arrive in Bo’s room and tell Ciara they have secured the drug, Hope tells Bo to fight, and how fitting would it be for him to awake with this being their 40th wedding anniversary? Next, Hope, Ciara and Shawn recite the Lord’s prayer as Bo is being administered the sepsis drug as one last ditch effort to save his life.
Courtesy/Peacock
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WAITING AREA
In the moment of the episode, Steve tells Dr Russell the man who attacked him is dead and shared that John not only saved Dr Russell’s life but also his life’s work. In a surprise move, Steve hands the doctor all of the vials of the drug. An emotional Steve says, John protected them with his body. Steve tells Dr. Russell that he must continue his life-saving work, especially because John put his life on the line for it. Once alone, Steve breaks down in tears. He is wracked with guilt over John’s condition and the thought of losing his best friend.
Courtesy/Peacock
Marlena is now John’s beside. Steve enters the room and stands by Marlena’s side. Then, in a perfect moment, Steve says that Stefano DiMera may have called himself the Phoenix, but he had nothing on John Black. Then, DAYS flashes back to John’s origin story, his many identities, the moment he looks at himself in the mirror and calls himself “John Black” – all from the decades of scenes featuring Drake Hogestyn.
Back in the present, John whispers, “I love you, Doc.” First, Marlena is overjoyed to hear his voice, but it soon becomes life-altering as John’s heart monitor flatlines. Kayla runs in and says he’s coding. Steve tries to get Marlena out of the room, but she calls out to her husband that she is right here with him.
While everyone was excellent in the episode, nothing was more gut-wrenching than Stephen Nichols performance as Steve breaks down after John saved the day for Bo, as well as Mary Beth Evans remembering what the love of her brother Bo means to her. It looks like in the coming two weeks viewers will be reaching for the hankies more often than not. Stay tuned.
So, what did you think of how John was a hero one last time in order to save Bo and others with a life-saving drug? What was your favorite moment from the episode? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
I didn’t love it. I would’ve preferred a stand alone story for Drake. Something focused on John and his family instead of another couple’s return.
Your reply is the first, and it’s negative. Congratulations.
Loved it all except the meth lab scenes, which seemed rushed with bad direction and editing.
I like how Bo’s return and John’s departure are intertwined, it’s true to character and soap opera.
I’m looking forward to all the returns focusing on John. And hopefully, I see less ship wars. Days is an ensemble. No character and couple should be isolated. Hand over your soap fan card if you think otherwise.
Stop the jealousy.
I agree with much of what you’ve stated. But I’m not understanding the “jealousy.”
And for the record, you started off with a “negative” comment yourself.
Many John and Jarlena fans are upset that Bo has returned and John is departing, that their storylines are intertwined.
My previous post was positive followed by a negative, and is positive overall.
Days did a good job, but it could’ve been better. The heart of the story excelled and will be a must to watch this week.
Most ridiculous part of the episode?
Hope somehow being able to get from Bo’s hospital facility “somewhere in Europe” to a meth lab in Salem within minutes. And then back again, with Shawn along for the ride.
When did Salem get Starfleet transporter beams??
I started watching Days back in 1975 and watched it faithfully until it switched to peacock station. My husband and I are on social security now and we are lucky to be able to afford just the basic cable stations we are offered. It’s really hard for me to hear all the things that are happening to the Horton’s,the Black’s and everyone else and not being able to watch it. They all became my family for an hour each day Monday through Friday,at 12:30 to 1:30 each day. I wish it never moved to peacock at all.
Streaming is cheaper than cable. You don’t need cable to stream, you only need internet service. If you don’t fully understand streaming, reach out to someone who can help you.
True on the low cost of streaming but my internet connection is 100 a month
Alana Larson must have internet service to be able to log on to Michael Fairman’s site.
Or at least a data plan on her smartphone.
If it didn’t move to Peacock, it would’ve been cancelled outright.
I understand fixed incomes aren’t easy, but there’s usually a promo out there to get the commercial version for a reasonable rate. Someone can gift it to you as well for a birthday or Christmas.
I am a longbtome viewer and this was an incredible episode of Days. The actors were extraordinary and the way they intertwined John and Bo’s storyline and making John the ultimate hero one last time was so meaningful and appreciated. This honored the legacy of Johm always being the hero and helping others. All these Days legends uniting to save Bo was brilliant.
I agree 100%. All these negative comments are making me sick
How long are they gonna drag John’s death out
Well they tape about 9 months in advance ; and also changed a couple of the head writers since Drake’s death in real life!! So there were alot of time related delays!! I think they did justice to the character and now comes “tearful” good-bye scenes with close friends and family members!! I’ve stocked up on my Kleenex supply !!!
I really agree with you! Well said! I love Days and think the new writers are doing a great job! It’s good to see the past characters again. I will really miss John as he was one of my favorites. I’m anxious to see what happens in Salem in the future. ❤️
I realize that Days is taped a year in advance, however with the death of Drake l did not feel it was respectful to Drake and his family for it to take so long to honor his memory. I feel one special episode could have been taped and inserted dedicated to his memory instead of a long drawn out storyline.
BS!
That couldn’t work. Say that you rush one episode within a month. Then, do you suddenly go back to having everyone think John is alive for the next 8 months?
