Days of our Lives Recap for Wednesday, November 27, 2024: EJ makes Joy an offer he hopes she can't refuse

At Abe and Paulina’s place, Paulina greeted Chanel, who stopped by to honor a “family tradition.” Chanel pulled two turkey-shaped chocolates from a bag and called them “Big Mama’s treats.” After mother and daughter reminisced about previous Thanksgivings, they updated each other on Abe and Johnny’s conditions. When Paulina learned that Johnny was making a full recovery, she snarked, “What a shame.” Chanel was taken aback.

Paulina let Chanel know how angry she was that Johnny had called her daughter a “cheating slut.” She believed he deserved “a little food poisoning” as payback. Chanel testily informed Paulina that she didn’t need to be reminded of the incident, that Paulina needed to stay out of it, and that she had worked things out with Johnny. Chanel added that she was “completely over” what Johnny had said and had put it behind her.

Paulina was surprised that Chanel had forgiven Johnny so quickly. Chanel explained that Johnny’s brief illness had made her realize how much she loved him and that life was too short to hold onto anger. She reminded Paulina that Johnny was a good person at his core and that he made Chanel laugh, which Paulina had always claimed was important. Further, Chanel and Paulina had made plenty of mistakes and were forgiven for them. She argued that Johnny had not done anything as egregious as cheating on her, so she asked Paulina to give Johnny some grace.

Paulina and Chanel came to a truce about Johnny, and Chanel prepared to leave to join the DiMeras for Thanksgiving. Paulina made her promise to return in time to see Lani, Eli, and the kids.

In Horton Town Square, Joy was on the phone with Nancy and assured her mother that she was fine dining alone for Thanksgiving. She claimed that she couldn’t return home to New York for the holiday because of work. Joy got exasperated with something Nancy said and exclaimed, “Of course I’m staying away from married men!” Just then, Johnny passed by. Joy ended her call with Nancy, and Johnny joined her at the table.

Joy noted that Johnny seemed to be feeling better, and he confirmed that he had gotten sick from the “damn cupcake” he had eaten. Joy brought up how Chanel had mentioned Johnny blurting out Joy’s name in his sleep. Johnny was shocked that Chanel had told Joy but relieved that his lie about the dream seemed to be holding up. Joy reluctantly confessed that she had told someone about Johnny and her.

Johnny was incredulous that Joy had revealed their secret since she had been the one to insist they keep it between them. Joy defended that she had also felt tremendous guilt and needed someone to confide in. Johnny demanded to know who Joy had told. When Joy said it was Alex, Johnny grew even more irate. Joy quickly assured Johnny that Alex had agreed to keep quiet for Chanel’s sake.

Just as Johnny said he hoped Joy was right, Chanel came up to the table. Joy and Johnny made up a story that they’d been talking about apprehending the cupcake culprit. Chanel expressed how relieved she had been that Sweet Bits wasn’t involved. Upon Joy’s inquiry, Chanel referenced the previous incident with the tainted biscuits. She said that she’d been betrayed by someone she considered a friend, which made Joy and Johnny exchange a guilty look.

Johnny told Chanel that they should get going for dinner with his dad. When Chanel realized that Joy would be spending the holiday alone, she invited Joy to join them. Joy initially protested but agreed to the invitation at Chanel’s continued insistence.

At the DiMera mansion, EJ finished a phone conversation with Susan and wished her a “Happy Turkey Day.” He then heard a commotion outside, opened the door, and was met with Gabi's glare. The two exchanged hostile greetings. As Gabi strolled inside, EJ insinuated he’d had the locks changed. Gabi threatened to call Jada if EJ did not allow her to retrieve the rest of her belongings.

As Gabi moved to go upstairs, EJ stopped her and declared that he wanted an apology. He clarified that the apology this time should be for the slap Gabi had given him. Gabi called EJ "swine" and replied that EJ should count himself lucky that she didn’t give him more than a slap. She blamed EJ for “railroading” her into prison and for ending her marriage. EJ shot back that Gabi had played a hand in destroying his marriage to Nicole.

Gabi and EJ continued arguing until a fed-up Gabi pronounced that she didn’t owe EJ anything and that EJ should be apologizing to her. EJ smirked and reminded Gabi that she had “taken a torch” to her own marriage. Gabi said she expected “world-class groveling” from EJ and stomped upstairs. Later, Gabi returned with her belongings. EJ threw a blanket at her as she headed for the door and warned her never to come back.

Gabi yelled that she’d gladly stay away and that she would be relieved if she never had to see EJ’s “miserable face” or the "mausoleum" again. A moment after Gabi left, Johnny, Chanel, and Joy arrived. EJ warmly welcomed them, as Chanel explained that she’d invited Joy because no one should be alone on Thanksgiving. When Chanel and Johnny went to the kitchen to drop off food, EJ offered Joy a drink.

