Days of our Lives Recaps: The week of April 3, 2023 on DAYS

Megan lied to get a deal. Kayla reached Stephanie by phone. Chloe yelled at Rachel in front of Brady. Paulina suffered a panic attack during a fight with Sloan. Chloe cried on Xander's shoulder. Chanel gave Leo a story. Rafe and Jada resisted their attraction. Stefan and Gabi made love, and E.J. took pictures. Tripp kissed Wendy. Maggie stopped Alex from bribing a Greek cop. Bo impersonated Shane. Steve saw Bo.

Marlena's reunion with Brady goes awry

Monday, April 3, 2023

by Mike

John marveled to Marlena that Belle and Eric, who had just left the Evans-Black townhouse together, had finally managed to set aside their differences. Marlena warned that the peace treaty might not last, but John countered that it was "a miracle" that it had happened at all. "You are that miracle," John stressed before giving Marlena a kiss.

Brady entered the townhouse later that day and started lashing out after running into Marlena while passing through the living room. Marlena repeatedly tried to interrupt, but Brady doggedly forged ahead each time in an effort to get a point across. "You listen to me, Hattie Adams --" Brady spat at Marlena during the tirade.

John entered the living room just then and clarified the situation, prompting Brady to hug Marlena and apologize for the earlier barrage of insults. "Sorry this is such a shock -- I left you a message saying we had some incredible news here, but I should have been a hell of a lot clearer," John fretted. "No, Dad -- that's on me," Brady countered.

Brady vaguely explained that Rachel had probably deleted the message then quickly added that the details of that story weren't nearly as important as the details of Marlena and John's story -- and the couple took the hint and finished their tale with a joint update on everything they knew about the fates of both Kayla and Kate.

Harris objected to the idea of being released from the ISA facility, admitting to Andrew that such a move might put people in danger. "In Greece, when I was tracking down the prisms, I shot two men in cold blood then watched them fall overboard to their deaths," Harris informed Andrew, referring to events that had occurred the previous summer. "Those were Megan's victims -- just as much as you were," Andrew declared before trying to relate to Harris as an ISA agent who sometimes had to cross lines that shouldn't be crossed. "Have you ever had to kill someone?" Harris challenged Andrew.

Andrew dodged the question and changed the subject, advising Harris to focus on the future. "You have a lot to live for -- including my Aunt Hope," Andrew noted. "I'm not sure I can measure up to her late husband," Harris fretted. "Sadly, Uncle Bo is dead, so...who are you competing with?" Andrew objected before starting to head off in search of an update from the doctors who had been evaluating Harris. "As clich as it is, I will impart to you something that I'm trying to live by now -- whenever you have a chance at love, you should take it," Andrew urged Harris after a moment of thought before continuing to walk away.

Hope pointed out to Steve that Megan had used pronouns that implied that Kayla's captor was a man. "Wow -- I can see why they promoted you to police commissioner, with those powers of deduction," Megan joked. "Are you gonna keep insulting me...or are you gonna tell us this man's name?" Hope countered. "I can do both -- I'm extremely skilled at multitasking," Megan bragged.

Megan teased that Steve was "very well acquainted" with Kayla's captor and that Hope knew the man even better. "I know you love the sound of your own voice, but get to the point...please," Hope interjected. "The man who took Kayla was...Thomas Banks," Megan claimed before recapping everything that Susan's wayward brother had done during Hope and Steve's adventure abroad the previous summer.

Megan fought back tears while explaining that Kayla's captor had gone rogue at some point. "That man owes me everything -- he owes me his life -- and it doesn't matter to him!" Megan spat. "I gave him the perfect life -- I was going to give him the perfect future!" Megan continued. "I sacrificed years -- everything -- for him, and yet he does what he wants when he wants, and he doesn't care who he hurts!" Megan concluded. "You seem genuinely upset that Banks ran out on you -- what I can't figure out is why," Hope mused. "Isn't it obvious? I expect loyalty, that's all -- and, unfortunately, it happens to be in short supply!" Megan reasoned with a dismissive shrug after calming down.

Hope advised Steve that Megan was probably done being cooperative. "You better be telling the truth, and you better pray that we find Kayla safe and sound -- because whether you put Banks up to this or not, if anything happens to my wife, I'm holding you personally responsible," Steve warned Megan before leaving with Hope. "'Thomas Banks'! If only they knew who really took Kayla -- but I wasn't about to give Hope the satisfaction of knowing that her beloved Bo is alive!" Megan whispered.

Hope sent an update to John and Marlena via text message then entered Harris' room. "The doctors are certain that he is no longer under Megan's control -- which means...he's free to go," Andrew informed Hope while removing Harris' handcuffs.

Kayla continued a phone conversation with Stephanie while Bo was busy in another room of Victor's childhood home in Greece -- but the first few minutes of the call were somewhat wasted on attempts to prove that it wasn't a prank.

Stephanie finally managed to assure Kayla that no proof was necessary because Steve and John had already figured out what Megan had done. Kayla breathed a sigh of relief when Stephanie reported that Marlena was back in Salem with John and that Steve was hot on the trail of Megan's henchman. "It's not just some random henchman -- it was your Uncle Bo!" Kayla clarified. "I can only hear every third word or whatever -- there's lots of static -- so...look, just tell me where you are, okay?" Stephanie responded. "I'm in Greece!" Kayla shouted. "Where in Greece?" Stephanie wondered. "I don't know the town -- it's...Victor's childhood home!" Kayla answered.

Bo returned just then and wrenched the cell phone out of Kayla's hand then ended the call and started lashing out. Bo feared that Kayla had contacted Steve -- but finding out that Stephanie was the person who had been on the other end of the call was almost as concerning. "You will be relieved to know that there was a terrible connection," Kayla grumbled. "I hope you're telling me the truth, 'cause we don't need anyone tracking us down," Bo countered.

Stephanie filled Chad in on what Kayla had just revealed. "Makes sense -- Megan has a lab somewhere in the middle of the Mediterranean," Chad noted.

