Credit: Peacock screenshot, Jill Johnson/JPI (3)

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The week had a lot of drama crammed into it, but the Days of Our Lives‘ biggest did not happen on Friday, but on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Because what would a DiMera party be without a few messes to clean up after?

No Excuses

I’m glad Chanel finally stopped buying whatever ridiculous excuse Joy and Johnny made up every time she overheard them talking about their affair. It was time for the whole almost overhearing thing to be put to bed, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if someone had told Chanel on New Year’s Eve in front of everyone. You know, like Gabi’s messy blowing up EJ’s life at a press conference.

Actually, I should amend that. There was, apparently, no affair — just almost sleeping together. I guess they never actually said “we had sex” in those words, but they sure did their best to convince us the two had. Yeah, it felt like a rewrite, but looking back, they were pretty clearly trying to trick us and… put the rug back under our feet instead of pulling it out from under? As much as I loved that season trailer, it kind of ruins any kind of tension here, because we know Johnny and Chanel are going to reconcile to the point of trying for another baby.

I saw a few folks mention that this non-sex twist leaves things open for Johnny and Chanel to reconcile, especially with EJ’s shooting coming up. Johnny’s going to need a shoulder to lean on. (Unless he’s the shooter, that is.) The thing is, if they do reconcile and Body and Soul is on its way out, what happens to Joy? She and Chanel are headed toward an angry confrontation Monday, but would Johnny’s ticked off wife run Joy out of town? I’m not sure where she’d land if she sticks around.

Backed Into a Corner

I feel like giving a standing ovation to the writers for having EJ “evolve” and do his best to keep Arnold away from Jada. He stopped the kissing and sent RoboRafe off on a fake mission so he didn’t hop into bed with the commissioner. And EJ’s talk about how he understands how messed up what happened to Sami was, understands consent better and flat out said the world has changed from the times before #Metoo (though it’s still got a long way to go).

More: The three New Year’s Eve soap cancellations

But I also feel like that’s going to tie into Johnny finding out that he was conceived when EJ forced himself on Sami in exchange for Lucas’ life, which would be a nice touch. We’re seeing EJ understanding the gravity of what happened in a way he didn’t before, and it’ll contrast with Johnny’s fury at his dad for raping his mom.

On an unrelated note, Galen Gering looks like he’s having so much fun with Arnold and that’s making it fun for all of us. Especially now that EJ’s gotten his creepiest tendencies away from Jada. So long as the show can keep Arnold as a “fun” villain and not have this all turn into setup to assault Jada, I’m happy with this. He did promise to be back in time for the wedding, at least, but how in the world are any of them getting out of this? Is he going to be MIA for the marriage?  EJ can’t keep Rafe locked up forever, but he also can’t let him go.

Then again, maybe EJ’s shooting will solve this problem somehow. Hmm…

Hurricane Amy

Amy Choi is most definitely a force of nature. She was about to flip her lid at the thought of her daughter kissing a boy?! Though with that said, she seemed oddly calm after learning what actually happened. But I get the feeling Amy is someone who keeps her emotions tightly coiled at all times — like when she very calmly explained how furious she was about her daughter’s pregnancy but that they will go through with it in the “proper” way.

More: Brand new Beyond the Gates preview

I’m bugged by how little subtlety there is here, though. “I’m pro-life. That means I don’t believe in abortions. God doesn’t like it, so neither do I. You will not have this child out of wedlock.” It’s just so heavy-handed. We don’t need an after-school special talking about abortion in the most basic of terms. And as for forcing Tate and Sophia to marry? Yeah, that’s not how it works. Yes, she has legal control over her daughter as far as the abortion, but forced marriages don’t fly.

And there is no way I see Brady backing it. I can’t wait to see how he and Amy clash, though. I’m guessing she wouldn’t approve of Brady’s life at all. And I really like Ava and Sophia’s dynamic. I could see Sophia fighting for legal emancipation from her parents and going to live with Ava. That way, she could get an abortion and start a new life away from her parents’ suffocating demands. Admittedly, it would be sweeter if the family learned to communicate, work together, be forgiving and listen to Sophia’s needs and desires. But where’s the drama in that?

The one thing I wondered, though, is if Sophia isn’t pulling the strings more than we realize. She caved to her mom awfully fast, and if that baby happens, Tate’s pretty much tied to her forever, marriage or not.

In other news, instead of Stray Thoughts, this week I thought I’d do…

New Year’s Couple Ratings:

Philip and Stephanie — I’ve got two words: Willful denial. Steph’s having sexy dreams about Alex. Philip’s trying way too hard to reconnect and set down roots away from his former obsession, Chloe. I’m pretty sure they both know this isn’t happening, but they’re determined to plow forward anyway until it crashes and burns. These two don’t have a prayer. F

More: Revisit Philip’s life on the anniversary of his ‘rebirth’

Alex and Joy — They’re both the type to happily have no-strings fun, while being capable of deeper depths. But they’re a non-starter. Alex and Stephanie are heading back to each other, though I’m not entirely sure where Joy is going to end up. At the very least, for now, I can see them having fun and people to talk to. C

Johnny and Chanel — They need a break. The show gave us all an out by pulling Johnny back from the brink of sex with another woman, but he still cheated. And after his accusations and mistrust of Chanel, they need some time apart. But that time apart could be extended if he turns to Joy during it. That will just make everything worse. Which means there’s a 50/50 chance Johnny will do it. Still, we all know the separation won’t last. C-

Belle and EJ — We know they’re heading back into each other’s arms, and the sexual tension between them is burning through just about every scene. I think they’re fun, but with Belle taking EJ’s job, I’ve got to wonder now if he’ll just be using their attraction to his advantage somehow. And he gets to enjoy himself while he’s at it. B

JJ and Gabi — I saved the best for last because these two get an enthusiastic thumbs up from me. They’re cute and fun, but more importantly, they just seem to be on the same wavelength. I never thought I’d want them back together, but I’ve got to say, these two are the winning couple to start the new year. Don’t ruin them before they can get started, Days of Our Lives! A