Xander learns the devastating truth: Days of our Lives Two Scoops for the week of April 14, 2025

The big takeaway from the week was Vivian telling Xander that Victor’s letter naming Philip as his heir was forged. It took a while, but once she finally convinced him she was telling the truth. She admitted to making the letter, proving it by writing out Victor’s signature, which we’re to assume was a perfect match, and then put the blame on Philip, stating he was the one who pulled the trigger. Xander looked like he was going to explode. In fact, he looked like Superman when he gets angry, and I half expected blasts of heat vision to shoot out of his eyes.

Meanwhile, Marlena and Steve made some headway in their search for John. They dealt with Orpheus, who gave them a phony story about Rosebud being the code name for a black market arms exchange just over the Latvian border from Estonia. Orpheus said, “Anybody willing to pay for it is willing to use it.” In exchange, Marlena promised the villain that she would put in a good word for his son, Christian, who’s having custody issues.

I originally had a theory that John found the place and was so deep under cover that he became one of the workers, which would explain why he was so far off the grid. Steve said he didn’t want him and Marlena to go there because he’s been an ISA agent for so long, he would be recognized. It just seemed like they were dragging the story out further. Then Marlena found a note (somehow from Orpheus, even though he was handcuffed to a hospital bed) that directed her to go back to his hospital room alone.

She did, and he said the story he told Steve was phony. But he really did know where John was and would take her to him if she freed him from the bed. In a nice plot twist, it turned out that the ISA had already decrypted Orpheus’ files, and the arms market was really in Minsk. It was wonderful to see characters that have lived in a soap world for decades finally learn from past experience and not fall for the villain’s ruse.

A flashback illustrated that Marlena showed Steve the note, and they concocted a plan to play Orpheus. Finally! What’s even better was Marlena’s quip: “And Rosebud is just a sled.” (See last week’s 2 Scoops for a description of what that meant.)

Sami returned. It’s always nice when she comes back to Salem. It didn’t take long before she was back in the sack with Rafe. Rafe went to talk to Shawn, and when the detective stepped away to take a call, Rafe saw Jada’s shirt on the guy’s couch. He immediately left without saying goodbye, figuring Jada and Shawn were still bumping uglies. So, he did what any soap character would do and hopped into bed with the first warm body he saw, in this case, Sami. She doesn’t know Jada from her elbow and believed it when he told her Jada was actively cheating with Shawn.

Of course, Jada later told him that she was drunk one night and crashed on Shawn’s couch with no hanky panky involved, and that’s how her shirt ended up there. Rafe felt like a complete heel and started to eat some crow. It was her turn to get angry and indignant, and she left. At this point, I’d say they’re even and should just do a whole factory reset. “Hi, I’m Rafe,” and “Hi, I’m Jada,” and go from there. Fresh start. Clean slate.

And the story of EJ’s shooting has many Salemites wondering who could have done it. Kristen had been detained because of the gun found in her purse, and it took forensics a while, but they determined the bullet wasn’t hers. I had a good laugh because they said the bullet was so damaged by EJ’s bones that they couldn’t get anything off of it. Yet, they were able to determine it didn’t come from Kristen’s gun! Make up your mind, guys.

Sami and Kate had a conversation pondering who the shooter could be. Kate had previously asked Roman to tell her that he believed she didn’t shoot EJ. Roman recalled putting his gun back in the lock box, and he weirdly insisted he was certain she did not shoot EJ. Why is he so certain?

Once again, they showed Gabi outside of EJ’s living room with the gun that night. Was Roman there, too? Is this gonna be one of those situations where two people shot him but only one hole was in EJ’s body? I sure hope not.

LOOSE ENDS

Jada was remembering when Shawn noticed her gun was missing when she was drunk. She said she locked it in her desk, but there could be the time it was unaccounted for…

I’m not happy that the secret of the forged letter is out. I was hoping we’d get at least a year of Philip and Xander working together. But before Philip left the mansion, he told Xander that, yes, everything started off as a swindle, but he eventually grew to enjoy working with his brother. He was surprised that he even liked Xander after getting to know him, and had longed for such a relationship with his siblings.

The look on Xander’s face spoke volumes, and for a nanosecond, it seemed as if he was going to ask Phillip not to leave. It may have been too early for that, but I think the spark is there. I think, considering Xander didn’t kill Philip right then and there, he may eventually come around and not only share Titan with him but also continue to explore their newfound brotherly bond.

After revealing the forgery secret to him, Vivian had to explain to Xander that the whole Philip and Stephanie sleeping together thing was just a cover story. How did she know that? Clearly, she must watch the show. I mean, it’s possible Philip told her about it, but we didn’t see it on screen, so we’re just putting words in the writers’ mouths here.

Sami and Rafe are certainly a loose end. You could see in his eyes (and hers, for that matter) that the attraction is still there. His gaze softened when he looked at her, and it’s too bad she’s not a regular on the show because that would have been a nice romance to pursue (again).

And talk about loose ends! Rafe had the bugging device he retrieved from EJ’s living room, but every time he went to listen to what was on it, someone interrupted him! Yeesh! We HAVE to know what was recorded! Of course, you know it’s only going to be EJ’s voice asking why the person was there, and then a gunshot. So we’ll drag that one out for a little longer.

EXTRA SCOOPS

NICE

Sami surprisingly topped the nice list this week! There was no scheme or scandal, just a loving mom consoling her son, Johnny. Plus, she brightened Rafe’s day with a roll in the hay, and it was nice to see him genuinely happy. She asked him to go to Italy with her, and he looked tempted but chose not to.

