Johnny’s Reign as the Devil on Days of Our Lives Already Feels Higher Stakes — Plus, Calling Out Clueless Exes and Marlena’s Insensitive Children

January 3 - 7

Friday, January 7th, 2022

Three photo collage of Johnyy, Sami, and Xander. Days of Our Lives

Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI

Days of Our Lives felt very much like a building up of stories week. Aside from Johnny’s possession, nothing inspired a lot of expanded rants or raves, instead, just a series of questions and comments about nearly everyone’s questionable behavior. There definitely seems to be a lot to expound on coming up, but we’ll get to that when those spoilers and rumors come to fruition. In the meantime, let’s get to it…

Breaking News: At long last, Linsey Godfrey’s returning as Sarah, and we’ve got the deets.

Here’s Johnny!

I’m gutted for Chanel who was unceremoniously dumped by Johnny in front of her whole family. However, I am interested in what’s to come with Johnny’s reign as the devil. MarDevil didn’t really force anything to happen that wouldn’t have happened anyway. Ben and Ciara still could have gotten pregnant, and Paulina’s secret was going to come out at some point. Sure Doug had a rough go, but his stint in Bayview didn’t change anything on the canvas. As for Sami getting kidnapped, MarDevil merely planted the suggestion in Lucas’ mind. As I understand it, he’s the one that willingly chose to go full force on it. While it broke up Sami and EJ for now, that’s certainly nothing new.

I could already be forgetting something consequential that MarDevil did, but based on spoilers and rumors, it seems like there could be further-reaching ramifications during JoDevil’s tenure. The chaos and couple swapping that could ensue would not make sense if not for JoDevil’s influence, and it could actually change the trajectory of many storylines — like an actual devil baby via Chanel. Although, it remains unclear when Johnny has and has not been possessed.

Why isn’t anyone realizing that something is wrong with Johnny?

That would make too much sense for a soap opera.#DOOL #Days

— Bonnie (@greenurlifenow) January 7, 2022

Odds and Ends

• Roman might be in love with his “Katie,” but it is not okay for him to keep her secret that Philip is alive. Does he not worry for his loved ones who are “mourning” Philip or for good friend John, whose son was set up for his “murder”?

This might be unpopular, but I think it’s really crappy of Roman to go along with Kate on this. There are folks who care about Philip who are in pain thinking he’s dead. Many times, Roman refused to go along to cover for Sami #days

— 🔥😈Daysfan🔥😈 (@Joeiscool1981) January 3, 2022

Like, the Brady patriarch is going to let half a dozen of his relatives worry for no reason #days

— Sixxers😈🔥 (@sixxers) January 3, 2022

• Eric hightailed it out of town after Marlena’s exorcism and now Sami just left too? Neither of them wanted to help support their mother’s recovery? At least a hovering John’s still worried about her.

• Speaking of, is Lucas really happy with Sami knowing he had to set up EJ to get her? At least Nicole had the self-respect to send EJ packing when he declared she was the one he wanted to be with — after Sami dumped him.

• Rex and Xander had a whole conversation about how Kristen broke up with Johnny while impersonating Kate. Xander then told Abigail that Sarah was like a different person the morning of their wedding, yet… it didn’t occur to him that maybe, just maybe, Kristen did the same thing with Sarah?

More: Chloe’s mom comes bearing surprising news

Xander sits with Rex at the Brady Pub on Days of Our Lives

• Johnny had a deal to distribute his film with a studio? Based on what exactly?

• What was up with Jennifer dredging up such old storylines this week? I honestly forgot about Gwen’s involvement in Laura’s death and Jack and Kate’s affair. Though, I wish the latter had been explored more at the time.

• As much as I love Steve and Kayla spontaneously teaming up, it’s not like she works at the Pub or Sweet Bits. People at the hospital probably really need her. At the very least, shouldn’t she have made calls to ensure her patients and staff were covered?

More: Days’ Chabby, if Marci Miller had her way

Kayla and Steve visit with John and Marlena in the Blacks' living room on Days of Our Lives

• Also, who just casually drops by someone’s house after midnight — New Year’s Eve or not? I don’t know about you, but I would have already been asleep. How were John and Marlena still awake?

• The fact that Rafe was treating Duke’s beheading as a serious crime was hilarious and only makes me root for Ava all the more in this whole mess. But even though the cake to the face was all in Ava’s fantasy, portrayer Tamara Braun had a blast filming those scenes.

That’s all I got this week. As always, these are just my thoughts on the week in Salem. What are yours? Tell us below and then take a look at the gorgeous cast with the updated Days of Our Lives cast portraits below.

