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Most Shocking Soap Opera Plot Twists Of 2018

Dorathy Gass

December 12, 2018

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Got to love those shocking soap opera plot twists! Daytime drama fans get comfortable with a storyline, and then out of nowhere are surprised when it goes an entirely different direction. Viewers were treated to some really crazy ones this year, so below are 13 of the most shocking soap opera plot twists of 2018.

13. Hattie Saves Marlena – Days of Our Lives

DOOL fans thought Marlena was gone for good back in September after getting shot at her own wedding. Thanks to a living will, Belle and the rest of her siblings were gung-ho to pull the life support plug on their mother, and it seemed as if all hope was lost. But wait! Thanks to a crazy idea by John, Marlena was swapped with her doppelganger and prison mate Hattie, and the storyline took a turn for the better.

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12. Carly gets sent to Ferncliff – General Hospital

GH viewers thought Carly was in store for a pretty smooth ride when she placed a plea around temporary insanity during her case. She’d get sent to Shadybrook until Nelle could be exposed for her evil doings; however, things took a turn for the creepy when Carly was taken to Ferncliff instead. Patients yelling out of nowhere, a shady nurse that wanted to see her suffer, and pills that made Carly’s head spin. The Ferncliff storyline was a little bit whacky, especially when Jason busted her out, but also opened the door for a Kevin/Ryan twin switch arc to be launched, which has been fantastic!

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11. Jack’s Really An Abbott Afterall – Young and the Restless

When it was revealed that Jack wasn’t really the son of John Abbott, the entire storyline sent shockwaves throughout Genoa City, and Y&R audiences as well. In fact, it truly felt as if the entire Abbott clan, a family rich in Y&R history, was crumbling. Jack embarked on a mission to find his bio dad, sending him on a wild goose chase that led him to the Fenmores, and even the idea he might be related to The Moustache. When it was revealed that Jack was John’s son and that Ashley was at the helm of hiding it all, viewers were shocked.

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10. Rex, You ARE The Father – Days of Our Lives

So much craziness in Salem in the latter part of 2018. Not only did DOOL fans see the return of Mimi Lockhart, Sarah Horton, but also Rex Brady (who bears a striking resemblance to what Brady Black used to look like). All joking aside, DOOL viewers knew something was up when Bonnie strolled into town claiming that her baby belonged to Lucas Horton. When Mimi returned to Salem shortly after, it was crystal clear that she was the baby’s real mom. Having said that, when it turned out that a newly-returned Rex was the daddy, all heck broke loose in the little town.

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9. Nick And Phyllis Reunite – Young and the Restless

No one could see this coming! While Y&R viewers all saw the break up of Philly from a mile away, who could have ever guessed she would turn to Nick? After all, he wasn’t really in her spectrum, and it seemed that Jack may have been the next in line to court the redhead. A one-night stand between the Phyllis and Nick came out of left field, and after it ruined the relationship he had with Sharon, these two have picked up where they last left off without skipping a beat.

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8. Gabi’s Revenge – Days of Our Lives

After the truth finally came out around who killed Andre DiMera, a once nice Gabi Hernandez turned back into an evil and plotting one, bent on revenge against both Stefan and Abigail. While being in prison isn’t fun, plotting and scheming to ruin people’s lives is never the answer. From switching up paternity results to having all of Salem believe that Abigail is crazy, there have been more than a couple of plot twists within this shocking DOOL storyline.

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7. Ashley’s Exit – Young and the Restless

For any fan that reads up on Internet soap spoilers, we all knew that Ashley Abbott’s exit was imminent. Actress Eileen Davidson announced her departure from the show earlier in the year, but what a way to exit Genoa City! After months of scheming to gain control as Jabot’s CEO, manipulating her Abbott “siblings,” and making Jack believe he wasn’t really an Abbott, Ashley left the Y&R with a bang, after it was revealed that Dina and John drafted a contract giving her the rights to all her Jabot patents. Ash bid Genoa City adieu, jumped on a plane and headed to Paris to start up her own little company, leaving Jabot and her family in ruins to pick up the pieces she left behind.

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6. Leo’s Alive – Days of Our Lives

Yes, characters come back from the dead all the time, but Leo Stark returning to Salem recently was shocking to the say the least. After all, he just died mere months ago in a murder that was covered up by Will and Sonny. Even more, he’s placed a nice wedge between the WilSon reunion, something many fans have been just dying to see all year.

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5. Kiki Dies – General Hospital

Upon reflection, Kiki being Ryan’s next victim makes complete and utter sense. After all, actress Hayley Erin is headed to primetime show Pretty Little Liars, but she seemed to imply that she could handle both gigs on social media. So, when Kiki’s death rolled down the pipe, GH viewers were shocked. Fans knew someone was next on Ryan’s hit list, but audiences naturally assumed it might be another sidekick character like Mary Pat.

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4. Hilary’s Death – Young and Restless

Unlike Kiki, most Y&R viewers knew Hilary’s days were numbered, as actress Mishael Morgan announced her exit from the show months prior. Perhaps many fans assumed that Hilary would simply be recast, or just leave Genoa City for a bit. Hilary’s death was certainly shocking to say the least, especially since it came in waves — with Lily being the cause of the car accident, losing her and Devon’s baby first, only to be told she had mere days to live.

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3. Nick is J.T. – Young and the Restless

J.T.’s murder cover-up continues to roll on, keeping Sharon, Vicky, Phyllis, and Nikki on their toes. While the storyline in itself has had plenty of twists and turns, with Rey coming into town, Tessa blackmailing the ladies, and a murder investigation launched, perhaps the biggest twist (so far) was the idea that J.T. was alive, and stalking the ladies – only for it be revealed that it was Nick Newman all along.

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2. Ben’s A Good Guy – Days of Our Lives

Many DOOL fans were skeptical about Ben Weston when he returned to Salem earlier this year, seemingly “reformed.” After all, he was a serial killer that clearly had mental health issues, one that was also brilliant enough to fool anyone into believing anything. Alas, thanks to saving Ciara, Ben has clearly redeemed himself, but many Days viewers were shocked at his instant transformation.

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1. Lily Gets Sent To Prison – Young and the Restless

Not only was Hilary’s death explosive, the aftermath around it all sent waves throughout Genoa City. Cane trying to hide Lily’s reckless driving was no surprise, the fact she came forward was not only courageous and brave but set a great example to her kids; however, her prison sentence, and everything that has happened since, has been a shocking twist for not only the Ashby family, but all Y&R fans.

Dorathy Gass

Dorathy Gass is an avid fan of daytime drama and has been watching Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and Young and the Restless for over two decades now. As a full-time freelance writer, she gets to combine her love of soap operas and writing through her Fame 10 articles. Also a mother of two busy girls and a mommy blogger, she's been published multiple times over in Huffington Post Parents and Scary Mommy.