Days of Our Lives Recap - Monday, June 16, 2025 | Philip Shocks Everyone While Steve's Retirement Turns Into a Comeback Tour

So much for a relaxing farewell. Steve Johnson’s retirement party turned into a drama-filled event complete with ghostly visits, tearful toasts and surprise, an unretirement. Meanwhile, Philip wakes up with some explosive news, Jada is not buying Xander’s nice guy act, and Kayla has some budget beef with EJ. Here’s your drama-soaked Days of Our Lives Monday recap.

Xander, Kate & Philip | DOOL, Peacock

Philip’s Back From the Brink and Ready to Point Fingers

Xander tried it. He really did. He was creeping into Philip’s hospital room with a pillow and a plan, until Philip popped open his eyes mid-sneak. If that didn’t wipe the smug off Xander’s face, Sarah and Kate barging in surely did. The ladies weren’t having his “concerned brother” routine and promptly had him kicked to the curb.

Philip, barely awake and feeling like he got run over, had no memory of what happened. Kate was not about to let this go, especially when the rent-a-cop guarding his room confessed he suddenly got sick from coffee. Translation? Xander poisoned the java and slipped in unnoticed. Kate’s fury was volcanic, but even she was floored when Philip finally remembered the attack. And plot twist, it wasn’t Xander. Salem’s favorite suspect is suddenly off the hook. For now.

Steve's Not-So-Retiring Retirement Bash

Steve was supposed to hang up his patch and enjoy some quiet time. Instead, he got a visit from Adrienne, his dead sister, who decided to pop into his dream with a heavenly pep talk. Steve woke up teary-eyed but determined to do right by his family, past and present.

Kayla dragged him to The Bistro for a surprise celebration where everyone toasted him like the legend he is. Jack got all sentimental about Steve being the original anti-hero (true), while Stephanie and Alex tried to play nice. Alex, terrified of failing Daddy Steve’s vibe check, fumbled his way through the party. But let’s be honest, Steve’s icy glares are just his default face.

Steve celebrates retirement | DOOL

The party hit pause when Jada showed up with a hot update. Philip was awake and talking. Then Steve got roped into a new mission before the dessert menu even came out. So much for retirement. Bo and Hope are back in the picture too, teaming up with Steve on his next case. It’s a full-on Black Patch reunion tour.

Xander’s Day Just Keeps Getting Worse

Xander may look sharp in a suit, but the guy’s not fooling anyone. Jada ran into him and immediately demanded answers. How convenient that the guard got sick just when Xander popped up in Philip’s room, right? He played the innocent act, claiming brotherly concern, but Jada was not convinced and told him to stay put. Salem PD is watching.

Later, Xander tried to drink away the heat but Alex, of all people, threw some shade. With Philip awake, Titan’s in a better position, and Alex didn’t miss the chance to jab at Xander’s possible arrest record. Again. Xander’s not exactly giving “calm and collected,” which makes one wonder what he’s really hiding.

Birthday Cupcakes and Big Wishes

Jack and Jennifer had a rare sweet moment before the chaos. Jen busted out a cupcake for his birthday, and despite his grief over Abigail, Jack made a wish. Something simple, to visit Salem more often with Jen. Cute. Until she mentioned wishing to never hear “Cat Greene” again. Noted.

Later, Jack tugged all the heartstrings reminiscing about Steve giving him a kidney and raising a toast that crowned Steve as the family’s anchor. Between the nostalgia, the flashbacks, and the sibling love, you’d almost forget Steve's back on the clock and solving cases before the cake’s even gone.

Home Sweet Chaos

Back at home, Steve and Kayla shared a quiet moment, the only one of the day. She admitted she was looking forward to a slower life with her husband, but she knows that’s not who he is. She wouldn’t change a thing, and Steve, ever the romantic beneath that scruff, gave her all the credit for saving his life and soul. They kissed as a wave of old flashbacks reminded everyone just how far Steve has come since his eyepatch first appeared in Salem.

So in true DOOL fashion, one man’s retirement turns into a job offer, a nearly-dead man wakes up with memory fog and the suspect list just got flipped. Stay tuned. It’s only Monday. Soap Opera Reviews brings you daily spoilers and recaps so you never miss a thing. We live for the drama!

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