Two Scoops 2024 Year-End Awards for Days of our Lives

It’s been quite the year for Days of our Lives, and moreso, for the fans. It was annus horribilis due to the loss of some beloved actors and their characters, and yet having the return of many other legacy characters to Salem at just the right moment gave viewers a nostalgic hug we needed.

As for storylines, some would argue that 2024 was a low point with lots of head-scratching moments, characters, arcs, and direction. But there’s still plenty to champion and hope for in 2025, so let’s get started on the best, the worst, and the what-they-could-still-do moments of the year:

What happened on Days our our Lives in 2024

BEST LEAVING US WANTING MORE: Everett/Bobby

This creative storyline was cut short by Connie poisoning and killing Bobby and, therefore, Everett. If there was ever a time for Dr. Rolf’s miraculous death reversals, this was it. Not only did fans want more, but some even hoped the Bobby/Everett story could have somehow led to him also being fan-fave Nick Fallon.

BEST RETURN: Steve Olson

Steve was the least seen, if at all, for most, but having Stephen Schnetzer on our screens made us all kinds of nostalgic and trying to think of plotlines to get him to stay. Ok, so most of us were getting another dose of Cass Winthrop and not Steve Olson, but bring us that actor we love in 2025 and let the storyline be worthy!

BEST DIVORCE: Belle and Shawn

Sure, they’ve got history, but with all that backstory, the potential is just gone. Shawn’s inability to smile is beyond overdone, and Belle coming back was a fresh start that most of us were happy about. But it’s time for bigger and better things. Let’s not waste her potential here repeating the same ol’ hum drum Shelle yawnfest.

MOST POTENTIAL: Jabi

JJ and Gabi apart are equally annoying and underused in a non-annoying way. But Mr. and Mrs. Smith teamed up as gunslingers against Clyde, and somehow, throughout the ridiculousness, they warmed me over.

MOST RANDOM STORYTELLER: Leo

This will be a controversial pick, and yes, I know that Leo should be the character that annoys me the most, but sometimes, when he starts rambling, I kinda wish I was listening to him go on a little longer and hear all his tales.

MOST UNNECESSARY: Poisoned donuts

Starting with “everyone should have known better than to eat the mystery box of treats” to nothing major coming from it…what was the point?

WORST NEVERENDING STORY: Abigail

I love Jenn, I love Melissa Reeves even more as Jenn, and I’m sorry they lost Abigail, so I feel bad saying this, but…they talk about her every episode, and it’s enough now.

BEST SLAPS: Ava & Kristen

While some have been more deserving, though a little outdated and unnecessary (use your words, people!), if we’re going to have slaps, they may as well be memorable. From Johnny to Sophia, the cheeks were stinging, but Ava and Kristen’s showdown in the Square was solid entertainment.

WORST MOTHER: Fiona

Although the pairing of Brady and Fiona was an odd choice with no chemistry, the storylines of Xander’s paternity and the hit-and-run gave us Fiona for a while, who was fun to have around while it lasted, and I wish she’d come back.

MOST TRAGIC: Horton House Fire

While everyone got out okay, and there were some surprising items that didn’t get scorched, watching history go up in flames was a punch in the gut. Knowing that the ornaments somehow survived the heat and flames was nothing less than miraculous.

BEST NEW CHARACTERS: Sophia & Aaron

Sophia’s likable scheming and Aaron’s goofy reliability were exactly what the teen drama club needed to be rounded off into something entertaining and interesting. And they’re not even just one-offs from school, they have family members and other connections. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more of them in a more major way in 2025.

WORST SUDDEN ENDING: Catharina

So, all that time and energy to find and save Cat, and they get her, she inconveniently shoots Clyde at the wrong moment, and now they’ve all gone to Canada? Why isn’t she in a jail cell in Salem so EJ can find a reason to visit, harass, blackmail, threaten, and eventually fall in love with her?

MOST HEARTBREAKING: John Black

When we found out about the passing of Drake Hogestyn, it was in the midst of Doug’s funeral arrangements, and everyone was starting to feel apprehensively nostalgic, realizing all the memories they had over the decades. We waited all year from losing Bill Hayes to tributing Doug, and knowing we must do it again is a heavy load for many long-time viewers. On top of that, when Drake died, we found out that his last show had already aired. Now, we just wait until Marlena finds out and have to watch her worry every day.

MOST AWE-INSPIRING: Susan Seaforth Hayes

Knowing that her real-life husband had died and reliving every moment as Julie, from finding out Doug died to burying him, was a lot. But on top of that, Julie’s eulogy was in part from the real-life one she read at Bill Hayes’ funeral. There wasn’t anything about her resilient performance that wasn’t astounding to witness, and as fans and viewers, it made us proud to know her.

MOST DANGEROUS: Xander Kiriakis

Could someone hide this guy’s gun? He’s always wanting to resolve every emotion by killing or hurting someone, and the way he’s got that gun always at the ready spells trouble. Not just for Victoria getting her hands on it at home, but with him and Phillip sharing an office, you know it’s going to have a permanent place in the boardroom.

WORST MIRACLE: Sarah walks

Sigh. Sarah was the one handling her paralysis the best for months, but a dose of miracle serum, and she’s up and at ‘em. There are too many “almosts” that it’s hard to care — Paulina’s cancer, Roman’s Christmas Eve ‘heart attack,’ poisoned donuts. Not that we want a bad outcome, but everything is a build up then a “psych!”

BEST AT HIDING HER AGE: Ava Vitali

Ava’s been a little too involved in the teenage drama lately, but strangely enough, Sophia didn’t go to her about her pregnancy. But if she can get past Rachel’s interference, then a Brady/Ava pairing could be a good way to start the year. Brava!

MOST GROWING PAINS: Holly

Holly spent most of the year full of fire and ice, but since she found out that Tate had slept with Sophia, she’s been acting like she’s got to please her man. What happened to the girl with all the demands? She might have been rude, but at least she had spunk.

BIGGEST MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Eric killing Holly’s father revealed

When Holly inadvertently found out that Eric was behind the wheel when her dad was killed, that could have been a much bigger storyline. Instead, it was just some pleading and a conversation done off-screen with Nicole. Clearly, they wanted to tie up the loose ends and not bring Ari back on screen, which was another missed opportunity to appease fans on several levels.

WHO WE DON’T WANT TO SEE IN 2025: Hattie, Harris, and Clyde

Harris made us ask what the point of him was when he arrived, and unfortunately, we were wondering the same thing when he left.. I can’t be the only one who thinks the Hattie character is overdone, pointless, and wrecks Body & Soul from being tolerable. And Clyde being in a coma means he’s open for a return. Let’s take a year off from that — or more.

WHO WE DO WANT TO SEE IN 2025: The Greene Family

Bring back Cat, but do not pair her with Chad, please. Aaron needs to be in Salem, with or without his family. As for Catharina, I wasn’t overwhelmed, but if it’s gotta be a package deal, then we’ll do what we gotta do to have her son.

And that’s a wrap on Days of our Lives for 2024! What do you think, who did we miss, and do you have any particular hopes or predictions for 2025 storylines? Let us know in the comments!

We hope you’re enjoying your holidays and wish you a Happy New Year!