Days of our Lives Recap Dec 22: The kidnapper is revealed, Brady visits Marlena

In the Days of our Lives recap for Monday, December 22, 2025, the kidnapper is revealed, Belle reveals a secret to Brady, and Paulina has plans for EJ.

Days of our Lives Recap

Tate met Holly in the square and told her that he couldn’t go to Paris because his dad was so upset about Rachel. When she suggested he come meet her after Christmas, he told her there was another reason — he was on academic probation. He said he used his Paris money for two more courses to help his GPA.

After ruling out their own homes to go to for some private time, Tate and Holly got a room at the inn. There, Holly suggested Tate unwrap his present, and she could do the same with hers. After they made love, Tate and Holly canoodled and told each other they loved one another – in French.

Paulina visited Marlena and told her she knew about Rachel and that the prison system was no place for a child. That said, she couldn’t play favorites for friends and family when it came to the law.

Belle went to see Brady, who was torn up about Rachel being in Bayview for the holidays with a skeleton crew, and no one was returning his call. When Belle brought up Marlena, he saw red. Belle asked him to consider that Marlena is merely a human who made a mistake.

Brady wasn’t pleased when Belle also asked him to think of how John would feel, knowing that he was turning his back on Marlena at this time. But she poured the salt in the wound when she revealed that Marlena didn’t keep the secret alone — she did it with Kristen.

Belle explained that Kristen made a huge sacrifice, and Marlena felt like she had to go along with it. She knew that Rachel wasn’t ready to deal with what happened and told all of it to Belle in confidence. Brady thanked Belle for telling him.

In the crypt, Kristen’s fever hit an all-time high, and Tony had lots of questions for Peter, who was more concerned with telling off EJ. Peter asked Chad how he could forgive him for going to bed with Abigail. “I haven’t,” Chad said, holding an unconscious Kristen. 

EJ was surprised, calling it ancient history, but Chad said it was forever emblazoned in his brain. Tony intervened, suggesting it wasn’t a time to turn on one another. Kristen came to, as EJ asked Peter why he hated him so much. Peter said it was because EJ was his father’s son — and he was the reason they were there.

Peter told Theo that EJ didn’t want him to be CEO and wanted Johnny in the position instead. Peter implied that EJ was behind the kidnappings, wanting them all out of the way. Kristen pointed out that there was someone else who would stand to gain by their demise: Peter.

Kristen attacked Peter’s character, recalling how he would cheat at chess, and Stefano would never believe he was capable of wrongdoing. She accused Peter of being the kidnapper. Theo agreed, noting that Peter just showed up after all these years with a bunch of petty grievances and had clearly been keeping track of their personal lives. “It’s him!” Theo accused.

Theo surmised that the kidnapper had taken their phones. If Peter were a victim, he would be missing. Theo demanded that Peter empty his pockets. EJ agreed and said if he didn’t, they’d empty them for him. 

As Theo moved towards Peter, he sent him flying back, knocking him unconscious as his head landed on a metal vase. Peter pulled out a vial from his pocket and admitted he was the kidnapper. “I didn’t mean to reveal myself so soon, but the end is the same…it doesn’t matter,” Peter told them. 

Chad asked what was in the vial that Peter was holding out. Peter said it was sarin gas, and if they made one step towards him, he’d open it and they’d all be dead.

Brady went to see Marlena and told her he understood why she’d kept the secret from him. He apologized for keeping her and Rachel apart and asked if she was up for a visit. “We’re very blessed to have you in our lives,” Brady added.

Marlena and Brady both noted yet blamed themselves for not admitting Rachel’s signs of mental illness earlier, especially as it ran in her family. Marlena promised to be there for Rachel every step of the way. She held hope for change with all the love and support that Rachel would receive.

Marlena suggested that Rachel would need continuity when she got out of the hospital and asked Brady to move home. He told her he appreciated it, but said it was time for him to get his own place. He agreed to come back for Christmas, but wished he could bring Rachel with him. Marlena suggested they take Christmas to Rachel.

Belle saw Paulina in her office, who told her she didn’t have an update about the missing DiMeras yet. They exchanged some banter about whether they couldn’t care less if EJ was found. Paulina said there probably wouldn’t be criminal charges for EJ’s ignorance at the hospital, but she had other ideas for punishing him. Paulina wanted Marlena to sue EJ for negligence, expose what he was doing in the lab, and replace him as the hospital’s chief.