EJ chatted with Joy about her previous time in Salem as he poured the drink. When Joy mentioned that she didn’t remember Salem, EJ remarked that he hoped Joy had gotten her fill of the town. “Because it’s time for you to go,” he casually added. When Joy asked what he meant, EJ confirmed that Johnny had told him about the affair. He reiterated that it was awkward for both Johnny and for him to have Joy around.

Joy offered to leave, but EJ clarified that he didn’t just want Joy to leave his house. He wanted her out of Salem. Joy argued that she couldn’t just leave because she’d signed a contract. EJ was confident that he could get her out of the contract, and he offered her a payoff as well. EJ pressed her for an answer.

Before Joy could respond, Chanel and Johnny returned. As the group began filing into the dining room, EJ pulled Joy aside again and urged her to take the deal. He put on a smile and walked away, leaving a conflicted Joy to mull his offer.

Outside the Brady Pub, Javi called Rafe and informed his cousin that the pub was closed for a family event. Rafe suggested Javi try somewhere else to get the rolls that Gabi had wanted for Thanksgiving dinner. After Javi ended the call, Leo walked up. Javi attempted to leave, but Leo stopped him. Leo apologized again for the way he had treated Javi, but Javi was still unmoved. He referred to hooking up with Leo as a mistake.

Leo admitted he “had a PhD in mistakes,” but he didn’t count Javi as one of them. He talked up their connection. Javi retorted that he’d felt the connection, too, until Leo had turned on him. Javi vowed that he would never let anyone treat him that way and stormed off.

As Leo sat dejectedly on the bench, Alex came outside and explained that he needed to get some air and get away from Stephanie and Philip. Leo and Alex commiserated about their bad Thanksgivings, and Leo cracked that he was “making Debbie Downer seem like a cock-eyed optimist.”

Alex urged Leo to open up about his woes. Leo sighed and muttered that he’d messed things up with “Señor Right.” After Leo filled Alex in on his problems with Javi, Alex suggested that Leo apologize. Leo said he’d already tried but that Javi had literally slammed the door in his face. When Leo began lamenting about the impact of the column on his career, Alex compelled him to uncover the identity of the new Lady Whistleblower.

Alex reminded Leo of the ramifications if the show spoilers were distributed widely. He prodded Leo to get in touch with The Spectator. Leo said he'd tried to contact Chad but had not received a reply. He concurred with Alex that the phony Lady Whistleblower needed to be held accountable. Alex had confidence in Leo’s ability to discover their identity since Leo was the original “sneak.”

Alex got a text from Justin and said he should get back inside. He invited Leo to come with him and have dinner. Leo declined and said he could not be thankful for anything until he had busted the “imposter.”

With rolls in hand, Javi arrived at Rafe’s house to find his cousin preparing a Mexican-inspired Thanksgiving feast. Javi taste-tested the food appreciatively, while Rafe stated that neither Gabi nor Jada was home yet. Javi complained that he’d had another run-in with Leo and proclaimed that Gabi was right to have warned him away from Leo.

Later, Jada joined Rafe and Javi for the meal preparations. She explained that she’d gotten caught up at work with the cupcake poisonings. Rafe cautioned her that the commissioner never truly had a day off, even on holidays. Rafe then surprised Jada by announcing that he’d landed a new job. He revealed that Steve had offered him a position at Black Patch as a field operative.

Jada congratulated Rafe, and Javi and she raised a toast to him. Javi made the celebration awkward when he teased that Jada didn’t have to “feel guilty about stealing your boyfriend’s job anymore.” Rafe smiled and insisted that Jada had nothing to feel guilty about. Javi wondered if Rafe working as a P.I. while Jada worked as the commissioner would cause the couple to clash. He detailed the plot of a telenovela in which a PI and a cop frequently butted heads.

Rafe guessed that the duo had eventually fallen in love. Javi corrected him and announced that the cop had shot and killed the PI. When he observed Rafe and Jada’s expressions, Javi downed his drink and said he doubted the same thing would happen to the couple. Jada sarcastically thanked him for the story.

Later, Gabi arrived for the festivities. Javi heard a knock at the door and went to answer. It was Leo. Javi started to tell Leo he didn’t want to see him, but Leo said that he actually came to see Javi’s cousin Rafe.

Javi let Leo inside. Leo explained that he’d run into Steve, who had told Leo about Rafe’s new job as a PI. Leo wanted to hire Rafe to find Lady Whistleblower.

Full episodes of Days of our Lives can be streamed on Peacock.