Days Of Our Lives
EJ DiMera Complimented Johnny on Days of Our Lives and That Should Have Terrified Every Person in Salem
When EJ DiMera complimented Johnny on Days of Our Lives and was not fatherly warmth. It was the Phoenix ring doing its job. He’s recruiting his own son.
EJ DIMERA IS LOVE-BOMBING HIS OWN SON ON DAYS. WHICH MEANS THE PHOENIX RING IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT STEFANO WANTED IT TO DO
TL;DR: EJ DiMera offered Johnny a rare compliment on Wednesday’s Days of Our Lives and if you thought that was sweet, you have not been paying attention. This is the same man who just told Gwen they have OTHER SUBJECTS waiting for resurrection, dared Paulina to kill his half-sister, and is wearing Stefano’s original Phoenix ring like a promise. EJ is not reconnecting with his son. He is recruiting him.
EJ Has NEVER Complimented Anyone Without a Motive
Name one time EJ DiMera said something nice to anyone without an agenda. Take your time. We’ll wait.
On Wednesday’s Days of Our Lives, EJ offered Johnny DiMera a compliment after more than a year in which their relationship was in absolute shambles. Johnny chose Chanel Dupree over his father. He fired EJ as his defense lawyer. He told EJ point blank that he was forcing him to choose. And EJ has been on the outside of his son’s life ever since, watching from the DiMera mansion with Stefano’s Phoenix ring on his finger and a resurrection lab in his basement.
But NOW he compliments Johnny. Directly after he sent Johnny and Chanel a lovely christening cup with baby Trey’s name engraved on it. The cup also included the babe’s last name: DiMera. Chanel told Johnny to throw the gift away. He couldn’t. Rather, he opened it secretly then brought the cup to his office, where he’s displayed it promimently.
This same week, EJ revealed to Paulina that he brought Lexie back from the dead. He reminded Gwen they have other subjects waiting and told her the work MUST continue.
There’s a whole lot going on. How could anyone believe EJ complimenting his estranged son is anything but strategic?
Have thoughts on EJ’s sudden warmth toward Johnny? Write to our editor at [email protected] and tell us if you’re buying it!
The Stefano Playbook Is Running Like Clockwork
When Dr. Rolf handed EJ that original Phoenix ring in the crypt on Days of Our Lives, he told him to continue Stefano’s legacy with poise and precision. Gwen Rizczech immediately noticed something different about EJ’s demeanor. Even Susan Banks panicked and thought Stefano’s evil was inside her baby boy. And what has EJ done since sliding that ring onto his finger? He resurrected his dead sister. He built a secret lab within a secret lab. He manipulated Paulina into an impossible choice. He bankrolled a resurrection factory. And now he is complimenting the son who wants nothing to do with the DiMera name.
This is EXACTLY how Stefano operated. Stefano DiMera seduced his way into controlling people’s lives. He made himself indispensable. He offered compliments and opportunities and fatherly warmth until his targets were so deep inside his orbit they could not see the cage closing around them. EJ is doing the same thing to Johnny and the only question is whether Johnny is desperate enough for his father’s approval to fall for it.
Johnny Is the Key to Everything EJ Wants
The bottom line? EJ needs Johnny in the DiMera CEO chair. Abe wants Theo out of DiMera. EJ wants Theo out of DiMera. The only way that works long-term is if Johnny stays. But Chanel HATES everything DiMera and made Johnny promise he would step down once Theo recovered from his head injury. EJ DiMera cannot afford to let that happen.
So what does a man who was raised by the Phoenix do? He does not demand. He does not threaten. He seduces. He makes Johnny feel seen and valued for the first time in over a year. He plants the seed. And when Johnny is feeling warm about daddy’s approval, EJ will ask him to stay in the chair just a little longer. Then a little longer after that. Until one day Johnny looks around and realizes he has become exactly what Chanel warned him about. He’s the newly-adorned Phoenix’s son.
Chanel Must Be Terrified
Paulina also confided in Chanel. Presumably, Chanel knows her mother-in-law’s predecessor was just pulled out of a glowing green pod by her father-in-law. She is carrying a high-risk pregnancy. She is watching her husband get slowly reeled back into the family she begged him to leave. She despises her father-in-law.
That’s one thing Paulina and Chanel have in common.
Paulina taught Chanel to recognize a predator in a suit. The question is whether Johnny can see beyond the need for his father’s love.
Even if he has to sacrifice his only family to get it.
Do you think Johnny will see through EJ’s compliment or walk right into the trap? Drop your prediction in the comments below!
WATCH THIS: I need to know how you feel about Xander and Gwen
@soapoperamag It's happening, it's hot and heavy, and I don't hate it! I love Xander with Sarah. She's his world. She's the mother of his child. She's his soulmate. But, we can't deny the heat he has with Gwen! #DaysofOurLives ♬ original sound – Soap Opera Magazine