Stephanie tried to call Kayla back but wasn't even able to record a voicemail message. Stephanie soon realized that the attempt might have alerted the wrong person that Kayla was in possession of a cell phone, but Chad argued that there was no reason to jump to that conclusion and that the call had probably just failed to go through because of a bad signal in Greece.

Stephanie phoned Steve and explained what had just happened. "Greece? How did she end up there?" Steve sputtered at the end of Stephanie's tale.

Chloe tells Rachel she hates her

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

by Spalding

At the Brady Pub, Brady said he did not think he should reward Rachel for her solo trip to prison. "But don't you want to celebrate that I'm okay?" Rachel asked. Brady said he was happy that Rachel was okay. After a deep cleansing breath, Brady announced that he had good news.

"Do you remember when I told you that Grandma Marlena went to heaven?" Brady asked. Rachel nodded yes. Brady told Rachel that Marlena was alive. "Did you say that Marlena is alive?" Chloe asked as she walked up. While Chloe congratulated Brady, Rachel sat sullenly at the table. Brady invited Chloe to join them.

"You know what we need to do? We need to get all the toppings [on our ice cream to share]," Brady said. When Brady asked Rachel how that sounded, she said, "Over my dead body." Brady argued that Rachel could not eat all the ice cream on her own. "It's fine. Rachel, if I remember correctly, you don't like strawberries on your sundaes. And sharing ice cream can be kind of annoying, am I right?" Chloe said. Chloe suggested that they each order a sundae.

"That sounds perfect, right?" Brady said. Rachel explained that she did not mind sharing with her dad, but she would not share with Chloe. "You're supposed to be nice to Chloe, and you're supposed to give her a chance," Brady said. "Mommy only wrote that letter because you made her!" Rachel yelled. "She told you?" Brady asked. "No, but you just did," Rachel said. Chloe told Rachel that she understood why Rachel wanted her parents to be together.

"When I was your age, all I wanted was a mommy and daddy who lived together and loved me with all their hearts," Chloe said. Chloe assured Rachel that she had two parents and a lot of other people that loved Rachel. Chloe named Rachel's family members and then herself.

"You?" Rachel said. When Chloe nodded yes, Rachel asked if Chloe had crossed her fingers behind her back. Chloe showed her hands. "Listen, sweetheart. We used to be really close at one point, and I want that for us again. In fact, I kind of got you a little something," Chloe said. Rachel tore open Chloe's present. "Stickers?" Rachel said. Chloe said she had remembered how much Rachel had loved her sticker collection.

"I grew out of it," Rachel said. Rachel crumpled up the sheets and threw them on the table. "Rachel!" Brady yelled. "I don't take bribes! You lied. You don't love me. You hate me as much as I hate you!" Rachel yelled. "Fine! You're right! I do hate you!" Chloe yelled back. Rachel smirked at her father. Chloe apologized to Rachel.

"I never meant to say that," Chloe said. "Too late. You already did," Rachel countered. Brady announced that he and Rachel would head home. "Fine. I want to see Grandma Marlena, anyway," Rachel huffed. "Brady, I can't tell you how sorry I am," Chloe said. Brady said it was fine. "We'll talk about it later," Brady said. As Brady left with Rachel, Rachel turned and smiled at Chloe.

At the penthouse, Marlena soaked in a tub and read her book. "How is your spa day going?" John asked. Marlena grinned. "Divine," Marlena said. As John nuzzled Marlena's neck, he slipped and fell into the tub with her.

After Marlena and John dried off, they sat in bed. After Marlena talked to Carrie on the phone, Marlena told John that she hoped they would find Kayla. "Just let me worry about that for both of us," John said. John assured Marlena that Hope and Steve would find Kayla.

"It is so good to be home," Marlena said. Marlena lamented that Belle and Eric were still fighting. "Eric's been in a bad way ever since we lost you and since he and Nicole ended things," John said. John said he was hopeful that Eric would improve with Marlena's return.

"What caused this whole thing?" Marlena asked. "This whole thing is about what happened between Sloan Petersen and Paulina Price," John said. John explained the situation, and Marlena was surprised to learn that Eric was still dating Sloan. John said he was hopeful that things would improve, since the civil suit had been dismissed.

While John swirled a strawberry in a bowl of whipped cream, he knocked the bowl off the nightstand. "There's no sense in crying over spilled whipped cream," Marlena joked. John started to get out of bed, but Marlena stopped him. "I'm pretty much over the whipped cream. What I'm not quite over is you," Marlena said. John grinned as Marlena kissed him.

In the living room, Brady returned home with Rachel. Rachel asked to see Marlena, but Brady told Rachel to go to her room instead. "You're punishing me while Chloe's the one who said she hates me?" Rachel said. Brady argued that Chloe had not meant it. Rachel disagreed. "So, why aren't you mad at her?" Rachel asked.

At the Salem Inn, Gwen was rolling around in bed with Alex when Leo rushed into the room. "Whoopsie!" Leo yelled as he turned away. "Ever heard of knocking?" Gwen said through gritted teeth. Gwen asked Leo why he was not at work. Leo told Gwen that he needed to talk to her about Xander. Gwen groaned.

As Gwen and Alex hurriedly dressed, Gwen apologized to Alex. "I needed to get to work, anyway," Alex said. Leo stared at Alex, and Alex joked about taking a picture. "You have a point," Leo said as he snapped a photo on his phone. Annoyed, Alex warned Leo not to put the picture in his gossip column. Leo promised that the photo was for his private collection.

After Alex left, Leo told Gwen that he believed that Xander had hooked up with Chloe. "I didn't catch them in bed together, but it looked pretty intimate to me," Leo said. "Define intimate," Gwen said. Leo showed Gwen the photo he had taken. Gwen guessed that Chloe had been grateful that Xander had helped her alter Leo's column.

