Days of our Lives recap for November 22, 2024: Joy confesses her secret to Alex

At the DiMera mansion, Johnny was tossing and turning in his sleep when Chanel carried in a tray of crackers and ginger ale. “No, Joy! No, we shouldn’t do this,” Johnny murmured in his sleep. Chanel raised a suspicious eyebrow. When Johnny stirred awake, Chanel asked him how he felt. “Like my insides have been through a meat grinder,” Johnny joked. Chanel told Johnny that he had talked in his sleep and what he had said.

“What exactly shouldn’t you and Joy be doing?” Chanel asked. “I’m not sure,” Johnny said. After a moment, Johnny pretended to remember the dream, and he said he had been directing Joy in a scene and had disagreed with her. “Remember? That happened the other day on set,” Johnny said. With a nod, Chanel said she remembered. “Proves I’ve been working too hard, right?” Johnny said. Chanel noted that Johnny’s fever was gone, and she told him about the poisoned cupcakes. Chanel confirmed that Hattie was the top suspect.

Johnny started to climb out of bed to go to the hospital. Chanel told Johnny it was unnecessary because tests confirmed that the pathogen was non-fatal. Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. Chanel worried aloud about the effect of the scandal on her bakery. Chanel explained that although Sweet Bits had not filled an order for the soap, it was possible that someone had ordered plain cupcakes and decorated them with tainted icing later.

Johnny encouraged Chanel to talk to her employees, but Chanel was reluctant to leave him since he was sick. Johnny assured Chanel that he would be fine. “Besides, Sweet Bits is your baby. You need to go make sure that you’re not going to get shut down again,” Johnny said. Chanel agreed. After Chanel left, Johnny berated himself for saying Joy’s name in his sleep. “I can’t keep lying to my wife,” Johnny muttered.

Alex was asleep on his couch when Stephanie called him from the pub to check on him. “Kate told me you ate one of the tainted cupcakes,” Stephanie said. “Yeah. Luckily, my fever just broke, so I think I’m on the mend,” Alex said. Stephanie offered to take care of Alex, but he noted that somebody was already there. Alex looked over at Joy, who smiled back at him. Alex explained that Joy had been rehearsing lines with Alex since he got ill.

“She ended up sticking around to make sure I’m okay,” Alex explained. “Well, that was good of her,” Stephanie said. Alex thanked Stephanie for calling to check in. Alex promised to call Stehanie if he needed anything. “Feel better,” Stephanie said as she hesitantly ended the call. As Stephanie stared at her phone at the pub, Philip said hello. Stephanie was surprised to see Philip, but she hugged him hello.

After some small talk, Philip asked Stephanie if everything was okay. Stephanie explained that she was dealing with the PR fallout from the spoiled storylines and the cupcake poisoning on Kate’s soap. “God, I’ve missed Salem,” Philip said. Stephanie told Philip she had been on the phone with Alex before Philip arrived. Stephanie gave Philip a brief recap of her history with Alex.

“Sounds like you and my cousin had quite the tumultuous relationship,” Philip said. Stephanie noted that it was for the best for her and Alex to remain colleagues and friends. Stephanie changed the subject to Philip and his play for Titan. Philip asked Stephanie to take him on as a client.

“I’m pursuing a claim that I’m the rightful heir to Titan,” Philip said. Philip told Stephanie about Victor’s letter. “But didn’t Victor leave Xander the business and half of his estate?” Stephanie asked. “That’s how it appears in his will. And that’s why I have quite the fight on my hands. And I could really use the talents of a savvy PR consultant as I make my case in court and in the all-important court of public opinion,” Philip explained. Stephanie refused.

“You’re Victor’s son, and so is Xander. So you have just as much right to his legacy as he does. And you’d probably do better by Titan than he will,” Stephanie said. “Why won’t you work with me?” Philip asked. Taken aback, Stephanie reminded Philip that they had once been engaged. “That’s ancient history. Take me on as a client, and it’ll be strictly business,” Philip said. Stephanie rolled her eyes. Philip asked Stephanie to help him for old times' sake, and she agreed.

In Alex’s apartment, Alex grinned as he told Joy that Stephanie had called to check on him. “You know you don’t have to babysit me, right?” Alex said. “Well, I have to make sure you’re gonna live,” Joy countered. When Joy said she did not have anywhere to go, Alex asked Joy about her friends. Joy admitted that she didn’t have any friends in town. Alex asked about Johnny and Chanel.

“I wouldn’t call them friends exactly,” Joy said. “Weren’t you just at their place for the Body & Soul premiere?” Alex asked. Joy noted that it had been a work thing and did not want to be a third wheel. “Married couples need friends too,” Alex said. Alex noted that although he did not know Johnny well, Chanel was a good person. Joy agreed.

