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As Kate, Gabi and Abe keep vigil; Daniel and Kayla bring Rafe out of his coma. The doctors explain that he may have trouble distinguishing reality from how his mind interpreted what happened while he was unconscious. As Rife stirs, he dreams that the shot Sami fired to protect him was instead meant to kill him – and when he opens his eyes and sees a smiling Sami at his bedside, he gets extremely agitated. Daniel orders a confused Sami to stay away from Rafe until further notice.  Daniel runs into Jennifer, who wants to know how things are going. He declines to engage, reminding her that she pushed him away because she thought it was best for JJ. He asks her to reconsider this strategy – he wants to be there for the woman he loves. But Jennifer holds her ground. When she gets a call and finds out JJ has skipped out of study hall, Jennifer is furious. She later finds JJ with Theresa in her office – and introduces herself as her new assistant – much to Jennifer and JJ’s surprise.  EJ and Justin work to save their plan to topple Stefano. As the clock is running out, they fear Stefano has outmaneuvered them. But EJ and Justin finally close the deal, awarding EJ full control of DiMera Enterprises (including the mansion). Stefano arrives back in Salem, and a triumphant EJ promptly declares he is kicking his father out.

Stefano is shocked at EJ’s betrayal as his son lays out his motives for taking the company. Kristen enters to witness this confrontation. She declares her love for both men and will support the victor. Later, Stefano coolly warns EJ that one day his son will beg him to take back everything he has stolen.  Kayla interrupts the confrontation between Jennifer and Theresa. She informs Jennifer that Theresa is her niece – Kimberly and Shane’s daughter, Jeannie, who now goes by her middle name. She reminds Jennifer she promised to hire her. Jennifer agrees to keep her promise, though worries the girl will be trouble. Kayla sternly reminds Theresa this job is her last chance to make a fresh start. Later, Theresa skips her human resources appointment to score some pot from JJ. While talking with Sami, Eric has another attack, but it lasts only a few minutes. Daniel arrives with news that Eric’s blood work may offer some insight into the cause of his illness. Sami demands more immediate answers. Eric gets his sister to back off, but Sami goes to Jennifer, who immediately shuts her down. Later, Sami finds herself outside Rafe’s room and decides to sneak in. Meanwhile, Eric prays Daniel will discover the truth about his illness – as a worried Kristen confronts Dr. Chyka, hoping for just the opposite.

Kristen races over to Daniel’s so she can get a copy of Eric’s test results and hopefully get Dr. Chyka to confirm that Daniel won’t be able to detect the drug they used on Eric. Daniel tries to get rid of Kristen, but she insists she wants to help him reunite with Jennifer. She eventually gets him out of the room long enough to take pictures of the test results. But just as she finishes, Daniel returns and sees her by his desk. He demands to know what she’s doing. Meanwhile, Eric and Maggie talk about his past with Nicole. Later, Nicole expresses concern for his health, but he downplays that he’s fine. When Eric is alone, he prays for answers about his illness – and is suddenly struck by a memory of the mysterious woman he was trying to help at the hotel the night he got sick. Earlier, Brady receives a reminder about his plans to adopt children with Kristen. Nicole comforts him but it’s clear he’s having a hard time getting over his ex. He later tells Maggie he fears he’s addicted to the drama of love and loss, and after she gives him some words of advice, he finally tears up the adoption papers.  Despite doctor’s orders, Sami sneaks into Rafe’s room. A disoriented Rafe awakens and all is fine until she mentions having had a gun – which causes him to recall his dream of Sami shooting him. He becomes highly distressed, and Cameron has to sedate him. Meanwhile, Kate and Gabi chew Sami out, who insists she didn’t mean to upset Rafe. Cameron warns Sami if she goes near Rafe again, he’ll call the police. Later, a groggy Rafe stuns Kate by asking her why Sami tried to shoot him. EJ informs a shocked Chad that he has taken control of DiMera Enterprises from Stefano. He invites his brother to move back into the mansion, but Chad needs to think about it. Chad goes to the hospital and gives Kate the big news. Meanwhile, Sami returns home, and EJ reveals what he’s done. He’s startled when she reacts in anger!