"I know that's what you want to believe, but does this look like a platonic hug to you?" Leo said. "Yes!" Gwen said. Leo argued that it made sense for Xander to pull a clickbait article if it was for a lover. "You are wrong. [Chloe] is not Xander's next conquest, because A, she's not his type, and B, her big eyes are only for Brady Black. Everybody knows that," Gwen said. Leo noted that Chloe's relationship with Brady was doomed because of her relationship with Rachel.

When Leo announced that he wanted to write about Xander and Chloe's romance, Gwen told Leo that she would not print it. "Don't be bitter. This just means that your plan is working. Xander is so jealous of you and Alex that he's throwing himself at Chloe to make you jealous," Leo said. Gwen pointed out that her decision was not about bitterness but because Xander would fire Leo if he wrote the story. Leo begged Gwen to overrule Xander.

"Why are you so determined to run this?" Gwen asked. "Because I have nothing else," Leo admitted. Gwen said she did not want Chloe to sue her, and she encouraged Leo to find another story.

Eric went to Sloan's apartment to tell her that his mother was alive. "Have you been drinking?" Sloan asked. "I'm totally sober. I saw her with my very own eyes," Eric said. Eric explained that Marlena was home safe with John.

Paulina banged on Sloan's front door and called out to her. When Sloan answered the door, Paulina showed her the threatening note that had been left in Paulina's office. "You are done with making these damn threats!" Paulina yelled.

"Usually when people deliver stuff like this, it's anonymously," Sloan said. "You know damn well it was you who left this note and not the other way around," Paulina clarified. Paulina warned Sloan that if Sloan continued to harass her or Chanel, Paulina would ruin her.

Paulina pushed past Sloan and walked into her apartment. "I didn't invite you in!" Sloan protested. "Just like I didn't invite you into my office, but you still snaked your way in there to trash the place and leave me this," Paulina countered. Eric asked Paulina why she was certain that Sloan had left the note.

"Isn't it obvious?" Paulina said. Sloan asked if Paulina had any evidence. "Of course not. Just like you have zero evidence that I'm the one who vandalized your office, because I didn't do either one of those things," Sloan protested. Sloan pointed out the poor punctuation in the note.

"Sloan swore that she wasn't anywhere near your office when it was broken into, and I believe her," Eric said. "Really? Then you are a bigger fool than I thought," Paulina said. When Paulina noted that Marlena would be "rolling over in her grave" about Eric's involvement with Sloan, Eric informed Paulina that Marlena was alive.

"Oh, my. Yet again, someone gets a reprieve from death in the great city of Salem. Praise the Lord," Paulina said. Paulina told Eric that she was hopeful Marlena could talk sense into Eric about Sloan. Insulted, Sloan told Paulina to get out. "Gladly, but I'm not done with you by a long shot," Paulina said.

After Paulina left, Sloan complained about Paulina's accusations. Sloan muttered that she would call the cops, but she believed they were "Team Paulina." As Eric stared at Sloan, she stressed that she had not sent the letter to Paulina. "I just defended you, didn't I?" Eric said. "I'm very grateful for that. But I saw the look on your face when you read the letter," Sloan said. Eric stressed that he believed Sloan when she said she had not been involved in the vandalism.

"But you did say that you want to take revenge out on her and Chanel," Eric said. "Absolutely, I do, and I will. Trust me," Sloan said. Sloan added that when she got her revenge, it would not be through a threatening letter. "When I come for them, they'll damned well know it's me," Sloan said. Eric asked Sloan if she knew who would have sent the letter to Paulina. Sloan shrugged. When Sloan moved her bag, Eric noticed a pile of cut-up magazines and scissors on the desk.

In the town square, Xander overheard Chanel on the phone with a doctor about an appointment. "I couldn't help overhearing," Xander said. Xander asked Chanel why she needed to meet with a cardiologist. "Is everything okay?" Xander asked. Chanel explained that her mother had suffered an episode.

"It turned out to just be a panic attack," Chanel explained. Chanel confided that she was worried that Paulina's stress levels could cause a stroke. "And she's stressing out because?" Xander asked. "Because of that horrible Sloan Petersen and her vendetta against us," Chanel said. Chanel told Xander what had happened at Paulina's office, and Xander asked why the police had not arrested Sloan.

"There's no evidence against her," Chanel said. "Why are you so sure she did it?" Xander asked. Chanel explained that the vandalism had occurred after Sloan's case had been dismissed and after Sloan had sworn to get revenge. "I see," Xander said. Chanel told Xander that the police had let Sloan go with a warning.

"Maybe she'll back off now, and this will finally be over," Xander said. "I hope so," Chanel whispered. Xander told Chanel that he hoped Paulina was okay. "Thanks. It's nice of you to say," Chanel said. With a grin, Xander noted, "Paulina was my mother-in-law." Chanel reminded Xander that Paulina had not been friendly with him during their brief marriage.

"Not my finest hour. I apologize for what I put you through," Xander said. Chanel said it was fine. "And for you, well, you were still in love with Sarah," Chanel said. As Xander stared off deep in thought, Chanel told him that she was sorry things had not worked out. Chanel took Xander's hand. "Likewise for you and Johnny DiMera, and more recently, his twin sister," Xander said. Xander told Chanel he had been rooting for them.

"You guys seemed very happy, very much in love. I was surprised to hear that she left town so suddenly," Xander said. Chanel told Xander that Allie had slept with Alex. Xander's eyes went wide, and he called his cousin a "narcissistic man whore." Xander muttered that Alex could not keep his hands off "other people's people." As Xander rambled on about Alex, Chanel noted that she had not known that Xander hated Alex so much.

"[Alex has] only been back in Salem a few months, and his conquests already outnumber mine, at least the ones I know about," Xander said. "Probably not counting me then?" Chanel said. Xander gaped. "I was curious. And he definitely lives up to the hype," Chanel admitted. Xander rolled his eyes. Chanel asked Xander why he had taken Alex's conquests personally.

