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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: The Aiden Episode – Daniel Cosgrove's Return!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

Monday’s episode of Days of our Lives ushered in the return of Daniel Cosgrove (Aiden) in a compelling episode that gave the fan favorite, who was written-off six months ago, a nice make up gift with a show devoted to him that come Emmy time next year would definitely be a submission for him.

DAYS also took the viewers on a journey through the episode via a chapter storytelling device, as they unraveled the back-story of what happened to Aiden and where he has been, since all had believed he was the one who tried to kill his bride, Hope (Kristian Alfonso).

The story picked in part one called “The Intruder”, where Rafe (Galen Gering) has just brought Hope home from their night together, and Aiden is in Hope’s house and stuns her that he is alive!  Next in a chapter called “The Wedding Night”, the series goes back in time six months prior to when Hope was set up to be killed by her new husband.   When Aiden goes downstairs to get ready to prepare for murdering Hope, he chickens out.  He heads out the front door and is greeted by an Aiden doppelganger.  Andre (Thaao Penghlis) shows up behind him and utters: “I knew you would be too squeamish to finish the job.”   He then injects Aiden with a syringe-filled with a drug to the neck and Aiden goes down.  Next, Andre puts Aiden in a trunk of a car saying he is going to take good car of him.

In the next chapter: Six Months Ago” The Cell Part”, Aiden is now imprisoned by Andre who keeps knocking him out by gassing him in his cell.   Aiden refuses to eat the food brought to him, but befriends a dead bird, who is in the cell with him.  He says, “Who killed you little fella?”  To torture Aiden even further, a video is shown to him of his wedding to Hope and then of Hope being strangled to death.  Aiden cries out for his son Chase (Jonathan McClendon) and then cries out in horror as the Aiden doppelganger is killing Hope, “Why did you have to kill her?”  Fast forward: it’s now two months ago where we are in the “Cell Part Two”; now Aiden is kind of losing his mind, has grown a full beard, is talking to the dead bird, and scribbling important notes to himself on the notepads left by Andre.  He says, “The devils in the details.”   It’s been 115 days since his captivity.  Then comes the newsfeed that he sees on the screen provided by Andre  … Chase is being arrested for raping Ciara (Vivian Jovanni) as gas comes in through the duct in the wall, and Aiden passes out.

Courtesy/NBC

Now it’s three weeks ago “The Escape”.  Aiden has figured out how long to hold his breath to not be affected by the noxious fumes from his calculations on his notepad.  When the guard comes to bring him his plate of food, Aiden is faking being knocked out by the gas.  He attacks the guard from behind, just as the guard opens the gate. Aiden puts him in a sleeper hold, and knocks the guy out to ensure his escape.  He then takes the dead bird with him and goes free.

We are now up to one week ago; “The Road Home”: Aiden has made it to a men’s room, cleans up and shaves off his beard.  He tells the bird it’s time he flies solo and leaves the dead bird behind.   He then hitches a ride on the road to get back to Salem.   The episode now takes us back to the beginning to two hours ago; “The Goodnight Kiss”: Aiden uses a key to get inside Hope’s house, before Rafe and Hope come back from their night.  Finally, we are back at real time; “The Intruder” Part Two:  Aiden tells Hope he is alive.  She freaks out and draws a gun, and gets him to the ground and calls the police for back-up.  She tells them to take him into custody, while he protests.  Hope says, “Aiden Jennings, you’re under arrest for attempted murder.”

It was a great performance by Daniel Cosgrove, and an intriguing way to tell the back-story, whether you like another doppelganger explanation as to how they saved the character of Aiden from being despicable.  Cosgrove is back on Days of our Lives, and so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.  Is this the true Aiden?  What did you think of the Aiden-centric episode?  Share our thoughts in the comment section below!

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Its a good episode but why is everyone kidnapped to tell a story-Bo, Aiden,Ciara, John and Paul-i could go on…just glad to see some Days improvement!!!…Hope as Ramboette is overly vengeful!!!…and the actress who played Summer shouldve played Sarah and paired with Rafe-they look good together!!!

