‘Days of Our Lives’ (DOOL) spoilers reveal that the show seems to be making some statements lately. Between a couple of plot arcs, the show’s been getting a bit political alongside the outrageous. But are they doing damage to the series? Here’s what you need to know.
‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers: In your face
It seems that ‘Days’ has gotten very in your face with politics in recent months, starting with the Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford) and Haley Chen (Thia Megia) war over her immigration status. Not to mention the very obvious modeling of Jack after someone else in the political realm.
It seemed that things were settling now that Melinda Trask (Laura Kai Chen) managed to pull strings to get Haley back in the US, but then came Lani Price and Eli Grant (Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey). In a recent episode, they confronted Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) over her use of a Martin Luther King speech to express her happiness over the departure of Chloe Lane (Nadia Bjorlin).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVSsXYS9jg
‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers: The problem
There’re several problems here. One is the fact that social media and the news is filled with political talk and arguing, so it’s nice when one can just enjoy a show and not think about it for an hour. By bringing these discussions into the mix, the escapism factor is gone. And let’s face it… soaps are about the over-the-top schemes, romances, and such.
The biggest problem, though, is the way they’re making characters look bad all for the sake of said statement. No one was looking good during Jack’s crusade against Haley, even the characters we were clearly supposed to be rooting for. Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves), in particular, has been so insufferable with her constant confronting of Jack that we’re personally rooting for him to stay clear of her, even after he remembers them.
The most recent example seemed to come out of nowhere, and the condescending tone they used with her weren’t doing them any favors in our eyes. We actually felt bad for Julie in this, as she was clearly devastated by their implication. Her upset over it, as well as racing desperately to catch up with Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus) to make amends for anything offensive she might have said could have helped contribute to that heart attack.
‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers: But wait, there’s more!
Overtly political plots aren’t the only problem in Salem lately. We’re really not feeling this back and forth Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan) has with Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey). It’s really not leaving Eric or Sarah much to do but look worried or upset.
Then there’s the reintroduction of almost every dead person in Salem in recent years. What was Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (William Utay) doing, building an undead army? It’s getting past the point of “so bad it’s good” to “next.”
Finally, we’ve got the crazy deal Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) made, which means she’ll be free to roam Salem and stalk Brady Black (Eric Martsolf). Her obsession to win this guy at all costs has kind of weakened her as a threatening villain.
‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers: Hope ahead?
There are a couple of bright spots. This relationship between Gabi and Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) is full of chemistry and there’s some great one-liners. We also love Anna DiMera’s (Leann Hunley) return, as well as Hope Brady’s (Kristian Alfonso) dealing with Ted Laurent’s (Gilles Marini) death. There’s also the awesome potential in Melinda and Haley rebuilding a relationship as mother and daughter rather than sisters. If Days wants to stay relevant for viewers, they’re going to need to offer a lot more than political messaging and zombie invasions. Let’s hope they start moving in a more interesting direction soon.