Days of our Lives Performer of the Week — Dan Feuerriegel

Dan Feuerriegel continues to shine as EJ DiMera in his most challenging story ever on Days of our Lives. The actor, whose character's abominable past is being revisited, brings both genuine remorse and a diabolical edge to his Salem persona.

Dan Feuerriegel on Days of our Lives

Part James Bond, part Bond villain, Dan Feuerriegel makes you feel for Days of our Lives' EJ DiMera and fear him in the same episode.

Wearing a wire, Belle (the always sensational Martha Madison) showed up at EJ's, hoping to get him to confess to his crimes. What followed was a fascinating game of cat and mouse in which both of them attempted to get what they each wanted. It was as if the actors were playing a verbal tennis match, each shooting the ball back and forth with precision, hoping to score a win. In the end, it was EJ who had the almost-always unreturnable overhead smash.

Feuerriegel plays EJ as a man who genuinely regrets the actions he took with Sami (Alison Sweeney) all those years ago that resulted in the conception of their son, Johnny (Carson Boatman). Perhaps it's why he rarely uses physical force to get what he wants. Then again, the imposing character just has to stand there, and his opponents will feel intimidated.

EJ feels badly about how Johnny was conceived, but he is also someone who is going to protect himself at all costs. Two things can be true at the same time. Feuerriegel's ability to understand this complicated dynamic is one of the many reasons he's such a compelling actor.

Belle realized she may have bitten off more than she could chew when EJ started to put romantic moves on her this week on Days of our Lives. She used the pretense of still caring about him, but the DiMera heir called her bluff. Belle started to pull back, saying that she needed him to confess about his bad behavior and hurting the people she cared about.

"So, you do want me," a knowing EJ teased as he came closer and closer to Belle. As the frightened attorney did her best to keep up her pretense, her one-time romantic interest kept pushing forward. "Then, we want the same thing: each other," EJ diabolically stated. He leaned in for a kiss. Then, they both pulled back.

Belle made it clear — no confession, no kiss. "You're in luck," EJ teased. Was Belle about to get the truth from Rafe's (Galen Gering) attacker? Not quite.

"I didn't do a damn thing to that man," EJ surprised Belle by saying. He then leaned into her and added, "Which means you are wearing a wire for nothing." Belle was busted. EJ proved he had the upper hand by holding Belle's chin in his fingers. Gotcha.

"Don't try and deny it," the manipulative EJ said. "It's the only thing that would explain the sudden reversal on your part. Do you think I'm stupid, Belle?" Having Belle right where he wanted her, EJ continued the mind game. "Take off your dress," he challenged her. "Go on. If I'm wrong and you're not wearing a wire, we'll have a laugh."

EJ wasn't content to just let Belle know he knew what was under her dress; he informed the blonde beauty that he was also inside her head. "You knew the only way you were going to rid yourself of this temptation was to make me go away," he said, dressing her down — figuratively if not literally. "I'm not going to make it that easy for you, Belle. I'm not going anywhere."

Belle confirmed EJ's belief by hightailing it out of there. Later, after a confrontation with Chanel (kudos to Raven Bowens for going toe-to-toe with the formidable Feuerriegel), EJ addressed the portrait of his father, Stefano (the late, great Joe Mascolo).

"You were always one step ahead," he toasted his larger-than-life father, adding with a knowing tone, "And so am I. I win!"

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Despite being subsequently shot, we get the feeling that whatever's going on and whoever is responsible for EJ's shooting, he definitely will come out on top. Bravo to Dan Feuerriegel for his mesmerizing performances as the walls close in on EJ.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives on Peacock.

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