Days of our Lives recap for December 3, 2024: Salem attends Doug's memorial

At the Horton house, Julie talked to her little brother, Steven, in her bedroom. “Your faith in me, Julie, it means the world to me,” Steven said. “Well, I meant it when I said that Doug was transformed. Why not you? It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish,” Julie countered. Julie told Steven that Doug had decided to change his life when he had arrived in Salem, and he had.

“Because he was strong and he was resilient and as it turned out, he had an exceptionally kind heart. Darling, you have those qualities too,” Julie said. “As does my sister,” Steven said. Julie told Steven that she was grateful that he was there for her. “Just for a minute there, I forgot what was next; the memorial,” Julie said. Julie asked Steven to attend the memorial with her.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Steven said. “I’ll do better because you’re there,” Julie said. Steven told Julie that he would always be there for her. “I’m here for you. All you have to do is ask,” Julie countered. With a grin, Julie told Steven that she was excited to introduce him to his family.

In the Horton living room, Ciara opened the Horton time capsule box as Jennifer, Lucas, and Shawn watched in amazement. “It was a piece of cake,” Ciara said. “She’s a magician,” Lucas joked. Ciara started to take stock of the contents of the box. Inside were love letters between Tom and Alice, the deed for the Horton cabin, a lock of Marie’s baby hair, and baby shoes for Addie and Tommy.

As the group passed around the items, Julie ran into the room. Ciara, Shawn, and Lucas hugged Julie hello. “I’ve missed all of you,” Julie said. “I was so, so proud to be [Doug’s] granddaughter,” Ciara said. Julie noted that Doug had always been proud of Shawn and Ciara. Julie thanked everyone who had come to Salem for the memorial service. Stephen walked into the living room, and Julie took him by the hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a surprise. Allow me to present my long-lost baby brother, Steven,” Julie announced. Steven and Julie smiled at one another. Ciara introduced herself, and Steve noted that she looked just like her mother. “Speaking of Mom, I hope you know how badly she wanted to be here,” Ciara said. Julie said she and Hope had agreed that Hope should stay with Bo. Julie introduced Shawn, Jennifer, and Lucas to Steven.

“What’s all this?” Steven asked as he pointed at the box on the table. “This is a time capsule that Gram hid behind the mantel,” Jennifer explained. “It’s open!” Julie gasped. Shawn noted that Ciara had cracked it. “You are your mother’s daughter,” Julie noted. Julie eagerly looked through the contents. “These are the days of our lives in a box,” Julie said with a laugh. Julie picked up a jewelry box with a diamond necklace.

“This is my grandmother’s necklace. My mother gave it to her as a birthday gift,” Julie said. Jennifer admitted she had never seen Alice wear the necklace. With a laugh, Julie said that Alice had said that the necklace had been “too regal for Salem.” “That sounds like Gram,” Jennifer said. With a sigh, Julie noted that as much as she wanted to look through all the items, it was time to leave for the memorial. “Time to honor my husband with a memorial and to say goodbye,” Julie said as she held back tears. After everyone walked out, Steven lingered behind to stare at the necklace for a moment before he followed everyone out of the house.

At the penthouse, Belle was sniffling back tears when Marlena returned from the kitchen. “Is everything all right?” Marlena asked. Belle said she had been crying over a song. “That Liz Chandler, what a voice, man,” Belle said. “I’m sure it reminds you of when you and Shawn were first together,” Marlena said. Belle nodded yes. Belle confessed that she was emotional because she was worried about seeing Shawn.

“Maybe I should have told him I was coming,” Belle said. “I think he’ll be glad to see you,” Marlena said. With a nod, Belle said she planned to keep her distance so that Shawn could focus on his family.

In the square, Marie Horton told Maggie that she wished she never had to see Liz Chandler again when Liz strolled up to their cafe table. “Well then, I guess today is not your lucky day, huh?” Liz said. Liz said hello to Maggie, and Maggie smiled and said hello. “And I gather you’re not that delighted to see me, Marie?” Liz said. “You gather correctly. Especially not here in this town square named after my parents,” Marie said with a scowl.

“For the record, I thought the world of your parents. It was you I couldn’t stand,” Liz said. Liz added that she did not hold a grudge against Marie. “So, I don’t have to look forward to you shooting me in another jealous rage?” Marie asked. Liz laughed. “That was decades ago! Are you going to relitigate that? You know damn well it was an accident. I thought you were an intruder,” Liz said. Marie disagreed.