Days of Our Lives collage of Lamon Archey, Carson Boatman, Precious Way, Brandon Beemer, Stacy Haiduk

Dan Feuerriegel as EJ DiMera on Days of Our Lives

Bryan Dattilo as Lucas Horton on Days of Our Lives

Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker on Days of Our Lives

Galen Gering as Rafe Hernandez on Days of Our Lives

Tamara Braun as Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives

Robert Scott Wilson as Ben Weston on Days of Our Lives

Camila Banus smirks at the camera, against a stark white background. Days of Our Lives

James Reynolds as Abe Carver on Days of Our Lives

Lauren Koslow as Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives

Lindsay Arnold as Allie Horton on Days of Our Lives

Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux on Days of Our Lives

Cady McClain as Jennifer Horton on Days of Our Lives

Emily O'Brien as Gwen Rizczech on Days of Our Lives

Marci Miller as Abby Deveraux DiMera on Days Of Our Lives

14/37

Despite Marci Miller having swapped in and out of the role of Abigail DiMera with Kate Mansi over the years, the appeal of Days of Our Lives supercouple Chad and Abby endures. That’s thanks in part to the on-screen chemistry Miller shares with Billy Flynn (Chad), who describes their version of “Chabby” as an “<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/588023/days-of-our-lives-interview-billy-flynn-chad-two-abigails/" target="_blank">evolved type of love</a>.”

Stephen Nichols as Steve Johnson on Days of Our Lives

Mary Beth Evans as Kayla Brady on Days of Our Lives

Josh Taylor as Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives

Isabel Durant as Claire Brady on Days of Our Lives

Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams on Days of Our Lives

19/37

Julie Williams has never met a person she didn’t judge. And Susan Seaforth Hayes has never met a scene that she couldn’t perfect, not since she started playing the part when Julie was a rebellious youngster. Days of Our Lives has given the actress not only a successful career but also a husband as <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/569492/days-of-our-lives-actors-real-life-partners/" target="_blank">she’s married to her on-screen partner, Bill Hayes (Doug)</a>.

Bill Hayes as Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives

Lamon Archey sits in a chair on the Brady Pub set. He leans forward, reaching his hands out toward the camera.

Sal Stowers grins on the set of the Brady Pub. Days of Our Lives

Lamon Archey
"Days of our Lives" Set
NBC Studios
Burbank
09/14/21
© XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
310-657-9661

Days of Our Lives' Lindsay Arnold and Lucas Adams stand in each others arms, against a light blue background. The side of her head rests against his cheek, as they smile at the camera.

Lindsay Arnold wears a bathrobe, as she holds a blonde haired Nash Gunderson, wearing pajamas. They both smile at the camera, while on the set of Allie and Nicole's apartment. Days of Our Lives

Raven Bowens smiles, while sitting on the DiMera living room set. She wears a black leather jacket, and dangling gold earrings.

Carson Boatman grins, as he gives a thumbs up from the set of the DiMera mansion. Days of Our Lives

Suzanne Rogers sits on the Kiriakis mansion set. The corners of her eyes crinkle, as she presses her hands to her mouth. Days of Our Lives

Stacy Haiduk smiles on the DiMera mansion set.

A smiling Dan Feuerriegel with a beard and wavy hair. Days of Our Lives

Victoria Konefal and Rob Wilson sit on the Horton House couch, smiling at the camera. She leans into him, with one hand on his knee, and the other covers his hand on her belly. Days of Our Lives

Nadia Bjorlin smiles, while sitting on the Days of Our Lives set.

Martha Madison wears a black leather top, as she sits smiling on the DiMera mansion set. Days of Our Lives

Brandon Beemer smiles, while standing on the DiMera living room set. Stefano's portrait can be seen in the background. Days of Our Lives

Emily O'Brien grins wide, as she sits on a Days of Our Lives set

Billy Flynn leans over the Horton House couch, where Marci Miller sits, with her arms around Autumn Gendron and Cary Christopher. Days of Our Lives

Alison Sweeney and Deidre Hall stand arm in arm on the Brady Pub set. They both wear green aprons. Days of Our Lives

Collage of EJ and Chad squaring off, Marlena flipping channels, Johnny looking into the mirror with yellow eyes, and Eric in his priest collar. Days of Our Lives

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Despite Most of Salem's Best Efforts, the Devil Won't Be Ignored on Days of Our Lives — Plus, What We're Begging the Soap To Do In 2022

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Role Playing, Passion and a Very Busy Devil Won the Week on Days of Our Lives — Now, Where Are Those Missing Characters?

Johnny’s Reign as the Devil on Days of Our Lives Already Feels Higher Stakes — Plus, Calling Out Clueless Exes and Marlena’s Insensitive Children

January 3 - 7

Here’s Johnny!

