The Year In Soaps: Best Couples of 2014

EJ and Sami, Days of our Lives
“Always and Forever”…In The Space They Live

Not featuring Days of our Lives EJ and Sami on our best couples of 2014 would be a damned crime. No other couple in the last 20 years on the NBC soap has been more controversial, more polarizing and more popular than these two.

2014 was the year of EJ and Sami on DAYS and we’re not ashamed to admit it. This couple drove story in a major way, and led to many twists and turns along the way. The year began our favorite power couple in a bad place. Sami kicked EJ out of her bed as a result of Kristen’s shenanigans and the belief that he was involved in her evil plan against her twin brother. EJ would eventually seek comfort between the legs of the Horton family’s patron saint of thirsty succubi young ingénue Abigail Deveraux. When this story began, our editor expressed numerous times that the story was about whether or not EJ and Sami’s love could conquer all. EJ and Sami did terrible things to each other over the course of their relationship, but this betrayal, his stepping out on the woman he claimed to love more than life itself, was the ultimate one.

EJ’s guilt over his affair with Salem’s Midwestern Lolita would grow exponentially over the months, especially as Abby continued to throw herself at him as if she had no self-respect. The girl was willing to be his side piece even though she knew he loved Sami. This would come to a head in April during a fantasy episode that focused solely on EJ and Sami for the first half hour or so. We won’t over exaggerate and say it was a brilliant episode, because dialogue left a lot to be desired in some aspects, but the theme explored in the episode through EJ’s guilt is something worth praise.

The episode was a great way to illustrate just how much of an impact EJ and Abby’s affair would have on the canvas, as well as his relationship with Samantha. The Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras were all directly affected when the secret came out and it was a glorious sight to behold. No one can deny the standout performances from James Scott and Alison Sweeney. They sold every emotion as if their lives depended on it. That type of commitment and emotional baring of their souls took us on the roller coaster of emotions displayed on screen.

What unfolded over the course of first 35 minutes was a manifestation of the guilt EJ has carried with him since his decision to have sex with Abby. Knowing what he had done was one thing, seeing evidence of his betrayal and the possibility of Sami seeing it was well was another. The façade he erected in the aftermath of his betrayal finally shattered, leaving an emotionally exposed and shaken man coming to terms with the reality of his life choices and the affect it will have on the woman he loves.

Sami’s lashing out, attacking EJ, attacking Abigail, threatening to leave him and take the children – it’s what EJ felt he deserved. He understood why she’d be hurt, because he knows her better than anyone. Sami’s reaction, quietly stunned at first, anger building the more she wrapped her mind around what he did, finally erupting with furor and unleashing her pain on him and later Abigail – he knew exactly what Sami would say, not only because he knows her so well, but because he was Sami! Sami’s pain, her anger, her sadness, her words – were subtle projections of how EJ feels about himself for Sami.

Ahead of the confrontation with Sami, EJ flashed back to a pivotal moment for the couple from last February – the first time they made love since reuniting. Sami tells EJ, “I do love you, but what I should say right now is that I trust you.” It’s something she never truly allowed herself to do before, but she saw in EJ the man she always wanted him to be, and knew he could become. She allowed herself to trust him when everyone she loves told her not to. The foundation for their rekindled relationship was built upon the idea of complete trust and honesty. That’s what made the betrayal sting even more.

EJ knew whatever explanation he gave to Sami wouldn’t be good enough, but that didn’t stop him from trying. He ran through the gamut of reasons – Sami froze him out, she pushed him away, he was only trying to keep Abigail quiet, he was worried about losing Sami – whatever his reasons were, it didn’t matter because he only loves Sami. The affair means nothing because he doesn’t love Abigail, he only loves Sami. He attempted to reduce the magnitude of his betrayal by comparing it to what they’ve done to each other in the past.  “Can you not see how insignificant this is? I mean, not just next to how much I love you, but next to all the monstrous things that we’ve done to one another. I mean, this is nothing, right? I mean, Abigail, she meant nothing,” pleaded EJ.

That led to a devastating line from Sami in response: “That’s what makes it so horrible. You crossed a line I never even imagined you could cross. You crossed a line I can never forgive for something that you say meant nothing to you.”