"Because it is personal. His latest conquest is Gwen," Xander said. "Your ex?" Chanel asked. Xander complained that Alex had moved in on Gwen when she had been at her most vulnerable. "He just loves rubbing it in my face at every opportunity" Xander muttered. As Alex approached Xander, he made a show of tucking in his shirt.

"And what do you know, another opportunity presents itself," Alex said. "Be careful. Unless you want me to give you a matching black eye," Xander said. Alex removed his glasses. Xander asked Alex if that meant he was ready for another punch. "For what? What happens between Gwen and me is none of your damn business," Alex said. "I'm making it my business because I know you're just gonna hurt her, and I actually care about her," Xander said.

"Is that why you called her your 'sloppy seconds' the last time I saw you? Very respectful" Alex countered. Xander argued that Alex did not respect women. "Unlike you?" Alex said. Xander seethed, and he told Alex that Alex was not good enough for Gwen.

"I'm not going to stand by while you take advantage of her," Xander said. "[Gwen] didn't seem very taken advantage of just now as I left her bed after making love to her for the third time today," Alex said. As Xander made a fist, Chanel grabbed his arm. "Let's not do this, okay?" Chanel said. Chanel pleaded with both men to stop. Alex thanked Chanel for having been the voice of reason.

"I just don't want to be caught in the middle of some stupid fight in the middle of town square. But don't you think for one second that I am on your side, Alex Kiriakis, because I am not," Chanel stressed. "I thought we were friends?" Alex said. Chanel asked, "Do friends sleep with each other's girlfriends behind their back?" Alex reminded Chanel that he was sorry for having slept with Allie.

"You deserve better," Alex admitted. "You're damn right I do," Chanel said. Alex promised to work to repair his friendship with Chanel. "But this whole thing with Gwen is completely different," Alex argued. Alex reminded Xander that Xander had rejected Gwen. "[Xander] just doesn't want anyone else to have her," Alex yelled. "No! I don't want you to have her," Xander growled. Chanel held Xander back. "If you really care about [Gwen] the way you say you do, you need to get out of her life," Alex said.

Chanel stepped between the two men, and she argued that only Gwen could decide who she wanted to date. As Alex agreed, Chanel yelled at him to shut up. "What the hell is going on here?" Paulina said as she walked over. Paulina warned Xander not to touch her daughter. Xander showed his hands, and he noted he had not touched Chanel. Alex walked away.

"Take care, Miss Price," Xander said before he walked away. Paulina asked what had happened. "Just men being men and reminding me how lucky I am to have other options," Chanel said. Chanel asked Paulina about her health. Paulina admitted she had slept poorly, and she showed Chanel the threatening letter.

"Sloan?" Chanel said. "She is as pathetic as she is predictable," Paulina said. Paulina told Chanel about her confrontation with Sloan. Chanel warned Paulina not to confront anyone until she had met with the cardiologist. Paulina resisted, but Chanel convinced her to go to the appointment. "I will be sure to follow up with your driver to make sure you actually went," Chanel said. Paulina waved dismissively as she walked away.

At the Brady Pub, a dejected Chloe sipped a martini as Xander walked in. "You all right? You look like you just lost your best friend," Xander asked. "It's 'cause I just did," Chloe said. Chloe told Xander what had happened with Rachel. "I'm so sorry," Xander said. "She was just being so awful to me. But still, I can't believe those words just flew out of my mouth," Chloe said.

Xander commiserated with Chloe about his bad day. Chloe invited Xander to join her at a table. "I know that you've loved Brady since you were a teenager. You can't let this little terror come between you," Xander said. Chloe said she did not think Brady could forgive her. "I think it might be over," Chloe admitted. As Chloe broke down in tears, Xander hugged her. Gwen walked in, and she saw Chloe crying on Xander's shoulder.

At the Salem Inn, Leo talked on the phone. "Foil-wrapped teens falling from the sky? No, that's too far-fetched, even for Salem," Leo said. Leo ended the call, and he wondered what to put in his column. Chanel knocked on the door, and she handed Paulina's threatening note to "Lady Whistleblower."

Stefan makes secret plans with Gabi

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

by Steve Holley

In the park at night, Li told E.J. that he had found Stefan in bed with Trask instead of Gabi. E.J. was upset that Stefan had outsmarted him, but he wondered how long Stefan and Gabi could keep their hands off one another.

E.J. vowed that it was only a matter of time before Stefan and Gabi gave in to their feelings. Li told E.J. to go to hell, but E.J. reminded Li that Li had tried to brainwash and kill Stefan. "I don't think couples therapy is going to help!" E.J. bellowed.

Li said that he didn't care about the DiMera shares. Before he stormed off, Li warned E.J. to stay out of his marriage.

In Wendy's apartment, Gabi pretended to be surprised when Wendy said that Stefan was sleeping with Trask. Gabi changed the subject to Wendy's love life, and she asked about Tripp. Gabi noted that she had seen the way Tripp looked at Wendy, and she surmised that Tripp wanted to be more than friends.

Wendy said that Gabi had changed the subject to avoid talking about Stefan. Li entered, and Gabi said that she had to leave to attend a business meeting at the bistro about the Saxton launch. After Gabi left, Li searched for her at the bistro, but he didn't see her.

At the DiMera mansion, Nicole asked about Stefan's evening the previous night. Stefan said that Li had stormed into Stefan's room at the Salem Inn. Stefan told Nicole that Li had found Stefan in bed with Trask. Just then, Trask entered, and she and Stefan kissed.

Stefan and Trask made out on the couch as they pretended to be lovers. Stefan claimed that Gabi valued her shares in DiMera Enterprises more than she valued Stefan. Stefan and Trask continued to make out on the couch in an effort to make Nicole uncomfortable. The two left for Stefan's room, under the guise of having sex.

A short while later, E.J. entered, and he was taken aback when Nicole told him that Stefan and Trask had acted like "horny teenagers" earlier.

