The Heartrending Stories Days of Our Lives *Could* Have Told With Tripp — If Only It Had the Guts
Wednesday, June 15th, 2022
As we say goodbye, we’re still trying to figure out what happened here.
While perhaps the most talked-about Days of Our Lives news lately has revolved around Abigail’s tragic demise and Marci Miller’s exit, there was another bit of casting news last week that, rather than leave us devastated, left us scratching our heads. Lucas Adams is, once more, exiting as Tripp.
More: Celebrate Stephen Nichols’ 37 years in Salem
In fact, it looks like he’s saying farewell to his parents today, just weeks after literally being brought back from the dead. What?
Tripp’s gone again, less than two years after his last return, which makes us wonder if we’re starting to see a pattern. The show brings him on, runs out of ideas, then sends him packing again. And if that’s the case, then why keep him alive? Killing off a legacy character is never something to be done lightly — but that’s exactly what makes it so much more impactful.
Just look at the heartbreaking acting we’ve been getting with Abigail’s death.
If Tripp was just going to be written off, why did the show bother keeping him alive? He could have gone out a hero, saving his beloved Allie and really, the world, from Satan. That would have given us the stakes we so craved in the devil saga and set up so much story down the line.
This is one feud we wouldn’t have minded seeing kicked up again.
Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
Allie heartbroken over his sacrifice would have added another wrinkle in her triangle with Chanel and Johnny. Maybe Chanel could have decided she loved Allie more than Johnny, only to find her love was overcome with guilt over Tripp’s sacrifice and couldn’t move on with her… yet. Chanel would go running back to Johnny, creating even further complications down the line when Allie finally managed to overcome her grief and was ready to move on.
And then there’s Ava. With Tripp returned to life, she took the high road and apologized to Kayla for her unfair outburst. But if Tripp had died, that outburst could have turned into seething resentment and a grudge pitting her against the doc. Ava versus Gabi is great and all, but it feels, in some ways, juvenile, as they fight over Jake. But Ava versus Kayla? That would have played on their volatile history as Ava went after her former nemesis, while desperately trying (and failing) to convince Steve to join her in getting vengeance for their son.
But OK, fine, Days of Our Lives decided to keep Tripp alive with a last-minute miracle. Maybe with Abigail on the way out, they didn’t want to overwhelm folks with two legacy deaths (but imagine if the families were hit with this double tragedy). Why get rid of him, then?
Chanel just told Johnny and Allie that she chose herself and they needed to stop fighting over her. And Tripp just let go of Allie… which means he and Chanel could have found their way into bed together after that tease we got of their drunken almost-fling.
The sparks here could have ignited into a four-alarm fire consuming not just Chanel and Tripp, but Allie and Johnny as well.
Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
That would have enraged both the twins and could have led to an all-out brawl. They could have at least gotten some juicy love-quadrangle story out of that before sending Tripp away. Or maybe Tripp could have been left out in the cold and turned angry and resentful. It’s not a stretch. He did once try to kill Kayla, after all. And that oh-so-brief glimpse of evil Tripp when he was possessed reminded us of those darker days.
There was just so much story left to be gotten out of Tripp in virtually every direction except the one they went with. So, excuse us as we scratch our heads while saying goodbye.
More: Is a musical the next Days of Our Lives spinoff?
Here’s hoping that the next time we do see him (outside of his Beyond Salem appearances this summer, that is), the show finally figures out what to do with a character with so much untapped potential.
Be sure to take a look at our ever-updating gallery covering a who’s who of who’s left Days of Our Lives.
