Days of our Lives Recap July 7: Lexie Tears EJ Apart for Gambling With Her Life

On the Tuesday, July 7, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Cat underwent hypnosis, Joy and Stephanie commiserated about Joy, and Lexie yelled at EJ for toying with her life.

Dream a Little Squeeze of Me

Cat underwent hypnosis with Marlena | Image: Peacock

Cat visited Marlena in her office and asked Marlena if she could put her under hypnosis. Marlena asked why Cat had changed her mind, so Cat explained that Andrew had told her that she could trust Marlena. Marlena asked Cat if she was ISA. Cat said yes. Marlena texted Andrew to confirm before she continued the session.

“I understand now why you were reluctant to go under hypnosis,” Marlena said. Cat apologized for having lied about her purpose for working at the hospital. Cat explained she was an analyst, and that Marlena’s family was not the focus of her investigation. Marlena pointed out her conflicts, but she agreed to continue the session. Marlena added that if Cat was responsible for EJ and Sami’s break-up, she and Sami were grateful to Cat.

Once under hypnosis, Cat talked about reading to an unconscious EJ at his bedside. Cat had spoken to EJ about how they had both suffered at the hands of Clyde, and that they were bonded by that trauma. Cat thought about when EJ had squeezed her hand as she had read “Wuthering Heights.” She had been moved to kiss EJ on the cheek. When Cat woke up, she told Marlena about the hand squeeze. Marlena noted that Cat had a strong emotional response to the memory. Cat asked to book another session.

The Joy of Life

Stephanie and Chanel are over Joy | Image: Peacock

In the square, Chanel and Trey ran into Theo on her way to a Mommy and Me class. Joy appeared in the square with Kelsey, so Theo said hello. When Joy mentioned that she was going to the Mommy and Me class, Chanel coldly said she was skipping class because she had too much work to do. After Joy left, Theo started to defend her, but Chanel argued that she could not forgive Joy for having lied to her. Theo reminded Chanel that Kelsey and Trey were of a similar age, and that Chanel could not avoid them forever.

Chanel told Theo that she was dealing with a lot, and she did not want to have a friend that caused a lot of drama in her life. Theo suggested that it would be easier to be civil than to hold onto her anger. When Chanel argued that Joy’s actions had almost ended her marriage, Theo said he understood what it felt like to be disappointed by a friend. Chanel asked Theo if he was talking about his friend that had lied to him. “She’s not the person I thought she was,” Theo said.

In Alex and Stephanie’s apartment, Alex complained about the consequences of Kate and Xander’s plan to sue Johnny. Stephanie noted that the feud between the DiMera and Kiriakis clans was the reason that Owen had kidnapped her. With a shake of his head, Alex lamented that the feud had not died with Victor and Stefano. Alex apologized for talking about the feud that had traumatized Stephanie, but she insisted that she no longer wanted to be a victim. Stephanie said she hoped that Alex and his family were not escalating things.

Alex said that as a father, he understood why EJ wanted his revenge. Alex added that he wanted to save his family’s legacy for his daughter. Stephanie offered to help Titan. Joy interrupted when she called Alex to ask for help with a flat tire on the side of the highway. Alex apologized to Stephanie, and argued that Alex should not be Joy’s go to person for every problem. Alex agreed, but said he could not leave Joy and Kelsey stranded.

Frustrated, Stephanie went out for a walk and she ran into Chanel in the park. After Chanel snapped at Stephanie, she admitted she was on edge because everyone had been treating her like she was fragile. Stephanie explained why she had overreacted to babysitting Trey before, and that she had wanted Alex to understand that she was not ready to be a mother. Chanel said she understood. Chanel invited Stephanie to join her and distract her so that she felt like a normal person. Stephanie talked about Joy’s recent acts, and Chanel chimed in with her complaints about Joy.

At the pub, Joy thanked Alex for his help with the tire. Alex called an automotive club and purchased a membership for Joy for any future issues. Alex reminded Joy that she was not alone. Joy promised to only call Alex about issues involving Kelsey rather than every problem in her life.

The Guinea Pig

Theo walked in on an argument between EJ and Lexie | Image: JPI

In the DiMera living room, EJ held a steak to his swollen eye as he spoke on the phone with Johnny about Holly's positive prognosis. The front door slammed and EJ hurriedly ended his call. Lexie asked about the steak. EJ explained that he had gotten in between Kristen and Gwen during a fight.

EJ apologized to Lexie about her prognosis. Furious, Lexie complained that EJ had used her as a guinea pig without her consent and without regard for how it would make her feel if the treatment killed her. “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, except maybe you,” Lexie growled. EJ told his sister that he was hurt that she blamed him after all he had done to save her life. Lexie argued that EJ had decided to use an experimental drug on her without regard for the consequences because he wanted to make money. EJ argued that every decision he made was to serve his family.

“Father’s dying wish was to bring you back, and I made it happen,” EJ said. With tears in her eyes, Lexie noted that EJ had given her a life back that she was unable to keep. EJ urged Lexie not to give up hope. Lexie argued that EJ had not thought about how her death would affect Abe and Theo, and that she would never forgive his short-sightedness. EJ asked Lexie if she at least was grateful to have had the opportunity to see her son and husband one last time. Lexie said yes, but that she longed for more time with them. Theo walked in and asked what was wrong.

Lexie lied and said she had been thanking EJ for all he had done to bring her back to her family. After Theo went upstairs to talk to Tony, Lexie noted that Theo looked like a boy that had lost his mother. Lexie said she was devastated that Theo would lose his mother again. EJ asked Lexie to fight to stay alive, and he refused to let her go.

Are Chanel and Stephanie right to resent Joy? Is Lexie right to be angry at EJ? Let us know what you think in the comments.