beebs

So...I'm sure folks can fill in more on this, but I'll post what I remember: 2003-04 - Sami flying through the DiMera glass doors, placeholding until Reilly came in, but I don't really remember, other than the fact the show dropped from a solid #3 to #8 in the ratings within 4 weeks of Dena's arrival, which seemed to escape Corday's memory when he was writing his book. 2009-12 - Sami/Nicole Baby Switch, Carly/Vivian return, Parker Jonas who's-the-daddy, and "Melanie, Carly, and Daniel do a mediocre pantomime of the Jessica Blake as Marie Horton's secret daughter storyline", except Carly magically becomes addicted to pills because...I think...Melanie was mean to her?????, Kate playing the Wicked Witch from Snow White and poisoning Chloe with an apple because she had dumped Lucas for St. Daniel Of The Sacred Heart on the Cross of the Eucharist. 2015-17 - There was a lot: - Necktie Killer - Bo returns only to die on the Horton Town Square Official Brain Tumour Death Park Bench (TM) (Lexie died on the exact same bench three years earlier) - Ciara's raped by Chase on Tom & Alice's couch so Claire & Co. tie Chase to a chair and torment him for a few days while Ciara-whose-jaw-was-apparently-wired-shut grunted at Claire to let him go - Aiden turns out to be evil...also a twin??? - John is actually the son of a dated Asian stereotype who lives in the hills??? I tuned out by this point so someone could do a better job explaining the Robichaud nonsense than me. - Jungle Madness Redux that was somehow worse than the original story - Orpheus redux Pt. 1 with bombs going off all over town that no one ever actually saw go off because the show had no budget to actually blow anything up, so instead we got a scene of Paul standing in Marlena's penthouse looking out a window, then cut to commercial, and after the break, Will comes in to find Paul passed out on the floor with nary even a shard of shattered glass around him. - David Banning killed offscreen with Susan Seaforth Hayes devouring the Horton Town Square set loudly moaning about his death - The Deimos Debacle, complete with ripping off the made-up drug story from AMC. - Hope finally having enough and gunning Stefano down - Eric and Jennifer become addicts, Eric mows down St. Daniel Of The Sacred Heart on the Cross of the Eucharist, becomes a brooding bushman who exists only for Nicole to hurl abuse at and mope I think that's it? God, the 50th was absolutely TERRIBLE, wasn't it???

Judging by the unbridled vitriol Jessica directs at Marie once she does find out the truth, I get the feeling that's precisely the case. Yeah, I really don't understand the whole surrogate business to come, but I'm sure we will get a clearer picture when those months start popping up. It absolutely seems that Jessica was meant to be Laemmle's big young ingenue, but she comes off to me as so prissy and unlikeable, it's hard to see her in that role. I'm sure Jean Bruce Scott was able to soften a lot of those edges we read about here, but the writing really does her no favors.