NAUGHTY

Vivian! What was she thinking, revealing the truth about the letter to Xander? Her goal was to get a huge chunk of the Kiriakis fortune, wasn’t it? She was on the road to getting that, but instead poured gasoline everywhere, lit a match, and left town. It reminded me of the scene in The Dark Knight (2008) where Bruce Wayne is pondering what the Joker’s motivation could be and Alfred explains, “Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Truer words were never spoken, and I think Vivian is one of those.

LINE(S) OF THE WEEK

When Vivian stated she was moving into the Kiriakis mansion, Xander replied, “Over my dead body.” Her response was, “That could be arranged.”

Xander later told Philip, “So if you want to move this sadistic lowlife in here, it’s your funeral.” Vivian replied, “Gee, I feel so welcome.”

Leo was having breakfast with Gabby, and he was getting upset that she was using all the syrup. She told him that it wasn’t a commune and he had to get his own. He then replied, “You know what? I have been listening to this podcast called Everybody Just Relax, Okay?, and there’s an entire episode about controlling the rage within. So I am going to let that slide.”

Javi was having trouble finding the words to ask, so Sami interpreted what he was saying: “What he’s asking is, did you sleep with me to get back at your girlfriend for cheating on you with my sister‘s ex, is that right?” He stated that Shawn was the ex, and Sami said. “Yeah. Also, he’s my cousin. It’s very complicated.”

Later, Leo and Gabby were trying to figure out who Javi saw Rafe in bed with. At first, they thought it was Hope and realized she was off at Bo‘s bedside. Then Leo said it was Nicole, but Gabby reminded him that she was in Europe with Eric and their baby. Leo said, “What I wouldn’t give to be chain-smoking outside of a Parisian Café right now…cashmere scarf, right around my neck, watching some nervous pigeon feast on some stale brioche.” Gabby replied, “And what I wouldn’t give for you to shut the hell up so that Javi can tell us who Rafe is doing the dirty with in his bedroom.”

Philip told Vivian, “Vivian, I’m not ungrateful for you carrying me in your womb.”

Kate and Sami bumped into each other at the pub. They were talking about how Kate makes Roman happy, and Sami said, “Of course, if you hurt him, I will have to kill you.” Kate replied, “Not if I shoot you first," and Sami responded, “Touché.”

Sarah asked Maggie if Vivian was really gone, and Maggie said, “She took her broomstick and her cauldron and she bit the dust.”

Sami excoriated Rafe for telling Jada the truth. She called him “agent kiss and tell.”

Gabbi asked Vivian, “Are you done being a miserable bitch?” and Viv thought for a split second and replied, “Yes, actually, I think I am.”

Maggie said to Phillip, “That vampire spent the night in my home?”

When Sami and Vivian bumped into each other in Horton Square, Vivian said, “You are in fine fettle.” Sami replied, “Thank you…you too?” Fettle is a condition or a state, like a state of mind or an emotional state. Honestly, as a writer, this is the first time I think I’ve ever heard that word!

REACTION OF THE WEEK

Once again, John-Paul Lavoisier’s Philip takes the Reaction of the Week. He was trying to convince Vivian to be patient and not reveal to Xander that Victor’s letter was a forgery. “Patience is not my strong suit,” she remarked, and the look on Lavoisier’s face showed both anger and frustration.

However, this week, Sarah was the runner-up! After Philip confirmed with Xander that the letter was a forgery, she looked worried, but Philip said only he and Vivian were in on the secret, so she didn’t have to go and change her pants.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Why did Vivian blow the whole thing out of the water? Seemed more like a plot device to move the story forward.

It was funny when Shawn told Rafe that his dalliance with Jada was just a one-time thing and it’s all over. He sounded like he borrowed Rafe’s car without his permission and won’t do it again. “It was just a one-time thing.” Yeesh.

I like the juxtaposition of Stephanie telling Jada that everything‘s going to be all right and Rafe will eventually come around, meanwhile, Rafe is in bed with Sami and they did the deed multiple times!

When Xander went to break the news to Kristen that Titan now controlled DiMera, she had a full-on coniption and yelled so loudly, the neighbors were in tears. That scene should garner her a Performer of the Week nod as she was so livid and unhinged. Fortunately, Xander was tactful enough that instead of using brute force, he used his words to get her to put the gun down. He reminded her that if she killed him, little Rachel would be without a mother, and Kristen couldn’t argue with that. It was nicely done and showed the evolution of his character.

One subtle moment that needs to be pointed out. After he calmed Kristen down and got her to leave, Xander took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. His adrenaline must have been pumping, and his heart racing, and it was nice to see the show let a character take a moment to come down off of a tense situation.

PARTING THOUGHTS

There was a lot of subtlety this week. More so than before, so something’s changed in the writing department. I was noticing more subtle reactions from characters, the kind you’d see on General Hospital. Characters making faces at what they’re being told, or even subtle reactions. For example, Sarah got all squirrelly when she thought Philip was gonna tell Xander that she knew about the forgery. She looked like she was gonna hurl all over the place. I’m not saying that subtly didn’t exist on the show before, but I’m just noticing more of it, and it’s a good thing.

But there’s also subtlety in the storytelling. If you watch carefully, you’ll notice several couples being pulled apart. JJ and Gabi - because he was doing his job and had to follow up on the fact that she almost shot EJ once before. Also, the secret of the forgery storyline has not only strained Alex and Stephanie, but also Sarah and Xander.

I like the direction things are going in, and they’re starting to seem more two-dimensional again, so Bravo to DAYS!

OUTRO

Well, DOOL-ers, thanks for joining me again! Come back next week when I do a play-by-play for the Estonian Wife-Carrying Competition. (It’s a real thing. Look it up.)

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