Upstairs, in Stefan's room, Stefan told Trask that he needed her to be his "decoy." Nicole and E.J. approached Stefan's room, and they heard Trask pretending to make loud sex sounds while she called out Stefan's name. Back downstairs in the living room, Stefan pressed a button to step into the cellar of the mansion.

Stefan prepared a private room in the cellar with candles and flower petals spread over a bed. Gabi entered in a green dress, and she and Stefan rushed toward each other. The two kissed, and they made out passionately as St. Hollywood's song "The Devil Is in the Details" played in the background.

Earlier, at the Salem Police Station, Trask was angry when Rafe had said that the police didn't have enough evidence to arrest Sloan for the break-in at Paulina's office. Later, Abe appeared, and he asked for an update on the break-in. Rafe shared that he and Jada didn't have enough evidence to charge Sloan.

Abe surmised that Rafe liked Jada -- and not just professionally. Abe reiterated the new policy that forbade superiors and their subordinates from being romantically involved, and he said that he still hadn't heard Rafe deny having feelings for Jada. "Now, are you or are you not romantically interested in one of your detectives?" Abe asked.

Rafe said that he wasn't seeing Jada away from work. Rafe recalled that he and Hope had been romantically involved years earlier and that no one in the department had objected. Abe said that Rafe and Hope had been equals as detectives, and he added that he would change the rules for Rafe if he could, but that his hands were tied.

In an exam room at Salem University Hospital, Paulina lied to Abe when she said she was at her office. Tripp entered, and Paulina tried to explain to Tripp why she had lied to Abe. Tripp said it didn't matter because it was none of Tripp's business. Paulina recalled that she had thought she was having a heart attack earlier and that Talia had assured her it was only a panic attack.

Tripp said he thought it was likely that Paulina had suffered a panic attack. Paulina mentioned Chanel, and she asked Tripp to ask Chanel out on a date. Tripp scoffed, and Paulina deduced that Tripp was interested in someone else. After some needling from Paulina, Tripp admitted that he was attracted to Wendy.

Tripp said that Wendy was attracted to Johnny, but Paulina encouraged Tripp to not give up. Tripp asked Paulina if she ever took advice herself, and he encouraged Paulina to tell Abe what was going on with her health. Paulina admitted that Tripp was right, and she called Tripp a "good doctor and a good friend."

Later, at Wendy's apartment, Tripp returned home for the evening. Wendy was prepared to meet Johnny in the town square, but she froze when Tripp admitted that he had feelings for her.

In Horton Town Square, Jada saw Talia, who recalled that she had diagnosed Paulina as having had a panic attack. Jada mentioned all the trouble Sloan had caused Paulina, and she vowed to find evidence to put Sloan in jail.

Talia asked about Jada's plans for the evening. Jada shared that she planned to order takeout. Talia said that Jada needed to resume dating, and she mentioned Rafe. Jada said that she and Rafe could lose their jobs if they were seen together outside work.

Later, at the Brady Pub, Jada and Talia sat down to dinner together. Rafe entered, and Talia waved him over. Talia made Rafe and Jada uncomfortable when she invited Rafe to join them for dinner. Rafe eventually sat down with Jada and Talia, who remarked that she wanted to call an old colleague. Talia left, and Rafe and Jada sat alone at their table.

Back in Town Square, Paulina told Abe that she had lied earlier. "I wasn't at the office. I was in the hospital," Paulina said.

Paulina learns Sloan is getting a restraining order against her

Thursday, April 6, 2023

by Steve Holley

At the bistro, Johnny tried to antagonize Li with the idea that Gabi might be with Stefan. Johnny said that he wouldn't bring up Gabi and Stefan if Li would stop trying to convince Johnny that something was going on between Wendy and Tripp.

Li said that it was time to bury the hatchet between him and Johnny, and he added that there didn't seem to be anything between Wendy and Tripp besides friendship. Johnny and Li toasted to a truce. Li discerned that Johnny's feelings for Wendy were serious, and he said that Wendy wasn't as "experienced" as Johnny.

Johnny admitted that he had earned his reputation. Li said he wished Johnny and Wendy the best. Johnny left to find Wendy.

In Wendy's apartment, Wendy was surprised when Tripp admitted that he still had feelings for her. Wendy surprised Tripp when she said that she and Johnny weren't exclusive. Wendy added that she was unsure about her feelings for Tripp. "Maybe you should stop talking," Tripp said softly, and he kissed Wendy.

Wendy admitted that she hadn't had much luck with romance since her arrival in Salem. Wendy added that she didn't want to "mess up" whatever she and Tripp had, and she said it was obvious that something was happening between them.

Tripp suggested that he and Wendy go on a formal date the following night. Tripp proposed that if Wendy decided that Johnny was the one she wanted to be with after their date, Tripp and Wendy would go back to just being friends.

Before Wendy could answer, there was a knock at the door. Johnny stood at the door, and he said that he had made reservations for Johnny and Wendy to have dinner at the bistro the following night. Wendy said she had already made plans. "I'm going out with Tripp," Wendy told Johnny, who was taken aback.

In the living room at the DiMera mansion, Nicole suggested that E.J. stop obsessing over Stefan's love life and focus on his own. Nicole said that being a "co-conspirator" with E.J. wasn't enough for her. E.J. said that he saw Nicole as more than a co-conspirator, and he hinted that he wanted a relationship with her. E.J. left for the cellar to grab a bottle of Champagne for him and Nicole.

In the cellar at the mansion, Stefan and Gabi had sat down to a candlelit dinner. Stefan used his phone to play romantic music for Gabi, and after a short while, the two started to undress one another. The two fell onto bed together, and they made love.

Just outside the cellar door, E.J. was stunned when he opened the door slightly and saw Stefan and Gabi in bed together. "Thank you," E.J. mouthed while looking up, and he pulled out his phone to snap a photo of Stefan and Gabi.

Afterwards, Stefan and Gabi held one another closely before Gabi said she had to leave. Gabi promised that in four months, she and Stefan would marry and be free.

