lol that’s a good way of looking at it, i think that’s what they even sort of go for in some of the episodes. obviously it’s much more well-produced than your average soap; the characters and stories usually feel more believable and substantial.
but imagine columbo in like, days of our lives. his car would break down and he’d stumble into salem and go Ah Mr. DiMera Just One More Thing and then all the problems would be solved. they can’t milk the same scene for a week when a sentient little scribble of a man solves all the mysteries in twenty minutes