Bo and Hope had one of the greatest romances of the 1980s. They were a so-called supercouple on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives. Bo was a bit of a rebel who wore a leather jacket and rode a motorcycle while Hope was a beautiful rich girl. Bo called her Fancy Face which didn't sound as corny as you may think. Bo once "kidnapped" Hope on her wedding day and they rode off on his motorcycle. She was marrying the wrong man and they both knew it.
As much as I loved Bo and Hope, I loved Steve and Kayla even more. Steve and Kayla were also a supercouple on the very same show.
When Steve was first introduced to viewers in 1985, he was your standard bad boy. He always seemed to be involved in something shady and was often on the wrong side of the law. Nonetheless, I liked Steve. He had this swagger about him I liked. And, I think even early on I had a hunch that Steve was actually a good guy underneath the bravado.
By the way, Steve wore a patch over his left eye. That's right. Steve wore a black patch over one eye like some storybook pirate. He actually lost his eye in a fight over a woman with Kayla's brother Bo years earlier. I realize Steve wasn't the first character to wear an eye-patch. John Wayne's character Rooster Cogburn wore one in True Grit. Comic book character Nick Fury wore one. The Bond villain Emilio Largo wore one. Kurt Russell's character Snake wore one in the movie Escape from New York. David Bowie, while performing as Ziggy Stardust, wore an eye-patch for a while. In the music video for "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive, singer Pete Burns can be seen wearing an eye-patch. A man wearing an eye-patch was even used in advertising. The Man in the Hathaway Shirt with his signature eye-patch helped sales of Hathaway shirts soar.
So, Steve Johnson was by no means the first character to wear a patch. Nonetheless, I can't explain how cool, unique, and badass Steve looked in that patch. Unfortunately, people sometimes called him Patch in a derogatory way. Patch had become his nickname. We do see Steve without an eye-patch a few times. He has some daydream/fantasy sequences involving Kayla where he still has both eyes. And, during one story line Steve has an operation and wears a glass eye. Eventually his eye socket is injured again so he returns to wearing a patch.
Steve "Patch" Johnson was an interesting character. One time in a courtroom he claimed his occupation was shooting pool. He and Bo had matching tattoos from when they served in the Merchant Marine together. Patch liked to wear tank tops and tight blue jeans. Sometimes he wore a leather jacket like Bo. Steve could play the harmonica well and sometimes he sang the blues.
When Kayla first met Steve she didn't like him very much. He was surly and sarcastic around her. He was exasperating. He was obnoxious and at times even menacing. He was flirtatious in an offensive way. He called her Baby and Sweetness. She thought he was dangerous. She thought he was a thug.
"Why don't you talk to me, Sweetness?"
"Because I don't want to talk to you. I don't want anything to do with you."
****
"Hey baby! You been waiting for me all night long? I'm sorry if you have. I didn't make it back."
"Do you ever quit? You look awful."
"Oh, you always say the sweetest things to me."
"Have you really been out all night?"
"Do I ask you personal questions? And if I did would you answer me?"
"You are absolutely the most annoying person I've ever met."
"Oh you know my life wasn't complete until I met you either, baby."
"You know you have a sarcastic and crude mouth!"
"You don't hear me making personal comments about your mouth do ya? Like luscious, pink, and juicy?"
"Would you stop it!"
"Sorry."
But, we eventually begin to see a different side of Steve. Steve is kind to the young orphans Frankie and Max. He befriends them and becomes a bit of a mentor to them. This doesn't go unnoticed by Kayla and they begin to develop a friendship.
And yet, when Steve is suspected of murder Kayla thinks he may actually be guilty. Kayla's loss of faith in him hurts Steve deeply. It crushes him and he lashes out at her.
"I thought you were different, baby. I really did."
She was the one person he thought would believe him. But, now she admits she doesn't know what to think and she even seems afraid of him. This doesn't sit well with Steve.
"Why do you pretend to be different? Why don't you call me Patch like everybody else?" he demands.
She thinks it's a cruel nickname.
"I think it's terrible that they call you that and I just won't do it."
"But, I'm all bad, right?"
"No, I've seen the way you care for Max."
After a few more plot twists Kayla tells Steve she believes him.
Well, of course, Steve is innocent. Steve and Kayla get closer and yet he keeps her at a distance. After all of his obnoxious flirting, it's now Steve who pushes Kayla away. He doesn't think he's good for her. Though she has decided he is a good and gentle man he doesn't see it that way. He tells her he always seems to be on the wrong side of the law. And, he doesn't want to get hurt again because he says he's been burned by other women too many times and had his heart broken and he just can't go through it again.
****
"What do you see in me?"
"I see a man that I would trust with my life."
"Oh come on, baby."
"Shh. Let me finish. I don't care what you say Steve or how flip you want to be about it. I see someone who has a very very good soul. I also see someone who's been bruised so many times in his life he's afraid to get close to the fire."
"I'm not afraid of the fire, baby."
"Then why do you keep pushing me away?"
They come close to kissing several times. After finally kissing they come close to making love. Either circumstances interrupting them or Steve simply pushing Kayla away prevents them from being intimate.
