More than 25 years ago, “Days of Our Lives” took one of Sami Brady’s most dramatic storylines frighteningly far. After being framed for the murder of Franco Kelly, Sami found herself strapped to an execution table as her family watched helplessly from the other side of the glass.
Decades later, longtime fans revisiting the classic episode still can’t believe just how close the soap came to actually killing off Alison Sweeney’s iconic character. Read on for a look back at the storyline and what soap fans are saying about it today.
How Did Sami Brady End Up on Death Row?
In the summer of 1999, Sami came frighteningly close to dying for a murder she didn’t commit. As longtime “Days of Our Lives” fans may remember, Sami was convicted of killing her former fiancé, Franco Kelly, after a series of events made her look particularly guilty.
On what was supposed to be their wedding day, Sami discovered that Franco had cheated on her and, in a fit of rage, threatened to kill him. However, it was Lucas Horton who ultimately pulled the trigger. After witnessing Franco attack his mother, Kate Roberts, Lucas shot and killed him.
Rather than allow Lucas to face the consequences, Kate and Lucas framed Sami for Franco’s murder. The scheme not only kept Lucas out of prison but also strengthened his position in the ongoing custody battle over his and Sami’s son, Will Horton.
Unfortunately for Sami, the plan worked a little too well. She was convicted of Franco’s murder and sentenced to death by lethal injection.
What followed became one of those classic “DOOL” storylines that truly pushed the envelope of daytime television.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Took Sami’s Execution Shockingly Far
This wasn’t the typical soap opera rescue where someone burst through the door seconds before the execution began. “Days of Our Lives” actually allowed Sami’s execution to start.
Sami was strapped to the table as her horrified loved ones watched from the viewing room, and the lethal drugs were administered. By the time word came down that her execution had been halted, Sami was already fighting for her life.
Overcome with guilt, Lucas burst into the viewing room and confessed that he had killed Franco. However, his admission wasn’t actually what stopped the execution. Roman Brady and Kate arrived with news that another man, Roberto, had made a deathbed confession to Franco’s murder, prompting the last-minute intervention.
Unfortunately, it came almost too late.
As Dr. Mike Horton desperately performed CPR, Sami slipped toward death. In classic soap opera fashion, she found herself drawn toward a bright light as Austin Reed begged her to come back to him and her young son, Will. Sami ultimately heard his pleas, and after Austin kissed her, her heartbeat returned.
The emotional aftermath rippled throughout Salem. Marlena Evans collapsed into John Black’s arms with relief, while Bo Brady faced the press following Sami’s miraculous survival. Meanwhile, Lucas was taken in for questioning, leaving authorities with a major problem: both Lucas and Roberto had now confessed to the same murder.
More than 25 years later, Sami’s near-execution remains a memorable example of just how far “Days of Our Lives” was willing to take a storyline. Alison Sweeney’s Sami wasn’t merely sentenced to die and rescued before the execution began. Soap fans actually watched her receive the lethal injection, lose her heartbeat and nearly die before being revived.
Longtime viewers revisiting the episode were struck by that fact all over again.
“27 years later and I still can’t believe they pushed this storyline to where Sami technically died,” one fan commented.
Another viewer thought the episodes deserved major recognition, writing, “DAYS should have been nominated and won the Best Drama Emmy for these episodes.”
For some fans, the episode was also a reminder of a time when they couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
“Now this makes you want to watch every day,” one viewer commented.
Another longtime fan remembered being so invested in the soap when they were younger that they would miss school to find out what happened on Fridays.
Others could still vividly remember watching Sami’s execution when it originally aired.
“I remember this like yesterday. It was so haunting!” one fan wrote, adding that they were happy to see the episode again and specifically remembered Lucas rushing in.
Another viewer was equally happy to revisit Lucas’ eventual confession, writing, “I remember this episode. I was glad Lucas did the right thing.”
‘DOOL’ Fans Still Have Strong Feelings About Kate, Austin and That CPR
While Sami’s brush with death remained the centerpiece of the episode, revisiting the classic storyline also brought back plenty of strong opinions about the other Salem residents involved.
Kate, unsurprisingly, didn’t escape viewers’ criticism.
“Kate lying through her teeth,” one fan commented while watching the storyline unfold again.
For another viewer, Kate’s willingness to let an innocent Sami face execution had a lasting impact on how they viewed the character and her future relationships.
“This episode is the very reason why I never shipped Roman/Kate,” the fan wrote, calling Kate a “she devil” who would have allowed Sami to die “without a second thought.” The viewer added that the storyline only reinforced their dislike of the character.
Austin’s devotion to Sami also had one fan questioning the complicated romantic history surrounding Sami, Austin, Carrie Brady and Mike.
“Austin kills me. Sami did everything she could to break him and Carrie up, yet he acts like he should be with Sami,” the viewer argued, before joking that it was “no wonder Carrie had an affair with Mike.”
Even one of the episode’s most dramatic moments wasn’t safe from a little criticism more than two decades later.
As Marlena and Mike desperately attempted to save Sami, one viewer was considerably less impressed by the on-screen resuscitation efforts.
“Keep doing CPR THAT bad and Sami will die, Marlena!! That’s the worst fake CPR I’ve ever seen!!” the fan joked.
The episode also had plenty happening beyond Sami’s execution. Eric Brady was furious with Nicole Walker over the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Lucas and what they had nearly cost his sister, while Stefano DiMera and Gina continued their own scheming elsewhere in Salem.
Decades later, the episode still manages to inspire everything from anger at Kate to debates over Austin’s love life and jokes about Salem’s questionable CPR technique. However, it’s Sami’s near-death experience that remains the defining moment. “Days of Our Lives” didn’t merely bring its heroine to the brink before pulling her back at the last second. The soap let her cross that line, if only briefly, creating a moment longtime fans clearly haven’t forgotten.
