Days of Our Lives Recap: Thursday, December 21 – Paulina’s Throat Lump – Holly’s Drinking Binge – Johnny’s Confession

Days of Our Lives (DOOL) spoilers recap for Thursday, December 21, reveals that Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) was tired and hoarse after recording her mayoral podcast. It seemed like Paulina was struggling to swallow and talk, so she sat down with Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) and got something to drink in the town square.

Chanel ultimately noticed a lump on Paulina’s throat, which Paulina downplayed as a swollen gland. Although Paulina vowed to make an appointment with her regular doctor in the new year, Chanel insisted on taking her mom to the hospital right away.

At the DiMera mansion, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) was stuck celebrating Christmas Eve and her birthday alone since everyone else had somewhere to be.

Once Johnny came along and realized it was Holly’s birthday, he had a cake sent over and prepared to have some with her.

However, Johnny quickly changed his plans when Chanel called to reveal that Paulina was sick and getting checked out at the hospital.

After Johnny headed right over, Holly decided to help herself to the scotch at the mini bar. Once Holly got tipsy, she composed a lengthy text about Johnny being her soulmate, but then she decided not to send it.

Holly continued to drink and decided Johnny didn’t care about her or else he would’ve stayed.

At the hospital on Thursday’s Days episode, Johnny threw the DiMera name around and got Paulina to the exam room sooner than expected.

Johnny knew it wasn’t fun being in the hospital during the holidays, so Chanel realized he spoke from experience.

That led to Johnny opening up about having retinoblastoma as a kid and having surgery this time of year.

Holly eventually called Johnny to berate him for bailing on her, so she slurred her words a bit and said nobody cared. Johnny assured Holly that he cared and realized she’d been drinking.

After Holly broke a glass, Johnny gave Chanel updates on the crisis happening at home, so she pushed him to go help Holly.

Once Johnny made it back, he found Holly conked out on the sofa and covered her up. Johnny checked in with Chanel again over the phone soon after.

At the pub on Thursday’s Days episode, Kate Roberts Brady (Lauren Koslow) had a heavenly-themed menu to celebrate her return from the great beyond along with Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and Kayla Johnson’s (Mary Beth Evans) earthly comebacks.

Roman Brady (Josh Taylor, John Black (Drake Hogestyn) and Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) also attended the gathering, where they reminisced about the past.

John reflected on Steve finding him when he was wandering around and all covered in bandages.

Although John was considered a dangerous, highly-sought-after asset at the time, Steve thought he looked more like a lost puppy.

On Thursday’s Days episode, Marlena and John also flashed back to when he gave her the charm bracelet that she still cherishes to this day.

When Kate realized her ring was missing, John found it in his drink and gave it back to her. Kate and Roman remembered their bedside marriage ceremony as they celebrated their love.

Kayla thought back on a time when she dressed as Santa as a sneaky way to see her family for Christmas. Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston) was ruthless and had left Kayla fearful at the time.

John reflected on the transformation of his relationship with Victor over the years and said Victor took the secrets of his past to his grave.

Although John was grateful to have those secrets stay buried, DOOL offered the perfect setup for major revelations to come out down the road.

Days of Our Lives spoilers say John’s forgotten memories will be explored sooner or later, so stay tuned for all the wild news ahead.