“You slept with my husband in our bed, and when I came home, you shot me!” Marie argued. Liz reminded Marie that she had gone to prison for the shooting. Frustrated, Maggie yelled, “Enough!” Maggie urged the women to let go of the past. Maggie reminded Marie and Liz that they were there to celebrate Doug’s life. “A man that we all admire. And we all respected. Think we can do that?” Maggie asked. “We can,” Marie said. “And we should,” Liz added. Maggie suggested a truce.

As Marie and Liz shook hands, Marlena and Belle walked into the square and said hello. Marlena introduced Belle to Marie and Liz. Belle complimented Liz’s music. “I guess we will see you at the service,” Marlena said. As they exited, Marlena told Liz that it was good to see her get along with Marie.

At the Price-Carver residence, Eli told Lani that he was thankful that Chanel and Johnny had taken the twins so that he could focus on Julie. “It’s so wonderful how close you and Julie are, considering that you just met her as an adult,” Lani said. “I am lucky to have her in my life. And I know, as tough as this time must be for her, losing the love of her life, that she’s surrounded by family,” Eli said.

At the memorial service outside the church, everyone mingled. Shawn greeted Belle as she arrived. “I just flew in from Hong Kong. I hope that’s okay,” Belle said. “Of course it is,” Shawn said. Steven escorted Julie into the clearing, and she introduced him to the attendees. “Thank you, all of you, for coming,” Julie said. Marlena informed Julie that the priest was ready to start the service when she was ready. Julie nodded yes. As everyone took their seats, Julie saw the large picture of Doug at the front of the clearing, and she took a deep breath.

“I would like to welcome you to this celebration of the life of Douglas Williams, a man beloved by so many. I knew him as a devoted parishioner. You knew him as a friend or as a part of your family. But we all knew him as an extraordinary man. Kind, generous, gifted in so many ways. A man who brightened the lives of so many here and many who couldn’t be here,” the priest said. The priest called up Shawn, and Shawn did a reading of scripture. Ciara next read “Gone From My Sight,” by Henry Van Dyke, a favorite poem of Doug’s.

When the priest called upon Julie to give the eulogy, she paused. Eli and Shawn rushed to her side to escort her to the podium. Julie smiled as she looked out at the faces in the crowd. “The look of love, Doug Williams had it and made the world shine with it. Especially when he looked at us. My husband’s real name was Brent Douglas. He was raised in an orphanage until he ran away at age 14 and made the best of it, living off his charm and his wit. During World War II, he joined the Navy and trained to be a fighter pilot. The service taught him how to navigate by air and sea,” Julie said. Julie talked about the many accomplishments and skills that Doug had learned in the service.

“After the war, he discovered he had a fine singing voice. And he flirted with show business. And finance. Here are some of the marvelous things he accomplished in the years he was among us. He raised an incredible daughter, our beloved Hope. And he opened a club named Doug’s Place, unforgettable for its music, for its warmth, for its class. He became the mayor of Salem. And the captain of my heart,” Julie said. Julie smiled wistfully.

“Here are some of his favorite things besides chocolate: Italy, grand opera, lyrics, puns of his own composing, family dinners, tap dancing, up tunes, new places to go, old songs to sing, the Dodgers, New York City, serenades, sunshine in the morning, performing, poached eggs, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ and ‘Casablanca.’ Every Christmas card that had photos of his friends and family. Piles of sheet music. The morning sports page and an old safari jacket that he wore on every continent. Red roses, red lips, red sauces, red wine, and an Indian ruby that he gave to me. He took me to the Taj Mahal. He took me to the Pyramids. He took me to the Great Wall of China. And he took me to paradise with every kiss,” Julie said. Julie smiled serenely.

“Songs he composed: ‘Ramshackle Daddy,’ ‘Happy New Year to You,’ ‘I Love to Tap,’ and ‘I’ve Got the World by the Tail.’ Joyful tunes. Joyful tunes from a heart that was just pounding with the rhythm of life. And please let me tell you, his mind and his spirit were unchanging until too many happy birthdays stole all his strength away. What gifts he had, my sweetest of sweethearts. My ageless, beautiful troubadour. ‘My love is like a red rose that’s sweetly sprung in June. My love is like a melody that’s sweetly played in tune.’ So what will people remember about this exuberant, accomplished, gentle man? Will it be the performances, will it be the music, will it be all those happy times? Besides his talent, you all spoke of his kindness,” Julie said. Julie noted that Doug had been the very definition of the word.

