Days of our Lives recap for November 26, 2024: Philip makes a startling announcement

Alex was getting ready for family dinner when Joy called to check on him. “You’ve got to chill about this. I am not going to say anything to Chanel. Not a word about Johnny,” Alex assured Joy. After the call, Stephanie knocked on the door. “I just wanted to stop by and say Happy Turkey Day,” Stephanie said. Stephanie handed Alex a serving of homemade turkey noodle soup to help him feel better. Alex thanked Stephanie for the thoughtful gift.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I? I know Joy was with you yesterday,” Stephanie said. Alex explained that Joy had stopped by to run lines and he had become ill while she had been at his apartment. “Sounds like you’ve got a new friend,” Stephanie said. Alex told Stephanie that he was feeling better. Stephanie admitted that she was thankful for the holiday so that it would give her time to craft a response to all the PR crises.

“It’s good I’ll have the extra time because I was crazy enough to take on a new client yesterday,” Stephanie added. “Who’s the lucky new client?” Alex asked. Stephanie noted that Philip had hired her. “Now, why would [Philip] need a PR rep?” Alex asked. Stephanie explained that Philip wanted her help in his fight for control of Titan, which was his birthright.

“Uncle Vic, he made his wishes crystal clear,” Alex argued. Stephanie told Alex about Philip’s letter from Victor, which stated that if Philip had not been presumed dead, Victor would have named Philip the heir of Titan. “But he didn’t,” Alex said. “So you’re Team Xander?” Stephanie asked. Alex shook his head no.

“I’m Team Sanity. Xander is the heir, period,” Alex said. Alex asked Stephanie why she had taken the job. “Because I care about [Philip]. And I want to help him get what he feels he deserves,” Stephanie said. Stephanie reminded Alex that she had a history with Philip. Confused, Alex asked about the history.

“Years ago, we were engaged,” Stephanie admitted. “I didn’t know about this,” Alex said with surprise. Alex noted that Stephanie had never mentioned her engagement before. “It didn’t seem important for me to share because he wasn’t around when you and I were dating,” Stephanie said. Alex asked Stephanie if she had broken the engagement. Stephanie confessed that she had given Philip an ultimatum to choose between her or Victor, and Philip had chosen Victor. Alex shook his head in disbelief.

“I admit that I have regrets about the way that I handled things,” Stephanie said. “Are you trying to get back with this guy?” Alex asked. Stephanie stressed that she was only interested in helping a friend. With a nod, Stephanie wished Alex a Happy Thanksgiving, and he wished her the same.

At the pub, Steve and Justin were packing up grocery bags for families in need when Kate returned from upstairs. Kate noted that Roman was still weak, but he was feeling better. “I know that Hattie has always been somewhat unstable, but do you really think she would try and poison the cast and crew of Body and Soul?” Justin asked. “She’s done a lot crazier things,” Kate countered.

Philip was in his room at the Salem Inn when Vivian called him from Statesville. Philip reluctantly accepted the call. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit you, Vivian, but things have been very busy here on my end, what with the Titan situation,” Philip said. Vivian reminded Philip that she had forged the letter. Philip promised Vivian that she would still get her cut of the inheritance. There was a knock at the door, so Philip hurriedly ended the call.

At the door was Kate, who wished Philip a Happy Thanksgiving. “Not so happy for me, actually,” Philip countered. “Let me guess. You heard from Vivian,” Kate guessed. Kate said she had not accepted her call from Vivian. “You can’t refuse her calls forever. She’s a part of this whether we like it or not,” Philip said. “I think she’ll get what she deserves,” Kate said. Philip reminded Kate that Vivian could tell the police about his involvement with the forgery.

“I’ll get 25 to life right alongside her,” Philip muttered. “I really wish you hadn’t gotten involved with this wretched woman again,” Kate said. Philip agreed. “But too late now!” Philip yelled. Philip noted that their only option was to string Vivian along during the court case. Kate reminded Philip that Victor’s real will favored Xander. “I know. That’s why I brought in reinforcements,” Philip said. Curious, Kate asked about Philip’s plan. Philip told her about his scheme to use PR to help him with public opinion.

