John Black and Marlena Evans
John Black and Marlena Evans are fictional characters and a supercouple on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. John is played by Drake Hogestyn and Marlena is played by Deidre Hall. On internet message boards, the couple is often referred by the portmanteau "Jolena" (for John and Marlena).
History
John and Marlena became a supercouple in 1986 on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. Drake Hogestyn (John Black) joined the show that year and his chemistry with Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans) was undeniable. At the time, Hogestyn's character was an amnesiac named John Black, but information (later proved false) suggested that he was really the missing, presumed dead Roman Brady (Marlena's husband), with extensive plastic surgery to explain the difference in appearance between the old Roman and John Black. John (as Roman) and Marlena were then married until she "died" in a plane crash in 1987.
The pair's romance in the 80's was short-lived, but it left an indelible mark on Days of Our Lives fans and the soap opera world.
In 1991, Hall returned to Days of our Lives, and returned to her role as Dr. Marlena Evans. It was revealed that Marlena's supposed death in the plane crash was not true and Marlena had spent the previous four years in a coma. Soon afterwards, Wayne Northrop, the original portrayer of Roman Brady also returned to the show. In a stunning turn of events, Drake Hogestyn remained on the show through a piece of storytelling that revealed that his character was an impostor programmed with the memories of the real Roman Brady, and was a dangerous assassin. As a result, the fake Roman reverted to the name John Black. While Marlena attempted to reconcile with the real Roman, John would not leave her alone, and eventually the two had an affair that produced their daughter Belle and led to Marlena and Roman's divorce. John had shown his true colors.
This was not to be the end of their turmoil, because soon afterwards Marlena was possessed by a demon called Sucubus. John, who had found out that he had been a priest in his former life, was able to perform an exorcism and Marlena was saved. However, the two could not resume their relationship at that time, and after John left the priesthood he fell into yet another affair with Kristen Blake, a former lover who was the adopted daughter of John's worst enemy, Stefano DiMera, the man who had brainwashed John to believe that he was Roman. Kristen eventually grew insecure about her relationship with John and cooked up one scheme after another to keep him away from Marlena. However, Kristen was exposed and John and Marlena were finally able to reunite.
In 2005, John and Marlena faced some obstacles when Marlena lost her memory. Amnesia specialist Alex North came to town, claiming to be Marlena's real husband from college. Marlena became torn between Alex and John and, due to John's raging jealousy and Alex's manipulations, especially his drugs, Marlena chose Alex. However, John did not give up on his love and did everything to try to win her back. However, even when it seemed that he was making headway, his drugs and manipulations enabled Alex to keep winning. The struggle continued to Morgan Island during Alex and Marlena's honeymoon in May 2006, after they had renewed their vows. On a fight on Morgan Island, Alex died.
Newly clearheaded, Marlena realized that Alex had been abusive during their marriage. She decided that she needed a little time to get back on her feet. Without any hard feelings, and with their love as strong as ever, Marlena chose to separate from John for a while, and she took a job in New Jersey. When it was discovered that Marlena was missing, however, John began to search for his love. With the help of Abe Carver, John rescued Marlena from a trunk in which she'd been held captive, in early October 2006. The couple's most current obstacle, as of December 2006, is fighting against EJ Wells, who is out to get John.
John and Marlena has recently married for the third time which is the first legal marriage to each other. However, none of the couple's children (Eric, Sami, Brady or Belle) could attend. After being presumably shot by the EJ, John fell into a coma. Marlena remained by his side, praying that he would wake up, which he managed to after several months.