Week of 10/22/06 Edition

SALEM LIVES STUNNER: THE "NEW" ABBY!!!

Get ready to see a different and very disturbing side to Abby this week on Salem Lives when she decides to make several changes to her lifestyle...and her look. "It is shocking what she does," says HW/EP Tim Lowery. "I don't think the fans will believe how much she changes in the aftermath of all that has happened in her life. She is determined not to be a doormat or the goody two-shoes that gets tossed around because people know she won't do anything about it. She wants to let loose and not worry about others or people liking her anymore. It's now about her only." The happenings being referred to her here is the death of Abby's mother, Jennifer, and that fact that she doesn't have her mother there for her during a difficult time. "She has people there for her like Frankie and her family," notes Lowery. "However, with everything happening with her and Max and all the heartbreak she is going through with that she needs her mother and she isn't there. That is void no one can fill, not eve a grandmother or a best friend." The growing closeness of Jack and Billie is not helping matters either. "Laura really poisoned her mind against Billie and that plays a big role in this change in Abby," previews Lowery. "Ultimately, Laura is going to wish she hadn't done that but she did and Abby now sees Billie as a threat to her family and to the memory of her mother and that is wrong." So, what exactly does Abby change? "She changes her look," says Lowery. "Her hair is done up to make her look older and like a movie actress, she wears alot more makeup, she dresses a lot sexier, and her attitude is incredibly negative and [!@#$%^&*]y. Basically, she is the splitting image of Chelsea in look and behavior." The first display of the new Abby comes when Billie catches Abby going out in her new get-up. "No one has seen Abby and Abby wants it like that because she doesn't want to deal with anyone," previews Lowery. "Her father and Frankie are out and Chelsea is waiting for her at the party they are going to so Abby gets dressed and prepares to leave without worry of being caught. She forgets that she told Billie that Chelsea was at her house the night before and she shows up to see Chelsea and is shocked by Abby's apperance and the atittude she now posesses." Billie and Abby get into it and she ends up getting fed up and runs out. "Billie is already worried about Chelsea since she is not at the house and now she is worried seeing Abby acting like Chelsea," laughs Lowery. "Jack comes home and she tells Jack about Abby but he doesn't beleive her. She tells Frankie to and no dice as neither man buys that Abby would ever act or look like Billie is describing. Laura then shows up and takes advantage of what is going on by making it look like Billie is trying to cause problems for the family so Billie is at a loss as to what to do." By week's end, Laura is making Billie look really bad in the eyes of Jack and Frankie while Abby is partying with Chelsea. "Jack and Billie end up going to the ball together and end up getting into a fight because Billie won't stop mentioning Abby," says Lowery. Laura has Billie right where she wants her but, little does Laura know, her actions could send Abby down a shocking path. "Laura is going to regret turning Abby against Billie and making Billie look bad while Billie was trying to warn the, about Abby," promises Lowery. Looks like she may be regreting it sooner then she thinks since Abby is on the verge of dipping into the world of drugs and alcohol, especially after seeing Max with Cassie yet again. "It's a whole lot of drama unfolding," teases Lowery.

MAGGIE: FAMILY REUNION!!!

Maggie finds herself face to face with several returning loved ones this week on Salem Lives when the Horton's big plan to help Maggie is revealed and put into motion. The week begins with Victor finding Maggie and trying to make things right. "Victor apologizes for the fight they had and Maggie accepts," previews HW/EP Tim Lowery. "However, she no longer wants to see him because she feels she is a screwup and that she will interfere and Victor doesn't argue with that because he agrees. He just doesn't want to say it so he makes it known he still cares about her and she can contact him for anything but that he feels it will be best since he doesn't want her getting hurt by getting in the way of his plans." Victor covers for Maggie with her family and says she is fine and then goes back to his revenge planning while Maggie continues to get hammered. "Victor knows he can't stop her from drinking and he realizes that without him being there for her she will need to get through her heartbreak somehow so he decides to leave her by and to just keep an eye on her," says Lowery. "He will make sure she doesn't lose total control so it's one of those things where Maggie accepts the worst in him, which is his dark side and all his desire for revenge and destruction, and he accepts the worst in her Maggie, which is her drinking. It's a reciprocal relationship." The next day. Julie comes over and pushes Maggie to come to the Horton Halloween Ball. "Maggie is hung over but covers with Julie by saying she just didn't sleep," notes Lowery. "She questions why Julie is pushing her to go to the party but decides to go because she knows they won't give up until she agrees to go. Plus, it will get them all off her back so they don't suspect her drinking and she feels she needs the drinking with everything she is going through and with no Victor to rely on." By week's end, Maggie arrives at the party and fans will finally learn what the Horton's have been planning these past few weeks to help Maggie. "Maggie arrives and everything seems normal enough until she is shocked by the appearance of her daughter Melissa," previews Lowery. "Then, Maggie comes face to face with Sarah and begins to get overwhelmed as all the guilt and pain she feels over Mickey returns and she makes a run for it...only to run into the arms of her former flame, Don Craig." Maggie is overcome with emotion as Julie, Doug, Laura, Alice and some other family members gather around her and try to get through to her. "She begins to lose it and the Horton's feel like their plan has worked and that Maggie is going to finally met them be there to help her," says Lowery. But...is that really the case?

