Days of our Lives Recap for Thursday, December 5, 2024: Hope comes home, and Shawn bonds with Phillip

In Horton Square, Lucas and Ciara didn’t understand how Leo spent five minutes with Steven, and he was an expert on the guy. Ciara wondered if Leo was right, and they accused the wrong person of stealing Alicee’s necklace. Lucas said that Leo and Steven were both con artists and shouldn’t be believed. Lucas thought it was obvious that Steven had taken the necklace. “Who else would do something so shady on the day we say goodbye to Doug?” Lucas asked.

At the pub, Phillip told Shawn Douglas that he was sorry about his grandfather. Phillip noted Shawn was drinking a beer and warned him that getting hammered wouldn’t make the grief go away. Phillip was relieved when Shawn told him it was a non-alcoholic beer. Philip was relieved for Belle’s sake as well, but Shawn noted it was no longer her problem as they were getting divorced.

Phillip thought Shawna and Belle always found their way back to one another, but Shawn was sure it was final this time. Phillip shared that things didn’t work out with Chloe either, but he had more pressing issues to deal with, like reclaiming his birthright.

Shawn told Phillip he was glad that he was going after Titan and hoped he got it. Shawn told him that they never saw eye to eye but he grew up watching Victor groom him to run the company. Phillip knew that Xander had no conscience and would go after him with everything he had. He shared that he had Stephanie as his secret weapon.

Shawn thought that Phillip needed more than good press. He thought working closely with Steph would get messy, but Phillip said they agreed to stay professional. Shawn got a text from Ciara, letting him know Hope was in town. Before Shawn left, Phillip reiterated that he was sorry about Shawn and Belle. Shawn thanked him but thought it was time to see who they were as separate people.

Marlena sat with Belle and gently asked how he talk with Shawn went. Belle admitted that her marriage was over but said she had been feeling the same way as Shawn for a while. Belle explained that she would always love Shawn but the feelings weren’t there for either of them anymore. “I think our marriage has been over for a while,” Belle added.

Marlena told Belle she was proud of her for being so strong. Belle cried, sad as she had loved Shawn her whole life and assumed they’d be together forever. “Who knew when I went to law school that I’d end up drawing up my own divorce papers one day?” Belle mused. Marlena thought of something to cheer up Belle and told her she’d be right back.

Marlena returned with “Dr. Evans’ patented heartbreak cure:” chocolate chip cookies and Rocky Road ice cream. They laughed as Marlena told her to dig in. They decided to watch a romantic movie together.

Marlena said that she spoke with Shane earlier, and he was going to try to get her in touch with John. She wanted to check back in with him and left to make a call. While Marlena was gone, Belle called Claire to break the news that her parents were getting a divorce.

At her office, Stephanie talked to a Daily Confidential rep on a phone call and promised an exclusive, shirtless interview with Alex Kiriakis in exchange for not running the spoilers. Xander came into her office and told her he needed her to stop the propaganda machine she was doing on behalf of Phillip.

Xander said he’d been following the biased puff pieces against Xander. Stephanie brought up Victor’s letter, wanting Titan to go to Phillip. Xander worried that the court of public opinion mattered and wanted Steph to start spinning it in his direction instead. He offered to pay her double what Phillip was paying her.

Stephanie said it was tempting, but she would pass on his offer. She said she had committed to Phillip and would stick to it. Xnader wondered if she wanted back in Phillip’s bed. He said he wouldn’t blame her for thinking she could be queen of Titan by getting back together with Phillip. Steph told Xander her dad taught her how to deal with misogynistic windbags like him. She suggested he left while his reproductive organs were still intact. Before leaving, Xander warned Stephanie that Phillip would use her to get what he wanted.

Phillip arrived at Stephanie’s office and noted she seemed tense. She told him that Xander had just darkened her doorstep. Steph relayed everything Xander offered and how he accused her of being a golddigger who sleeps with every guy she works with. Phillip laughed that Xander was a jackass. Steph said that after Xander’s visit, she was more determined than ever to help him win Titan, if for no other reason than to wipe that condescending grin off of Xander’s face.

At the Horton’s, Doug looked at the family pictures on the mantel while he played with Alice’s necklace in his hand. Hope came in looking for Julie but stopped when she saw Doug. “Who are you?” she asked. Doug told her his name and Hope was immediately upset. “How dare you? My father is Doug Williams. You are not Doug Williams,” Hope said.

Julie interrupted and hugged Hope. Julie was relieved to see Hope, but she wanted to know who this new Doug Williams was. “This is your father’s grandson — our new nephew!” Julie explained. Hope loosely remembered Doug saying he had a baby through IVF. Doug explained why his name was Williams instead of Leclerc.

Julie thought it was wonderful that Doug showed up just as they were grieving, but Hope seemed doubtful. “I’m very happy to be around family,” Doug told them. Julie remembered to tell Hope that Ciara opened the time capsule. Julie wanted to share the contents, all the mementos, and the necklace. Hope said she wanted to see it all, but first, she wanted to see her daddy.

While Hope was gone to Doug’s gravesite, Julie updated Doug about Bo. When Lucas and Ciara came in, Julie introduced them to Doug and explained how he was related. Ciara wondered if Shawn knew about Doug yet and Julie said that he didn’t. Lucas noted that he had a lot of new family members to get to know. Doug quipped that he needed a flow chart to remember all the names. Lucas started to tell Julie about the missing necklace, but Doug interrupted to ask if he could get some food.

Once alone, Doug asked Lucas and Ciara if they were about to tell Julie about the missing necklace. He explained that Jennifer and Marie said it would be better if Julie didn’t find out yet. Ciara agreed that it could be devastating for Julie to find out that her brother stole from her the same day she buried Doug. Doug and Julie chatted with Ciara and Lucas as he ate. Ciara got a text from Shawn, and she had to leave to meet him. She told Doug it was nice to meet him and welcomed him to the family.

At Doug’s grave, Hope cried and talked to her dad. She told him she was sorry she didn’t get there sooner. She sobbed that she missed him already and regretted never being able to hug him again. Jennifer came up and touched Hope’s shoulder. When she looked up and saw her, they hugged as Hope cried.

Jen and Hope caught up and she asked how Steven was doing as she hadn’t seen him in a long time. Hope said she was torn as she wanted to be there for Julie but was terrified that Bo would wake up if she was gone. Jennifer assured her that everyone understood and that if anyone would have understood moving heaven and earth for the person you love, it was Doug.

Jennifer thought it was unbelievable that Doug showed up just before the funeral. “Yeah, that’s one word for it,” Hope said. She told Jennifer that there was something about Doug that she didn’t trust. She wondered if anyone had even called Charles and checked him out. Jennifer understood that she had the same feeling about fake Abigail. Hope thought it would be great if someone kept an eye on Doug after she went back to Bo. Jennifer knew she meant her, and she agreed.

Jennifer had to go, but Hope wanted to stay at Doug’s grave for a little longer. She talked to him about how he would always make her feel better by holding her hand. “What if we held your hand?” Shawn asked behind her. She turned to see Shawn and Ciara. They told her they knew how hard it must have been to leave Bo’s beside. “Very. Today is about your grandpa. He loved you both so much,” Hope cried. The three shared a tender moment and hugged.

Jennifer returned to the house and joined Lucas and Julie in the living room, talking to Doug. They were filling him in about the time that Julie got high on pot brownies. Jen had a flashback to Hope saying she didn’t feel right about Doug. She ate the donut he offered but munched on it with a concerned look.

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