OKAY onto Part 2 of November 1980, and I gotta say I am seeing some improvements. Let's see what y'all think: PART 2 (November 5-ish – November 19-ish) Marlena is the queen of spite career moves, and accepts Kellam’s permanent position on his staff. Doing what, I have no idea because he DID NOT WIN the election, so I haven’t a clue what he needs a psychiatrist on staff for, particularly when he’s fully committed to being a complete sociopath, himself. Liz remarks that Marlena is being very loyal to Kellam, a statement so weighed down by innuendo, I’m amazed she was able to get it to sail right over Marlena’s head. Don is, as per usual, pissed off at Marlena for taking the job, and tells her that she needs to quit ASAP, as he’s calling a formal inquest into Cassie’s death, and he can’t do that if she’s working for the slimebucket father of the guy who probably killed her. Marlena responds like a bratty teenager on the Jenny Jones show, and says Don’s just jealous of her relationship with Kellam, and refuses to quit her pointless job working for a sociopath, instead demanding Don quit as DA. She tells him that she won’t readjust her entire life around Don’s wants just to appease a cheating husband. Don gets fed up by Marlena’s obstinance, packs a bag and moves into the Salem Inn. When asked by Johnny why the grumpy guy with the perm left in a huff, Marlena explains to Johnny that Don needed time alone to think. Johnny thinks he left because of him (I’m sure it didn’t help matters, but no, it isn’t all about you, Johnny). He then asks if Marlena’s leaving as well, and Marlena hugs him and promises she won’t (who’s gonna pay rent on this place if Marlena moves out as well??) Don, as well as the Salem PD, are certain that Cassie’s death was a result of foul play, and they’re certain Tod had something to do with it, citing inconsistencies between Tod’s accounting of events and eyewitness accounts that say that Cassie was drunkenly headed for Tod’s that night to crash his party. Incidentally, we finally get a consistent spelling on Tod’s name. It’s…one D. Which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. I shall pronounce his name “toad”. I may even start writing it as such, because I am a sh!t disturber like that. Anyway… Jessica is served with a restraining order. Not from anyone in particular, just from the bits of land that are not inside the Salem city limit. I did not know borders could issue restraining orders, but…hey, you learn something new every day. Jessica has another aneurysm, as Alice talks her down, telling her that if she tells the truth, everything will turn out fine. After Alice stops Jessica from freaking out, Jessica calls Toad over to try to convince him to stop lying so that maybe they can stop being suspects at some point. Toad insists they keep lying because if no one breaks rank, he won’t look like the prime suspect. I guess instead, he would rather they ALL be suspects together and the cops won’t be able to pinpoint just him! Yes, I believe he IS, in fact, sober when he visits Jessica, so we can’t blame the sauce for his complete lack of common sense. Alice tells Marie about Jessica’s restraining order, and Marie wants to go comfort Jessica. Alice suggests she don’t, because she may reveal that she’s Marie’s daughter, and you know how Jessica reacts to any and all adverse news. Marie agrees, against her better judgment. Mickey tells Alice and Marie that the police think Jessica is lying to protect Toad (you know, because she IS). Marie calls Alex to try to talk to Jess to get the truth out of her. He agrees. When Alex does visit Jessica, she tries to convince him that she’s telling the whole truth, but Alex knows better, and scolds her for protecting Toad. Jessica cracks, and admits she lied, that Cassie was with Toad the night of the party, but insists her drowning was an accident. Alex isn’t so sure, and tells Jessica as much. Big mistake, as Jessica instinctively stands up for Toad, and stubbornly announces she will keep lying to protect him from going to jail. Max suggests to Kellam that Toad might have actually killed Cassie and that it wasn’t an accident. But he and Kellam also thinks that the police are only suspecting Toad because of Don’s call for an inquest, and that Don only did THAT as revenge against Kellam for kissing Marlena. OOPS! Cassie was pregnant when she died! This’ll give Toad even more motive to kill her. It just gets worse and worse for the guy, doesn’t it? As Mickey and Don talk about this, Mickey asks about Marlena, and Don admits they’ve separated. Mickey suggests Don go see Marlena and have a talk to try to patch things up. Don decides to do just that. At the same time, Kellam is having a similar conversation with Marlena, and even suggests she quit her job working for him to try to relieve any tension between Marlena and Don. Marlena tells him it doesn’t matter, since she and Don have separated. Kellam pretends to be really sad about this, just as Don walks in, immediately misinterprets the scene before him, and huffily announces he’s come to grab more of his things, instead. At the inquest, Kellam makes a point to threaten Don if he slanders Toad. Alex, meanwhile, informs Mickey about Jessica’s lie, and encourages him to get the truth out of her on the stand. On the stand, Don questions Toad about his relationship status with Cassie at the time of her death. Toad claims he saw Cassie a few days before the party, but not that night. Jessica is then asked the same questions, and lies through her teeth, insisting she didn’t see Cassie that night either. Too bad the police had questioned several of Cassie’s friends who testified that Cassie HAD gone to crash Toad’s party the night of her death. The testimony becomes even more inflammatory when the medical examiner reveals that Cassie was three months pregnant at the time of her death. Worse still for Toad, Don calls a passerby who was on his boat the night of the party, and distinctly remembers seeing and especially hearing Toad, Cassie, and Jessica on Toad’s boat that night. He recalled hearing them arguing on the shore, before continuing onto their boat, and remembered hearing Jessica’s and Cassie’s names that night, particularly. OOPS! Back at UH, Josh senses something is up, as Jessica hasn’t been to see him for a number of days. Marie simply tells him she’s in some trouble, but will be okay soon. And what trouble it is. Realizing how deep he’s in now that there are eyewitnesses, Toad asks to be put back on the stand. Once there, Toad admits he did actually see Cassie that night, and that after they dropped Jessica off at the shore, he and Cassie carried on arguing on the boat for a bit. Cassie admitted she was pregnant and insisted they get married. Toad refused, stating that he didn’t love her, then the wave hit, Cassie fell overboard, and Toad dove in to try to find her (unsuccessfully). Jess takes the stand immediately after and corroborates what she was present for that night. Don makes a point to the jury that Toad and Jessica had both lied under oath. Don is now certain that Toad and Jess are GUILTY!!!1 Cassie may have drowned, but was likely knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, so the trick is for the jury to decide if the blow was inflicted intentionally, or accidentally. The jury believes Cassie was knocked out by someone, and Don has Tod and Jessica arrested for Cassie’s murder. Alex goes to Marie to tell her of Jessica’s arrest, hoping Marie will go to Jessica’s side, as she was closer to the girl, but Marie is insistent that Alex do so. Alex presses to know why, thinking Marie’s once again pushing for Alex to play father figure to Jessica again. Marie instead blurts out that Alex IS Jessica’s father. Alex, shocked, asks how Marie knows, and Marie tells him the rest: because Marie is Jessica’s mother! SUDDENLY IT ALL MAKES SENSE! Marie admits she got pregnant by Alex in New York during an edition of “World’s Worst BDSM Sessions”. Marie ran off (presumably after seeing Alex throw his brother off a balcony), and had the baby in a convent. She knows Jessica is that baby because she gave the baby a medallion and Jess has that medallion etc. etc. Alex wonders why Marie gave up their baby, as he would’ve married her. Marie fires back that she wouldn’t have married HIM. Alex is BIG mad, and goes off to the jail to see his kid. Alex doesn’t reveal the truth to her at that moment, instead comforting her and telling Jessica that she’s very special to him. Jessica appreciates the comfort, not questioning his motivation like she constantly does with Marie. Josh is starting to remember some things about the night of his beating, but they’re patchy. He recalls wanting to kill Kellam (that’s more a general mood in Salem, though, so not hard to recall), and then planning to see it through (okay, that’s a little different). It’s only when Mickey tells him of Jessica and Toad’s arrest for Cassie’s murder that Josh’s memory is jogged in a dream: he saw Cassie fall off the boat, and saw Toad jump off the boat after her. Josh remembers going to jump in to follow suit, then wakes up in shock. He must see Marie immediately! Toad and Jessica are released on bail, and Alice and Tom offer her a place to stay until she’s acquitted. Toad, on the other hand, goes home to Kellam, but insists he’ll be moving out the second the trial is over, blaming Kellam for telling Toad to lie to the cops in the first place. When Liz finds out that Kellam is responsible for Toad lying to the cops and getting himself in this huge mess, Liz has ANOTHER go at her father, telling him that she’s moving out as well. Liz is frustrated by her father’s fixation on women he has to manipulate in order to get close to, and orders him to stop chasing after Marlena. She calls out his double standard of chasing after married women he works for when she can’t be with Neil because it might hurt his “image”. Trish actually has something to do for once, and makes an appointment with Neil at the hospital, not because she’s unwell, but because she overheard Neil’s conversation at Doug’s and is concerned he’s slipping back into gambling again. Neil pretends nothing is wrong, which is so convincing that Trish immediately offers Neil money to cover his gambling debts he claims he doesn’t have. Neil thanks her and says he already took care of the debt he claimed he didn’t have five seconds ago. Trish is certain that Neil’s slipping back into gambling to fill the void that losing Liz left in his life, and urges Neil to go talk to Liz again. Neil actually takes Trish’s advice, and calls Liz. Liz agrees to see him, but when Neil tries to convince Liz to forgive him and resume their relationship (now that Kellam’s campaign is over, there really isn’t anything standing in their way), Liz refuses once again. Neil maintains he didn’t take Kellam’s bribe, and accepts responsibility for their breakup, but Liz still can’t get past the pain the breakup caused her. This changes once Liz discovers Kellam convinced her brother, Toad, to lie to the police about what happened the night of Cassie’s death. Suddenly the fog lifts, and she realizes that, OH YEAH, Thing 1 and Thing 2 probably were lying about Neil taking the bribe money, as well! So she goes to pay Neil a visit to try to smooth things over. Neil is thrilled by Liz’s change of heart, but as they’re about to kiss, the phone rings: the bank has refused his $20k loan to cover his gambling debts. Because Neil won’t tell Liz what’s wrong, she figures Neil is shutting her out again, and she leaves AGAIN. Sturm-and-Drang-o-rama. Mary and Leslie are having a screaming match over Mary’s ultimatum about telling Chris the truth: that Alex owns the land the marina is on. At this exact moment, Chris shows up, wondering why they’re using their outdoor voices indoors. Mary leaves, giving Leslie those threatening eyes, and Leslie breaks down and tells Chris that she’s been lying to him. Without even having to say it, Chris immediately guesses that Alex owns the land, and lashes out at her for dealing with the sleazeball, even announcing he’s giving up the project as a result. He notes that, without Mary’s pressure, Leslie would never have told Chris the truth, citing Leslie’s previous closeness with Alex. He feels he can no longer trust Leslie, and plans to go on the road alone to hawk his solar generator. Chris heads immediately over to Alex’s, where he announces he’s breaking his lease. Alex threatens to sue for breach of contract, but Chris suggests Alex sue Leslie instead, since she’s the one who made the deal in the first place. Alex thinks Leslie should keep to their agreement, since “two unemployed newlyweds is very sad”. Chris threatens that Alex will one day get what he deserves (you’re in for a long wait, Chris). Mary is next in line to visit Alex. She finalizes their divorce, while Alex informs her for Chris’ visit, and accuses Mary of trying to split up Chris and Leslie, something she doesn’t deny. However, Mary counters that Alex himself has plenty of cause to want Leslie and Chris apart. Before leaving for his solar panel sales tour, Chris asks Leslie what she’ll do while he’s gone. Leslie says she’ll wait for Chris, but when Chris has a tepid reaction to her desire to pick up where they left off, Leslie takes her engagement ring off, certain that she’s lost him for good. At first, Chris tells her to keep the ring, but Leslie tells him she won’t if it doesn’t mean anything to Chris. Mary’s next order of business is to visit Max, to try to scam a job at Anderson from Chandler Corp. Max is his usual sleazy self, and is sure they can find room for a “beautiful woman like her” in the company (GAG). Afterward, Max pays Leslie a visit to offer HER a position at the Anderson plant as well! Leslie is about to tell Max to shove it, but Maxwell leaves before she can. Lee and Kyle exist again, with Lee teasing Kyle about his attraction to Maggie. When Maggie comes to visit, Kyle immediately leaves, and Lee makes immediate mention of how close they seem to Maggie, and can’t understand why Kyle would bolt from the room like that. In the therapy room later on, Maggie tries to help Kyle, but is shouted down. Maggie leaves, hurt and confused. Oh Maggie, whenever in doubt, if Lee is involved, always assume Lee did something. Lee is delighted she’s wounded Kyle’s ego enough that he’s rejecting Maggie, because apparently Lee is only happy when everyone around her is miserable. Maggie admits to Mickey that she’d become too attached to Kyle, seeing so much of herself in him. She tells Mickey that she wanted to inspire him to live a full, active life with a disability, having her own experience to draw from. So...I have to say, things are moving at a CLIP. It's shocking for me to see so much movement, considering Tomlin's second run as HW was so much slower-paced than this. Yet somehow, I feel like they're hitting every beat? The stories are becoming a bit more interesting and complex than they were under Laemmle, so i will give them props for that, though I'm less than thrilled by the continued nonsense surrounding Kellam. At least his kids are wising up to him.