EJ strayed when Sami was at a very vulnerable and emotionally trying low point. Finding out her brother had violated by her fiancée’s sister, finding out EJ knew beforehand and didn’t tell her; allowing her brothers to be publicly humiliated in front of all their friends and family. It resurrected all the things she thought she put to rest about EJ’s ability to be trusted. After all, if he’ll cover for Kristen on an issue this big, what else would he lie to her about?

“EJ’s changed, he’s a different person now. He wouldn’t hurt me or the kids.” It’s something Sami has repeatedly said to her family over the years, but in 2013, the words didn’t ring hollow. She actually believed in the words coming out of her mouth because she saw the development with her own eyes. He put her first, he was willing to sacrifice anything to be with her. His actions allowed her to finally admit to herself that she’s always loved him

He strayed on her when she was vulnerable. He always made her feel sexy, feel wanted; and then he cheated on her with a younger, pretty model. Is that why EJ did it? No, of course not. But that doesn’t stop him from believing that’s how Sami will see it. How do you cheat on someone whom you claim is the love of your life? There’s no excuse. But no great couple, especially a supercouple, would exist without angst and betrayal in its rawest form. For Bo and Hope, that existed in Carly and Billie. For Roman and Marlena, that existed in John.

The story took a bigger twist when viewers learned Sami not only knew about EJ and Abigail’s affair, she’d known for a while! Thanks to the now-deceased Nick Fallon, Sami received all the dirty info about her fiancé’s affair with their literal babysitter, and plotted to destroy him and her in the process. Aligning herself with Kate, the two forged ahead with the ‘Ejami’ wedding, while playing up Sami’s friendship with Abigail and forcing EJ’s piece of ass to see what she tried to come between. After the nuptials, Sami had EJ arrested, stole DiMera Enterprises and proceeded to destroy Abigail’s public reputation. Her revenge game was legit, and no one was immune to her vengeance if they crossed her – not EJ, not Abigail, not even her own son!

Throughout her revenge, Sami’s heartbreak was a heavy albatross around her neck. She wouldn’t be so mad if she didn’t love EJ so much. He wouldn’t have been able to hurt her so deeply if she didn’t truly love him. But was their love, their life, worth more than a few fleeting moments with someone whose existence was irrelevant in the grand scheme of their love? Yes, yes it was. It took a heart to heart with Caroline to make Sami see that she was still in love with EJ, and he could spend the rest of his life trying to make up to her what he’d done. Caroline knew all too well what it was like to step out on the love of her life, and explained that Sami’s grandfather forgave Caroline for her trespass, Sami could forgive EJ’s too.

“EJ loves me. He never stopped loving me. And–and he earned my forgiveness. And that is saying a lot, you know, coming from me,” said Sami to Caroline. “I’m not the forgiving type, really. And, grandma, I fought it. I really tried to fight it, but that just takes me back to my first reason. I love him. I love him and…there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Before Sami was ready to take her husband back, she made her father see once and for all why EJ was the man for her. Equating Marlena’s affair with John to what happened between EJ and Abby, Sami noted the difference is that EJ didn’t love Abigail, he loved her. She asked Roman if things had been different, if Marlena wasn’t in love with John, would he have taken her back. When Roman admitted he would have, it was as if the heavy burden she’d been carrying for months was lifted. Her father finally understood her love for EJ.

As with most tragic couples, the blissful reunion between Mr. and Mrs. DiMera didn’t last very long. In a cruel twist of fate (and terribly plotted by the writing team), EJ was shot and killed by a random day player who double crossed EJ and sided with newbie villain Clyde Weston. EJ spent his final moments with Sami, who did everything she could to keep the love of her life calm as he faded into the afterlife. Not ready to let him go, Sami later crawled on top of his body and laid her head upon his chest trying to hear his heartbeat. It was emotionally devastating, soul wrecking, spirit crushing. Seeing Sami mourn over EJ’s body destroyed our emotions, because she wasn’t the only one saying goodbye – we were too. And we weren’t ready to say goodbye to EJ and Sami’s love story.

EJami’s final months weren’t what we were expecting, but it made for great TV. Alison Sweeney and James Scott were at their best, EJ and Sami did what they did best, and we were able to see once and for all who the great love of Samantha Gene Brady’s life was.

EJ and Sami…they were worth everything.