On a show where storyline points take a long time to come to light, I was a little shocked at how fast Stefan found out about Gabi and E.J. I wasn’t surprised that Gabi immediately regretted the deed. For all her faults, Gabi’s always been a one-man kind of gal. But I was sure E.J. was going to agree to keep quiet so that he could divulge that secret at a time more advantageous to him. Note: I don’t think that time would ever come without getting punched in the face, but at least he’d get some blackmail to go with it.
But I digress. Instead, we got an utter show of perfection from Brandon Barash, Cherie Jimenez, and Dan Feuerriegel. These three were tremendous in this scene. It was a joy to watch as a viewer because I really didn’t know who I was rooting for. These three all live a little lower on Morality Mountain, so it felt pretty evenly matched. I think Gabi and Stefan are endgame here, so I wonder where they’ll go next. Gabi will have to process this guilt. Stefan will have to process his grief. And E.J. will have to keep icing that lip. Ouch!
It might be a good thing that Gabi made friends with “Abigail” because she’s going to need someone to talk to. And lucky for Gabi, “Abigail” is scheming overtime to stay in the DiMansion. We learned this is all part of the plan, as she turned down Stephanie’s generous offer to come stay with her. So, that leads us to believe that Chad and/or the DiMeras are the target. But why? Stefano certainly made a lot of enemies over the years. Andre, Kristen, Stefano, and E.J. haven’t been saints, either. I’m intrigued to see where this goes.
We got another scene with “Abigail” and Mark, where they called each other “bro” and “sis.” Anyone else think this was the strangest thing ever? So, that makes me wonder if they aren’t brother and sister.
Additionally, “Abigail” is walking around with AnnaLynne McCord’s face right there in the open of Salem. If she is Mark’s sister, that would mean that Aaron and Felicity would be related, too, or at least have seen this person before. What’s going to happen when they see her? Felicity is working at one of the busiest spots in town now! She’s sure to run into “Abigail.”
And finally, thank goodness, it looks like Steve has entered this storyline. I’ve been screaming to anyone who will listen that it’s ludicrous that Steve hasn’t talked to “Abigail” yet about his own, exact same experience. Jack found Steve, back from the dead and with amnesia. If anyone can relate to her, it’s Steve.
Steve seems to be on the case, too. Stephanie pointed out that “Abigail” lied about talking to Kayla. Steve rightfully identified that DNA tests are never right in Salem. Kayla dropped Dr Mark Greene’s name as the only other one who handled the test. Go get ‘em, Patchman!
And Patch will be on his own because John Black is busy fighting for his family. This fantastically layered storyline is firing on all cylinders. It flabbergasts me that the same team bringing us this masterpiece is also serving up Body & Soul. But we’ll get there later.
First, the layering in of Maggie’s history is brilliant. I loved Maggie talking to Sarah a few weeks ago about her own accident and paralysis. This week, we got Maggie recounting how she was framed for the accident that killed Adrienne. It’s such a smart and organic use of history to set the stage that Brady was indeed framed. We know that, but the characters don’t.
Top of that list is Brady. Eric Martsolf is shining here, showing the stages of Brady’s guilt. Normally, I’d be annoyed with a character who is bullheaded about pleading guilty. But Brady’s dealing with addiction here, and accepting responsibility for his mistakes is part of regaining his sobriety. That adds another layer to the beautiful scenes where John and Tate both pleaded with Brady to think carefully about the next step.
Justin is in the middle here. He (and Maggie…and Sarah on some level) are having a hard time reconciling that Brady would commit this crime. It’s the reluctance that adds the beautiful layers here because they all need to hold space to feel sympathy for Sarah. They all know that what happened to her was unfair. They all want justice for her. But they can’t quite get all the way to vengeance.
Nope, for that emotion, we’ve got the Xanimal. He is M-A-D mad at Brady. He wants a pound of flesh, and he wants it yesterday. Again, normally I’d be throwing all sorts of shade at Xander for being the biggest hypocrite on the planet. But two things are obvious here. One, Xander loves Sarah more than anything in the world. And two, this whole display of anger is for Fiona’s benefit…er…detriment.
Fiona’s reactions to all of Xander’s rage and Sarah’s clouded memory are great. The show is still subtly playing her alcoholism—with her moving her hand from the booze just as Xander walks into the room. But now that we know she’s willing to kill to protect this new life she’s created, it makes you wonder just how deviously disturbed this woman really is. That’s some Vivian level stuff. And, yes, that is a compliment!
