5-17-04
I won't go into much detail here, but I've got an idea.  Actually, to be honest, it was my husband's idea.  He's convinced that Marlena's comment, "everyone will die", is true.  What if everyone in Salem does die?  He actually came up with this idea several months ago.  He and I were convinced that no one was really dead, or if they were, that ultimately everyone would die to join the others on the other side.  Then it can be called Days of Our After Lives.   Okay, lame joke, but since I have no clue what on earth these writers are up to, it makes sense to me!  :)

2-29-04
Salem Stalker Storyline
Many of you have emailed me over the past several weeks asking how I feel about the current storyline and Marlena being the Salem Stalker.  Well, I am here to say that I am loving this story!  I'm thrilled to see Marlena finally in a "controversial" role and I think Deidre Hall is the perfect actor for the job.  I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and can not wait to see the outcome.  However, I am saddened by the deaths of so many "old timers" and it's a shame that Days thinks by killing off people, it will get ratings.  I still miss Maggie, and I think her death has been the most disturbing to date.  But I'm watching every day, clinging to Marlena's scenes hoping for a little insight into what's happening.

Now, having cleared that up, I want to share some of my thoughts with you about where I think this story is going, or perhaps where I'd like to see it go.  First of all, it would not surprise me at all if we soon learn that John is ultimately behind these killings.  The Valentine's show when Shawn accused Marlena and he, Belle, and John were outside Tuscany, John looked guilty to me.  He acted very surprised to me, but what he is surprised about is what has me baffled.  Either he is just as shocked at the possibility that Marlena is the killer as everyone else would be, or John is surprised that it's her who has become his "hit man".  He just seemed too suspicious to me during that episode.  Back during Nov-Dec, when the show was trying to make John look guilty (Sami accusing him, Roman investigating him, etc.) I never bought it.  In fact, the more the show tried to make him look guilty, the more they made Marlena look guilty.  Now that they've stopped playing the "John is guilty" game, he is finally looking guilty to me.

Here's something else for you to ponder.  What if Marlena knows John is behind this?  What if they are actually working together?  I've thought for a while now that Marlena is pushing John away either a) for show, to confuse everybody since they are working together, or b) because she is trying to protect him.  Protect him from what?  I don't know.  It could be for protection from her, or protection from what she is hiding.  It has been apparent to me for some time now that Abe died for one reason.  He found out something.  And that something is very detrimental to Marlena and/or possibly John.  I'm thinking that maybe she, or John, is really in fact a Dimera.  John could be a Dimera by blood, as could Marlena, although it's possible that she could also be a Dimera by marriage (by John - thus making him a Dimera, or by Stefano).  

Another option for the big reveal could be that Marlena is really evil and has been all along.  Maybe she was sent to Salem all those years ago by Stefano to start a life, a family, make friends, and get in good with all the residents of Salem, thus gaining their trust.  Only, Abe found this out this truth and she had to off him before her cover was blown.  ***SPOILER WARNING***  In my story, Almost Isn't Enough, Marlena is working for the ISA.  Perhaps she is working for the ISA on the show just as John is.  And perhaps it's the ISA who has turned her into a killing machine.  Whatever the secret is that Marlena is trying to protect, it has got to be huge.  Why else would she kill one of her best friends in cold blood?

At this point, it really could turn out to be anything.  I'd be interested in your take on this as well.  Feel free to email me with any thoughts or ideas.

4-27-03
John's Tattoo To Be Removed????
If anyone with power and/or authority at Days of Our Lives or NBC reads this, please take this to heart....