Back in the living room, E.J. was prepared to tell Nicole what he'd seen in the cellar. Nicole surprised E.J. when she appeared in a seductive evening gown. Nicole asked E.J. to go upstairs with her. E.J. said he would meet Nicole upstairs.

After Nicole left, E.J. pulled out his phone, and he texted Li a photo of Gabi in bed with Stefan.

In Horton Town Square, Paulina told Abe that she'd gone to the hospital after having a panic attack. "Courtesy of that bitch, Sloan Peterson," Paulina emphasized.

Abe was concerned about Paulina, who shared that someone had left a threatening note in her office after the police had investigated the break-in. Abe grew angry, and he insisted that Paulina go home to rest while he left to confront Sloan.

In Sloan's apartment, Eric noticed scissors and a pile of cut-up magazines on Sloan's desk. Sloan left for the courthouse with a restraining order that she intended to file against Paulina. Afterwards, Eric looked through the magazines.

Eric observed that none of the magazines appeared to contain cut-out letters. He heard a loud knock at the door. Eric opened the door to Abe, who furiously demanded to know where Sloan was.

Abe accused Sloan of "terrorizing" Paulina and Chanel. Eric grew concerned when Abe said that Paulina had been at the hospital earlier after suffering a panic attack. Abe added that someone had left a note in Paulina's office that read, "This isn't over, bitch." Abe also noted that the letters had been cut out of a magazine, and he asked if Eric honestly believed that Sloan was innocent.

Abe studied Eric's face, and he surmised that Eric was starting to have doubts about Sloan. Abe recalled that he had been friends with Roman and Marlena for decades and that he had known Eric since Eric had been a boy. "Are you going to stay neutral when this woman is coming after my loved ones?" Abe asked.

Eric said that he sympathized with Sloan because she had lost a parent. Abe took Eric by the shoulders, and he said that the Eric he had watched grow up would never allow himself to be taken in by the likes of Sloan.

Back in Town Square, Paulina and Sloan encountered one another, and they argued loudly. Sloan said that she had just filed a restraining order against Paulina, who was incredulous. "Heifer, you admitted to me that you came to town with the express purpose of going after me and my loved ones," Paulina said.

Sloan boasted that no one but Paulina had heard the threat, and she feigned that it was merely a coincidence that Paulina and Chanel had happened to be in Salem when Sloan had moved to town. Sloan called Chanel a "home-wrecking slut," and she claimed that Paulina had "lied through your teeth" to cover up Chanel's involvement in the death of Sloan's mother.

Paulina said that Sloan's mother had trapped Chanel on a roof in an attempt to kill Chanel. Sloan shot back that murder ran in Paulina's family, and she mentioned that Lani had killed T.R. Already agitated, Paulina started to struggle with speech.

Paulina began to hyperventilate, and she said she was having another panic attack. Sloan smugly accused Paulina of putting on a "performance, "and she said that if Paulina was having a panic attack, she was "getting off easy." Sloan walked away as Paulina continued to hyperventilate.

Later, Sloan returned to her apartment. Eric mentioned that Abe had just left. Sloan scoffed when Eric said that Abe was worried about Paulina. Sloan sent a text, which she claimed was to a judge to ensure that the restraining order was expedited. "It's time someone taught Paulina Price a lesson," Sloan said.

At the same time Sloan sent the text, Paulina received a text back at her and Abe's place. Paulina stared with wide eyes and an open mouth as she looked at the text. Abe asked what the text had said. "Your husband can't save you," Paulina read aloud.

Bo masquerades as Shane

Friday, April 7, 2023

by Spalding

At a hotel in Greece, Harris carried Hope's bag into her room. "My room is just right down the hall," Harris noted. "I know," Hope said with a grin. Hope thanked Harris for joining her on her search for Kayla. "I know how important Kayla is to you," Harris said. "She's family. I was married to her brother Bo," Hope said. Harris nodded.

When Harris commented on the wedding they had passed outside the hotel, Hope noted that Greece was a romantic place. Harris suggested that they hang out in Greece together once the mission was complete. "I'd like that," Hope said. "So would I," Harris agreed. As Harris and Hope stared into one another's eyes, they leaned in for a kiss. Steve interrupted when he knocked on the door.

"I think I got a lead on the son of a bitch who took Kayla," Steve announced. Steve explained that Rolf had been spotted in the city. "Rolf is here?" Harris asked. Steve explained that, as an international criminal, Rolf's face had been shown on the news, and someone had called in a tip to the police.

"Is he in custody?" Hope asked. "Unfortunately, he gave the local cops the slip. And they believe he made it off the island," Steve said. "Damn. So close," Harris muttered. Steve explained that Rolf had cleared out in a hurry, and he hoped to review Rolf's belongings at the police station for clues.

"I know the connection is thin, but it's the only one we have to Banks," Steve said. "Maybe not," Harris said. Harris explained that when he had previously shadowed Hope in Greece, Megan had rented a room for him. "Another one of her employees had been staying there and looking for the prisms," Harris said. "Thomas Banks," Steve said. Harris nodded yes.

In Salem, Maggie was working in her office at Titan when Alex walked in. "It looks like your black eye has healed," Maggie noted. "You know me. I get knocked down, I pop right back up," Alex said. Maggie asked Alex if he was ready for the board meeting. Alex asked if he could skip the meeting. When Maggie raised a suspicious eyebrow, Alex reminded Maggie of his promise to prove he belonged at Titan.

"How?" Maggie asked. "By closing a huge deal for Titan," Alex said. Maggie stressed that she did not like surprises, but Alex swore that she would love this one.

After Maggie left for the meeting, Alex called a police station in Greece. "I asked you not to call me here," the officer said. "I'm ready to move over the funds you requested. But do you have my items?" Alex asked. The officer confirmed that he had the three prisms. "Go ahead and wire the money we agreed on, and those prisms are all yours," the officer said. Alex pumped his fist in celebration.

