On Monday, June 2, the Peacock streaming soap opera Days of Our Lives aired the emotional conclusion to the John Black (Drake Hogestyn) storyline, as the beloved character tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion during a mission to obtain a cure for sepsis to help save his brother Bo (Peter Reckell). Meanwhile, in the same episode, Bo awoken from a two-year long coma, with his loved ones surrounding him.
Fans immediately took to social media to share their thoughts on the way the soap opera handled the life-and-death story, especially in light of the real-life passing of John Black’s portrayer, Drake Hogestyn.
While fans took to X to also share their commentary. Former Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly editor Mala Bhattacharjeeshared, “John’s death was gut-wrenching, and I think paralleling it with Bo’s awakening was a great choice. John died to save Bo, who’s basically his little brother. I love that he left the world on this heroic note and viewers got to see life and death come full circle that way. #Days.”
Soapdish: Salem Style host Toniann added, “I personally find the circle of life of it all beautiful. I love that John died saving a man who was a brother to him. I find it comforting that as we have to say goodbye to one of the shows greatest couples we also get one back.” While her co-host Ariet said, “The way they honored Drake and John was so beautifully written while coming full circle to Bo waking up. He died a hero in Marlena’s arms and having saved a loved one. Gut wrenching episode but oh so.. beautiful. 🥹.”
One fan commented “The duality of life and death made for a strong, impactful episode. The characters all had emotional depth and the dialogue and action moved the story forward. Days did what British soaps have been doing, and for the first time in a long time, the show feels like it has gravitas” While another added, “The fact that the episode featured 3 of the greatest #days supercouples was beautiful. John being a hero that helped save Bo’s life is John Black & I felt the show was beautifully written and intertwined with Bo. The circle of life. Bravo to #days.”
“It was a full circle kinda moment of life when one’s journey ending another is being born” Said one fan, while another added, “It was a fitting end to a dynamic character. Very emotion filled and poignant. Between Steve breaking down and Marlena giving John permission to rest now I was done. Deidre broke my heart and juxtaposing it with Bo waking up was just perfectly fitting.”
One user shared on BlueSky: “John Black’s death has broken the hearts of every #Jarlena fan. He will always be Marlena’s one true love and there will never be another who can take the special place in our hearts. Deidre did a phenomenal job today, with not only Marlena’s grief but her own at losing Drake.”
One of the first stories the new writing regime tackled was writing out the character of John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Hogestyn had to step away from the role he had inhabited since 1986, for an impressive 4425 episodes, as he courageously fought pancreatic cancer. Hogestyn sadly passed away on September 28, 2024. Speaking of this story, the writers said, “While we wanted John to have a heroic and meaningful exit, we wrote the story with the fervent hope that Drake would be able to return someday. John had already been off for over nine months, and there were only so many missions the man could be on. Realizing he might never come back, while praying he would, we needed to craft an exit that honored John, Drake, and the fans.”
Days of Our Lives continues to play out the aftermath of John Black’s death and Bo Brady’s resurrection streaming weekdays on Peacock.
