Days of Our Lives Full Episode Recap - Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Slaps, Secrets, and Salem Drama

The latest “Days of Our Lives” episode had everything—missing husbands, shady deals, courtroom drama, and, of course, a well-placed slap. Marlena’s worried sick about John, Belle is ready to throw the book at Kristen, and Ava? Well, she’s serving up some hands. Meanwhile, Titan Industries is turning into a family reunion, and Joy’s keeping one major secret under wraps. Buckle up for this DOOL full episode recap—Salem’s messiest citizens never disappoint.

Marlena’s Worried, and Rightfully So

At University Hospital, Marlena is deep in her feelings, staring at a picture of John and reliving their greatest hits. (Because let’s be real, she and John have been through everything). But her moment is interrupted when Brady walks in, and she has to break the bad news—John’s missing.

John is missing | Peacock

Apparently, John’s been off the radar, and even his handler can’t reach him. (For a super-spy, you’d think he’d at least send a “BRB” text.) Marlena is understandably freaking out, but Brady reassures her they’ll find him. After a round of “I love yous,” he heads out to pick up Rachel, leaving Marlena to break the news to Belle.

Marlena & Brady

Brady’s Stuck Between Ava, Belle, and a Hard Place

Over at Brady Pub, Belle and Ava are having a little strategy session. Belle wants Ava to help her put Kristen, EJ, and Mama Blake under the jail. But plot twist—Ava says she can’t testify.

Why? Because Brady asked her not to. Turns out, pressing charges could make CPS take Rachel away. (Let’s be real, that child has been exposed to more drama than most adults, so maybe CPS isn’t totally off base.)

Belle’s conflicted, but she’s still Team Lock-Up. Ava? Not so much. And just as she’s swearing to take Kristen down herself, guess who walks in? The queen of chaos herself.

Kristen’s thrilled that Ava’s keeping quiet—for Rachel’s sake, of course. Ava’s not here for the faux gratitude and responds with a solid slap to Kristen’s face. And just like that, Salem has another iconic open-palm moment for the history books.

Stephanie’s Got a Secret (But Not for Long)

At University Hospital, Stephanie’s struggling to keep her mouth shut. She overheard Sarah talking about a very private medical matter, and she knows it involves Joy. Naturally, she assumes Alex is the father of Joy’s maybe-baby, and she’s dying to tell him.

Kayla, ever the moral compass (despite being a long-time resident of Secretsville), reminds Stephanie that gasp revealing patient information is a big no-no. (This, from the same woman who’s been involved in more switched-at-birth and fake-death schemes than she can count.)

Still, Stephanie agrees to keep quiet—for now. But in Salem, secrets have the shelf life of a ripe avocado.

Titan Industries: Family Drama Central

Meanwhile, over at Horton Square, Joy is job-hunting and just so happens to land a gig at Titan—Philip and Xander approve the hire. But Joy’s life is a hot mess, and working at Titan isn’t just about paying the bills—it’s about dodging some very personal drama.

Speaking of drama, Alex wants back in at Titan, and Xander’s cool with it. (A rare moment of maturity from the Kiriakis boys.) Philip, on the other hand, is side-eyeing this decision hard.

And then the universe does what it does best—throws them all into the same room. Alex and Joy bump into each other, and before things can get too awkward, she drops some selective truth bombs:

1. She’s staying in Salem.

2. She just got a job at Titan.

3. Oh, and that huge, life-altering secret? Yeah, let’s just ignore that for now.

Then, just as Alex processes the news, Stephanie walks in and learns that Joy and Alex will be working together. Considering she knows what Joy’s hiding, you know this is about to get messy.

Belle, Brady, and the Case That Won’t Die

Belle finally makes it to Marlena’s office, where Marlena is ready to share the latest update on John. Meanwhile, over at DiMera Mansion, Brady is filling Paul in on John’s disappearance. Enter Kristen, still nursing that fresh slap from Ava.

Kristen thanks Brady for convincing Ava to back off on the kidnapping case, but let’s not get it twisted—Kristen never really says thank you without an angle. Brady, on the other hand, is more interested in why she looks like she lost a fight (because she did). Kristen spills that Ava slapped her, and honestly? No one is shocked.

Brady then calls Ava, and she is still not thrilled about letting Kristen get away with her crimes. She throws out a truly Salem-appropriate suggestion: driving Kristen to the middle of nowhere, tying her up, and leaving her for dead. (Ah, the classic “Days” problem-solving method.)

Brady apologizes for putting her in this position. Ava, in classic Ava fashion, says she’s sorry too—before abruptly hanging up.

Final Thoughts: Salem Never Rests

From Marlena’s heartbreak to Ava’s well-timed smackdown, this “Days of Our Lives” full episode recap proves that no one in Salem is ever truly safe from drama. Secrets are piling up, Kristen’s making enemies left and right (as usual), and the Titan office might as well start a family therapy program.

One thing’s for sure—Salem’s got zero chill, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Stay tuned for the next episode, because if history tells us anything, today’s mess is just the beginning.