Most annoying is Ciara-why does the actress talk like she is gritting her teeth?

I have been asking for a Ciara recast for months. This ‘actress’ is awful!!!!!

I agree, she is the worst.

I’ll be glad when the episodes with the new writing team begin to roll in. Tired of the dark, sadistic scenes. The repetitive gassing and well preserved “6-months dead” bird was a bit much. And if Andre has been jailed for a few months and Stefano is dead, how is anyone still on their payroll 3 weeks ago? (the guard Aiden fought during his escape).

Daniel Cosgrove did a great job in this episode. I loved how he showed Aiden starting to go crazy but trying to hold onto his sanity. His desperation was palpable. I loved how the chapters unfolded the story.

I can’t imagine what the end goal is here. Hope certainly isn’t going to go back to the father of the man who raped her daughter. Still, I’m very glad to see Daniel back on the air.

as I’ve posted… could …. “any one” buy into… a dream sequence… and just go back…. and bring back Lauren Boles… as the original Ciara Alice

BUT… keep the SORAS Chase as is

you then have a complete… happy Family

Aiden, Hope, Chase, and Lauren Boles… dynamo back in Salem

DAYS needs this family… power

Ken Corday needs to take responsibility for how fast DAYS went dark.

You don’t suppose the writers will go as far as saying Chase was also abducted so when Ciara was raped, it was really by someone she didn’t know and not her stepbrother?

Good heavens I hope not.

@James

I had thought of the same thing… that it was Aiden Doppleanger… who was wearing a “Chase” mask…. but then… it seems like Chase already confessed…

after all this time… it stills smarts

I wanted to suppose…is scenes with father and this SORAS Chase relationship

would have made this close knit family that much more

he’s a good actor that kid

Forgot to add that I hope the return of Aiden can bring a silver lining to Chase’s future somehow. I would also like to see a silver lining for Ciara’s future. I have been bothered by the Chase/Ciara rape storyline. Although Chase definitely needs to serve time for what he did, Andre needs to be brought to task for putting the rape idea into the kid’s head in the first place. It would be nice if the truth could come out and maybe it would help Chase to forgive himself and for Ciara to move forward and accept counseling.

I appreciate Days doing something different, like having these episodes where it is just about 1 story. But this one didn’t quite work – there was way too much time spent on just one person being on screen, and as much as I like Daniel Cosgrove, I got bored and started fast forwarding.

And I guess it doesn’t help that I don’t buy the whole back story. I get why they would switch him out with a double – because ‘Daniel’ had to be around to inherit the money. But once switched out, why the mask? This stranger that looks like Daniel was going to kill her – so what did he care if she saw his face or not? It made sense that the real Daniel wanted to cover his face because he was ashamed of what he was doing – so much so that when Hope pulled his mask off, he was horrified! Anyone remember that scene? Because I do – it was a striking moment in their struggle, and a fake sent there with the sole job of killing Hope, wouldn’t have cared one way or the other.

Oh, and it was kind of funny – I thought for a moment that Days was breaking the fourth wall as Daniel watched an episode of Days of Our Lives showing his wedding (with different camera angles and close ups) and Hope being attacked. I mean, I certainly don’t remember a camera man around trying to get the best shot when Daniel was strangling Hope – do you? But alas, it was just over the top, nonsensical story telling.

I hope they do have Daniel get upset that his son has gone so off track in life while in Hope’s care. When he ‘died’ his son was besties with Ciara and a reasonably well adjusted. He comes back and his son is a rapist of his ‘sister’, is best friends with Andre and has a whole town against him. Wouldn’t you be like, “WTH happened Hope??”

But I will say this, if they are using this sketchy story with plot holes and bad ideas to bring Daniel back, they damn sure better bring Will back. There’s no excuse not to now. Even if the show doesn’t want to write for the character long term, they need to correct their mistake and send him off into the world ALIVE to return another day when they have a writing team that has enough creativity not to be stymied by the whole ‘gay-thing’.

Aiden is the character’s name. You’re interchanging the actor’s real name when you talk about storyline. For a min, I thought you were talking about Dr. Daniel.