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
1/44
<p>That’s right, buddy: Gabi is outta there. Her portrayer told <em>The Wrap</em> that when the soap moved to Peacock, “I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life.”</p>
Image: Peacock screenshot
2/44
<p>We were just as shocked to learn that <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/664569/days-of-our-lives-linsey-godfrey-exit-out-sarah-left-for-chicago/" target="_blank">Linsey Godfrey was truly exiting</a> as Sarah was to learn she was expecting Xander’s baby. But pregnancy or not, she still left for Chicago without a word to her soon-to-be-babydaddy! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
3/44
<p>Here, the actors wear pretty much the same expression that we did upon learning that Jack and Jennifer’s loss of <em>The Spectator</em> meant that we’d be losing them. D’oh!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/44
<p>Here, Chanel wears the same expression that we did when <a href="http://soapoperadigest.com" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> reported that Allie’s portrayer had finished taping as of February 2023. Needless to say, Chanel wears it better than we did.</p>
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
5/44
<p>Why so glum? Maybe because “WilSon” was headed out of Salem again, <a href="http://soapoperadigest.com" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> revealed right before Valentine’s Day. At least Tinker had a new role on <em>Fire Country </em>with which he could keep heating up the screen.</p>
Image: Peacock screenshot
6/44
<p>Only on a soap can a character leave this earth and their portrayer not actually leave the show. But such was the case shortly after New Year when Kayla kicked the bucket.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/44
<p>Why is Rex checking for his own pulse? It should have been Kate that he was worried about, as she, too, left… at least this plane of existence.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
8/44
<p>They say that bad things happen in threes, so we suppose we shouldn’t have been surprised when Marlena followed Kayla and Kate into the afterlife. On the plus side, all her portrayer really <em>left</em> was any and all wardrobe that wasn’t white.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
9/44
<p>Thankfully, Kristen was still alive and kicking. But in early 2023, it appeared that her portrayer’s <em>other</em> character, kooky Susan, had met her maker. Operative word: <em>appeared</em>.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
10/44
<p>It was going to be a blue Christmas for fans of the Emmy winner, who revealed only days before Santa loaded up his sleigh that her second stint as Ava was coming to an end. “Thanks,” she Instagrammed to her followers, “for all the love and support you continue to show me.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
11/44
<p>If only it had just been a slap. As Sami left Salem once more after learning — on her and Lucas’ wedding day, no less! — that she’d been kidnapped by her fiancé, she seemed to indicate that hell would freeze over before she returned. Her portrayer, of course, was more open to the idea of a short-term comeback.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/44
<p>The doctor is out. Recurring as the DiMeras’ go-to mad scientist Rolf since 1997, the veteran actor was replaced in the summer of 2022 by Richard Wharton.</p>
Image: Evans Vestal Ward/Peacock
13/44
<p>Ciara later! <em>Days of Our Lives</em> <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/623232/days-of-our-lives-victoria-konefal-exits-ciara-sails-montreal-ben/" target="_blank">wanted to sign the fan favorite</a> to a contract; she wanted to spread her wings. So at least for a while, she’ll be MIA from Salem’s lot.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
14/44
<p>Though the leading man passed through <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ revolving door as Ben in the summer of 2022, headwriter Ron Carlivati teased that we <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/623234/days-of-our-lives-robert-scott-wilson-exits-ben-ciara-boat-trip/" target="_blank">hadn’t seen the last of the actor</a> in Salem.</p>
Image: NBC
15/44
<p>After six years as Lani, the actress took her leave of Salem in the summer of 2022. And making her exit an even <em>bigger</em> blow to fans was the fact that just as she was exiting, so was…</p>
Image: Peacock
16/44
<p>With the July departure of the <em>Young & Restless</em> vet, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> viewers didn’t just lose Eli and Lani, they also lost — sniffle — “Elani.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/44
<p>In June, the love story of Abigail and Chad was put to bed, so to speak, when her portrayer’s unavailability made her the unfortunate star of a murder mystery. (Here’s <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/633687/days-of-our-lives-marci-miller-leaving-abigail-murdered/" target="_blank">why the show didn’t bring back Kate Mansi</a>.)</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
18/44
