Marlena stops her couch reading to think back to her Queen of the Night dream — which we flash back to again, sans anything new. Brady gets home with Rachel after the movie, and Marlena suggests a girls night. Brady skips out fast, and Rachel gets to the point: “Why did you want to get rid of dad?”
Marlena’s got something important to talk about. Johnny’s trial. It’s very important for Rachel to tell the truth. “Uncle EJ wants me to lie.” Oh. Well, he didn’t say that, Rachel admits, he just hinted at it. Marlena insists her only job is telling the truth and the grownups will handle the rest.
Marlena believes Johnny’s innocent, but they don’t know who shot Uncle EJ. So… does Rachel remember anything else she hasn’t told people yet from that night? Rachel makes a face. No, she doesn’t remember anything else.
What Is EJ’s Big Plan?
EJ leaves a message for Sydney, checking in after her fall, only for Gwen to walk in and bring up Susan’s newfound medium powers.
Xander gets tired of waiting for the elevator, so he offers to carry Victoria’s stroller down the stairs for Sarah. She’ll wait for the elevator. Sarah calls EJ to tell him the elevator’s been broken for awhile now, and no one’s fixed it. So? EJ tries cheaping out, but Sarah says it’s his responsibility, so he begrudgingly says it’ll be fixed first thing in the morning.
He goads her about Xander not buying it, then gets off the phone. This time, Rita walks in on EJ, telling him she knew nickel and dime-ing the hospital was going to end in a revolt. Oh, and she has the budget reports. “Is there anything else I can do for you this evening? Close down the intensive care unit, perhaps?” (Bless you, Rita.)
Instead of taking the bait, EJ asks her about Stefano. She believes he’s gone, right? “Of course your father’s dead!” Well, EJ mentions Susan’s claims and, well, they never found a body. Rita tells EJ that as Dr. Rolf explained, Stefano survived Hope’s shooting, only to die in hiding, many years later. Screw his head on straight, Susan’s batty.
Sure, EJ nervously agrees. But he never got a chance to say goodbye. Stefano was still out there while EJ was recovering from his own death, but died before EJ could come back. They both miss him. Though Rita admits she doesn’t even know where his body ended up.
One more thing: Rita suggests maybe he’s pinching a few too many pennies? Profits are up. EJ tells her he needs all the money for his “grand plans.” Which he’ll reveal in due time. Then Sydney calls him back!
Cat and Chad Are Stuck
Inside the elevator, the entire panel is dead, including the emergency and call button, and there’s no cell reception. Chad starts freaking out and shouting, apparently claustrophobic — but Cat points out all the reasons no one will find them anytime soon. There are a lot. Chad doesn’t like it.
Antics ensue as Chad tries getting out — that elevator has a darn high ceiling — but Cat just sits on the floor and tells him to calm it. In a town like Salem, this barely registers on a problem scale. She changes the subject to the trial. It went fine. EJ even thanked him after saying he loved him. But then… he got to the house and walked in on Susan being extra-Susany. Cat’s curious when Chad mentions Susan’s Stefano idea, but tries playing it down.
There’s no way he’s still alive, Chad says. He loved his family and wouldn’t avoid them this long if he was still around. Chad didn’t get a lot of time with Stefano, but his dad raised EJ, which is why they’re so alike. So… Cat asks, Stefano was a criminal mastermind, is EJ too? Nah, EJ learned his lesson, Chad tells her.
They move on to Never Have I Ever! But they don’t seem to understand the game… They just offer facts. Cat gave Aaron a concussion as a kid, Chad faked a brain tumor to get the girl. (They’re literally just telling each other things…) That lasts 30 seconds, then she breaks out water and mints a mint, both glad they’re not stuck alone.
Gwen Crashes Xander’s Solo Party
Gwen finds Xander eating alone at The Bistro and invites herself to join him — despite his objections. He was enjoying alone time. What? He doesn’t want to spend time with her? She thought they were on good terms. Oh, by the way, Leo saw them going into the Salem Inn.
Well, not like Sarah would care, they’re getting separated. Gwen offers sympathies, which Xander doubts. Annoyed, she says he always tries to change for Sarah, but he doesn’t. And she prefers the bad boy. They had fun being bad together. Xander gets uncomfortable, but she keeps pushing until he walks out on her.
Sarah and Brady Do Some Bonding
Sarah finally gets out of the hospital, trying to catch her breath in the square after carrying Victoria down six flights of stairs. (So the hospital is right off the square…) Brady asks if she’s alright, and she’s kicking herself a bit for being too stubborn to take Xander’s help. Maybe a drink would help, he suggests.
Great idea! But mocktails, which they have in the square, while she vents about Xander. Until she remembers he did something nice. Still, she says, co-parenting — “sucks,” Brady finishes. Sarah took his advice to heart and is trying to avoid a war with Xander over Victoria.
Yeah, he and Kristen really messed up Rachel, but she turned out OK. Thanks to everyone’s influence, including Sarah’s. She gave Rachel the most stable year of her life. They talk a bit more about how Sarah’s making the right decision — though she’s still struggling. A few months ago they were talking about another kid, next week would be their one year wedding anniversary. And now…
In the Show’s Final Moments
EJ talks to Sydney and is surprised to learn some “interesting news about Samantha.” Marlena promises Rachel everything is going to work out and she won’t let anyone hurt anybody she cares about again. Her phone rings, she answers it and… “Hi there. OK. Oh, honey — I can’t believe it!” Sami’s coming home tomorrow!
Cat decides to take a nap. Chad’s horrified, but offers his jacket because she’s chilly. He just watches with a smile as she settles in. Out in the square, Sarah and Brady share some encouraging words, then hug before parting. Which Xander and Gwen see as they leave The Bistro.
