There's a famous "Pollyanna" scene from the series Knots Landing. In it, Gary Ewing accuses his friend Karen MacKenzie of being an unabashed optimist, despite the dreadful things that have happened to them recently. Karen goes into a passionate speech about life's unfairnesses, emphasizing near the end, "That's not the way it's supposed to be."
While she ultimately admits, "I liked being a Pollyanna. I want to be a Pollyanna," there's a solemness in her tone, especially as she softly utters one last, barely audible, "That's what I want."
Viewers were quick to realize that Karen's rose-colored glasses were shattered. It would get better for Karen, but that "better" certainly looked different. It would never be as rosy as before. Arianne Zucker and Greg Vaughan's exits made me feel like that about DAYS.
I'm going to be honest, friends. I've written and rewritten these paragraphs about a million times. I wanted to say something uplifting. To say, "Stay strong!" or "Never say never...maybe they'll be back!" I wanted to be classy. Be a light. Be a champion for Ari and Greg's return and wish them nothing but love and prosperity. That's what I wanted.
While I will always wish them love and prosperity, I'm one sad and steamed Two Scooper, and I need this question answered: How does being brave enough to stand up against a sexist, ageist, piece of ... -- sorry -- alleged sexist, ageist, piece of ... lead to so much misery? Except for some fictional characters who got to start anew together in Paris, who is happy right now with how this was handled?
I've read heartbroken posts from Ari. She's not happy. I've read the heartbroken post from Greg. He's not happy. It doesn't seem like their coworkers are happy, either. Fans certainly aren't happy. So, I repeat the question: How does being brave enough to stand up against a sexist, ageist, piece of ... lead to so much misery?
I'll forever champion Ari and others who have been (and I'll use the word again) brave enough to stand up against abusers who have caused them so much pain. There's not even an ounce of fairness that Ari was let go from a job she wasn't ready to leave because she spoke out against something that executives would have rather stayed buried. Sorry if words like "abuse" make you feel icky, people in power positions, but imagine how those victims feel. That's right. That would be compassion, and let's not let that get in the way of the bottom line. My bad.
What happened to Ari and now Greg, who lost his job, too, is unfair. It sickens me, really. That's two brilliant actors -- two amazing human beings -- removed from a job they loved and by all indications didn't want to leave, because she was brave enough to come forward with allegations. As Karen MacKenzie said, "That's not the way it's supposed to be."
During Nicole and Eric's bon voyage party, there was an underlying sadness to the actors' performances that was hard to miss. While Salemites were supposed to be well-wishing their loved ones, it was easy to tell that real-life hearts were broken. Deidre Hall seemed especially choked up, and I was there crying along with her. It was difficult to say goodbye under the circumstances.
We should be celebrating Ari's strength as she continues to shine in a role she loves. We should be gushing over Greg's continued amazingness, too. We should be cheering on the show as they take steps to ensure this type of situation won't happen again. We should be encouraging that sexist, ageist, piece of -- flawed human to seek therapy and make amends for what he has done. Instead of those things, we're saying goodbye to friends. And that -- and I'm sorry for the use of less than eloquent wording -- simply sucks.
LOOSE ENDS:
And oh, Last Week -- "giver of joy" -- also took away our Blake Berris. Connie struck again. She laced Bobby's latte.
Though Bobby-Everett has a better chance of coming back since they died. Those Salem odds and all. So, I shouldn't fling myself too far down the grief pit just yet.
Plus, we're still unsure if Bob-E is dead. Perhaps Jada and Stephanie faked it to get him to a secure location so that he could recover and then name the perp. I'm hoping that's it. I'd hate to lose Blake's talents for that underwhelming storyline twist.
I'm also underwhelmed by seasoned schemers such as Kristen, Ava, and Gabi (even Melinda) for not instantly calling Connie on her oh-so-subtle onslaught of, as Roman would say, "Whud 'da hell!?" There was talk. There was side-eye cast. There was plenty of exasperation. Still, none of them decided that maybe this kook who's now spontaneously ingrained in our lives might be a bit of a Shady Sally. It's maddening and sad. I guess that fits the theme of last week.
My wish is that Gabi gives Connie a letter to mail. Those postal runs in Salem are notoriously tricky. She might end up Don Craiged. Though I suspect getting rid of her isn't going to be that easy.
On a positive note, I loved Jada and Stephanie working together. I hope we see more of them teaming up. Perhaps Steph should listen a little more to Leo, however. He kind of nailed the entire Bobby thingy.
Okay. If I wasn't sure-sure last week that Gabi was onto Stefan and Ava, I'm even surer of it now. Maybe I am putting too much faith in Gabs, a faith that was rocked a bit by her hiring of Kooky Connie, but I'm hoping we're just another press conference away from Gabi blowing another DiMera brother out of the water. They love passionately, but they also fight that way, too, and it's rather entertaining.
I feel like we need to see a group therapy session at DiMera Enterprises. Marlena has time to conduct it now that she's down one patient, but I digress. Ava and Melinda had the "we hate each other but will keep it professional from (and everybody sing it) nine to five" conversation last week. If it sounded familiar, you're not wrong. Let's gather this "Gal Power!" gang into the conference room and hash it out. Be better than the boys' clubs, ladies. This is a new era, so let go of the past. "Generation next," and all.
