Days of Our Lives delivers one of its most harrowing and emotionally charged chapters of the year as the Demira Catacombs storyline reaches a terrifying turning point. What began as confusion and disbelief has spiraled into raw survival, fractured loyalties, and shocking reversals of power—proving once again that Salem’s darkest secrets are never buried for long.

In the December 22, 2025 episode, viewers are plunged back into the damp, suffocating depths of the Demira catacombs, where Chad DiMera, Kristen DiMera, Theo Carver, and their fellow captives are forced to confront the unthinkable truth: their tormentor is Peter Blake. The revelation hits like a gut punch. For years, Peter has existed as a ghost of Salem’s past, a name synonymous with manipulation and madness. Now, he stands before them, very much alive—and terrifyingly in control.

Peter’s Sinister Plan Comes Into Focus

The initial shock of Peter’s identity quickly gives way to panic as the captives demand answers. Why them? Why now? Peter’s explanation is chilling in its calm precision. This isn’t random cruelty—it’s deliberate, calculated revenge wrapped in a larger, darker agenda. Peter makes it brutally clear that he never intended to simply frighten them or let them go. This imprisonment is only the beginning.

As his words sink in, the mood shifts from disbelief to dread. Every escape fantasy evaporates as the captives realize they are trapped not just physically, but psychologically, in Peter’s twisted endgame. Each of them represents a piece of Salem’s power structure—and Peter intends to dismantle it from the shadows.

Kristen’s Fever and a Mother’s Breaking Point

While Peter revels in control, Kristen’s physical condition rapidly deteriorates. Battling a dangerously high fever, she grows weaker by the hour, her body betraying her even as her mind fights to stay sharp. The cold, damp catacombs exacerbate her illness, and the constant terror gnaws at what little strength she has left.

But it’s not just her health that pushes Kristen to the edge—it’s Rachel.

Separated from her daughter and powerless to protect her, Kristen’s fear transforms into something volatile. Maternal terror mixes with DiMera fury, creating a combustible emotional state. Her fever leaves her disoriented, yet paradoxically more dangerous. Kristen DiMera has always thrived in chaos—but this time, it’s survival, not manipulation, driving her.

The Vial That Sparks Terror

The tension escalates to unbearable levels when Peter produces a small vial from his pocket. The moment it appears, fear ripples through the group. The object is simple—but its implications are endless.

Is it poison? A sedative? A tool of execution? Or, cruelly ironic, something that could save Kristen’s life?

Peter offers no clarity, letting the ambiguity do the work for him. The vial becomes a psychological weapon, a symbol of Peter’s absolute power over their fate. The uncertainty is more horrifying than any explicit threat—and it pushes one man to the brink.

Theo’s Desperate Gamble Ends in Disaster

Unable to endure another second of Peter’s smug control, Theo Carver snaps. Fueled by rage, fear, and protective instinct, he launches himself at Peter in a desperate attempt to reclaim power and end the nightmare.

For a brief moment, hope flickers.

Then it all goes wrong.

The struggle is brutal and fast. Peter reacts with shocking efficiency, and Theo is knocked unconscious, collapsing onto the cold stone floor. Horror spreads through the group as they realize how close Theo is to death. His failed heroics only reinforce the terrifying truth: Peter has thought of everything.

Or so he believes.

Kristen Strikes Back Against Her Brother

Watching Theo fall ignites something primal in Kristen. Fevered, shaking, and nearly delirious, she refuses to let another person suffer at Peter’s hands. Drawing on a reserve of strength no one—including Peter—expected, Kristen lunges at her brother.

Armed with a jagged piece of wood scavenged from the catacombs, she attacks with ferocity born of fear, rage, and betrayal. This is not a calculated move—it’s pure instinct. Each strike carries the weight of her captivity, her terror for Rachel, and the unbearable realization that her own flesh and blood is responsible.

Peter is completely caught off guard. He underestimated Kristen’s will to survive—and it costs him dearly. The blows land hard and fast until he collapses, incapacitated on the stone floor.

In a stunning reversal, the captor becomes the captive.

Power Shifts Underground

The survivors waste no time. Chad and the others quickly restrain Peter, binding him with whatever materials they can find. For the first time since their nightmare began, they have the upper hand.

But relief is fleeting.

Peter may be tied up, but he still holds answers they desperately need. How did he trap them so effectively? Are there accomplices? Are there explosives, secondary traps, or contingency plans waiting to be triggered? Most importantly—how do they get out before Kristen’s condition becomes fatal?

The interrogation that follows promises to be explosive. Peter Blake, stripped of control, is now a cornered animal—and cornered animals are the most dangerous of all.

Ripple Effects Above Ground: Salem in Crisis

While chaos reigns below, Salem above is unraveling. The disappearance of so many DiMeras sends shockwaves through the town. The FBI and Salem PD scramble to track down Chad, Kristen, Theo, EJ, Tony, and Peter—realizing this is no isolated incident, but a systematic strike against one of Salem’s most powerful families.

At the Horton House, the emotional fallout is just as devastating. Julie Williams makes the heartbreaking decision to postpone the beloved Horton Christmas ornament tradition. Without Chad, the joy feels hollow. For Thomas and Charlotte, the absence of their father overshadows everything. The delay isn’t just symbolic—it raises the stakes for Chad’s safe return and underscores the show’s core truth: family presence matters more than tradition.

Dangerous Alliances and Looming Consequences

In the power vacuum left by the DiMera disappearances, unlikely alliances begin to form. Gabi Hernandez and Gwen Rizczech—normally bitter enemies—find themselves united by fear and self-preservation. With Tony and EJ missing, their futures hang in the balance, forcing them into whispered conversations and shared vulnerability.

It’s psychological warfare now, and both women know one wrong move could destroy them when the dust finally settles.

A Turning Point for Days of Our Lives

This episode marks a pivotal shift in the Demira Catacombs saga. The prisoners may have restrained Peter, but the danger is far from over. Kristen’s life hangs by a thread. The vial’s true purpose remains unknown. And Peter Blake, even bound, is never truly powerless.

As Salem braces for the fallout, one question looms large: will everyone make it out alive?

Days of Our Lives reminds viewers that the most dangerous battles aren’t just fought with fists—but with secrets, loyalty, and the desperate will to survive.