Loose Ends
If they push Chanel and Alex together more forcefully, a diamond may pop out. We’ll talk more about Body & Soul later, but this specific plot point is very aggressive. I even agreed with Alex last week (let that sink in—I agreed with Alex!) when he told Chanel, “I thought we got along fine until yesterday!” That. Me, too. And you did! I hope this whole thing is a decoy for an Alex and Stephanie reunion. I don’t want to see Chanel make a stupid mistake. She and Johnny have gone through some serious adult things together, and that would be a regression for Chanel. Additionally, Alex and Stephanie’s practice scene made me forget all about Everett. So, good on you two!
Aaron returned to Salem and got a Danny Tanner lecture from Dr. Mark Greene. This was interesting. Mark can’t be serious that he’s upset at Aaron for lying. Mark is masterminding one of the biggest schemes Salem has seen in a while. But his anger at Brady might be a little more understandable. Well, as understandable as it can be, since his parents who were alive around the Fourth of July are now long dead, killed in a car accident.
Speaking of car accidents—or more so train wrecks—Tate accidentally told Holly that Eric was the drunk driver who killed Daniel. I still have no idea how Holly didn’t know this. There’s no way a teenager didn’t Google this. But either way, Holly was crushed. Ashley Puzemis was fantastic in this scene. I can’t wait to see what happens next week now that Greg Vaughaun is back in town as Eric. And, oh lordy, wait until Holly realizes that not only did Eric cause Daniel’s death, but Brady “Paralyzed my Aunt Sarah” Black has been walking around all of these years with Daniel’s heart!
The show is doing a fantastic job at subtly pointing out a situation that a lot of disadvantaged people find themselves in. Someone says something inappropriate or insensitive, and the person disadvantaged is suddenly in the position to absolve the offender of guilt. I’m not saying Maggie was being intentionally rude by mentioning Victoria learning to walk. But whether it be Maggie, Xander, Holly, or Fionana, Sarah was put in the position time and again to reassure everyone else around her that they were behaving just fine. I’d love to see Sarah’s loved ones be a little more aware of these situations and pivot just a bit.
Extra Scoops
HOT:
Stephanie’s been on a real roll lately. First, she and Chad had a fantastically mature conversation about their past relationship. She could have held some bitterness toward him—as she was expecting a ring at one point. But she sees past that, and these two have formed a believable friendship.
Then, she had a great conversation with “Abigail,” where she didn’t take the bait that many soap characters would. Instead of the conversation going into defense territory, Steph handled it with grace and compassion. We know that’s not Abigail. But Stephanie doesn’t. To her, she’s trying to support her cousin, and I love that from Steph.
NOT:
An entire episode of Body & Soul was way too much. Considering it was on Labor Day, that meant we put in work to make it through that nonsense. I was a defender of it all when it was a running joke where a bunch of our favorite Salemites watched it. But now this whole storyline is too cute by half, and when settled next to the Stefan/Gabi/E.J. or Brady stuff, it feels like an absolutely different show.
LINE OF THE WEEK:
“Abigail” to Stefan: “Oh,so it’s her fault that you’re a creep?”
Oh, my gosh. Stefan trying to mansplain that the reason “Abigial” finding out that he raped her was because Gabi was just being vindictive was rich. I’m so glad “Abigail” put him back in his place.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
The name “Arrow” made me giggle.
I bet $10 Alex can’t read “recuperating” vs. “recovering.”
I had to side with Xander when he pushed back on Justin’s assertion that the Kirkiakis family forgave Xannder. While that may be true, as Xander pointed out, his upset was with the the level that they’re rallying around Brady right now. Justin never offered legal services to Xander.
Why is the front door of the pub unlocked on a day when the business is closed?
Gabi duct-taping a line down the middle of the living room and the rest of the DiMeras leaving it there cracks me right up.
Maggie’s midnight blue pleated dress was amazing.
For the record, Stefan, you knocking as you’re opening the door is still just barging in. Shocker. This guy has issues recognizing boundaries.
Dad Brady is my favorite Brady.
I did like Paulina hoping Shemar Moore hands Chanel an Emmy one day. He’s definitely the most iconic Emmy presenter ever, as he presented Susan Lucci with her Emmy. This is the way soaps should get meta.
I kinda need Leo to meet “Abigail.” If anyone can sniff out a schemer (besides Kristen), it’s Leo. Though he’s totally blind to Dr. Mark Greene, so that could get interesting.
