On Monday's wild ride through Salem, Johnny’s heart is in pieces, Chanel’s got a bone to pick, Steve drags Kayla into his risky mission, and EJ—oh, EJ—is up to his beautifully-groomed eyeballs in drama. Let’s break it all down in Monday's Days of Our Lives full episode recap.
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| EJ | DOOL, Peacock |
Johnny Needs a Hug & Maybe a Therapist
So, Johnny’s sulking in his Salem Inn room, and what’s the first thing we notice? His money clip and Xander’s Titan business card are just lying there, like plot devices waiting to happen. In strolls Marlena, grandma extraordinaire, looking for updates on Tate and immediately pivoting to Johnny’s emotional trainwreck of a life. She drops the whole “you’ll be a great dad once you stop unraveling” pep talk, and honestly, the kid needs it. He’s still spinning from breaking Chanel’s heart and could probably use a hug, a nap, and several years of therapy.
Chad’s Spidey Senses Are Tingling
Meanwhile, Chad—forever the sleuth—meets up with Cat in the square to dissect her hospital charity date with EJ. Chad’s convinced that EJ has an ulterior motive because, let’s face it, it is EJ. Cat’s fully aware that bidding on a hospital date before the man’s even done healing from a coma is more than a little creepy. Chad promises to sniff out whatever EJ is scheming, because Salem’s moral compass never rests.
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| Chad & Cat | DOOL |
EJ Is Serving Tears and Shadiness on the Couch
EJ, looking like a sad soap villain caught in a soft-focus filter, is having a little photo-induced meltdown when Chanel storms in. She doesn’t knock—because why would she—she unleashes. She’s done with the whole “adoption’s off again” nonsense and reads EJ to absolute filth. She blames him for destroying Johnny and, honestly, she’s not wrong. Her words cut so deep EJ actually cries. Cue Marlena, popping in right as Chanel storms out to clean up the emotional mess.
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| EJ & Chanel | DOOL |
Marlena tries to be the voice of reason, telling EJ to back off and give Johnny space. But what does EJ do instead? He gets all misty-eyed and asks her if she thinks his own son shot him. Yeah, that conversation took a hard left. Marlena, ever the peacekeeper, says she’ll talk to Johnny and deliver the “your father still loves you” message. Then she tries to pivot to his relationship with Belle, but Chad barges in with questions about that sketchy date bid. Timing in this town? Never ideal.
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| EJ & Marlena | DOOL |
EJ Claims He’s a New Man, But We Know Better
Chad goes full big-brother mode and offers to buy EJ out of his hospital auction bid, but EJ throws it back in his face with a smug little “are you jealous?” smirk. He claims he’s just being charitable, and definitely not trying to mess with anyone’s head, because “coma EJ” is a softer, gentler version. Okay, sure, whatever. Chad doesn’t buy it, but EJ insists that if Chad has feelings for Cat, he needs to cowboy up and pursue them. With brothers like this, who needs frenemies?
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| EJ & Chad | DOOL |
Chanel’s Not Here for Your Redemption Arc, EJ
After her showdown with EJ, Chanel bumps into Cat in the square and immediately warns her to stay far away from the DiMera disaster zone. She spills the tea—sorry, the information—about the adoption debacle and EJ’s involvement, and Cat suggests that maybe, just maybe, she should talk things through with Johnny. Bless her heart for trying to make sense of the emotional shrapnel.
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| Chanel | DOOL |
Johnny & Shawn: Bonding Over Bad Dads
At the Brady Pub, Steve and Shawn are hatching a plan to liberate the miracle drug from Dr. Russell. Naturally, Steve wants to drag Kayla into this mess because what’s a marriage without a little felony? Shawn’s onboard because, let’s face it, morals are optional when Bo’s health is on the line.
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| Shawn & Steve | DOOL |
Johnny shows up looking for Grandpa Roman and ends up chatting with Shawn instead. The two bond over their respective father drama—Johnny’s still shook by EJ’s secrets, and Shawn’s drowning in guilt over shooting his own dad. It’s a real father-son trauma support group moment, and honestly, they should start one.
Steve Drags Kayla Into His Shenanigans—Again
Dr. Russell tries to sashay away from his responsibilities by paying Kayla a little visit and it does not go well. He’s mad because the hospital won’t let him cash in with big pharma, and Kayla’s not letting him leave out of principle—or maybe spite. Tomato, tomahto.
Enter Steve, who drops by right after to slyly fish for access to the miracle drug. Kayla’s not dumb—she immediately clocks that he’s scheming. But does that stop him? Oh, honey, please. She walks out, and Steve sets his plan into motion, complete with an apple on the desk like he’s Snow White’s sketchy stepmom.
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| Kayla & Steve | DOOL |
Marlena & Cat Talk Fundraisers, Not Feelings
At the hospital, Cat checks in with Marlena to see if there’s any word on John. There’s not, but Marlena gives her a quick ego boost for pulling off the fundraiser. Even though Cat’s now tangled in EJ’s weird little love triangle, she’s at least keeping the hospital afloat for a few more months. Marlena agrees with Chad—EJ’s “generosity” has strings. And probably chains.
The Days Drama Hits a High Note
Johnny heads back to his room and makes a call to Roman for updates on Bo. Before he can even emotionally unravel again, there’s a knock. Who is it? Chanel, of course, ready for another round of emotionally charged conversation. She’s still mad, still wounded, but she’s at least willing to talk. Does she forgive him? Nope. Not even close. But she’s leaving the door open—just a crack—for redemption. Johnny, who has the emotional range of a Shakespearean prince, vows to fix it all.
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| Chanel & Johnny | DOOL |
Meanwhile, EJ—forever trying to win the award for "Most Suspicious Man in Salem"—offers to give Chad the date with Cat. He swears his coma turned him into a soft-hearted sweetheart. Chad doesn’t fall for it, but EJ insists he’s just here to spread joy, like a very sketchy Santa Claus.
Secrets, Security Codes & One Very Shady Phone Call
Steve sneaks back into Kayla’s office and finds exactly what he’s looking for: Dr. Russell’s lab security codes. Because of course he does. Meanwhile, Shawn’s on the phone with Hope giving her a sliver of optimism, while Dr. Russell—completely unaware of the espionage happening behind his back—walks into the pub just in time for Shawn to side-eye him into next week.
Dr. Russel gets a call and who’s on the other end of Dr. Russell’s angry phone call? That’s right. EJ “Totally Not Shady” DiMera. He tells the doctor not to worry, that he’s got everything under control. Because when Days of Our Lives wants to crank up the tension, you better believe they give the last line to a DiMera with a secret plan.
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| Dr. Russell | DOOL |
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