People gathered at the pub to celebrate Stefano's death. They recapped about the things Stefano did to them over the years. Roman flashed back to Stefano first. Abe had a flash back of Stefano and Lexie. Kate flashed back to being married to Stefano. Hope was uncomfortable during the celebration. Hope overheard Victor and Caroline talking about Deimos' connection with Malcolm. Victor was convinced that Stefano was responsible for Bo's death. Hope agreed that Stefano was responsible. Kate and Victor argued over him helping Stefano get her. Victor flashed back to when Stefano blamed Philip for killing Tony. Marlena had a couple of flash backs of Stefano. She almost let it slip that Sami stole Stefano's money. John had a flashback of Stefano. Caroline wanted Hope to say something about Stefano's death. Hope flashed back to killing Stefano. When everyone left, Hope saw Stefano's ghost at the pub.
Roman: Hey, this place still open? Caroline: Oh, yeah. Only those with an engraved invitation may come. Roman: [Chuckling] Give me a hug, mom. Caroline: Abe, hi. Abe: Hello, sweetheart. Caroline: Aw. I'm so glad you two got off work early for this-- I don't know what to call it. Abe: Well, whatever we call it, it's a great-- Marlena: Whoo-hoo-hoo! Caroline: Oh, Marlena, John. Marlena: Goodness. Caroline: Oh, thank you, coming out in this terrible storm. Marlena: Oh, darling. Okay. John: Boy, that sure blew in out of nowhere, didn't it? Caroline: Oh, yes. It sure did, yeah. Kate: Ugh. Caroline: Kate! Marlena: Oh, my goodness. Caroline: I thought you were in new York on business. Kate: Well, I was. I decided to cut my trip short. I wouldn't miss this special occasion. Caroline: [Sighs] Victor, my goodness, you're all drenched. Here, give me that. Okay. Well... Victor: I hope I'm not late. Caroline: No. Marlena: No, no, no, we-- we, uh--we just arrived. Victor: Ah, really. Caroline: Yeah, well, now that we're all here, uh, I guess we should, uh, put the show on the road, right? Abe: Yeah, that's what I say. Caroline: But first, just a minute. [Clears throat] My husband, Shawn, was saving this for a very special occasion. It is 40-year-old brannigan's Irish whiskey... Marlena: Oh, my goodness. Caroline: On the shelf 25 years. [Chuckling] So in honor of Shawn, I suggest that we grab a glass, eh, and grab a seat. [All exclaiming] Abe: Perfect. Marlena: Um, shouldn't we wait for hope? Doesn't she want to be here? Caroline: She's not coming. I invited her, but she declined. Marlena: Oh, well, you know what? It's understandable. She's probably still pretty raw from what-- Hope: Yes, my emotions are still raw, but I decided I had to be here. Caroline: Oh, so glad you're here. Well, grab a glass. Marlena: Come sit by me. Thanks, honey. Roman: Here you go, Kate. Abe: All righty, now. Roman: Buddy. Marlena: Oh, Caroline, this is lovely. Caroline: Ah. Marlena: Lovely, beautiful. Caroline: Well, I want to thank you all, coming out in this storm. We're here to, uh... celebrate the end of an era. For 34 years, this town has endured unspeakable horrors and unrelenting torment because of one man. Because of him, everyone here has suffered terrible losses. By the grace of God, his reign of terror has finally come to an end. So here's to the death of Stefano DiMera. Abe: Hear, hear. Hear, hear. Marlena: You know, I have to admit that when I--when I first heard the news... it didn't register. I mean, how many times has the phoenix risen from the ashes? Abe: Too many. Marlena: Mm-hmm. I didn't believe it. Roman: We have proof positive. It was Stefano. Shawn-Douglas tested the DNA against our records. Kate: But who would've thought that it would happen that way? I mean, his son, his disciple, for God sakes. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would be André who would end up shooting him. Marlena: Hmm. Kate: I always thought it would be you, John. John: Well, I came close. Kate: Well, that's no wonder. You suffered the most at his hands. Victor: Well, let's not compare who suffered the most at that psychopath's hands. The fact is that any one of us would've been justified to put a couple of bullets in the sob. Some of us already did. Marlena: I--you know, I'm just--I'm not really proud of that. Victor: Well, you should be. It was very heroic. I for one have found new respect for you after that. Roman: You know what? You know what gets me is how naive we were when he first came to town back in '82, I think it was. Caroline: That's because we had no history of the feud between the DiMeras and the Bradys. Decades ago, all because of