Week of October 8, 2006 Edition

THE DIMERA'S ROCK SALEM!!!

The Dimera's make their resurgence known in Salem this week on Salem Lives as Stefano, Cassie and Lexie serve notice that a new era has begun for their family. The week begins with one Dimera, Cassie, stirring up trouble for Max. "Abby called Max to help her rescue Chelsea and Cassie took the call and just hung up the phone," sums up HW Tim Lowery. "Cassie lies to Max and says no one called and Abby and Chelsea both end in danger." The next day, Abby confronts Max and lashes out at him for his ignoring her. "Max doesn't have a clue what she is talking about," previews Lowery. "He says he knows nothing of any phone call. This leads Max to question Cassie, who lies again. Max doesn't see why Cassie would hang up the phone as he sees Cassie as still a Brady in his eyes since his family still accepts her." Abby runs off angry but privately admits to beleiving him. "She beleives him but is still angry about him being more interested in Cassie then her," says Lowery. "She just doesn't understand what she has that she doesn't." Little do Max and Abby know that Cassie is actually helping Stefano behind closed doors. "Stefano knows the Brady's still care and accept her and Cassie wants in on the Dimera empire so she is willing to do anything-even betray the family she once thought her's," says Lowery. "She is attracted to Max so that makes it easier but she is just doing as Stefano asks to fulfill his plans."

Cassie isn't the only Dimera stirring up trouble-Lexie and Stefano are causing mayhem on their own as Theo's custody hearing begins. "Lexie knows she will have to play dirty and give up Abe to keep Theo," previews Lowery. However, she still is reluctant and so is Abe, who even has a change of heart and decides to offer joint custody to Lexie. "He just thinks the woman he loves is still there so he gives her one last chance and the benefit of the doubt," says Lowery. "He knows their marriage is over but there is a child involved and he just hopes she sees him as a good father just like he sees her as a good mother." Things get messy though when pretty much all of Salem shows up to support Abe or speak on his behalf. "They all try to explain to Lexie that Abe needs more help as she has the Dimera name on her side but Lexie takes it to mean they have all abandoned her because she is a Dimera and because they never got over what she did to Hope and the whole baby switch fiasco," previews Lowery. "She gets angry and denounces all of them and makes an official proclamation that she is a Dimera for life now and that she wants to be the woman that took Zack from Hope because that woman was successful and not a loser. She just starts to doubt all of them and all of Salem is rocked because this adds to the Dimera presence." Stefano stands by her and, during a talk with Sami, warns her that she will pay for admitting what Lexie did for Sami. "Sami is scared stiff because Stefano tells her that he will make it his personal mission to see her suffer," says Lowery. By week's end, the custody hearing is in full swing and gets nasty as Lexie pulls out all the stops. "Poor Abe is playing it fair as usual and Lexie is pulling out his past with Fay, his temper, and his shooting Brady and Larry Morris," sighs Lowery. "She even claims he emotionall abused her during his blindness and impotence, which she talks about publicly. He is humiliated and it is heartbreaking." The judge then rules on custody and all of Salem finally realizes the Dimera's are back in full force. "The scariest thing is they know about Stefano and Lexie and what they are capable of but Cassie is like the phantom menace and no one knows she is working against them too," laughs Lowery. Actually, the scariest thing is that the trouble is just beginning...

