Xander’s Anger Management Is Put to the Test, and Johnny Exposes Kate’s Scheme to His Family

Stephanie’s trying unsuccessfully to work when Alex brings dinner home from The Bistro. She’s not hungry, so he smothers her some more with a message and some kisses. Clueless. So clueless. Luckily, Johnny shows up with flowers for Stephanie and the news that he’s not leaving DiMera.

He fills them in and apologizes for plagiarizing Stephanie’s book, but she announces she’s done writing, so no harm, no foul. Johnny sees himself out after opening that can of worms and Alex gets worried as Stephanie tells him, her voice flat, that she can’t dig into that emotion anymore.

Stephanie worries she’s letting Titan and Alex down, but he assures her it’s fine. She’s home and safe. And, Alex tells her, she’s not alone, anything she needs. Stephanie hates being a victim and feeling afraid all the time. He promised to keep her safe before “and it wasn’t enough.”

Will Maggie Stop Xander?

Maggie stops Xander from leaving the office for the night to tear into him about the lawsuit against Johnny. She calls him out for using and setting Johnny up. Maggie believes him over Xander and if this did happen, he crossed the line, and screwed over family (meaning Bonnie).

Things go from cool to frigid as Maggie says she let him regain power, and she can take him out if she wants. Xander, in turn, tells her that will destroy Titan and she’s out of moves. “I’m the only one doing what’s necessary for this family.”

She points out that since Johnny wouldn’t settle, they missed the deadline for the last payment and Xander did this for naught. But Xander already made the payment (from the illegitimate side of the business). She knows whatever happened was sketchy as hell and he did something very illegal.

“Word of advice, Maggie? Don’t ask questions if you don’t really want to know the answers.” She knows Victor kept parts of the business from her, but Xander screwed up. And as he scowls his way out of the office, she fires a parting shot: “If it takes this to save Titan, maybe it isn’t worth saving.”

How Will Xander React to Philip?

Sarah’s trying to read when a giggling Gabi and Philip show up in the living room. “Is there something that I can help you with?” She’s not thrilled to learn they’re moving in. “Welcome home, I guess…”

Then Gabi stands around awkwardly while Philip and Sarah debate Xander’s reaction to the news. She finally jumps in to tell Sarah she should have some faith in Xander, and Philip tries making peace. He knows he’s at fault for Xander not living there, but it kind of blows up in his face when he tells Sarah that Gabi knows about the forgery.

Can Marlena and Kate Work Together?

Marlena and Kate meet for dinner at the Pub. And Marlena wants to know what’s going on with Titan. Except she doesn’t know anything about Johnny, yet! Kate lets it slip then tries to backtrack and just tells Marlena to talk to her grandson.

So the doc moves onto Basic Black and Brady’s desire for her to consult on the business. And wonders if Kate wants to run it with her. Kate would! (Yeah, hold that thought, Marlena.) Maggie tries calling Kate once again and leaves a message telling her not to ignore her. Roman is about to join them for dessert when Johnny arrives and blows Kate’s cover. He tells his grandparents what happened and Roman wants answers. “She set me up,” Johnny flatly declares as Kate ignores Maggie’s voicemail.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Sarah’s ticked, but Xander shows up to read Victoria a bedtime story before anyone can react and all three freeze. Philip tells Xander they’re moving in and he just chuckles — So what? It’s not his home. — and Philip and Gabi run upstairs for some sexy time.

Kate claims this was all a mistake (But will he believe her?) and Marlena pulls Johnny outside for Kate to gaslight her husband. Outside, Marlena checks in with Johnny about what’s going on, and warns him that maybe he should talk to Chanel before finalizing staying at DiMera.

Stephanie tells Alex that this isn’t about him — she wants to protect herself. “I want to get a gun. And I want to learn how to use it.”