Bayview Buddies and Salem Stalkers: Days of our Lives Two Scoops For the Week of December 1, 2025

As Salem and Days of our Lives recovered from Thanksgiving, Marlena recovered from Lyme Disease, EJ recovered some memories, Chad recovered from an apparent knock to the noggin, and Sophia seems to have recovered from catatonia. That won't help Rachel recover at all. Oh, and Stephanie has a stalker. Again. Le sigh. And let's dig in.

Brady's heart breaks

Who did not cry right along with Brady as he left Rachel at Bayview? We have seen a lot of characters get checked into Bayview over the decades, but this is the first time we have seen a child go there.

And as an aside, Alice Halsey is quite a find. We absolutely adored Finley Rose Slater and were not sure what to think when she was replaced. We also asked why she was replaced. But Halsey has risen to the occasion and then some, playing a different kind of Rachel. Yes, she is still Kristen DiMera's daughter through and through, but she is also Brady Black's daughter, and with Halsey, that shines through.

Brady, be nice

While we felt bad for Brady when he was forced to leave Rachel's room and we understood his initial anger at learning that Marlena knew about Rachel's crime for months and never said anything, but his continued anger was a little uncalled for.

If you originally didn't want to tell your mother about something disturbing because she was an older woman in the hospital with a medical condition, how can you justify staying angry with her when she never meant harm and thought she was doing the right thing?

Brady needs to think long and hard about what he is doing to Marlena. He is not only angry at her and refusing to speak to her, but he is also moving out of her place and in with Maggie and Sarah. That should get interesting indeed.

Surprise, Rachel...

There had been some rumblings in the fandom that Sophia had been faking her catatonia and mutism, but it turns out that is only partly true. If she is not telling more tall tales to Rachel, then it seems that Bayview did Sophia some good at least. It brought her out of her catatonic state, but it didn't make her any less disturbed or manipulative.

Sophia is now the one in the know on Bayview's adolescent ward. Of course, we are still not sure what she is in the adolescent ward when she is 18 and legally an adult. Plot point, we guess?

Anyway, we think we are going to thoroughly enjoy the mischief and mayhem that Rachel and Sophia can cause in Bayview. We also expect it to continue on the outside. Rachel and Sophia won't be in Bayview forever, but the bond they seem to be forming while there might last forever. Watch out, Salem, because nobody will be safe with these two on the loose. (Meaning, watch out, Johnny and Chanel. Perfect parenthood with Trey may not be on the agenda.)

Cat's look, EJ's fascination

Before we discuss Cat's little plot, let's talk about that red lipstick. Honestly, it was just a little too red and did not fit her character at all. And that outfit? The white dress with the black wool coat that resembled a cape had us thinking she was some modern-day version of Florence Nightingale. She just needed a little cap.

And maybe that was the point? Cat seemed to be purposely trying to jog EJ's memory. Surely, she didn't utter that line from Wuthering Heights by accident while in tears. Cat is an ISA agent and knows how to play games. She might not be a field agent, but she is starting to figure things out and had to know saying those words would give her just what she wanted.

Too bad that there is chemistry between Cat and EJ that we did not see between Cat and Chad. With Cat trying to bring EJ down, we can't be sure that Days of our Lives will choose to capitalize on it. Then again. DAYS can barely capitalize on any chemistry because by the time good potential couples air, the show is filming scenes for next year. Audience reaction means nothing when it comes to DAYS.

Custody and crypts on Days of our Lives

Cat was broken up about Chad's disappearance and the way he treated her when she shed some tears for EJ. And now even EJ is a little concerned about where Chad disappeared to when he was supposed to be fighting for custody of his kids. Or at least we think he is and is not responsible for Chad's disappearance.

The milkshake to make Thomas happy and comfortable was a nice touch that we'd like to believe was genuine and EJ really did intend for Chad to retain custody. But alas, Chad is gone. As are Tony and Kristen. A coincidence? Not. Especially since all three are hangin' in the DiMera crypt. But at least Jennifer decided to be somewhat decent and not proceed with the custody hearing without Thomas and Charlotte's father there. How altruistic of her.

Rinse, repeat with Stephanie

How many more times can we see a shadowy figure lurk behind Stephanie and follow her, only to turn out to be someone from Stephanie's very eventful past? And how do TPTB not realize they keep repeating the same essential storyline for Stephanie?

Between Bobby/Everett, Jeremy Horton, and now we assume Owen, this is getting old. And the Jeremy stuff was just this fall. So, twice in the same season. That's really pushing it, DAYS. Please let this stalker story be a little more interesting than the last two.

Well, the Bobby/Everett plot actually was interesting, and we'll never figure out why the show nipped it in the bud before we ever really learned more about a new, fascinating character. The whole thing turned out to be pointless, so hopefully this story won't end the same.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock.