Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap August 24: Baby Girl DiMera Becomes the Namesake of Two Special Women

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for August 24, 2026, the circle of life loops through Salem, Cat has an alarming realization, and Dr. Rolf makes a mysterious return.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

At the DiMera mansion, a somber Dr. Rolf returned to give EJ his condolences about Lexie. EJ lashed out at the doctor for his false promises of bringing Lexie back to the family and for costing EJ billions of dollars in the process. He sternly warned Rolf against doing any more experiments with resurrection. Rolf pledged to EJ that after the devastation of losing Lexie, his days of playing God were over. He wouldn’t be using his scientific mind for such exploits for a long while…if ever again.

But after he left the DiMera mansion, Rolf went to the hospital, where he donned a surgical mask and wheeled a covered body – presumably Lexie’s body – down the corridor. Rolf took the body to an undisclosed location filled with his pods. He placed the body into a pod and between two other pods. As he dimmed the lights and closed the door, Rolf declared, “Goodbye, my friends. Rest in peace.”

Slip of the Tongue

Cat went back to a time long, long ago. |Image: Peacock

In Marlena’s office, Marlena ended a call with Sami, in which she informed her daughter of Lexie’s second death. Cat soon arrived for a scheduled appointment but immediately noted Marlena’s saddened state. After Marlena told her about Lexie, Cat offered to reschedule the appointment, but Marlena wanted to proceed. She’d been worried about Cat, who pledged she had remained professional and focused on her mission: to take down EJ. Marlena wished Cat luck and hoped she could help.

Marlena put Cat under hypnosis and took her patient back to the time Cat was in the Italian hospital with a comatose EJ. Cat remembered her usual of reading Wuthering Heights to him, but she also recalled a new detail. Following one of their reading sessions, Cat had opened up to EJ about their shared misfortunes at the hands of Clyde Weston. Cat lamented that she should have known Clyde would retaliate once he had discovered that Cat was in the ISA.

When Marlena brought Cat back to the present, Cat was mortified that she had disclosed her ISA secret to EJ. She worried that if he had remembered her reading to him, he could also get flashbacks of her disclosure. The mission would be compromised and her life could be in danger. Marlena comforted Cat and told her EJ, in all likelihood, wouldn’t remember.

After her appointment, Cat bumped into EJ at the elevator and asked how he was doing. EJ claimed he was fine, at least physically. He informed her about Gwen’s return to town and railed against his nemesis. He wanted Cat’s help in fighting Gwen’s attempted takeover of the hospital.

Welcome to the World…

Chanel, Johnny, and Paulina basked in their happiness | Image: Peacock

In Chanel’s hospital room, Chanel and Johnny cradled their new baby girl and gazed at her with adoration. They told an equally over-the-moon Paulina that they were naming the baby Olivia, after Paulina’s mom. Chanel’s “Big Mama” had set the family standard for strength. Paulina was touched and certain her mom would be as well. She went to call the woman.

Johnny observed that Chanel had seemed sad when Paulina had brought up the baby’s feeding schedule. Chanel confided she was disappointed that she couldn’t breast-feed Olivia, as she’d also missed out on the opportunity with Trey. Johnny gave his wife a pep talk about her strength and how she would pass so many wonderful gifts onto their daughter. They both marveled at the life before them and called the little girl their “miracle.”

Johnny got a call of congratulations from Sami and separate visits from EJ and Marlena, who were introduced to their new granddaughter. Later, as the new parents told their daughter all about her big and loving family, Theo entered the room. He’d heard about the baby’s birth and wanted to offer his congratulations. When Theo met Olivia, he got wistful and talked about the “circle of life”: as one life ends, another begins. A concerned Chanel asked if something was wrong, and Theo told the couple about Lexie’s passing.

Both Johnny and Chanel gave their condolences, although Chanel was shocked, since she’d believed Lexie had gone to South Africa. Theo vaguely explained that Lexie had never made it there and got wistful again. He reminisced about how his mom had been comforted by the knowledge that Theo would get a new member in his family. Lexie had seen the baby’s imminent arrival as a blessing. Following Theo’s speech, Chanel said she’d decided on a middle name, provided Johnny and Theo were okay with it.