a disastrous love affair between Stefano's father and Shawn's sister, colleen Brady. Roman: He was so determined to get revenge that he tried to assassinate me at my own wedding to Marlena. Caroline: Ugh, God. Marlena: What a fun day that was, huh? Roman: Yeah. There is no doubt Stefano DiMera was the most evil man I have ever encountered. The guy had no conscience whatsoever. I mean, look what he did to my daughter Carrie. Hypnotizing her to get whatever in the hell he wanted. John: Oh, yeah, hypnosis. That was one of his favorite tools. Hell, he could've made a career out of it. Roman: Yeah, maybe he could have if he didn't like killing so much. And when I think how much time I spent trying to put him behind bars... you know what? I do have to admit this. The man may have been missing a heart, but unfortunately, that mind of his worked extremely well. He always seemed to be one step ahead. Stefano: I should have known that you would show up a little late. [Chuckles] As usual. I'm told that there was a very dire situation up here. Uh, some sort of potential debilitating gas. Fortunately, I was, uh, able to get away before I was affected. There are others, I've been told, who were not as lucky. I'm hopeful that the gas, whatever it was, um, will prove to be nontoxic and have no long-lasting effects. Oh, yes, there is one other thing. Dr. Marlena Evans. I want her to be arrested for assault and attempted murder. It was she who injected me with the deadly toxins that left me paralyzed. Be assured, gentlemen, that if you do not see that she is brought to justice and punished for what she did to me, I will. Roman: You know, I always thought I could bring him down within the confines of the law. Now I am convinced that going outside the law was the only way I could've defeated him, the only way anyone could've defeated him. John: Mmm. Now, Shawn, that is some mighty fine single malt whiskey. [Chuckles] Caroline: Abe, refill? Abe: Oh, uh, yeah, please. Thank you, thank you. Oh, that's--that's fine, yeah. Roman: Where'd you go just then? Abe: To Theo. Can't help feeling for my son. Stefano always treated him well, with respect, affection. You know, God knows there would come a time when, uh, he understood-- well, I think he's--he's beginning to understand that nano's love for him couldn't compensate for the pain he's caused so many others. Stefano would have inevitably disappointed Theo profoundly. John: Or he would've taken him under his wing, and then you would've done everything you could to try to protect him-- Abe: Yeah, my protecting him may not have gone far enough. Yeah, I know. I know. Kate: He had an intense hold on people. Abe: Especially family. I mean, you could--suppose you could say that he, uh-- he loved his children, his grandchildren, was devoted to them, but for Stefano, love meant control. He was an expert at it. He got so into his kids' heads that--that... you know, they--they-- they couldn't help but being corrupted by him. Even Lexie. Lexie: I love Abe with all my heart. He just gets me so angry, father. He's so irrational when it comes to you. Stefano: Ah. Lexie: You know, he--he refuses to see all the love that's in you. Stefano: Well, all that matters, darling, is that you see it. Lexie: I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here today. Stefano: Well, that's what fathers are for, no? I'll always be there for you if you need me, if you will allow it. Lexie: Of course I will. I love you. [Dramatic music] Abe: You know, as angry and disappointed as Lexie often was with Stefano, as deeply ashamed as she was of his behavior, you know, there's--there's just no question that she still loved him, even in the face of his-- his astounding cruelty. [Sighs] Being a child of Stefano is a curse. You know, too many of his children were destroyed by his actions. Marlena: Tony, Renée, Megan. Caroline: Benjy. John: Kristen, EJ. Kate: Hmm, well, let's just hope that Chad has learned to move beyond his father's shadow. Victor: It's gonna be too late for that snake André and peter, wherever the hell he is. Bottom line is, anytime Stefano did anything for family, to protect his children, he'd generally end up traumatizing them, have a grisly end. Almost made you feel sorry for him. Kate: Maybe you should lay off the brannigan's, Victor. [People chuckling] Victor: I said almost. [Laughter] Victor: What about you, Kate? You shed any tears for your newly departed ex- husband? Kate: Well, I tried to squeeze out one or two, but for some reason, it just wasn't happening. [Laughter] John: Oh, come on, Kate, you've always had a soft spot for Stefano. And since we're all being so brutally honest here tonight, especially with the help of this fine truth serum here, it's all right to admit that a part of you is sad that he's gone. Kate: Any soft spot I had for Stefano hardened up a long time ago. Although, to be completely fair, he did come to my rescue all those years ago when I was raising Lucas on my own with no one to turn to. Victor: In rides the knight in shining armor on his white horse and turns you into a high-priced hooker. Marlena: Victor. John: Oh, Victor. Victor: The stuff of fairy tales. Kate: [Sighs] Well, it wasn't ideal, obviously, and it humiliates me to this day to be reminded of it. But on the bright side, it did put me in touch with the right people. Helped me reinvent myself, so to speak. Not saying that I wasn't going to be a success without Stefano, but he did facilitate it. He made it happen sooner, and for that, I'm grateful. Marlena: And that's what he wanted. He wanted you to be beholden to him. Victor: That's why your gratitude is misplaced. It was manipulation. Kate: But again, to be fair, I probably--now, I'm sure I'm the only one who's going to say anything even remotely positive about the man tonight. And you-- maybe you'll throw me out on my ass for doing it, but still, I'm gonna risk it because Stefano DiMera could be charming at times. Victor: [Clears throat] Kate: It's true. He could be charming, funny, loving. Stefano: We are going to be a glorious couple, huh? Now, you are strong for sure, but you're also lonely, and there's a little girl in there who's very sad. [Tender music] Katherine... don't be sad anymore. Be happy. It's your time. Kate: Well, I can see all your hearts were warmed by that memory. [Laughter] Victor: Made for each other. Kate: I beg your pardon? Victor: You and Stefano. I know that you were blackmailed into marrying him, but I always suspected that, uh, frankly, the little memory you shared with us tonight sort of bears it out. You rather enjoyed being Mrs. Stefano DiMera, didn't you? Kate: I know you'd all prefer that I tell you he was a terrible husband, and the truth is, Stefano understood me in a way that no one else ever really has. Our downfall as a couple was because of his jealousy, his possessiveness, his unwillingness to forgive a mistake. Victor: Like your sleeping with Ian McAllister. [Soft music] Kate: I got my revenge, didn't I? I stole the company right out from under him. Victor: Only to be forced out by the bastard almost immediately. Kate: I was sick to death of running that stuffy old company anyway. I'm much happier now, especially since the man is finally gone from this earth. He's out of my life. He's out of everyone's life forever. Many people clean their dentures [Haunting music] John: [Slurping] Marlena: [Laughing] John: What? Marlena: [Laughs, snorts] Oh, my--my head is spinning a little bit. John: Yeah, so is mine. But you know what? I think it's mainly from the rush I'm getting just thinking about Stefano being dragged through the fiery gates. [Grunts, chuckles] Caroline: Victor, I've been wondering, do you have any further proof that your brother and Dr. Malcolm worked together to kidnap Bo? Victor: No, not yet. Not to discount your vision of Malcolm and Deimos' connection, but, uh, I'm still operating under the assumption that Stefano was behind what happened to Bo. Caroline: Hope, what do you think? Hope: What I think is that if-- well, until there's proof that Deimos was involved, I'm with Victor. Caroline: Oh. Hope: I fully believe that Stefano was the man responsible. Roman: What are you three whispering about here? Kate: Do tell. I love secrets. Victor: Yes, well, I was just saying that, uh, I only have one complaint about Stefano's early demise. Kate: Oh, what's that? That you didn't pull the trigger? Victor: No, that he died still owing me a favor. Kate: [Laughs] He owed you a favor? Abe: You know, I'm guessing it had something to do with last year's temporary stay on his tax evasion charges that allowed him to swoop in and reclaim his company. The judge who issued that order was a buddy of yours, as I recall. Victor: Hmm, I'm a big-picture guy, Abe. I mean, I don't have the power of attention that you obviously do about minor details. Abe: [Chuckles] Kate: Minor details, my ass! You double-crossed me. You bastard! You were working with him the whole time. You helped him kick me out of that job. Victor: My powers of retention notwithstanding, it seems to me not five minutes ago, you were saying how you didn't like