ABBY: FATHER'S KEEPER

Laura steps up her plans to keep Billie away from Jack this week on Salem Lives when she enlists Abby in her scheme. "She is talking with Julie who is not exactly a supporter fo Billie because of Hope," says HW Tim Lowery. "However, Julie warns her to let Jack figure everything out on his own as trying to stop him from being with Billie will only make him want to more. It makes Laura look worse and worse is her point." Laura agrees to back off, realizing that Jack and Billie are only friends at this point and that Julie is right. However, Abby returns and Laura gets an idea. "She begins to think to herself what would be if she found a way to keep Billie away from Jack and not get her hands dirty," previews Lowery. "It is then that she uses Abby and has this talk with her where she suggests that Billie is pushing Jack to move on too fast, that he is not home with JJ right now when he should be and she is not with her daughter when she should be, Billie is using her vow to Jennifer to snag Jack and is disrespecting Jennifer's memory, and on and on." Abby buys into all this and confronts Jack and Billie when they return. "The big shock is that she comes right out with it in front of her father," says Lowery. "She just reiterated everything Laura told her and no one can even get a rid in. Jack realizes that Laura is not the only problem and that Abby is not ok with this so he talks with her and tells Billie they should keep away from each other for now." Billie agrees and then has a moment where she realizes what is going on. "Abby mentions not being the only one that feels the way she does and Billie looks at Laura and just knows she said something to Abby," says Lowery. Billie says nothing of it and leaves but not to worry JILLIE fans, this is far from over. "The next day, Jack and Billie meet up at the custody hearing and things already kinda get back on track," previews Lowery. However, don't expect that to last long with Laura and Abby around.

KAYLA AND STEVE KISS!!!

Kayla turns to a more aggressive method to help Steve remember his past this week on Salem Lives when she kisses him and he kisses her back. "They are still in the cell and Steve is still impatiently waiting for rescue," previews HW Tim Lowery. "Kayla just keeps telling him someone will look for her and find them but Steve is just blocking her out." Kayla once again suggests taking their time in captivity as an opportunity to discuss his past and try to recover his memory but he once again has no interest in anything but escaping so Kayla goes to more hands on measures. "She decides to show him how much she loves him and to show him his past rather then tell him so, while he is yelling at her, she just jumps at him and kisses him," says Lowery. "He pulls away at first and then she says she loves him and he looks into her eyes. It is then that he just gives in and kisses back and things get heated...until he puts the brakes on." Steve tells Kayla it's not right and then goes back to not thinking about his past yet again. "The good thing is that the kiss erases doubts he had about whether she was a Dimera spy or some nutcase," laughs Lowery. "He had no idea she was telling the truth but feeling what he does with that kiss he realizes he had something with her and that this is something he needs to explore so Kayla does make some progress." Hearing that should be music to Steve and Kayla fans' ears.

Rumor Mill

-Word is a major TV and film star may have won the role of Cal/faux Roman's psychiatrist. Check back for an announcement this week. A former Days and PC actress is also rumored to be up for the role.

-One actor may soon be out and his character recast a la RKK/Peter Reckell.

Comings and Goings

In

Marsha Clark (Judge Karen Fitzpatrick): The judge returns to weigh in on Theo's (Kavi Faquir) custody hearing on October 12 and 13.

Rolonda Watts (Cameron Reese): The tough as nails lawyer returns on October 12 and 13 to represent Lexie (Renee Jones).

Previews and Peeks for Week of 10/9/06

-Nicole grows suspicious of Eric and Greta.

-Greta takes action to help Eric.

-Frankie plays hero.

-Chelsea hides.

-Abby lashes out at Max.

-Cassie has Max fooled.

-Greta questions Hope about Victor.

-Eric and Nicole's relationship is on the rocks.

-Jack and Billie share a tender moment.

-Kayla kisses Steve.

-Laura uses Abby against Billie.

-Victor, Bo, Lucas, and Austin plot against Stefano.

-Victor is warned about Maggie.

-Lexie and Abe go to court.

-Stefano warns Sami.

-Lexie turns on Salem and plays dirty.

-Theo's custody is decided.

Red Letter Days!!!

Tuesday October 10: Steve and Kayla kiss!!!

Friday October 13: Theo's custody is decided as Abe is humiliated, Lexie plays dirty, and the presence of the Dimera's is felt full force in Salem.

Next Week: Carrie and Alan discuss his past. Lucas is touched by Sami's concern. Eric shocks Greta. Chelsea may send Max into Cassie's arms. Abby's heart is broken. The Horton's prepare to pull a fast one on Maggie.