Sami Brady and EJ DiMera

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EJ Wells and Sami Brady (James Scott and Alison Sweeney)

EJ Wells and Samantha "Sami" Brady Roberts (also known by the portmanteau EJami for EJ and Sami) are a very popular pairing and potential supercouple from the American daytime drama Days of our Lives. Since early 1993, the role of Sami Brady has been played by actress Alison Sweeney, and James Scott has portrayed the role of E.J. Wells since the character was introduced on May 30, 2006.

Storyline

EJ arrived in Salem on May 30, 2006 and EJ and Sami had a memorable first meeting with EJ in only a towel and Sami drenched because of a plumbing problem in her apartment. The sparks between EJ and Sami were immediate and the chemistry was undeniable, but little did she know that he was misrepresenting himself and keeping his true identity and agenda a secret.

Over the summer of 2006, EJ and Sami shared many romantic moments, but since Sami was engaged to be married to Austin Reed, nothing more than a few passionate dances and one accidental kiss were exchanged between EJ and Sami. EJ treated Sami with a unique respect and admiration, unlike anything Sami’s boyfriends, fiancés, or family had ever shown her. EJ was a true friend to Sami from the beginning.

Sami did not marry Austin because of one of her many misdeeds that resulted in her being blackmailed, but EJ was there to help her and support her, and very soon they started dating. Their dates often ran into trouble due to a meddling son and ex-boyfriend. The childish sabotaging drove a wedge between Sami and EJ. When EJ was pushed too far, he made a mistake and got involved with Sami's archenemy, Kate Roberts.

EJ and Sami's relationship was cut short when Sami found out that he had been sleeping with Kate Roberts and that EJ had been hiding his true identity as a DiMera since he came to town. Following the breakup, EJ made some horrible decisions that ended up hurting Sami, and one such mistake was on December 29, 2006 after Sami jumped into his car and demanded his help in saving Lucas’ life saying she would do anything to get him to help her. EJ was on the run from the police at the time, and after forcing her at gunpoint to get him through a roadblock, he required steep payment for his help: Sami had to have sex with him.

After that day, EJ tormented Sami with the truth about the night on the country road, especially after he discovered that Sami was pregnant, possibly with his child. Eventually, the truth came out and EJ apologized for what he did. He did use the word "rape" in his apology, however, no scenes have yet been shown where he admits that he believes that what he did was rape. He is currently doing everything he can to earn back Sami’s trust and he has saved her life on numerous occasions.

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One of several times in which EJ has saved Sami's life.

EJ claims that his motivation for making the indecent proposal to Sami was in order to get her pregnant so stem cells from the baby could be used to save his father's life.

Current status

Recently, viewers have been shown scenes depicting EJ and Sami scheming together. Also, the character of EJ is going through a classic soap redemption and Sami is being shown to trust him a little bit more than she did before. She has not yet forgiven him for what he did, but the story is leaving it open for that to happen.

As has been recently previewed by NBC, EJ and Sami will be at the center of the Brady/DiMera feud storyline (Bradys vs DiMeras, "The Reveal") because the origin of the DiMera vendetta against the Bradys began with a forbidden affair between Santo DiMera and Colleen Brady who, as fate would have it, look exactly like EJ and Sami respectively.

On June 29, 2007 EJ was informed that he is the father of Sami Brady's twins. However, on the same episode, it was revealed that the DNA test results were never actually done because Kate blackmailed the attendant working on them.

Memorable moments

• Photo shoot where Sami replaces the model in the hot, sexy pictures with EJ.

• The day EJ and Sami dance the tango on the pier.

• The Oyster scene – EJ gives Sami pearl earrings in an oyster shell the night before her wedding to Austin.

• Their first kiss when Sami mistakes EJ for Austin the morning of her wedding.

• The day EJ’s car broke down as he was driving Sami to her wedding to Austin.

• The scenes in the abandoned house after EJ was unable to fix his car – EJ and Sami danced to “The Way You Look Tonight”.

• EJ’s many comments to Sami about how he loves the good and bad in her and how she deserves to be loved completely and absolutely.

• The day Sami got drunk in the bar and EJ helped lift her spirits.

• Several steamy make out scenes on the couch in Sami’s apartment and in EJ’s apartment before someone interrupted them.

• Many sweet and caring kisses on the head as he comforts her in a way no one else ever did.

• Confessing his love for Sami on many occasions.

• Saving Sami's life numerous times, when in danger.

• Scheming with Sami on many occasions.

• EJ has gone up against his own family to protect Sami.

Cultural impact

Controversy

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• There is a very heated debate among viewers of Days of our Lives over whether or not what EJ did to Sami in the December 29, 2006 episode could be considered rape. Many believe it was a deal based on the dialog in the actual scene, the fact that on the show both EJ and Sami have referred to it as such, and Sami's current husband said to her that EJ gave her a choice. Sami, however, has also repeatedly referred to it as rape. The writing continues to be ambiguous on the issue with many references to the scene as a rape although EJ has not been charged with the crime, even though he does not deny what happened and there is probable physical evidence in the form of Sami's unborn children. Recently, NBC has put on their website that Sami "obliged" EJ in his request for payment to help Lucas, as in regards for Sami to have sex with him.

• Actor James Scott, portrayer of EJ, was interviewed by TV Guide/Sympatico, MSN as to the subject of the highly debated EJ and Sami storyline, even referring to it as rape himself, though also commenting on how he truly believes that EJ is in love with Sami:

I would be lying if I said I didn’t worry about my future on the soap. I don’t think they handled the rape very well, and I’ll tell you why. EJ raped Sami, and then afterwards, he’s hanging out in her house — alone with her. It’s irresponsible on so many levels. However, had it been handled well, I think it would have been an interesting story choice. Now the story focus has shifted to her pregnancy and the classic soap story of paternity. Having said that, I chose to believe that EJ is in love with Samantha — he just can’t communicate it.

• Despite the heated debate circling the EJ and Sami pairing, the relationship between the two is often recognized as a top couple in viewing, as such by even TV Guide/Sympatico, MSN. And with the couple's growing popularity, the two can even be cited as a formidable rival to other popular couple, Lucas and Sami, where, due to many fans wanting EJ and Sami as a romantic pairing as well, even as a wedding between Lucas and Sami neared, popular soap opera site soapdom questioned whether or not Lucas and Sami are truly more of a Days of our Lives favorite couple over EJ and Sami.

• Viewers who do believe that EJ raped Sami, and magazines, such as Soap Opera Weekly (editorial in magazine week of June 11, 2006), are comparing EJ and Sami to Luke and Laura from General Hospital. Luke and Laura became a supercouple even though it is an undisputed fact that Luke raped Laura. Whether the original intent of the the scene between EJ and Sami on December 29, 2006 is ever confirmed by Days of our Lives executives or writers, to be compared to such a supercouple as Luke and Laura arguably shows the potential for EJ and Sami to become a Days of our Lives supercouple, in spite of the controversy surrounding the pairing.

See also

• Days of our Lives
• Supercouple