HOT NEWS!! Xander confides the Philip secret to Marlena in therapy— but who else learns the truth, and what will they do with it? Xander Burdens Marlena With the Philip Secret — Which [Spoiler] Also Learns!
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As the teens prepare to head to the dorms with their parental figures, Aaron teases Cat about being in love with Chad, Holly learns Maggie is ready for her own adventure, Ari almost catches Gabi eavesdropping on Philip and Xander (via her pen recording device that’s hooked up to her phone), and Tate tells Brady that Sophia is willingly giving them the adoption papers.
Dorm Life
On campus, Holly and Ari squeal as they join each other in their dorm room. They run off to check things out, giving Maggie an opportunity to invite Gabi to JJ’s birthday party. Gabi politely declines since she and JJ are no longer dating. Plus, there’s Julie. Although, it is nice that she found someone to hate more than her: Cat Greene. The girls return, and Gabi and Maggie say a tearful goodbye.
Meanwhile, Cat and Brady help Aaron and Tate move into their room. When the boys run out, the adults discuss Cat taking a job with EJ after she lost hers when Marlena took a leave of absence. Brady balks at the idea but, as a board member, offers to help should EJ give her any trouble. After the adults leave, the boys plan to check out the campus and find a kegger. But first, Tate wants to check in with Holly.
Off Ari’s suggestion, Holly enrolls in the same film class that Tate and his “stalker” Sophia are in. Tate bounds into their room, prompting Ari to head to the bookstore, leaving the lovebirds to make out and then christen her twin bed.
Recognizing her from senior night, Aaron stops Ari as she passes him in the hallway and invites her into his room to play a video game. She reluctantly accepts, considering her room is otherwise occupied.
Anger Management
Gabi runs into Philip in the Square, and they coyly recall what a great time they had the other night. Gabi quips they can’t let HR find out, but Philip says it won’t matter if he quits. He’s had enough of Xander, but he doesn’t want to leave her, or the other employees, of course, in a lurch. Gabi urges him to do what makes him happy. Just don’t do anything rash. “Me? Rash?” Philip says, pulling one of his classic faces.
At the townhouse, Marlena reads her newly purchased book, Calm the Mind, when Xander, fresh off a bickering session with Philip, arrives for their session. He starts by reflecting on how he wants to be the hero that Victoria sees him as. No one looks at him the way his daughter does. Well, Sarah used to, but not anymore. He knows he’s nothing but a thug. He might wear expensive suits and run a corporation now, but most of his life was making people bend to Victor’s will — and he was good at it. Marlena reminds him Victor is gone, and Xander can be anybody he wants to be.
Xander doesn’t think that’s possible, considering people who lie, scheme and cheat make him want to pound someone into oblivion. He expects that from Philip, but not Sarah. Ensuring confidentiality, Xander confides in Marlena about Philip’s forged letter and how Sarah found out, but kept it from him. Philip’s presence only serves as a reminder of the intense pain and rage inflicted by him and Sarah.
Talk to the Pen
Upon returning home, Cat finds flowers outside her apartment door. The card reads, “Looking forward to another round or two… of mini golf that is.”
Brady comes home to a somber Marlena after Xander’s left. She says sometimes the burden of keeping other people’s secrets is too much.