running that stuffy old company. Kate: I cannot believe I didn't figure that out. [Scoffs, chuckles] On second thought, how the hell could I ever figure it out, because after all the bad blood between the two of you, how could anyone ever believe that you would team up with him against me? Victor: Get over yourself. It's not about you. You know, despite the hatred that Stefano and I had for each other and the raging competitiveness, there was an underlying respect that he and I had. In fact, and this may be the whiskey talking, God knows, but I'm going to miss going up against a formidable opponent like that. Kate: [Scoffs] Aw, that's so touching. That's positively touching. Are you going to miss the bloodshed as well? I tell you what, why don't you use your powers of retention to recall the challenge when your formidable opponent decided that our son was responsible for tony DiMera's death. Do you remember that? Do you remember that? Stefano: Your son killed my son. Victor: It was an accident. Stefano: You know, just now, looking down on Anthony's blood, trying to deal with the rage and the grief, I thought... "Victor Kiriakis is going to know how this feels. He is definitely going to know how this feels." Victor: I can see that it was a little cavalier of me, if not callous, to suggest that I would miss Stefano in any way. Kate: [Sighs] Victor: Yes, we did manage to have some truces at times, but they were always very tenuous. When it comes right down to it, I'm glad the bastard's dead. May he roast in hell. [Dramatic music] Kate: Well, as satisfying as this has been, it has not been much fun. Caroline: Huh. Kate: Not for me. Caroline: Thank you. Kate: What do you say we put on some music? Maybe lighten things up a little bit? [All exclaiming] Kate: Caroline, do you have a radio? Caroline: Why not? Roman: Yeah. Marlena: Good idea, Kate. Kate: Whoo! [Static crackling] Caroline: There's nothing. Must be the storm. Kate: All right, so I guess we need to listen to someone else. [Laughter] Kate: Marlena? Marlena: Yes, Kate? Kate: Is it strange? Marlena: Is what strange? [Laughter] Kate: Not having to worry about being kidnapped for the zillionth time. Marlena: Oh, that. I--I'm just gonna have to adjust. Kate: No offense... Marlena: Hmm? Kate: But I never really understood Stefano's obsession with you. You know, what-- what was it that made you so special to him? Marlena: You mean besides my incredible beauty and my rapier wit and my big heart? Kate: Yup. Well, aside from that. Marlena: [Chuckles] Well, I never really understood why he was so obsessed with me. We had a conversation right after he had kidnapped the twins. He said he--he thought of me as his equal. The lengths that he went to win me over were amazing, but his feelings weren't genuine. They weren't real. He-- he just wanted to win. It was a challenge. Why would you say you desire me? All you want is a conquest. Stefano: Now, that is quite an assumption on your part. I mean, how well do you think you really know me? Marlena: As well as you know me. Stefano: Ah, see, that is another faulty assumption. [Chess piece taps] Stefano: [Chuckles] Although I will admit some of your actions surprise me at times. Marlena: You can't be surprised that I would try to save myself and John. Stefano: No, but your attempt to seduce me, you know, I would've wagered anything that you would not have gone to such extremes. Marlena: I would've bet against that myself. Stefano: [Chuckles] So why did you do it? Marlena: Hmm, desperation, I suppose. [Dramatic music] Stefano: If you make that move, you'll lose. Marlena: Isn't that what you want? Stefano: To win without risk is to triumph without glory. Marlena: Stefano put us through so much. All of us. And it was John. It was my love for John that kept me strong. [Suspenseful music] Marlena: No, no! Don't touch me. Stefano: What is it, Marlena? Don't tell me you're playing the coy maiden with me now. Marlena: No, no. I've changed my mind. I can't go through with this. Stefano: Then what-- I have offered you freedom, Marlena. Marlena: The price is just too high. Stefano: I know what it is. It's because of that son of a-- it's because of John black, isn't it? Isn't it? Marlena: Yes! Stefano: Damn him! Marlena: He spoke to me. I heard him. He's guiding me! Stefano: You are hearing voices, Marlena. John is dead! Marlena: Then it was from heaven. He's protecting me. He's guiding me. I will not make a mockery of our love. I will not. I will not make love to you, Stefano. Not now, not ever. Stefano caused me-- caused my family so