Days of Our Lives Update
Update written by Joseph
Marlena brings Rachel to Foster’s Bookstore where Foster tries to help Rachel find a book she’s interested in. Rachel says she’s not interested in dinosaurs or chickens, just snakes. Marlena then spots Julie inside and greets her. Julie says she’s been thinking about her so much and assures she’s there if she ever needs her. Julie shows Marlena that she’s reading a book called “How to Deal with the Inevitable” which she says is about how to deal with intolerable situations that you have no control over. Marlena asks which intolerable situation she’s trying to control. Julie responds that it’s Chad’s involvement with Cat Green.
Cat makes Chad breakfast and tea, saying it’s the least she could do. Chad says he liked taking care of her and Felicity. They talk about how they are both feeling better and decide to check their temperatures.
Court resumes as the judge announces that Johnny has dismissed his attorney and chosen to represent himself. Belle calls Chanel back to the stand for cross examination. The judge reminds Chanel that she is still under oath. Belle asks if Chanel can tell them why she threatened EJ on the night he was shot. Chanel responds that she didn’t. Belle asks how she explains the video then. Chanel doesn’t know how to explain it, but insists that she did not say those words to EJ that the video showed. Chanel declares that she never threatened EJ DiMera. Belle asks if she’s insinuating that the video was somehow doctored. Chanel responds that is exactly what happened.
Julie knows Marlena is rather fond of Cat Green and assumes that’s because she was not directly affected by her abominable behavior. Marlena is sure that’s part of it but she also finds her contrition to be genuine. Julie calls it too little, too late after all the hurtful things she did. Julie says she could never trust Cat and she hates that she’s digging her claws in to Abigail’s widower.
Chad and Cat both show a temperature of 98.6 and are back to normal. Chad jokes that he can finally leave the apartment, re-engage with society, and go home.
Marlena knows Julie isn’t happy about Cat and Chad spending time together. Julie is especially disappointed in Chad for allowing Cat to worm her way so deeply in his life. Julie decides that is all she has to say because she knows Marlena likes her. Marlena responds that she does like Cat but she also has enormous respect for Julie’s feelings. Marlena knows it’s hard to forgive someone who has hurt you or someone you love.
Belle recalls Johnny to the stand. The judge reminds him that he is still under oath as well. Belle brings up Johnny recently going to work for Titan-DiMera and asks what kind of work he was in prior to that. Johnny responds that he was a director in film and TV. Belle asks if he would be considered an expert. Johnny says he supposes so. Belle brings up what Chanel said about the video and asks if Johnny agrees with the assertion that the video was doctored. Johnny responds that the video is a deep fake and he can prove it.
Marlena tells Julie that she has two very smart and fierce daughters who have both fallen for men she detests, but there’s nothing she can do to change that, so she sympathizes with her. Julie is sure Marlena handled it better than she has. Julie talks about being loudly critical of Chad, especially of the fact that he hasn’t just shown Cat the door. Julie tells Marlena that Chad told her to knock it off, so she said she would but it’s so hard for her to keep her feelings to herself. Marlena says she understands. Julie knows Chad is a grown man with every right to get on with his life and find love again, she just wishes that Chad wouldn’t find it with her. Marlena brings up that Chad and Cat insist they are just friends. Julie reminds Marlena how easy it is for just friends to turn in to lovers.
Chad tells Cat that he didn’t mean that he can’t wait to go home like it was some awful ordeal being here. Cat understands he didn’t plan on getting stuck taking care of her and Felicity, away from his kids. Chad is sure that his kids are having an awesome time with Julie and points out that Cat took care of him too. Cat says she got him sick while Chad says the company was good and he likes spending time with her. Cat agrees that it was really nice for her too.
Belle tells Johnny that claiming the video is a deep fake is quite the allegation, especially since the police authenticated it. Johnny remarks that it wouldn’t be the first time that someone pulled one over on the police, pointing out that Stefano made a sport out of outsmarting the cops and taught his children how to do the same. The judge instructs Johnny to just answer Belle’s questions. Belle asks why the jury should believe Johnny’s allegations of the video being doctored and why they wouldn’t believe he’s not just trying to protect his wife. Johnny argues that he wouldn’t have to protect Chanel if someone wasn’t trying to frame her. Belle calls for the video to be played and tells Johnny to feel free to comment as he sees fit. Johnny points out when the footage starts to pixelate and then there is some blurring along with a shadow in the wrong direction. Johnny reveals that he sent the video on to one of the leading authorities on AI, who agreed to execute a sworn statement that the video has all the hallmarks of AI. Johnny states that someone went to great lengths and expense to make it look like Chanel wanted EJ dead on the night he was shot, but that was not the case. Belle decides there are no further questions so Johnny is allowed to step down. The judge calls for a short recess before returning for closing arguments.
