Biggest shock of the year: EJ’s 𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗋 is someone shockingly close!

Enough Hate to Go Around

I’ve had fun with the shooting stuff this week. And the fact that even after it’s done, everyone still hates EJ? That’s cold. Chad’s just about the only reaction we could even deem as kind. Most have been along the lines of, “He’s shot? Good. Let me know when he’s dead.

” Plus, Gabi’s outright calling the hospital and claiming family privileges from having sex with EJ to find out if he’s dead yet!

Gabi didn’t surprise me, but Johnny’s reaction —  “He got what he deserved.” — was chilling. Chanel may have been horrified, but Paulina looked stone-faced and determined.

And not at all unhappy. I’m curious about what she was about to confess. It wasn’t shooting EJ, surely, but at least it’s not something we already know. Possibly.

What are we thinking of the suspects? I figured yesterday that EJ would have to go into coma-land for the foreseeable future if they were going to keep the mystery running. He definitely saw who did it.

Whodunnit?

I feel like Chanel’s low on the suspect list. Ava’s just about off it, despite what they tried to do with her rushing out of town and dumping the gun. Because she really did leave

. It’s not a fake out. Paulina wouldn’t really kill EJ and Jada wouldn’t either, I’m sure. She just got her job back and she’s a determined cop. I don’t see her giving up on the justice system, even if things are rocky with Rafe. With that said: Ma’am. Find your gun. Salem’s had enough sloppy drunk cops.

Gabi and Rafe are iffy — but she’s had two traumatic prison experiences and I can’t imagine her risking jail again. And him? Rafe did help Hope cover up killing Stefano…

But shooting someone after you bugged the place seems silly. And very ill-advised. But judging by the lack of anyone saying anything to EJ, I doubt his bug will find anything.

Kristen’s definitely possible, but she’d want to find out where her mom is first. Unless she thinks Rita might know and can get her to tell Kristen if there are no other DiMeras to be loyal to. But that’s still a big risk. I loved how oblivious she was to the whole thing. Like I said here, living in the DiMera mansion is like living in a rough neighborhood. “Was that another gunshot? So annoying. Turn the TV up.”

Unlikely Candidates

The real culprit’s likely going to be a big twist, though, and if we’re going for left field — Sami’s always a possibility. Especially since she’ll be back next week. She’s not unaware of what happened, since Johnny’s been trying to get hold of her. Maybe she blames EJ after Johnny’s panicked attempts to get in touch with her. Maybe she’s just fed up with him.

Sami’s not above attempted murder and her and EJ’s love/hate relationship has gotten bad a lot of times over the years. Being forced to reconcile and revisit Johnny’s conception could be traumatizing for her.

Or heck, what if Stefan got away from Vivian (she’ll be back next week, too) came back and did it? Slightly less left field would be Rachel Blake getting free and doing it. However! EJ didn’t seem surprised to see the person, just surprised at what they were doing.

So that’s an extra wrinkle. With everyone’s venomous reaction to the shooting, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if whoever did it makes another try at EJ. Just takes one little plug pulling and that’s all, folks. Anyway, here’s our list of suspects, but I’d be happy if we end up getting more as this goes along.

Meanwhile, In Estonia

I’m happy to say my griping last week about Marlena ending up a damsel in distress was completely undone in the best way this week when she oh so casually subdued Orpheus. Then the trained agent let him get free… Insert eye roll here. Good job, Andrew.

Either way, he’s back in custody after a quick visit. TBD if we’ll see any more of him as the ISA interrogates him or if John’s loved ones move on to the next lead. Which is… Where? What’s coming next? It looks like we’ll have to wait a bit to find out, as the shooting aftermath takes over next week.

Which, it definitely should be the main story next week — but to drop the search for John completely? Sigh. OK.

Stray Thoughts…

• I’m not entirely sure how anyone could talk about “Rosebud” as being the next clue to find John and keep a straight face without a single person mentioning Citizen Kane.

• Gabi referring to EJ as “that bitch-ass clown” and calling Leo a “depraved Muppet” were my two favorite insults of the week. Especially the Muppet one. I want to see our favorite Salemites as Muppets now.
• I know Jada’s drunk and needs somewhere to stay — but the Salem Inn is probably within walking distance of Small Bar, folks. Staying with Shawn is just not a good idea.
• Rafe’s officially annoying me going after Jada and no one else for not knowing Arnold was a fake. After Arnold probably spent the least amount of time with Jada and hurt her more than anyone else…