“I see the angle. Prodigal son returns versus interloper with a criminal record. At the very least, Xander will have to make a deal,” Kate said. “I’m not interested in a deal, Mom. I’m the rightful heir to the Kiriakis fortune. Titan was always meant to be mine, and it will be,” Philip argued. Kate wished Philip luck, but she admitted she was concerned about Philip’s history with Stephanie. When Philip assured Kate that the relationship was in the past, Kate mentioned Chloe. Philip groaned.

“The only reason you weren’t in Victor’s will is because of your obsession with Chloe,” Kate argued. “Chloe and I are through. That part of my life is over. We took a stab at it, but couldn’t get back what we once had,” Philip said. Kate argued that Philip was vulnerable. “Stephanie is not interested in me!” Philip yelled. “I know she’s not. She’s interested in Alex. That’s why they split up, because she needed to keep her job. But the feelings are still there,” Kate countered. Philip rolled his eyes.

Kate told Philip that when he had pretended to be dead, it had scarred her. “I am never, ever going to let that happen again,” Kate said. Philip argued that after all his therapy, he believed that he was a changed man. “I promise you, Stephanie and I are not getting back together,” Philip stressed. With a nod, Kate invited Philip to Thanksgiving dinner at the pub.

At the hospital, Maggie asked Kayla about Sarah. “Sarah was just discharged and she went home already. She wanted to surprise you,” Kayla said. Kayla assured Maggie that Sarah’s vital signs were stable and that the best medicine for Sarah was to spend the holiday with her family. Maggie told Kayla that she was grateful for all that Kayla had done to help Sarah walk again. ”I’m just so proud to be part of it,” Kayla said. “What a perfect Thanksgiving!” Maggie said as she hugged Kayla goodbye.

Bonnie was surprised to see Xander and Sarah walk into the Kiriakis living room. “This is a Thanksgiving miracle!” Bonnie yelled. Bonnie held back tears. “Let’s get you upstairs. We have a daughter who has been eagerly waiting for her mum to come back home and on her feet,” Xander said. Bonnie rushed into the kitchen to check on dinner. “I actually think I might cry. Happy tears of course,” Sarah said. “I feel them coming on myself,” Xander said.

In the pub, Justin told Steve he had been thinking about Adrienne. “About how she and Joe and Duke, if he was around, they’d be one of the families who’d be eating one of these meals,” Justin said. “Yeah, they probably would have been,” Steve said. Steve noted that he had been thinking about Adrienne too. “And all the loved ones we’ve lost lately,” Steve said. “It’s definitely going to be a hard Thanksgiving for Chad,” Justin said. Steve asked Justin his thoughts about the release of Cat. Justin admitted he had no idea why the police had cut her loose.

When Maggie arrived home, Bonnie was decked out in an apron. “How wonderful is this Thanksgiving? Sarah home and walking?” Bonnie said as she hugged Maggie. Confused, Maggie asked Bonnie why she was dressed in an apron. Bonnie explained that she had forgotten she had left a poisoned cupcake out, and the cook had eaten it. “Don’t worry! I’ve gotten everything under control,” Bonnie said. Maggie sniffed the air, and she noted that something was burning.

Upstairs, Xander escorted Sarah to their bedroom as she excitedly talked about following Victoria all over the house now that she could walk. “I know that I would’ve had a really good life. I do. If this cure didn’t come around or it didn’t work. Because I’m really lucky. I have you. And I have Victoria and my mom and all of our friends,” Sarah said. With a chuckle, Sarah admitted she was surprised Dr. Rolf had changed their lives forever. “And for the better,” Xander added with a puzzled look.

