A hero's journey

Does Sophia have a point? Does E.J. have the right to feel wronged? And is Justin the true hero of Victor's last storyline? Let's decide who deserves a spot on the winner's platform in this week's Two Scoops.

Last week in Salem, we embarked on solving a true mystery. Which is more disastrous? Staying at the Horton cabin or having a double wedding? Both have been riddled with disaster in the past, and we got to see them go head-to-head this week.

First up, Holly decided to stash Tate for the summer in the Horton cabin on Smith Island. I guess she stole (?) a key from Maggie to get Tate in. These two take part in totally normal teen behavior -- playing board games and trivia. I mean this seriously -- thank goodness Sophia turned up to add some excitement to this snoozefest.

Furthermore, I think Sophia has a right to be upset. Holly broke girl code. She should have told Sophia or, at the very least, not put Sophia in a position to be utterly embarrassed. That's one of the hardest emotions for teen girls to overcome. And if her blackmail is just making Holly work a job (gasp! The horror!), it's really not all that vindictive. We'll keep an eye on her to see that she doesn't purchase any life-size cages. But for now, go on, Sophia. Do your thing.

Besides, Holly's mom and two of her former stepdads are going to be a little preoccupied to worry about Holly for a hot minute. This is a tough one for your Two Scooper friend here. I've been an Ericole fan since day one, Rollerblading on the boardwalk. But it feels like they're really going to let Nicole go out with a whimper.

I love that she got her baby back. And I love that Eric finally admitted his feelings for Nicole. But what in the name of phoenix ashes is E.J. doing here? He doesn't want Nicole and Eric to "win," sure. But in the line of losses he's taken these last few weeks, losing a scheme he was only part of for about a month doesn't matter.

Plus, Nicole yelling at Leo for one scene doesn't make a difference. We have so little time left with Nicole, I didn't need another scene of someone propping Leo. It still feels like the people who planned and orchestrated this whole swap -- Sloan, Melinda, and Leo -- are hardly paying any satisfactory consequences.

Nope, for satisfactory consequences, we'll look at the double wedding and see one of our greatest DAYS heroes finally end up on the upside of justice. That hero is, of course, Justin Kiriakis.

Look, I know this whole story was an Alex vs. Xander -- the heir and the spare -- set-up to have a mismatch of fortune between these two men. And we all certainly rallied around the widow Maggie over the past few months. But Justin has been the heart of Victor's death storyline from the beginning.

I adored and found it entirely satisfying to finally see Justin snap at Alex's completely ungrateful face. In what could arguably be the most patriarchy family in Salem, Alex has so much to learn about being a man. Justin lost it and exclaimed that he was and always will be Alex's father. It wasn't a title he held, it was a job he did. Alex needs to respect that.

For his part, Alex did apologize, and Justin performed the ceremony. Then, he turned things over to Maggie for an almost successful double wedding. That is... until the sound of impeccable well-timed high heels, and in walked mama Cook. Oh! I think Fiona and I are going to be fast friends! This is soap satisfaction at its best!

Loose Ends

Kate, Stephanie, and Xander all learned that Abigail might still be alive. It had been so long since Stephanie and Kayla shared a scene together that it took me a minute to remember this was a mother/daughter scene and not the traditional "Aunt Kayla counsels wayward kid" scene.

The Connie and Bobby scenes are an absolute trip. As established, neither of these characters is all there upstairs. So, I guess it makes sense that Bobby seemed shocked that Connie would kill Rafe. Oh, lord. Someone give this investigative reporter back the other half of his brain!

But Rafe is in a coma for now. I'm not at all worried about him; he'll be waking up just fine. In the meantime, I enjoy Gabi and Jada supporting each other. Previous iterations of Gabi left her short of female friends, and I'd love to see that changed this time around.

Xander offering to give his half of the paper back to Jack was an adorable touch. It made me remember how much I loved this bromance back in the day. I'd love to see them reconnect.

HOT:

Double the wedding meant double the delightful returns. I was thrilled to see Paul and Andrew. It's good to know that they're still together, and it was wonderful for Paul to show up for Brady at the exact right moment. (Theresa is soooooo not worth his sobriety, by the way.) Seeing Andrew walk Theresa down the aisle was lovely, too. Yay for the Brady kids!

And step on down, Sonny! Welcome back to the show. Zach Tinker is always a delight to have back. In the spirit of #JusticeForJustin, I'm happy to have Sonny there to support his father.

NOT:

Can we put Bonnie on a question quota? Perhaps she's allowed to speak twice an episode and that's it? When she stood up and suggested they flip a coin during the wedding ceremony, I can't be the only wedding guest who didn't sorta, kinda, just a little bit wish that Xander had kept her locked in that gardening shed.

LINE OF THE WEEK:

Justin (about Victor): "What he did was indefensible. And I, for one, don't know how you can stand there, waxing sentimental about him!"

Alex: "Because he was my father."

Justin: "So was I, damn it!"

Yasssss, Justin! Finally. Tell him! Speak truth for all of us!

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Love Chad saying that his mom used to watch soaps.

That was a very nice two-toned evidence bag/purse that Jada was carrying.

I did like that Connie wore tennis shoes and jeans for the murder job instead of a bodycon dress and heels.

Mar looks stupid in that bun.

I didn't know that Roman went to visit Rex!

While I still understand and support Theresa's stance on Holly, I get a little uncomfortable with how comfortable she is gossiping with Sophia -- who is still a legit child.

I love that Eric calls Jude "cowboy."

I don't like putting a rush on the results for Rafe.

It was nice to see Johnny remember he's a Brady for a scene and reference his Uncle Eric.

Perhaps Connie was working for the fashion police and might have been punishing Rafe for wearing a wool jacket in July?

Don't look now, but the heir to the Kiriakis fortune is a little girl at the moment.

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