Days Of Our Lives
Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers Bring the Heartache and Heartbreak to DAYS’ Elani Wedding
Monday’s episode of Days of our Lives showcased the nuptials of now long-suffering duo, Eli (Lamon Archey) and Lani (Sal Stowers). In true soap opera fashion things didn’t look good for the couple to get hitched in the first place, especially with Gabi’s (Camila Banus) threats that she would literally blow Julie’s (Susan Seasforth Hayes) heart out of her chest, if Lani did not bust up with Eli at the altar.
As Marlena (Deidre Hall) is officiating the ceremony, things took a dark turn when she asked if anyone in attendance could show just cause why the couple should not be wed in holy matrimony. Everyone is silent as Gabi, who is an attending the nuptials, is quite happy with herself broadcasting the wedding from her phone to Julie who is in the hospital. Next, an emotional Lani tells Gabi how sorry she is for shooting Stefan. Lani says she hopes Gabi can set aside their differences for the sake of Julie and Eli. Gabi tells her she thought she made herself clear. It appears that Lani decides she is moving forward with the vows, after standing up for herself and ignoring Gabi’s threat after tackling Gabi WWE Smackdown style. Next, Gabi informs to everyone she just pressed the button on the app on her phone and Eli’s grandmother’s heart exploded. But hold the phone! In that moment, there is a twist. We go back to Lani at the altar who snaps out of this blackmail nightmare she just played out in her head. That didn’t really happen, but the audience sees her thinking process through it, which leads Lani in the present to break off the wedding to her beloved Eli.
At the altar, Lani tells Eli through her tears she cannot do this. Eli is stunned and confused. The bride tells him he doesn’t deserve this. Next, Lani turns towards Gabi, and then tells Eli she is sorry and then runs out of the ceremony. Gabi mutters that her “work is done here” which seems to be overheard by Will (Chandler Massey).
What follows is absolutely devastating scene in the park as Eli has followed Lani there. Through her tears, and knowing that the only way she can break things off with Eli is to hurt him deeply, Lani tells him at first that she doesn’t deserve to be happy with a husband, because she shot and killed Gabi’s. However, Eli won’t accept that, and that is when she has to muster everything inside her to break Eli’s heart in pieces. She tells the man she loves that she doesn’t love him anymore. Lani says that she thought that after baby David’s death and all they went through to be together it would all fall back into place for them, but for her, it didn’t.
Lani says her decision is made. With tears streaming down his face, Eli cries, “So you’re leaving me? That’s it?” Lani confirms it is, and that she is sorry and then runs off. Cue none other than Gabi to find a gut-punched Eli on the park bench, who she hugs! Looks like there’s a part two to Gabi’s heinous plan ahead.
The performances by Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers in this episode were top-notch – their work was and even though it was under the most outrageous of circumstances, you felt the love, the heartbreak and heartache of a couple torn apart, when they love each other so much.
So, what did you think of Lamon and Sal’s performances? What did you think of the final moments of the episode when Lani has to dump Eli for good? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Dumb. The actors must be outraged given this dialogue.
These serials need to stop the sci fi stuff and be soaps again
I agree with you. And Gabi needs to be severely punished for what she has done ASAP
Agreed. GH has a DUMB memory mapping storyline STILL going on-it’s unwatchable.
This is so ridiculous. Lani & Eli are cops. Two cops couldn’t overpower a crazy woman and knock a cell phone out of her hands?
Not to mention the whole idea of a wi-fi pacemaker is ridiculous. ReRon claims he was inspired by the real life circumstances of Darth Cheney, but Cheney had an actual defibrillator installed in his chest, and that did require a wi-fi connection, and presented security concerns, since Cheney went out of his way to create enemies. Pacemakers don’t have that capability, nor would there be any reason to network one of them.
Maybe they’ll take further inspiration from the Cheney story and take Stefan’s heart out of Julie’s chest entirely, and replace it with a mechanical pump.
