Deconstructing DOOL Weekly Blog

Turning into his mom. (NBC Universal Inc.)

Salem Shenanigans from March 2 – 6:

This isn’t what it looks like!

While JJ and Eve’s affair was momentarily exposed in an explosive moment, Jenn instantly did her best to put the genie back into the bottle. Meanwhile, the pent up frustration continued as the elephant in the room left little room for drama.

Obsession.
Eve must have had a taste of something she likes in JJ because she wouldn’t leave him alone with Roxanne “Back off, Lady!” Trenton for one minute, worried the younger girl would replace her in JJ’s bed. When HRH Jennifer found out Roxanne and JJ were an item she called Roxanne a bad influence on JJ. That’s impressive. Why the hell can’t we keep Roxanne? “Days” often brings in good talent and creates short-term characters we fall in love with only to take them away in a flash. I’m begging the powers that be to get Andriana Manfredi to return for good! Vote to make your thoughts known: Days Poll: Want Roxanne Trenton to return?

Freaking Eeyore.
Mopey Paige didn’t stop at discussing her relationship issues with her mama and friends ad nauseam but she went to her supervisor who just happens to be JJ’s aunt Kayla, about her private life too. This feels like it’s being written less like teen angst and more like an obsession. Like mother like daughter. HRH Jenn (Melissa Reeves) deserves recognition for the best smack heard and felt not just by Eve (Kassie DePaiva) but by millions of “Days” fans around the world. It’s hard to believe Jenn’s head didn’t just explode after seeing her son in bed with enemy number one. Did anyone else find it ridiculous of Jenn to tell JJ that it’s not necessarily over between him and Paige? Gross. Yes it is! Maybe Jenn’s brain stopped working when she saw her son doing Eve. Some things aren’t worth saving! At least it looks like Jenn’s finally in the drivers’ seat where Eve’s concerned though I can’t decide if I like Jennifer as the blackmailing type or if she has bitten off more than she can chew. Somehow this has to backfire.

Whiners unite.
Last week in Deconstructing DOOL I said, “Not everyone cheats when in that situation but everyone makes mistakes of some sort.” And speaking of big mistakes, this week Will reminded us more of Sami by not taking the blame for his own actions. He vowed not to let his husband go either but is there really anything to hang on to if Sonny does still love Paul? Sonny had three or four opportunities this week to clarify that he didn’t marry Will because Paul said no to his proposal and he didn’t deny it. Obviously he still has feelings for Paul and he’s leaving town for a few weeks to sort them out and his issues with his husband.

The thaw.
It was good to finally see Eric thaw where Nicole is concerned even though it’s plot-driven. He’s closer to forgiving her which means she can now stop grovelling and make time to touch up those roots. All that pacing Nic’s been doing in the park, telling herself not to read too much into Eric’s kind words and looking for new ways to get Daniel back can stop anytime.

Shut it!
Theresa and Melanie were both equally annoying arguing at work this week. It's a shame Maxine wasn't there to send these children to their corners for a time-out. Brady might have been worse, reminding Melanie that he 'told her to stay away from Theresa'. It was good to see Mel tell him she's not the little woman. Before she left the room it looked as though Brady was already trying to pull his foot out of his mouth.

Find out if Kate still has feelings for Stefano or Rafe and more in the new Lauren Koslow Interview.

Please feel free to rant or rave in the comments section about this week. Don't be shy! Since this is a short week for me, Matt has luckily agreed to add to the blog Friday! Have a great weekend.

Matt's musings.

It feels like it's been an eternity in coming, but someone finally found out that JJ has been lighting Eve's fire behind closed doors. The explosion was quick. Somehow, judging by the rating plastered on the screen, whatever Jenn was actually seeing was only PG. As her son buckled his pants, Eve tightened her bed sheet condom and claimed that it wasn't what it looked like. That risible chestnut was too much. Jenn leaped into bed and tried to smother her with a pillow. A few slaps and a pillow pummeling were only matched by Jenn's extraordinarily focused verbal attacks. While this was all pretty terrific, it wasn't quite enough to hide the fact that the rest of the week was a bit ho-hum.

Sorry to be a downer dude, as Rory would say, but this week's explosion may not seem like much of a payoff in the long-run. I have the aching suspicion that it will be to simply squish JJ and Paige back together for a protracted emo fest that will only reach consummation in time for his summer shirtless scenes. That seems to be squandering the fruits of the fracas in favor of another story about a couple with a secret that could tear them apart and we've already had plenty of those.

Speaking of which... I have to admit that I continue to enjoy Paul and Will's scenes together far more than either of them with Sonny. Their arguments and flirtations are lively at least. Since Adrienne basically walked in on them bickering about their brief affair, that's bound to throw a little more fuel in the fire. It will also get her acting out even more. She looked nearly ready to slug Justin when he tried talking to her. I'm not wild about how they've written Justin into this new tale of alienated (potential) lovers. But I did enjoy the fact that part of Adrienne's flirting with Lucas involved her wrapping herself up in a sheet. That's like the Salem equivalent of lingerie.

Other highlights... Jordan got a job so she's promptly leaving. There will be a trail of goodbyes first, but I wouldn't expect many tears. Sadly, her exiting seems about as undramatic as her presence has been. She did make a parting shot to Chadsworth about his lack of self-respect that was pretty on the money though.

Best lines of the week:

Maxine: "I know you have two very powerful weapons in your arsenal but they don't work on me."

Adrienne on chimney sweeping: "Dick Van Dyke made it seem a lot more fun than it really is."

Melanie: "I don't get on anyone's nerves."

Eve to Jenn upon being caught in the act with JJ: "It's not what it looks like. You don't even know what's going on here." Jenn: "You weren't helping my son with his science project."

Melanie: "Did the little woman get out of line?"

Nicole: "I have to put a muzzle on that rabid dog Theresa."

Daniel: (to Nicole) "I love these conversations we have where I say absolutely nothing."

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- Christine Fix/Matt Purvis