"Turn around and look at me."
"I can't do that."
"Why?"
"You're too damn beautiful."
Kayla gives Steve a two-piece pool cue in a carrying case as a gift. He's speechless and overwhelmed with emotion because no one has ever just given him a gift for no reason before. Kayla asks him to spend the night but after a kiss Steve heads for the door.
"Stay the night"
"I can't"
"Why? You stay with other women."
"You're not other women, Sweetness. You see other women I can love and leave. But, if I love you I don't think I'd be able to leave."
I'm leaving out some details like Kayla marrying Steve's long lost brother Jack because Jack is very ill and might die so Steve pushes Kayla away because maybe Kayla's love will keep Jack alive. But, then Jack's adoptive father Harper slowly begins poisoning Kayla. Hey, it's a soap opera. Never fear! Steve eventually walks into the house and carries Kayla out in his arms and hides her away in safety.
Steve and Kayla finally get married after Kayla's divorce from Jack. When Kayla joins Steve at the altar he says, "We made it Sweetness."
Sweetness had went from being a sarcastic term to being a term of endearment.
By the way, Kayla was deaf and mute when Steve proposed because she had been caught in an explosion at her loft. Steve gallantly carried her out while surrounded by fire. She and Steve learned sign language to communicate. She refused to marry Steve at first because she was afraid they couldn't have a normal life together.
Surgery restores Kayla's hearing but not her speech. She agrees to get married. She has a little trouble at the wedding being overcome with emotion. However, when Steve signs for her and tells her to have courage she regains her ability to speak and is able to deliver her vows to Steve. Top that!
Do they live happily ever after? Of course not! It's a soap opera. They do have a baby but soon tragedy strikes. Steve becomes a police officer and ends up on a boat with a bomb planted on it. He's injured when the bomb explodes and then some villain poisons his IV in the hospital. He dies in Kayla's arms.
He's able to say goodbye before he dies. With his last breaths he has some words for Kayla.
"Kayla, thank you. Thank you for my life. I was nothing without you. You gave me everything. I love you Sweetness."
Then he breathes his last and expires. Very sad.
Never fear! Steve emerges 16 years later (surprise) not remembering who he is or his love for Kayla. But, after he regains his memory they fall in love all over again. It's okay. Soap operas are allowed to bring people back from the dead.
The story of Steve and Kayla was amazing. The bad boy with the patch who thought he could never find love, especially with Kayla, finally is able to trust someone with his heart. Bit by bit she had chipped away at his armor and showed Steve the best parts of himself. She healed his broken spirit. Kayla didn't care what Steve looked like because she was in love with his very soul.
****
Some other couples I liked from "Days of Our Lives":
Roman Brady (brother of Kim, Kayla, and Bo) and Dr. Marlena Evans
Roman likes to call Marlena Doc. I believe officer Roman Brady met Marlena while trying to protect her from the Salem Strangler.
John Black and Marlena
Roman dies (seemingly) and a mysterious man with amnesia shows up in Salem. He and Marlena form a bond. Guess who John Black is? Yes, Roman Brady (after plastic surgery and some brainwashing). But, then the "real" Roman comes back from the dead. John Black goes back to being John Black. But, John Black actually turns out to be Forrest Alamain and is entitled to some of the Alamain fortune.
Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady
Shane was an agent with the International Security Alliance (ISA). Yes, he was British like James Bond. He marries Kayla's sister Kimberly.
Pete Jannings and Melissa Horton
Gang member Pete meets nice girl Melissa. After some ups and downs they get married. Later they divorce and she pursues a dance career.
Justin Kiriakis and Adrienne Johnson
Wealthy playboy Justin Kiriakis is mistaken for a poor construction worker by Adrienne (Steve's sister) but he doesn't let on that he's the rich nephew of the villain Victor Kiriakis. He continues the charade because he's afraid of losing Adrienne.
Frankie Brady and Jennifer Horton
Frankie (the orphan who was adopted along with his brother Max by Kayla's parents) and Jennifer Horton become friends and then become romantically involved later. Jennifer was one of the many Horton family members. By the way, it is eventually revealed that Frankie is actually Francois Von Leuschner.
Doug and Julie Williams
Doug is Hope's father. Doug and Julie are considered to be the first supercouple in daytime television history.
****
Are soap operas unrealistic melodramas? Or, does art imitate life?
Soap operas are often over the top melodramas. But, daytime dramas sometimes show the redemptive, healing, amazing power of love. These dramas often show us the importance of family, friends, community, intimacy, and forgiveness. Soap operas can remind of us of how painful life can be but also show us how people cope with and overcome that pain.
Soap operas remind us of the circle of life. These dramas show us the joy of birth. They show us people maturing and growing into adulthood. They show us people falling in love and uniting in marriage. And, they show us death and loss.
Has my life been a soap opera? That metaphor would be stretching it a bit. But, we all have to deal with challenges as we navigate through our lives.
In high school I dated a girl from another school. I found out she'd lost a lot of weight before I met her and for the first time in her life she had a lot of boys interested in her. I was essentially her first boyfriend and her first love. Although she loved me I think she also wondered what else the world had to offer her. I understand now why she perhaps wanted to date some other guys. Plus, her parents thought she should see other people as well.
