Things went sideways for some and back to normal for others as the investigations, breakups, and pairings without a purpose continued this week in Salem.

Let's start with the one guy getting back to normal. Rafe. Finally, Rafe is in detective mode again. After months of watching him as a patient or mooning over Jordan, it's refreshing to see him getting back to normal. And wouldn't it be nice if he not only uncovered Nick's secret but figured out how to get everyone else out from under it. 

How would Nick react if his leverage suddenly disappeared? Would he back off or would we get a glimpse of the guy Gabi once had to smack in the head with a rock.

On a side note, why is Nick asking about Aidan for Gabi's custody agreement? Aidan worked with JJ on a criminal case, not family law. Or is Aidan to the law profession what Daniel is to medicine, because we know Dr. Dan can do everything from cure cancer do delicate eye surgery and perform heart transplants. Perhaps Aidan is just as gifted.

Aidan and Hope were together once again and as much as I enjoy their chemistry, I find myself wondering what's the point. If Days of Our Lives isn't willing to put Bo and Hope behind them (i.e. death or divorce), I just don't see any future for Aidan and Hope.

It makes all of this disastrous planning the gala nonsense feel like a big waste of time. 

Speaking of disasters, that's what's happening to Dr. Dan's career thanks to Liam.  Liam has turned out to be a complete sociopath and suddenly we are suppose to believe that Brady can take him down. Huh?

One moment Daniel is describing Brady as an untreated alcoholic whose promises don't really mean much and the next he's acting like Brady's going to save the day. So what gives? Is this the writer's way of trying to redeem Brady? Perhaps he'll have to join forces with his father to get to the bottom of this mystery. At least that would make a little more sense and give John something to do.

And now that Brady has dumped Theresa, the girl literally doesn't have a friend in the world. No good can come of that. I think Theresa has potential but I can't figure out who she should be paired with, whether friend or lover. Someone in Salem needs to humanize Theresa other than her grandmother.

Finally, someone slipped those dirty pictures under EJ's door, but who was it? Nick was in the park with Gabi at the time. Could it be his sidekick Percy? Could it be Stefano? Has Kristen come back to torture her brother and Sami? 

And the bigger question…will Sami see those pictures or be conveniently interrupted? Make your prediction now. 

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.