Julie tells Marlena that she can’t imagine how worried Marlena must be for Johnny at his trial as it’s been one bombshell after another. Marlena calls it harrowing. Julie suggests not talking about court drama or duplicitous young women anymore, but something fun, warm and cozy like the bookstore. Marlena brings up Foster putting it up for sale. Julie admits she considered making a bid it on herself. Marlena questions that being past tense. Julie says she realized that she doesn’t want the responsibility or to reinvent herself at this stage of her life, worrying that she could buy it and run the whole business in to the ground. Marlena calls her one of the most successful entrepreneurs the town has ever known, so she can’t believe Julie would turn away from a challenge.
Cat and Chad have orange juice to give their immune systems one last jolt. They mention their appetites coming back. Chad brings up that he still owes her a dinner. Cat says he doesn’t owe her anything at all but admits last night’s dinner was so nice and it was really nice having his company. Cat adds that Felicity is crazy about him. Chad knows it hasn’t been easy on them being separated from family. Cat reveals that she just found out her mom is being transferred to a facility near Salem and that Aaron is moving back to attend Salem U in the fall which Chad calls amazing.
The bailiff checks on Leo outside of the courtroom. Leo says he’s fine. The bailiff remarks that it’s no surprise his head almost exploded with Adam as his roommate. Leo agrees and complains about him. Leo asks if there’s any way to switch roommates but is told that he can’t, so he asks for earplugs and the room to be stocked with aspirin.
Foster brings Rachel a book that is the first in a new series, calling it even more inspiring than Harry Potter. He tells her that it’s about a girl who finds the key to defeat the Destructor. Rachel asks for how it ends, so he tells her that it turns out the key is stuck in her mind.
Chanel hugs Johnny and says she’s so proud of him as he did an amazing job proving the video was fake. Johnny thanks her but says that was the easy part as he was in his element, talking about film making, but now he has to deliver his closing argument. Chanel encourages that he’s going to nail it. Belle tells EJ that she would say he should be ashamed of himself for what he did to Chanel, but they both know he has no shame.
Cat tells Chad that Julie will be happy that he’s home and away from her. Chad jokes that he will get an earful that he will respectfully ignore. Cat asks if he’s not concerned about what Julie might say to Jennifer. Chad responds that Abigail’s family will just have to get used to what’s happening here. Cat asks what is happening here. Chad guesses he never thought they would get to this point, but he really cares about her. Chad calls her a good friend.
Julie tells Marlena that she’s so kind, encouraging, and supportive of her. Julie says she’s supposed to be supporting Marlena since her loss is so fresh while she’s going on about herself and things that are not important. Marlena says her feelings for Chad are very important. Marlena says Julie has always been a loving, deeply giving, and profound friend to her. Marlena brings up the saying that time heals all wounds but says they both know there is no way to ever heal wounds that are this profound. Julie states that it’s been almost a year since losing Doug but every day she misses him more, not less. Julie cries about being lucky to be with Doug for nearly 50 years. They relate over living through the nightmare of losing Doug and John. Julie is thankful they are still living and here for each other.
Belle begins her closing statement, going over how Johnny found out about EJ raping Sami and then going to confront EJ with Roman’s gun, EJ then being shot and Johnny’s response when he found out being disappointment that EJ survived. Belle tells the jury that those are the facts and now they have to decide if they warrant a conviction for Johnny.
Marlena thanks Foster for helping Rachel find a book. Marlena says she will pay for it but Foster says it’s on the house and tells Rachel to let him know how she likes it. Rachel thanks him. Marlena says they have to get Rachel back to Kristen and tells Julie that she will see her again soon. They embrace and say they are grateful for one another. Marlena then exits with Rachel. Julie turns to Foster and jokes that he’s going out of business because he’s giving books away for free.