Okay, so I figure if I cut down my summaries to cover just each issue, maybe I'll be more likely to actually do them? November 1980 was 16 pages long, and my eyes were watering just thinking about it, so here's Part 1 of November 1980, which would be Gary Tomlin/Michelle Poteet-Lisanti's first full month as HWs. PART 1 (October 27 – November 4-ish) Marlena tries to convince Don to go to Kellam’s 21st birthday shindig for his kid who we can’t figure out the spelling of. Don won’t do it, so Marlena goes on her own. Kellam is thrilled, but Marlena explains the reason Don won’t come is because he caught Kellam kissing Marlena. At home Don is caring for Johnny who has exactly zero time for Don. After the party, Marlena tells Don that Kellam has offered Marlena a permanent position on his team after the election. Don is pissed off, yet again, bloviating about how the DA’s wife can’t work for the governor because it’s a conflict of interest. Apparently Don’s never heard of a soft touch. Rando dayplayer Mark brings Jessica to Tod’s party, as per Todd’s plan. Todd leads Jessica to greet Kellam, and Rando mark makes a beeline for the door so that Tod can have some alone time with Jess. Todd’s a big fibber and tells Jessica that Cassie’s been invited (she hasn’t). His fib comes out after about eight drinks, prompting Jessica to feel sorry for Cassie and put off by Tttodd. Dayplayer Mark flees to the disco, where he runs into Cassie. When another random dayplayer friend of theirs mentions the party to Cassie, Cassie realizes something is up and decides to crash the party and make a huge scene. Back at the Chandler mansion, Kellam makes a toast to the drunkard he bore, and the drunkard announces that he’s gonna marry Jessica. Jessica runs away in response, because, even in 1980, consent is still key. Outside the mansion, Jessica gets some more practice sobbing, when Tod comes out. Jess asks how he could embarrass her like that in front of everyone, to which Toddd tells her it was to get even with Kellam for making his 21st birthday into a society event for his campaign, but, like…also that he does want to marry her?? Because that’s supposed to make it alright. Jessica runs off again, and, by the lake, they run into a drunk Cassie. Cassie accuses Ttod of stringing her along when he really wants Jessica, and accuses Jessica of putting on a Little Miss Innocent act, shouting “all the nuns taught was was how to be a liar and a slut!” Tod then thinks it’s a good idea to put the two girls on a boat together? Then lets Jessica off the boat? Maybe he figured Cassie was drunk enough that Jessica would push her overboard?? I’m confused as to why SOD felt I needed to know this information, but anyway. Julie tells Mrs. Chisholm that she knows Joshua is Sunny’s son. Mrs. Chisholm nearly has a coronary, and begs Julie to stop Josh from seeking revenge against Kellam (even though Kellam absolutely deserves to be revenged against). Julie agrees. Mickey tells Josh that Mrs. Chisholm’s story isn’t enough to have Kellam arrested, so Josh does the most logical thing and goes and gets his gun. When Julie goes looking for Josh to stop him revenging at Kellam, she finds an empty room, and an empty gun holster. She panics and runs out into the street, looking for both. Julie manages to chase him all the way to the Chandler house, where she calls out to him before he reaches the door, and tells Josh she knows he’s Sunny’s son. Josh stops and tells Julie he must kill the man who killed his mother. Julie tells him that’s a terrible idea, that Sunny would think it was a terrible idea, and that his bestie/brother Todd would definitely think it’s a bad idea. Josh thinks Tod would probably think it was an a-ok idea, since Ttod doesn’t exactly LOVE Kellam, but he agrees not to kill the a$$h0le, regardless. After promising not to shoot Kellam, Josh asks Julie to go back to Flora. Julie thinks THAT’S a bad idea too, but goes along with what Josh asked of her, anyway. Josh, thankfully, doesn’t shoot up the party, instead taking a walk along the lake, where he sees Tod alone on his boat (guess he pushed Cassie overboard LOL). SOD says that as Josh watches Todd, two strangers watch Josh! From where, who or why, I have no idea, but anyway. They beat Josh up and throw his body in the lake to drown. Julie hunts for him when he doesn’t come home that night and finds him, sending him to UH in an ambulance, where Neil says he’s badly banged up, but he’ll be okay. Tod comes back from the boat and tells Max about Cassie and the boat. Mustache Twirler #2 tells Todd to pretend nothing is wrong and that there is no Cassie. Jessica later asks Ttod where Cassie is. Toodd tells Jess that he and Cassie broke up, and that he will “never see her again”. Ominous. Jessica cries to Alice, who tries to give advice to the mousy little whiner, but she won’t listen, so Alice goes to Marie and asks MARIE to talk to her kid, saying that if Marie had listened to her mother years ago, she’dve been spared a lot of miserable years. Marie agrees. Jessica tells Marie she’s worried about Cassie’s disappearance. When Marie tries to be comforting, her brat daughter snaps at her, wondering why Marie’s being so nice now. Marie apologizes for being distant, and that she can’t explain why she’s been that way, but tells Jessica she does love her. Jessica screams at Marie, wondering how Marie can treat someone she loves that way? After Jessica again asks Toddd where the hell Cassie is, he finally breaks down and tells her she’s dead. After letting Jess off the boat, the two drunks took off on Tod’s boat and argued, first about Cassie not being invited to Ttod’s party, then about who loved who. Cassie loved Todd, but Tod loved Jessica, and Jessica loves Josh (and the cycle continues). Cassie stood up, a wave hit, she fell overboard, and Tod hasn’t seen or heard from her since. Bye Cassie! Jessica tells Todd to call the cops, but Tod doesn’t want the publicity and worries he’ll go to jail for killing her. Jess is apparently about to have an aneurysm at the news, and orders Tood leave her apartment. Alex is next up to bat in this edition of “Let’s Harass Marie About Seeing Her Annoying Child”, telling Marie that he’s concerned for Jessica and hopes Marie can reach out to her. Marie won’t, instead asking Alex to be more of a surrogate father to Jessica instead, and still won’t tell Alex why. He knows she’s holding something back from him, and he’s determined to figure out what it could be. Alex then goes to Kellam and talks tough about keeping Kellam’s “punk kid” away from Jessica, which immediately arouses suspicion from Kellam, who wonders why Alex gives a $#!t. THE CAT’S OUT OF THE BAG! Someone actually gave enough of a $#!t about Cassie to ask where she went, and now the papers are reporting her death. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are annoyed to find out that the papers are reporting Cassie’s body being found in the lake (guess it wasn’t the body they wanted found there). They’re extra-annoyed because the paper mentions Cassie’s connection to Todd! OOPS! JUST in time for Election Day, too! The press hound Kellam for a statement about Cassie’s death, but Kellam deftly dodges the questions, saying only that his son is in mourning, and that he hasn’t see Cassie in three weeks leading up to her death (that will come back to bite ya, for sure!) Kellam’s also less-than-impressed to discover Josh’s rather grave condition, and scolds Max for ordering such an intense beating. Max accompanies Tood to the station for questioning, where he coaches Ttod on what to tell the police (the baloney about not having seen Cassie in three weeks, she wasn’t on my boat, etc.) When questioned, Todd recites his answers like a pro, and lies further, telling the police that Jessica was his date, so now they’ll be questioning Jessica as well. Alex helps Jessica work up the nerve to go to the police, who want Jess to make a statement about the night Cassie fell off the boat. Jessica debates telling them everything she knows. When Alex tells Marie about Jess being questioned, she suggests Mickey accompany Jessica to the police station. There, Tod pleads with Jessica to deny having seen Cassie that night. The dummy agrees, as Tod insists the police think Cassie’s death wasn’t an accident (well maybe if you’d said something in the last week or so???) Jessica says nothing. Julie tells Flora about Josh’s beating, and she’s shocked, but knows exactly who is responsible, but Josh cannot corroborate anything, because he got beat so bad, he ended up forgetting the entire night! Hooray! The Sleaze loses the election! Kellam blames Don! Marlena blames Don! Everybody blames Don! Liz visits Don to tell him that everybody blames him, and to ask why Don quit working for Kellam. Don tells her that he caught Kellam kissing Marlena. Liz sighs defeatedly, apologizes to Don, then goes home and tears a strip off Kellam for being a sleaze. Max berates Kellam, calling him a ‘loser’. Kellam fires Max and tells him to get out of his house, to which Max reminds Kellam that he has too much on Kellam to leave now, and that from now on MAX runs the show, and will not be taking orders from…his…boss??? What a weird pair. Liz still doesn’t believe Neil when he tries to tell her that he didn’t accept Kellam’s bribe. Kurt Randall tries to convince Neil to join the next poker game, which means you KNOW Neil will eventually fall right back into old habits. After about thirty seconds of hesitation, Neil immediately withdraws $15,000 from the bank and goes a-gamblin’! And loses every penny! And more! Kurt gives him a deadline to pay up, causing Neil to call the bank for a loan. Here we go again. Mary agrees to handle the PR for Chris’ marina project for free (until the marina turns a profit), pissing Leslie off because it’s yet another way Mary and Chris remain too close for her comfort. Chris agrees without consulting Leslie, making everything that much worse between them. Chris throws some platitudes at Leslie about her being the only woman for him, and all is forgiven. Mary, meanwhile, heads to Doug’s Casino, and announces to Neil that she’s ready to resume all her old relationships (all at once? How modern of her). Chris and Leslie walk in at that exact moment. This…leads nowhere. Later, at the marina, Leslie senses something is bothering Mary. Mary confesses she feels uncomfortable with Chris not knowing Alex bought the property. Leslie begs Mary not to tell Chris the truth, but Mary holds firm: either Leslie tells Chris the truth, or Mary will. Trish, now free from her whiner husband, learns she’s off to LA to record a demo. I see they're already cutting some of Laemmle's dead weight, as I'm fairly sure Leslie is on her way out soon as well. I'm pretty sure this is where temporary Mary steps in? It really does feel like there was plans to use Mary heavily under the new regime, possibly having her mix it up with Don and Neil from what I've been reading. I wonder why it didn't work out.

