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Brady comes home to the penthouse, where a worried Tate wonders where his dad has been all night. Brady explains his phone died, but Marlena is OK. However, Rachel isn’t. Brady tells Tate that Rachel’s in the psych ward before being moved to Bayview.

Tate can’t believe his sister is in that bad of condition, but Brady won’t tell him much more than it’s more serious than they all realized. He says they will go to the hospital later to have Thanksgiving with Marlena and Belle, and then sneak in to see Rachel. Brady also tells Tate that he and Belle have decided not to tell Marlena about Rachel until she’s out of the hospital. They will simply tell her that Rachel is not well.

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A Shady Fan Letter?

Alex returns home with some dry-cleaning for their big book trip. Stephanie is finishing up a press release, and Alex finds a box of fan mail that she says she was going to take with her and go through. Alex thumbs through them and finds one addressed directly to Stephanie, not her pen name. He opens it and yells, “What the hell!”

Alex tells her this letter is messed up and reads passages from it, which sound like a love-sick stalker. Stephanie thinks it’s just another crazy fan, and recalls the mail he got while on Body and Soul. (Oh, why did she have to ruin the holiday with that cursed show’s name!) She insists this person is harmless, and she runs to finish packing before they go see her family at the pub. Alex pockets the creepy letter.

A Surprise Thanksgiving, In More Ways Than One

Belle, with several bags, surprises her mom in the hospital with everything they’ll need for Thanksgiving, since she’s stuck there for the holiday. Brady and the others will be joining them shortly.

Their talk turns to the fact that this is their first Thanksgiving without John, and Marlena says his greatest gift to her was Belle. Marlena says John lives on in everyone in their family who loved him.

Brady and Tate stop in to see Rachel, who has been given a sedative and is asleep. Brady suggests Tate go to see Marlena, but Tate thinks his dad needs to go and tell Grandma what is going on, as she’ll be even more upset to find out later on, and that she couldn’t be there to help. Brady agrees to see Marlena and decide if she’s well enough to handle the truth.

Brady soon arrives in Marlena’s room, and she asks about Rachel and Tate. Brady claims Rachel isn’t feeling well, and Tate is with her. When Brady and Belle name different ailments for Rachel, Marlena makes it clear that this situation is more stressful than whatever they are keeping from her.

Brady comes clean with Marlena about the pistachio incident, which triggered Rachel’s memory of shooting EJ, and her having a mental break. Brady says Rachel is being moved to Bayview once a bed opens up. Marlena wishes she had realized Rachel was still a danger to others. Belle asks, “What do you mean?”

Belle and Brady are shocked as Marlena admits she has known Rachel shot EJ for some time. She was with EJ when he remembered the girl had shot him. EJ pushed Kristen to free Johnny, and she confessed to protect Rachel. Brady can’t believe Marlena didn’t tell him before now.

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Meanwhile, Tate sits with the sleeping Rachel and promises to take good care of Smores for her. He also brought her a stuffed snake, Seymore II, to keep her company. It was supposed to be her Christmas gift, but he figured she needed him now.

The Bradys Celebrate Thanksgiving

Roman finds Kate setting the family’s table at the pub. They discuss what they’re thankful for, and Roman says she’s at the top of his list. She says, “Back at ya!”

Outside, Steve and Kayla have just come from deliveries to surprise less fortunate families with food and gifts. It’s an annual tradition of theirs. They count their blessings and kiss.

Steve and Kayla head in and chit-chat with Roman and Kate about Marlena and Sarah, who should be heading home today. They soon break out some wine and discuss the DiMeras’ unhappy Thanksgiving, what with Tony missing and Kristen on the run.

Alex and Stephanie finally arrive, and Alex manages to pull Steve aside. He gives him the uncomfortable fan letter and asks Steve to look into it, which Patch says he will.

The family all chats about members who aren’t there, like Johnny and Chanel. Kayla and Steve make it a point to note that, unlike Roman and Kate, they have no grandchildren… yet.

After a video chat with Carrie and Austin, Roman suggests they get ready to eat.

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In the Show’s Final Moments

At the hospital, Marlena explains to Brady and Belle that Rachel suppressed the memory of the shooting, and she thought she’d be there to help when the little girl was ready to remember. Brady feels Marlena should have told him, as he’s her father. Marlena says that was why she didn’t tell him, as if he knew, Rachel might accidentally find out. Brady has to step out and leaves in a huff. Marlena tells Belle how sorry she is.

Brady returns to Rachel’s room and finds Tate telling the sleeping girl stories of when she was little. Brady tells his son that Rachel’s going to need a lot of support from all of them. Tate’s been thinking about what Great Grandma Caroline would tell them to do. They sit down and pray by Rachel’s bedside.

Back at the Brady Pub, Roman leads the prayer before the meal for those who couldn’t be here, for those who are in heaven, and for Bo’s return and Marlena’s good health. He also asks the Lord to watch over Kimberly as she fights her illness. Kayla then toasts to the Bradys and all those they love. (Man, the mention of Kimberly hit hard!)