The judge calls on Johnny for closing arguments. Johnny stands and tells the jury that he’s not a lawyer, but he knows the district attorney had to prove that he shot his father and there’s no way she could have, because he didn’t. Johnny admits he went to EJ’s home that night and pointed a gun at him, but he didn’t pull the trigger because he couldn’t. Johnny recalls EJ reaching out his hands and asking him to give him the gun, so he did and then he left. Johnny brings up EJ talking about all the possible suspects who could have shot him and says that’s because he’s a hard man to love and an easy one to hate. Johnny remarks that just about everyone in Salem had a reason to want EJ dead that night and he is profoundly sorry that someone else used the gun that he left behind to shoot his father. Johnny declares that all he can do now is tell the jury that it was not him and he hopes that’s enough for them to find him not guilty. The judge announces the case will now go to the jury.
Julie tells Foster that giving the book to Rachel was a very lovely gesture. Julie asks Foster if he’s had any more bids from prospective buyers. Foster says he’s afraid not and he knows he could eventually sell to a bank or a burger joint, but he’s determined to find a buyer who is interested in keeping the store going as it is, but independent book stores are a dying breed. Julie tells Foster that in Salem, dying breeds have a miraculous way of resurrecting themselves and she knows the perfect person to buy the store; herself.
EJ tells Johnny that he hopes he realizes he proved absolutely nothing to the jury and should’ve let him finish what he started. Johnny asks if he means manipulating them in to believing that Chanel is the one who shot him. Chanel and Johnny then exit the court room together. Belle comments to EJ that it looks like Johnny and Chanel find him as despicable as she does. EJ warns Belle not to be so smug since her own mother thinks she could be the one who shot him. EJ asks if Marlena is right that Belle tried to kill him that night.
Chad goes to say goodbye to Felicity while Cat gets a call from Marlena, who is sitting in the town square with Rachel. Marlena asks how she is feeling. Cat says she’s much better and is pretty sure she’ll be coming in to the office in the morning. Marlena says she’s sorry to do this to her but she’s going to take more time off. Cat says that’s okay and she can reschedule her appointments with the other psychiatrist at the hospital. Marlena clarifies that she is taking an extended leave of absence, so Cat will need to look for other work which shocks her.
Leo presents the bailiff with the jury’s lunch order.
Belle asks EJ why she would shoot him. EJ clarifies that he only infers that’s what Marlena thinks as she didn’t actually accuse her. Belle calls that ridiculous and argues that unlike EJ, she has never in her life even considered resorting to violence. Belle adds that she had no reason to want him dead, at least back then.
Julie asks Foster what he thinks. Foster exclaims that he’s ecstatic and he couldn’t be happier than to have the bookstore in Julie’s capable hands. Julie decides she’s ecstatic too and swears to do everything in her power to keep the bookstore the wonderful place that it is. Foster says he has no doubt.
Cat informs Chad that she just lost her job, adding that Marlena said she would put feelers out for any other openings at the hospital but it will be tough since EJ slashed the staffing budget. Chad wishes he could find her something at the Spectator. Cat doesn’t think Jack and Jennifer would sign off on that. They agree that something will turn up. Chad decides he should get home to his kids. Cat offers to send home some of the chicken tortilla soup with him but Chad says he’s good and Julie probably won’t have room in the fridge. Chad then exits.
Marlena brings Rachel to the DiMera Mansion where EJ is pouring a drink in the living room. Marlena asks EJ how it went in court as she heard Johnny fired him. EJ tells her the case is with the jury now. Rachel begins playing with a glass ornament from the table. Marlena tells her to put it down because it’s glass, triggering a flashback for EJ that reveals Rachel holding the gun on him as he questioned what she was doing.
Johnny and Chanel sit together in the town square. Chanel asks how he’s feeling. Johnny responds that he’s mostly relieved but also scared and nervous. Belle approaches and says it’s in the jury’s hands now. Chanel asks how she thinks it will go. Belle hopes Johnny is exonerated and they find out who really shot EJ. Belle adds that EJ just said the craziest thing to her before she left the court room as he said that he thought Marlena suspected her. Johnny questions why Marlena would think Belle shot EJ when they were in love when that happened. Belle says they were involved which is why it doesn’t make any sense, except now she knows for sure that whoever did shoot EJ is someone that EJ and Marlena would want to protect.
Marlena repeats for Rachel to put that down, triggering a further flashback for EJ as Rachel held the gun on him, demanding he tell her where her Grandma Rachel is. Rachel ends up dropping the glass ornament, shattering it, and the sound triggers EJ to remember that it was Rachel who shot him, leaving EJ shocked by the realization.
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