Photo Credit: JPI Studios

EJ wants Sami to keep the truth about the latest ransom note from Rafe. Sami, having just reconciled with Rafe, thinks they shouldn’t. Sami stalls the family gathering. EJ explains to Sami that by involving Rafe, she’s only opening herself up to more disappointment. We see EJ’s words getting to Sami and when Rafe shows up, she blurts that she can’t do this. For a second it looks like EJ has lost the battle, but she decides not to tell Rafe anything. At the same time, Anna fears EJ’s obsession with destroying Sami will eventually blow up in his face. Rafe goes to the Brady Pub and confides in Arianna. He feels something is going on with Sami and EJ. Arianna defends EJ and Rafe knows he simply needs to support Sami. Carly is desperate for news about Melanie’s health, and Maggie tries to comfort her. Carly doesn’t think Maggie looks so good. Maggie returns home and drops a coffee mug. She fears her myasthenia gravis is returning. At the hospital, Melanie wakes to find Daniel. At first she thinks his presence indicates something is wrong, but he says she’s fine. Melanie appreciates everything Daniel has done for her. She talks about Trent and how Carly gave her up. She still can’t believe a woman who calls herself her mother shot her. Daniel urges her to get her rest. Later, Daniel tracks down Carly and blasts her for her actions. He’s desperate to tell Melanie the truth about being her father, but held back due to her condition. Carly wishes he’d understand where she is coming from, but Daniel can’t and won’t. He would have done anything for his daughter. Carly defends her actions, but Daniel doesn’t buy it. Daniel says she doesn’t deserve Melanie. Meanwhile, Arianna visits Melanie and tells her not to think about Carly and the shooting. The woman is going to jail. Melanie thinks that’s where she belongs.

EJ tells Sami to get Rafe out of the house so he can bring her news about Sydney. Concerned that Sami is acting strangely, Rafe confides his worry to Roman. Roman suspects Sami is in denial after having lost two babies in one year. Rafe agrees and decides to confront Sami. Meanwhile, EJ arrives with a demand from the kidnapper for Sami to log on to a website. Sami and EJ see a video of Sydney, alive and well with a ransom demand. Sami is overjoyed that Sydney is alive. EJ leaves, purportedly to leave money for the kidnapper, but returns to Anna. He had a computer program attached to the video of Sydney that allows him to hear and see through the use of Sami’s webcam. Now he will know if Sami happens to confide in Rafe about the ransom note. Sami, meanwhile, continues to watch the video of Sydney as Rafe returns. Arianna is still upset with Brady for wanting to see Nicole to tell her about Sydney’s death. Roman arrives and she learns Brady asked him to arrange the visit. Roman tells Brady that Nicole is still not interested in seeing him. Arianna exits and Brady follows her and insists that while he cares about Nicole, he loves Arianna. She doesn’t believe him. He says he wants her to take time off from work as he has a surprise for her, something that will prove he does love her. Mia overhears Chad ask Gabi out on a date. Covering her jealousy, she asks Chad if he’ll meet her, without Gabi, to discuss how to cheer Will up. He misses his sister. Chad agrees. Meanwhile, Gabi offers her condolences to Will and expresses her mistrust of Mia’s feelings toward him. Will knows Mia is conflicted, but he’s giving her time to figure everything out. At the same time, Mia admits to Chad she still thinks of him, and they kiss. Rattled, Chad breaks it off and leaves. Mia smiles, knowing he still has feelings for her.

