Sarah Furiously Slaps a Hungover Xander — Plus, Could Belle Be EJ’s Shooter?
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Xander arrives for Victoria at the Kiriakis mansion as Sarah cleans up their daughter’s toys. She’s abrupt and blunt about his therapy with Marlena, and he’s hungover and contrite after his drunken shenanigans. He asks for coffee for his headache, but gets a classic soap opera slap to the face instead.
Sarah just wanted him to know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of flying fists, but it’s also for breaking their marriage vows with Gwen. Xander admits to going to Gwen’s hotel room, but he didn’t sleep with her. He could never cheat on her. Sarah points out that he did cheat by kissing that horrible woman who did horrible things to her. She tearfully shouts for him to get Victoria and leave.
On Break From Court
Kristen and Rachel eat at the Pub after shopping. A sullen Rachel knows Kristen just bought her stuff because she had to testify at Johnny’s trial. Maybe after Kristen testifies, her mommy will take her shopping too. Rachel is so glad EJ finally told Kristen where her mother was. She missed her. With Brady running late due to a flat tire, Kristen tells Rachel she’ll have to go back to court with her. Rachel freaks out, exclaiming that she doesn’t want to go.
Johnny comes home to excitedly fill Chanel in on EJ’s hypnosis session, which indicates that a woman was the shooter. Chanel worries EJ will implicate her when she takes the stand — but that’s okay. EJ can throw her under the bus all he wants if it clears Johnny’s name. She loves him, and once she’s done testifying, she’ll be by his side in court until the trial is over.
At the DiMera mansion, Gwen interrupts EJ’s flashback to yesterday’s episode when he asked Marlena if she thought Samantha shot him. Gwen pours them drinks as EJ updates her on the latest with the trial. He doesn’t know who shot him, but he’s sure Marlena does. Gwen’s eyes gleam as they try to untangle the mystery. They deduce the shooter is someone EJ and Marlena both want to protect. After eliminating Sami, Gwen says, “Blood hell. It was Belle Black who tried to murder you, wasn’t it?” Gwen eventually dismisses the theory, but EJ knows Belle would have had her reasons.
At the penthouse, Marlena admits to Belle that she has an idea of who shot EJ, but she doesn’t have any proof. However, it’s best that she not say more, since Belle is so intertwined in the case.
Marlena Takes the Stand
At the courthouse, Johnny tries to talk to EJ about Chanel, but his attorney/father is too busy preparing for Marlena’s testimony. In the corridor, Belle apologizes to Marlena for having to attack her credibility on the stand. An always understanding Marlena assures her she’s there for her no matter what happens. It’s one of the few things in life Belle has never doubted.
When Marlena takes the stand, she states that while under hypnosis, EJ remembered the shooter was a woman, sending a buzz through the gallery. Therefore, EJ tells the jury, John Roman DiMera is completely innocent. On cross-examination, Belle gets her mother to admit that even under hypnosis, EJ could be lying. But on redirect from EJ, Marlena says she believes EJ’s memory is legitimate and genuine.
Drama in the Square
Outside Sweet Bits, Paulina meets Chanel, ready to support her in court. Chanel insists she’ll be fine and even understands EJ’s strategy. But Mama Bear Paulina does not. There’s no way in hell she’ll let EJ put Chanel behind bars to protect his son. Chanel is confident that EJ’s defense will prove there are numerous people who could have shot him. “If he has to point the finger at me… so be it.” And since Johnny is instructing EJ not to throw her under the bus, “I think I will be just fine.” Famous last words, right?
Across the Square with Victoria, Xander berates Gwen for lying to Sarah about them sleeping together. She plays it off like she was trying to make Sarah so jealous that she’d want him back. Her obvious lie just stokes his fury. Xander sneers, warning that if she ever pulls a stunt like that again, he’ll make sure she regrets it. Gwen is all too happy to leave them both alone.
As they exit the Pub, Rachel begs her mother not to drag her back to court. They see Sarah, and Rachel suggests she hang out with her instead. Kristen reluctantly allows it. Over sundaes inside, Rachel gets overly personal with Sarah when she asks if she and Xander are getting a divorce. Rachel knows how hard that could be for Victoria because she wishes she lived with her parents as a family.
A Woman Did It, But Which One?
When Kristen takes the stand in court, EJ gets his sister to recount how she threatened him over her mother the night he was shot. Plus, the cops found a gun in her purse. However, under Belle’s questioning, Kristen states that the bullet shot into EJ didn’t match her gun.
Later, Kristen follows EJ to the corridor. Does he really think she shot him? He doesn’t know, but he’s sure a tight-lipped Marlena does. Kristen knows Marlena wouldn’t stay mum to protect her, but EJ counters that she’s Marlena’s granddaughter’s mother. And Chanel is her grandson’s wife, Kristen points out, and Gabi is her great-granddaughter’s mother. So, the shooter could be anyone. Yes, EJ says, anyone. He eyes Belle as she emerges from the courtroom.
Next on Days of Our Lives, Johnny implores EJ to do the right thing with Chanel. For more Friday spoilers, check out our brand-new preview photo gallery below.