Odds and Ends

Most Popular

<p>Fans got their wish for EJ DiMera to return when, in 2021, Aussie Dan Feuerriegel filled the massive hole James Scott’s departure left. The actor fit right as he brought the fire to EJ and Samantha’s stormy relationship and added even more dysfunction to the already-messy DiMera family.</p>

<p>Bryan Dattilo has been a mainstay on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> since he was a young twentysomething. Now, as Lucas Horton, he’s helping to usher in new generations as his character’s children maneuver through the trials and tribulations of their own dramas and families.</p>

<p>Ben Weston has come along way from his days as the Necktie Killer. With the help of Dr. Marlena Evans’ therapy, Ciara’s love and portrayer Robert Scott Wilson’s charm, the character has become a bonafide soap-opera hero.</p>

<p>Little Allie Horton is all grown up in the form of Lindsay Arnold. The actress was immediately thrown into the fire with dramatic frontburner storylines, easily cementing her status as a beloved member of both the Brady and Horton families.</p>

<p>Matthew Ashford’s Jack Deveraux started out on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> as nothing short of vile. However, a great love with Jennifer, an unstoppable sense of humor and a couple of children helped turn the character into a lovable goof and (mostly) upstanding citizen.</p>

<p>She had the unenviable task of temporarily taking over a beloved role from a <em>Days of Our Lives</em> veteran. However, soap pro Cady McClain easily took over as Jennifer Horton — and made such an impression, she won a Daytime Emmy for her efforts.</p>

<p>All one has to do is say the name Patch, and even non-soap fans know who you’re referring to. Stephen Nichols has been playing the iconic Steve Johnson for decades, cementing his status as one half of the supercouple “Stayla” in the process.</p>

<p>Lamon Archey’s Eli is one of Salem’s, and the Horton family’s, finest. One of his defining qualities is the love he has for his wife and family. Well, that, and his penchant for taking off his shirt… and towel. Just ask hissister-in-law Chanel.</p>

<p>Eli’s better half, Lani, played by Sal Stowers, has had a rough go of it this past year, what with her babies getting kidnapped and learning her parents aren’t really her parents. Good thing soap operas thrive on angst!</p>

<p>Tripp and Allie have come a long way since the days of her suspecting he was her rapist. But can the couple overcome her crush on BFF Chanel? Whatever happens, the actors sell the heck out of the young lovers’ sweet chemistry.</p>

<p>Tripp might be her boyfriend, but the main man in Allie’s life is her son Henry, played by Nash Gunderson. Clearly, Tripp is no competition for this little guy.</p>

<p>Chanel has had two quickie marriages, and two actresses portray her in less than a year. Since Raven Bowens took over the role, she’s proven she has chemistry with everyone, making it hard to decide who she should be with — BFF Allie or Allie’s twin brother Johnny.</p>

<p>Johnny finally returned to Salem as an adult in 2021 and, with Boatman in the role, he is as devilishly charming as you’d expect EJ DiMera’s son to be. Now, he just needs to literally rid himself of the devil.</p>

<p>Whether playing Kristen DiMera or Susan Banks, Stacy Haiduk has more than exceeded expectations after taking over the iconic roles from Eileen Davidson. Heck, she even crushed it when her predecessor was onscreen at the same time, playing a possessed version of Kristen.</p>

<p>Ben and Ciara finally got their happily ever after — despite the MarDevil’s best efforts. Now, they just need to keep their unborn baby out of JoDevil’s path. If they can, Victoria Konefal and Rob Wilson will soon have a teeny, tiny co-star to work opposite.</p>

<p>If there’s one thing we know about Martha Madison’s Belle, it’s she loves her husband Shawn. If there’s another, it’s that Jan will always be a threat to their happiness. Will 2022 be different for the embattled couple?</p>

<p>The son of supercouple Bo and Hope, Shawn Douglas Brady has a lot to live up to. As did his portrayer, Brandon Beemer who took over the role from the popular Jason Cook. All these years later, Beemer made the role his own. Now, if Shawn can just shake Jan for good one of these days.</p>

<p>The latest addition to the Deveraux family hasn’t exactly ingratiated herself to the entire clan. Especially not to her sister Abigail. But that’s where the fun comes in as Emily O’Brien’s alter ego schemes and plots, all in the name of seeking love and acceptance.</p>

<p>Sami and Marlena rarely see eye to eye, but that doesn’t mean the love isn’t strong between mother and daughter. For decades, Alison Sweeney and Deidre Hall have entertained fans with their often contentious, but loving onscreen relationship.</p>

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