Via Sami’s laptop, EJ spies on Sami with Rafe to make sure she lies about the ransom demand. Rafe questions Sami about what she’s watching on the computer. Sami tells him that it’s an old video of Sydney, but almost spills the truth. EJ calls her to tell her to come see him at once. Sami makes an excuse to leave and Rafe is about to look at the computer when he gets a call about a lead. The lead doesn’t pan out, but Sami and EJ grow closer as they wait to hear more from the supposed kidnapper. Philip tells Chloe that Daniel may be up on charges with the hospital board for letting Carly see Melanie. Chloe confronts Carly, who thinks Chloe knows that Daniel is Melanie’s father and inadvertently blurts it. Chloe is shocked and Daniel is angry when he walks in and realizes Carly told her. Daniel blasts Carly and comforts Chloe, who claims she’s all right about it, but really isn’t. Carly runs into Rafe on the pier. Rafe understands what Carly did for her daughter, and she says a mother’s love can change everything about a person. Meanwhile, Daniel starts to tell Melanie she is his daughter, but Philip interrupts. Nathan and Stephanie finish their ski trip. Stephanie confirms her decision not to tell Nathan about Melanie’s letter. Later, when they return to Salem, Stephanie is surprised and thrown to see Philip in town and not on his honeymoon. At the same time, Nathan is shocked to find Melanie in the hospital. Nathan is stunned to learn that Melanie has been shot, and expresses deep concern. Meanwhile, Stephanie learns from Philip that Melanie is in the hospital. She realizes that Nathan is there and rushes to Melanie’s room before the truth about the letter can come out. Indeed, Melanie and Nathan are just about to touch on the subject when Stephanie enters. Melanie realizes that Nathan and Stephanie were away together on a romantic vacation, and she becomes very angry at Nathan over his mixed signals. She takes a moment alone with Stephanie to express her dismay. Later, Nathan tells Stephanie that there is no point in feeling badly for being away when Melanie was shot. They couldn’t have changed anything. Bo plans to question Melanie regarding the shooting. He tells Carly that if Melanie can testify that it was accident, she will be acquitted. Carly would rather plead guilty and spare her loved ones, but Bo convinces her of her value in his life and Melanie’s. Later, Carly tries to apologize to Daniel for her blurt to Chloe. She promises to make things right, and Daniel hopes she has the chance since her future is in Melanie’s hands. Meanwhile, angry off her interaction with Nathan, Melanie makes her statement to Bo. Carly shot her on purpose.

Daniel confronts Vivian, and issues a memorable warning. Victor learns of Vivian’s visit to Melanie’s hospital room and is not pleased. However, Vivian convinces him of her sincerity. Prompted by a talk with Carly, Philip comes to the house to insist that Victor throw Vivian out. Vivian offers to leave. Victor takes her up on the offer, but hints it won’t be long before she can move back. Anna rips EJ a new one over what he’s doing to Sami. He is beyond cruel. EJ says it’s an eye for an eye, but Anna thinks that’s even worse, especially treating someone he loves this way. He insists he doesn’t love Sami. Rafe continues to worry about Sami, who is on edge about the ransom situation. She covers but Rafe tries to call her out. When she receives a phone call from EJ, telling her the whole ransom and kidnapper thing appears to be a hoax, she freaks out. Still thinking she’s melting down, worried Rafe calls Will and asks him to meet everyone at the Brady Pub. When they get there, Rafe questions Sami about EJ’s call, but she stonewalls. Later, Will shows up for support, and Rafe calls EJ. He wants to know what’s going on. EJ is short with him. He’s dealing with something, and hangs up. Later, a distraught Sami thanks Rafe for his support. He wishes there was a way he could bring Sydney back. Suddenly, in a huge moment, EJ arrives holding a very alive baby Sydney in his arms. Carly knows she kept the truth from Daniel, but begs him not to shut her out. At the same time, Bo talks to Melanie, who is intent on taking down Carly by saying she shot her on purpose. Bo doesn’t buy it, but Philip thinks he’s a bit biased towards Carly. Bo asks Philip for a moment alone with Melanie and he tries to talk some sense into her, but she finally erupts. Daniel enters and throws him out. Daniel tells Melanie he’s her father. Philip talks to Hope, urging her to fight for Bo. She says she’s tried, but there’s only so much she can do. She urges Philip to get Carly to consider the facts of the case. Philip says if Melanie says Carly shot her intentionally, he will support her. Bo hears this and says Philip’s a fool. Philip thinks Bo’s the fool, especially since he’s choosing to be with Carly, and not Hope. Later, Hope volunteers to talk to Melanie and Bo thanks her. Justin finds Hope and offers his support and his feelings. Hope puts the kibosh on that, and says her heart belongs to Bo. Later, Justin finds Carly and he offers his legal services. She notes that if she’s not in prison, his chances of being with Hope are increased. Justin intends to have Hope.