The past few weeks saw an awful lot of familiar faces returning to Days of Our Lives as Salem gathered to say farewell to John Black. Among those in attendance was Marlena’s daughter, Carrie… who set at least a few tongues wagging in our offices by revealing that hubby Austin wasn’t in attendance.

Why did Carrie (as played by Christie Clark) show up sans Austin? She explained that he felt it was important to attend the graduation of their son, Noah. While that’s a perfectly legitimate excuse, we couldn’t help but remember that the last time we spent any time with the couple — during the 2021 Days spinoff Beyond Salem — Carrie and Austin weren’t in the best of places. Keeping that in mind, her flying solo at John’s service left us wondering if perhaps they’d once again hit a rough spot. Despite that lingering question, we assumed there wouldn’t be answers forthcoming.

Well, for a brief, shining moment we thought there was a Carrie/Austin reunion in the works, thanks to an Instagram post shared by both former portrayer Patrick Muldoon and the show itself.

As excited as we — and fans — were at the notion of Austin’s return, it turns out not to be true. According to Soap Opera Digest, the show has confirmed that Muldoon was simply visiting the set he long called home. The occasion? Taking a friend for a tour of the studio.

While Muldoon originated the role of Austin, he has “shared” the role with Austin Peck. In fact, the two have taken turns over the years, with Muldoon playing the role from 1992 until 1995, followed by Peck’s initial Salem run from 1995 until the character’s exit in 2002. Three years later, Peck once again stepped into the former boxer’s shoes, remaining until 2006. There was yet another switcheroo when Muldoon reclaimed the part from 2011 until 2012, and then again for the limited series Beyond Salem.

News of Muldoon’s supposed return left some fans wondering if his Austin might wind up crossing paths with Sami, perhaps even reinvigorating the triangle they shared with her sister, Carrie. That particular storyline was one of the most popular in the show’s history as the sibling’s battled one another for Austin’s heart. Although it turns out Muldoon is not actually returning, who’s to say that the buzz generated by the confusion won’t lead to a case of wish fulfillment down the road?