Xander’s playing on the bed with Victoria when a delighted Sarah wanders in. Xander’s back in their old apartment! And Sarah just let herself in, which her hubby doesn’t mind. Victoria then plays on the floor and mommy and daddy chat about couples therapy.

Sophia’s lurking in the square when Johnny wanders by. She demands to know where he’s going with a crib. He tells her they’re adopting

 

 

and Sophia snidely notes that he seemed to have changed his mind quickly about being a father. After some half attempts to explain, he awkwardly leaves.

Sophia then whips out her laptop and writes a note to Child Services as Tesoro’s mother to register her “most strenuous objections.” She glares at Johnny the whole time as he’s back in the square.

Ari surprises Holly with some alcohol, taking a break from the party downstairs to check in on her roomie while she works on a paper. Ari pushes her to finish the paper and join her at the party to help get over dumping Tate. Time to meet some hot college guys!

 

 

But just as Holly’s finishing up, her paper gets wiped! That really doesn’t happen that much anymore, what with cloud save, autosave, recovery and a whole bunch of nifty features, but sure. Oh, wait, the hard drive crashed. Also something that doesn’t really happen much…

Ari convinces Holly to text Johnny and explain, but instead of texting back, Johnny calls. She tells him about the paper and he says they’ll figure something out. He then realizes that she’s been drinking, even though she sounds kind of fine…

Johnny tells her to call it a night and sleep it off. Sophia listens to the whole convo, not even remotely pretending not to be standing right behind him. She then continues her note saying Johnny’s engaging in an “inappropriate relationship” with a student. Full. Villain. Mode.

What’s Sophia Doing to Holly?
Back in her dorm room, Holly agrees to call it, so Ari goes to get drinks alone and… Runs into Sophia?? How did she get from the square to the dorms in the time it took Holly to hang up??

Sophia makes up an excuse about being there to study, then the second Ari’s gone bursts right into Holly’s room. “Hiya, Holly!” It’s downright sociopathic.

Before Holly can yell much, she runs into the bathroom, feeling sick, so Sophia cheerfully pours alcohol into her cup. Ari comes back and Sophia plays all innocent, then Holly comes out of the bathroom, takes a sip of the drink, and feels worse. Ari decides it’s shower time for the lightweight.

What are EJ and Gwen Planning?
EJ shows Gwen into a room under construction, where she questions the gala idea. “You worried somebody’s going to stumble upon the true purpose of our free clinic?” EJ laughs. And what is that purpose?! EJ doesn’t explain anything other than to say it’s a lab with a high security door, so they’re safe.

Gwen gripes about the money he’s spending, but he assures she’ll make it all back and more. He then hands Gwen an envelope of cash to bribe the electrician to keep quiet about leeching electricity. He’s got to run. Gwen bristles, but EJ cheerfully leaves.

Chad Has News for Cat
Cat’s finishing up yoga (pilates?) in her apartment when Chad shows up to work on the gala, sees her in workout clothes and pounces. After some making out, they get down to business.

Chad’s assigned Jennifer to write a piece on Dr. Tom Horton, which, understandably, makes Cat uncomfortable. In fact, she’s back in Salem tomorrow to start interviewing people. They figure that Jack and Jen probably heard about Mark’s release and weren’t happy.

Belle’s Thrown Back With EJ
Belle stops in at home with bad news about John’s will. He wanted to leave money to the hospital, but the ownership change changes things. Belle doesn’t trust EJ to be a “steward of dad’s final wishes.”

So she’s going to insist that the family gets continued oversight into the money, even if she has to be stuck with EJ to do it. Marlena thinks that’s a great idea. They plan mother/daughter movie night, then Belle leaves.

She tracks EJ down in the hospital and tells him she’ll be watching him like a hawk with her father’s bequeathment. EJ would expect nothing else.

In the Show’s Final Moments
Chad and Cat’s kissing session is cut short by the dark. The two find out that the whole city’s gone dark. The lights flicker and go out on Gwen, trapping her in the room since she can’t use the electric lock. EJ and Belle get stuck in the elevator together, where he calls for help with the emergency phone. But it goes to 911, and since it’s not life-threatening, they have to prioritize. They’re trapped.