When Maggie returned to her office, Alex was sitting on the couch with his laptop. Maggie confessed that she had worried about Alex's surprise through the whole meeting. "What are you up to?" Maggie asked. Alex explained that he had cemented the deal, and he was ready to share the details. Alex told Maggie that Dr. Rolf had been hiding out in Greece, and a police officer had recovered the three prisms from Rolf's hotel room.

"I've heard about these prisms," Maggie said. "Then you know that there are reports that, in the right hands, these things can cure disease. Possibly even turn back the clock on physical aging," Alex said. "The Fountain of Youth," Maggie whispered. Alex explained that he had made a deal to acquire the prisms for Titan.

"Sounds like science fiction to me," Maggie said. Alex agreed. "But for the price I'm paying, the reward is definitely worth the risk," Alex said. Maggie asked for more details. Alex explained that Victor's people in Greece had connected him with an ally in the police department.

"So, you are working with the police?" Maggie asked. "It turns out when Rolf evaded capture, they found the prisms in his hotel room," Alex said. Confused, Maggie asked if the police had agreed to sell the prisms to Alex. Alex grinned. "One of them did," Alex said.

"So, you're telling me that you used Titan money to pay off a police officer?" Maggie asked. "It is not a payoff!" Alex protested. Alex argued that it was how Victor did business. "Have you talked to your uncle about this?" Maggie asked. Alex reminded Maggie that he had promised not to go behind her back again.

"I'm going to prove to you that you can trust me," Alex said. "Trust you? Because you used my husband's name, you used Titan cash as currency to bribe a foreign government official?" Maggie said. Alex stressed it was not a bribe. "It looks like your black eye has healed, but now you have moved on to giving a black eye to this company and this family!" Maggie yelled. Maggie asked Alex if he had sent any money.

"I was about to send the payment when you walked in here," Alex said. "Thank God!" Maggie said. Alex asked Maggie to think about the acquisition. "We are talking about being able to change the landscape of science and medicine," Alex said. Maggie countered that even if the scientific theories were accurate, Alex intended to acquire the prisms through bribery and smuggling.

"I am vetoing this surprise of yours," Maggie said. Maggie ordered Alex to call the police officer and call off the deal. "I'll deal with you later," Maggie grumbled. Alex agreed.

In Victor's Greek hometown, Kayla crept around the Kiriakis cottage. "Sorry, Bo, but I gotta go back to people I love who haven't gone crazy," Kayla muttered. Kayla opened the front door, and Bo was standing there. "Going somewhere?" Bo said. "I was just going out to get some fresh air," Kayla lied. Bo offered to open a window instead. Bo held up a bag, and he walked into the house.

"I hope you weren't planning to leave. That path is really treacherous," Bo said. "So you said," Kayla grumbled. Bo noted that he had picked up dinner. "You should eat. Big night," Bo said. "What? Birthday dinner for a goat?" Kayla joked. Bo told Kayla that he was happy she still had her sense of humor. "It's pretty much all I have left," Kayla muttered. Bo asked about Kayla's progress on the serum formula.

"Because Rolf was sure it would restore a person to his youth. So, that means that formula would be worth a fortune that would dwarf my father's," Bo said. Kayla asked Bo if his goal was to be richer than Victor. "No. I just want to build an empire of my own," Bo said. Bo added that he would like to get back a few of his lost years, as well.

"After reviewing Rolf's notes, I can pretty much say there's absolutely no way, no chance, that I'm gonna make that serum for you," Kayla said. "What's the problem?" Bo asked. Kayla argued that the formula was complicated and that she did not have the right equipment. Kayla added that the notes were incomplete because the information on the prisms was missing.

"Prisms?" Bo said. "It is some sort of shorthand here that I can't decipher," Kayla said. Kayla noted that without the prisms, she could not reproduce the serum. After a moment of cursing, Bo quieted. "I think I know where they might be," Bo said. Bo explained that when he had attempted to take the prisms, they had been missing at the compound.

"I don't know where Rolf went, but I know where he has been. And there's a possibility he left them behind," Bo said. Bo locked Kayla in a wine cellar, and he left to track down Rolf. While in the wine cellar, Kayla looked around the room, and she found a lockbox. With the aid of a corkscrew, Kayla broke into the box. "What do we have here?" Kayla said.

Tripp returned home after his shift at the hospital, and he collapsed on the couch. There was a knock at the door, and Tripp groaned. It was Stephanie. "Thank God you're here. I've been trying to reach you all night," Stephanie said. Tripp explained that he had been at work. Tripp asked if there was news about Megan.

"My mom. She's alive," Stephanie said. Confused, Tripp asked Stephanie how she knew that. Stephanie told Tripp about her phone call from Kayla. "This is unbelievable! I'm so happy for you!" Tripp said as he hugged Stephanie. Tripp asked about Steve. "He'll be a lot better once he finds [Kayla]," Stephanie said. Tripp asked Stephanie what she meant.

"The connection on the call was horrible. She tried to tell me where she was, but all I know is that she's been abducted, and she's somewhere in Greece," Stephanie said. Stephanie explained that Steve and Hope were in Greece. "[Kayla] sounded so scared. I hope that [Steve] finds her in time," Stephanie said. Tripp assured Stephanie that Steve always found Kayla.

"[Kayla] survived this long; she's not going to give up now, okay?" Tripp said. "I haven't slept since that call," Stephanie said. Stephanie worried aloud that she had missed a clue in the phone call. "I wish that I could hear that call all over again," Stephanie said. Tripp suggested that Stephanie undergo hypnosis. Stephanie was hesitant to bother Marlena, but Tripp argued that Marlena would be eager to help find Kayla.

"You're right. And even if it's a long shot, I have to try," Stephanie said. Tripp cooked breakfast, and he urged Stephanie to eat. "I have plans later on, but maybe I should cancel them," Tripp said. "Are these plans with Wendy Shin?" Stephanie asked. Tripp grinned. Stephanie told Tripp that she knew about Joey's matchmaking efforts.

