Xander Confronts Philip Over His Betrayal — and Sami Leaves Town With the Last Person We Expected

JJ’s going over a file on Gabi in the police station when Shawn pops in to check on him and find out how things went. “Imagine the worst case scenario.” But out of everything she said, she didn’t deny shooting EJ. She didn’t have an alibi, lied about leaving the house, then gave a flimsy excuse.

Shawn gets a notification on the tip line and heads to check it out. If it ends up being anything, he’ll let JJ know.

Gabi Hires Melinda

Melinda drops into the (brand new) Gabi Chic office to collect her belongings after getting fired. Gabi says she may need her services after JJ accused her of attempted murder. “Why the hell would JJ think you shot EJ?”

Gabi shrugs, but as Melinda points out, she does have a motive. But since she’s being hired by Gabi, she doesn’t want to know if Gabi did it, one way or another. They shake on it and gripe about the Kiriakis boys gloating. But while Melinda is kind of impressed by their coup, Gabi’s sure they’ll collapse in flames and this will all blow up.

Melinda goes to clean out her office and tells Gabi not to talk to JJ professionally — or otherwise.

Melinda Is Nearly Arrested

She heads over to the police station to tell JJ she’s representing Gabi and if he talks to her client again, he better make sure she’s present. Shawn comes in after her speech, holds up a baggie with a gun and asks, “Does this belong to you?”

They found it in a trash can, it’s her gun and it was likely disposed of the night of EJ’s shooting. So why? Melinda didn’t toss it, but she’s got a good idea who did it. She loaned it to Ava because she feared for her life after Kristen’s mom attacked her. And… she just dropped it in the garbage?

Melinda tries to leave, but JJ stops her to arrest her.

Rafe and Sami Say Farewell

Rafe nervously hooks up his wiretap from the DiMera living into his computer (after an extended flashback sequence). Sami drops by to say goodbye again. She did everything she came to do and thinks Johnny’s finding some peace.

Rafe’s happy for her, but sad she has to go. “I should go before I get drawn into any Salem drama.” She’s also proud of herself for coming to town and not causing chaos. Yeah… About that…

He tells Sami about Jada convincing him that she didn’t sleep with Shawn again. She was furious, which Sami doesn’t understand why. Because Rafe also told Jada about them sleeping together. Sami’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Have I taught you nothing?? You told her?!” Wow. “Agent Kiss and Tell.” Sami knows why Jada was so upset — but they both made mistakes, so they’re even now, right? Rafe wants to give Jada space, but Sami says he can still do something. Like an apology video! She shoves her phone in his face, but Rafe balks until she drops it.

OK, OK, Sami says, but if Jada needs time, Rafe should do the same and think over what he wants and what he’ll do to get it — including if that involves wanting Jada back. Rafe thanks her for genuine advice, and Sami tells him how grateful she is for him in the midst of this stressful trip.

“You deserve to be happy,” she says and hugs him goodbye.

Vivian Spars With Philip and Gabi

Philip runs into Vivian in the square, where she cheerfully tells him Xander’s upset with him after she told him everything. She decided to remind Philip that “Mommie Dearest calls the shots.” As Philip points out, with this secret out, he won’t have any money to give her. Self respect is more important than money, she says.

“Your life as you know it is over,” she tells Philip before he screams at her and rushes off.

Vivian’s making plans with Ivan to get out of Salem when she runs into Gabi at Small Bar and gets an earful from her former daughter-in-law. Gabi threatens that if Vivian comes after her in revenge, she’ll regret it. Vivian just shrugs that Gabi’s already paid for what she did to Vivian.

Her son came to his senses and divorced Gabi without giving her a second thought. “Are you done being a miserable bitch?” Yes, Vivian says, she is, and leaves.

Xander Throws Philip Out

Xander bursts into the Kiriakis house, downs a drink and tells Sarah he was betrayed. He draws it out, panicking her, but all he knows is that Philip lied, not anyone else. Vivian told Xander everything, and as he’s railing to Sarah, Philip slinks in.

Vivian told him what she did and no, he tells Xander, he’s not denying anything. “There’s no point.” Everything she told Xander was true. And now he’s prepared to tell Xander everything. It was Vivian’s idea, and in the process she gave him a reason to re-enter the world and have a life again after losing everything in the mental institution.

He convinced himself it’s what Victor would have wanted. Xander goes off on Philip about wanting to take everything from the bastard son Victor never acknowledged, then demands to know who else was involved in this. Sarah stares nervously. “It was our secret,” Philip says. “No one else was involved.”

He stole half of Xander’s company. He never would have shared it with anyone if it wasn’t for Sarah’s kindness convincing him. But then they came together, and it meant so much to him and he felt like a part of the family. Like he belonged. “You do belong, Xander,” Philip tells him earnestly.

He’s not Xander’s brother. Not his family. And Philip needs to get the hell out. He will, but he needs to say something. Yes, he lied to Xander, but he never laughed at him. He liked working with Xander and felt like he got his family back. Their relationship is something he always wanted with his brothers. He apologizes and walks out.

Sarah just hugs Xander once Philip’s gone.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Rafe’s about to get back to the computer when Gabi shows up and distracts him again.

Melinda says it’s not a crime to loan a gun, but the cops point out that Ava was recently convicted and her right to carry had been suspended. Melinda had no clue about that, it’s not her fault. She cooperated with them, will they seriously arrest her? No, not yet. But they’ll be keeping an eye on her. And JJ will be in touch regarding Gabi.

“Xander, I am so sorry,” Sarah says, getting reassured that she never lied to him, so there’s nothing to be sorry about.

Sami’s out in the square when Vivian runs into her and the surprised women both compliment how each other look. They’re both waiting for a rideshare, then start talking about their plans, realizing they’re on the same flight, sitting next to each other. Vivian’s excited to fly with her, so she suggests sharing a ride over together and catching up on everything. Yeah… Sami weakly replies, sure.