I really hope that I am not the only one who hates this idea (HATE - hence the red lettering).  If I am, then I'll gladly take my position as the outcast.  I do not understand how Days can destroy the character of John Black in one very final moment and then expect fans to actually like the idea.  Like I said, I really hope I'm not alone in hating this!  It seems this is the final nail in the proverbial coffin.  If Days wants to get rid of the Dimera's, then so be it.  They will still be a huge part of the history of Days of Our Lives.  Nothing will change that in the minds of the viewers - not even a rewrite.  But I am feeling really cheated by them removing John's tattoo... a solid link to his connection to Stefano Dimera.  A solid characteristic trait of John Black.  Who is this man without Stefano?  Sure, John and Marlena have their own lives to lead without those pesky Dimeras getting involved, and have built a life for themselves through their own troublesome history, but Stefano was so bad he was cool.  Or at least he once was.  Before the show decided to make him a civilized Salem resident and he became the wuss he was when he "died".  What happened to the good ole days?  When Stefano tortured the lives of John and Marlena thus making their love grow even stronger.  An ironic moment nonetheless.  That is something that I'm sure Stefano kicked himself over every day before his "death".  So, again, who is this man, John Black without his ties to Stefano?  Well... I can only assume that the banishing of John's phoenix tattoo is the end of the John and Marlena we know and love.  After all, they were brought together because of Stefano, and if Days does away with him for good, along with him John and Marlena may follow.  Because I don't believe in the show enough to have faith that they can write a story for these two characters that builds a history outside of Stefano.  If they can, I'll gladly eat crow.

I am hanging on to Days because of these two characters.  When they're gone, I will be, too.  And I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will one day wake up and Days will have hired good writers who love J/M like I do, and that the show (particularly J/M's storyline) will be good again.  Funny, I cherish my older Days tape collection more and more with each passing episode...

4-7-03
Marlena the ISA Agent -- A Days (non) Original Idea???
I have been reading the boards lately and I must say, I am loving what I'm seeing.  Marlena in the ISA?  Sounds great to me!  I think it'd be awesome to see Marlena in a strong, kick ass position.  Although at this moment, it is all speculation, but I'd love to see that happen.  Of course that idea is definitely not an original.  You can read Almost Isn't Enough to see that;-)  (But I don't want to spoil anything... you'll have to read it for yourself!!!)  If the writers do actually rise up and take a chance on such a drastic change and make Marlena ISA, I commend them.  And is it safe to assume the writers are reading our fanfiction, too?  And who knows?  There may be other fanfics out there with the same notion.  As far as the show goes, if they have been reading Almost, I for one say "Go with it!  I love the idea of Marlena being an ISA agent!"

3-31-03
Did You Let Someone Push Your Buttons Today?

Controversy...  Ah, how I love a good controversy.  And the current state of Days is as good as it has been in a long while.  Wow.  I am amazed at the amount of talk Days has stirred lately.  Good for them.  Because as I've always said, 'Publicity is publicity'.  Doesn't matter if it's good, or bad, publicity brings attention.  And controversy sells.  Well, unless you are the Dixie Chicks, poor things.  But we all know that country radio doesn't deal well with controversy like the rock and Hollywood worlds do.  Eminem bashes gays and lesbians and we buy more of his cds.  I love it!  Who is the smart one there?  It's not the curious idiot who's filling Em's pockets even though said idiot hates the musical genius.  However, the Chicks have a right to say whatever they want to say, although they could have at least said it on their own home turf.  But alas, that is my two cents worth on that topic.  I still like their music, though.  In fact, I think I like it even more, ha.  Although, I can honestly say that I'm not upset that my local radio station doesn't play them on the hour every hour anymore.  Geez.

Enough about the Dixie Chicks and Eminem.  This controversy is all about Days of Our Lives.  The boards are so flooded with 'I hate Marlena now' and 'oh my God! what have they done to John and Marlena now?' that I just had to write something.  And anyone who knows me knows that I like to push people's buttons.  Because it's just so damn easy, ha ha.  You have to admit, Days is still doing one thing right.  And in fact, they've been doing it since last summer when the Gemini Twins story started.  They've gotten our attention.  Sure, there are tons of fans all over the internet who are fed up with the current storyline and the supposed deterioration of characters, but we are all entitled to our opinions.  And everyone's got one these days.  The sad thing is it really amazes me how few fans can accept other fans' opposing views during a controversy.