"You like her?" Stephanie asked. "I do. There's just one problem. She's been hanging out with Johnny DiMera," Tripp said. "But she is going out to dinner with you. So maybe she's just as interested in you as you are in her," Stephanie noted. Tripp admitted that he had told Wendy that he liked her.

"So, that means that this dinner tonight is your one chance to convince her that she should be with you instead of Johnny," Stephanie said. "You don't think that's pressuring her, do you?" Tripp asked. Stephanie admitted it was pressure but that she also believed it was good to be clear about one's intentions.

"I'm not doing to her what Alex did to you?" Tripp asked. "Alex tried to manipulate and control me, because that's who he is. Unlike you," Stephanie said. Tripp offered to cancel his date with Wendy. Stephanie thanked Tripp for the offer, but she stressed that she would be fine on her own. Stephanie promised to keep Tripp updated. "And for the record, Wendy would be very lucky to end up with a guy like you," Stephanie said. Tripp thanked Stephanie. As Stephanie turned to leave, her phone rang. "Mom, is that you?" Stephanie asked.

In the Salem police station bullpen, Shawn was working at his desk when Andrew walked in. "I haven't seen you in forever," Shawn said. With a smile, Andrew admitted he had missed a few family reunions. "We all have. Hopefully, we can get everyone together soon," Shawn said. "Your mother is trying to make that happen right now," Andrew said. Andrew told Shawn that Hope was in Greece, looking for Kayla.

Andrew explained that he was in Salem to supervise Megan's transfer to Statesville. "Well, let's just hope that they lock her up for the rest of her miserable life," Shawn said. Andrew and Shawn went into the interrogation room to exchange custody of Megan. "Shawn-Douglas Brady," Megan purred. "You did your research," Shawn said. With a smirk, Megan said she would recognize Shawn's face anywhere.

"You remind me so much of your father," Megan said. As Megan stared at Shawn, Andrew explained that Megan was formally in the custody of the Salem PD. "Looking at you and seeing the way you hold yourself," Megan said. "I remind you of my father. I get it," Shawn growled. Megan smiled. Megan explained that she felt like she had succeeded in turning back the clock to make Bo young again.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? What do you mean make my father young again?" Shawn asked. Megan avoided the question, and she explained that Shawn's face made her feel as if she had traveled through time. When Megan disparaged Hope, Shawn warned her not to talk about his parents.

"You've hurt my family enough," Shawn said. "I don't think that your mother is suffering all that much at the moment. I have it on good authority that, in fact, she's moved on," Megan said. Shawn demanded an explanation. Megan informed Shawn that Hope was with Harris. Furious, Shawn yelled at Megan to stop talking. Andrew pulled Shawn aside to ask if he needed a break. After Shawn said he was fine, he and Andrew sat at the table across from Megan.

"You even have the same fiery temper as Bo," Megan said with a grin. "I am done talking about my father. Your relationship with him is ancient history," Shawn said. With a shrug, Megan said, "If you say so." Megan reiterated that she had told the ISA all she knew about Banks.

"You can ask me as many questions as you like, but it will be a waste of time," Megan said. Megan asked to call her lawyer. When Shawn and Andrew exited into the bullpen, Andrew commended Shawn on his restraint. Shawn worried aloud that Megan would use her phone call to harass Hope.

In the interrogation room, Megan called Thomas Banks instead of her lawyer. "I just want to give you a heads-up that there are a lot of people looking for you out there right now," Megan said. Megan asked Banks to find Bo and kill anyone that got in his way.

Hope and Harris went to the taverna near Banks's old apartment in Greece. Harris was eager to question the locals, but Hope wanted to sit at the table and observe the room first. "You just want the baklava," Harris said. "We're on an undercover mission, aren't we?" Hope said. Hope joked that if she ordered the baklava, it was "for the mission." As Harris stared at Hope, she noted that he needed to observe other people in the room.

"I remember when I first saw you here. Megan had given me a picture, and that picture did not do you justice. Because there is no photo that could capture that spark in your eye," Harris said. Hope smiled and blamed her espresso. "No. It's what makes you you. There's just too much light behind those eyes," Harris whispered. Harris leaned across the table and kissed Hope.

"We shouldn't be drawing so much attention to ourselves," Hope whispered. "Nonsense. It's not like we're dancing on the tables or smashing plates," Harris said. Harris noted that their cover story was a couple caught up in the romance of Greece. Harris and Hope kissed again.

"Are you ready?" Hope asked. With a nod, Harris pulled a photo of Banks out of his pocket. "Who should we talk to first?" Harris asked. Hope asked Harris to follow her lead.

In the Greek police station, a suit-clad Bo introduced himself to an officer as Shane Donovan, director of the ISA. Bo asked about the prisms that the police had recovered from Rolf's hotel room. "I'm here to secure them," Bo said. The officer asked for paperwork. "Am I to understand that there is a problem with a request coming from the director of the ISA?" Bo asked. Bo argued that the prisms were a matter of national security.

Before the officer could respond, Alex called the officer's phone. The officer stepped aside to take the call, and he told Alex about the ISA agent. "You can go ahead and hand them over. I'm sorry. The deal is off," Alex said. The officer sighed with disappointment, then he returned to talk to Bo.

"I'm sorry for the delay," the officer said. The officer asked Bo to wait in the side room while he retrieved the prisms from evidence. After Bo entered the adjoining room, Steve entered the police precinct. "May I help you?" The officer asked. Steve announced that he was with the ISA and that he needed to pick up the evidence from Rolf's hotel room.

"I'm afraid your colleague has already made that request," the officer said. "My colleague?" Steve asked. The officer noted that Director Donovan was in the next room. "Shane Donovan is here?" Steve said. The officer told Steve to wait with Shane, and he would join them when he had the evidence ready.

Steve entered the next room, and he saw a man with his back to him. "Shane?" Steve said. Bo turned around. Steve's jaw dropped.