Days of our Lives Recap for November 29, 2024: The Hortons mourn Doug's passing

In Marlena’s office, Kayla asked Marlena why she was not with John. Marlena explained that the ISA had called John away on a case. “I’m not sure where [John] is or how long he’ll be gone,” Marlena said.

When Sarah walked into the Kiriakis living room, Maggie was staring at Victor’s portrait. “I know you miss him so much,” Sarah said. “This time of year, we just feel so much for the ones that we love. The ones that we lost,” Maggie said. Maggie said that Victor would want her to focus on the blessings in her life. “Maybe we could drop by [the Horton house] for dessert. It would be nice to see everyone,” Maggie said. Sarah agreed.

“I really do have a lot of great memories of spending Thanksgiving with Dad’s side of the family,” Sarah said. With a grin, Sarah noted that sometimes they had been lucky enough to hear Doug sing. “Maybe Doug will put in a performance tonight?” Maggie said.

In the Price home, Paulina asked Lani about DC. “We’ve really adjusted our lives there. We’ve made some good friends,” Lani said. “Well, you and your husband have made it very clear that you have no interest in moving back,” Paulina said. Lani stressed that she and Eli still planned to move back to Salem in the future.

When Paulina noted that she and Julie were eager to have their grandchildren closer to home, Lani said that was why Eli had prioritized a visit to see Julie. “You know, he may not have grown up with the Hortons, but they have grown so close over the years,” Lani said. “I just think it is so sweet the way he dotes on Julie,” Paulina said. With a nod, Lani noted that Doug and Julie had gone “above and beyond” to welcome Eli into the family.

In the Horton dining room, Jennifer told Eli that JJ and Chad had been called away. “That’s too bad. I know grandma was definitely looking forward to having a full house,” Eli said. “Maybe you could just stay and have a few bites before you have to go to Abe and Paulina’s,” Jennifer suggested. Eli joked that he did not think Julie would give him a choice in the matter.

“You know your grandma loves you so much and she misses you and Lani and the twins,” Jennifer said. “The feeling is mutual. I mean, Doug and Julie, they’re not only my two favorite people, they’re family. I’m definitely looking forward to spending some quality time with them,” Eli said.

In the living room, a somber Jack returned from Doug’s room. As Julie proudly held up her grandmother’s candlesticks, she asked, “Where’s Doug? Did you wake him up?” “I tried. Julie, I’m so sorry,” Jack said. Julie cried out. Jack swiftly gathered Julie in his arms. “He can’t be gone,” Julie whispered. Jack whispered an apology.

“Did you take his pulse? Are you certain?” Julie asked. Jack said he was certain. Julie turned away, and Jack hugged her. “What can I do? Can I do anything?” Jack asked. Julie asked Jack to tell everyone in the dining room. After Jack rushed out, Julie broke down into tears and collapsed into Doug’s chair.

Jack stumbled into the dining room as Eli and Jennifer chatted. “The kids said they need three more minutes to finish their board games. I hope you had better luck with Doug,” Jennifer said. Jack averted his eyes. Jennifer asked what was wrong.

In the living room, a heartbroken Julie stared into the distance. Eli walked in and he squatted beside Julie. “What can I do?” Eli asked. “Just be with me,” Julie whispered. Eli held Julie in silence.

In the dining room, Jack hugged Jennifer. “I feel so sad for Julie. I feel so sad for our family,” Jennifer said. “Doug was just so full of love, joy, kindness, life. I think the world’s gonna be a lot dimmer without him in it,” Jack said. Jennifer noted that they were usually with Doug whenever she called the house to talk to Thomas and Charlotte. “They adore him,” Jack agreed. Jennifer asked Jack to take the kids to Maggie’s house.

“I can tell [Maggie] what’s happening. And I can talk to Kayla, and she can make sure that somebody comes here to take care of Doug,” Jack said. Jennifer fought tears as she said that she would make phone calls to the family. While Jack went to retrieve the kids, Jennifer called Hope. Jennifer told Hope that Doug had passed in his sleep. Hope was quiet for a moment as she processed the news.

After Hope sniffled back tears, she asked about Julie. “Eli is with her,” Jennifer said. “Thank god you’re there. I should be there,” Hope stammered. “We are going to take care of her in the meantime,” Jennifer promised. “I know you will,” Hope whispered. Hope lamented that she had not made more time to travel home.

“Your father understood. He knew you needed to be close to Bo,” Jennifer said. Hope teared up. “I didn’t get to say goodbye. I didn’t tell him how much I love him. How much he meant to me,” Hope said. Jennifer stressed that Doug knew how much Hope loved him. Hope asked about Julie again.

“[Julie] is a really strong woman. And she has her family all around her. But are you going to be okay?” Jennifer said. Hope noted that Shawn would be home soon. “Give Julie a really big hug. Tell her it’s from me. Tell her how much I love her. I’ll be home soon,” Hope said.

