Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap June 22: Marlena Marks a Milestone a Half-Century in Salem

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for June 22, 2026, EJ confronted Kristen, Cat made her case to Andrew, Chad and Belle found more questions than answers, and Marlena reminisced with Paul.

Operation Honeypot

Andrew didn't agree with his underling's Cat-and-mouse game | Image: Peacock

At Rafe’s office, Cat's boss/handler Andrew startled her. He immediately lambasted her for her plan to seduce EJ, deeming it dangerous and outside of her training capabilities. Andrew invoked what EJ had done to his cousin Sami as proof of the DiMera’s destructive nature. What would happen if EJ discovered Cat had been deceiving him all along?

Cat pushed back and argued she had been able to get closer to EJ than anyone else. He’d even given her information they hadn’t previously been able to confirm, regarding his continued contact with Dr. Rolf. When Cat brought up her and EJ’s time together at the clinic in Italy, she questioned whether Andrew or the ISA had any knowledge of why she had been in such close quarters with him. Andrew denied knowing anything and suggested Cat could actually undergo hypnosis with Marlena, since Marlena had worked with ISA employees before and would be bound by confidentiality.

Andrew still remained steadfastthat Cat’s plan was a no-go. Cat switched tactics and guilted Andrew and his higher-ups about re-approaching her for help when she had left the agency behind.

Why did they draw her back in only to yank her away just as she was so close to success, especially when they knew her tenaciousness and unwillingness to give up on a goal? Andrew seemed persuaded by the new approach and eventually conceded to the plan. There would be one unnegotiable caveat, however: no sex with EJ under any circumstances.

Showdown at the DiMera Manse

EJ nearly blew his top with Kristen | Image: Peacock

At the mansion, an enraged EJ stormed inside and stopped Kristen in her tracks. He accused his sister of trying to murder his son. Kristen played dumb and confused, but EJ laid out the pieces he had put together…namely, that Lani had told her BFF Kristen about the zoo trip that would have left Johnny alone and vulnerable, and Kristen had quickly taken advantage. He advanced on Kristen, spat out she was “filth” and a dishonor to the family, and damned her to the “darkest depths of hell.”

Kristen stood her ground and claimed EJ had no proof for his wild assertions. She had been just as shocked and dismayed as anyone else when she’d learned of Sophia’s attempt to turn Johnny into a “human Molotov cocktail.” Unfazed, EJ presented his theory – his certainty – that Kristen had blamed him for Rachel’s stint at Bayview and had concocted a plot to make EJ feel the same pain. She had roped Sophia into her twisted quest for revenge and had molded the impressionable girl into her perfect weapon. Then, to cover her tracks, she had disposed of Sophia.

Kristen goaded EJ about using Rolf or his psychic mother to resurrect or contact Sophia, and she grew irate herself when EJ made a snide comment about Rachel. Things got physical as EJ grabbed at Kristen’s hair and emphatically stated he shared one major trait with his sister: the determination to neutralize anyone who hurt their children. Chad arrived before the heated exchange could escalate further and EJ was forced to back off. On his way out, he warned Kristen that although she may not know the time or the manner, she would pay dearly.

Secret Compartments and Money Mysteries

Chad shared his find with Belle | Image: Peacock

Before his visit to the DiMera mansion, Chad and Belle met up at The Brady Pub. He presented the key he had discovered inside the chess set and offered it to Belle. When she questioned why he hadn’t already opened it himself, Chad said it wasn’t his place; he wanted Belle to do the honors. She slid the key into the secret lock, and the top of the set opened. Inside was a bill of 1,000 Italian lira.

Belle and Chad were flabbergasted as to what the money could mean. Chad looked over the bill for any tell-tale numbers or markings and Belle perused the internet for information about the specific currency. They came up with nothing obvious. Chad suggested the clue was intended for John and Marlena, but Belle reaffirmed her mother wanted nothing to do with the venture. Chad understood Marlena’s fear, and he asked Belle if she wanted to reconsider proceeding with the investigation.

Belle restated her commitment to finding answers. Chad likewise refuted Belle’s invitation for him to back out, as they were in it together now. Belle had the idea to contact her investigator brother and called Paul. She informed him she wanted his help, but he couldn’t say anything to Marlena. Paul let her know he was in town and at Marlena’s place as they spoke. He invited Belle over.

Marlena’s Trip Down Memory Lane

Belle and Paul took a journey into the past with Marlena | Image: Peacock

At Marlena’s place, Marlena was looking through her family photo album and getting emotional when Paul arrived. She warmly greeted John’s son, as Paul explained he had decided to accompany Andrew to Salem while his husband was working a case. Marlena had been his first stop. Mother and stepson hugged, and Paul noticed the album when he sat down with Marlena on the couch.

Marlena explained she had been thinking back on her five decades in Salem. Paul couldn’t believe Marlena had called Salem home for so long, and he asked about when she had first arrived. Marlena said an opportunity to work with her mentor Laura Horton had compelled her to come to the town. She flashed back to her first meeting with her first Salem patient, Laura’s husband Mickey.

As Paul perused the album, he spotted a picture of “Marlena” from the seventies and remarked on how different she looked. Marlena got wistful and corrected that the photo was of her sister Samantha, the woman for whom Sami had been named. Marlena talked of her difficult relationship with her sister, evidenced by a flashback of an intense argument between the twins.

But Marlena loved Samantha fiercely and had never felt alone in life, until she had lost her sister. She was jarred by the memory of her then-husband Don Craig telling her about Samantha’s murder at the hands of the Salem Strangler (the serial killer had mistaken Samantha for his obsession, Marlena).

Marlena got upset at the memory and excused herself for a moment. Belle arrived, reunited with Paul, and happily joined the stroll down memory lane. The memories did not come easier, as Paul asked about a baby picture. Marlena revealed the photo was a last remnant of her first son DJ, who had died as an infant. She remembered finding her young son passed away in his crib.

Marlena also reflected on her relationship with DJ’s father, Don, who had been there for her and taught her how to love. But their relationship had not survived the death of their son. She remembered how accepting Don had been when he had learned that Marlena had found love again with Roman. A photo of the twins and of Carrie brought forth fond memories of the kids visiting her in the hospital.

Reflecting on all the losses in her life, Marlena admitted she’d been “to hell and back”…sometimes literally. She recalled iconic moments from her possession, such as the church burning and the bed levitation. Homage was also paid to the time when Marlena was revealed as the Salem Stalker. John’s confrontation with her was shown via flashback, and Marlena acknowledged John had been her rock during the most trying eras.

Belle called her parents' romance her “favorite love story,” and Paul added John and Marlena had been the embodiment of relationship goals. The love story was honored via odes to iconic moments like Marlena reuniting with John on the peer and reciting her vows during their wedding, while also making room for quieter moments when the couple had celebrated their love. Belle and Paul reaffirmed how grateful they were to have John and his special brand of love in their lives.

When Marlena stepped away briefly, the siblings got an opportunity to talk about the true reason for Belle’s visit. Belle showed Paul a photo of the money and asked him to look into it. He agreed just as Marlena returned, forcing Belle to admit she had still been investigating the chess set. Marlena confessed she was curious but fearful. She stressed to Belle and Paul that if they continued the investigation, they should remain careful and stop if anything didn’t feel right.

Paul left to meet with Andrew in Horton Town Square, where the couple updated each other on their respective visits. Back at the penthouse, Belle commended Marlena as the heart of not only their family but the “heart of Salem” as well. Marlena promised they would all make many more wonderful memories to fill the album for years to come.