I don't think any character or couple can be blamed or credited for a soaps demise or success, but the ratings were higher in 2013 than they have been in 2014. There could be a lot of factors for that though. I'm only watching until Sami is gone because I've loved the character for years, and I want to see how it ends for her. However, I also loved Bo/Hope, Steve/Kayla, Sami/Lucas, Sami/Rafe, etc. I'm loving Kate/Sami teaming up and scheming against the Dimeras, however, there is nothing else on the show I enjoy. It takes more than one character, one couple, and one storyline to keep fans watching, and the writers or whoever is in charge haven't been delivering.