Hits and Misses: Do You Agree With Our Picks for Last Week’s High Points… and Lows?

As another whirlwind week of daytime drama comes to a close, the team at Soap.com returns with a fresh and fiery breakdown of the moments that dazzled,

the storylines that stumbled, and the characters who kept fans glued to their screens. From The Bold and the Beautiful to General Hospital,

Days of Our Lives, Beyond the Gates, and The Young and the Restless, viewers were treated to twists that shocked, performances that soared,

and plots that—well—left us scratching our heads. Below, we revisit the biggest highs and lows that drove conversations all week long,

and we invite you to weigh in on whether our verdicts match your own.

GENERAL HOSPITAL HIT: SIDWELL’S VILLAINY LEAVES FANS STUNNED

Some characters enter the canvas quietly, but others burst into the storyline like a lit fuse—and Sidwell, as portrayed by Carlo Rota, did exactly that. What could have easily been a misstep became one of the most unexpectedly compelling performances of the week. Sidwell’s transition into a sharp-tongued, chaos-fuelled villain should not have worked on paper. A man impersonating Jason Morgan while cracking jokes, all while plotting murder? It felt risky, even outrageous.

Yet somehow, through Rota’s total commitment to every smirk and sinister gesture, it became the week’s most electrifying surprise.

The moment Sidwell casually murdered Dalton—right in front of a horrified Britt—stopped viewers cold. It was not merely a shock twist; it was a declaration that this character was a force no one could afford to underestimate. Rota’s blend of dark humor, cold-blooded calculation, and unpredictable energy gave the storyline texture and danger. Fans spent the week torn between laughing, gasping, and peeking through their fingers as Sidwell wreaked havoc.

There’s no denying the risk of burning through such a dynamic villain too quickly, but if Sidwell’s days are numbered, General Hospital at least ensured those days will be unforgettable.

BEYOND THE GATES MISS: HAYLEY’S MURDER PLOT LOSES ITS EDGE

Not all gambles paid off this week. Only weeks ago, Hayley and Randy positioned themselves as master con artists—slick, calculated, and always one step ahead. But in recent episodes, their plan to eliminate Bill devolved into something far less sophisticated. Instead of watching two seasoned scammers execute a dangerous, high-stakes scheme, viewers found themselves wading through a plotline that felt strangely sloppy.

Hayley’s recent behavior in particular has left fans confused. The once-clever manipulator suddenly appears reckless, making flirtations with Izaiah visible to anyone with eyes—including those who know exactly who he is in the family tree. Worse still, her increasingly bizarre interactions with Naomi border on insulting the intelligence of every character involved. Naomi truly believed Hayley knocked a teacup out of her hand due to… germs? It’s a stretch, even for soap logic.

Marquita Goings continues to deliver a magnetic performance as Hayley—every smirk, every calculating glance, every note of false sweetness is a delight to watch. But viewers are hoping the writers remember who Hayley was introduced to be. The character is far too smart, far too layered, and far too deliciously dangerous to be reduced to cheap plotting and careless errors.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES HIT: THE REVERBERATIONS OF SAMI BRADY

Even when she’s not physically on screen, Sami Brady has an uncanny ability to dominate a room—and this week proved no different. The aftermath of her departure produced some of the week’s most charming and nostalgic moments. From the unofficial “ex-husbands’ club” reminiscing about life with Sami, to the lingering mystery surrounding her fiancé, the show brilliantly demonstrated how to keep a character present even in her absence.

It wasn’t just references for nostalgia’s sake, either. The ripple effect of Sami’s choices is poised to shape several future storylines. Meanwhile, the show’s anniversary episodes used history not merely as decoration but as emotional backbone. Gabi’s conversation with Ari about her past with Nick—framed through the anxieties of being a teen mom—offered nuance and heart. And when Rachel discovered she was switched at birth, triggering her memory of shooting EJ, viewers were reminded that consequences on Days always come back around, no matter how much time has passed.

This was Days of Our Lives working at its best: honoring history while planting the seeds of tomorrow’s drama.

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL MISS: THE ABRUPT END OF “LUNA-CY”

For weeks, The Bold and the Beautiful leaned heavily into the saga surrounding Luna, a character whose arc exploded into chaos and heartbreak. Yet as the storyline reached its conclusion, viewers were left reeling—not from the drama itself, but from how startlingly fast it all unraveled.

To its credit, the show did not skimp on production value. Steffy and Finn racing after Luna? Drone shots sweeping across the coastline? Helicopters slicing through the night sky? Half the cast scrambling in frantic pursuit? It was the kind of high-gloss spectacle B&B thrives on.

But then… it just ended.

In the span of one episode, Luna confessed to Will that she had lost the baby, went for a solitary midnight jog on the beach, was struck by a car, and died. A jarring, sudden disappearance of a character whose storyline had been simmering at full boil.

Fans couldn’t help but wonder: Why stop here? The plot had every ingredient for a sprawling murder mystery. Motives. Enemies. Emotional stakes. A sprawling ensemble cast full of suspects. Instead, Luna’s final chapter feels rushed, leaving a lingering sense of squandered potential.

YOUNG & RESTLESS HIT: CAT-AND-MOUSE GAMES IN GENOA CITY

While some shows struggled with pacing, The Young and the Restless delivered a deliciously messy, character-driven highlight. Fans saw the chemistry between Cane and Phyllis building from a mile away, and the eventual hookup hit all the chaotic, combustible notes viewers hoped for.

But the true brilliance of the moment lies not in the romance—but in the strategy behind it.

Both Cane and Phyllis are notorious for their scheming tendencies, so their entanglement was destined to be something more than passion. When Phyllis stole Cane’s AI program, and Cane began to suspect her involvement, a new game ignited—one built on suspicion, one-upmanship, and the thrill of trying to outsmart a worthy opponent.

Their secret alliance-slash-rivalry has all the ingredients for long-term trouble. Manipulation. Hidden agendas. Clever plays. Emotional landmines. And with two characters who thrive on chaos steering this storyline, the road ahead promises to be wild.

THE FINAL TAKEAWAY

From masterful villain turns to baffling plot choices, from character-driven emotional revelations to missed storytelling opportunities, last week’s soaps delivered a full spectrum of highs and lows. The beauty of daytime drama is that every week resets the board. New secrets will surface, new schemes will begin, and new confrontations will alter the landscape once again.

Now it’s your turn: Do you agree with our hits and misses? Or did another moment steal your attention?