As Salem decks its halls with twinkling lights and nostalgic traditions, a far darker drama is unfolding beneath the surface—literally. The week of December 22–26 promises to be one of the most emotionally volatile holiday arcs Days of Our Lives has delivered in years, blending festive warmth with suffocating terror, shocking medical crises, and the haunting possibility that not everyone trapped in the DiMera catacombs will make it out alive.

This is not just a rescue story.

It is a reckoning.

Christmas in the Shadows: The Catacombs Nightmare Reaches Its Breaking Point

While Salem prepares for Christmas cheer, a group of familiar faces has been fighting for survival in the damp, oxygen-starved tunnels beneath the DiMera mansion. The kidnapping ordeal that has held EJ, Chad, Kristen, Theo, and others captive has pushed them beyond physical endurance and into psychological collapse.

At long last, Rafe Hernandez spearheads the desperate rescue effort. His breakthrough into the catacombs marks a triumph—but also the beginning of a far more complicated aftermath. Freedom does not arrive cleanly. It comes with stretchers, oxygen masks, and a chilling realization: survival does not mean recovery.

As the hostages are pulled from the darkness and rushed to the hospital, the gravity of what they’ve endured becomes painfully clear. Dehydration, head injuries, fevers, and emotional shock plague the victims. The question haunting Salem isn’t just what happened down there—it’s who will truly survive it.

Kristen DiMera: Fever, Fury, and a Dangerous Delusion

Among the most alarming cases is Kristen DiMera, whose physical condition deteriorates rapidly after the rescue. Struck by a severe fever and destabilized by trauma, Kristen’s grip on reality begins to fracture. Her long-awaited reunion with Peter Blake—now portrayed by Dan Feuerriegel—should have been a moment of relief.

Instead, it becomes explosive.

In a fever-induced spiral, Kristen turns on Peter with terrifying certainty, accusing him of orchestrating the entire kidnapping plot. Her paranoia ignites a violent confrontation in the hospital, forcing staff to intervene as Kristen lashes out at the man she once trusted.

This isn’t just illness speaking—it’s trauma finding a target.

And if Kristen truly believes Peter betrayed her, the consequences could ripple far beyond the hospital walls.

Theo Carver’s Medical Crisis: Will Christmas End in Loss?

The rescue turns even more dire when Theo Carver collapses. Weakened by captivity and stress, Theo suffers a fainting spell that results in a serious head injury. As he’s rushed into emergency care, his family is left clinging to hope that he will regain consciousness in time for Christmas.

Theo’s condition injects genuine dread into what should be a celebratory week. Doctors can’t offer immediate reassurance, and every passing hour raises the possibility that Salem’s Christmas may be marked not by reunions—but by grief.

EJ DiMera: Free, Focused, and Already Plotting

For EJ DiMera, liberation from the catacombs doesn’t inspire reflection—it fuels calculation. Once medically cleared, EJ wastes no time pivoting toward a mysterious agenda that suggests the kidnapping ordeal is merely the opening chapter in a much larger DiMera power play.

While his brothers react with emotion and relief, EJ responds with icy precision. Whatever secrets were forged in the darkness, EJ intends to use them—and the internal tensions within the DiMera family are only beginning to surface.

Chad DiMera’s Christmas Miracle: Healing Through Family

In contrast, Chad DiMera finds solace not in strategy, but in love. His reunion with Thomas and Charlotte becomes the emotional heart of the week, grounding the storyline in hope after relentless fear.

Chad’s participation in the iconic Horton family Christmas tree decorating ceremony is deeply symbolic. Surrounded by lights, ornaments, and laughter, Chad begins the slow process of reclaiming normalcy. For viewers, it offers a rare sense of closure—proof that even after unimaginable terror, healing is possible.

For now.

Homecomings That Light the Way: Lucas, Eli, and Lani Return

Amid the darkness, Days of Our Lives delivers powerful reminders of legacy and resilience through the return of beloved characters.

Lucas Horton arrives just in time for the Horton Christmas tradition, reinforcing the show’s emotional backbone. His presence reconnects Salem to its roots and offers comfort to a town still reeling from chaos.

Even more impactful is the return of Eli Grant and Lani Price Grant. Their homecoming restores a sense of justice and unity, both within the Salem PD and their extended families. Scenes with Julie and Doug Williams radiate warmth, sharply contrasting the horror of the catacombs and reinforcing the theme of light reclaiming Salem.

The Next Generation Faces Its Own Crossroads

While adults grapple with survival and secrets, Salem’s younger residents face quieter—but equally consequential—challenges.

Tate Black confronts academic failure and the painful cancellation of a dream Paris trip with Holly Jonas. His choice to prioritize Rachel Black’s emotional well-being signals maturity, but leaves Holly feeling sidelined and heartbroken.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s growing restlessness leads her toward risky behavior alongside Sophia Choi, hinting that DiMera-style chaos may already be taking root in the next generation.

Mistletoe Sparks a Love Triangle Inferno

Romance takes a volatile turn when a mistletoe moment between Sarah Horton and Brady Black ignites the jealousy of Xander Kiriakis. What should have been a harmless holiday kiss becomes a catalyst for emotional implosion.

Xander’s insecurities spiral, Brady’s presence intensifies the rivalry, and Sarah is caught in the crossfire. The fallout promises to extend far beyond Christmas, threatening explosive confrontations in the weeks ahead.

A Christmas of Survival—and Ominous Uncertainty

The week of December 22–26 is a masterclass in Days of Our Lives storytelling, weaving claustrophobic suspense with heartfelt tradition. The catacombs rescue may be complete—but the damage is not.

Hospital corridors and living rooms become twin stages where Salem’s future is rewritten. As ornaments are hung and carols sung, unresolved tensions simmer beneath the surface.

The hostages may be free.

But Salem is far from safe.

And as Christmas dawns, one chilling question lingers in the air:

Did everyone truly make it out of the catacombs alive… or is the worst tragedy still to come?