Friday, March 3, 2006
"Make love to me; I need you," whispered Lexie, who was having sex with Tek in his car in the parking lot. Abe approached the vehicle, but his eyes were bothering him. Lexie spied him and freaked. John found Abe outside and asked what he was doing there. Abe confessed that he felt frustrated that his vision wasn't back to normal and that he couldn't yet resume his former life. He complained that his night vision was so bad, he might as well be blind. Abe then explained that he came out to look for Lexie, but saw something strange — Tek's car appeared to be moving. (Hey, if Tek's car's a rockin', don't come knockin'.) Abe and John left to have a drink and talk about Alex. Lexie was upset with herself for being with Tek. He made a snide comment about Abe's vision; she slapped him. "Tell me you can stay away from me," Tek said. Lexie lamented that Abe didn't deserve what she was doing.

Marlena and Alex dined at Chez Rouge. Marlena was still upset about Alex and John's fight at the hospital. Alex tried to make light of it and assured her he'd take care of everything. John and Abe went to the bar at Chez Rouge. Marlena was on her way to the ladies' room and overheard John threaten Alex to Abe. Alex approached. Marlena assured Alex that she was just telling John that her future was with Doc North. Abe held John back from doing anything that might make him look bad. "Stop trying to strong-arm this guy," Abe advised. "Use your head instead of your fists... You need to beat him at his own game." Abe thanked his pal and took off. Back at the table, Alex suggested that John was stalking them. Marlena admitted the whole situation unnerved her. "Forget about him," Alex said, then went to get the check. Marlena was shaken when she had a memory of John giving her a blue diamond necklace for their anniversary and saying their love would last forever.

John broke into the penthouse, looking to get some ammo on Alex. He heard Alex and Marlena return home and ran up the stairs to hide — in her bedroom. Alex told Marlena she looked tired and should go to bed. They went upstairs. She kissed him goodnight, then took a sleeping pill. Downstairs, Alex toasted to the "perfect plan" in which John would lose Marlena and Alex would finally have his revenge. Marlena turned out the light in her bedroom. John emerged from the closet. Marlena called out to him. She sat up in bed and said, "Thank God you're here... Don't go.... John, I still love you."

Tek and Lexie got dressed. Abe returned to find Lexie. She lied that she was paged to the hospital. Tek hid behind his car.

At the shower at Alice's, Mimi cried to Bonnie about the mean girl from high school who made cracks about Shawn and Mimi's relationship. Bonnie calmed her down. Belle asked Shawn if she could speak with him alone. Belle said that the party made her see everything more clearly.

Victor was determined to tell Shawn the truth about Claire. "Think of your son," insisted Kate. Vic replied that Philip deserved to hear the truth, too. Philip overheard a snippet of his parents' conversation and said he had something to say to Shawn, too. Philip took the microphone to make a toast to the future bride and groom "as Shawn's best friend, best man and best uncle." He said how his life began when he married Belle and how she got him through his abduction and rehab after he lost his leg. "My wife gave me the greatest gift of all. She gave me our little girl. When I looked down in her face, it was the happiest moment of my life," he elaborated. After the speech, Bonnie pointed out to Mimi how the truth will only hurt Philip. Shawn gave Phil a bear hug and then publicly thanked his "best man for the best speech." After, Belle and Shawn spoke alone again. Philip came up to them, interrupting their one-on-one. Mimi came over, too. Belle was jealous of Shawn and Mimi. Philip suggested they have a group hug. Vic and Kate spied it; she urged her ex to reconsider blabbing to the boys about Claire. He said he wouldn't — for now.

The party ended. Phil went to get the coats; Mimi left to say good-bye to Bonnie. Belle told Shawn she still needed to speak with him. The four returned to the loft. Shawn and Belle lingered in the hallway; she asked him to meet her on the roof. He was resistant. Philip brought Claire outside to see her mother. Mimi decided to write a letter to Shawn, revealing the truth. Up on the roof, an arm grabbed Belle from behind. "I knew you'd come," Belle said, then added they had to be honest about their feelings even if it hurt other people. "What are you talking about," said Philip, who revealed himself. In the apartment, Shawn found the letter Mimi wrote. Mimi hid and watched him read it, crying that things would be over as soon as he finished.

Thursday, March 2, 2006
Frankie surprised Jennifer with a candlelit, romantic dinner in the never-seen-before private dining room at Chez Rouge. Jennifer thanked him for the change of scene. They then rehashed the Bo/Billie/Hope mess. Jen mentioned that Bo and Hope were meant to be together. Frankie countered that people used to say the same thing about them. Frankie told her he had another surprise for her. Suddenly, music began to play and they danced. And kissed. They suddenly heard fireworks and went to check them out. "I thought it was us," Frankie said. "Me, too," Jen laughed. They kissed some more.

