DAYS WRITERS CONFESS: THEY TOTALLY CHANGED EJ’S SHOOTER MID-STORY!

TL;DR: Days of Our Lives head writers Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford admitted in Soap Opera Digest they changed who shot EJ DiMera from Ron Carlivati’s original plan, choosing Rachel Black for maximum drama instead of the initially intended culprit.

THE BOMBSHELL ADMISSION WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

Okay, Days fans—VINDICATION! Remember how the EJ DiMera shooting storyline felt totally different halfway through? Like someone hit the reset button? Well, guess what? That’s EXACTLY what happened!

What Did the Days Writers Change?

Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford just confessed to Soap Opera Digest that when they took over as co-head writers in April, they completely scrapped Ron Carlivati’s original plan for who shot EJ (Dan Feuerriegel). They literally changed the shooter mid-storyline!

The new writers revealed they had multiple suspects to choose from but ultimately went with 10-year-old Rachel Black (Alice Halsey) because it would have “the most impact on several major characters.” Talk about a creative overhaul!

Was Johnny Originally Supposed to Be the Shooter?

All signs point to YES! Think about it—Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) had the PERFECT motive after finding out EJ raped his mother, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney). The show spent MONTHS building up Johnny’s rage, his confrontation with EJ, and even showed him pointing a gun at his father!

But here’s where it gets interesting. Cwikly and Ford admitted the trial with Johnny as defendant wasn’t even part of Carlivati’s vision. Neither were EJ’s recovered memories through hypnosis with Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall). They crafted an entirely NEW emotional arc and then “filled in the blanks.”

Why Did the Storyline Feel Different Around June?

Because it WAS different! Fans on social media were right when they noticed EJ’s tone changed when he asked “What are you doing?” The first time sounded accusatory (talking to Johnny), but later it was more concerned—like he was speaking to a child.

The memory card footage was also confusing. It showed Johnny with the gun, but the timeline didn’t match up. Too much time passed between Johnny holding the weapon and when EJ was actually shot. These were clues that the writers had pivoted to a new culprit!

What’s Next for the DiMera Family?

Cwikly and Ford promise the ripple effects will last for MONTHS. Could this mean Rachel will eventually remember that fateful night? Don’t be surprised if this traumatic event shapes her into the next generation’s DiMera villainess!

Given Kristen DiMera’s (Stacey Haiduk) false confession to protect her daughter, this family secret is a ticking time bomb. Belle Black (Martha Madison) is already suspicious, and when the truth comes out, it’ll destroy the fragile trust between EJ and Johnny. This has all the makings of a long-term storyline that’ll haunt the DiMera family for years!

Quick Answers for Days of Our Lives Fans

Q: Who was originally supposed to shoot EJ? A: While not confirmed, all evidence points to Johnny DiMera or possibly Sami Brady as Ron Carlivati’s original shooter.

Q: Why did the writers change the storyline? A: They wanted maximum emotional impact on multiple characters and felt Rachel being the shooter would create more long-term drama.

Q: Was Stacey Haiduk’s performance planned from the beginning? A: No! Kristen’s false confession and Haiduk’s mesmerizing performance came from the NEW writers’ vision.

Catch all the must-know Days of Our Lives spoilers and updates here.