Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI (5)

We got some great character beats and standout performances this week from the folks at Days of Our Lives, but the show also handed us the one tragedy that we were really hoping wouldn’t happen with Chanel and Johnny. Plus, we’re also back to some frustrating pacing issues as stories have all but disappeared for sometimes weeks on end — but there’s always room to turn that around. 

All About Character

Thursday was a fun, standout episode for me — and it didn’t rely on big dramatic reveals, so much as character interactions. First off, I thoroughly enjoyed Stefan’s dressing down of EJ. It was nice to, rather than watch him skulk around and smugly plot, just flat out yell in EJ’s face that he had a day to get Gabi out of prison or his “house of cards” would collapse.

There was a fire to him, instead of the beaten dog I feel like he’s been since Gabi went to prison. And then we finally got a glimpse of Gabi! I’ve already seen folks grumbling and all I can say is just stop and give her a chance.

More: Cherie Jimenez previews the new Gabi

Yes, Camila Banus was in the role for a long time, but actors change on daytime and I’m excited to see what Cherie Jimenez does with the role. From all indications, this time in prison is going to have some lasting effects on Gabi, so this is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the character.

And I loved everything about Xander and Nicole’s talk. So much so, that it makes me sad that we didn’t get to see more of these two before now — despite the fact that Xander owns the paper Nicole works at. Trading barbs about stealing babies before coming to an understanding about each other, their mom issues and their kids was just a wonderful full circle moment. And it was fun!

Plus, did anyone see Brady putting it (almost) all together with Theresa? Anyone? At least someone finally realized that Theresa had her hands on Victor’s suitcase before anyone else!

Broken People

Another standout day was Tuesday and that Leo/Diana confrontation. Greg Rikaart is an excellent actor, and while he does well with the breezy comic stuff, he’s capable of so much more. And we got to see that this week, along with Judith Chapman’s fantastic performance. The show is intent on keeping Leo around, so it’s past time they rounded him out.

More: Diana Colville did the impossible

You can’t change his personality without changing the character, but you can make him more than just a thirsty, quippy gay man. Also, I’m kind of on the fence with Dr. Greene. On the one hand, a healthy love interest would be good for Leo. But on the other, so would just a friend. He’s got none.

And we also got glimpses of Diana’s own internal struggle — it was like she was forcing herself to keep being cruel to Leo — and if she could be rehabilitated away from over the top villain to more what she was in the ‘80s, I think she could be great addition to the canvas.

Bye, Bye Eric?

The show has not let up its drumbeat of teasing exits. Johnny just reassured Chanel that he’s not leaving for California (That was sweet of her to tell him to go, but come one, Chanel, your husband isn’t leaving you after a miscarriage), but now we’re into Eric telling everyone he’s leaving. The only confirmed exit right now, though, has been Steve Burton and Harris. Monday was most definitely, genuinely his last day.

If Eric is exiting, (and spoilers next week make it seem like it’s happening by Friday) I wouldn’t expect it to be for long because there’s no way the paternity reveal would happen without him — or without bringing him back to Salem. Speaking of that reveal… how fast is it going to happen?

I’m trying to glean something from spoilers, but I don’t think Melinda will spill the beans. She may just push EJ into giving her the DA job back, which you’d think would tip Paulina off that something super bizarre is going on between her two DAs. But I guess she’s a bit preoccupied right now…

The thing is, it can’t take too long if Arianne Zucker is exiting in a month. They’ve got to leave time for the fallout to play out onscreen. At least I hope so. Nicole finding the truth out and just leaving town would be a copout. There’s EJ’s betrayal to play out, her and Eric working through their feelings, what’s going to happen to Holly if she’s not in the DiMera mansion anymore. There’s a lot to get through!

Worst Case Scenario

Getting back to Paulina — things turned around fast for her poor family the second Johnny and Chanel lost their baby. That’s a tough one that I’m guessing came down to the strike material giving them a pregnancy that may not have lined up with what the regular writers wanted. I don’t think I was alone in thinking this was too early to give them a baby and settle them into domestic bliss, but still.

On the plus side, this is an opportunity to tell some incredible story. Chanel clutching that stuffed animal was heartbreaking. As Dr. Greene said, as many as a quarter of pregnancies end in a miscarriage — but it’s still rough that it happened to these two.  Now that Days of Our Lives is committed to this story, though, they’ve got to see it through and treat this loss with the care it deserves and not just as a way to extend the rift between Chanel and Paulina. (Though, yeah, that kind of additional drama is expected in daytime.)

Maybe this will prompt Paulina to step down from the mayor’s office and give Abe the chance to take over. Or, if EJ’s being booted again from the DA and he’s out at DiMera, maybe he’ll run again.

Her Goose Is Cook(ed)

So… another double wedding? Is anyone else split on this? On the one hand, it’s the perfect time and place for Theresa to be exposed by Xander’s mom just before she reluctantly says “I do” to Alex. It just screams drama, and if it’s as good as that Gwen/Xander, Craig/Leo disaster, I’m going to be thoroughly entertained.

More: The real reason Sarah’s obsessed with Xander’s mom

On the other hand, we seem to default to double weddings a lot on Days of Our Lives and there’s a reason Sarah was like “Uh, no thanks.” These two couples can’t really stand each other and doubling up the wedding makes no sense. I’d also like to give “Xarah” a gorgeous, real wedding and not just a vehicle for Theresa’s comeuppance.

As for Xander’s mom, I’m not entirely sure if the invitation is going to the right address, but Paul Telfer and Linsey Godfrey made clear that Fiona Cook is going to show up in Salem one way or another. And that has got to be the end of Theresa. Let’s get Gwen back just as Xander and Sarah finally get everything they ever wanted.

Where’s Abigail?

Wait, we got AnnaLynne McCord’s first episode last week for just a few brief moments and the only followup we got this week was Lucas and Chad musing over the footage? Argh, we’re back to pacing frustrations again.

Also, what was the point of Jack’s visit other than overhearing Chad and Julie talk over and over again? Was it just so the returning writers could dump the time capsule on him and wash their hands of it? Or maybe it’s just to kick the can down the road a bit and not have to worry about making excuses. Opening a secret Horton time capsule would be perfect around Doug’s farewell or the show’s 60th anniversary.

Stray Thoughts…

• “And how did that work out?” Nicole demanded of Xander’s baby stealing. “In the long run? Not bad.” Lesson learned, folks!

More: Days alum says goodbye to his onscreen dad

• The look as Eric eyed up Brady and Tate’s fighting while eating his cake was pure comedy gold.
• It’s time for Theresa to ease up on Tate and Holly. She feels more stubborn than protective mom right now, and I can totally get behind Nicole’s angry reaction to her hauling Holly home.
• “Beverett’s” finally back next week, but did we really need a month of him being MIA to wrap up this story?