However, it is a fan's duty to write to the studio and tell them how you feel.  How else will they know if they are doing something you like?  Because I gotta tell ya.  If you're still watching, you're not hurting them.  I'm reminded of a part in one of my favorite movies from my dvd collection.  Private Parts.  Ya know, the one about Howard Stern's climb to the top of the radio world.  Anyway, in this one segmet, the two NBC dudes are reviewing a survey on Howard's listeners.  This one guy stated that a Howard Stern fan listened an average of an hour and twenty minutes.  The reason?  Because the fan wants to hear what Howard will say next.  Whereas a non-fan listened an average of two and a half hours.  The reason?  Because the non-fan wants to hear what Howard will say next.  My point?  That even though a fan currently "hates" Days, that fan is still interested if he's taking the time to bitch about his favorite soap!  Days has gotten your attention.  They have done so by pushing your buttons.  I for one am happy someone has taken the time and energy it requires to stir up a good controversy.  :)

And for the record... I'm pissed that those high paid writers (well, they probably make more than me) can't come up with a better story for John and Marlena than the one I'm watching now.  I don't like the fact that John *continues* to lie to his wife about anything in general, not just the ISA thing.  It seems it's in his nature now to just lie to Marlena whenever it suits him best.  And although I am enjoying Deidre play a pissed off Marlena, I do wish Days would give these two a more intelligent storyline that showcases John and Marlena's love and commitment to each other.  There.

Later.

2-10-03
There is much speculation going on around the boards about what the outcome will be with this "Who are Cassie and Rex's parents?" story.  I have my own ideas that I will share.  For starters, unless Days writers want to negate what they previously wrote thus throwing all credibility out the window (which is very little anyway), the twins are *not* Dimeras.  Rolf said it himself a while back.  Assuming the writers haven't decided to rewrite history, I believe that is correct.  I do not believe that the twins are Dimeras.  I think Marlena was pregnant when her plane appeared to go down in 1987 and she was carrying John's baby.  I also think that she and John may not have had twins, but that Stefano, after learning she was already pregnant, inseminated her with either his or Tony's sperm to produce another baby.  I think that John is the father of at least one of the twins (it's probably Rex more so than Cassie based on their individual actions and personalities - especially toward John).  

Now, it could be assumed that Stefano wanted to give Tony the appearance of a family.  Regardless of whose sperm actually helped create Rex and Cassie, Stefano could have made Marlena "give up" the children's parentage.  In today's show, she said she felt grief.  The audience is to assume that grief is from her giving up her children to (possibly) Stefano.  He could have then signed them over to his son Tony to raise by somehow fixing an adoption.  Perhaps this is what Marlena is starting to remember.  That for some unknown reason, whether intentional, or a trick, she gave up her children for adoption.  And that is why Tony is deemed "the father".  The adopted father, not the biological father.  So, if John is the biological father, John, Marlena, and Tony get to battle out child care.  Woo-Hoo!  Okay, so it's not the greatest idea.  (I didn't write this crap!)  But it makes since to me.  Ken Corday says "things are not as they seem," well, maybe we are supposed to believe that Tony is the biological father, when in fact he is their adoptive father.  Just another way for Stefano to play God with their lives.

With that said, I'm still hoping for a Marlena/Stefano and Marlena/John parentage, although I'll be happy if we get a Marlena/Tony parentage as long as Marlena/John are the parents for one of the twins.  If this story is paterned after the Gemini Twins mythology, then there would have to be two separate fathers.  One good, one bad.  And as much as I am enjoying Tony (yes, I'm one who will proudly admit I'm a Tony fan), he is just not evil material.  Only Stefano can wear that crown, albeit the Stefano from Maison Blanche era.  Not the sissified one of late.  I hope they bring back Stefano.  Evil Stefano.