ALAN HITS SALEM!!

Carrie makes a stunning request of Alan this week on Salem Lives when she asks him to return to Salem and to see what is going on with her loved ones. The week begins with Carrie continuing to ask Alan about his past. "He continues to avoid the issue," says HW/EP Tim Lowery. "He already told her about his childhood and that is more then he would ever tell anyone so he isn't ready to go into what happened in jail so he just wants to drop it." Carrie lets it go for now and the duo then discusses what they are going to do next now that he has healed from his injuries. "Alan asks Carrie when they ae going to do what she told Shane and leave the cabin but she tells him she can't go anywhere yet," previews Lowery. "She wants to know what is going on with her loved ones first before going anywhere since she doesn't know what has happened with them since they were searching for her in the area a few weeks back. She asks Alan to go into Salem and check on things for her and he is stunned she would ask this given his history with her family and what would happen if they caught him being around them. Carrie knows of the risk and consequences but there is no other way with her being pregnant and more recognizable to more people and Shane not being around or in contact so she begs him." Ultimately, Alan agrees to go to Salem for one day to look into things to make Carrie happy. "He makes her promise that they will leave the area as soon as he returns with word and she agrees," notes Lowery. "He is really concerned about getting out of the area because of his past and the risk of getting caught." By week's end, Alan arrives in Salem while Shane pays a visit to Carrie. "Carrie is kind of ticked because she sent Alan out to Salem with all the risks involved and then here comes Shane to check on her," laughs Lowery. "Shane tries to convince her not to keep going with her charade but Carrie won't back down." At the same time, Alan is looking for Carrie's family and friends and learns of the Horton Halloween Ball so he comes to the conclusion that they all must be there. "Alan is quite happy because now he can be in costume and there is less chance of recognition," notes Lowery. "He doesn't have to worry about hiding in bushes and stalking people. He can just be in costume, walk around, collect info and then leave." If only it were that easy but it's not and Alan may learn that firsthand when Lucas, Austin, and Roman learn that Alan Harris is at the Ball and on a collision course with Sami. "The suspense is really building and the fans will be on the edge waiting for it to happen." But...will it?

COMINGS & GOINGS

IN

Actress TBA (Dr. Katherine C. Harcourt): The role of Cal's (Josh Taylor) psychiatrist has been cast and will be officially announced tomarrow. She will debut in mid-November.

Jed Allen (Don Craig), Alli Brown (Sarah Horton), and Lisa Trusel (Melissa Anderson): These former faces return on October 27 and will remain on the show at least through November sweeps. Rumor has it their stay could extend through the holidays possibly as well.

Kale Browne (Bill Horton): Brown returns to the role on October 27 when Bill shows up Salem to help keep Laura (Jaime Lyn Bauer) in line at Kate's (Lauren Koslow) request. Sources say that the actor will air through the holidays.

John Clarke (Mickey Horton): The original cast member, who exited from his role this past summer when his character was killed in an explosion, is back in a vision to Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) on October 31 and November 1.

Rumor Mill

-Look for Steve and Kayla's story to really heat up next week.

-Expect to hear which major actor is being recast a la RKK/Peter Reckell in the next two weeks.

-Stephanie Johnson is rumored to be making a return before the end of the year in the form of Shayna Rose, who took over the role this past summer.

-It is looking like Jensen Ackles short-term return as Eric will finally come to an end by year's end. No word on Arianne Zuker's status as Nicole. Will Eric die?

Previews and Peeks into Week of 10/23/06

-Victor and Abby cover for Maggie and Chelsea.

-Max wonders if he made a mistake.

-Hope tries to convince Bo to leave his alliance with Victor.

-Abby makes a big change.

-Carrie makes a stunning request of Alan.

-Lexie learns of Stefano's plans.

-Celeste predicts that revelations and more pain are in store at the Halloween Ball.

-Billie sees another side to Abby.

-Nicole and Eric have it out

-Shane tries to get through to Carrie.

-Laura has Billie where she wants her.

-The Horton's put their plot to save Maggie into motion as the ball gets underway.

-Nicole finds herself stood up.

-Kate has a surprise for Laura.

-Lucas, Austin, and Roman get a huge shock.

-Maggie is ambushed by her loved ones as some beloved faces from the past return.

-Sami is on a collision course with Alan.

-Lexie and Stefano's presence causes tension at the ball.

-Abby reaches her lowest point.

Red Letter Days!!!

Tuesday October 24, 2006: Abby makes a big change that stuns Billie.

Friday October 27, 2006: The Halloween Ball begins as several beloved faces return to help Maggie and Sami and Alan are on a collision course with each other.

Next Week: Will makes a new friend. Bo turns in his badge. Maggie gets a special visitor. Abby continues to come between Jack and Billie. Sami and Alan close in on each other. Nicole confronts Eric and Greta. Steve and Kayla continue to make inroads.