After the call ended, Hope broke down in tears. “Oh, Daddy,” Hope whispered. Hope thought about when Doug and Julie had thrown her an eighteenth birthday party and had given her a gold watch. Doug had said, “I love you, baby. Always remember that.” Hope had noted that she was no longer a baby. “You’re always going to be my baby,” Doug had countered. Doug had wished Hope a happy life.

“You’re going to take with you several blessings. Your health, a terrific brain, beauty, and our wealth too. And one additional thing; always know that you’re loved and cherished just the same way you were on the day you were born,” Doug had said. Hope wept over the memory. Shawn returned home, and she told him about Doug’s death. Shawn hugged his mother, and he noted that he had loved Doug very much.

“I know you did, sweetheart. He loved you, too, very much. He was proud of you before you were even born,” Hope said. As Hope hugged Shawn, she thought about when she had been pregnant with him. Doug had explained that he had fretted over the perfect present, and he had realized the perfect gift was at home. Hope had opened the box and saw a baby blanket.

“When your mother was pregnant with you, she got it into her head that all mothers are supposed to knit little things for their babies. Now, Addy did not know the eye of a needle from the eye of a potato, but that didn’t stop her. It took her six months, working every day, to turn out this beautiful little blanket for your crib,” Doug had said. Hope had clutched the blanket to her chest.

“You see, you would hold it close, just like you’re doing now, and never let it go. So I figured that maybe your baby would like it too,” Doug had said. “I love it. And I love you too,” Hope had said as she hugged her father. As Hope sighed at the memory, she told Shawn that his grandfathers had been so proud when they had learned that Shawn Douglas had been named after them.

“[Doug] went on and on saying how honored he was. And you know what? He was convinced that you were going to play the piano,” Hope said with a chuckle. “I was never as good as Grandpa. He was probably disappointed that I didn’t keep up with it,” Shawn said. Hope shook her head no, and she said that Doug had always been proud of Shawn.

After Shawn left to make tea, Hope thought about a memory of her and Doug together at a piano. “I love you so much. I’m so glad I have you here to lean on,” Hope had said. “Want to talk about it?” Doug had asked. Hope had said she wanted to sit with Doug and listen to him play the piano. “You were always there when I needed you, Daddy. Always,” Hope said. Shawn returned with the tea.

“Is there anything else I can get you?” Shawn asked. Hope announced that she was going to see Bo. Shawn started to say that Hope had spent the whole night with Bo, but he stopped himself. “If that’s what you need, I’ll go with you,” Shawn said. Hope asked to go alone. “I’ll be back soon,” Hope said. “I love you,” Shawn said. With a sad smile, Hope hugged Shawn and told him that she loved him too.

At the rehab facility, Hope sat at Bo’s bedside and told him about Doug’s death. “I think I was in denial this day would ever come. Now that it’s here, I don’t know what to do,” Hope said. Hope sniffled back tears. “[Doug] always made me feel safe and so loved. So loved. The only other person who has ever made me feel that way is you, and I really need you, Brady,” Hope said. Bo’s thumb caressed Hope’s hand. “Bo?” Hope said.

In the Horton dining room, Jennifer thought about when Doug and Julie had given her advice about reuniting with Jack. “Darling, I don’t doubt the fact that you love Jack. Not at all. I’m just saying that when you have had a yen for a guy, and it’s over, there still are times when you think about him,” Julie had advised. “Don’t be offended, sweetheart. Julie has romantic ideas about every guy that she ever cared for. I would be jealous except for the fact that I’m the one that goes home with her every night,” Doug had said. Julie had grabbed Doug and kissed him.

At the hospital, Kayla was still in Marlena’s office when Jack called to tell her the news. “What did Jack say?” Marlena asked with concern. “Doug passed away,” Kayla said. After Kayla made arrangements for Doug, Marlena said, “My heart is breaking for Julie. She and Doug loved each other for over 50 years. This has to turn her world upside down.” Kayla said she was heartbroken for Hope. “When really, moments after my pop died, Hope was there comforting me. I just wish I could do that for her right now,” Kayla said.

Jack returned to the Horton living room to update Julie and Eli. “[Kayla] is sending an ambulance for Doug,” Jack said. “I want to see him,” Julie said. “I’ll give you all the time you need,” Jack said. Eli offered Julie his hand, and they climbed the stairs together.

Julie stopped in the bedroom doorway as she saw her beloved husband’s body lying in the bed. “How beautiful he is. Like an angel,” Julie said. “You want me to give you some privacy?” Eli asked. Julie said yes. Eli kissed Julie’s cheek, and he left. After a moment, Julie went over to the bed and sat beside Doug.

“My darling. I’m here. Julie’s right here. We both knew this day would come. Just not so soon. I love you so much. You’re my whole world, you know? Do you know how much I love you? The way you looked at me, the look of love. Your voice. The way that we laid beside each other in the night. A lifetime. A lifetime of love with our arms around each other. Not enough. Never enough. You loved me so. That love is my strength. How can I go on without you?” Julie said. Julie fought back tears, and she brushed the hair on Doug’s head.