Sami’s upset about EJ destroying Stefano and not telling her ahead of time. EJ admits he was afraid she wouldn’t be able to keep her mouth shut. Sami explodes: what she’s really angry about is that EJ has made Stefano an enemy of their family for life. EJ, equally angry, refuses to apologize and gets Sami to admit the reason she loves him is he’s ruthless and powerful. The fight ends in their making passionate love right on the couch, and EJ assures Sami he will always protect their family from Stefano.  Kristen covers in front of Daniel and later emails Eric’s test results to Dr. Chyka, who assures her the masking agents have done their job – even the most brilliant toxicologist will not be able to tell what drugs she gave Eric. After Kristen receives the edited video from Sarah, she realizes she’s now ready to move ahead with her mysterious plan to destroy Marlena. Later, she surprises Eric with a visit at the rectory.  Earlier, Eric tells a concerned Jennifer that Daniel is helping him get to the bottom of his illness. He thanks her for helping out his troubled cousin Theresa and makes a final pitch not to let things go unresolved with Daniel for too long. At the same time, Maggie advises Daniel to reach out to Jennifer. Jennifer and Daniel consider calling each other, but both ultimately back down. Later, Daniel gets a call from the toxicologist, who found no chemicals in Eric’s blood. Daniel knows something is still not right and is determined to find out what.  Theresa reconnects with Caroline and expresses concern for her grandmother. She admits she and her new boss have not gotten off to a very good start. Later, Jennifer is upset with Theresa for not following work rules, though Theresa suspects it’s more about JJ. Jennifer makes it clear she wants Theresa to stay away from her son.  Adrienne and Justin argue over his role in bringing down Stefano and also about Sonny and Will. Later, Maggie and Adrienne almost see the video of Sami and Bernardi on Adrienne’s phone when she gives the device to Parker.

Kristen tells Eric she wants a ticket to attend the school opening event. While she’s at the rectory, she gets a front row seat to what a caring and compassionate priest Eric truly is; left alone in his office, she struggles: can she do this terrible thing to this man?   Will learns from Brent that he and Sonny went partying last night. Will seems fine with it, but Lucas is a bit concerned. Will’s totally aware that Sonny had a more carefree, adventurous life before finding himself in the ultimate domestic situation with Will and Arianna. Lucas is impressed with Will’s maturity. However, once he’s alone, Will isn’t quite as sure of himself as he’d like everyone else to believe.  Earlier, Sonny’s with Adrienne and when she meets Brent, she lights up a bit, taken with Brent and his accomplishments. Sonny lets her know he can see through her – her low opinion of Will (and his family) comes through when she goes out of her way to engage with Brent like that. She denies but Sonny tells her to get used to how committed he is to Will. Later, Adrienne crosses with Lucas, wanting to show him a video of Arianna on her phone, but she’s foiled when the battery dies.  Kate reluctantly tells Abe and Kayla how Rafe asked why Sami tried to kill him. Kayla’s annoyed to hear Kate is just now passing that along, warning that as Rafe emerges from his coma they can’t risk disorienting him. Later, Rafe begins to stir and once more has vivid memories of the nightmare he had of Sami and gets agitated, asking again: why would she try to kill him? Rafe is in such extreme distress; his monitors start to go off. Abigail walks in as Chad leaves a message for Cameron, saying they need to talk. She misinterprets at first, thinking it’s about her. She’s embarrassed when Chad informs her that he wanted to talk to Cameron about EJ’s offer to move into the mansion. Later, Abigail and Cameron both give Chad advice; and Cameron reminds Chad to get his injury checked, but Chad insists he’s fine.

What did you think of this week’s action in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!