I’ve been watching days of our lives since I was in hight school in the 70. I would come home and watch it with my grandmother and mom. Once I got married I got my husband hooked. We got peacock station just to watch Days of Our Lives. My children make fun of us say we talk about the characters like if they were people we know. Lol
Breaking News
Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna Head to Off-Broadway in ‘Real Housewives’ Rotating Casts in Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors’
Two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Eileen Davidson (Ashley, The Young and the Restless) and Days of our Lives alum, Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie Reed) are set to star Off-Broadway in a ‘Real Housewives’ reimagined version of the classic Neil Simon play Rumors.
The play is also stars other women from the Bravo ‘Real Housewives’ franchise including, Phaedra Parks and Carole Radziwill. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the revival will start this winter with two rotating casts at the Newman Mills Theater at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space.
Tony Award winner Zhailon Levingston (CATS: The Jellicle Ball) will direct the production, which will play a limited 14-week engagement starting January. 9, 2027, ahead its January 25 opening.
Photo: JPI
WHO JOINS DAVIDSON AND RINNA IN THE CASTS?
Rinna leads cast one along in the role of Chris, Phaedra Parks plays Claire, Stacey Rusch will take on Cookie, and Dolores Catania will play Cassie from January 9 through February 28.
They will be followed by the cast led by Davidson as Claire, Cynthia Bailey as Chris, Carole Radziwill as Cookie, and Candiace Dillard-Bassett as Cassie from March 2 through April 21. The production will mark the New York stage debut for all except Lisa Rinna, who made her debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2007.
In story, the Neil Simon play which originally bowed on Broadway in 1988, focused on four couples gathering for a party in a wealthy New York Suburb, where instead of fun “they find their host in an alarming state, his wife missing, and the police on their way.
The original production featured the likes of: Christine Baranski, Jessica Walter and Joyce Van Patten, with Baranski winning a Tony Award for her performance as Chris.
In a statement, Zhalion Levingston expressed, “What excites me about reimagining Rumors through the lens of ‘The Real Housewives’ is how naturally these two worlds collide. Without changing a single word of Simon’s brilliant text, we can reveal something new in the piece: The delicious chaos that unfolds when private lives become public spectacle. At a time when we are so deeply divided, I can think of few things more necessary than gathering in a theater to laugh together.”
So, what do you think about Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna each taking on the role of Chris, originally played by Christine Baranski, in Neil Simon’s Rumors coming to Off-Broadway early next year? Do you like the concept of the two ‘Real Housewives’ casts playing the roles? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Xander Fights for His Life, Halloween in Salem, Lani Returns to the Salem PD
This week on all-new episodes of Days of our Lives streaming October 26-30 on Peacock; after Xander (Paul Telfer) has been shot by George (Michael Rose), and retaliates by firing a bullet his way, Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) is on the scene!
In a key moment, Dr. Horton does everything she can to stabilize Xander in order to rush him to the hospital, which finds the two former loves rekindling many of the feels that brought them together in the first place.
The official Days of our Lives promo for the week also teases how Mason (Brandon Butler) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) get a very unexpected caller which is Sophia (Rachel Boyd)!
Photo: Corday Productions
Meanwhile, Steve (Stephen Nichols) is heard saying, “Never give EJ DiMera the benefit of the doubt. You might learn to regret it!” Next, we see Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) appear to be hanging onto Steve’s every word.
Meanwhile, Lani (Sal Stowers) celebrates her return to the Salem PD, while many Salem residents get ready for Halloween.
Chad (Conner Floyd) and his son Thomas (Cole Gersmeyer) are ready for Fright Night, as is Kirsten (Stacy Haiduk)! But as things go in Salem, masks, hidden identities, and more make for mystery and mayhem! The conclusion of the promo shows an upset EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) throwing a book at the portrait of his father, Stefano DiMera. What has him so unglued?
Photo: Corday Productions
SPOILERS
Here’s a look at additional Days of our Lives spoilers for this week.
Monday, October 26
Brady gets devastating news.
Leo and Javi share an emotional moment.
Tuesday, October 27
Marlena hesitates to reach out to Dominic.
Kristen makes a confession to Lani.
Wednesday, October 28
Johnny faces down his father – and his future.
Stephanie gets surprising news from Alex.
Thursday, October 29
Johnny and Chanel receive wonderful news.
Brady and Sarah have a heart-to-heart conversation.
Friday, October 30
Sarah and Xander share an emotional reunion.
Julie breaks up with Foster.
Kristen ties up some loose ends.
Chad refuses to be intimidated by EJ.
Now below, check out this week’s DAYS promo entitled, “Spooky Salem.”
Then weigh-in: are you rooting for Sarah and Xander to get back together? What is EJ so upset about? Is it about his half-brother, Dominic Marino? What skullduggery might go down on Halloween night in Salem? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna Head to Off-Broadway in ‘Real Housewives’ Rotating Casts in Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?
Y&R’s Christel Khalil and Bryton James to Crossover to ‘Beyond the Gates’
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos
‘All My Children’ Alum Alan Dysert, Ex-Sean Cudahy, Passes Away at 75
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Brook Lynn Gets a Shock from Jude, Nina Gets a Reprieve, and Ava’s in the Hot Seat
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Xander Fights for His Life, Halloween in Salem, Lani Returns to the Salem PD
Y&R’s Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings on Hayley’s Pregnancy, ‘Friendship’ with Leslie, and Working with Timon Kyle Durrett (Exclusive)
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