Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, April 29: Goodbye, Jeremy...and Goodbye, Johnny?

In today's Days of our Lives recap for the April 29 episode, Stephanie drew a line, Alex wanted answers, Chanel tried her best to evade answers, and Sophia officially went off the deep end.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Alex and Sarah swapped baby paternity stories | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Alex asked Sarah to run a DNA test (better make sure no demented doctors, shady lab techs, or poorly disguised “nurses” are lurking around). Upon hearing the name Joy Wesley, Sarah was relieved her former patient had finally told the truth. The news that Sarah had broken from Salem tradition and actually honored doctor-patient confidentiality caught Alex off guard for a hot minute, but he understood. Sarah defended Joy and said the girl had seemed sincere in not wanting to come between Stephanie and Alex. (Maybe that confidentiality commendation was a bit premature).

Sarah also brought up the time (or two?) when she’d not exactly been forthcoming about her child’s paternity. But despite all of Xander’s misdeeds, Sarah still regretted her decision to keep Victoria away. Alex reaffirmed he wanted to play daddy if he was indeed a daddy, so back to that DNA test…he had the samples ready to go.

In too deep

Jeremy invaded Stephanie's personal space | Image: Peacock

At the park, Jeremy proved why he had never taken a turn in Marlena’s shrinking chair by laying a kiss on Stephanie. She pulled back, stunned and demanding answers. Jeremy apologized for misinterpreting the situation (ya think?). Stephanie was sorry if she’d led him on by leaning on him too much (Jeremy assured her she hadn’t), but she loved Alex. Adding a little salt to the wound, Stephanie added that after how Jeremy had treated her before, she would never, ever get back together with him anyway. Full-stop.

Stephanie had just been super upset after Joy had turned up unexpectedly on Alex’s doorstep because someone had told her – The wheels turned in Stephanie’s head, and she glared at Jeremy (Busted!). Yep, Jeremy had leveraged his kinda-sorta siblingship with Joy (since their parents were dating) to let her know all about Alex’s newfound hankering for fatherhood. But it had only been for everyone’s own good, really and truly. Alex deserved the truth, and Stephanie deserved not to have Alex pressuring her to become his next babymama.

Stephanie side-eyed Jeremy’s justifications, and eventually he admitted he’d screwed up royally. While Stephanie would always be grateful for what Jeremy had done for her during the Owen ordeal, she couldn’t – and wouldn’t – have him in her life anymore. Jeremy took his lumps and agreed to Stephanie’s decision. “Goodbye, Stephanie.”

Later, Stephanie went home and apologized to Alex. She was sorry for the way she’d reacted to everything. Alex had every right to know his child. Oh, and by the way, Jeremy had kissed her…but no worries, because she’d totally shut it down. Alex took a moment to get all ragey at the Jeremy news before calming down and reassuring his wife that they could get through anything as long as they did it together (famous last words, perhaps).

School of Hortons

Days of our Lives' Julie doled out words of wisdom | Image: Peacock

At the Horton house, Julie didn’t get much alone time with her book before Lani came into the room and apologized for the noise level. Seems that Jules had reacted to her upcoming trip to the Chicago aquarium by going all jumping jellyfish on the bed (ah, kids), while Carver was in the midst of a mini-meltdown because of his shark phobia. Julie was all smiles and happy the house was filled with love and life again. (Let’s check in on that assessment in another couple of weeks, Julie.) She even offered to help cure Carver of his phobia with Baby Shark: The Book from her bookstore. (The bookstore that prominently features a book on Illinois in the background. Combined with the frequent Chicago mentions, have we resolved the great Where in the World is Salem, USA mystery at last?).

After Lani left to meet little sis Chanel, a glum Jeremy arrived to dampen Julie’s bright day. He’d made a big mess, and he wasn’t sure about this Salem experiment anymore. Julie tried to talk her cousin, up but quickly realized New York was calling Jeremy’s name. He wanted a fresh start.