12-2-02
I just want to say that while I'm still loving the current storyline involving John and Marlena, (I loved Friday's episode!  And the orange sweater that Marlena wore, lol) we are in desperate need of a John/Marlena scrump!  Can anyone tell me when was the last time these two did it?  Because I honestly don't remember.  Geez... there was a time back in 1993 when they couldn't keep their hands off of one another:)  So when was the last time?  Was it after the meteor shower?  Not sure since Marlena was still in her night gown and then later asleep while John stared at that infamous blue key.  Was it the afternoon on the couch when Marlena called John to rush home to fix her "problem"?  Again, not sure because the way the scene was shot, neither of them were ever out of their clothes.  Are we to assume they quickly got dressed?  Um, hello, writers... usually, when a director wants to convey that two people have just made love, one of them is covered up by a sheet, blanket, etc.  The last scene that I can recall where I know for a fact (by editing of course) that these two scrumped was their wedding in Vegas.  In March!  So... in honor of ending the John/Marlena scrump dry spell, SOON, I have written a little vignette for our enjoyment.

11-21-02  Gemini Ramblings...
Okay you know how the writers said that they would lead us in one direction, and then by sweeps, it would go in another direction?  And it could have been that they were leading us to believe that Cassie and Rex are Marlena's children.  They may still be, but I think something has shifted.  Remember what Tony said on the show about the two twins bringing a balance between light and dark?  So, they're about to reveal that Tony and John are half brothers.  So who are their parents?  That's the big question.  Well, who knows what they'll do, but if they follow the myth, then they should share the same mother, but have separate fathers.  And the quotes in the mags are saying that one brother has taken on Stefano's qualities, whereas the other has not.  Hmmmm... it could be that they share Stefano as the father, but I'm not so sure.  I think they're trying to test whether or not John could be Stefano's and then sorta rewrite history and have Tony not be Stefano's biological son.  Didn't Daphne Dimera supposedly lie about Tony's paternity and it was revealed later in the history of the show that Stefano is his father afterall?  But what if that is not true?  Maybe she just said that for some reason?  And the writers want us to think that one brother is good (John) because he has not taken on the qualities of Stefano (possibly the father) and one brother is bad (Tony) because he has.  Make sense?  Hope so:)  I'm thinking the whole Gemini twins thing was just to set the stage for the Tony/John story.  And the fact that two brothers will be fighting over the same woman.  It makes sense now that we know the island J/M are on is in the shape of the Gemini Constellation.  Hmmm... possibly where the two brothers were conceived?  Or where someone was conceived?  Who knows.  Just rambling here...

10-18-02
Okay, either Marlena is one moody and/or wishy-washy chick, or the writers really are completely clueless.  I'm beginning to lean more toward the latter.  The last time we saw Marlena she had tears in her eyes and was upset with John because he "let" the Tony be remanded custody of the twins.  Like I said, either Marlena is really moody, or we were shafted yet again because these inconsistent writers forgot a little thing called continuity.  Because the very next episode with Marlena (today) she's laughing and joking around with John while on the phone with Sami and Eric.  Is it me, or did we miss a really great emotional fight scene, and an even more emotional and terrific "make up" scrump scene?

10-9-02  More on the Gemini Twins and Marlena
I have come to a conclusion that I'd like to share with you.  I could be waaaay off base here because we all know that Days has its own ideas and agendas for how this "Gemini Twins" storyline will pan out.  But I was thinking about it the other day and came up with something that *could* happen.  Tony and John were talking about a week ago and Tony was telling John about something interesting he had found about "the Gemini Twins".  The *real* Gemini twins.  The twins that are in Greek and Roman Mythology.  Anyways, here is what I know from my little knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology.  Castor and Pollux were born to Leda, Queen of Sparta.  Zeus is Pollux's father, thus making Pollux immortal.  And Castor's father is Leda's husband, the king Tyndarus of Sparta, thus making Castor mortal.  Leda was impregnated by both men on the same night.  The "twins" were the best of friends, yet also highly competitive with each other.  Long story short, when the twins died, Pollux begged his father to bring Castor up to the Heavens from Hades so that he could share his immortality with his brother.  Pollux was willing to give up his own immortality to be wtih his brother if Zeus wouldn't bring Castor to the heavens.  Zeus was impressed with his son's love for his brother so much that he made his wish come true.  Zeus brought up Castor from Hades and put them both into the heavens, thus giving us the "Gemini constellation". 