Everyone gathered at Alice's for Shawn's bachelor pool party and Mimi's bridal shower. Roman and Kate chatted; Roman suspected she was up to something. Victor came over to make sure Roman wasn't harassing his "date". Once alone, Victor said it made him uncomfortable to be keeping Claire's paternity secret from Shawn and Philip.

Outside of Alice's, Shawn and Mimi met up. He asked her if she was having second thoughts about marrying him. Belle eavesdropped on their conversation and heard Mimi assure him that she wanted to marry him. Caroline caught her and said she understood that it was hard to see the man she loved with another woman. She advised her not to make the same mistake she did and to be faithful to Philip. Belle said she loved Shawn too much to let go.

Abe walked in on what appeared to be an argument between Tek and Lexie and asked what was going on. Lexie had a flashback to her office sex with Tek, then told Abe she was annoyed with Tek for taking Abe out in his condition. Abe laughed it off, then played pool with Roman. Groom-to-be Shawn talked with his uncle about how Bo wasn't at the bachelor party and how Hope had left town. Shawn said he wanted his parents together. A girl from Salem High came to the shower and told Mimi she expected Belle to marry Shawn, not Mimi, because Belle and Shawn were the golden couple. Mimi walked away from her. Shawn came over to see what was going on; Belle asked him if they could go somewhere to talk.

Bonnie got on stage to introduce the male stripper she hired. Lexie imagined it was Tek, got all hot and bothered and ran out. Tek followed. The two were so turned on that they had sex in the car. Abe came outside to look for Lexie and spied something in the distance.

Bonnie and Calliope exchanged harsh words over Bonnie hiring the stripper. Calliope shoved a piece of cake in Bonnie's face. Bonnie did it back to her. Calliope said in all the years she's done weddings, she's never worked with an "animal" like Bonnie.

In the woods, Bo tended to Billie, who he shot accidentally. He wanted to get the first aid kit; she kissed him passionately instead. The two started going at it, and then it turned out she had fainted and was dreaming. Bo picked her up and brought her to the fire he built. He tended to her wound. They had a good discussion, which prompted Billie to admit she had done something unforgivable. She didn't reveal what it was, though. Bo suggested they go home. She said she would drive, but couldn't find her keys. Her cell phone got no signal, so they had to spend the night under the stars. Billie had a bad dream about being confronted by Bo and Hope; Bo comforted her.

On Morgan Island, Patrick arrived at his home there and went into his bedroom. Hope was brought to the bungalow she rented. Surprise: It's Patrick's. The guide reminded her about the special "love" flower he gave her. Patrick came out of the bedroom and could sense someone was there. Patrick grabbed the intruder from behind. The two were shocked to see each other. Patrick explained that was his bungalow and he had instructed them not to rent it, but wires must have been crossed. Is Bo here, he asked. No, replied Hope. The two shared a bottle of wine and had a friendly talk. Hope admitted she didn't have a marriage to go back to.

Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Austin came home and asked Sami what was for dinner. She said there was nothing in the house and they'd have to go out. Austin said he didn't want to, then changed his mind when he realized Sami had been inside all day. Sami called around, but couldn't get a reservation. Austin said they should go to Chez Rouge. Sami was pleased, since she knew they'd run into Lucas and Carrie there.

Lucas and Carrie arrived at Chez Rouge for their date, where he was surprised to discover Eugenia was moonlighting. She explained she was just filling in for the night. Carrie ran into an old co-worker who asked how Austin was. Carrie said she wasn't with him, she was at the restaurant with Lucas. Back at the table, Carrie admitted she was nervous to be out with Lucas. He said he was, too.

A gussied-up Austin and Sami made it to Chez Rouge. She exchanged barbs with Eugenia, then spied Lucas and Carrie together and asked Austin if he wanted to leave. At the table, Lucas asked Carrie the same thing. They all agreed to stay.