To point one, agreed. I like how they kinda cast Vanessa Williams to more to resemble Diane Sommerfield than Tina Andrews. I see similarities in their mannerisms and voice. To the second, no, there was a line Trish said to Liz about running into a friend. The tension is probably just from Trish being tense about David being on the run (he was presumed to be the Strangler at this point by the Salem PD, and was on the run for shooting Alex, I believe?) Evan is sitting with Renee, it looks like. I'd take even a few full episodes. These clips are KILLING me, I want MOOOORE. LOL!

EPISODE 190 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco At the Salem PD HQ, Hope walks Nick out of Roman's office, holding his arm. She's evidently concerned for him after his sudden painful headache in Roman's office, and that concern is evident in her voice. HOPE: You know, I would feel a lot better if I drove you to work, Nick. NICK: No, no, don't worry about me, Hope. Honestly, I'm okay. Hope stops, letting go of Nick's arm, as they continue talking in the main lobby of the police station. HOPE: Yeah, and you weren't a few minutes ago, so... NICK: I...apologize for that. I've been under a lot of stress, and...you know, sometimes it gets to me. Hope stops, and looks at Nick, arms folded. She nods, furrowing her brow. HOPE: I don't know if I believe you. But...okay, whatever you say. NICK: (laughs) Look, I know I worried you before, but I promise, I will stop in to make an appointment with Dr. Grant as soon as I'm done at work today, okay? HOPE: Okay. It's a deal. Hope smiles, as Nick extends his hand to shake Hope's. HOPE: And please, Nick. Be careful tonight at the party. I know....I know Abe thinks it's a great idea, and I know you wanna do your part to put Sheryl and Jordan away, but...please...please be careful. Nick smiles, leaning in to kiss Hope on the cheek as a 'thank you' for her concern. NICK: I will. You don't have to worry. I have faith in what Abe can do, especially with the ISA involved. HOPE: Well, just remember, even spies aren't perfect. I'll see you later. NICK: Okay. Thanks, Hope. HOPE: See you tonight. As Nick walks out the door of the police station, Hope looks on, with grave concern in her eyes, countering Nick's confidence. --- At Kate's loft, Billie slides open the front door, revealing Sami on the other side. Sami immediately, not even paying attention to who's inside. SAMI: Kate, we got trouble. EJ is up to something, and I'm worried it's about Nick and the.... Sami stops herself when she realizes Billie and John are both visiting. She stammers, standing wide-eyed as Kate looks at her, unimpressed. SAMI: John...Billie...you're here early! Sami looks around, giving them both a fake smile that does little to hide her panic. Kate, meanwhile, sighs from the kitchenette, pursing her lips and rolling her eyes at Sami's incompetence. John holds up a cup of coffee Kate's just handed him. He nods in greeting to his stepdaughter. JOHN: Morning, Sami. Sami stands in Kate's loft, caught off-guard by both John's and Billie's presence. Unsure how to complete her thought, she laughs awkwardly. SAMI: John! Billie! How...how great to see you, Kate and I were... KATE: We were just talking about how Nick's so...green in the job, he's not exactly reliable yet...so... Billie is immediately suspicious, knowing that Nick had something hanging over the heads of everyone on the Titan board. JOHN: Oh, I...I see. SAMI: Yeah. Ah...Look, I ah...I came to pick Kate up for work, were you...gonna be in town for long? JOHN: Not ah...not too long. SAMI: Mm. I guess it makes sense, since you're divorcing my mom, and leaving her to go on your little adventures with the ISA and all-- Kate gets up from her stool, clearing her throat before Sami can get too deep into her hostility with John. KATE: Ohhhkay. I think it's time to go. John, good to see you. Billie, I will see you at work. Sami and I have some things to catch up on so she can drive me over today. As Kate grabs her purse, John looks puzzled, further alarming Sami. JOHN: Didn't...don't you and Sami work for each other's competition? SAMI: Yeah, it's ummm... KATE: Yes, but we're working on a charity function together. Nick is...heavily involved, so...anyway. Have a great day, all. We'll see you tonight! Kate and Sami make a quick exit, muttering to each other on the way out, as their backs are turned to John and Billie, who look on, bemused. SAMI: (under her breath) Nice save. KATE: (under her breath) I wouldn't have to if you weren't such a lousy liar. SAMI: Lousy?! I-- Kate slams the loft door shut, leaving Billie and John behind. Billie turns to look at John, both of them equally confused by what just transpired. --- Gabi stands at the bar in the Kiriakis living room, pouring herself a drink, as Anjelica steps into the room. Spotting Gabi putting the cap on the brandy caraffe, Anjelica can't help but make a crack. ANJELICA: Well, we're on the sauce rather early this morning, aren't we? Gabi turns to face Anjelica, who smiles with a sardonic sweetness. GABI: I'm off today. And since I worked so hard yesterday, I figured I'd start tonight's festivities a little early. Anjelica smiles smugly, as she calmly patronizes Gabi. ANJELICA: Gabi, one thing you're going to need to learn now that you're entering into high society is that one never starts indulging too many hours before an engagement. We don't want our entrance to be a sloppy one, lest we end up on the society page. Gabi takes a sip of her drink, before putting it down, all ready to do battle with an obviously-hostile Anjelica. GABI: I suppose that would be important to someone like you. Especially considering how image-conscious you'd need to be to erase the bad memories of your former husband from everyone's minds. ANJELICA: That was a long time ago. GABI: Not in the public's minds. As Gabi leans against the bar table, hand on hip, giving Anjelica a self-satisfied smile, Anjelica folds her hands together, and steps in closer to Gabi in an attempt to intimidate her. ANJELICA: Well, that's part of why we need to be careful. And why we can't allow people with just...any breeding to be seen in our presence. GABI: And what exact breeding did you mean? The kind that has an affair with a man younger than her own stepson and has his baby? Anjelica draws herself up, as Gabi continues her attack, chuckling to herself, swishing her drink in her hand. GABI: Heh, you thought I didn’t know about you, didn’t you? By the way, your son has grown into a FINE piece of man. I have to say. I might suggest to Nick that we do a little...swap one night, Noelle, Alex, Nick, and I. It might be a lot of fun! ANJELICA: You really are exactly what I thought you'd be. Gabi stays cool under pressure, snapping back immediately as Anjelica begins to react to her vitriol. GABI: Oh, you don't think he'd interested? Shame. Gabi takes a sip of her drink, as Anjelica tenses her jaw, nearly spitting her words out. ANJELICA: You can't even fake being attracted to him, can you? GABI: Nick? I love him. Why else would I have moved in here with the likes of you? ANJELICA: Oh I can think of a few reasons. Status. The affection from a man you know you won't get elsewhere...OH! And here's a big one. Money! Gabi feigns shock, putting her hand to her chest in fake indignation. --- --- Nick walks into Horton Town Square, as Jordan emerges from the Java Cafe with a coffee in hand. Upon spotting Nick, she immediately tries to avoid him, looking away and walking as far from him as possible, but Nick catches on, and steps into her path, smiling widely as he blocks her way. Jordan sighs, rolling her eyes, as Nick grabs her arm. She pulls away, frustrated by him. NICK: Not so fast-- JORDAN: Let go of me. Nick releases Jordan's arm, as she readjusts herself. She looks up at Nick with a deep-seeded anger in her eyes. NICK: Why are you trying to avoid me, Jordan? I thought we were friends! JORDAN: You're real funny, Nick. I happened to see your little stunt on Nicole's special last night. Nick feigns excitement, appearing chipper that Jordan saw him on TV, as she stands back, unimpressed. NICK: Oh good! You saw me! I was hoping you were watching. JORDAN: Oh, I definitely was. It's too bad that stage light didn't do what it was supposed to. NICK: Aww don't be like that. JORDAN: Well, what do you expect me to be like? You nearly ruined my life. Hell, for all I know, you still could! NICK: Mmm, no. No, you did that all on your own. Jordan sighs, as Nick carries on as though he hadn't said anything serious. NICK: So, are you going to the gala tonight? Jordan looks at Nick, unsure whether to be honest or not. JORDAN: Probably. I know Rafe wanted to go, and I intend to enjoy whatever time I can spend with him, so... NICK: That's sweet. Nick smiles widely, but Jordan isn't moved. Nick leans in a bit closer. NICK: I ah...I think you're right to spend every second you can with Rafe now. Because you know, tomorrow isn't promised. JORDAN: Is that a threat, Nick? NICK: Oh, no. No, just, a suggestion you tread lightly. I know Sheryl's been looking for you. And...you know, your connection could cause a lot of problems for you and your new fiancé. Jordan rolls her eyes, looking around to make sure no one familiar is watching this exchange. JORDAN: I appreciate your concern. But I figured that light falling an inch from your head would've given you a little wake up call. NICK: Oh, it certainly did that! JORDAN: Yeah, not the kind I'm talking about. I'm talking about the kind where you stay out of affairs that don't concern you. Let people live their lives and keep what you know about their business to yourself. Nick nods attentively, before rebuffing Jordan's statement entirely. NICK: Well, that would be fine except that....your business was affecting my business...and I thought the public had a right to know exactly how. JORDAN: You're sick. NICK: That's rich coming from a woman who helped blow up a bank. Jordan cuts in almost immediately, raising her voice for a moment before stepping in close to Nick, speaking softly but firmly to him to defend herself. JORDAN: I am NOT that person anymore! For one, I have nothing to do with Sheryl anymore, and besides that, I am trying to start a new life here with Rafe. NICK: That's funny, because...that's