Days of Our Lives Recap - Friday, May 23, 2025 | John Black’s Fiery Rescue Ends in Flames — And Maybe a Miracle for Bo

Three hearts break, one man risks everything, and Salem hangs by a thread in Friday's DOOL episode. While John Black played superhero at a shady meth lab, Bo Brady lay comatose with his loved ones begging him to stay alive. Meanwhile, Marlena, Hope, and Ciara all took turns wearing the emotional wreck crown. 

Marlena & Steve | DOOL, Peacock

Marlena’s Nerves Are Shot, But John’s Got a Mission

Marlena's pacing like she drank ten espressos — and who can blame her? John isn’t home yet, and Kayla’s guilty face gives it all away: she knew he was off chasing the miracle cure for Bo. Marlena’s not mad, just stressed out of her mind. But Kayla swears she didn’t want to get hopes up. Honey, you’re in Salem. Secrets never stay secret long.

Kayla reminisces about giving Bo Steve’s leather jacket like it was a Brady family heirloom, insisting that if anyone can pull Bo back from the edge, it’s their ride-or-die husbands. Marlena agrees, but rest is not on the agenda. Instead, she braces for impact while her man literally walks through fire.

Hope and Ciara Face the Unthinkable

Over in Bo’s hospital room, it’s heartbreak city. Hope leans in with a soft kiss and a “Happy Anniversary” like she’s whispering to a ghost. Flashbacks of wedding vows and old-school love remind us why Bo and Hope will always be endgame. Ciara joins her mom in the sadness spiral and admits she’s terrified. The priest already gave Last Rites, but Hope’s clinging to the idea that Bo’s just being dramatic and waiting for everyone to show up.

Ciara opens her heart to her unconscious dad, telling him Ben fixed the bike she once wrecked. “I’d do anything to fix you, Daddy.” We flash back to baby Ciara with Bo telling her how loved she is. Cue waterworks. Salem’s legacy lives on through her, and she knows it.

Salem’s Holy Trifecta Hits the Meth Lab

Meanwhile, John shows up in full Mission Impossible mode to save Steve, Shawn, and Dr. Russell from their predicament in the sketchiest meth lab since Breaking Bad. Dr. Russell has trust issues, but Steve is all, “Sit down and thank John Black.”

Just as things start looking possible, Hope makes a surprise entrance like she’s Lara Croft in designer boots. She jumps in to disable the second security system and proves that when Bo’s on the line, Brady women don’t play. Inside the lab, things go sideways fast. A random guy wakes up, loses his mind, and starts a fire during a scuffle. John ends up brawling on the floor, Hope’s dragging scientists out of burning buildings, and the whole place goes up in flames.

After it’s all said and scorched, they find one body — not John — and he’s wheeled out like the superhero he is, clutching the one vial of Versavix like it’s liquid gold. “Go, save Bo,” he whispers, barely alive.

Miracles Cost Something — And John’s Paying the Price

Back at the hospital, Hope practically throws the vial at Bo’s doctor and tells him to fight like hell. Ciara, Hope, and Shawn huddle together, praying for a miracle as the treatment begins.

Meanwhile, Steve gives Dr. Russell a reality check: John saved your life and your science, pal. He also smuggled out extra doses like a burn-scarred guardian angel. But now, John’s barely hanging on. His entire body is wrapped up like a mummy and Marlena refuses to leave his side. Her tear-streaked face says it all — if love could heal, he’d be dancing already.

And just when you think this soap couldn’t twist the knife deeper, John crashes. Marlena cries out her love, Kayla fights to save him, and Steve declares that Stefano’s Phoenix has nothing on John Black. 

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