Most Disappointing Storyline - Kate’s Cancer
This was a highly anticipated storyline, knowing we would finally see Kate having to deal with something as life-threatening and devastating as lung cancer. However, it was hard to feel sorry for Kate at all when she was lying in her hospital bed looking pretty as a picture! I believe the most we ever saw Kate suffer throughout this storyline was during the episode when she coughed up blood in her hospital room. And then she’s miraculously on the road to recovery after a bone marrow transplant? This is another medical storyline which DAYS sugarcoated big time, as anyone afflicted with lung cancer knows it’s no walk in the park! Another reason this storyline highly disappointed me was because Kate’s ex-husband, Roman Brady, was not involved, and it didn’t even appear that he had a clue she was sick. It would've made for a great story in bringing Roman and Kate closer together.
Worst Storyline - Nicole Fakes Her Pregnancy
Four words come to mind: “Been there, done that.” Remember back in 1997 when Kristen Blake miscarried John's baby and wore padding? Can’t the writers think of another way to resolve this, like maybe having Nicole tell E.J. the TRUTH, to see if he will stay with her or not? I was one fan who was really enjoying this couple and saw quite a different, more lighthearted and playful side to E.J. when Nicole entered the picture. However, the writers decided to ruin that with this storyline. This is an insult to E.J.’s intelligence, since the real E.J. is much too smart to have the wool pulled over his eyes. The only good thing that can possibly come out of this storyline is Arianne Zucker hopefully earning an Emmy nod for her powerful, heartwrenching performances. When E.J. finds out the truth, let's just say that “Hell hath no fury like a DiMera scorned.”
Worst Casting Decision - Firing Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall (John and Marlena)
Many DAYS fans, including myself, were outraged (and that’s putting it mildly) upon hearing the devastating and shocking news that two beloved fan favorites were being put to rest. It’s no secret that John and Marlena are one of the most charismatic couples in the history of this show, but they were let go in November 2008 in an effort to “save the show,” as some serious budget cuts had to be made. However, there won’t be much of a show to save if John and Marlena fans are alienated and thus quit watching altogether! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the majority of DAYS fans want John and Marlena.
Worst New Couple - Lucas and Chloe
After Lucas got out of prison in May of this past year, he returned to the DiMera mansion to find his ex-wife in bed with his worst enemy, E.J. DiMera. Although he still loved Sami, he couldn’t forgive her. The next thing we knew, he became fast friends with divorcee Chloe Lane, and it wasn’t long before they had elevator sex even though they barely knew one another! Granted Bryan Dattilo and Nadia Bjorlin are both gorgeous actors, I have seen no chemistry whatsoever with these characters. Besides, Chloe has jumped from one man to the next this past year and has barely had any screen time with the new Brady. Since both characters were unattached, it was as if they were thrown together, or more like forced together. As much as I love Lucas, he has become quite boring with Chloe.
Biggest Waste of Talent - Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans (Steve and Kayla)
This was addressed in my Steve and Kayla commentary the past year and many of us still wonder and ask the same question: Where the heck are Steve and Kayla? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, they are still barely on and in need of their own storyline. Kayla deserves better than dishing out advice to Marlena and having coffee with Stephanie. These two beloved actors can shine in any scene they are in, when given the chance. Remember the January 25, 2008 episode when Stephanie confessed to Steve that she had been raped? The scene was Emmy worthy, and proof that Stephen Nichols can still conquer any decent material he’s given! Addtionally, Stephen and Mary Beth are consistently ranked in Soap Opera Digest week after week as favorite actor, favorite actress, and favorite couple on DAYS.
Most Ruined Character - Dr. Daniel Jonas
Victor brought Daniel to Salem in March 2008 in an effort to save Bo’s life, who had a failing pancreas. Dr. Daniel was a miracle doctor - a surgeon, diagnostician, an internist, and more all rolled into one. It didn't hurt that he was easy on the eyes either. Chelsea developed an instant crush on the doctor, but the relationship quickly fizzled when she found out that Daniel slept with Kate. It wasn’t long until he slept with Kate again by the Kiriakis pool. Now all of a sudden he’s been drooling all over Chloe. Apparently Dr. Dan has a thing for sick patients and looks at Chloe like a lustful 17-year-old. Who is he? What does this doctor want? More importantly, who does he want? With the constant couple swapping that’s happened on this show, I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves on to the next female patient once he's had his thrill with Chloe.
Most Annoying Character - Melanie Layton
I have to agree with Soap Opera Digest on this one. Although it was refreshing to see someone point out how whiny, needy, and pathetic Stephanie was when it came to Max, Melanie has overstayed her welcome in Salem since then. I felt sorry for her when Trent actually tried to pimp her out in order to pay off his gambling debts to Claude, but I just don’t care anymore. With her snarky remarks and obnoxious attitude along with the seemingly forced smile, it’s hard for many of us to care what happens to her. Molly Burnett has proven to be a talented young actress and is clearly able to pull of whatever the writers throw at her, but Melanie needs to be shipped back to Europe and stop taking up so much screentime.
