A few observations... some on par with what has already been said here.
I can't say that I noticed an immediate change on a particular day, but I like the subtle changes that I've seen in the show over the past few days. For example, I noticed background noise in the police station. While I actually took notice of it, which would usually mean it wasn't subtle or it was out of place, I noticed it because that kind of stuff had been missing before.
There is also more music as background - not just masking noise during intimate scenes, and not to set a particular mood (like with Eve every time she appeared for months and months - and not that the "sensual moaning" was music, but... I think you get what I mean). I noticed it I think in a scene with John and Marlena, seemingly as just part of the scene. No reason for the music... but it enhanced the scene.
Attention to detail is a good thing - it may not add anything significant to include things like this, but it sure does detract when they are missing. Having them back has really magnified what I had sort of forgotten and misplaced.
The sex scene - I've never really been a big fan of those. This one was a little raunchy, as others here have stated, but I'll agree with
@Heather4CU - thank you for trying something different! I decided that, if I'm going to watch a soap, I'm going to have to deal with the sex scenes. Whatever. So I will acknowledge an attempt to make them more appealing... but not revealing. Do try to keep those body parts better under wraps!
I have enjoyed seeing Bo and Hope's old house, and other new sets. I am particularly glad that, though it's been - what, years?! - since we've seen Hope's house, that I actually recognized it (on the outside)! That's a step in the right direction.
I also like the idea of the celebration being used as the unifying theme that will theoretically bring everybody together for the 50th anniversary of Days. I'm sure there will be other stories and characters and such that aren't directly related to the celebration, but I like where I think this is going. Hopefully it won't be too cheesy, but I suppose it's forgivable, even if it is.
One thing I'm not happy with is the Aiden story. I hope that this is one of those stories that they've used on him before, to make us think he's doing something bad, when he's really doing something good. I just can't imagine having gone through all that only to have him end up bad anyway. Even if I don't like it, I am intrigued, so I guess there's that. LOL!
Looks like we're going down a better path - overall. There will still be good parts and bad parts (in the decision-making for the story and the show, not just the story itself), but so far, I'm pleasantly surprised with what I'm seeing. I'm not holding my breath, but let's hope they keep it up!
