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Drake Hogestyn returning to Days
So Drake Hogestyn is returning to Days of Our Lives as John.
Nevermind that he was the fatal victim of a hit and run. Or that we watched scene after scene of him on his death bed. Or that everyone gathered around to say goodbye, first at the hospital and then at his funeral (complete with a through-the-years montage for his character).
Nope. Apparently he’s still alive and kicking.
Granted, I don’t know how it’s going to play out. But this is Days we’re talking about. Of all the soaps, it is the most, er, creative when it comes to rousing people back from their proverbial dirt naps.
You’ve heard the phrase, “No one’s ever really dead on soaps?” Well, I firmly believe that was coined for Days.
How many Salemites have been presumed dead, only to pop up later, looking even more fabulous than the last time we saw them?
Buttloads.
Here’s a short list: Roman, Patch, Marlena, Hope, Jack, Tony/Andre … and, of course, The Phoenix himself, Stefano.
Now we can add John.
And I’m kinda torn.
Although I’m happy for all the John/Drake fans out there, I thought the character’s death was a shot in the arm for the show.
I know people were upset that he was killed off, and I appreciate the respect fans have for this veteran actor and his longtime character.
But it really is OK for someone to die on a TV show. Especially soaps, which live and breathe on drama.
It hurts when a fave disappears from our screens, but I think it makes each show — and the genre, in general — healthier.
That doesn’t mean TPTB don’t make their share of mistakes, deaths that just don’t serve much purpose except for shock value or to trim the show’s expenses (i.e. Georgie on General Hospital or Dixie on All My Children).
But sometimes a character’s death provides story momentum for years, especially if it’s someone beloved, someone the viewers — and fellow characters — really care about. Tammy on Guiding Light, Jenny on All My Children and Stone on General Hospital are all examples.
Although it was sad, I though John’s demise provided great material for the cast, particularly Deidre Hall as Marlena. I’ve loved watching her go toe-to-toe with Stefano.
All that said, I welcome Drake’s return. I have nothing against him or the character. (Roman/John and his Izzy B were one of my favorite Days couples).
I just wish soaps weren’t always so quick to bring characters back from the dead.
Although these demises can be truly heartbreaking, they also can pump new life into a show.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Days of Our Lives
Comments
By Cathy Peters
January 15, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
i’m a fan of you please e-mail me i want your e-mail address please
By snappyblonde58
January 18, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
I love john black he is very sexy and adds class to days.i refused to watch days when he was killed off!if he does not stay on i will watch another soap.JOHN BLACK STAYS ON.IF ANYONE GOES SEND ROMAN.HE TALKS LIKE HE HAS A TURD IN HIS MOUTH HE CANNOT ACT!
By Theodora
January 30, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Snappyblonde, had to say that your comment about Roman left a bad taste in my mouth.
By Sarah Reese
November 29, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I WOULD FOR YA’ALL TO KEEP JOHN&MARLENA ALIVE AND WELL DON’T GET RID OF THE OLDER CAST THANK-YOU THE BLACKS &THE BRADYS ARE THE SHOW FOR ME BEEN WATCHING SINCE ALICE&TOM HAD YOUNG-ENS AT HOME I’M 62BEEN WITH YOU ALL OF 39 YEARS SO PLEASE DON’T WHAT WORKS.