Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, May 11: A stunned Abe reunites with Lexie

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for May 11, 2026, Lexie’s resurrection was met with mixed feelings, ominous warnings, and a very surprising job offer on the side.

Death becomes her

Lexie did Father proud as the new Phoenix | Image: Peacock

As the gates to the DiMera mansion swung open, Cat and Leo tired of playing rats in the tunnel and scurried outside. Leo had wanted to stay, but Cat warned him that they risked being caught. Both wondered about the mysteries they’d seen and heard.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Lexie replayed her grand entrance from the secret tunnels. “It can’t be,” Tony marveled, drink still neatly in hand. Chad covered his mouth in disbelief and exclaimed. Kristen coolly stared down her sister. “Lexie?” Abe asked, in clear shock.

Theo approached his mom, whose frightened and bewildered gaze darted from one person to the other. When Theo reached out for her, Lexie flinched. She looked at Theo as if she’d seen a ghost herself. EJ then ventured forward. “Lexie, perhaps you should sit —” Before EJ could finish the suggestion, Lexie collapsed into his arms.

Theo placed an unconscious Lexie in the chair, and everyone gathered around, save a skeptical Kristen, who took her seat with a reminder about the DiMera history of “impostors and doppelgangers.” Abe softly uttered, “Is it really you?” as he tried to rouse Lexie. When Chad angrily confronted EJ about the identity of the pod occupant, Theo confirmed the surprise guest was indeed his mother…and that he had already known about her return from the dead.

Back to business with Tony and Gabi

Tony presented Gabi with another proposal | Image: Peacock

Kristen again affirmed they needed to be sure about Lexie’s identity. “Just as we need to be sure about your claims,” Tony offered, sidling up to Gabi. Kristen also bemoaned the potential shrinking of her inheritance. Chad chastised his siblings for thinking about the company when their sister had just returned from the dead (It’s the DiMera way, Chad.) An ambulance soon arrived and took Lexie to Salem University Hospital, with Abe and Theo in tow.

Tony went off to tell off-screen Anna about the latest DiMera to have risen from the ashes (spoiler alert: she “took the news hard,” despite carrying Tony around in an urn for a few years). Cat joined the festivities in the main room, and Chad filled her in on his sister’s miraculous resurrection. Tony returned just in time to quiz Cat about what she had known. Cat knew nothing, and neither did Mark.

Chad (bless his heart) tried to corral his family together so they could visit their sis at the hospital. Kristen not-so-politely declined, as she suspected “whoever or whatever” EJ brought back had been a trick for her brother to get his grubby hands on more of the family fortune. As a matter of fact, she suspected EJ was down in the secret tunnels at their very moment foaming at the mouth because his pet experiment had escaped. (And she was right, since EJ was busy berating a very-pleased-with-himself Rolf for turning Lexie’s “elegant” reintroduction into a “zombie film.”)

After Chad left solo, Kristen excused herself for some air. Tony — already seemingly bored with the latest DiMera Phoenix — decided it would be a fine time to proposition Gabi. He assured the newly renewed Mrs. DiMera that he had no intention of contesting her claims about being Stefan’s widow. As a matter of fact, Tony wanted to sweeten the deal for Gabi by installing her as the new-old CEO of DiMera Enterprises. Gabi was rightfully weary (after Tony's last teamup offer went kaboom for her) and prodded Tony about his angle.

Tony essentially called his nephew Johnny an unqualified idiot (in a dignified Tony way, of course) and argued Gabi had the experience and the drive to make DiMera a success. Besides, she wouldn’t want to wait for a prolonged court battle to claim her piece of the pie. But Gabi was in love! She couldn’t possibly do that to the guy she’d already stabbed in the back once (as Tony reminded). Gabi stood firm (at least for now): no deal!

The Haunting of Kristen DiMera, Part Two

Days of our Lives' Kristen wasn't ready for the sequel | Image: Peacock

Kristen took a breather in the garden, but her bid for serenity didn’t last long. In came Undead Sophia to kill the flowers and the calm vibe. Kristen was much less cool and collected with her ghostly pal this time and shouted and pointed at Sophia, who apparently decided it wasn’t the best time for a haunting and disappeared.

Kristen, still very much frenetic, turned and traded in a ghoul for a mad doctor. Dr. Rolf had arrived to gloat some more about his medical genius. Kristen should thank him for bringing back the sister that had returned to all their hearts. Kristen wasn’t having the “schmaltz” and berated Rolf for bringing “pain and misery” to Salem instead. Kristen got all metaphorical and cautioned that Rolf had thrown a big rock into a small pond. He might come to regret the tidal wave-sized ripple effects.