“I really owe him. Words I thought I would never say. And, of course, Brady. We owe him a lot since he convinced Kristen to hand over the serum,” Sarah said. “That was a feat. But even if he hadn’t pulled it off and even if Philip hadn’t shown up to cause trouble, I was more than ready to give up Titan to get my hands on that serum,” Xander said. Sarah said she knew that. With a grin, Xander noted that since Sarah was healing, he had no intention of handing Titan over to anyone.

“Do you think Philip will still go after Titan?” Sarah asked. “I have no doubt. That spoiled little screw-up will stop at nothing to take what’s rightfully mine,” Xander grumbled. Xander noted that Philip would regret it if he pushed forward with the lawsuit. “Please tell me that you’re not going to go after Philip the way you did Brady,” Sarah asked. “I’ve learned my lesson. I was wrong about Brady, and I apologized to him. And surprisingly, he and I are on pretty good terms now,” Xander confirmed. Xander added that his fight against Philip would take place only in a courtroom.

“I have everything I need right here,” Xander said. As Sarah leaned in to kiss Xander, she sniffed the air, and she noted that she smelled smoke. “I don’t. But I do see a smoking hot wife,” Xander said. “You flirt,” Sarah said before she kissed Xander.

Downstairs, Bonnie apologized to Maggie for the fire she had accidentally set in the kitchen. Bonnie noted that even without a turkey, they could eat the side dishes. “I think you should forget about cooking and just relax and enjoy the holiday,” Maggie suggested. “You don’t trust me,” Bonnie said. Bonnie fought back tears. “It’s gonna be perfect. My daughter is home, she’s walking, and we’re all together,” Maggie said. “You’re right. That’s what is important. So, to hell with turkey! We got each other!” Bonnie said with a grin.

When Kayla arrived at the pub, Steve confirmed that all the food donations were already packed “I’m headed over to St. Luke’s right now,” Justin said. Bonnie called Justin’s phone. “There’s been an incident,” Bonnie said. Justin offered to pick up a pizza on the way home. Kayla overheard Justin, and she told him to invite the family over to the pub to join them for dinner. Justin attempted to decline, but Kayla insisted.

“The Bradys always love a full house, especially on Thanksgiving,” Kayla said. Justin thanked Kayla, and he headed out to drive the food over to the church. Once Justin was gone, Steve said he believed it would be a great day. “A little more crowded than usual, but like I said, I think even more fun,” Kayla said. “I am so thankful for you. Today and every single day of the year,” Steve said. Kayla lamented that Tripp, Wendy, and Joey would not be there for the holiday.

“I’m sure we’re gonna hear from them. I’m sure they must be missing home as much as we’re missing them,” Steve said. “Speaking of missing people, it just reminds me of all the Thanksgivings that I had without you,” Kayla said. Steve groaned, and he asked Kayla not to talk about it. “It’s never gonna happen again. I am never going to be apart from you ever again,” Steve promised.

In the Kiriakis living room, Bonnie told Maggie about the change of plans. “Oh, Kayla, that was so nice of her. But we’ve got to take something,” Maggie said. “But everything we have is either raw or burnt,” Bonnie noted. Bonnie offered to retrieve some wine from the cellar.

Upstairs, Xander and Sarah tore at one another's clothes in their bedroom. “I’m a little worried we shouldn’t,” Xander said. “I know we should,” Sarah countered. Sarah confirmed that Kayla had given her the all clear for sex. “And now it’s time for you to stop talking,” Sarah whispered. Xander grinned and kissed Sarah.

After Xander and Sarah made love, Maggie knocked on the door. Sarah pulled the blankets up, and she sheepishly yelled at Maggie to come inside. Maggie cracked open the door, but she did not look in the room. “Sorry to disturb you. Listen, we just had a little mishap with dinner,” Maggie said.

“I told you I smelled smoke,” Sarah told Xander. Xander playfully snapped his teeth at Sarah. Maggie explained that a minor fire had destroyed dinner but that Kayla had invited the family over to the pub to eat instead. “You feel up to it?” Maggie asked. “Let me rest and see how I’m feeling,” Sarah said with a wink at Xander. Maggie offered to stay behind, but Sarah insisted that Maggie go ahead.