We stayed together for a long time through some ups and downs. We broke up and got back together more than once. The most painful episode was when she dumped me and came to my prom with a classmate of mine. That was agonizing because I wanted nothing more than to be with her that night.
In college my older sister had a friend I thought looked like Kayla Brady and she was sweet like Kayla too. I also met a girl during my freshman year of college who I thought looked like Jennifer Horton. She was blond and petite and I had a crush on her but was too shy to pursue it. On the very last day of the school year I checked my mailbox one last time and found a letter from this Jennifer look-alike. I could hardly believe it. She wrote that it had been great getting to know me and that she hoped I had a great summer.
I dated a rich girl for a while during college. Her parents were overbearing which is what brought her to a small college in Iowa. We met at a party and began dating. I brought her home for a visit and she brought me to her home for a visit as well. But, her parents made her break up with me after Christmas. They weren't too impressed with me or my background. I was the wrong sort of boy for their daughter to be dating.
Her high school boyfriend invited himself for a visit one weekend and gave her a ring. We weren't technically going out at the time so I couldn't really protest. Then, one of her friends lied to her and told her we'd slept together. Eventually, the friend admitted she'd lied and I was vindicated. But, it angered me that she hadn't believed in my innocence in the first place. She eventually defied her parents and we got back together but then she got into some trouble and had to leave school. It was a crazy school year. My girlfriend even said, "This is like a soap opera, huh?"
I've met a few women who didn't care much for their future boyfriend/husband when they first met. One of my best friend's wife declared she would never date him in college. They did date and, of course, got married. He sang a love song and proposed to her in front of a crowd. I was there. It was very sweet.
A girl named Stephanie hated her boyfriend at first. They worked at the same restaurant and she tried to get him fired. Then things changed and they became lovers.
Maggie told me she thought her boyfriend was a jerk when she first met him. But, she began to see him in a different light and they started dating.
I've seen people get divorced and yet have the courage to marry again. I had a friend tell me once that she'd had to kiss a lot of frogs before she met her prince. I've seen women overcome all kinds of abuse and be able to open their hearts again. I've seen people considered beyond hope find careers, love, marriage, and children.
I've seen people struggle with addiction and mental illness and yet create meaningful lives. Some people deal with real life villains in the form of abusive parents and spouses. But, they survive. I've seen people fall in love with individuals with physical and emotional scars. I've seen married couples overcome many obstacles and never give up. I've seen parents who will do anything for their children. The real world definitely has drama, conflict, and challenges.
As an adult I've dealt with physical and mental illness. I've spent time in psychiatric units and care facilities. And yet, I've been healthy enough at times to still feel love. But, usually I was too afraid to act on those feelings. I've told more than one women that they'd be better off without me.
"You'd be better off without me."
"Don't say that. I know how I feel about you. You can't pick and choose who gets to love and care about you. That's not how life works. It would hurt me deeply if you just disappeared."
That woman would have married me but I just couldn't propose. I thought I'd be a burden and ruin her life. She'd been through a lot in her life and it took a long time for her to open her heart to me and we became very close. She trusted me and cared for me. I loved her but I just couldn't fathom being a good husband. I was damaged goods.
There was another women I flirted with and we became close as well. She had some doubts about my feelings for her and intentions at first and yet she began to trust and believe me. We ended up in a gazebo one pleasant summer evening. She was going to be leaving town the next day and we knew we might never see each other again. When she tried to kiss me I began pulling away.
"I thought you loved me. I thought this is what you wanted."
"I do love you."
"Then why are you pulling away?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm scared."
We had a memorable night though once I relaxed. She's married now and has a child but I hope she remembers me fondly and still cares about my well-being.
I thought about asking out a co-worker for a long time. I felt a bond with her the day we met. We talked a lot and became close. She would draw hearts next to my name on the assignment board. I wasn't afraid that she'd say "no" if I asked her out. I was afraid she might say "yes" and then I'd actually have to follow up on it which was too much to fathom doing at the time. We told each other "I love you" and we hugged at times but I was too scared to pursue anything. I had her phone number and she told me we could hang out sometime. But, I wanted to stay safe in my little bubble.
Back in high school I wanted to be like Bo and Steve. I wanted to be handsome, cool, macho, tough, and skillful. I wanted love. I did my best to flirt and act cool. I worried about my appearance. When I did find love it was pure bliss.
I wanted to save the damsel in distress. I suppose that's not a politically correct thing to say now. Perhaps it sounds sexist. Women don't really need saving do they? They can take care of themselves. Still, every guy wants to be a hero. I wanted to be the hero.
But, I guess it's usually been me who needed saving.
Maybe one day I will meet my Kayla. I will meet a woman who says, "I don't care how you look or what you've been through. We will be together and we can get through anything together. So, stop pushing me away. Stop the tough guy act. Stop playing the martyr. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop pretending you're happy being a loner. Stop being so scared and take a risk and LET me love you.
****
Thank you Steve and Kayla. You are loved by many.
