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
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 