Days of our Lives Recap, April 20 to 24: A gun, two returns, and an ultimatum

On Days of our Lives, April 20 to 24, 2026, Gabi learned about Theo’s feelings, Lani and Chad returned home, Xander pushed Marlena too far with an ultimatum, Stephanie regained control, a codicil to Stefano’s will made waves, and Kristen plotted to kill.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Stephanie did a dumb thing with a gun | Image: Peacock

Theo wrote about his romantic Gabi dreams in his journal. When Theo later chatted about Jada with Gabi, he confessed he did not feel a spark with Jada. Distracted, Theo accidentally left behind his journal. Gabi read Theo’s comments about his feelings for her. When Gabi returned the book to Theo, she said had not read it.

Gabi offered Philip a business proposition. Philip was reluctant to take advantage of his girlfriend to help his business, but Gabi assured Philip that she was more interested in pairing up with someone she trusted. Philip told Gabi that he trusted her more than anyone in the world.

Stephanie and Jeremy shared stories about how they had lashed out at loved ones since the kidnapping. Alex confided in Chanel that he was worried that he was not dad material. After Alex and Stephanie were honest with one another, they made love for the first time since the kidnapping.

Steve delivered a gun to Stephanie and showed her how to use it, but she ignored Steve’s instruction to keep her gun in the safe. Alex surprised Stephanie with a skydiving outing. Stephanie admitted that the thrill had made her feel present in her life. While Stephanie was at the gun range, Joy surprised Alex at his apartment.

DiMera problems

Lani and Kristen caught up | Image: Peacock

Lani told Kristen that she was back in Salem to stay. Kristen prevented Xander from snooping at the mansion, but she offered to work with him to hurt EJ. Kristen ordered Sophia to go after Johnny while Chanel was at the aquarium.

EJ kicked Gwen out of the mansion, and she moved into the room across the hall from Leo at the Salem Inn. Gwen attempted to mock Leo’s loss of Javi, but she admitted that it did not make her feel better.

Rafe told Cat that he belieced Abigail had been in the pod. Cat promised not to give Chad false hope. When Cat ran into Chad in the square, Thomas was hostile toward her. Chad told EJ about the incident. EJ assured Chad that Cat and Chad would both move on from their feelings for one another. Chad asked EJ if Abigail had been in the pod. EJ stressed that he had no information about Abigail, and that no one had been in the pod.

Jeremy reached out to his father about a favor. Julie was thrilled to have Jules and Carver home, but it made her melancholy for Doug and David. Julie asked Chad to make a fresh start with Jack and Jennifer. Chad apologized to Jeremy. When Chad ran into Gwen, he asked her if she had learned anything about EJ’s pod patient. Gwen said no.

Wake up, Mom

Theo willed Lexie to wake | Image: Peacock

Theo struggled with his emotions as he talked to Lexie at her bedside. Theo confessed that he was worried about whether Lexie would be the same person. When Theo made a tearful plea for his mother to wake up, she intentionally moved her hand.

Kate reassured Roman that she had not set Johnny up, and that she believed Johnny’s inexperience had been the problem. Suspicious, Roman reminded Kate that she had chosen her family over his before. Kate argued that they were all one family. Roman asked Kate to drop the lawsuit, but she refused.

Johnny made a doctor appointment for Chanel, who was furious. Johnny convinced Chanel that it would be better to get an answer and move on. Sarah ordered a mammogram for safety sake. Chanel confided to Johnny that she was worried that she would not live to see her children grow up.

Marlena asked Xander if he had set up her grandson. Xander said he had nothing to say. Marlena accepted Xander’s answer, and agreed to keep him as a patient. Xander admitted in the session that he had cooled on Gwen because she no longer lived in EJ’s house.

When Xander ran into Sarah while he was out with Victoria, he upset Sarah. Kristen barred Marlena from visiting Rachel at Bayview. Frustrated with their exes, Sarah and Brady went to a rage room to break stuff.

Tate told Brady he was dropping out of college to become a certified professional trainer. Brady confirmed he had decided to get a PI license. After Brady told Marlena the news, he asked about Marlena’s role at Basic Black. Marlena admitted that she did not trust Kate. When Marlena attempted to accept the job, she refuse to work with Kate. Xander told Marlena she had to work with Kate or no job. Marlena said she didn't take well to threats and walked out.

EJ informed Gwen that Lexie had moved in response to Theo’s touch. EJ told Gwen that Chad had asked questions about whether Abigail had been in the pod. Gwen asked EJ if he had Abigail to use as their next patient. EJ refused to talk about the other candidates. Rolf confirmed there was no improvement in Lexie’s brain activity.

Sibling war

Leo ran into Cat at the hospital and asked if he could score an invite to the reading of Stefano’s will. Cat promised to ask EJ. Leo had an awkward run in with Javi. He asked him out to dinner as friends, but Javi said he did not want to be friends.

Cat asked EJ about Leo’s invite request, and he said no. Cat agreed to attend the reading of the will. Probate court informed EJ that a codicil had replaced him with Theo as executor. The codicil also added Marlena as a beneficiary.

EJ encouraged Johnny to reconsider accepting an inheritance. When a melancholy Johnny noted that there was time to make a decision, EJ asked what was wrong. Johnny did not talk about Chanel’s health scare.

EJ teased Kristen about Rachel’s mental health, so she slapped him. EJ warned Kristen that if she hit him again, he would declare war. Kristen demanded access to the tunnels, but EJ refused. When EJ ran into Sophia in the square, he threatened to ruin her. Kristen ordered Sophia to stick to their plan to go after Johnny.

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