Days of our Lives Recap, June 4: Sarah wants Xander more than she wants Brady

On the Thursday, June 4, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Sarah had a very revealing dream that she knew was a dream, Julie had a date, Ari had a birthday party, and Marlena had a night of bittersweet memories.

These Days of our Lives dreams go on

Sarah was disturbed by multiple things | Image: JPI

After putting Victoria to bed, Xander found Sarah on the couch, still upset about losing a patient earlier. Sarah felt like she hadn't given Destiny the care she had deserved. She had called Destiny's family to offer her condolences, which made her feel even worse.

Xander did his best to convince Sarah that Destiny's death was not her fault. She'd saved so many lives, but Sarah was thinking about all the lives she hadn't saved. She'd seen a lot of death, but this one was getting to her. Xander admitted it was affecting him too, especially after seeing what it was doing to Sarah.

Sarah realized that she needed sleep, but thanked Xander for being so kind to her before going upstairs to bed. While she was sleeping, Xander appeared to sneak into the bed with her. Sarah woke to hear Xander telling her that he planned to stay in the mansion permanently because she and Victoria were his whole world. He asked her if that would be okay and Sarah said it was.

Xander told Sarah that he was the love of her life. Gwen was nothing to him. Sarah said that she loved Xander too and began to kiss him. Sarah then pulled away and reasoned that they were still angry with one another, so she had to be dreaming. Xander confirmed that she was.

Sarah figured she would enjoy the dream and allowed Xander to continue to kiss her. She couldn't imagine how this could be a dream when she could feel him. But then she could hear Brady asking her what the heck was going on. Brady accused Sarah of loving Xander in her dream and not him. Dream Sarah reasoned that Brady would never hurt her and that had to count for something.

Sarah finally woke with a start and went downstairs to decompress. Xander returned and could see that Sarah was distressed. She said she had learned that Destiny had a sister who had also died from an apparent overdose, but the autopsy could not prove it. She also noticed that the sister's emergency contact was Liam. When Xander went to bed, Sarah texted Brady to help her.

Happy birthday, Ari

Ari celebrated her birthday with family | Image: JPI

Rafe and Gabi took Ari out to Small Bar to celebrate her 19th birthday. Ari was thrilled with Billie Eilish tickets from Rafe and a birthstone necklace from Javi, who couldn't make dinner because of work. Ari noted that Javi was going to take her out to dinner another night. Rafe and Ari wanted Javi to bring Gus.

A distracted Gabi suddenly announced that she had to go meet someone for a drink. Ari asked if it was a meeting or a date. Gabi insisted she wasn't ready to date after just having her heart broken. Rafe pointed out that Gabi was the one who broke Philip's heart.

Gabi left anyway and met up with the real Xander, who was not in bed with Sarah. Xander wanted to talk business. He wondered if her offer to save Titan was still on the table. Gabi told him no because Philip had already turned her down. Xander threatened to tell the police she planted a listening device unless she followed through on the offer.

Inside, Ari watched her from the window and reported back to Rafe that her mother was meeting with Xander. Rafe felt that Ari had no room to talk when it came to dating choices since she was still hung up on Liam Salejko. He also refused to use his FBI contacts to find Liam. So, Ari said she'd find him herself.

Julie's Small Bar big date

Julie and Foster had an awkward date | Image: JPI

Julie took a deep breath and opened the door to begin her dinner date with Foster. He was standing there with flowers. They both admitted that they were a little nervous, but walked off hand in hand. Julie was surprised when Foster took her to Small Bar for dry martinis and jalapeño poppers.

Julie was not thrilled with Foster's choices and made faces at the deep-fried poppers. She'd never had one before, but Foster raved about them. Julie tasted one and immediately needed water. Julie admitted she liked spicy things, but in her literature, not her food. They both agreed that One Stormy Night was "elegantly trashy."

Foster asked Julie if she'd like to do Small Bar's karaoke night sometime. Julie thought it would remind her of Doug, a singer. But she did agree to go to trivia night at the Brady Pub.

At the other table, Ari found it odd when she saw Julie smile and nod at Gabi as Gabi returned to the bar. Gabi claimed she wasn't smiling at Julie, and became defensive when Rafe and Ari questioned her meeting with Xander.

When Foster brought Julie home, he kissed her on the cheek and walked off into the night. Inside, Julie stared at a photo of Doug.

Remembering John...

Marlena, Brady, and Belle remembered John | Image: JPI

Kate greeted Marlena at the Brady Pub and noted that it was the anniversary of John's death. Marlena was cold to Kate as she mentioned that Belle and Brady would be meeting her there. Kate thought about John often, so Marlena asked if Kate ever thought about how appalled John would be with her at the moment.

Kate tried to reason with Marlena while still playing innocent. She went so far as to say that John would want them to work together. Marlena thought back to her session with Xander when she gave him an ultimatum. Drop the lawsuit or find a new therapist. Marlena still didn't want to hear it.

Outside the pub, Belle and Brady argued over whether to tell Marlena that the pawn was missing from the chess set that Stefano had left her. Belle was insistent that Stefano was trying to send a message, but Brady thought she was paranoid. When they walked in, they greeted Marlena, who was done talking to Kate.

Marlena, Brady, and Belle sat down to eat and remember John. They told stories from the past with a smile as Marlena did her best to keep it together. John used to take Brady to the pub for chowder so Brady could talk about girls. Belle had visited John's grave earlier. Marlena mentioned that she was there and received a sign. She had found a coin that she'd given John when he was in the hospital and she had no idea how it had gotten there.

Belle wondered if Marlena ever learned who sent her lilacs the day of John's funeral. Marlena never did, but Brady decided to lighten the conversation by mentioning that Belle and Chad were going to take Thomas and Charlotte to a Cubs game. Marlena knew that would make John happy.

Later, Marlena thanked Roman for the lovely evening and gave him a warm hug that Kate noticed. Belle and Brady waited outside and discussed Belle's theory that John was still out there somewhere. Later, as all three were walking through the square, Brady received a text from Sarah asking if he wanted to help her solve a medical mystery.

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