Days of Our Lives Full Episode Recap | Marlena and Steve Are Out, Roman is Furious & EJ Stays Shady - Thursday, March 13, 2025

Thursday’s episode of Days of Our Lives was a rollercoaster of shady dealings, heartfelt goodbyes, and one more reason to add EJ DiMera to your “Absolutely Not” list. Marlena and Steve set off on their grand rescue mission, Johnny struggles to make sense of his father’s nonsense, and Roman reaches his limit with EJ’s endless list of crimes. If you missed the full episode recap, don’t worry—I’ve got all the details, and I’m not holding back.

Roman | Peacock

Theresa, Tate, and the Art of Meddling

Theresa thought today would be a great day to hit up Small Bar with her son, Tate, because nothing says "quality mother-son bonding" like sipping a mocktail in a place where bad decisions are made. Tate, predictably, is uncomfortable, not just because of the location but because his mom has a talent for making any situation worse. Case in point: she immediately brings up his baby drama with Sophia. When he assures her he was responsible, she almost buys it—until he mentions Johnny and Chanel as the potential adoptive parents. That’s when Theresa shifts into full-on meddler mode, absolutely certain that this is a terrible idea.

Just as it looks like she might come around, in walks Amy Choi, ready to throw down over why a teenager is in a bar. After a painfully awkward introduction, Amy makes it clear that she couldn’t care less about Theresa’s criminal record—her real concern is EJ DiMera. (As it should be.)

Marlena Packs Her Bags, Belle Faces the Truth

Belle & Marlena | DOOL

Meanwhile, over at Casa Marlena, Belle walks in and immediately clocks her mother’s packed bags. Where’s she going? Oh, just on a little international trip to hunt down John because Shane is being shady and evasive. Belle, unsurprisingly, isn’t having it. "To hell with that," she declares. Like mother, like daughter.

But before Marlena goes full secret agent, Belle finally admits that her post-Shawn life is… complicated. Marlena, being the ever-wise therapist, asks if that complication has a name. Maybe, say… EJ? Belle insists it’s over, but Marlena knows a woman in denial when she sees one. And we all know Belle is not done with that particular brand of bad decision.

Paulina Has a Plan (And No One Trusts It)

Chanel & Paulina | DOOL

Paulina runs into Chanel and, after reminiscing about the now-infamous “Lunch from Hell,” announces she has a plan to fix things. (This should end well.) She’s meeting Amy in 15 minutes and intends to charm her into accepting Johnny and Chanel as adoptive parents. Chanel, ever the realist, is skeptical. She has reason to be—Paulina may be persuasive, but Amy has already made it clear that the baby will never be anywhere near EJ DiMera.

At the DiMera mansion, EJ, never one to let a morally questionable opportunity pass him by, eyes up the memory-erasing serum and debates using it on Rachel Blake. That’s when Johnny walks in and demands to know what fresh evil his father is planning. EJ, in classic form, dodges the question and redirects the conversation to Amy Choi. His master plan? A "do-over" where he charms her into submission. Johnny, correctly sensing disaster, wants no part of it. Then, in a rare moment of something resembling humanity, EJ actually apologizes for his past sins against Sami. Johnny’s shocked, but forgiveness? Yeah, that’s a stretch.

Johnny & EJ | DOOL

Roman’s Patience Hits Rock Bottom

Over at the pub, Steve updates Roman on Operation: Bring John Home. Roman offers to join, but Steve warns that might spook Shane too much. (Because, you know, John’s disappearance wasn’t sketchy enough already.) Roman, instead, agrees to watch over Kayla and keep an eye on Black Patch.

But then the conversation takes a sharp turn when Steve brings up EJ. If looks could kill, Roman’s glare would have taken EJ out on the spot. He’s still fuming over what EJ did to Sami and declares that the man is "scum of the earth." Considering EJ’s resume of crimes, he’s not wrong.

The EJ Effect: Wrecking Lives Since Forever

As if today wasn’t bad enough for EJ, Johnny meets up with Chanel and gives her the rundown of his father’s latest apology tour. It’s the first time Johnny’s actually heard his dad sound like he has a soul. Chanel, being the smart one, asks if he really believes that. Johnny? He’s not sure. And that’s the problem—EJ has lied so much, even his own son can’t separate fact from fiction.

Meanwhile, Paulina and Amy finally sit down at Small Bar, where Amy lays down the law: Johnny and Chanel are lovely, but that baby will not be anywhere near EJ. Paulina, in a desperate attempt to keep the plan on track, promises EJ is "completely out of the equation." (We’ll see how that holds up.)

Final Moments: The Calm Before the Next EJ Storm

Back at the DiMera mansion, EJ, alone with his thoughts (and probably a glass of expensive whiskey), eyes the memory-erasing serum again before locking it away. For now. But as he reflects on his messy Valentine’s Day with Belle, it’s clear his mind isn’t as locked down as that safe. And just when Belle convinces herself she’s done thinking about him, the doorbell rings. Who’s there? Oh, look—it’s EJ. Shocking.

Over at the pub, Theresa swings by to surprise Roman with her presence (as if today hasn’t been chaotic enough). But Roman already knows all about her release, thanks to his sister, Kimberly. Theresa’s visit is quickly overshadowed when Johnny walks in and Roman loses it over the mere mention of EJ. Johnny insists his dad regrets his past mistakes, but Roman is not buying what EJ’s selling. And then, just as Johnny thinks he’s getting somewhere, Roman drops the bomb: Whatever EJ told him? It’s a lie. And it didn’t stop him from doing the exact same thing all over again.

Cue Johnny’s world turning upside down. Again.