Johnny and Chanel Finally Reunite — Plus, Kristen Vows to ‘Rise From the Ashes’ Like Her Father!
It may be Monday morning for the rest of us, but Johnny and Chanel are still stuck in Friday’s cliffhanger as he struggles to answer her simple question: Did he shoot his dad? It’s a legit question, given, as she points out, how many times he said he wished EJ was dead. Johnny makes the point that there’s a difference between wishing his father dead and making that a reality. “While I’m convinced that would have made the world a better place,” he admits, “I’m not the one who pulled the trigger.”
Chanel concedes that her hubby didn’t shoot EJ, but still thinks he needs to deal with the anger he feels toward EJ. They’re interrupted by Paulina and talk turns to Sarah’s near-fatal Sweet Bits treat. (Bonus points to Paulina — and todays’ script writers — for dropping in a mention of Chanel and the hunk’s “five-minute marriage.”) Once alone again, Johnny continues his apology to Chanel, sharing that he’s started both therapy and a new job at Titan-DiMera. He’s about to go extend his stay at the Salem Inn when she thrills him by saying he should check out. It’s time for him to come back home.
Kristen kicks Brady’s day off with an in-person deliver to Rachel’s birthday party. Turns out none of the girls in their daughter’s class will be attending. “Each and every one of those nasty little cretins” sent their regrets, the miffed mom reports. Brady points out that their daughter is… um… er… perhaps not the ideal gal pal, what with her snake obsession and tendency to lie. It quickly turns into an argument about Kristen’s influence on their daughter, and her own lack of friends. “I have one true and amazing friend,” reminds Kristen, “and Lani is all I need.” Too bad she doesn’t live in Salem, her ex points out, prompting her to dub him “Daddy drunkest” before apologizing for the low blow.
Eventually, they agree neither is going to be named Parent of the Year and that they are responsible for Rachel’s struggles. “The last thing I want is for her to grow up to be like me,” sighs Kristen. “A needy, hot mess with obsessive tendencies.” She breaks down about having lost Stefano’s company to a pair of “mouth-breathing goons!” Their conversation is interrupted when he receives a text from Philip requesting a meeting. Never fear, says Kristen, “I’m a survivor, Brady. The one thing my father taught me is how to rise from the ashes.” (I’d have killed for them to use that trilling Phoenix music cue here!)
Having replaced his usual hot cup of morning joe with Stephanie’s steamy manuscript, Alex is about to read more about The Erotic Adventures of Jason and Bronwyn — which would be a way better title than One Stormy Night when he’s interrupted by the arrival of Philip, who wants to discuss the hospital purchase. Philip hopes Alex will help him where Xander is concerned, but that seems like an uphill battle.
Philip doesn’t get why Xander is so determined to buy the hospital, which is clearly a money pit. Or is it? Alex says there’s more going on than meets the eye… after all, EJ, too, is putting in a bid. Eventually, the two men wind up on the same page, or so it seems. Philip later sneaks into Alex’s office and finds a folder labeled DiMera Pharmaceuticals. Dialing up a Dr. Frame, he asks to be brought up to speed on the project!
Over at the pub, Kate’s giving new employee Doug a bit of training, which includes telling him to hand over the money to any would-be robbers and that Roman keeps a gun in a lockbox behind the… hey, where is that pesky pistol, anyway? She questions Roman, then calls him out on lying to her face. They take the discussion upstairs as Holly enters, trying to sell Doug on the idea that she has zero interest in attending tonight’s prom.
In their room, Kate waxes poetic about her relationship with Roman. They have so much in common! “We both have guns. We both went out on the night in question.” She did not, however, shoot EJ… did he? Roman admits he didn’t, leading her to ask about the missing lockbox. He confesses that the night of the shooting, somebody took his gun… and it might have been used to shoot EJ!
Doug admits to Holly he never went to his prom because he dropped out of high school. She suggests he pursue a GED, offering to help her study. Their sweet moment is interrupted by Brady, who says Tate misses her. Awkward! Holly exits to continue taking down prom posters. (Since when are posters promoting prom tickets plastered all over the place, as if it’s an event anyone can attend? And what was with the creepy way Philip was starring at a departing Holly?) Brady quickly realizes that Philip is fishing for info on Xander’s interest and beats a hasty retreat.
Kristen’s bad day continues when she heads over to her former office to basically beg Alex for a job. Will he put in a good word with Xander and Philip? “About what?” Alex responds. “Your prowess in bed? Babe, I don’t think they’re gonna be interested and, no offense, but I’m not really interested anymore, either.” Switching gears, she pitches herself as a “driven, intelligent woman who is very passionate about her career.” But it’s a no-go. On the plus side, she again runs into Brady who agrees to come to Rachel’s birthday party.
