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SOD 3/16/10

Zucker Back to Work!  After a two-month maternity leave, Arianne Zucker begins airing again this week as Nicole DiMera.

Read Letter Day For Stephanie!  Stephanie grapples with the fact that she kept Melanie's love letter to Nathan from him this week and confides in Caroline and Lexie.  Unbeknownst to Stephanie, Nathan and Melanie have a very illuminating conversation and Nathan finally learns about the missing missive.  When Stephanie goes to visit Melanie, Melanie rips into her.  Stephanie admits that she has the letter.  Melanie asks how Stephanie could have done this and Stephanie reminds Melanie that she is married to Philip now.  Stephanie makes Melanie feel guilty and tells Melanie to stay away from Nathan or Philip will find out about the letter.  Nevertheless, Stephanie calls Nathan and tells him that they need to talk.

Ratings for 2/15: 1.9

Arianne Zucker returns on 3/11 as Nicole DiMera.

Maggie tells Melanie that her myasthenia gravis has returned on 3/11.  Brady proposes to Arianna (again) on 3/12.

What Will Happen: Melanie argues with Stephanie.  Brady asks Chloe for a favor.  Kate tries to play peacemaker.

SOW 3/16/10

Arianne Zucker returns from maternity leave on 3/11, which means her character Nicole is back onscreen!

Nathan Learns About Melanie's Letter!  A tender moment between Melanie and Nathan leads to a big revelation this week, when Melanie brings up the letter she wrote to him before she married Philip.  At first Nathan is confused, but then he thinks about his trip to Alpine Valley with Stephanie.  Nathan is about to ask Melanie about the content of the letter, but he gets paged.  While Nathan is off tending to a patient, Melanie realizes that Stephanie never gave him her letter and is furious.  Stephanie stops by and Melanie rips into her.  Stephanie insists that Nathan didn't want to hear about Melanie because he moved on and reminds Melanie that she is married to Philip now.  Later, Nathan runs into Melanie, who immediately realizes something is amiss.  Nathan can only speculate that the letter was to explain how Melanie feels about him, and he second-guesses his decision not to stop her wedding.  Maggie reminds Nathan that Melanie is married now and he has to let it go.  Nathan listens to what Maggie has to say and tries to convince himself to give up on Melanie, but he is still conflicted.  Nathan heads back to the hospital to confront Melanie, only to find her sleeping.  Then, he gets a call from Stephanie, saying that they need to talk.  Nathan realizes that Stephanie deliberately kept Melanie's letter for him and isn't happy about it.

This Week: Sami confesses to keeping the last ransom note from Rafe.  EJ asks to spend the night with Sami.  Chloe informs Nicole that Sydney is alive.  Daniel tells Victor that he is Melanie's father.  Carly makes a decision about her hearing.

Can't Miss: Brady proposes to Arianna on 3/9.

Next Week: Carly thanks Daniel.  Kate hatches a plan for Stefano.  Melanie bonds with Daniel and Max.  Stephanie comes clean with Nathan.

SOD 3/9/10

EJ Brings Sydney Home! Sami once again agrees to keep quiet about the ransom note EJ "received" from Sydney's kidnappers, unaware that her ex is manipulating the entire situation. EJ arrives at Sami's with a ransom demand from the kidnapper and a video of Sydney, alive and well. Sami is overjoyed and grows closer to EJ as they wait for news of their daughter. EJ tells Sami that the ransom note appears to be a hoax, which causes her to freak out. Later, Anna rips EJ for being so cruel to the mother of his child, which gives him pause. At week's end, EJ enters the Brady Pub - with Sydney in his arms!

Jessica Tuck debuts on 4/7 as Madeline Peterson-Woods, Chad's mother.

Daniel to Melanie: I'm Your Dad! As if finding out Carly is her mother wasn't enough, Melanie learns that Daniel is her father. The week begins with him at her bedside. Daniel keeps quiet for the time being and confronts Carly again about why she didn't tell him. Carly does mistakenly tell someone about Melanie being Daniel's daughter, Chloe. Newlywed Melanie, meanwhile, finds out about Stephanie and Nathan's romantic getaway. Daniel tells Melanie that he is her father.

Nathan learns that Melanie has been injured on 3/4. Philip urges Hope to fight for Bo on 3/5.

What Will Happen: EJ and Sami grow closer. Brady has a surprise for Arianna. Philip urges Hope to fight for Bo.

SOW 3/9/10

Jessica Tuck is joining the cast as Chad's mom.

Daphnee Duplaix is off the show as Rachel.

EJ Brings Sydney Home to Sami! Sami sees EJ as the hero this week, when he brings her beloved Sydney back to her. EJ orchestrates the mother/child reunion after a discussion about the latest ransom note for their "abducted" darling. Sami can't argue with EJ's logic and keeps quiet when Rafe shows up. Later, EJ phones Sami and tells her to get rid of Rafe, so he can deliver news about Sydney. Sami obliges and EJ arrives with a demand from the kidnapper for them to log onto a Web site. EJ leaves but continues to monitor things at Sami's via a computer program he attached to the video. When Sami almost spills the truth about the latest development to Rafe, EJ summons Sami and works on strengthening their bond. Later, Anna rips into EJ about the cruel game hei s playing with his ex. Feeling totally justified, EJ continues taunting Sami by phoning her and telling her the whole ransom thing appears to be a hoax. Sami freaks out. Rafe, who witnesses the meltdown, tries to get Sami to open up about what's going on with EJ, but she stonewalls. Sami is sitting in the Brady Pub talking about how sad she is that she will never see her daughter again, when EJ walks in with Sydney.

This Week: Maggie fears her condition is returning. Arianna learns that Brady has requested a visit with Nicole. Chad and Mia kiss. Bo insists that Victor throw Vivian out. Anna calls EJ on his cruelty.

Can't Miss: Philip urges Hope to fight for Bo on 3/5.

Next Week: Melanie argues with Stephanie. Brady asks Chloe for a favor. Kate tries to play peacemaker. Daniel seeks advice from Maggie.

Frances Reid, who played Alice Horton on "Days of Our Lives" from 1965 to 2007 died on Wednesday, February 3, at the age of 95.

SOD 3/2/10

Stuart Damon (ex-Alan, GH) joins the cast next month as Gov. Jim Ford.

Carly to Melanie: I'm Your Mother! Melanie gets the blow of a lifetime this week, when Carly, the woman who just shot her and put her in the hospital, makes a startling confession. Melanie remembers what happened and starts throwing things at Carly. Daniel intervenes, assuring Melanie that Carly won't hurt her. Then Carly proceeds to explain her whole sordid tale of woe: She stabbed Lawrence, Vivian is out for revenge, and she's Melanie's long-lost mother. Philip stops by for a visit and Melanie starts contemplating what Carly had to say. Melanie tells Philip to summon Carly back to her room. Carly obliges and explains the details of Melanie's conception and adoption, and reveals that Trent was not her biological father. When Melanie presses Carly to reveal the identity of her biological father, Carly refuses. Maggie and Philip try to console Melanie, but once Melanie is alone, Vivian sneaks into the room and grabs a pillow, intent on smothering her. Melanie wakes up and tells Vivian to kill her.

This Week: Philip cuts Vivian out of his life. Victor makes Hope an offer. EJ finds Rafe and Sami in bed together. Anna gives EJ an idea that alters his game plan. Sami has a moment of hope.

Can't Miss: Hope forces Bo to reveal his true feelings for Carly on 2/25.

Next Week: EJ and Sami grow closer. Stephanie interrupts Nathan and Melanie. Brady has a surprise for Arianna. Philip urges Hope to fight for Bo.