Courtesy/NBC

It’s the dawn of a new era in Salem as the town gathers at a party to celebrate the renovated town square funded by Alice and Tom Horton. Throughout the day, surprises, tension, intrigue – and romance – come into play, as several beloved characters return.

A thrilled Bo and Hope pull back the curtain on the renovated town square and everyone celebrates. Sami and Rafe show up late because they couldn’t resist making love. When EJ and Kate arrive, Bo and the others warn them not to cause trouble. EJ’s date is none other than the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger! Bo and Hope give a speech about how much the town square means to Tom and Alice’s memory, and Abe speaks about the generosity of the Hortons. The younger Salemites notice that the square will serve as a perfect meeting place and hangout. The surprises begin with Carrie and Austin’s arrival; everyone is thrilled to see them. Many believe they are the surprise guests that have been promised, but Bo and Hope say they can all expect others to come. Jack, an uninvited surprise in the mix, secretly hovers near Jennifer. He longs to talk to her but is shocked to see her with Daniel. Meanwhile, Sonny and Chad talk about their respective families, and Abigail talks to Chad about missing her father. Finally, the biggest event takes place when John and Marlena arrive! Their loved ones are overjoyed. At the hospital, Chloe tells Brady that she’s worried about her upcoming audition. Kate arrives after Brady leaves, and threatens Chloe, telling her even if she gets the job, she will never get partial custody of Parker.

John and Marlena’s return to Salem is a hugely emotional and uplifting event for many present at the party. In a series of heartwarming scenes, they reconnect with those who have loved and missed them the most – both family and friends. But the surprises aren’t over with when John has something else he wants to share with everyone in Salem… and with great effort he lifts himself out of his wheelchair, and stands on his own two feet. Everyone is overcome with amazement. Once John and Marlena finally work their way through the crowd, Hope announces it’s time for the official dedication. Remembrances of Tom and Alice are shared by a number of the people who knew and loved them, declaring that anyone who comes here will know the love that inspired this place. Hope reads a poem Tom wrote for Alice and finally, Doug and Julie sing a duet as the joy and hope expressed in their song is reflected in the faces of those attending. During all the commotion, Sami slips out to go on a second job interview with the mystery company, unbeknownst to Rafe. Brady finds Chloe in her defeated state. She tells him that Kate was at the hospital leveling a threat that will surely keep her from Parker forever. Brady gives her a pep talk, reminding her that she’s a winner. Chloe is energized with this newfound sense of strength, Kate’s threat now neutralized in her eyes. She finds Kate and confronts her for what she did to her, then heads off to her audition, confident that this is the moment in which her life will turn around and start in the right direction. Jack continues to stalk Jennifer, coming close to revealing himself to her… but circumstances continue to prevent their reunion. He isn’t going anywhere, though… Abigail encourages Chad to dance with Melanie, but finds herself a little jealous when she sees them in action. EJ continues to bide his time at the party, calculating just the right moment to make his move.

This is an emotional day. Everyone at the town square is affected by the spirit of Tom and Alice Horton as the lights on the “tree of life” twinkle. Marlena and John continue to reconnect with friends and family. Marlena has a special moment with Roman concerning their children, while John, now back on his feet, tries to reconnect with Brady without much success. They’re thrilled to be back but there might be another reason they’ve come home at this particular moment, something not as joyful as the party. Nicole, EJ, and Kate discuss the difference between Horton family love and DiMera family love. Nicole and EJ engage in their normal repartee. Nicole expresses a longing for the kind of marriage Alice and Tom Horton had. Carrie and Austin enjoy themselves, clearly happy to be home. As much as they love their jobs they wish they didn’t have to return to them so quickly. Carrie is now a lawyer, Austin a forensic accountant. Sonny tries to cheer up “fifth wheel” Melanie with a dance, assuring her she won’t be alone for long. Doug and Julie are thrilled by the town square, knowing how much Alice and Tom would love the result of their financial bequest. The square promises to be the heart and soul of Salem. They notice Maggie has quite a glow when in proximity to Victor. Meanwhile, Gabi and Will dance to a less happy tune, revealing that things might not be right between them.