“He treated all strangers as potential friends, never returning unkindness with a wry or cynical remark. Why did we love him so much? Because he saw us. He really saw us. Doug gave everyone, a visitor at the door or a troubled grandchild, this greeting. It was always smiling, and it was full of optimistic expectations. What he saw in us was something wonderful. And we became, in his company, as wonderful as we all want to be. No surprise, his favorite movie was ‘Love Actually.’ He passionately reached out to people his whole life with a song, with a story, and that look of love. Love that transcends time. And lifts us all into the light where creation never ends. And we are shining too,” Julie concluded. Julie went to her seat, and Marlena put an arm around her.

The priest said some final words and announced, “Now to close our service, one of Doug’s dear friends, Liz Chandler, will lead us in one of his favorite songs.” Liz walked over to Julie and whispered, “I love you.” Liz then approached the podium. “I would not have the career I have today if it hadn’t been for Doug Williams. So, Doug, this is for you,” Liz said. Liz started to sing “Always.” Everyone started to sing along as Julie thought about past moments with Doug.

After the service, everyone mingled about. Julie hugged Marie and thanked her for attending the service. Julie turned to Liz and said, “Your singing. It was beautiful. It was perfect.” “Doug was the best,” Liz said. Marie agreed. As Liz and Marie walked away, Abe and Paulina walked over to Julie. “That was a wonderful memorial service,” Abe said. “For a wonderful man,” Paulina said. Julie thanked them. Next over was Steve and Kayla. “Anything you need,” Steve said. “We are here for you,” Kayla said. Julie smiled.

“I lost the love of my life today, but I feel love all around me from all of you,” Julie said. Steve kissed Julie’s hand. Jennifer offered to walk with Julie to the cemetery. “I’ll be right with you,” Julie said. After everyone had exited the clearing, Julie caressed the photo of Doug next to the podium. Julie closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she followed everyone else.

Marlena and Belle returned home to the penthouse after the service concluded. “I always knew how much they loved each other, yeah, and how much he loved his family. But I did not know that he had joined the Navy and trained as a fighter pilot. What a man! What a life. What a legend,” Marlena said. Marlena shook her head with a smile. Marlena asked Belle if she had talked to Shawn.

“I wanted to give him some space to be with his family,” Belle said. “You know, you’re his family, too,” Marlena countered. Belle said she did not think Shawn had wanted to talk to her, but Marlena disagreed. “Shawn still loves you,” Marlena said. With a sigh, Marlena said she wanted to call Shane to see if he could track down John and tell him about Doug’s passing. “If you do reach Dad, will you give him my love?” Belle said. Marlena hugged her daughter, and she went into her bedroom. Shawn knocked on the door.

At the Price-Carver home, Abe and Paulina sat on the couch and talked about the service. “[Doug] would be so proud. Especially of Julie,” Paulina said. With a shake of her head, Paulina said she did not know how Julie had had the strength to get through the eulogy. After Eli and Lani got the twins to fall asleep in the bedroom, they joined Abe and Paulina in the living room. “I sang them one of Doug’s songs. One that he used to sing to them,” Eli said. Paulina passed out glasses for a toast to Doug.

At the Brady Pub, Roman handed out glasses to Steve, Kayla, and Jack for their own toast to Doug. “To a wonderful man who made us all better people,” Kayla said. “Just for knowing him,” Steve added. “To Doug,” Roman said.

In the Horton living room, Jennifer, Lucas, Ciara, and Marie returned home. Marie asked about the time capsule. “Wait until you see this diamond necklace that has been locked away for over 60 years,” Ciara said. As Ciara looked in the box, she noted that it was gone. Jennifer confirmed she had watched Julie put the necklace back in the box. “Where could it have gone?” Ciara said.

In the town square, Steven sat next to the Tom and Alice plaque. “Grandma, you sly old dog. Who knew the treasure you were holding in that house? The old me would have been tempted mightily by that diamond necklace, but I’m a changed man,” Steven said. Steven kissed his fingers and touched the plaque.

At Doug’s gravesite, Julie sat on a bench and stared at his headstone. “My dearest love, all I ever wanted was to be your wife. What do I do now?” Julie said. Julie broke down in tears. A rustle nearby caught Julie’s attention. “Is someone there?” Julie said. A young man stepped into the clearing. “Who are you?” Julie asked. “I’m Doug Williams,” the man said.

Stream full episodes of Days of our Lives on Peacock.