As the holiday season descends upon Salem, peace is nowhere to be found. Instead of twinkling lights and goodwill, the town is plunged into one of its darkest, most perilous chapters yet. Tuesday, December 23’s episode of Days of Our Lives delivers pulse-pounding drama, weaving together kidnappings, medical emergencies, power plays, and shocking alliances that threaten to permanently alter the balance of power in Salem—especially within the ever-volatile DiMera family.

The morning sun rises, but its warmth does nothing to dispel the heavy tension lingering over the town. Every corner of Salem feels charged with unease, as though catastrophe is inevitable. At the heart of the chaos stands a fractured police force struggling to hold itself together amid mounting pressure and moral compromise.

We begin with the uneasy partnership between Cat Green and Police Commissioner Rafe Hernandez. Once considered a formidable investigative team, the two have recently found themselves at odds. Cat’s increasingly erratic behavior—and her willingness to blur legal boundaries—has pushed Rafe to his breaking point. Rumors swirl that Cat has been operating off-the-books surveillance and pursuing leads without authorization, threatening the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Yet Tuesday marks a turning point. In a quiet but emotionally charged meeting at the station, surrounded by towering stacks of unresolved case files, Rafe makes a calculated decision: he extends an olive branch. Setting aside personal grievances and simmering frustration, he appeals to their shared history and mutual respect. They were once unstoppable together, a duo known for dismantling criminal operations others couldn’t touch. Now, with Salem spiraling toward chaos, Rafe knows they can’t afford division.

This reconciliation isn’t about forgiveness—it’s about survival. With kidnappings escalating and danger looming at every turn, stabilizing the police force becomes a desperate necessity. Whether Cat can rein in her recklessness long enough to make this renewed alliance work remains a question with enormous implications.

Meanwhile, beneath the surface—literally—the nightmare intensifies.

Deep within the DiMera crypt, terror reigns supreme. What should be a solemn resting place for the dead becomes a living hell as Peter finally sheds his carefully constructed façade. In a chilling confession that reverberates through the DiMera bloodline, Peter reveals himself as the mastermind behind the recent kidnappings. This is no simple ransom scheme—it’s a calculated assault on the DiMera legacy itself.

To enforce obedience, Peter wields a horrifying weapon: a fragile glass vial containing a fast-acting poison gas capable of killing everyone trapped inside within moments. One wrong move, one slip of the hand, and the crypt would become a mass grave. Peter thrives on the fear he’s created, savoring the dominance he’s long craved.

The tension becomes nearly unbearable when Theo Carver’s condition rapidly deteriorates. Lying unconscious on the cold stone floor, Theo’s shallow breathing and erratic pulse signal a medical emergency that requires immediate hospital care. Every second without treatment inches him closer to irreversible damage—or death. Yet Peter remains unmoved, pacing the crypt and waving the vial like a cruel reminder that he alone holds their fate.

Faced with unimaginable peril, the usually fractured DiMera family finds unity in desperation. Petty rivalries and inheritance feuds fade as survival takes precedence. And in this crucible, Kristen DiMera proves once again why she is one of Salem’s most dangerous and resilient forces.

Realizing that reason and negotiation have failed, Kristen shifts into survival mode. As Peter becomes distracted by his own grandstanding monologue, her instincts take over. Her eyes dart toward the shadows, her hand brushing against a grim relic—a heavy, ancient bone unearthed during the crypt’s recent disturbances. Moving with predatory precision, she inches closer, timing her steps with the rhythmic drip of water echoing through the tomb.

When she strikes, it’s swift, brutal, and fueled by raw maternal instinct and years of ruthless survival. The bone connects with Peter’s skull in a sickening crack that echoes through the crypt. As he collapses, chaos erupts—the vial slips from his grasp, shattering on the stone floor with a sound as explosive as a gunshot.

What follows is sheer pandemonium.

With the threat of poison gas looming, EJ, Tony, Chad, and the other hostages are forced into immediate action. Panic gives way to instinct as they work together, navigating the crypt’s labyrinthine passages in a desperate bid for escape. Even EJ, often arrogant and domineering, steps into a leadership role, coordinating their movements with grim determination.

This harrowing ordeal forges an unbreakable bond among the DiMera men—one that will reshape their family dynamics long after they emerge into the light. They aren’t just escaping a tomb; they’re stepping back into a world where enemies still lurk, secrets fester, and vengeance is inevitable.

Above ground, another power shift quietly takes shape.

At the DiMera mansion, Gabi Hernandez makes a visit that defies expectations. Known for her opportunism and sharp political instincts, Gabi comes face-to-face with longtime rival Gwen von Leuschner. Their shared history is toxic, marked by betrayal, humiliation, and open warfare. Yet crisis has a way of leveling old battlefields.

Over glasses of expensive scotch, the two women drop their armor. What unfolds is a rare, vulnerable conversation between survivors of the DiMera machine. They bond over shared grievances and a mutual hunger for control, stability, and revenge. This isn’t forgiveness—it’s strategy.

The seeds of a dangerous alliance are planted, one that could send seismic tremors through Salem’s social and corporate hierarchies. If Gabi and Gwen truly join forces, no one—not even the DiMeras—will be safe.

Elsewhere, Leo Stark sees opportunity where others see disaster. With EJ trapped in the crypt and power temporarily up for grabs, Leo’s scheming mind kicks into overdrive. Long nursing grudges and even longer ambitions, he sets his sights on a shady hospital rumored to be hiding explosive secrets.

What begins as corporate espionage quickly turns deadly. Leo’s charm and lack of moral compass help him bypass security and access restricted files, but his overconfidence may be his undoing. The hospital’s secrets are guarded by forces far more dangerous than bureaucrats, and Leo unwittingly steps into a trap that could cost him everything—possibly even his life.

As Tuesday’s episode draws to a close, the threads of these storylines tighten into a noose around Salem. News of the crypt escape will spread, but peace is far from guaranteed. EJ’s return is poised to ignite new conflict, particularly with Leo, who may have uncovered truths never meant to surface. Gwen’s loyalty will be tested, Gabi’s ambition unleashed, and Theo’s fate still hangs in the balance.

Ultimately, this episode stands as a masterclass in soap opera storytelling—melding visceral action with psychological depth and ruthless power plays. From Kristen’s bone-shattering strike to whispered conspiracies and deadly secrets, Salem teeters on the edge of transformation. As alliances shift and lives hang by threads, viewers are left breathless, bracing for the storm that’s only just begun.

Stay tuned—because in Salem, survival is never guaranteed, and the consequences are always deadly.