DOOL Full Episode Recap | Xander’s Near-Death Moment, Rafe’s Epic Fail & Gabi’s Total Meltdown - Wednesday, April 16, 2025 [SPOILERS]

Wednesday on Days of Our Lives, everyone’s fighting dirty: Kristen comes for Xander with a gun, Rafe destroys his own relationship, and Gabi’s about ready to lawyer up after JJ accuses her of pulling the trigger on EJ. 

Kristen pulls a gun on Xander | DOOL, Peacock

Philip’s Life Is One Hot Mess 

Over at Casa Kiriakis, Philip’s pretending he’s got things under control when we all know he’s hanging on by a thread. He’s on the phone with Melinda, high-fiving himself for kicking Kristen to the curb at DiMera — right before Maggie strolls in fresh from visiting Melissa. She’s feeling celebratory, but before Philip can even think about popping champagne, in storms Vivian Alamain, serving maximum drama.

Philip just about faints when Maggie suggests Vivian broke out of prison. If only. Turns out she’s out on parole, and guess who’s her brand-new roomie? Philip, who had zero say in the matter. Maggie, the queen she is, tells Vivian she better be gone by the time she comes back downstairs — or there’s gonna be hell to pay.

Vivian, as subtle as a wrecking ball, lets Philip know that if she’s homeless, so is he. She demands what she’s owed — with interest, honey. Philip’s stuck promising her a big fat payout and even a mansion just to keep her from setting the whole DiMera takeover on fire. Vivian, insulted that her sugar baby is kicking her out, flounces off to the Salem Inn.

Kristen Pulls a Gun on Xander

Across town, Kristen decides today’s the day to channel her inner mob boss and pulls a gun on Xander at the DiMera offices. She’s furious that her former lackey dared overthrow her. Xander’s options are exactly zero: call Mr. Shin, undo the takeover, and bow to Queen Kristen — or else.

Xander, in typical stubborn Xander fashion, says "nah" and refuses. He brings up her daughter Rachel, reminding Kristen that losing DiMera is nothing compared to losing her child. Kristen hesitates long enough for Xander to throw her and her delusions right out. She tries to negotiate, because of course she does, but Xander’s done. He practically gift-wraps her nameplate for her trip to the trash. They are officially enemies now — and Xander couldn’t be less bothered.

JJ Turns Up the Heat on Gabi

Meanwhile, at the police station, JJ proves he didn’t come to play. With Kristen off the hook, he sets his sights on Gabi. She’s shook when he lays out the receipts: motive, opportunity, weapon access, no alibi. Gabi protests, loudly, because of course she does.

JJ points out that she wasn’t home when he checked. Gabi spins some story about grabbing her planner and forgetting running into him at the square — you know, casual gun-carrying errands. When JJ doesn’t back down, Gabi’s ready to sue him for daring to think she could ever be that messy again. She’s been to prison twice already for crimes she didn’t commit and she’s not about to do that dance a third time. She demands a lawyer and storms off. Sorry JJ, but Gabi’s not letting this go without a fight.

Sami & Kate Play Clue: Who Shot EJ?

At the Brady Pub, Sami and Kate turn coffee time into a murder mystery. Kate’s relieved Lucas can crawl out of hiding now that EJ’s in a coma, but she swears she didn’t pull the trigger herself. Sami swoops in with some awkward small talk before dropping the bomb that she spent the night with Rafe.

Kate’s happy for her — sort of — but can’t resist pointing out that Rafe is still technically engaged to Jada. Sami laughs off the mess, explaining that Jada had her own indiscretion with none other than Shawn Brady. Yes, that Shawn Brady. Kate, clutching her pearls internally, wonders aloud whether Rafe found out before or after EJ was shot.

Sami’s scandalized that anyone would think Rafe could shoot EJ — but let’s be real, nobody in Salem has clean hands. Kristen’s still suspect number one, but Sami’s worried about her son Johnny getting caught in the crossfire. If Kristen didn’t do it, well…things are about to get way messier.

Rafe’s Apology Tour Crashes & Burns 

Speaking of relationship disasters, Rafe finally finds Jada at Small Bar and immediately accuses her of sleeping with Shawn. Real classy. Jada sets him straight — she was drunk, Shawn let her crash on his couch, and the blouse situation was entirely innocent.

Rafe, realizing he’s an idiot, tries to play the "please forgive me" card. But when he confesses he slept with Sami, Jada’s face says it all. Rafe’s version of a misunderstanding involved actually hopping into bed with someone else, not misinterpreting a drunken sleepover. Jada’s done playing nice. She reminds him he doubted her based on nothing but a blouse. If he wanted space, now he’s got it. Plenty of it.

In the Final Moments of Days

Sami runs into Kristen wandering around the square, and the audacity on Kristen is breathtaking. She shrugs off the fact she’s free as if she didn’t almost murder someone and suggests Gabi is the real shooter.

Meanwhile, Gabi’s trust in JJ is officially dead and buried. She lets him know they’re done talking unless it’s through lawyers. Maggie returns to find Vivian’s dramatic farewell letter and tosses it without a second thought. Philip finds Kate to give her the bad news: Vivian’s taken up residence at the Salem Inn and still expects her payday.

Finally, back at the DiMera offices, Xander’s trying to get a security check when — surprise — Vivian strolls in again. Because clearly, no matter what Xander does, he’s going to be cleaning up DiMera messes for the foreseeable future.

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