“She’s great, which makes this a million times worse,” Joy said. Alex asked Joy what she meant. “Nothing. I just don’t deserve a friend like Chanel,” Joy said. “You’re good people, too. You do deserve it,” Alex assured Joy. Joy confessed that she had hooked up with Johnny.

“When did this happen?” Alex asked. Joy told Alex how she had met Johny at the bar and that Johnny had believed his wife had cheated on him. “But she didn’t,” Alex said. “Yeah, well, he didn’t know that at the time. And neither did I,” Joy said. Alex asked for details, and Joy admitted that she and Johnny had gone to her hotel room.

“I thought that I would never see the guy again. Just two ships passing in the night. So you can imagine my surprise when I show up on the set of my job and find out my random hookup is the director,” Joy said. “And married to one of the stars of the show,” Alex added. “Who is now determined to be my friend,” Joy countered. Joy said she liked Chanel, and she hated the situation. After a moment, Joy noted that she should not have told Alex.

“You have to promise me that you’re not going to say anything,” Joy said. Alex winced. “You know, Chanel’s not just my co-star. She’s my friend. She does have a right to know what happened,” Alex said. Joy pleaded with Alex to reconsider because the scandal would ruin her career. “You can’t tell anyone about me and Johnny. You have to promise me,” Joy said. There was a knock at the door. Joy was horrified to see it was Chanel.

In the square, a furious Kristen stomped past the cafe as she muttered to herself. “Why would Brady confide in Ava Vitali about our relationship?” Kristen said. Kristen texted Brady.

In the hospital waiting area, Xander confided to Brady that he was terrified that the serum would not work for Sarah. “It’s gonna be alright. Hang in there, okay?” Brady said. Brady’s phone beeped with a text. “[Kristen] wants me to meet her in the square. She probably wants an update on Sarah’s condition,” Brady said. Xander told Brady to go ahead. “Will you give [Sarah] my best?” Brady said. Xander nodded yes, and he walked away.

In Sarah’s hospital room, Maggie accidentally knocked a water bottle off the tray and onto Sarah’s lap. “Oh my god! Mom, when the bottle fell on my leg, I could feel it,” Sarah said. Sarah laughed, and she proclaimed that the serum was working. Maggie hugged her daughter as tears spilled from her eyes.

“I can’t believe this!” Sarah said. “Can’t believe what?” Xander asked as he walked into the room. With a big grin, Sarah told Xander that she could feel her legs. “I’m going to be able to walk again!” Sarah said. A smile burst onto Xander’s face, and he raced to sit beside Sarah. “It’s everything we hoped for!” Sarah said. While Maggie left to find Kayla, Xander squeezed Sarah’s foot.

“Not that hard!” Sarah yelped. “You really felt that?” Xander said. Sarah said yes. Xander laid his head on Sarah’s leg. “I feel all of it,” Sarah said as she wiped tears from her eyes. Sarah told Xander that she was filled with love for everyone. “I’m really, really glad that this is happening for you, too. I know how much it means to you,” Sarah said. “It means so much because you are everything to me, Sarah. And I know you would have accepted whatever happened with courage and grace, but this, this is a miracle. You are my miracle. I just love you so much,” Xander said.

When Brady arrived at the square, he told Kristen that there was no update on Sarah’s condition. “That is not the reason I wanted to talk to you,” Kristen grumbled. Kristen demanded to know why Brady had told Ava that he did not believe he had a future with Kristen. “What’s the big deal? It’s nothing I haven’t said to you before,” Brady said. Kristen asked Brady why he had confided in Ava in particular.

“Is it because the serum isn’t working? Or you think I’m pulling a fast one?” Kristen asked. Brady stressed that was not the case. Kristen swore on Rachel’s life that the serum worked. Brady’s phone rang with a call from Maggie. “It’s beginning to happen. Sarah is regaining feeling in her legs,” Maggie said. Stunned, Brady asked Maggie if she was sure. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes,” Maggie said. Brady thanked Maggie for the call. Maggie thanked Brady for his help in convincing Kristen to deliver the serum.

“Please tell Xander and Sarah how happy I am for them,” Brady said. After Brady ended the call, Kristen asked, “Good news?” Brady told Kristen that the serum was working. Kristen laughed. “I’m so thrilled that Sarah got her miracle. And I mean, you and I, we made this happen,” Kristen said. “I didn’t make this happen. I just talked you into handing over the serum,” Brady stressed.