not why you came to Salem. Is it? JORDAN: No. But it's why I stayed. Jordan sighs, looking a bit defeated as she appeals to Nick's humanity. JORDAN: Look, all I want is a chance to start over with the man I love. To have a second chance at life. To make up for my mistakes, and maybe undo some of the damage I did. You got your second chance, Nick. And look at what you've been able to do with it. Let me have mine. Jordan turns and walks away, as Nick watches her. He looks on, contemplative of what she's told him. --- Will approaches the Kiriakis house, as Rafe exits. Will looks up, after putting his car keys in his pocket, somewhat surprised to see Rafe in front of him. WILL: Rafe! RAFE: Will. You ah...you obviously heard the news. Will rolls his eyes, as he half-heartedly laughs. WILL: Yeah. Heh. Yeah, I heard. Rafe looks surprised. RAFE: She didn't tell you either? WILL: No. No...I found out thanks to Nick gloating about it last night before someone tried to drop a light on his head on live TV. Rafe nods, the situation crystallizing in his head. RAFE: Right. (sigh) WILL: I'm...guessing you just found out? RAFE: Yeah. And...Gabi wants me not to worry. Will chuckles before responding, eliciting a bit of a glare from Rafe. WILL: Yeah, that's gonna work. RAFE: You know damn well I'm not gonna stop worrying about her until she's outta this house. WILL: You and me both. But...hey, take some solace in the fact she left Ari with us. RAFE: That's...that's something. And it tells me she doesn't intend to make it permanent. WILL: I didn't think for a second she did. Rafe perks up slightly at Will's last statement, certain there's more to the story. RAFE: You know something. Will shrugs, trying to keep Rafe from digging any further. WILL: No more than you do. I just know she isn't exactly in love with the guy. Rafe sighs, more confused than ever. He looks down at the ground for a moment, before looking back up at Will. RAFE: You came here to see Gabi? WILL: I mean...kinda. I actually was just here to drop off something for Alex, but... RAFE: Can you do me a favour? WILL: Anything. RAFE: Talk to her. Convince her that moving into this house is a BAD idea. I have such a rotten feeling about this. Will holds up his hands to stop Rafe continuing. His urgency makes it clear he agrees. WILL: Oh no, trust me. I agree. This is...this is absolutely not what I want, but...Rafe, I don't know that I can convince her once her mind's made up. You know Gabi. RAFE: I do. And I also know you're one of the few people who can get through to her. So...please. For me. For Ari. Try. Will takes a second, before nodding back at Rafe solemnly. WILL: I will. Rafe pats Will's back for a moment, before heading for his car. RAFE: Thanks, man. WILL: No problem. As Rafe takes off, Will steps toward the front door. He sighs as he watches Rafe walk away, unsure if he can pull of what Rafe's asked of him. WILL: No problem at all. ... Inside the Kiriakis house, Gabi stands in the living room, inches from a hostile Anjelica. Gabi holds her drink in her hand as she looks unfazed at her new rival. GABI: You know...for a houseguest that...pretty much nobody wants here, you really seem to act like you own the place. ANJELICA: Watch it, Chiquita-- GABI: Oooh, Anj, low-hanging fruit. I'm surprised at you. Anjelica ignores Gabi's crack, and continues. ANJELICA: I have a lot more influence in this house than you think. GABI: Maybe when it was Victor's house. But it's Nick's now. And I am his guest. And my influence with Nick is FAR greater than yours. So I would try very hard not to rock the boat if I were you. There's no worse look than a person running for governor who's homeless, is there? Anjelica furrows her brow, unsure how much Gabi actually knows about her situation with Nick. Anjelica takes a moment before replying. ANJELICA: I'll land on my feet just fine. The question I have is...what do you get out of this? I mean, if you’re just after money...there's a ton of easier ways to get at it than this. And I mean, I know Nick. He's hardly a prize catch. Gabi smirks, trying to stifle a chuckle. GABI: And your husband was? Riverfront Knifer? Gabi finishes her drink and sets it down on the bar, before turning back toward Anjelica, and pointing a finger, a curious look on her face. GABI: Didn't he kill Maggie's daughter? (laughs) I am...stunned that anyone with your last name is even allowed on the GROUNDS after that! Gabi cracks up, producing a mocking laughter, as she shakes her head at Anjelica. ANJELICA: I am not Harper. GABI: But you're using his legacy to try to sell yourself into office. I mean, I get it, yours isn't so hot, either. But, maybe....before you start trying to come for me, you clean up your own backyard first? Before Anjelica can interject, Will enters the living room, immediately sensing the tension in the room. WILL: OH! Hi! Umm…I’m sorry, am I interrupting…something? Gabi and Anjelica turn to face Will. Gabi is relieved to see him, while Anjelica is visibly irritated by his arrival. GABI: Will! WILL: I'm...ah...actually here to drop off something for Alex, but... Anjelica walks toward the foyer, nearly knocking Will over in the process. ANJELICA: Of course you are. I'll go get him so you can engage in repartée with someone more on your level. Anjelica smirks pointedly at Gabi, before stepping out of the room, heading up to Alex's bedroom. Will's eyes widen as he looks at Gabi, relieved to be away from Anjelica's hostility. WILL: Right! So....what did I just walk in on? Gabi grimaces, trying to downplay the tension in the room just moments before. --- At the Salem Central Bank, the bank manager hands the safe deposit key back to EJ, who sits across from him at his desk. BANK MANAGER: Ahh...this...actually isn't our key. EJ: Oh? BANK MANAGER: Unfortunately, it's true. And, to that end, I couldn't tell you which bank it would belong to. EJ sighs, looking down at the key that he grasps tightly in his hand. EJ: Damn. I was really hoping to get some of Father's personal affairs in order. BANK MANAGER: Oh, is your father okay? EJ puts on a somewhat sombre expression, exaggerating Stefano's health concerns to gain sympathy. EJ: Well, we've been...struggling with his diabetes, and...not to get too personal, but I would like to have his estate in order before it's too late. If you know what I mean. The Bank Manager seems touched by this, responding in an earnestly sympathetic way. BANK MANAGER: Oh...Oh, absolutely. I just...I wish I could tell you more. EJ: No, I ah...I understand the privacy laws and whatnot. Umm...but as his right hand at DiMera, this...this little loose end did take me by surprise. Ummm...you wouldn't happen to have heard or seen anything that could help. BANK MANAGER: I wish I could but...(sigh) You know, since you are involved in the company... The Bank Manager clicks his computer mouse a couple times, pulling up some DiMera files. Sending a copy to his printer, the documents emerge before EJ's eyes, delighting him. BANK MANAGER: These might give you some insights into recent executive activity. Maybe give you an idea of where to look. EJ lights up, nodding gladly toward the Bank Manager, as more and more pages print out. --- As Sami drives Kate toward the Titan building, she looks tense at the wheel, and is unusually silent. Kate looks over at her, concerned. KATE: Alright, you dragged me out of there in a hurry, and now you won't talk. What is it? Sami finally looks over at Kate momentarily, and begins to speak, her eyes now nervously darting back and forth between Kate and the road ahead. SAMI: It's EJ. KATE: I gathered that much. Now, what about him? SAMI: Kate, I think he might be...(sigh) I think he's double-crossing us. Kate looks at Sami, incredulous. KATE: What?! SAMI: I'm serious. KATE: Sami, where would you get an idea like that? The man...practically worships the ground you walk on. SAMI: Yeah well, he's a good actor. Kate takes a second, turning her head away to look at the road ahead, as Sami continues to stare off at the road with laser focus. After a second, Kate tries again. KATE: What...exactly happened this morning to put this into your head? SAMI: I got up, and he was already heading for the door. He was trying to sneak out. KATE: Okay? SAMI: He said he had a meeting, but when I broke into his tablet-- Kate cracks up at Sami's typically blasé mention of her invading EJ's privacy. KATE: Yes, of course... SAMI: There was no meeting in his calendar. KATE: Okay, maybe it was last minute. These things happen, Sami! SAMI: Not with EJ. He puts everything in that timetable. Everything. He is neurotic about that timetable, Kate. And I just can't shake the feeling he's up to something. Stefano's...got in his head. Something, I don't know, but-- Kate sighs, unsure what to say next, but after a moment of listening to Sami ramble, Kate interjects. KATE: Sami...Sami, turn in here, let's grab a coffee. (sigh) Not that you need any more caffeine, you're so tense you could cut diamonds between your shoulder blades. Kate rolls her eyes at Sami's anxious demeanor, as Sami obliges Kate's request to pull into the Java Cafe parking lot, as Kate continues to talk. KATE: You know, I can't understand how you can so easily change your mind about EJ like this. The man absolutely adores you, Sami. Anyone could see it! You were about to be married again before this whole mess with Nick cropped up. I just...I don't understand how that little twerp can so easily come between you like this. SAMI: Well, he did. Sami pulls into the parking spot, and Sami turns off the car, about to get out. Kate grabs Sami's arm, stopping her before she can open the driver's side door. KATE: Bull. I don't buy it. Now there's something you're not telling me, and I want to know what it is. Why are you so mistrustful of EJ now? After all you've been through with him? Sami takes a second, and sighs. Breathing in deeply to avoid getting emotional, she finally speaks, her voice cracking. SAMI: After...after we found out about Kristen raping Eric, I...I started having flashbacks to...(sigh) to the night Johnny and Allie were conceived...and... Sami closes her eyes, trying to keep her composure, and failing, as Kate, immediately realizing what's happening, pulls Sami towards her, holding her in a motherly embrace. ---

