Days of our Lives Two Scoops for the week of February 9: a final farewell to Stefano DiMera, the Phoenix isn't rising again

Days of our Lives fans need a scorecard to keep up with all the comings and goings in Salem. The most notable farewell was the one paid to Stefano DiMera by his many children.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Stefano has finally been laid to rest on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

After Kate, Marlena, and others bid farewell to the late, great Stefano last week, it was time for his children, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), Tony (Thaao Penghlis), Chad (Billy Flynn), Kristen (Stacy Haiduk), and grandson, Theo (Tyler Joseph Andrews), to pay their last respects.

This time, we have every reason to believe the farewell is a final one. Along with poignant and heartfelt speeches, DAYS showed Stefano conducting music, a reminder of the larger-than-life villain who ruled over the lives of the Bradys, Marlena Evans, and many others during his reign that lasted over four decades.

Along with his obsession with Marlena, Stefano had a deep love of family. He'd be happy to know that so many of his children gathered together to memorialize him.

Three's company

Maggie (Suzanne Rogers), Marlena (Deidre Hall), and Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) celebrated Valentine's Day together on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Ironically, DAYS is a soap opera that has spawned more popular duos than any other daytime drama. What happens when the sands run through the hourglass, the years and the decades pass, and members of supercouples go to that great soap opera in the sky for real? DAYS wrote a "Galentine's" Day party for three of the show's favorites -- Maggie (Suzanne Rogers), Marlena (Deidre Hall), and Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes). Their beloved husbands, Mickey (John Clarke)/Victor (John Aniston), John (Drake Hogestyn), and Doug (Bill Hayes) have all passed away, but their widows are still vital, caring matriarchs with lives to live.

It was great seeing the trio gather together and raise their glasses. Read our write-up of the performances by Hall, Rogers, and Seaforth Hayes here.

Hello, and Goodbye

Chad (Billy Flynn) and Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) shared a kiss, but it was only in Cat's mind on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

We've known since last year, when Billy Flynn joined The Young and the Restless as Cane, that he'd be exiting DAYS, and he'd be off the air before his successor, Conner Floyd (ex-Chance, Y&R), took his place. The groundwork was laid for that when Chad informed Julie that he'd be taking his kids, Thomas (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte (Autumn Gendron), on a road trip.

We would have put money on Jack (Matthew Ashford) and Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) winning that custody battle and moving back to Boston with their grandkids. But they're with their dad, where they belong. We eagerly await Floyd's debut later this year. Will Abigail (Marci Miller) rise from the ashes?

It would have been just plain wrong for Chad to have given Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) a kiss farewell after all the promises he made to Thomas about not being in a relationship with the woman who passed herself off as Abigail. DAYS gave us the next best thing by having Cat fantasize that Chad kissed her.

We don't see enough of fantasy sequences (clearly, they don't have to be lengthy to make an impact). Perhaps Cat and Chad's story isn't over, but we don't see it picking up again until Floyd starts airing.

The soap revolving door spins both ways. While we're sorry to see Chad, Thomas, Charlotte, Jack, and Jennifer bidding Salem farewell, Eli and Lani (Sal Stowers) are back. There can never be enough Hortons in Salem!

Who needs a big location for a wedding when the couple is this gorgeous?

Alex and Stephanie married with only the officiator and Jada in attendance on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Economic realities preclude lavish soap opera weddings done on location. But big production numbers have always paled in comparison when it comes to the real reason we all tune in -- to see two lovebirds pledge their love to one another. That's what we got last week when Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) and Stephanie (Abigail Klein) tied the knot in a small ceremony, attended by their pal, Jada (Elia Cantu). DAYS is known for creating supercouples, and now, Alex and Stephanie have officially elevated their relationship to a new level.

Love declaration

Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) are getting closer on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

Brady (Eric Martsolf) admitted to Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) that he has feelings for her. On the one hand, we love the idea of these two together. They're good for each other, and they both deserve happiness. On the other hand, isn't Xander a better person when Sarah's in his life? Isn't Kristen a better person when Brady's around to influence her?

The touching moment where Xander suggested Sarah take the chocolates that might not agree with their daughter, Victoria, was such a simple (no pun intended) sweet moment. It's likely not over between these two by a long shot.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.