EJ does damage control

EJ panicked after losing his guinea pig | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Leo met up with Chad and dreamed of the Pulitzer coming his way, the fame and fortune, the prestige – until Chad threw cold water on Leo’s dreams and ordered his roving reporter to keep quiet until they had confirmation about Lexie. Leo wanted the exclusive, and he took a moment to exhibit some of his character growth by asking Chad about how he was feeling. Chad was still taking it all in and didn’t know what to think or feel.

Leo later put on his lurking hat when EJ convened with his favorite employee/kissing partner, Cat. As EJ stressed the need to contain the situation, Chad intruded into the conversation and reamed out his brother for “playing God” and causing chaos. EJ, who just wanted a little gratitude, also got a tongue-lashing from former pod occupant Kayla, who had heard about the latest pod restoration courtesy of Abe and Theo. The doctor blasted EJ for his illegal and immoral medical experiments…until EJ not-so-subtly called Kayla out on her hypocrisy regarding her own extreme measures with Bo and the Versavix (EJ isn’t wrong here).

EJ also pressed Cat on the reports he’d heard that she and another mystery person had been spotted in the tunnels (oopsie). Cat covered and said she’d been….searching…for wine, that’s it — searching for wine. EJ, off his game, swallowed the story and asked about the other person. Eavesdropping Leo took his turn at chivalrous knight in rusty armor and admitted he’d been snooping around the premises. EJ seethed, but Chad claimed employee privilege.

Later, Cat side-eyed Leo, saving her from EJ’s inquisition. She surmised that Leo would want the favor returned, and Leo didn’t exactly dissuade her of that notion. Leo somewhat unsurely laughed off the idea that EJ would “kill me” for his snooping. (Will curiosity kill the Cat...or the Leo?)

Meanwhile, Chad had settled from his anger stage long enough to acknowledge to EJ that Lexie’s return was a wonderful thing. He understood why Theo had been so certain that the mystery pod person couldn’t have been Abigail. Speaking of…if they ever found Abigail’s body, could EJ possibly work his magic again?

A clear distinction: Lexie’s body had been “preserved” shortly after death, at Stefano’s request. “I’m sorry,” EJ told his brother. Nothing could be done for Abigail. (Is that so, EJ?)

The Carvers cope

Paulina unwittingly crashed the family reunion | Image: Peacock

Abe correctly assumed that Theo had rejected staying at DiMera long-term because of Lexie. Theo explained his reasoning, which Abe understood. Paulina interrupted the bonding moment, in a panic after she’d gotten a phone call telling her to meet Abe at the hospital. Abe reassured his current wife that everyone in the family was fine…and that the patient in question was first wife Lexie. Paulina successfully covered her ‘Lexie woke up?’ shock with ‘Lexie is alive????’ shock.

Kayla approached with an update on Lexie: the latest risen DiMera was stable and undergoing neurological tests. Kayla requested a DNA sample from Theo for a test to confirm Lexie’s identity. Theo asked why Lexie hadn’t recognized him, and Kayla had to remind him that he looked “very different” from the last time Lexie had seen him (a SORAS and a few recasts later).

Paulina could only look on as she gave Abe permission for Kayla to accompany him to his “wife’s” bedside. Once they were alone, Theo apologized to his stepmother for keeping quiet about his mom’s return. Paulina understood all-too-well. She confided to Theo that she had also known about Lexie, courtesy of EJ. Theo again found himself apologizing, this time on behalf of dear Uncle EJ. Stepson and stepmother grappled together with the dramatic turn their lives had just taken.

Meanwhile, in Lexie’s hospital room, Abe took a seat by his slumbering wife, and James Reynolds reminded everyone why he had snagged that lead actor Emmy.

"I missed you.” Abe couldn’t believe it had been 15 years. (In that case, shouldn’t thirtyish Theo have been a teenager at the time of her death, and therefore – oh, never mind. Salem time will give you a headache).

Abe tenderly took Lexie’s hand. “I’ve held this hand so many times,” he marveled. “I’ve held it for comfort, for affection, in partnership — and in companionship. And in love. I’d never thought I’d hold this hand again.” Abe broke down in sobs as he begged Lexie to come back to him.

“Abe?” The quiet voice drew Abe’s attention. He gasped as he looked up and saw Lexie staring back at him, with tears and adoration in her eyes. An overjoyed Abe beamed. Lexie’s response was achingly simple: “I love you, Abe.” After only the slightest of hesitation, Abe returned the sentiment: “I love you, too.”

In the doorway, a heartbroken Paulina witnessed the heartfelt exchange.

Coming up on Days of our Lives

Belle seeks wise counsel from her wise mother, while Brady and Sarah seek comfort with each other (likely the tender, loving kind).

Gabi and Ari share close moments with their men, as mother gets a big assist from Philip and daughter has a heart-to-heart with Salem’s newest bad boy Liam.