<p>Color us… perplexed. <em>Days of Our Lives</em> let Tripp cheat death, only to reveal a few weeks later that it was shipping him out of Salem. (<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/633685/days-of-our-lives-lucas-adams-exits-tripp-leaves-salem-moves-seattle/" target="_blank">Get all the deets here.</a>)</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/44
<p>Ushered into Salem via a dead-end street, the <em>All My Children</em> vet was shown the way out as Lani’s biodad TR… well, pretty much the <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/630630/days-of-our-lives-william-christian-exits-lani-kills-tr/" target="_blank">only way the villainous character could have been</a>.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
20/44
<p>The doctor is out. After Craig’s eyes were pried open about conniving fiancé Leo, Nancy’s heartbroken ex made tracks out of Salem, <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported in April 2022.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
21/44
<p>Although Sami’s kidnapping in August 2021 marked the end of the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> vet’s latest return engagement, her next one was already beginning. As she told<em> Soap Opera Digest</em> at the time, “I have other scenes that I’m doing right now” — our favorite way of turning “goodbye” into “See ya soon!”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI Studios
22/44
<p>Fans were excited to learn that Nicole’s husband would be coming home for their anniversary. Unfortunately, even as Greg Vaughan and his handsome alter ego appeared on screen in mid-July of 2021 came news that Eric was only in town long enough for <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/604550/days-of-our-lives-greg-vaughan-exit-eric-leaves-nicole-again/" target="_blank">his marriage to be blown out of the water</a>. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
23/44
<p>Just when we were getting used to the daytime newbie, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> went and, so to speak, <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/601904/days-of-our-lives-chanel-recast-raven-bowens-replaces-precious-way/" target="_blank">changed the Chanel</a>. In June of 2021, it was revealed that Raven Bowens would be assuming the role of Paulina Price’s daughter from the up-and-comer who’d been cast in MC Lyte’s new sitcom.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
24/44
<p>So much for a happy ending for “Xarah.” On March 16, Sarah Horton’s portrayer confirmed via Twitter that she was leaving behind her character — “and all 86 of her hairstyles.” Glad we saved the receipt on that toaster we’d gotten the couple.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
25/44
<p>Hey, at least maybe we’ll get flashbacks for a few weeks until we find out whodunit. But for all practical purposes, Charlie Dale’s shooting on February 25 brought to an end his well-received portrayer’s run in the role of Ava’s son (bad) and Allie’s rapist (so… much… worse).</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
26/44
<p>Mirror, mirror, in her hand, sorry, we don’t understand… But in February of 2021, the news broke that the Daytime Emmy-winning soap-hopper had reached the end of her stint as Jennifer Horton. Maybe she’ll find her way back to a former <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/587060/all-my-children-primetime-series-pine-valley-in-development-abc/" target="_blank">show of hers that’s being rebooted</a>…</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
27/44
<p>What a way to go. No sooner had Laura Horton returned to Salem in February 2021 with a suitcase full of revelations to unpack than she was sent on a one-way trip to the hereafter. Ah well, we’ll always have The Meadows.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
28/44
<p>If all good things must come to an end, we suppose so must all bat-guano-crazy bad ones. In November 2020, <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported that Heather Lindell had wrapped her return engagement as off-kilter Jan Spears.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
29/44
<p>Jaws dropped in mid-September when <em>Soap Opera Digest</em> reported that the veteran cast member was <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/578184/days-of-our-lives-melissa-reeves-leaving-recast-jennifer-horton/" target="_blank">leaving her long-running role</a> of Jennifer Horton — temporarily, it’s said — and being replaced by daytime MVP Cady McClain (most recently Kelly on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>).</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
30/44
<p>Few things say “Yeah, I won’t be around for all that long” like a character going so far around the bend that she kidnaps a beloved former serial killer and tries to mess with his mind to the point that he’d even <em>consider</em> making himself a widower. Better luck next time, Eve Donovan?</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
31/44
