If you caught Wednesdays’s episode of Days of our Lives, you know that Ben’s (Rob Scott Wilson) captor was revealed.  After many theories by fans on social media since Ben and Ciara’s (Victoria Konefal) wedding literally blew up in their faces, with Ben being kidnapped, it all came down to this moment.

Then, in a great entrance; soap veteran Kassie DePaiva made a return to the NBC soap opera as Eve Donovan, the woman behind the kidnapping.

Photo: JPI

It all goes down in a warehouse (somewhere yet to be determined to the audience)  where we see Ben strapped to a chair and man dressed in black coming into the room where he is being held introducing himself as Vincent played by actor Michael Teh.

Vincent tells Ben he blew up his wedding and was paid to do so by his employer.   The henchmen also notes that said employer is also the same person who sent the other wedding gift- that was the one that Ben thought Clyde (James Read) to be behind.

Ben wants to be released but Vincent takes a baton and strikes Ben’s leg as he yelps in pain, and then, lo and behold, from the doorway we hear, “That’s enough Vincent.”

Just then, Eve says she will ‘take it from here’ as Ben watches her in shock.  What will Eve’s next move be?  Has she snapped?  Is this payback for what Ben did for murdering her daughter, Paige?  Is Eve working with someone else for money as well to harm Ben and Ciara?

DePaiva tweeted on her return: “I’m baacckk!@nbcdays watch out Ben!”

Share your thoughts and theories on the return of Kassie DePaiva as Eve Donovan on DAYS; Did you think she was behind the bomb? Let us know  via the comment section below.   

Mark our words! Next year, Days of our Lives Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) will once again be nominated for a Daytime Emmy for this week’s emotional and deeply-touching work on key episodes of the NBC daytime drama series.

As viewers saw, this was to be the happy nuptials of Justin and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans), who found love again after losing the previous loves of their lives.  They were dear friends to begin with, who through a set of horrific circumstances, found comfort with one another which eventually turned to love.

Photo: JPi

Problem was; Justin overheard Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) before the ceremony discussing Steve’s (Stephen Nichols) feelings for Kayla and that he wants her back; something Kayla is unaware of.  So what will he do?  The noble thing and tell her the truth, or keep it to himself and marry her anyway?

As the Intel of what he learned weighed heavier and heavier on Justin, in the most dramatic of moments (when he was to say his “I do’s”), Justin stopped the ceremony and bared all to Kayla: that Steve wants her back and how Steve saw him propose to her and that is why he backed off.  Armed with the knowledge and that her friends and family kept it from her, Kayla does not know what to do.  Justin helps made it easy and clear for her when he questions her … if they would be standing here getting married, if Steve had told her his true feelings before Justin proposed to her?

Justin goes on to say to Kayla that maybe she has been avoiding her true feelings for Steve, because she did not want to hurt him.  Then Justin tells Kayla that he visited his late wife Adrienne’s (Judi Evans) grave, and told her that if things were different, and if she was alive they would still be married, and Kayla would be their dear, dear friend.

Photo: JPI

With seeing the look on Kayla’s eyes, Justin knows she loves Steve.  Heartbroken, but caught in an untenable situation, Justin tells Kayla he is happy for her.  Kayla wraps her arms around Justin as they both cry.  Kayla says she never wanted to hurt him, and when Wally as Justin says, “I know, honey,” it was one of the most honest and ten-hankie moments of the entire scenario.   Justin kisses her, tells the guests there will be no wedding today, and exits the Kiriakis mansion.

The emotional drama continues in the aftermath as Justin is at Kayla’s apartment boxing up all of his belongings and tears up recalling their nights together listening to jazz and cooking dinner.  Sonny (Freddie Smith) finds his dad, and tells him he did the noble thing and that time will heal all wounds, but after Sonny leaves, Justin breaks down a bit further before exiting Kayla’s for good.

