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It's
a big week," promises DAYS OF OUR LIVES Executive Producer/Head
Writer Tom Langan. "And an opportunity to test the mettle
of Jack and Jennifer's relationship."
Is it ever. This week begins with Jennifer's car hanging precariously
over the bridge that was ripped apart by one of the bombs set
by Stefano. J.T's car seat has become dislodged, and a trapped
Jennifer can't get to him. Jack hears about the blown-up bridge
and, knowing that Jennifer is on that road, takes off to find
her. He comes upon the bridge just as her car is about to plunge
into the water below. A quick-thinking Jack takes action and uses
all his strength to steady the car so Jennifer can save herself
and J.T. "When the chips are down and Jennifer is in jeopardy,
our debonair Jack, who won't get his hands dirty, is more than
ready to be a hero," says Langan. "Jack's adrenaline
is pumping, and he will do everything in his to save the woman
he loves. And believe me, he does love her."
He saves her," previews Melissa Reeves (Jennifer). "He's
quite a hero. He finally rose to the occasion, with emotion and
sensitivity, which is so hard for him to do. In the face of this
tragedy, real feelings came out, and she has a whole different
respect for him." While Jennifer is all right, little J.T.
faces another life-threatening situation: "The rocking motion
of the car causes his car seat to fall out into the river below.
A horrified Jennifer loses control. "She is a hysterical
mess," nods Reeves. "Jack pulls himself together because
is freaking out."
Meanwhile, the effects of the bomb in Tuscany leave Hope, Bo,
John and Marlena trapped, too. "Hope senses something is
wrong," previews her portrayer, Kristian Alfonso. "Here
they are in the middle of this huge explosion, then she finds
there are explosions all over Salem. She senses something is wrong
with both boys. She finds out Shawn is stuck in the elevator [with
Belle], but he's okay. She senses something is really wrong
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with J.T." Hope tries
to call Jennifer on her cell phone,but can't get through. At the
scene of the accident, Jack and Jennifer form their own search party.
"Jennifer sees a fender from her car that's mangled in the
rocks and she loses it," says Reeves. Jennifer sobs to Jack
that she killed Hope's baby. Jack tries to console her, to no avail.
"Jack says, 'That's it. You have to go home and get over your
hysteria before you help anybody,'" says Reeves.
The duo flags down a car, which turns out to be Roman's. Meanwhile,
Bo and Hope head to Jennifer's house to check on their son, but
Greta explains that Jack left after hearing about the accident on
the bridge. At that moment, Jack and Jennifer arrive home and explain
what happened. "Hope is completely devastated, beside herself,"
says Alfonso. "She goes immediately to where the accident occurred,
but they still haven't found J.T. She goes home, and in the nursery,
she pleads with God not to take him away, how hard he's fought and
how he's truly a miracle baby. They're very emotional monologues."
After
blaming herself for allowing Jennifer to take the baby, an overwrought
Hope turns on Jen. "Hope thinks that her baby could be dead,
and since Jennifer was driving the car, Hope says, 'Wouldn't it
be better if Jennifer never came back to Salem?'" previews
Langan. "As soon as Hope says that, she realizes that she as
an out for herself. She's not being malicious but if she doesn't
blame something or someone, she's not going to be any good to anybody.
She strikes out at Jennifer. Jen buys into it because she feels
responsible. If she had just gone home to her family rather than
stick around at Hope's house to avoid Jack, this never would have
happened."
Jennifer is all too willing to take the blame. "She totally
understands that Hope is upset," explains Reeves." Jen
keeps saying, 'If it were Abby, I would probably react the same
way,' Hope's not at the point yet where she can make rational thoughts
in her head. And Jennifer does feel very guilty. Jack says, 'Look,
you're not God. It's not your say whether or not this baby is alive
or dead. You need to help find the baby. Hope needs you.'
Though grieving for J.T., Jennifer realizes she has to sort out
her feelings for Jack. "He really did this on his own,"
says Reeves. "Sometimes it takes tragic circumstances for people
to wake up. Maybe that's what they needed. They may be on the mend."
By the end of the week, the cops decide to drag the river. "Hope
will continue to fight and look for him," says Alfonso.
But will she get to him first — and in time? And will he be
alive? "If J.T. is never found or if the baby should die, it
would move the story in a direction that would make Hope possibly
realize that J.T. isn't her child and that her biological child
is out there somewhere," hints Langan.
BY STEPHANIE SLOANE
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