“I don’t know how to say goodbye to you. I never did,” Julie said. Julie thought back to when she and Doug first met and made plans for a picnic at the beach. Julie kissed Doug’s hand.

As Eli stared at the photos of Doug in the living room, Lani called. Eli told Lani about Doug’s death, and she rushed over to join him. When Lani arrived, Eli thanked Lani for joining him. “I have to be here for you and Julie. Where is she?” Lani asked. Eli noted that Julie was upstairs with Doug. Lani asked what she could do for Julie.

“Just us being with her right now is all she needs,” Eli said. Eli told Lani that he had spoken to his half-brother Scotty so that Julie would not have to make the call. “Doug and Julie. They were the perfect couple. So in love. I can’t imagine one without the other,” Lani said. “Me either,” Eli whispered.

In the Kiriakis living room, Jack apologized for having arrived unannounced as Maggie and Sarah chatted. After Jack explained the situation to Maggie and left the kids at the Kiriakis mansion, he returned to the Horton house dining room to check on Jennifer. “How did things go with Hope?” Jack asked. “She’s heartbroken, obviously. Jack, I just wanted to reach through the phone and hug her. But Shawn is there,” Jennifer said.

In the Kiriakis mansion, Maggie flipped through a family photo album. Maggie thought about when she and Doug had danced together. A tear spilled down her cheek at the memory. Sarah returned to the living room to check on her mother. “I was thinking about how many years ago when Doug and I bonded over putting together a variety show. It was a fundraiser for the hospital. Oh, he was so talented. He was just a natural. A natural entertainer,” Maggie said. Sarah agreed.

“And effortlessly charming. I could see why Julie fell head over heels for him,” Sarah said. Maggie turned and looked at Victor’s portrait. “I know what Julie is going through right now,” Maggie said. Maggie sniffled back tears, and she announced that she was going to the Horton house. “I need to be there for her,” Maggie said.

At the Horton house, Julie continued to hold Doug’s hand. Kayla gently knocked on the door. “Thank you for coming,” Julie said. Kayla sat next to Julie and hugged her. “It was such an honor to know Doug. We all loved him. And we love you so much, and we are here for you. Whatever you need,” Kayla said. “I suppose it means my time is up,” Julie whispered. Kayla stressed that there was no rush

“I don’t want to leave. Kayla, if I had been the one that came up and tried to wake him, it would have made a difference,” Julie stammered. Kayla assured Julie that it would not have mattered. “It was just his time to go,” Kayla said. Julie took a deep breath, and she said goodbye to Doug. “I will love you forever,” Julie said. Julie kissed Doug’s hand, and she walked out with Kayla.

Eli was anxious to check on Julie, but Lani advised him to wait a little longer. Jack and Jennifer joined them. Jack announced that they planned to set out dinner. “We just figured the food shouldn’t go to waste,” Jennifer said. Kayla and Julie walked into the living room, and Julie smiled when she saw Lani. “Doug was a great man. And he was a beautiful person in every way,” Lani said. Julie nodded in agreement.

Eli carried the turkey that Doug had prepared into the dining room, and Jack thanked him. “Although I’m guessing people are going to have much of an appetite,” Eli said. “You know, Doug was always so good at raising everyone’s spirits. In his honor, I say we take up the mantle,” Jack said. Jack poured two glasses of wine. “Just don’t ask me to sing,” Eli joked. Jack chuckled. “To Doug! A true gentleman of a bygone era. His kindness, charisma, his joy of life, touched everyone he ever met. And we’re all better for it. He will live on forever in our hearts and in our minds,” Jack said. “To Doug,” Eli added.

In the living room, Lani and Jennifer flanked Julie on the couch. Julie thanked Jennifer for having called Hope. “I’ll call her when I can,” Julie said. “There’s no rush. Shawn is there,” Jennifer assured Julie. Kayla returned to inform Julie that the ambulance had left. Maggie and Sarah arrived. Julie jumped to her feet and hugged Maggie.

“Doug loved you so much. I hope you know that,” Julie said. “And that made me very lucky. We’re all lucky to have known your wonderful husband. He was one of a kind. And he will be greatly missed,” Maggie said. Sarah gave her condolences. Paulina arrived, and Julie hugged her.

“Your husband, Julie, he was the best in all of us. Kind, generous, with the biggest heart, and that most endearing smile. I was so fond of him,” Paulina said. “He was fond of you, darling. He admired your spirit and your style,” Julie said. Marlena arrived. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else right now. Nowhere else. And I want to remind you that you and Doug, your love and your devotion were, are, an inspiration to us all. They will be forever,” Marlena said. Julie thanked Marlena.

“We’re all going to be here for you. All of us. Every single one of us,” Jennifer said. Julie looked around the room and smiled at everyone through her tears. “My family, you, my friends, I thank you for being here, for showing me so much love and support. And it means the world to me,” Julie said.

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