While Julie would be sad to see him go, Jeremy deserved the best and he would always have a home in Salem. They hugged it out. (And that’s likely a wrap for Jeremy, and for Michael Roark).

Swimming with the sharks

'What's a little murder between friends?' | Image: Peacock

At the DiMera mansion, Kristen and EJ growled at each other a bit before moving on to their respective destinations for the day. For EJ, it involved a trip to see Johnny and to update his son on the plagiarism case. Turns out, Justin wanted to settle to avoid the embarrassment of a lawsuit (might want to run that plan by Bonnie first, Justin). Johnny, who’d just had a minor altercation with Chanel about scheduling the mammogram, was happy to hear the news. So happy, in fact, that he invited EJ over for a family meal the next day. (Hide the barware, and Paulina!)

Meanwhile, Kristen made her way to Sophia’s house, which was empty…save for Sophia, who was busy stewing in her bedroom after reading more of Salem U’s Superlatives for her: Most Likely to Abandon her Baby, Town Psycho, etc. Sophia bemoaned her new town pariah status, but Queen Pariah Kristen gave her a pep talk about the “losers” talking trash being the real "monsters." She planned to take Rachel and split Salem once a few little matters were taken care of…namely, making her brother feel the unbearable pain she’d felt.

And about that little matter, Kristen decided to cheer Sophia up with a gift: a gun all wrapped up in a neat and tidy handkerchief. Sophia wide-eyed the weapon and declared she wasn’t doing it. She’d be proving everyone right about her. Kristen put on her best devil-on-the-shoulder sales pitch and painted a beautifully demented picture for Sophia of life in a new town with a new name – and a dead Johnny. Wouldn’t it be cathartic to exact vengeance on the man who’d sent Sophia on her downward spiral? Kristen left Sophia with the food, and gun, for thought.

Kristen returned to the manse for Round Two with EJ. He reminded her the will reading was the next day (so, about a week in Salem time?). He asked how Big Sis (haven’t they come such a long way since Kristen was willing to wear fake teeth for months for the privilege of raising Baby EJ?) was feeling about the event. With her trademark Stacy Haiduk smirk, Kristen announced it would be a day none of them would soon forget. And as "Father" always said, "tomorrow is never promised.”

Sleeping with the fishes

Lani lent Chanel a listening ear | Image: Peacock

In Horton Town Square, Chanel got a call from the hospital, putting a damper on her planned outing with Lani and the kids. The phone call forced Chanel’s hand in revealing the reason she had to cancel. She opened up to Lani about the lump discovery and the mammogram. Lani was the supportive sis and encouraged Chanel to tell Paulina.

No way! Chanel was emphatic on the point, so Lani agreed to keep mum. She also wanted to accompany Chanel to the appointment. Chanel just wanted Lani to take Trey and give their kids a good day at the aquarium. After some cajoling, Lani decided she would. (Sorry, Carver. Shark trauma awaits!)

Later, Chanel went to the hospital for her appointment. Sarah, still looking very much worried when Chanel’s back was turned, took her patient to prep for the mammogram. Chanel tried to call Johnny first…

But he was “indisposed” by another visitor. Sophia had shown up at the couple’s door, demanding to talk with Johnny. When he said he wasn’t interested and tried to close the door, she busted out her pepper spray and gave Johnny a faceful of the spritz (guess the devil on the shoulder won out). Johnny stumbled back just in time to get a hard knock to the head. He collapsed on the floor with a loud thud.

Coming up on Days of our Lives

Johnny gets a chance to try out his hostage negotiation skills on himself, as he attempts to make headway with Sophia. Meanwhile, Shawn tries out some rehab skills he's picked up, with Jada as his captive audience. And Salem's matriarchs are on the scene, as Kayla provides motherly comfort and Marlena gets welcome good news.

Stream new episodes of Days of our Lives on Peacock.