Billie called around looking for Bo. Chelsea came out dressed to the nines. Billie suggested she stay home for the night. Chelsea laid it on thick about how she ruined everyone's lives by killing Zack and that if she saw people having fun, maybe she could have fun. Billie said it wouldn't look good for her to be out. Chelsea agreed to stay home, as long as they played poker. Billie had a flashback of playing strip poker with Patrick and tossed out gin rummy as an alternate. "That's boring," Chelsea complained. Chelsea noted that her mother missed Patrick. She suggested Billie reunite with Bo. Billie chastised her daughter for even saying that since he's with Hope. Chelsea pointed out that her mother used to be like a "porn star" and slept around, so why wouldn't she try and get back with Bo. Billie went crazy on her daughter. Chelsea apologized for hurting her. "Are you? Really?" Billie replied. Chelsea said she was, then turned the screws to make Billie feel bad that she wasn't with Bo. Elsewhere in Salem, Bo pounded beer, then took off on his bike. Two cops spied him and called it in to the station. Bo saw a deer and swerved off the road. Roman called Billie to tell her what was going on with Bo. Billie ran out to look for him and tracked him to the woods. She heard gunshots and went toward them. Suddenly, she yelled out in pain. Bo, who had been shooting at beer bottles, found her bleeding. Back at the apartment, Chelsea opened her wallet and found a photo of Zack. She apologized to her brother for hurting him. It seemed genuine.

On the plane to Morgan Island, Patrick dreamed of Billie and recalled the same strip poker game. On the same plane, Hope thought about Bo and cried. A woman sat down next to her and remarked that she seemed sad. The woman then suggested that she and Hope have drinks once they get to Morgan Island. (Um, okay, stranger.) Hope got off the plane and rented a place on the beach. She received a special flower with special meaning from a local. The meaning? If a visitor receives the flower from a native, she will find love on the island. Hope was suspect, but the man insisted it worked every time.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Carrie started work at Titan. Lucas showed her around on her first day. Victor welcomed her to the fold, but asked for her assurance that she would be comfortable going after Austin and his company. "Yes, I'll do whatever I have to to prove myself in this job," she replied. Victor was pleased.

Kate came by Titan; Lucas asked what she was doing there. "I'm here to see Victor," she responded. Lucas reminded Kate that if she continued to push Austin and Carrie together, he'd be sure she never saw Will again. Kate assured him that she had already talked to Austin. Victor came out of Lucas's office and found Kate. She said she needed to talk to him about the situation with Alex, Marlena and John. Victor advised her to stay out of it. The two then argued over keeping the secret of Claire's paternity from Shawn. Victor was very torn.

Back in the office, Carrie found a letter Lucas wrote to Sami. Carrie apologized for being nosy; Lucas said it was okay, then added he wrote it for Sami on their wedding day. Lucas asked Carrie to dinner. She grabbed her notes, but he explained it wouldn't be a business dinner: He was asking her out on a date.

At the apartment, Austin apologized to Sami for blowing off dinner the night before. Sami asked if it was because of Kate. No, said Austin, who then defended his mother. He mentioned Kate was tense over Belle and Philip, which piqued Sami's curiosity. Leave it alone, Austin suggested. The two got down to business and went over some paperwork. Sami was bitter that Nicole got to travel the world on behalf of the company. Austin insisted Nicole was an asset. He also told Sami he thought the two of them were a terrific team. She was pleased. Austin found a cufflink on the floor and asked who it belonged to. It's Lucas's, she said. He asked if they were getting back together. No, replied Sami, his heart is with Carrie. Sami then told Austin that Carrie said she doesn't ever want to be with Austin again and that she doesn't have the feelings she used to have for him. Austin was crushed.

At the Brady Pub, Abe commiserated with a boozy John, who insisted that Alex was planning to kill Marlena. John said that Alex gloated about his plan. Maybe he's playing you, suggested Abe. "Whose side are you on?" John said accusingly. Yours, Abe assured him. Abe told him to lay off the liquor. John said it was "expanding his mind."

Belle and Marlena continued their conversation about Mimi, Shawn, Claire and Alex. Marlena advised Belle to follow her heart, which belongs with Shawn. He was her first love, just like Alex is Marlena's, Doc Evans pointed out. Belle urged her mother to remember her love for John. Alex, who was about to enter the penthouse, eavesdropped on their conversation and was pleased to hear Marlena insisting she belonged with him. Belle pointed out that a divorce could turn Claire into a Sami, who still blamed all of her problems on Roman and Marlena's split. Marlena (who doesn't remember her love for John, but can recite info from medical journals) replied that studies show kids in unhappy homes can be just as damaged. Belle decided to stay with Philip. Marlena tried to talk her out of it, but Alex walked in at that moment, bearing flowers. Belle left. Marlena told Alex she had to do some checking into her relationship with John since so many people wanted them together. Alex asked if she was having second thoughts. Not at all, she assured him. Marlena spied the bruise on Alex's cheek. Did John do that? she asked. Yes, Alex replied, then lied that John hit him for no reason.

