On today’s #Days, Brady takes Rachel to Bayview, Belle tries keeping her niece out of trouble and Rafe and Cat find a pattern. Read the recap here: Rachel’s Commitment to Bayview Goes from Heartbreaking to Creepy, and Cat and Rafe Realize Someone’s Targeting the DiMeras
Leo worries to Javi about Chad’s disappearance, but it’s the holidays and they’re newly engaged, so he moves on fast. But not fast enough for Gwen to run across them and wonder what the deal is with that fancy ring of Javi’s.
Her taunting stops dead in its tracks, though, when she learns they’re engaged. Gwen pivots to, as Leo puts it, an insincere “symphony of saccharine sentiments.” So they leave her to get the ring sorted.
Who Kidnapped the DiMeras?
Cat drops into EJ’s office to ask about Jennifer trying to take Chad’s kids away. She’s horrified, then worries even more when EJ tells her that Chad’s vanished. She seems more upset that someone could be targeting the DiMeras than he is. Think of the optics if EJ made a big deal of it!
He’s on the case. But is he, really? Cat leaves and summons Rafe to a super not-secret meeting outside the pub to discuss Chad’s disappearance. Rafe wastes no time in pointing out what we’ve all been thinking: that EJ could be the one behind the disappearances.
They head over to Chad’s room at the Inn and don’t find any evidence he’s been there since he checked in. He, Tony, Kristen, Megan, Stefan and Dimitri are all missing. The link? “Outside of Dimitri, everyone’s father is Stefano DiMera.” The only one left is EJ.
Can Rachel Stay Out of Juvenile Jail?
Belle has Paulina over to tell her about Rachel. She wants this handled through mental health instead of the juvenile justice system. Paulina worries about how EJ will feel about it, but he already knows, so whatever. It’s fine. Paulina, though, can’t commit to Belle’s plan.
Kayla stops into a fully recovered Marlena’s hospital room to tell her that she does indeed have Lyme Disease. That’s fine, Marlena’s just worried about Rachel now that this is all coming out. She failed her granddaughter and now the kid’s paying in Bayview.
Kayla just tells her friend that she did the best she could and she has to take care of herself now, then leaves Marlena. When Belle shows up, Kayla tells her about Marlena’s diagnosis. And when EJ joins them, Belle glares him down then leaves to check on her mom.
The second Belle shows up, Marlena wants to know what’s going on with Rachel, so she gets the latest rundown. Outside, EJ’s treated to a dressing down as Kayla blames his budget cuts for Marlena’s lab misdiagnosis. EJ points out how many times the hospital lab’s messed up tests. Oh, burn. But he’ll move funds there.
Will Brady Go Through With Bayview?
Brady drops Rachel off into her brand new room at Bayview. She really doesn’t want to be there, but that ship sailed a murder attempt or two ago. Brady’s response is a lot kinder, though, so he just reassures her that they’ll all visit. Even grandma Marlena, who totally dropped the ball.
He hands her a stuffed baseball from Grandpa John that meant a lot when Brady was a kid, and sends Rachel off to a journey of help and healing. Or he tries to. She’s sobbing as she begs him not to go and Brady walks away, pausing outside her door, heartbroken, as Rachel calls for him.
In the Show’s Final Moments
Gwen watches Leo and Javi from afar in the square as they work out wedding plans and decide on a New Year’s Eve wedding. She looks thoughtful.
Belle corners EJ in his office to talk to him about Rachel. He feels for the kid and is fine with keeping her out of the criminal justice system. Brady visits Marlena to tell her that his heart’s been torn out, Rachel’s admitted and it’s all her fault. He loves her, but maybe she should just concentrate on getting better herself and stay out of Rachel’s care.
