DAYS Recap: Nurse Whitley Claimed A Second Victim

In the Days of our Lives recap for July 17, 2023, nutty Nurse King added to her menagerie of drugged hostages.

Days of our Lives Recap Highlights

In addition, a stressed-out Paulina (Jackée Harry) read a well-meaning Rafe (Galen Gering) for filth, Steve (Stephen Nichols) and John (Drake Hogestyn) got a clue, and mini-Kristen Rachel (Finley Rose Slater) sicced the authorities on her daddy. Now, let’s dig a little deeper into what exactly happened.

Days of our Lives Recap: Winner’s Circle

Try as she might — and boy did she give it the old college try — Lani (Sal Stowers) couldn’t quite get it through Abe’s (James Reynolds) addled brain that he was in serious danger…or that she was his daughter, or that the woman calling herself Paulina was, in actuality, a woman named Whitley (Kim Coles). “Do you watch Body and Soul,” inquired Abe before adding, “This could be one of their stories.”

Opposite the Abbott & Costello-esque routine, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) came upon Whitley talking to the air. Something about putting herself first. What was that all about? Whitley announced that she was putting in her two-week notice [which she expected to be covered by a plethora of banked vacation days] and had no plans to ever return to the hospital.

And, why is that? Kayla asked. It does all seem a bit sudden. Whitley claimed that things are different, that they’ve changed how she feels about her adopted hometown — and it all began when Mayor Carver died. But it’s not all because of Abe. No. But Abe’s disappearance and death [or “death” as the case very much is] are a metaphor for how the whole town is ailing.

With that, Whitley pulled Kayla into a not at all appreciated hug and took her leave. Minutes later, she was back in her apartment confronting a fit-to-be-tied Lani. Whitley begged Lani to let her and Abe be, but her words fell on deaf ears. In response, Whitley dosed Lani with the same sedative she’s been using to keep Abe in line. And just like that, Abe suddenly began to give consideration to Lani’s words of warning.

DAYS Recap: One-Man Band

Despite no longer having a badge, or a gun, or a job, Rafe (Galen Gering) took it upon himself to collect and escort Lani back to her jail cell [because apparently Salem is a hop, skip, and a jump from D.C.]. The problem? Lani is nowhere to be found. And Paulina has no idea where her errant daughter has gone.

Rafe floated the idea that she’d gone to say goodbye to someone before she left, but Paulina blanched. She’s already said farewell to everyone that mattered. The two returned to the last place Lani was seen — Abe’s graveside — but no dice.

When Rafe made the mistake of promising Paulina that he’d find Abe, he was sharpishly reminded that his efforts to find Abe proved fruitless. And what’s more, he’d probably have succeeded in his efforts if he hadn’t been sneaking around with Jada (Elia Cantu). Had his focus not been divided, he could have done his job.

With that rebuke, Paulina worked herself up into another panic attack, and Rafe escorted her to the hospital. There, the two made up, and Rafe — who told Lani’s prison warden a little white lie [read: a big ole whopper] resolved to get Lani back to lockup in time.

DOOL Recap: Group Effort

Upon being joined by John — and declaring that one is for the money and that two is for the show — Steve assisted in busting down Jerry Prentiss’s (Terrell Ransom Jr.) front door. No Jerry. Drat! On the flip side, the men discovered a bus schedule. At least they knew how Jerry planned to skip town. [If only they knew the exact where he intended to go.]

Days of our Lives Recap: Judge And Jury

An increasingly fed-up Brady (Eric Martsolf) pulled a gun on Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) and demanded the return of their daughter. An alarmed Kristen wondered a) why Brady was packing heat and b) since when did he even own a gun. Also, was he really planning on shooting her in cold blood? Yes, yes he was thinking about it.

Rachel soon put in an appearance and admonished her daddy for being so mean to her mommy. How dare he threaten to kill her! Brady attempted to cajole and soothe his daughter and then finally swept her up in his arms and headed out the door.

Kristen summoned Belle (Martha Madison) — who’d earlier entered into a spirited debate with Jada (Elia Cantu) as to whether or not she was doing the right thing by encouraging Brady to play into Kristen’s hands [not to mention the whole Shawn (Brandon Beemer) blowing up Rafe and Jada’s spot] — and asked her to talk sense into Brady. Belle passed.

Meanwhile, Brady had no sooner returned to his apartment and attempted to parent his daughter than Jada came calling on. She was there to arrest Brady for brandishing a gun and threatening to kill Kristen. When Brady scoffed at Kristen’s tattling on him, Rachel popped up to reveal that it had been her who phoned the police [in the few seconds that Brady had sent her out of the DiMera living room so he could try and yell at Kristen some more]. Take that mean Daddy!

Days of our Lives airs weekdays on Peacock+ in the U.S. and The W Network or Global TV App in Canada. For more about what’s coming up in Salem, check out all the latest DAYS spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.

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