much pain. He took roman and me away from our--from our children. I'm not sure that Sami could ever be the same afterwards. In fact, I think she might've been justi-- Kate: Justified in what? Marlena: Justified in... taking her children out of Salem, away from their grandfather. Kate: Why do I get the feeling that you were going to say something else? Marlena: I don't know. John: I just think the point is that Stefano has caused a lot of suffering. Roman: Said the man who took the brunt of it. Abe: Starting with having your identity stolen. John: Yeah, there's questions about my past that still haunt me to this day, yeah. I mean, I don't remember anything before DiMera had Petrov bring me here to Salem under Stefano's orders, but you know something? I have been doing a little bit of research, and... I know who my parents were. Abe: Well, when did this happen? John: Just recently. This is all happening now. As far as my mother goes, there's not much there to talk about, but my father was a war hero. Korea, huh? But outside of that, I don't remember anything until I came to Salem thanks to Stefano DiMera's hypnosis. He was just keeping his soldier under control. Stefano: You want justice. All right, come on, let me have the little speech. You know what I'm talking about. What do you think you came here for? You want to jump up and down and scream and tell me everything that I've done wrong. Hey. John: Doesn't work. The bill's due, and I'm here to make you pay for trying to kill my wife, my friends, and me. Stefano: [Sighs] John: I'm finally gonna give you what you deserve, Stefano. Stefano: First of all, I never, ever tried to kill you. Please understand that. Then let me ask you another question. How are you gonna sleep at night knowing that you tried to kill an unarmed man? John: Knowing that you'll never hurt another human being, like a baby. Victor: Ironic, don't you think? John was created to be Stefano's pawn, and yet he turns out to be his most formidable rival. John: [Chuckles] Yeah. Yeah, we had some epic battles. He tried over and over again to keep doc and me apart, but you want to know something? In the end, he was the one who ended up dying all alone, and I ended up with the love of my life. [Thunder booming] Caroline: Hope, dear, haven't you anything to say? I just thought it might make you feel better to let it all out, you know? I think it's helped us to talk about it. Don't you have anything to say about the death of Stefano? [Dramatic music] Ah, lilly. [Dramatic music] Stefano: You are powerless. You are defeated. You are a joke. Hope: [Sighs] Am I? [Gunshot] Stefano: [Laughing] You know, I'm sorry for laughing, but you're embarrassing yourself. We both know that you don't have the guts to pull that trigger. Hope: [Sighs] Stefano: Predictable to the very end. You are at heart a coward... just like that banal dead husband of yours. May he rest in peace. Hope: [Screams] [Gunshot] Stefano: [Laughing] [Gunshot] Caroline: Hope? Hope: I, um-- I prefer to leave Stefano dead in my mind and in reality. Don't feel the need to relive the past. More comfortable listening, not sharing. [Thunder booming] Caroline: I understand. John: Well, all righty, then. If I may, I would like to say a few words to our guest of... horrors that was unable to attend tonight. Abe: Hmm, thank God. John: There you go. Stefano DiMera, he spent years trying to destroy all the lives not only at this table but countless others, but despite his power and his vast resources, he failed miserably. So Stefano's gone, and we're all still standing. Yeah, we suffered, but we're stronger. So in a way, I would like to thank Stefano DiMera for testing us, for making us stronger, and for proving that love always wins out in the end. Checkmate, DiMera. All: Checkmate. Roman: Well, you know what? It's getting late. Time to go. Bye, mama. Victor: Maggie's expecting me home about now. Marlena: Mm, Caroline. Caroline: Yes, dear? Marlena: Thank you for a lovely, lovely time. Caroline: Well, I'd say anytime, but I hope this is the first and the last time. John: I like the way you think. Kate: Hey, everyone, it stopped raining, and the clouds have cleared. I can see stars. John: Well, then I guess the storm really has passed. Marlena: Oh, I think it has. Caroline: Hope, dear, you take care of yourself. Stefano: [Laughs] [Suspenseful music] Hope: Bye. Caroline: Bye. Shawn, dear, I found the right occasion to drink your prized Irish whiskey. [Laughs] I think you approve. [Static crackling] [Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" playing]