At the loft, Bonnie and Calliope looked over plans for Mimi and Shawn's wedding. Shawn returned home and told Mimi that Hope would most likely not be at the wedding since she was leaving town. Calliope said that the mother of the groom had to be there. "This one won't be," Shawn said. Calliope expressed her condolences over Zack. "Do I even know you?" Shawn asked. Calliope explained her Salem past, then wanted to show Shawn some new tuxedo styles. He was more focused on a photo of him with his parents and Zack. Let Mimi plan the wedding, Shawn said. Mimi looked over the guest list and saw that Philip and Belle were not on it. They're the matron-of-honor and best man, she sighed to her mother. Belle came by; Calliope was pleased to meet her, but got the sense that Belle wasn't happy with Philip.

At the airport, Bo searched for Hope, but couldn't find her. He ran into two cops and asked them for help finding her. "Don't let her get on a plane," Bo implored. In the background, an boarding announcement for the Morgan Island flight could be heard. Patrick got on board, as did Hope, but they didn't see each other. Bo was vexed that he couldn't find her.

Monday, February 27, 2006
At the hospital, Abe got good news about his condition. An excited Lexie suggested they have a romantic night to celebrate. Abe reminded her that he's impotent. Tek eavesdropped on them. Lexie gave Abe a pep talk, suggesting his impotence was psychological. He said he couldn't talk about it and left to meet John. Tek came in after Abe took off and told Lexie that her husband was neglecting her, then pulled her into a kiss. She told him to back off; she was a married woman. "That's never stopped you before," he pointed out. At first, Lexie resisted, then gave into Tek and they had sex on her desk.

Billie fixed her makeup, then told Chelsea she was going to check in on Bo. Billie admitted that she felt weird about messing with Bo's life. "Why are you acting like we're doing something horrible," Chelsea queried. "Maybe because we are," Billie replied. Patrick came in and overheard a snippet of their conversation. The three argued over the whole Zack situation. Patrick told Chelsea and Billie that they could stay on in the apartment after he left. Chelsea made a comment about how he could relax on the beach. "How did you know I was going to a beach," he asked. She covered, but he didn't buy it. Chelsea left. Patrick warned Billie to beware of Chelsea's selfish nature. Billie defended her daughter. Patrick and Billie said good-bye.

Bo confided in Caroline about his problems with Hope. She urged him to be patient. Bo blamed himself for all of their troubles. "I am the reason our son is dead.... How are we ever going to get past that?" he lamented. Chelsea came to the pub and sat with her father. She apologized for everything and lied that she wished he and Hope would reconcile.

Shawn visited with Hope, who revealed she was taking a trip out of Salem. He said he understood and would support anything she decided. She realized he was planning to marry Mimi and she couldn't miss it. He assured her he wasn't marrying so quickly and that his mom needed to go away. Hope then admitted she didn't think she could be in St. Luke's anyway. Shawn went to the pub and saw Bo with Chelsea. He revealed that Hope was leaving town. Bo practically ran out of there. Chelsea and Shawn had a tense chat afterward. Chelsea insisted she felt guilty over what happened. "You should. It's your fault," Shawn replied. Chelsea made a false claim that she hoped Bo and Hope would work things out. Bo arrived at the Brady house, but it was too late: Hope was gone. He hit redial on the phone and got the Salem Airport. He tried to find out if Hope was on a flight, but couldn't, so he rushed there.

Belle dropped by the penthouse to talk to her mother about her vow renewal with Alex, but made a slip of the tongue and referenced Mimi and Shawn's wedding. Marlena pointed out that she has some serious feelings over that union and that she should follow her heart. Belle couldn't understand how Marlena could see that Shawn was Belle's true love, but couldn't see that John was hers.

John caught Alex in the morgue, talking to Lois's corpse. Alex detailed his nefarious plans for Marlena and boasted that there wouldn't be anyone to stop him. John grabbed him by the collar, insisting he was right about Doc North all along. Yes, you were, Alex responded slyly, then taunted John. Alex announced his intention to cause Marlena more pain and suffering than she has ever suffered before. John pummeled Alex; Abe found them and pulled John off of him. Alex insisted that John would have killed him if Abe hadn't shown up. Abe told him to shut up. John revealed that Alex said he had a plan to "take out Marlena." Alex denied it. John realized Alex set him up and was baiting him. John vowed he would protect Marlena at all costs — even if he died doing it.

2005 recaps