Tainted Love (and Cupcakes): Days of Our Lives Is About to Go Through Major Shakeups

Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI (5), Peacock screenshot

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Days of Our Lives dropped two mysteries in our laps that may end up having the same answer, but unless the show can tie them to something bigger, the whodunnits could very well end up falling flat. One thing that is clear, though, is that we’re heading towards a major couple reshuffling that’s going to shake up the canvas — at least for now. 

It’s Time

Doug’s death is next week — on Thanksgiving — and that’s when a ton of folks are going to start coming back. Hopefully, at least a couple of them stay and Doug’s farewell lasts a little while. It’s not the most joyful of circumstances, but I’m going to be so happy to get into the emotional connections and family dynamics that’ll come with his farewell. And away from the tainted cupcakes.

Half-Baked

Because we got a whole lot of poisoned baked goods again this week. I may still have a little tainted biscuit PTSD. (And clearly, so does Chanel.) At least the poison, like the biscuits’ drugs, was non-lethal. People just got a little sick, which is kind of silly, but it does point to Hattie because the character’s kind of silly. But we’re back to the “It’s way too obvious” thing. She’s gotta be misdirection.

The same with Leo and Javi. Leo’s convinced his new beau is the new Lady Whistleblower, and I’ve seen more than a few viewers leaning that way, too. But again, it’s too obvious to be true.

A few fans mentioned Gwen being behind Lady W and the poison and I think that’s my favorite theory. Hattie and Javi are just too… Body and Soul. It would be silly on top of silly. Someone like Gwen messing with things for her own purposes outside that soap is a whole lot more appealing to me. But if it’s not her, I genuinely have no idea who’s done this or why, unless it really is the usual suspects.

The Cat’s Out of the Bag

Oh boy, Joy. Why in the world would you tell Alex? I get it, you’re bursting with a secret, but don’t you have friends somewhere you can confide in who don’t know Johnny, Chanel and everyone at Body and Soul?

I can see Alex breaking down and telling Chanel. She’ll separate from Johnny. Stephanie’s spending more time with Philip, so Chanel and Alex will grow closer and hook up. And that will leave Johnny and Joy together as the “pariah” couple, so to speak. Days of Our Lives moves its pairings fast and more and more it’s looking like Body and Soul is being used to shake a whole bunch up at once. And hey, great, fine. Fallout from some scandal reshaping the canvas is soap story 101. But as I’ve said before, sometimes these couples don’t even have time to breathe before they’re swapped out and I don’t see any of those potential pairings lasting.

At least Sarah and Xander seem pretty secure! We’ll see if that holds by the time Gwen comes back, but for now, happy times are here again! Sarah’s walking, so the miracle drug is performing miracles and Xander doesn’t have any more reason to try killing anyone. So that’s good! Since Xander can’t seem to control his murderous tendencies lately, I guess removing the temptations to indulge in them will have to do. Unless he goes for Philip again.

I can actually see that whole couple swapping above ticking off Alex at first if he feels Philip is a threat to him and Stephanie (even if they’re not together). And that could push Alex to ally with Xander to run Philip out of town, putting him at odds with his dad again, since Justin would rather Philip run Titan.

Time and Time Again

I’ve got no problem with Kristen and Brady being pulled back together from time to time. He’s right, they’re toxic — and he definitely deserves something stable and healthy — but that makes them entertaining to watch. But good Lord, Kristen, enough already. We’re just stuck in a perpetual loop of, “I hate you! You can’t see Rachel! Wait, no, let’s be friends, for our daughter’s sake and you’re a good person. Oh, I really like you, is it time to get back together? No, my manipulation didn’t work? I hate you! You can’t see Rachel!”

More: The mistake in not letting Abigail go

And then we start over. The worst part is Brady should be able to see this coming every single time, but somehow he doesn’t. I mentioned Ava and Brady clearly heading towards coupledom last week, but I have a feeling it’ll just be a part of the cycle until John dies and Kristen and Brady bond over the loss.

Kristen needs someone who can match her devious ways to finally break this cycle, I think, but I don’t know who on the canvas would fit the bill.

Stray Thoughts…

• This is how we know the Body and Soul folks aren’t professionals. No one on an actual soap (or any show… or any public figure) would eat baked goods without them coming from someone they actually know and trust.

• I love how Aaron is pretty much going around to everyone he sees and dropping, “At least your brother isn’t in jail for trying to murder someone” on them. It feels like a genuine teen — Yeah, I’m sorry to hear about your problems, but did I tell you how much my life sucks? — response. But also, is he even 18 to legally take care of himself and Felicity?
• And on that note, I guess Aaron and Sophia are next up in the pairing queue.
• JJ’s going to ask Gabi to help with the Cat/Chad fake out and the two are going to end up in danger, which is going to throw them back together as a couple. Mark my words.