Yeah I've never really cared for it, either. I think I just have something against anything supernatural, which is why Passions completely turned me off as well (though I can overlook DAYS' kookier forays for some reason). PC stops existing to me once the vampires start for this same reason.

Considering how his DAYS run went, I'd argue we're up to 75%.

Yep, that's the big Jump The Shark moment for me as well. Nothing that happens after that is canon in my eyes.

Pretty much every soap I was into. Y&R I lost interest in when Mal Young replaced Sally Sussman, but ultimately the thing that killed the show for me was making Jill be Kay's daughter, not necessarily because it was a poor story choice (it was), but because it was among the first of a looooong list of things that started the decline. DAYS lost me during the last Dena run and never quite got me back. Ron has truly destroyed any chance the show could come back, and it's a shame. GL lost me when Reva the Clone arrived. I came back near the end to Alan stumbling about in a suit in a grey snowy field and nearly fell off the couch laughing. AW lost me when they killed Frankie. I came back when they announced Alice Barrett's return, and it was jarring with the sci-fi crap they were doing with the Jordan Stark story. The finale did no one any favours. GH is the worst for me. The values of the show are so warped, it makes me physically angry to watch, ever since the JFP/Guza era. Sonny pulling a gun on Jax in Robin's foyer in front of her daughter and Robin being totally okay with potentially murdering someone in front of a small child and not even so much as raising her voice to Sonny over it was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I haven't been able to even attempt to try to get back into it since.

I've tried since I was a kid, but always struggled to connect with ATWT. PROBABLY because just as I started to get into soaps as a kid was right after Marland's death, so the show was in such flux that it just didn't click with me like many of the others, but I do intend to go back and watch the Marland era soon to see if it sticks now that I'm older. Other than B&B, which I have intermittently gotten into, I feel pretty much the same.

And this would be exactly why I wish Stefano had actually died in 1985 🤦🏽‍♂️

As much as he drove a lot of drama later on, I REALLY wish this one would've stuck.

Not totally against this, though I'd argue you could do M-W (say Y&R/B&B), then T-T (GL/ATWT, for example) with the watered down 18 minutes (purely for ad revenue reasons), then do a Friday (or Saturday?) Omnibus edition like they do in the UK for anyone that's behind. I honestly think the omnibus could be the key to making it work, as that gives folks an easy way to catch up, and it wouldn't be especially overwhelming, since it only amounts to a one-hour show a week. If it's successful, you can always expand from there, but I just think that leaving folks wanting more and giving the writers the time to breathe a bit might stop things from getting too bloated or messy.

You might get lucky with Y&R, and DAYS. Both shows apparently have all episodes in tact. Just...not circulating, obviously.

From the sounds of it. From what I've been able to tell, they stopped doing many kinescopes after the mid-60s (with the odd exception of that glut of 1975 GHs that have popped up online), but didn't stop taping over old episodes until the late 70s for most shows, so basically, unless local stations and the like haven't held onto their timeshifted copies (or, how some of the soaps had copies shipped to Australian channels for rebroadcast, which, for whatever reason, have been kept), we're basically out of luck

This (hilarious) video cleared up a lot of it for me: I accidentally linked to the entire playlist, but they're worth watching for a laugh, tbh.

