Days of our Lives Recap July 17: A Masked Man Kidnaps Gwen

On the Friday, July 17, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, the board voted to remove EJ, EJ planted drugs in Holly’s bag, Stephanie and Alex fought, Theo and Abe made up, and someone grabbed Gwen.

Overnight Visits

Stephanie had to explain Theo | Image: Peacock

Alex returned home and was surprised to see Theo sleeping on his couch. When Stephanie woke, she asked Alex not to wake Theo, but he was already awake. Stephanie explained that Theo had helped her home after she had drank too much and thanked Theo for attentively listening to her. Sensing the tension, Theo awkwardly wished Stephanie luck as he walked out.

Stephanie complained that Alex would return to Joy soon enough, and Alex agreed that he would always be there for his daughter. Stephanie prickled at a jab by Alex about not being able to bring Kelsey home. When Alex grumbled about Theo, Stephanie insisted nothing had happened.

Alex argued that they could not work through their issues if he did not trust her. Stephanie stressed that the only person she did not trust was Joy. Alex warned Stephanie that she was driving a wedge between them because she continued to question his motives. Stephanie apologized and admitted that it hurt when Alex left her for Joy.

When Stephanie apologized for having deleted Joy’s message, Alex mentioned the time he had silenced Stephanie’s phone when her mom had been ill. Alex said he regretted his actions, and that they would figure out their problems together. Alex told Stephanie that he had missed her overnight and she sighed with relief. Stephanie agreed to be more understanding of the demands on Alex from Joy.

Coming Home

Abe’s bank called to inform him that the money from Stefano’s estate had been deposited in his account. When Theo returned home, Abe apologized. Abe explained that he had plotted with EJ, because he had wanted to honor what he believed had been Lexie’s wishes to keep Theo away from DiMera. Abe admitted that he had been wrong.

With a shake of his head, Theo said he was disappointed that the most ethical person he knew had lied to him. Abe vowed to earn Theo’s trust back. Theo agreed to move past it for his mother’s sake. Abe told Theo about Stefano’s inheritance. With a shake of his head, Theo said he did not want anything from the man that had harmed his mother. Abe stressed that the money belonged to Lexie and that she would want Theo to take it. Abe told Theo about Lexie’s plan to visit Celeste on her own. Though disappointed, Theo agreed that it was important to respect people’s wishes.

Pack a bag

Sarah and Xander were amused by EJ | Image: Peacock

Rita delivered an envelope to EJ and noted that he would use the contents to hide the truth about Holly’s illness. EJ confirmed that Stefano's inheritance had paid out. With a shake of his head, EJ said that although the money would cover the loss on his investment in Rolf’s drug, he was still devastated that the drug had been unable to resurrect Lexie for long. Rita asked EJ if he had talked to Gwen about the drug’s failure. EJ admitted he was in no rush to warn Gwen, but that he was happy that it would hurt her.

When EJ left his office and passed by the nurses’ station, Sarah warned EJ to stay away from Holly. EJ told Sarah that she was fired. Xander overheard as he arrived at the hospital, and he confronted EJ. As things grew heated, Kayla intervened. Kayla told EJ that he could not fire Sarah, because the board had decided to revoke EJ’s ownership rights to the hospital. Kayla warned EJ that he had 90 days to divest from the hospital or the state would take it from him and sell it to Gwen.

While Kayla and EJ bickered, Sarah and Xander cheerfully watched from across the room. Sarah noticed that Xander had Holly’s bag and explained that Holly had asked him to drop it off in preparation for her discharge. Annoyed, Sarah announced that Holly knew she was not cleared for discharge.

After EJ finished his argument with Kayla, he eavesdropped on Sarah telling Xander that she wished she knew how to explain the Coriseal in Holly’s bloodwork. Sarah told Xander about the second sample and the cleaned well. Xander said he believed Holly was innocent and that EJ was to blame.

Xander placed Holly’s bag on the nurses’ station counter, and he and Sarah walked to the cafeteria. EJ stared at the unattended bag. As Xander and Sarah talked, he argued that EJ had attempted to fire Sarah because she was too close to learning the truth about the Coriseal contamination. When they saw EJ, Xander mentioned the Coriseal coverup. EJ feigned ignorance. Sarah noted that if EJ had left the book open in her office, he had saved Holly’s life. EJ objected to the idea that he had hurt Holly.

Tate's Find

Holly was angry at Sarah | Image: Peacock

Ari visited Holly, and Holly admitted that she was upset that Nicole had returned to France. Holly noted that Aaron had visited and teased Ari about him. Ari reluctantly admitted that she was attracted to Aaron, but that he was not her type. Holly encouraged Ari to give Aaron a chance. Ari talked about her rift with Gabi, and Holly agreed it was awful when a loved one did not trust you. Holly said she was disappointed that Sarah did not believe her about the drugs.

Tate was working out in his gym when Gwen arrived. Gwen admitted she had not confronted Xander yet and asked Tate if he could teach her any new moves for the occasion. Tate showed Gwen a defensive move, but asked her only to use it for self defense. As they worked out, Kayla called Gwen to tell her that the hospital was up for sale if Gwen was still interested.

When Tate arrived at the hospital, Sarah asked Tate to deliver Holly’s bag to her, and inform Holly that she was cleared to go home. As Tate ran off, Xander asked why Sarah had changed her mind. Sarah explained that Holly was desperate to go home, and she believed Holly would be safe at home. “And see if she’s sneaking pills,” Kayla added. Tate went to Holly’s room and told her about the discharge. While Holly got dressed in the bathroom, she asked Tate to get a hair tie from her bag. When Tate opened the bag, he found a handful of pills in a pocket.

In EJ’s hospital office, Gwen stopped by to gloat. EJ started to tell Gwen about Rolf’s drug, but she interrupted to tell EJ that she did not want any bad news. Gwen walked out. In the park, Gwen made arrangements on the phone to acquire the hospital. As Gwen ended the call, a masked person grabbed her.

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