In either case, I’m assuming this idiocy will be wrapped up this week one way or another, since they couldn’t possibly have this sort of medical terrorism dragging on for the entire “missing year” that’s going to disappear sometime during Friday’s episode.
Hallelujah! Lani has MORE than enough to arrest Gabi and lock her up for life!! She has a confession that Gabi has intent to murder Julie, she has her for blackmailing an officer of the law, she witnessed Gabi rev up that heart device which could have killed Julie…that is attempted murder. She could arrest her for criminal networking with the bionic company, and for possession of a deadly weapon. If Gabi was waving a gun around instead of the cell phone, that would be the only difference. Ron C has done a lot of stupid things in his writing, but he has completrly jumped the shark here and there is no coming back from that. There Lani sat…broken and crumpled on the ground…instead of crying and pushing Eli away….did she ever think “Hey…we are both cops! Lets go, knock that phone out of her hands, and arrest her and throw away the key!”. When a fantasy (of Lani knocking Gabi down) makes more sense than what actually happens, that is just BAD writing!!Ron’s writing is completely predictable, because characters aleays react exactly how you think they will. The surprise, “never been done in daytime” would have been if Lani did go through with the wedding! Gabi is an awful character now. She is disturbing and unpleasant to watch. She should have her daughter taken away from her once and for all. She drugged one Horton while she was pregnant. She is threatening to murder an elderly Horton. Her daughter is a Horton!!!!! We have enough one-note female psychos on this show….Gina, Eve, Kristen, Vivian etc. Gabi has paid NO consequences for any of her crimes. If the Hortons forgive her after this that is just too much. She is clearly a sociopath. She is far worse than Nick Fallon. He tried to rape her, she killed him. She drugs and terrorizes pregnant women…basically raping them of their mind and soul. She gleefully threatens to murder an elderly woman while plotting misery and heartache against friends and family of loved ones. There is nothing even remotely entertaining or redeemable about Gabi. End this….because if its still going on after the time jump that qualifies for worst story ever!!!
Time to give Gabi the consequences of her actions. First, have Rafe and everyone else know what she has done. Second, have Will so angry and disgusted by what Gabi has done that he gets permanent sole physical and legal custody of their daughter. And Gabi is allowed no access to the child
And for Hell’s sake, can we PLEASE get rid of that show wrecking abomination fraudulently calling itself “Eve” already.
I know the OLTL fans love her, but she was nothing but air hogging poison on GH, and has ruined every episode of Days she ever appeared in. She had better be a permanent casualty of the “time jump”. Or better yet, replaced by the REAL Eve Donovan.
That “show wrecking abomination” Kassie DePaiva is one the best actors that has ever been on Daytime. Every time Kassie is on screen she gives a Master’s Class in Acting.
Satan, I agree with you. I know many do like her, but I am not one. Hopefully , she’ll be gone after the time jump. There’s nothing in Salem anymore for her, except to rejoice over Jennifer’s mishap. I for one will not be watching. In all the years of watching soaps, I have never stopped watching one just because I didn’t like the SLs, but this is beyond stupid and unbelievable. I FF through so much that I might as well not bother. Also I am not looking forward to the return of the two boringest people,Chad and Abby.
what is with all the hate show is a lot of fun and great escapism
DAYS is so good, it’s pissing people off. If it wasn’t, they wouldn’t care to comment.
so true
Are you serious?
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.
Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.
Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).
According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord). Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.
Photo: JPI
ANDREW AND PAUL
Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.
Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).
In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.
Photo: JAnchondoIG
Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of December of 2025.
Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”
So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Reflects on Dante’s Guilt for the ‘Atrocity’ That Happened to Michael Which Kept Everyone From Telling Him the Truth About Rocco (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 day agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
Beyond the Gates4 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
-
Days Of Our Lives1 day agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Michael Puts Willow On Notice After Tracy Is Arrested