After a moment, Kristen started to ask Brady if they had a chance to reunite, but she stopped herself. “It’s too soon. I’m not going to say anything. I don’t want to seem too desperate,” Kristen said. “I’m pretty sure I know what you were just going to ask me,” Brady said. With a nod, Kristen asked Brady if he wanted to give their relationship another chance. Brady admitted that he had given the idea some thought.

“Kristen, I do want a relationship with you. As co-parents of Rachel. And hopefully, friends,” Brady said. Kristen’s smile disappeared. “Friends?” Kristen said. Brady explained that despite their physical attraction to one another, they were not compatible as a romantic pair. “I know you know this as well as I do,” Brady added. Kristen gasped.

“I can’t believe this. Do you know what I have done? How far I’ve gone for you? Do you have any idea what it would mean to me to be the DiMera heir who delivered Titan Industries on a silver platter?” Kristen yelled. Brady said he understood what Kristen had sacrificed, but she scoffed at him. Kristen argued that the board and her family would only see her as a lovestruck fool instead of a leader.

“You played me! You never intended for us to get back together, did you?” Kristen yelled. Kristen fought back tears as she chastised herself for having been so gullible. “This was all just a game to you, wasn’t it? And I’m just the biggest loser, and you are enjoying every minute of it. Isn’t that right?” Kristen said. Brady started to protest, but Kristen pushed on.

“You knew that I would do anything to reunite our family. You got what you wanted, Brady. You got it! And now you and Ava will be laughing your asses off behind my back,” Kristen yelled. “Whoah, what?” Brady said. Kristen told Brady to admit that he wanted to sleep with Ava. Brady shook his head with dismay. “I am not in a relationship with Ava. I’ve had some conversations with Ava. I’m not interested in her that way,” Brady said. Kristen asked why when he had a thing for bad girls. Kristen teased Brady about his involvement with Fiona.

“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this,” Brady complained. “Victim blaming, gaslighting. What else do you have in your arsenals there, Brady?” Kristen countered. Brady started to walk away, but Kristen grabbed his arm. “Not until I’ve had my say,” Kristen growled. Brady wrenched his arm free. “You’re making a scene,” Brady hissed. Kristen laughed loudly.

“I am grateful for what you have done for Sarah, but you and I are not good for one another. You know that,” Brady said. Kristen argued that they were not toxic but instead flawed humans with a beautiful daughter. “And that’s why I just want to have a platonic, healthy relationship with you, for her sake,” Brady countered. Kristen argued that Rachel wanted her parents to be together under the same roof. “It can’t happen,” Brady stressed. Brady noted that Rachel would be fine.

“I will see to it that [Rachel] is fine. She and I will get through it, the two of us, and just the two of us,” Kristen said. “Don’t think that I’m missing all the subtext with your tone of voice and the choice of your words. Kristen, for the sake of our little girl, please don’t punish me by keeping me away from our little girl again. You know that will hurt her as much as it will hurt me,” Brady said. Kristen smirked and told Brady that she was not making any promises.

At the hospital, a doctor examined Sarah. “How soon do you think I can be up and walking again?” Sarah asked. “Slow down, darling. We want the doctors to do a thorough examination first,” Xander said. Sarah noted that she was impatient and rattled off a list of tests she wanted to do. “I’ll go set the wheels in motion,” the doctor said as he walked out.

When Xander told Sarah that she would not have to wait long, she nodded yes. “Because I’m going to try to walk right now,” Sarah said. Xander said no. Maggie returned, and Sarah told her about their meeting with the doctor. Xander stressed that Sarah needed a few tests and cautioned her to be patient. Sarah grumbled that she was tired of waiting.

“For the first time in a long time, things feel right, and positive, and hopeful, and that is why I don’t want to wait! I want to walk. Right now,” Sarah said. Maggie agreed with Xander that Sarah should wait for the doctor to approve. Sarah grudgingly agreed to wait. “This is about your health. And I’m not going to condone you risking your recovery by doing anything without your doctor’s permission,” Maggie said. Xander agreed.

While Maggie stepped outside to talk to Bonnie, Xander encouraged Sarah to take a nap. Sarah complained that she was too amped up to sleep, but Xander asked her to try. Sarah agreed. Xander made Sarah promise that she would not attempt to get out of bed. “I’ll be down the hall. Text me if you need anything,” Xander said. After Xander left, Sarah excitedly threw back the covers from her legs.

In the hospital hallway, Xander rejoined Maggie as she concluded her call with Bonnie. “I just pray that this means that Sarah will be walking again soon,” Xander said. “Looks like your prayers have been answered,” Sarah said. Xander turned around and saw Sarah standing across the room with a cane. Sarah ordered Xander to stay back, and she took a few shaky steps toward him. Xander caught Sarah in his arms, and they laughed happily.

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