I know who was behind door number one -- Ms. Adams! Hello again, Hattie. And we were just talking about you in a recent Two Scoops column.
This time, Hattie's back and wants to be a big star. She landed a part on Body & Soul. So did Johnny. Well. Behind the scenes, directing, but I digress again because...
This is about Hattie and how horrible she is as an actress. I'm not sure this part of the storyline is doing any favors for the soap community. Or is it mocking how outsiders make fun of "how bad" the acting is or how easy it is just to find a body to fill a role. I'm not sure, but we won't have to worry long. I'm sure Connie will murder the cast and crew of B&S soon enough because Li liked that zombie soap, Nights of our Deaths, on the rival network better.
As for door number two, I have a feeling I know who Chad and Jack discovered! It's probably the real Connie tied to a chair, and we've been watching the antics of her evil twin. Because we need more Connie. Either that or Emily O'Brien in a strawberry blonde wig, back as Cassie Brady this time.
Or maybe they found Gwen! There was a lot of both jibber and jabber about her last week. Did Dimitri steal her money and leave her to rot in Clyde's hidey hole? I could buy that Pa Weston and Dirty D spoke in prison at some point and came to a deal.
Though I could also see Dimitri being locked up. I'm still a bit hesitant to believe he wrote that letter to Leo. I wouldn't put it past Gwennie to forge it. A heartbreak for a heartbreak and all. Did she get her hubby out of the way to make Leo pay? Hmm.
Speaking of "out of the way," John is missing! We know he went to Greece because he got a mysterious wedding invitation, and he sang "Our Last Summer" on a boat in the Mediterranean. Wait. That wasn't John. He was moping around Aria and got abducted at Catharina's gravesite. And that's a mystery!
Is anyone else suspecting "dead" Titus of this John-napping? When names come up too often, I often get the impression that they'll return. Though probably not. My hope is that it's Megan Thee DiMera! She's in the wind and would certainly have reason to torture John. She's Stefano's daughter. There. Reason enough. She had a compound in that part of the world, too. And she's been known to be a wee bit abduction happy.
I love that Paul is around to help solve this caper! A Paul, Patch Man, and Andrew team-up will be wonderful. I'd say Brady could help, but he's too busy limping around Salem.
Arianne Zucker. Greg Vaughan. You will be forever "HOT." Your talents are immeasurable, as is the joy you've brought to fans throughout the years. I'll forever thank you for making so many wonderfully gripping and entertaining memories and doing so with so much grace and love for your craft. Your talents are inspiring.
My heart is broken having to say goodbye, but my respect, support, and adoration will stay strong. While I hope that our paths cross again in Salem under healthier, happier circumstances, I wish you both the best of luck in every endeavor going forward. May rosier days be ahead for you both!
We sort of replaced "Konnie" with "Connie." This is, how do you say, not good. DAYS needs to dive back into baddies with a deeper connection to Salem. The "weirdo of the week" stuff can be amusing for a beat or two -- or even a stuffed cat, but I feel like a dead horse is being unnecessarily beaten now. The jokes are kind of over. Bring back Megan! Let's get Andre to rival his enemies one last time. Peter Blake, anyone!? Ah. Well. At least this "Connie" doesn't have an accent or wig. There's that.
"Try to keep the murders to a minimum." Bobby to Connie.
Truer words were never spoken, Bobs.
One of my favorite people on the planet is from Missouri, and they are loving that Chad and Jack are there! I love this for them and hope they can all meet for coffee once Abigail is found. Though they should probably avoid places with elevators, for Jack's sake.
Wait! Could Peter Blake have Abby!? That would be a crime against a fellow DiMera, but a big revenge against Jack and Jennifer. Again, I say, "Hmm!"
I seconded Marlena when she told Paul, "We miss you so much."
Marlena's "On a personal note" also got me. I may have misted up. "Love and peace" indeed, Doc.
Chanel's chic dress was on point, but I'm a little concerned about her understanding of birth control.
I loved that Abe was there for Nicole and that he and Paulina would help look after Holly, too.
I would have to think Kate would give Stephanie's outfit two thumbs-up if they ran into each other. Sweetness Junior needs to do some PR for the new Gabi Chic. Gabi Chicier?
I wonder how Tori Narita is doing!? If Paul and Andrew get married, I hope we see her again.
I love Steve and Kayla's yellow rose tradition.
Fiona's robe was fab!
I'm truly happy that Nicole and Eric got a happy ending with Jude. That makes three happy characters. Or two and a blanket, depending on the day. Nevertheless, their departure still hurts.
I wonder if Chad would financially back me so I can produce Ericole in Paris?
Hattie mentioned spending time at a convent. DAYS has a thing for nuns. Or maybe it's just Ron. Either way, until some sisters start belting out "Hail Holy Queen" like Whoopi and the gang, color me bored with the joke.
I need to know if the CEO office at DiMera Enterprises has a solarium attached to it. From the establishing shot, the building is a high-rise downtown. Out the CEO's window, greenery galore. I need answers.
So, friends and fellow fans, that's it for August 5. Laurisa will be back next week and ready to solve some mysteries along with Paul, Andrew, Patch, Jada, and Stephanie! In the meantime, I'm going to the Java Café to have an unlaced latte and a Rollerblade down memory lane. As always, thank you for reading, and "That's a fact."
What are your thoughts on Days of our Lives? What did you think of this week's Two Scoops? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.
