Thursday, November 28, 2024: Today on Days of Our Lives, Jennifer confronts Cat, Chad receives instructions from Clyde, JJ enlists Gabi’s help, Abe and Paulina make Eli and Lani an offer, and Jack devastates Julie.
At home, Abe stashes a bag of chips behind couch cushions as Paulina leaves the kitchen. Lamenting Eli and Lani’s delayed plane, she sits on the couch and hears a crunch. Paulina can’t believe he’s snacking while she’s been cooking dinner since 6 in the morning. After only eating crackers for the last 36 hours, Abe’s starving! Paulina cozies up to him to satisfy his appetite. As they smooch, Eli, Lani, and the kids arrive.
At the Hernandez house, Gabi disparages Ari’s tofu Thanksgiving dinner over the phone but promises to make a vegan feast if she comes there next year. After hanging up, Gabi opens the door to JJ. She explains they just finished dinner and invites him in. JJ explains he’s there because he has a favor to ask: “Be my sister?”
At the Horton House, Julie demands to know from Chad why Abigail’s imposter is living under her roof — and spending Thanksgiving with Abigail’s family! He promises she’ll stay upstairs out of everyone’s way. Unappeased, Julie wonders why he’s doing so much for her. Chad retorts he’s doing it for Abigail. He didn’t want to worry her because Doug’s been sick. Julie insists that Doug is fine and demands that he tell her what’s going on. He explains he’s using Cat to get Clyde to tell him where Abigail’s remains are.
In the living room, Cat talks to Aaron over the phone. She wishes things were different, but it’s safer if they spend the holiday apart. Jennifer and Jack glare at her as they enter. Hanging up, Cat says she planned to be out of sight before they got here. Jack growls that their flight landed early. Abigail starts an apology, but Jenn’s slap interrupts her. Jennifer never believed Cat was her daughter. If she had any self-respect, Cat would walk out that door and never come back.
When Lani goes to check on Abe and the twins, Paulina offers Eli a job at the Salem PD. She was hoping he and Lani could be a package deal. Eli hems as Lani and Abe return. When Lani hears of Paulina’s proposal, she reminds her mother her felony conviction prevents her from returning to the force. Abe suggests Lani play a cop on Body and Soul instead. Lani appreciates the offer, but she just accepted a job at the kids’ preschool. They promise to move back someday, just not yet.
At the Hernandez house, JJ explains to Gabi that Chad needs a decoy couple to fool Clyde. They’ll check into the hotel like Clyde wants while Cat and Chad get the jump on him. As a former cop, he promises to protect her, but he’ll understand if she refuses him. Gabi has a personal stake in this, too, since Clyde terrorized her while she was in prison and brought Stefan and Ava together. If it weren’t for Clyde, she and Stefan would still be married. She won’t let him get away with this. “I’m in.”
At the Horton’s, Chad leaves a flustered Julie to check on rolls in the kitchen. Processing his plan, Julie looks at a framed photo of Doug and Hope, who calls. During their one-sided conversation, Julie asks about Bo. Her face contorts with emotion. “I’m so sorry,” she says. She believes Bo feels that Hope’s there. She then relays that Doug’s feeling much better today but is resting before dinner.
In the living room, Cat fails to explain her actions to Jennifer and Jack as Chad joins them. “Happy Thanksgiving,” he sheepishly offers. “No,” Jennifer states. “It’s not.” Jack follows Jennifer as she stomps out to see the kids. Chad answers a call from Clyde and jots down instructions. Jack and Jennifer return to learn Chad and Cat are meeting Clyde. JJ arrives and explains to his parents that he and Gabi are going as decoys. Jennifer won’t hear of it. “Send her!” she declares, pointing at Cat. Julie joins them as JJ and Chad prepare to leave. “You better pray they both come back safely to us,” Jennnifer spits at Cat. “Or Clyde won’t be the only one I hold responsible.” After they’ve left, Julie asks Jack to wake Doug from his nap.
As Lani, Paulina, and Abe marvel over the difference in their lives from last Thanksgiving, Eli visits Julie. He gives her a plastic container of cookies the kids made. Meanwhile, Jack goes to Doug’s room and tries to wake him. Jack’s face falls as Doug remains unresponsive.
In the Square, Chad asks Alice and Tom’s plaque to help them bring Abigail home. Cat rushes up, apologizing for the scene with Jack and Jennifer. Chad is tired of the apologies and wants to just focus on bringing Clyde down. As Gabi and JJ join them, Chad thanks Gabi for helping. She hates Clyde as much as he does, so she’s glad to be part of it. Snarking at Cat, Gabi marvels over agreeing with Julie on something.
Jack delicately approaches as Julie brings out her grandmother’s candlesticks at the Horton House. She asks if he woke up Doug. “I tried,” he somberly says. “Julie, I’m so sorry.” Julie drops a candlestick and exclaims, “No!” Jack catches her as she falters.
