Days of our Lives Recap, March 2, 2026: Owen takes another hostage

On Days of our Lives today, Monday, March 2, 2026, Jeremy’s rescue plan goes sideways, Stephanie learns her abductor’s identity as well as the site of her captivity, as loved ones pray for her safe return.

What happened on Days of our Lives

At the Horton house, Julie – unable to sleep – gazed lovingly at pictures of Doug. She spoke to her “Darling” about the challenge of celebrating her birthday when her family was in such turmoil. A moment later, Maggie called and explained that she, too, had experienced trouble sleeping after she'd been awakened by a red bird tapping softly at her window. When she had gone to the window, though, the bird had stared at her an instant before flying away. Maggie had suddenly remembered Julie’s birthday and wanted to come over and keep her friend company.

Later, Maggie arrived on a grateful Julie’s doorstep. Following a warm greeting, Julie sat down with Maggie and confided her loneliness from being in the empty house and her fears about Jeremy and Stephanie. She still couldn’t believe Jeremy had taken such a dark turn. Julie wished more than anything that Jeremy would return her constant calls so she could assure him that she loved him “no matter what” and that it was not too late for him to make things right. After Maggie’s encouragement, Julie attempted to call Jeremy again, to no avail.

Maggie ended her visit by wishing Julie a happy birthday and promising the other woman they’d have a birthday lunch sometime soon. Once Maggie departed, Julie returned to the photo of her beloved Doug and smiled. She knew he had been responsible for the red bird that had summoned Maggie to her, as red was Doug’s favorite color. Julie had one more request of Doug: to watch over Jeremy and Stephanie.

In Philip’s apartment, Philip lay awake beside a sleeping Gabi and stared at a newspaper article about Stephanie’s abduction. Gabi eventually roused and noticed Philip’s distress. She encouraged him to open up and reassured him that she was secure enough in their relationship to hear him talk about his ex. After all, Gabi had spent the past several days unloading on Philip about her ex.

Philip took Gabi up on her invitation and relayed the harrowing story of Stephanie’s last kidnapping at the hands of a man named Owen Kent. EJ had hired Owen to abduct Philip's then-girlfriend in retaliation for Victor having abducted Stefano. The Kiriakises and DiMeras had been “at war” over a business deal, and Gabi remarked about things remaining the same so many years later. Philip informed a curious Gabi that Owen had been arrested but had gotten away. He assumed that Owen had disappeared for good.

Philip confessed that the image that still haunted him from the ordeal occurred after he had discovered Stephanie trapped in a morgue drawer. He couldn’t get the fear in her eyes out of his head. Gabi comforted Philip and reminded him that he was responsible for Titan offering a reward for Stephanie’s safe return. Philip believed it was the least the company could do, given they had published Stephanie’s novel and had inadvertently kick-started the entire situation. Gabi offered to add her own financial contribution to the award so that some of the pressure could be taken off the struggling company.

Philip was touched by Gabi’s proposal but declined the offer. He didn’t want to keep Gabi up any longer, considering she had a big fashion show the next day. Gabi reiterated she wanted to be there for Philip and said she would order snacks. While Gabi was in the process of making her order, Philip distracted her with passionate kisses down her body.

In the hospital secret lab, Dr. Rolf stood watch over his mystery patient in the capsule. He anxiously anticipated the woman’s imminent return to Salem.

Meanwhile, in the kidnapper’s lair, Jeremy desperately tried to get Stephanie to leave with him. She resisted…until the real kidnapper casually strolled through the door. “Owen Kent,” Stephanie gasped. As Stephanie processed the turn of events, Owen secured Jeremy to a chair across from Stephanie. The kidnapper angrily told Jeremy he was supposed to be in jail, and he now posed a problem that needed a more “permanent solution.”

Stephanie realized Owen was her stalker all along and apologized to Jeremy. She asked him how he had found her. Jeremy didn’t get much further than revealing he had discovered Stephanie’s planted phone before Owen put a gag over his mouth. Stephanie gained Owen’s attention and pleaded with him not to hurt Jeremy. She couldn’t understand Owen’s motivation for any of it.

With a sinister smile, Owen approached Stephanie and declared his love. But she had forced him into extreme action because she had “betrayed” him with another man. With that declaration, Owen yanked Stephanie’s wedding ring off her finger. He put her gag back in place and briefly left the room. Stephanie and Jeremy tried to shout for help.

Outside, Owen stepped through another door…into Dr. Rolf’s lab. Rolf – who had earbuds on – had been startled by a noise he thought to be muffled screams. Owen blew off the claim and redirected the conversation to his responsibilities with their project. Rolf turned to the capsule and reminded Owen that the temperature needed to be kept at 58 degrees. He gave Owen more instructions for the upkeep of the capsule before leaving.

Owen briefly returned to his lair and brought Stephanie and Jeremy water. He removed their gags, but both hesitated to drink for fear of poisoning. After menacing his captives some more, Owen left again…citing “work” obligations. Once they were alone and free to talk, Jeremy finally had the chance to tell Stephanie how Thomas had found a phone in the classroom and had delivered it to Jeremy. He had quickly figured out the phone belonged to Stephanie and had heard police sirens approaching shortly thereafter.

Realizing he had been set up, Jeremy had fled from the school. Stephanie wondered why Jeremy hadn’t escaped from Salem, but Jeremy affirmed his determination to find Stephanie. He knew the police had been wasting all their resources looking for him, so time was of the essence. Jeremy had gotten a vital break after he had spotted Owen in Horton Town Square. He had recalled encountering the man earlier at the school, dressed in a janitor’s uniform.

Things had then “clicked” for Jeremy, and he had followed Owen to the hospital. Owen had taken a back entrance and had gone through a maze of corridors that Jeremy had not even known existed. Owen had traveled to an area with two doors, one of which had a keypad. Jeremy had managed to slip inside undetected once Owen had entered the lab. He had watched Owen go into another secret entrance and had waited until Owen left to make his way through the entrance…which was where he had found Stephanie.

Stephanie put the pieces together and surmised that they were in a top-secret portion of the free clinic that Stephanie had glimpsed during a hospital tour with EJ. She pondered if Owen could still be working for EJ and briefly pondered what could be behind the second door Jeremy had seen.

Jeremy guessed that someone else had been working behind that door, and it was someone unaware that Owen had captives just a short distance away. The coldness of their location brought back unpleasant memories for Stephanie of her time in the morgue drawer.

Jeremy was aghast at Stephanie’s prior ordeal. She felt guilty for not realizing Owen had been the culprit and for dragging Jeremy into the mess. Jeremy was glad he was there, so this time Stephanie would not be alone. He vowed to keep Owen from hurting her again.

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Back in the lab, Owen loomed over the capsule and told his confidant – the mystery woman inside – that he had heard about her strong belief in love. He bragged about how his plan to secure his love, Stephanie, had worked, albeit with a few unwelcome developments. But Owen remained confident because once the mystery woman had vacated the capsule, he intended to use the empty device to spirit Stephanie away. “Then we’ll be together forever,” Owen announced.

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