In her defense, if anyone walked up to my door with that god-awful plastic surgery, I'd scream like that, too. Those zoom-ins were pretty shocking, but not the way I'm sure they intended. YIKES.

Not that the performance was particularly OTT, but the direction, and the FEKKING SPOTLIGHT???

Yep, as someone who's lived in the NL, RTL Lounge is a station on my parents' cable package. Most Dutch TV stations don't air credits, really, now that I think of it.

EPISODE 189 Written by A. Washington-Beeby Story Consultant: C. Nathaniel Richardson & Nick Monarco Billie slides open the door to Kate's loft, finding John on the other side. Billie is pleasantly surprised to see him there and offers to let him in. BILLIE: John! JOHN: Hey Billie. John steps in, waving to Kate, who stays seated at the breakfast bar. JOHN: Morning, Kate. KATE: Morning, John. Bringing good news, I hope. JOHN: Well, I certainly think so. Billie looks on, intrigued, as she slides shut and locks the front door. BILLIE: Okay, you got me interested. What's happened? JOHN: Well...I was talking with Abe not long ago, and we both agree that we can use this Penthouse Grille grand re-opening to wrap this whole Jordan and Sheryl business up once and for all. Kate is now intrigued, turning herself slightly in her stool to more directly face John, as she sets her breakfast down. KATE: Oh? BILLIE: Sounds like you might be onto something. JOHN: I think it's as good a shot as anything. We just need to come up with a game plan, and fast, and if we do, we can finally get those two locked away where they belong. Billie turns to Kate, who smiles, pleased to finally have a possible break in the case. --- Inside Crystal's apartment, Sheryl emerges from the bedroom in her robe. Yawning and stretching, she walks over to the sofa, and turns on her TV, to find the local news playing. She sets the remote down on the coffee table in front of her, before turning away from the TV, heading for the kitchenette behind the sofa. As the TV relays the day's events, Sheryl heads for the fridge, half-listening to the newsreader. TV ANCHOR: (via TV) And tonight, Titan Enterprises will be celebrating their rebirth with a grand gala. Celebrating the re-opening of the popular Penthouse Grille, the who's-who of Salem society will be out to sample the finest cuisine, curated by famed local restauranteur, Julie Williams... Sheryl listens somewhat more closely, but opens the fridge door to retrieve some orange juice. TV ANCHOR: (via TV) ...and to add to the excitement, the night will also be a welcome party to the company's new CEO, Nick Fallon. Sheryl's head turns quickly to face the TV, an idea clearly coming to her in this moment. She slams the fridge door shut, and makes a beeline to her cell phone, which is plugged in in the next room. Emerging as quickly as she left the room, Sheryl makes her call to Jerome excitedly. SHERYL: (into phone) Come over right away. I've figured it out. I know how we're gonna do it. Sheryl beams, as she waits for Jerome's reaction. --- Gabi stands uncomfortably in the Kiriakis living room, with Rafe having just being shown in by Maggie. GABI: Rafe! Rafe looks on at Gabi, who's standing across the room from him and Maggie, with the incriminating photos of EJ and Abby in a liplock on Smith Island in her hands behind her back. He seems immediately suspicious of his sister, but is too upset by her being in the Kiriakis house to let that stop him from approaching her. RAFE: Gabi...you got time to talk? GABI: About what? RAFE: Ahhh...you moving into this house? Maggie clues in that this will probably be a less-than-pleasant conversation and quickly excuses herself. MAGGIE: I ah...I'm gonna go finish getting the room ready for Victor, so...if you'll excuse me. Maggie smiles warmly, but awkwardly, as she quickly exits the living room, shutting the double doors from the foyer behind her. As Maggie does this, Gabi shoves the pictures deeper into her purse before Rafe looks back her way. Rafe turns back to look at an extremely nervous Gabi. GABI: I...I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you, Rafe. It happened...really fast. RAFE: Yeah, I'll say. Gabi, you swore you weren't gonna get caught up with this sleaze again, and then I find out from him this morning at work. He's all up in my business, gloating about how you decided to move in with him in his big new house. GABI: I know. I know, I'm sorry. RAFE: Well, when were you planning on telling me? Gabi sighs, trying to explain herself without giving too much away. GABI: If you want me to be totally honest, I wasn't. Rafe seems incredulous of Gabi's answer. RAFE: What?! GABI: Just...hear me out. It's not what it seems, okay? The truth is, I'm not gonna be here very long. It's just...temporary. RAFE: ...Okay? GABI: That's...that's all I can say. Rafe, just...trust me. Rafe's anger rises, along with his confusion, and his voice. This alarms Gabi, who steps in closer to Rafe to try to stifle him as he shouts his sister down, hoping for a clear answer. RAFE: How the Hell am I supposed to trust you when you're giving me nothing to go on, Gabi?? It's not like you're predisposed to making the best decisions as it is! GABI: I know! Okay, but you have to trust me. The less you know the better. Now, can you just...let me handle this. My way. Can you do that? Rafe looks unsure, as Gabi looks back, her eyes pleading with him to back off. --- --- Sheryl opens the door to her apartment, and lets a tired Jerome in. Shutting the door behind him, they immediately launch into their plans for the day. SHERYL: Alright, so you wanna hear what I have planned, then? JEROME: Only if you can get me a cup of coffee first. I nearly crashed my car on the way over here. Jerome yawns as Sheryl makes her way over to the kitchenette to oblige his request. Sheryl is unusually chipper as she does this, and that fact is not lost on Jerome. SHERYL: You got it. JEROME: You're not a morning person. What is this...Little Miss Sunshine routine? Sheryl laughs as she pours Jerome a cup of fresh coffee, smiling widely as she hands it to him. SHERYL: I guess I'm just...full of confidence. Today is our day. JEROME: Oh, is it? SHERYL: Yes. See, today is the big gala at the Penthouse Grille. They're re-opening, as you probably know. Jerome stands, looking skeptically at Sheryl, who pours a cup for herself. JEROME: I heard. SHERYL: So...my thought is, since everyone will be there, and it's a busy society affair, both Jordan and Nick will be there. And it's a golden opportunity to whisk Jordan out of there, mess up that little weasel Nick's golden moment a bit, and get the hell out of Salem before all Hell breaks loose. Jerome sips his coffee, but frowns, before answering skeptically. JEROME: Okay, but...you said everyone who's anyone in Salem is gonna be there? You're gonna get recognized. Sheryl rolls her eyes, obviously flipping her dyed-red hair, and puffing her cheeks out slightly to prove her point. SHERYL: Disguiiiises. Like, come on, Jerome. I'm a master at this. You know me. And it's only for a few hours, and we're outta there. JEROME: And what if it's a trap? Sheryl, they know you're really Siobhan and I guarantee you, they're gonna figure out that you're impersonating Crystal Clarke. Sheryl replies non-chalantly. SHERYL: They haven't so far. JEROME: And for that matter, what happened to Crystal, anyway. You said you dealt with her, but what specifically happened? SHERYL: I took care of it. Okay? That's all you need to know. Jerome looks less than thrilled by Sheryl's deflection, sitting himself down on the couch next to Sheryl. JEROME: I still don't like the sound of that. SHERYL: You don't have to. You know nothing. Keep it that way, it's better for all of us. JEROME: That’s the truth. All I wanna know is, what’s the escape plan? SHERYL: I set up a car in the bush in the country. In there is scuba gear for Jordan and I, and a little surprise to throw the cops off the trail. JEROME: And you’re gonna swap cars when you get to this spot, and… SHERYL: …and drive off the very same embankment one Brady Black did not a few months ago. Now, listen. Are you in, or not? Jerome sighs loudly, looking at Sheryl with a prominent glare and pursed lips. JEROME: I'm in, but only if I'm not physically there, and once you're out of Salem, this is the last time you involve me in ANY of this. I'll help you with security, and access to the facility, but that's it. Don't ask me for more. SHERYL: Well, considering I'm pretty sure they haven't found the device we planted on their computers when we tried to plant the virus, I think that's doable. So....deal. Sheryl reaches out for a handshake from Jerome. Jerome, reluctantly, shakes Sheryl's hand. --- Hope and Nick stand in Roman's office at the Salem