a)  When Marlena met the twins, it was very noticeable to me that she instantly had a connection of some sort to them both.  She even wrote a letter to John while working with the twins stating that the twins are her destiny. 

b)  When John first met the twins he was more in tune to Rex. 

c)  When Tony first met the twins he was more in tune to Cassie. 

Cassie is much more eager to go live with Tony than Rex is.  Rex is more understanding to Marlena's wishes that they not go with Tony.  Rex readily accepts that Marlena says Tony is not a friend, whereas Cassie only sees him as a way out and is intrigued with him.  Rex is slightly more reserved, yet eager to have his freedom at the same time.  It is *very* obvious that Cassie doesn't like John.  She understands that he doesn't want them and she doesn't mind throwing that fact back in his face.  See, Marlena wanted to take custody, but John in Marlena's own words said that he "laid down the law" and his final answer was no.  Which pisses her off because he thinks he can just do that and it also breaks her heart because she cares so much for those twins.  My guess is, she just doesn't know why she cares but will find out because it was her mother's instinct.  My theory is that these are Marlena's kids, either by her carrying them and doesn't remember that, or they were produced by Stefano's scientists from her eggs (and this idea supports the genetic engineering fact on the show.  Then again, he could have taken her eggs, genetically engineered the twins, and then put them back in her for her to carry.)  So, they're Marlena's kids and Rex is John's son, and Cassie is either Stefano's or Tony's daughter.  The balance between light and dark, good and evil.  Whew!   :)  So what do you think?  Of course my idea is probably way better than what we'll actually get given Days' track record of the past few years, LOL.

Anyway, this is only my OPINION, so please don't send me hate mail just because you don't like the current storyline, or don't agree with me.  I personally am loving that Marlena/Deidre might actually get a storyline of her own instead of being John's doormat.  I'm so sick of hearing about John's past, and Hope's past.  What about Marlena's missing years?  At this point, I'll take what I can get just to see my favorite character and the only reason I watch this show get a chance to have her own storyline.  I must add though, that the new dynamic of Sami and Kate teaming up is brilliant from a storytelling standpoint and even that has me a little intrigued.  I just hope the writers can really do something with these two.  It's about time these writers start mixing things up.  That's why I don't mind it if Marlena starts spending a lot of time at the Dimera Mansion with Tony.  JMO ;-)

9-18-02
Does anyone else out there feel a little cheated right about now?  I mean, come on!  This story has got me waiting for the next episode practically on the edge of my seat (something I haven't done in years) and we find out tomorrow that Marlena's been helping Cassie and Rex OFF SCREEN!!!!  Ugh!  I want to see her helping them.  Hello!  That was something that I was looking forward to.  I loved it when she got her way when she wanted to be in charge of Cassie and Rex's care.  I was so looking forward to seeing the interaction between these three.  They had been building to that, and then bam!  Nothing!  I for one really hope that we get some interaction with Marlena and the Gemini Twins with her helping them learn to speak and regain their memory.  Then again, maybe this is where the writers are trying to throw us off track.  Maybe these twins aren't Marlena's at all.  It was just a theory anyway.  So much for the 'connection' looks that they gave each other. 

9-6-02
Ramblings...

I really hope someone out there is  writing a fanfic or even a short story about Marlena and Tony.  I would do it, but I'm drawing a blank here, lol.  Perhaps it is because I'm enjoying what is playing out on my screen, therefore have no inspiration.  I usually only write fanfic when I don't like what is playing out on the actual show.

