While Drake Hogestyn (John) couldn't wait to start sharing scenes with Joseph Mascolo's Stefano upon returning to Days of Our Lives, Deidre Hall had an entirely different reaction to Marlena and Stefano's onscreen reconnection.
"I was concerned about that relationship, because it ended up being so cartoonish so many times, like the birdcage and all that stuff," recounts Hall. "It was silly."
Hall and Mascolo certainly have endured their share of cockamamy storylines over the years; from the aforementioned "birdcage," where Stefano kept Marlena imprisoned in the caverns beneath Paris hoping to make her queen to his king, to Stefano leading Marlena on hypnotic trips in the middle of the night, which resulted in her being possessed by the devil.
Who could blame Hall for not being eager to go down that road again? Well, fortunately, so far, she hasn't had to. Hall and Mascolo have already had a series of scenes together, and she heartily approves of them.
"Now, it's a little more realistic, a little more grownup," says Hall of the Marlena/Stefano relationship. "What the [writers are] doing right now is reestablishing the characters to the audience in black and white; who they are and what their viewpoints are. It's very solid. That's easier for me to deal with than what we used to do."
And, no doubt, it's going to be lot more enjoyable for viewers to watch, too.
Photo Courtesy: Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown
Comments
I wasn’t around when the whole birdcage storyline was going on so it seems like I didn’t miss much.
Me too, Kari.
I watched Days in the late 70s-early 80s, and just started watching it again a few months ago! But after a week, I was back on track as soaps are easy to follow, even after decades of not watching.
I can’t remember why I stopped; most likely because of too many silly storylines (that’s what usually makes me stop watching for a while). Then I got busy doing other things in life, but I don’t know, one day I was just looking for a TV show that goes on like real day-to-day life…So started looking up old TV show favorites…and well, now I’m back watching it religiously every day!
Well, I was around and never liked their storylines at all.
I even have to wait and see if bringing the characters of Marlena and John back to Days will add anything.
I haven’t missed them one single day since they left.. and, I go back to Roman being played by Wayne Nothrop and the present Roman playing a Days character named Chris Kosicheck! Do Days present writers even know this fact?
I just wish when Days gets new “PTB” and writers that they took the time to research the characters.
No one seems to remember that Stefano should be dead a long time ago.
Whatever, Marlena being possessed was grade A television!!! I’m super excited about their return though
I am so glad that Days is bringing back some of the original actors. I really missed them and their storylines. Marlena, John Black, Shawn D. and Belle have been sorely missed. And, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t let Sammi die. She has just grown tremendously with the show. Replacing her or killing her off would just be awful!!!!! And I didn’t realize that Days was flagging until I saw it online. I guess because I enjoy Days so much, I kind of expected everyone else to like it too. Stay with us “Days”!!!!!!!!
Yeah I happy that this soap is bring backsome wonderful people. 25 year I have grown up with the story and love it. Welcome back. Now Day will be put back on the map Hope Jack doe snot act so weird as he did in the 80’s and 90’s, He needs a new love intreast. Leave old thing alown. Marlana and jack back HOT couple… go get em best of love luck a prayer to the cast that is leaving.. Hope to see then again soon… Go days..
Been watching Days since 1965 while in highschool, and can’t stay to miss an episode. Love the flashbacks of early days. Wish there was a site to go back and check out old story lines, and who is who’s relative or marriage partner. Love seeing Marlena and John back, and don’t ever get rid of Bo and Hope, they are the Alice and Tom of today.
I loved most of the “Queen Of The Night” episodes save for the demonic possession. That was way out there in unbelievability. I loved Marlena caged and Stefano being so dominant and watching her shower. It was a purely hedonistic S&M fantasy. Lovely.
Love Days have watched from Day one. I am so glad to see John and Marlena Back. Really missed them. I named my daughter after Amanda on Days. She now watches with me.Hope it stays on for ever.