<p>“Oh!” we exclaimed upon hearing that the iconic <em>Santa Barbara</em> alum would be reprising his role of Eduardo Hernandez on <em>Days of Our Lives</em>. But that enthusiastic “Oh!” quickly got downgraded to a bummed-out “Oh” when we realized that the character was only being brought on for long enough to usher off the canvas his children.</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
32/44
<p>In late July, <em>Days of our Lives</em> fans were dealt yet another blow when it came out that Gabi’s portrayer was exiting stage right after a decade of pot-stirring. Thankfully, it was announced before she’d even left that she would be returning so fast, we’d hardly know she’d been gone.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
33/44
<p>Seemingly seconds after Konefal confirmed her exit, this Emmy winner admitted that he, too, was done at <em>Days of our Lives</em>. “It’s with <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/573258/days-of-our-lives-greg-vaughan-goodbye-message-to-fans/" target="_blank">love, laughter and tears of joy</a> I leave you,” wrote the actor, who’d played Eric Brady since 2012.</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
34/44
<p>In late July, Ciara Brady’s portrayer revealed that, although “I would love the opportunity to continue working with my castmates in the future… <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/571461/days-of-our-lives-victoria-konefal-exit-ciara-brady/" target="_blank">I will not be returning</a> as a full-time cast member.” Insert shocked gasps here.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
35/44
<p>In July, after confirming that her 37th year as Hope Williams Brady would be her last, the <em>Days of our Lives</em> legend explained that a request to take four or five months off prompted her to walk. “It was,” she told <em>Entertainment Tonight</em>, “<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/572296/days-of-our-lives-kristian-alfonso-explains-exit/" target="_blank">the perfect moment</a> to make that decision.”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
36/44
<p>Yeah, that was pretty much the same expression we wore when we learned this summer just how brief the fan favorites’ returns as Ivan Marais and his madam, Vivian Alamain, were going to be. At least the villainess’ death was as legit as every other one on <em>Days of Our Lives </em>— in other words, not at all — so we can anticipate a comeback at some point.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
37/44
<p>It wasn’t just actors’ heads that were rolling; execs’ were being cut off, too. Just before Independence Day, we heard that Meng — a part of the Corday Productions family since 1989! — <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/570681/days-of-our-lives-greg-meng-fired/" target="_blank">had been canned</a>. Was it his refusal to use <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/570587/days-of-our-lives-return-production/" target="_blank">blowup dolls</a>?</p>
Image: XJ Johnson/JPI
38/44
<p>In June, just weeks before she became a Daytime Emmy winner, Keegan told <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-olivia-rose-keegan-on-days-comeback1/" target="_blank"><em>Soap Opera Digest</em></a> that her return as Claire Brady comprised “about two and a half months of shows.” She had a good time — “It was a blast” — but that good time wasn’t meant to last.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
39/44
<p>After replacing her replacement, Marci Miller, as Abigail DiMera, Mansi left the show again in May. And if <em>that</em> didn’t make you dizzy in and of itself, get <em>this</em>: The show then tapped Miller to step back in as Abigail. No wonder the character has multiple personalities!</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
40/44
<p><em>Days of our Lives</em>’ Rafe Hernandez since 2008, Gering taped his last episode in February. Only it didn’t turn out to be his last episode at all; he quickly reached a new agreement with the show and went right back to work.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
41/44
<p>In another <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/572974/days-of-our-lives-freddie-smith-interview-wilson-exit-exclusive/" target="_blank">exclusive interview</a> with Soaps.com, Massey’s leading man said that he didn’t like to think that he couldn’t come back someday as Sonny Kiriakis with Will in tow. Rather, “I like to look at it as they’re resting our characters.”</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
42/44
<p>After we found out that the Daytime Emmy winner — who’d previously been recast and “killed off” — had been axed as Will Horton, he told Soaps.com in an <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/567246/days-of-our-lives-chandler-massey-interview/" target="_blank">exclusive interview</a> that he was entertaining the idea of going back to school.</p>
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43/44
<p>Following a seven-year run as JJ Deveraux, the son of supercouple Jack and Jennifer, Moss called it a days — er, <em>day</em> — and left right after leading lady Megia. But at least he got a lovely parting gift: his real-life romance with castmate True O’Brien (ex-Paige).</p>
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