Justin met up with Bonnie in front of the pub as he returned from St. Luke’s. Alex walked up and wished them a Happy Thanksgiving. “I’m so glad you felt up to coming,” Justin said. “Finally started to get my appetite back,” Alex said. Alex asked about the change of venue, and Bonnie admitted she had burned the dinner.

“It turns out it was a blessing in disguise. Because I think breaking bread with our loved ones and friends here at the Brady Pub is the absolute best way to celebrate the spirit of the day,” Justin said. Justin told Alex that he was happy to have his son back in his life. “I’m happy to be back, Dad. I’m grateful you put up with me this past year,” Alex said. “I think a part of me, all evidence to the contrary, knew you were my son. So, of course, I was going to put up with you. I love you. Always have, always will,” Justin said. Alex hugged his father.

Inside the pub, Steve, Kayla, and Stephanie wrapped up a video chat with Joey and Tripp. “I miss those guys,” Kayla said. “But they look happy, right?” Steve countered. Kayla agreed. Kate and Philip entered the pub from the kitchen. “I’m kind of crashing the Brady family meal here. I hope you don’t mind,” Philip said. Kayla told Philip he was welcome to join them.

Justin, Bonnie, and Alex entered the pub through the front door. “Alex!” Stephanie said. “I am here for the Brady Pub Thanksgiving feast,” Alex confirmed. “Hey, cous! Long time,” Philip said. Stephanie shifted with discomfort. As the group started to mingle, Maggie arrived at the pub. “I hope that Sarah is settling in well. Do you think that she and Xander will come join us?” Kayla asked. Maggie said that Sarah was good, but she did not know if she would join them for dinner.

As Stephanie and Alex chatted in the corner, Philip joined them. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I wasn’t about to ruin the Kiriakis family dinner by showing up, but here we all are,” Philip said. “Yeah, unfortunately,” Alex muttered. Stephanie cautioned Alex to show restraint, but he pushed on.

“Not that you care, but Xander’s been through hell this year, as we all have. I took his inheritance from him. Though not on purpose, unlike you. And then there was Sarah’s accident caused by his mother. Now, the last thing this guy needs right now is you showing up from the dead and trying to steal what’s rightfully his,” Alex said. “I wouldn’t say rightfully,” Philip argued. Alex reminded Philip that he had had multiple chances to run the family business but had run away. Alex encouraged Philip to let his claim go. Philip refused.

Xander, Sarah, and Victoria arrived at the pub. “Sarah, my god, you’re walking. The serum worked,” Philip said. Xander confirmed that the serum had cured Sarah. “No thanks to you. In spite of you, in fact,” Xander grumbled. Sarah placed a calming hand on Xander’s chest and suggested that she say hello to everyone.

When dinner was ready, everyone sat down to eat while Kayla said a Thanksgiving prayer. “Though we are missing the loved ones that we lost this year or the loved ones that are far away, they’re right here with us in our hearts. Or if they’re my brother, Roman Brady, they’re right upstairs [recuperating],” Kayla said. Kayla added that they were thankful that Sarah was walking again. “And as always, this year has had its highs and lows. But today is definitely a highlight,” Kayla said.

“And I’d like to say something if I might. I’d like to thank the Bradys for their generous hospitality. I didn’t expect to be spending Thanksgiving with my Kiriakis family, but I’m so glad that I am. So, I’d like to echo what Kayla said. Even though we’ve had our differences, we’re always going to be family,” Philip said. “I’m so glad you said that, Philip,” Maggie said. As everyone smiled at one another, Philip fixed his gaze on Xander.

“And I hope we’ll be able to break bread together in peace and harmony. Even though I’ve kicked Xander here to the curb and replaced him as the head of Titan,” Philip announced. Xander’s smile fell away, and everyone at the table gaped at Philip. “And with that said, Happy Thanksgiving to all,” Philip said.

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