“Olivia Alexandra,” Chanel announced. Theo seemed moved by the gesture, and he gave his blessing. He departed on warm terms with both Chanel and Johnny, and the trio promised to get together soon for a family gathering. After Theo left, Chanel worried how Paulina would react to the additional name. Johnny believed his mother-in-law would be fine with it.

Condolences and Clashes

Steve and Kayla offered words of comfort. \Image: Peacock

At the nurses’ station, Steve brought Kayla food after her long shift. She broke the news to him about Lexie, and consoled her. When Kayla told him what Lexie had revealed about Kristen, Steve found it odd that Kristen had apparently voluntarily left town right as her sister was dying. He was sure EJ was involved somehow. Things got more tense when the couple had a run-in with EJ, who needled Kayla about Gwen’s dim prospects of purchasing the hospital (and who also spotted Rolf wheeling a body away).

Abe stepped outside of Lexie’s room briefly and received condolences from Steve and Kayla. Abe admitted his worry about how Theo and his trouble dealing with complex emotions would handle his mom’s death. Steve and Kayla both reassured him that Theo had inherited Lexie’s resilience. Abe encountered Paulina as well. She happily and obliviously told him about the baby’s birth; Abe expressed genuine joy for Chanel and her family.

When Paulina asked about Lexie, Abe informed her Lexie had died a short time ago. Paulina was taken aback and gave her sympathies. Abe reflected on the brief time he’d had with Lexie. Paulina believed even if Abe had known their time together would be so short, he wouldn’t have changed anything. Abe agreed that he wouldn’t, which seemed to wound Paulina, even though she hid it.

Before returning to Lexie’s room, Abe shared a moment of quiet reflection with Marlena. The friends discussed their shared grief, with Abe expressing admiration for how Marlena had navigated John’s death. Marlena credited her family and friends with keeping her going, just as they would for Abe. He took comfort in the extra time he’d been given with Lexie. He chose to view that time not as another loss but as a gift.

Later, back in Lexie’s room, Abe received a visit from EJ. The men expressed their condolences to each other, and Abe’s anger at EJ appeared to have eased. EJ gave him the three letters Lexie had written: one for Abe, one for Theo, and one containing Lexie’s final wishes. Abe read the latter letter first and smiled at Lexie’s request. She didn’t want a funeral, but rather a party to celebrate her life.

Messages From Beyond

Theo and Abe grappled with their grief. \Image: Peacock

Earlier, Abe and Theo had quietly absorbed the sight of Lexie’s empty bed. They shared a comforting hug. Each had private moments in the room. Theo had remembered his mom singing to him before her passing, and he had also gotten a condolence call from Claire. Abe had taken off his wedding ring and placed it on the table. As he thought back on his impromptu vow exchange with Lexie, he broke down in tears.

When Theo later returned from his visit with Chanel and Johnny, he told Abe about Chanel’s name for the baby. Both men were touched by the gesture. Abe handed Theo his letter and explained that Lexie had written it before her death.

Theo opened the letter and began reading: “I have been given three very special gifts. One is your father, who made my life rich beyond measure. My other gift is you, my precious son. You’ve had to overcome so much, but you’ve done it with strength and integrity. How incredibly proud you’ve made me.”

Lexie went on to bequeath Theo a necklace for Theo’s future wife. Lexie hoped that this special woman who had won her son’s heart would love the necklace as much as she had. Lexie also expressed her hope that one day Theo would sing the same lullaby to his child that she had always sung to him.

Abe, too, read his letter and got choked up as he stole glances at Theo. Lexie’s letter to him began, “How very blessed I am to have been reunited with the only man I have ever truly loved. When I was sick before, I’d imagine we’d reunite in heaven, but that was merely a hope to hold onto as I faded.” Lexie then spoke of the miracle of laying eyes on Abe and Theo again, of holding them and loving them anew. The gift and the miracle of a second chance would give her “eternal peace of mind.”

Lexie ended the letter by affirming she also had peace of mind from the knowledge that Abe had – and would continue to have – a good woman like Paulina in his life. Later, Abe and Theo returned home, where they faced the bittersweet remnants of Lexie’s bygone Christmas celebration.

Will Lexie’s future forecasts come true? Will Cat’s cat-and-mouse game with EJ come to a crashing halt? Can Johnny and Chanel finally breathe a sigh of relief? And who lies beneath the mystery pods? Sound off in the comments.