PD Headquarters with Abe, who is holding Nick's file on Sheryl and Jordan. He sighs as he closes the file. ABE: Yep. That's them. NICK: So, if nothing else, you have their previous charges to hold them. ABE: If we can lure them to the party. Once they're there, they're ours. But otherwise, it's too dangerous to move on this. That's why we haven't yet. Nick nods, understanding the full situation now. NICK: Which is why you need my help. ABE: Exactly. NICK: I'm happy to help. As long as I'm protected for my trouble. HOPE: You will. Abe will make sure of it. ABE: Absolutely. Look, my duties as mayor may take up much of my time, but I honestly am still extremely passionate about police work. And anything that can help keep Salem safe is something I want to be a part of. Abe holds up the file to accentuate his point. ABE: These women are a threat to that. Abe drops the file on Roman's desk with a flourish. ABE: So here is what I want you to do. At the Penthouse Grille party, I want you to ensure that you are to make a special appearance, and dedicate the party to your ascention to CEO of Titan. All the publicity tonight should be geared to highlighting that. This should draw them out of the woodwork, as I'm sure you're aware, after last night, that they're after you. HOPE: Presuming, of course, that they're responsible for trying to drop that stage light on you. ABE: Granted, but regardless, once they're drawn out, then we will station armed officers around the restaurant, and remote surveillance, to ensure they don't leave, and that no one gets hurt. But, you NEED to be there at the gala. NICK: So I'm bait. Hope shifts uncomfortably, as Abe looks her way, hoping Hope has a slightly better way of putting it. HOPE: That's what it sounds like to me. Are you sure this is a good idea, Abe? Abe shrugs, a little exasperated by Hope's reluctance. ABE: It's the only one we've got. Sheryl has gone underground, and she's great at disguising herself. No one is sure where she's gone. We can't risk alarming Jordan while she's living with Rafe. It's far too risky for him, considering her volatility. HOPE: So if it's so dangerous, what are we doing to protect Nick? ABE: Hope, you know the drill. We would never put someone's neck out like this without having all our best officers out there to protect him. And, because it is an international case, we have the ISA working with us as well. Hope relaxes somewhat, but is still somewhat nervous as to what could happen to her cousin. She looks at Nick, who is deep in his thoughts. Eventually, Nick finally responds with a quick nod of agreement. NICK: Okay. Yeah. Let's do it. Abe smiles at Nick's decision, as Hope looks on, more than a little concerned. --- Rafe stands before Gabi in the Kiriakis living room, his arms folded in front of him as he scolds his sister for moving into the house. RAFE: I don't know if I can trust that you know what you’re doing right now, Gabi. You aren't exactly doing something that makes a lot of sense, and you've done way crazier stuff before. GABI: AND I've managed to get myself out of my messes before. Right? Rafe sighs, shaking his head. RAFE: That's beside the point and you know it. GABI: Look, it's not like I'm still in... Gabi steps in closer to Rafe and speaks softly, just in case anyone's listening in. GABI: Look, I am not under some kind of spell, Rafe. I know what Nick is like. I'm under no delusions about who he is. You just need to know that I am okay, and that I am doing what I have to do to protect myself and my daughter, okay? Rafe shakes his head, as Gabi steps closer to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. GABI: Can you do that for me? RAFE: Gabi, I just...I don't like the looks of this. GABI: You don't have to. You just have to be my brother, and support me. Gabi hugs Rafe tightly, as Rafe hugs back, almost afraid to let her go. His voice cracking slightly, he relays something to Gabi as Gabi steps back from hugging her brother. RAFE: Ah...Abuela says to call her. Gabi nods, dabbing a tear in her eye. GABI: I will. Rafe sighs, incredibly hesitant to leave. RAFE: Look...I don't like this. GABI: I know. RAFE: If you need anything. Anything at all. You call me, okay? Gabi nods, smiling though she's tearing up. GABI: I will. Thank you. Rafe looks Gabi up and down, as though it's the last he'll see of her, before nodding and turning back toward the door. RAFE: Be careful, Gabi. Rafe walks out of the living room, leaving Gabi alone in the living room. She stands, tense and scared, as she scans the room. GABI: Yeah. Careful. It's what I should've been all along. (sigh) Gabi, deep in her thoughts, heads over to the bar and pours a drink from the caraffe, as Anjelica walks in. Spotting Gabi pouring herself a drink, she can't resist making a sniping remark. ANJELICA: Well, we're on the sauce rather early this morning, aren't we? Gabi turns to face Anjelica, who smiles with a sardonic sweetness. --- At Kate's, John is going over the plan he'd worked out with Abe with Billie and Kate. Billie is less than thrilled by the plan. JOHN: So if we use Nick's influence to draw them in, I'll be observing in the Alamain Tower next door, and we'll get Shane remotely working to shut down the main power and elevators, so they can't get out. Kate sits behind John, still sipping on her breakfast smoothie casually while she listens. KATE: Some high-tech spy gear. JOHN: Well, the ISA is state-of-the-art in every way. KATE: I'll say. BILLIE: I still have some reservations about including Nick on this, though. John seems somewhat confused by Billie's reticence. JOHN: Why's that? He's the perfect target for them. Someone's already made an attempt on his life. This week, for God's sake! BILLIE: Yeah. And obviously there's a reason for that. John, I don't think Nick has clean hands in all this. We may be barking up the wrong tree, and HE may be involved in this deeper than anyone thought. He MAY be the third suspect. John turns away, wincing in disbelief at Billie's assertion. JOHN: Oh, come on, Billie! Nick's a smart kid, but he's not capable of pulling something like this off. BILLIE: John. I know that kid. Very well. Kate interrupts, setting the glass that held her smoothie in the dishwasher. KATE: Better than most! Billie gives Kate a cutting glare, as John retorts without missing a beat. JOHN: Look, it's worth a try, at the very least. We have to find SOME way to draw Sheryl and Jordan out into the open where it's not gonna put an officer in immediate danger. Somewhere tightly controlled where we can handle what's gonna go down. BILLIE: I mean, I guess. But I don't think Nick's presence will influence Jordan. Kate replies, eyes rolling freely as she mocks Jordan. KATE: It won't. But...if Rafe's going, she'll be all too happy to play the belle of the ball for her fiancé. BILLIE: Well, Mom, if you can hold your acid tongue long enough, can you maybe find out for sure. And maybe...influence his decision a bit. KATE: I can certainly try. As Kate responds, the doorbell rings. Everyone turns toward the door, as Billie walks over to slide open the front door. Sami arrives and immediately storms in, not even paying attention to who's inside. SAMI: Kate, we got trouble. EJ is up to something, and I'm worried it's about Nick and the.... Sami stops herself when she realizes Billie and John are both visiting. She stammers, standing wide-eyed as Kate looks at her, unimpressed. SAMI: John...Billie...you're here early! Sami looks around, giving them both a fake smile that does little to hide her panic. Kate, meanwhile, sighs from the kitchenette, pursing her lips and rolling her eyes at Sami's incompetence. --- At the Salem Central Bank, EJ sits opposite a bank manager in his office. The man, unseen by us, speaks to EJ from behind his desk. BANK MANAGER: Mr. DiMera, what can I do for you today? EJ: Well, I was wondering if you could help me access this safe deposit box, I believe this would be with your bank? EJ presents the bank manager with the key he found in the living room safe at the DiMera mansion, and smiles confidently. ---

Yeaaaah that's...that's a big ol' NOPE for me too.

LOL, yeah, I haven't watched consistently in about three years at this point. The more I read and the longer I go without, the more I realize I'm not missing much.

I could've sworn David was Dena's fault. But I agree either way, it's just stupid. What's the point of bringing her back after YEARS just long enough to make fans see what she could bring to the show again, just to off her a couple of weeks in? It's incredibly lazy, and creatively bankrupt. There are some sacred cows you just don't shoot.

Lolol found my Twitter account, I see @victoria foxton? Basically, though if you can PM it to me, I'd be eternally grateful 😬😬😬