And yes, I thought it odd that they had footage of Hope being attacked. I figured “Aiden” had put a nanny cam in the room.

Sorry – I didn’t even realize I had gone from Aiden to Daniel – does this mean I’m losing my mind like Abigail?

loved it!
very rare i d sit thru an hour of just one actor…. but for daniel cosgrove i d sit thru two hrs!
he s the real deal
thank you for the episode and the return!

I can’t even bear to watch days anymore….the ship is sinking, it makes me sad. Bring DC back was really the last straw for me.

I am not sure anyone really applauded the murderous Aiden storyline, and no one I know wanted Mr. Cosgrove written out of Salem. On those points, I am happy for the rewrite. I just tire of all the tropes and tho, not a longtime DOOL viewer, I know the DiMera history and me thinks those Gothic families with nebulous businesses and beyond-reach powers are growing old as story foundations. I will watch with interest and hope this twist and turn is soon straight and we are on our way to new inventive stories and adventures for Aiden and Hope.

I found it a bit contrived and over-wrought, but overall satisfying due to Cosgrove’s commitment to the material and the production values. A good, solid effort.

I found this episode to be ridiculous and a total waste of time. Why do the writers feel the need to rewrite a story that just aired six months ago? Dumb idea when tons of vets are sitting on the back burner and this guy gets a whole episode to himself. Days has lost its way!!!

I did not enjoy it. Reminded me of the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks and his volleyball Wilson.

Why didn’t Aiden’s hair grow? Was the barber visiting every few weeks?

I’d watch him read the phonebook

Days seems to be coming up with anything at all to stay afloat, at least that’s the overall feeling that I sense.
I realize that Soaps come up with plots that borderline on the absurd, but after all it IS a soap –

Daniel Cosgrove’s performance was excellent, but the storyline is pointless. If they wanted to redeem Aiden (a concept I agree with) they needed to go back further in time. As it is, we still end up with an Aiden who considered killing Hope. How can Hope possibly be involved with a guy who tried to kill her? What’s next, the reconciliation and relationship between Ciera and Chase? I liked the characters of Aiden and Chase, but the current storylines have destroyed both. It’s time to cut both loose.

and i’m still wondering… if Roman, Hope, and Rafe… get together and discuss their dirty cop secrets

I like that DAYS has taken the time to rectify… their best “asset” and it’s obvious it’s Kristian Alfonso… they NEED… big time… Daniel Cosgrove… the romance and love story was palpable… you add in Steve and Kayla… and yes, i’ll prop them… Brady and Theresa… are romance

add in Victor and Maggie
Doug and Julie… which is a moot point.. as we rarely see them

DAYS really ruined their opportunity with Vincent Irizarry… tried and true.. BUT he’s FANTASTIC as a doctor… Salem general… with kayla by his side… wow

DAYS really ruined their opportunity with Wally Kurth and Judi Evans
this really bites… talk above LOVE written all over them.

once again… I lay blame… @

Ken Corday went and chopped up with total disregard and respect his parents legacy

just saying… I love Daniel Cosgrove.. and welcome him back… because Hope and Rafe are like bubble gum.

I can’t even venture how…. fans will get over the Chase and Ciera rape… I took a month off.. and need to catch up.. because of Aiden back on screen

DREAM

lets not forget … MORE romance

John and Marlena
Chad and Abs
JJ and Gabi
Will and Sonny… if the rumor mill is true… Chandler Massey

OR… DAYS Paul and Sonny

Days has a lot of magical couples they could cull from

this is better than all the other soaps

OK already… it’s all in the writing

i’m missing Chandler Massey and Kassie DePaiva… to brighten up OUR Days

plain and simple… so much excite could be generated across the board

Lauren Boles as well

I don’t watch Days but am very happy DC is back on. He was great on GL and ATWT playing key family members.

Yeah he was great on Guiding Light as Bill Lewis. Bill and Lizzie were a great couple.

I thought it was good. I was okay with the stand alone episode– the only false note was that poor bird should have been decomposed after six months– DG had a real chance to shine, but now that his character is back, what next? Cannot see how the character can fit into the canvas long term–but I am glad they are redeeming the character, trying to undo some of big mistakes made earlier, but will it be too little too late?