Okay, after watching today's show (Friday, Sept 6, 2002) I am waiting on John to realize that his wife a) has a photographic memory, and b) has extraordinary mathematical skills.  In case you have forgotten, or fast forwarded (is that a word?) through it, Agent Spector says that Cassie has a "photographic memory" and Rex has "extraordinary mathematical skills".  Seeings how Marlena is a doctor, it would not be unusual if she were to solve some impossible algebraic equation that Belle brings home from her college Physics class (or some other class), and Marlena looks to me like she'd have a good memory.  Thus, this would definitely tie her to the twins, i.e. Stefano gave them her genes.  Oh and let's not forget Tony.  Maybe it's him who has the photographic memory????  Ahhhh... only time will tell.  Until then, I will be enjoying for the first time in a loooong time what is playing out on my screen.  I'm still hoping in the long run that these twins turn out to be Marlena and John's.  

8-14-02

My thoughts on the current Days situation--

Don't ask me why, but I feel compelled to add my two cents worth into the mix.  From reading various boards, it is obvious that the new writers have done what some of the past ones could not.  And that is get us fans talking.  Which is a welcome change.  There are finally discussions going on that have people guessing how the story with the blue key and John, Marlena, Tony, and those alien freaks will play out.  That's good.  We used to just sit around and bitch about Jope.  That story is still the absolute worst soap story I think I've ever witnessed.  (Well, okay, not counting bringing back Josh Taylor as Roman.)  And I'm one of the ones who has stuck it out, so you can imagine that I'm freakin ecstatic over the possibility of a 'Marlena and another man' pairing!  

Which brings me to my point.  I personally like Marlena with Tony.  I think it's about damn time that they consider her with another man, instead of John with yet another ho, er woman.  Besides, Deidre is too good an actress to be forever stuck with stick in the mud, er John.  I haven't much cared for John since he began lying to Marlena back in early 2000 after he remembered subrape.  His character, in my eyes, has been destroyed and it will take a miracle to restore it.  But I'm still a true John and Marlena fan through and through, but maybe, just maybe a little time off could do us all (John, Marlena, and us fans) some good.  Besides, they could eventually find their way back to one another.  With the history of her being with another man (for whatever reason) it might add another dimension to John and Marlena's relationship.  Oh and I won't even get started on Marlena having a Dimera child!  I love it!  But only if it is Stefano's.  I like that idea better than her having one with Tony, but I could get used to it.  I've always wanted either John to discover that he is Stefano's son, or for Marlena to have a child with Stefano.  

And I hate the idea of Tony really being Stefano.  I don't even like the idea of him having his brain, memories, and feelings.  I want Tony to be Tony, and I want Stefano to eventually return to Days as Stefano... for his Queen of the Night.  Ok, maybe not the part about his Queen, but still.  John and Marlena need a break.  They can still love each other, after all, the ultimate story would be a John and Marlena love story.  Woo-Hoo!  I just want to see her with another man and in a loving relationship with someone else for a change.  That way, John can have jealousy running out of his ears for a change, and see him pining away for Marlena.  (She can be with anyone except Roman, that is.  Oh and for the record, please don't let John turn out to be the real Roman Brady.  John is who he is because he is John.  That would totally suck otherwise.)  One last comment, if the writers were smart, they could give all of this to us, and then let it turn out that Marlena is not herself anymore and John must get her back.  And once he does, they are even more in love than before.  Yes, I'm enjoying The Exchange Variation a little too much, hehehe.

All in all, I'm hoping for this to turn out to be a love story between the "real" John and Marlena.  But I can't help my slight fascination with a Marlena/Tony paring.  To me, they have alot of chemistry together and I hope that if they do not become an item, let them at least have many scenes together in a wonderful love story between her and John.

...Just my humble opinion...