Chloe returns from her audition, elated that she got the singing job. She says heartfelt goodbyes to Brady, Nicole and Daniel. Kinsey gives her a huge lift by announcing she wants to go to Chicago with her, to be her roommate. Abigail and Chad have a great time, though she, like Jennifer, can’t help but think of Jack during this big family day. Adrienne and Justin can’t believe Jack could have abandoned Jennifer and Abigail the way he did. Jack is still hidden, desperate for an opportunity to reveal himself to Jennifer. He’s thwarted at every turn, mostly by Daniel, who’s very serious about romancing Jennifer. He asks her to move in with him but before she can answer, Jack tumbles from his hiding place, landing in front of them on top of a giant cake, finally face-to-face with Jennifer. Bo and Hope take a break from the festivities to return to the Horton house for the donuts made from Alice’s secret recipe. After getting the donuts, they discover the bundle of envelopes that fell earlier. They’re mystified to find out the envelopes are statements from a foreign bank and regular payments were deposited and withdrawn. Though Alice’s name isn’t on the statements, they deduce they must belong to her. Bo and Hope know it’s crazy but since Alice never told anyone about it they suspect she might have been blackmailed.

The town square celebration continues and as Abe is gearing up to announce his bid for reelection, Stefano arrives. At the same time, Rafe, thinking Sami went to kiss the kids goodnight, remains at the party and receives disturbing news – a potential storm is brewing. John and Marlena are hiding the real reason they’re back in town. Later, John offers some cryptic comments to Abe, leaving him slightly disturbed. Later, Lexie makes a wonderful introduction for Abe, but EJ steals the spotlight and announces his own candidacy for mayor! Jack has fallen onto a cake and revealed himself to Jennifer and Daniel. A stunned Jennifer can’t believe he’s back but, before Jack can explain, Abigail shows up with Chad and freaks out. Jack tries to go after them, but neither Jennifer nor Abigail will hear him out. Chad takes Abigail off and Daniel takes Jennifer home, where she finds comfort in his arms. Jack remains at the party and Adrienne finds him. At first she’s happy to see him, but then rips him a new one for what he’s done to his family. Later, Adrienne wants Jack to tell her where he’s been.

The celebratory opening of the Horton town square takes a disappointing turn for Abe and Lexie when EJ eclipses Abe’s planned announcement of his intention to run for re-election by announcing his own intention to run for mayor. EJ’s platform will be to promote innovative businesses like Chad and his friends’ Internet project for Salem U. The press surrounds EJ, ignoring Abe. Lexie blasts her family for stealing Abe’s thunder and warns she won’t put up with dirty tricks. Stefano admires her fire. Meanwhile, a reporter questions Nicole about EJ’s heroics when Gus held her hostage. Nicole concedes he did rescue her, but privately warns EJ she won’t be a pawn in his election campaign. She wonders what angle he’s playing. EJ insists he wants to improve Salem and restore the reputation of the DiMera name. Bo and Hope remain concerned about what they assume is Alice’s mysterious bank account. They subtly question Maggie about any secrets Alice may have had. Maggie insists Alice was an open book. Hope is still unsettled. Austin gets an e-mail indicating he needs to do some emergency investigating for the SEC. Rafe seeks Sami out, anxious to explain something very important to her before some police business with the FBI goes down later. Meanwhile, a cryptic John cautions Marlena things are moving faster than he expected. John tries to bring Abe and Roman into the loop. Just as Victor is making an incredibly romantic marriage proposal to Maggie, Rafe arrests John on embezzlement, securities fraud and misappropriation of pension funds… the same case Austin has been called on to investigate!

Daniel and Jennifer confront an array of emotional issues surrounding Jack’s surprising return. Jennifer admits she still has feelings for Jack; he is the father of her children and they have a connection, but she insists she wants a future with Daniel. She breaks down, admitting she is angry at Jack. Daniel takes her in his arms and comforts her. Meanwhile, Adrienne grills Jack about why he never told anyone, especially Jennifer, where he was and what he’s been doing. Jack thinks it was a mistake for him to return and would leave again, but Adrienne convinces him to tell Jennifer the truth. Abigail and Melanie also grapple with Jack’s return and what it will mean for Jennifer and Daniel. Later, Jack knocks on Jennifer’s door.