Thought it was Tastefully done I enjoyed the episode

It was an excellent episode!! There are only a handul of actors on Days right now that could handle that type of material and Daniel Cosgrove was magnificent. Days made a huge mistake destroying Aiden for the 50th. The character was becoming established despite the lack of air time and then BOOM, the 50th came and they wanted Bo back for a few weeks to give closure, so what do they do?! Destroy another love interest for Hope that had a growing fanbase. What the writers did was completely absurd. Aiden needs to be redeemed or at least fixed in such a way that he is viable. Daniel Cosgrove is one of the few actors on Days that I find to be mesmerizing and he definitely was on Monday’s episode!!

that episode was an excellent episode ! Quit complaining ! Cosgrove’s acting was amazing . The way the episode was built made it by far one of the best episodes in the history of the soap . if you haven’t watched it go to the nbc website . It is monday’s episode . For all of you disappointed in the show and i am one of them i can say that monday’s episode was a turning point , a very positive turning point and not just because Aiden came back .

I am so glad they brought back Daniel Cosgrove. Now, I hope Aiden and Hope can get back together. There is no chemistry between Hope and Rafe and I hated watching them together.

Well, glad they are bringing Aiden back however convoluted the story line is, but can’t imagine Hope ever going back to him even if he wasn’t the actual murderer he was involved in the original plot. The thing is it took time to build the romance and chemistry between Hope and Aiden, and just when it was starting to gel they broke them up which was a shame. Days seems to do this frequently. I may be the only one, but I actually don’t mind the Hope/Rafe romance, in fact, some of the scenes are really endearing. So now, I can’t imagine how Hope would ever choose Aiden again over a stand up person like Rafe. Please do not do something dark, mean, ugly to break them up. Can’t take that kind of darkness in a soap opera. Other genres are for that.

Hope and Aiden are married. Wonder how that will play out.

This episode was complete rubbish. Daniel Cosgrove is a good actor but this was soap opera at it’s worst. If a new viewer tuned in on Monday they would have turned the show off within 5 minutes. As for the character of Aiden and the rewrite of his story, neither was needed. The character was a two tier character. If you are going to go all out to return someone from the dead, make it a character that is vital to the show. Aiden is not. This is not a slam at Cosgrove but just shabby/lazy writing.

What is shabby/lazy writing is the putting Hope and Rafe together. Those two have the chemistry of a wet dish rag. Rate should be paired with someone else; maybe Nicole again. Bringing Daniel Cosgrove back is one of the best decisions DOOL has made. Now maybe we can witness he great chemistry between Hope and Aiden once again. And while they are at it, please oh please, recast Ciara asap.

Chemistry is in the eye of the beholder and some fans love Rafe and Hope. They have potential. Story wise, Aiden has no long term potential. That is why this is not a great decision. Characters with ties to the canvas should be brought back like Will, Jack, Eric etc..

I found this episode pretty boring. Can’t see Hope falling back in love with Aiden since he was a liar, a gambler, a thief (he took money from her to pay his debt) and in cahoots with the DiMera’s. Hopefully they will let Hope divorce him and move the character into someone else’s orbit. Cosgrove is a good actor so I’m not mad that he is on the show again, but hope his time with Hope is done soon.

well.. if that’s how the show goes… I absolutely “loved” Aiden instant rapport and heat when he met Kayla

YES !

absolutely this is gold

Days Of Our Lives

‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali

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Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.

Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).

Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.

Dante Vitali

Photo: Corday Productions, Inc

When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier).  However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).

Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”

“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”

Photo: Almay

As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.

Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”

In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.

So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals ‘Class of Season 62’

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Days of our Lives

In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.

The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”

Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).

Photo: Days of our Lives

Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).

Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).

The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).

Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.

The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.

So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others

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Chad and Belle

As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.

As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.

So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”

Deidre Hall

Photo: JPI

CHECKMATE?

In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.

The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”

Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.

Philip, Belle and Sydney

Photo: Corday Productions

Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?

In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”

In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”

Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?

So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.

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