And if that was not enough, Justin goes back to Adrienne’s gravesite to update her on the wedding that did not happen.   He talks to her that he understands Kayla and Steve’s deep and enduring love, which was just like theirs was.  Next, Justin thinks he is seeing Adrienne, when none other than Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans) reveals she is back in Salem – talk about kicking a guy when he is down!

Photo: JPI

Throughout this entire saga, moment to moment, Kurth delivered raw, genuine, adult emotions, in a very complex adult story and relationship.   In fact, the cast and crew thought so, too!  When Wally as Justin told Kayla that he can’t marry her and the speech that followed and his exit from the mansion that followed, all those on set applauded for him.  His work was that moving.   Wally was ably assisted throughout by the outstanding work of Mary Beth Evans in these scenes.

2020, while a difficult year for everyone thus far, has been a particular great year for Kurth on Days; as over the last six months he has really had a chance to shine in this story.  So for all of these reasons and more, Michael Fairman TV gives the “Power Performance of the Week” kudos to Wally Kurth.

Did you love Wally’s performance this week on Days? Did you reach for the hankies? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

This week on Days of our Lives saw the first African-American couple to be married on-screen in the 54-year history of Days of our Lives.  Now while Lani (Sal Stowers) and Eli (Lamon Archey) tried before in a previous ceremony, this one did the job … they are now officially husband and wife!

The ceremony was attended by Lani’s dad, Abe Reynolds (James Reynolds), her mother Tamara Price (Marily McCoo), Billy Davis Jr.  as a former FBI mentor to Eli, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) – it was her restaurant after all and she is Eli’s grandmother.  Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) presided over the ceremony.

There were some unwelcome guests at the ceremony as well; leading the bride to question, are we doomed?  Why does this keep happening to us everytime we tried to get hitch!

However, fate was on Lani and Eli’s side this day, as even Gabi (Camila Banus) with her antics, and a shocking arrival from Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), couldn’t rain on this day.  Vivian even tried to shoot the bride, but thanks to Rafe (Galen Gering) saving the day and armed with news that her son Stefan (Brandon Barash) could be alive; he informs Viv firmly that she would be killing someone for the wrong reason, even though Vivian is in disbelief that her son is alive.  Next, she is whisked out of the ceremony.

Lani still feeling rattled by all the wedding interruptus gets a sign she should marry the man she loves; when her mother, who needed to go lie down earlier, as she was feeling faint, was able to show back up just in time to restart the wedding.

During the ceremony, Eli mentions the loss of little David Abraham and the struggles they went through, but how in the end it brought then closer together.  After the rings are exchanged and they are pronounced man and wife, the newlyweds “jump the broom” a wonderful tradition and a symbol of African-American heritage, where the sweeping of the broom signifies sweeping away all the bad energy.  After they sweep the broom, Elani jumps over it.

In a behind-the-scenes of the wedding segment released this week on the DOOL app, Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey talk about the inclusion of the ‘jump the broom’ moment in the episode, and how they suggested the idea to DAYS Co-EP Albert Alaar, and how  it was written into the episode.

So, what did you think of Lani and Eli’s wedding? Did you enjoy it? Let us know via the comment section below, but first check out this wedding photo gallery of the big day!

Eli and Lani make one beautiful married couple!

Eli's mom, Valerie Grant gives her son hugs and kisses.

Eli, Valerie, and guest star Billy Davis Jr. (playing a former mentor to Eli) shows up as Val's date and they strike a pose.

Tossing the bouquet to her groom is Lani Price, now Grant!

Picture perfect!

Tamara Price (guest star Marilyn McCoo) came back to Salem to watch her daughter be married again; this time for real!

Eli and Lani can be as fun-loving as they are serious peace keepers in Salem.

A proud moment for Abe, walking his daughter down the aisle at Julie's Place.

"Jump the Broom" - the beautiful tradition put into the ceremony at the request of Lamon and Sal themselves.

It's honeymoon time for the newlyweds! With baby on the way ... can they share some blissful downtime?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios