Judge, Jury, and Johnny: Days of our Lives Two Scoops for the Week of July 14

Days of our Lives has a courtroom now, and we think that should be the big breaking Salem Spectator news of the week. And in that courtroom, one of The Spectator's reporters will be serving on the jury of a case he has been reporting on for months. That should make things interesting, if not a little ridiculous, as well. Let's unpack it all now.

The Salem courtroom's inaugural case

For the last decade or so, not a single court case in Salem has taken place in a courtroom. From murder trials to custody trials and everything in between, we got to watch all the drama unfold in the very small judge's chambers. Seeing a courtroom again was exciting. Seeing what happened in it was...bizarre.

It was jury selection day for a trial starting about 10 days after the arrest, with the defendant's aunt as the prosecuting attorney and the defendant's father (and also the crime's victim) as the defense attorney. If DAYS was going for realism by retiring the judge's chambers, it failed miserably with such a legal setup.

And did jury selection even take place with anyone under oath? Nope. Potential jurors just wandered into the courtroom, sat down in the spectator section, and answered some random questions while the judge looked like she was taking a nap.

Somehow — and we are still not sure how — the investigative reporter who had been trying to solve the case is an acceptable juror for the inappropriate prosecutor and defense counsel. And ya know what? We're just going to roll with it. Because we love Leo and this insane trial will be much more entertaining because he will be a part of it.

A mystery worth solving?

Honestly, we really don't care who shot EJ. He is fine now and none the worse for wear, so whoever it is can go about their merry way. At least we get Leo in a jury box, which is always good for a few laughs, and probably even more than a few, cause it's Leo.

Whoever did it will likely get away with it anyway, or at least be pardoned after a few months in Statesville. Isn't that always the way? EJ can't remember what really happened, Rachel remembers it wrong, and Chanel and Johnny both insist they didn't do it. Then there's Ava, who took off for parts unknown. Sure, she could always return, but there has been no indication that Tamara Braun is returning to DAYS anytime soon.

So, what could make this interesting? Did Rachel actually do this, thinking she was holding a toy gun? Kristen had already warned Rachel Blake about having a gun in a home where a child lived. That would certainly make things more exciting, and also tragic and traumatic, solidifying Rachel as the next Sami once she's SORAS'd in a year or so.

Maybe baby?

At least Sophia's prowess at googling and watching YouTube videos while giving birth alone in her bedroom gave us some more enjoyable courtroom moments. Amy was called for jury duty and ran into her very own grandson with fellow summons-holder Leo. Amy managed to get herself off the jury by insulting both the defense attorney and the defendant, which was something Leo should have tried.

But Amy had too many other things to think about, like ordering her invisible husband, Sam, to drive around Chicago to see if he spotted Sophia. We bet he did it too.

However, Sophia was holed up in a hotel room with Melinda watching rom-coms and eating takeout while wearing a fake pregnancy belly around a woman who knew she was no longer pregnant. It didn't make much sense, but we guess we had to roll with it. Soon, Sophia will be back in Salem, claiming she gave birth, so we guess she will remove the stupid belly she doesn't need to be wearing in the first place.

Lake effect

Tate will surely be shocked when Sophia appears pregnant-less in a few days, but first, he has to rescue Holly, who was supposed to meet him at the lake. Sophia can wait. What he doesn't realize is that Holly and Ari are pretty much okay and taking care of themselves. Yes, some goon kidnapped them and they are kinda scared, but they seem to be pretty on the ball and will figure this out.

One person they definitely figured out is Doug III. It's a testament to today's Gen Z girls that they were able to essentially roll their eyes when they learned that they were both kinda-sorta involved with Doug, and he was the one who got them into this mess. Instead of heartbreak, sturm und drang, and sniping at one another, Holly and Ari have pretty much watched that man right out of their hair already. That's how you do it, girls. Live, learn, and move on.

As for that necklace that helped get them all into this big ol' mess? Well, Gwen is not taking it off, but she is moving into the DiMera mansion, so that will be delicious. Although it would be nice if those diamonds eventually made their way back to Julie and the Horton house.

Salem Odds and Ends

So, now Xander has Victoria for what purpose and for what reason? Because Sarah asked his permission to go on vacation? And he can't find a babysitter, so InvisiToddler is always in the bassinet playpen or stroller lying down, either cooing like an infant or screaming her head off, but miraculously not sitting up and trying to escape.

And the fighting over Victoria? Frankly, it's getting old because it's the exact same argument in every episode with repeated dialogue. It sometimes feels like we're watching The Bold and the Beautiful.

However, the Gabi twist was unexpected. She is now the unofficial Salem baby whisperer...and oddly now friends with Xander. Hmmm...

Fifty Shades of Stephanie has a book cover now. And a pen name. Are we excited yet? (Yawn!)

What will the coming week in Salem bring? Will we ask ourselves what the last six months were all about with Doug III's latest move? Probably, so let's find out.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock.