Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap, May 6: Kristen's fury brings Sophia back from the dead

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for the May 6, 2026 episode, Kristen saw a ghost, Johnny and Theo saw uncertain futures, Chad saw a Cat, and EJ saw the truth.

Family bonding time, Salem-style

While Chad ripped, EJ sipped | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Chad had about all he could of EJ’s “Sophia took the easy way out” and “the world is a better place without Sophia Choi” spiel before he lambasted his brother for celebrating a teenage girl’s apparent suicide. EJ accused Chad of still being angry about Chad’s own “you desecrated Abigail’s grave” accusation. Chad acknowledged that his big bro and he had “fought over” Abigail in the past. (Did they, though? Wasn’t Chad out of town at the time, getting his very first, Billy Flynn makeover?)

Chad said he’d come to believe even EJ wouldn’t do such a thing to his own family. Theo thought so, too. EJ got all “antsy” at the mention of Theo, and Chad called him out on it. “What did you think he’d tell me?”

EJ blustered that he wouldn’t dare involve a family member in his secret medical research and quickly shut the conversation down. He’d see Chad at the will reading later in the day. (Will the not-so-secret door open to the not-so-secret passageway and…out comes Lexie?)

Meanwhile, at the Brady Pub, Roman announced that he was paying Johnny a visit at the hospital. Great, Kate would go, too. Roman indicated that might not be such a good idea. Was Johnny still angry? (Oh, Kate).

Roman believed that with time, Johnny might deep-down realize that Kate wouldn’t hurt him like that. She was like a grandmother to the boy, after all. A properly chastened Kate gave Roman flowers for Johnny as a peace offering.

Later, Roman handed over said “peace offering” to Johnny at the hospital. Johnny considered the gesture part “sorry I’m suing you” gift. He apologized for the remark and said he didn’t expect Roman to choose between his grandson and his wife. Besides, Johnny knew Roman was prone to believe Kate.

Not so fast. Roman wasn’t so sure, especially given Kate’s historical penchant for stretching the truth. Johnny didn’t want to focus on the lawsuit, though, because the whole ‘almost getting blown up’ thing had put things into perspective for him.

Much to Roman’s disappointment, the epiphany didn’t come with a side of Johnny quitting DiMera Enterprises. But to Roman’s relief, Johnny said his post-near-death recovery wouldn’t be happening at EJ’s mansion, either. In fact, EJ hadn’t even offered…(not suss at all, Johnny).

Cat smells a rat

Cat low-key quizzed Theo | Image: Peacock

In Horton Town Square, Theo thanked Cat for helping him out with the will reading. Cat was game to play Theo’s temporary assistant because she was a completionist, like Theo. She did wonder why Stefano had ousted EJ as executor. Theo didn’t relish the task, especially having to read aloud a codicil and a letter that Stefano had secretly added (dun-dun-dun). Theo contributed his portion to the ominous undertone by suggesting he knew something that could “change everything” about the inheritances…but he couldn’t say anything (executor confidentiality and all).

Cat turned down her snooping radar long enough to engage in some light banter with Theo about attending the will reading and the hazard gear she might need. (A chemistry test?...or just a side effect of no one else on canvas being in Theo’s age range, sans his stepsister – who he dated once upon a time). Once Theo took his leave, Cat took a moment for a slow-mo hair-tossing close-up just as Chad arrived on the scene, clearly smitten.

Cat spotted her former paramour, waved, and tried to scurry off, but Chad stopped her. After the awkwardest of awkward ‘hi's, the two engaged in small talk about little things like family road trips with fussy kids, will-reading drama, and Chad’s nephew’s attempted murder by his son’s mother who might be dead herself (only in Salem). Chad wondered if anything interesting had happened in Cat’s life while he’d been away. Cue Cat flashing back to locking lips with Chad’s big bro as she uttered “nothing interesting at all.”

They bid each other adieu, and it was Cat’s turn at smitten kitten as she watched Chad walk away.

Musings with Dr. Marlena Evans

Johnny got the family discount with his grandmother | Image: Peacock

Before his visit with grandpa, Johnny got a visit – and a free shrink session to boot – from Grandma Marlena. He opened up about Chanel’s potential diagnosis and his fears that the pregnancy might complicate treatments Chanel would likely need. Marlena reminded her grandson that cancer therapies had come a long way, and Johnny shouldn’t lose hope.

Johnny also admitted his mixed feelings about Sophia’s possible fate. On the one hand, he was relieved the girl couldn’t hurt his family anymore. But he dreaded one day having to tell Trey about his mother’s complicated (to say the least) life and her death. Marlena acknowledged it would be a difficult conversation. She would be there for Johnny when the time came. And she felt bad, too, after Sophia had rejected her overtures to help.

Later, Marlena hoped for a different ‘troubled young person in need of aid’ outcome when Theo stopped by her office. Theo hadn’t been keeping up with his journaling (but he left out the Gabi fiasco of it all). So Marlena became his “journal” as he confided his growing belief that maybe his Mom was “meant to be with God.” Pulling Lexie away from peace in the afterlife and thrusting her back into a world that had changed so much without her seemed cruel. Theo even found himself thinking it might be better if his mom never came back at all.

Did the thought make him a horrible person? Of course not, Marlena proclaimed. In fact, Theo’s conflicted state made him an empathetic person who had seriously considered all the ramifications of Lexie’s resurrection…unlike EJ. The talk of EJ prompted Theo to bring up Marlena’s surprise invitation to the will reading. (Could this theory have anything to do with the mystery invite?)

Marlena had “politely declined” the invitation (the Marlena way), but she would come if Theo needed support. Theo thanked Marlena but believed he needed to face the family – and what may come – by himself (and with Abe by his side).

The haunting of Kristen DiMera

Kristen hosted a surprise guest. \Image: Peacock

At the DiMera mansion, Kristen scanned the BOLO for Sophia. She heard a commotion outside the door and called out. In strolled Sophia, in her best horror movie chic attire. “What’s the matter, Kristen? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

As Kristen stuttered that she couldn’t be there, a bloody Sophia breezily explained that swimming lessons courtesy of her overbearing mom had made her a champion swimmer – even in raging rivers. Sophia had come to collect on her promised new life. If Kristen didn’t comply, she’d end up back in prison (or worse, if EJ had any say) while ‘poor, troubled’ Sophia got leniency. Kristen didn’t take well to the threats and pledged she’d make Sophia regret ever coming back. (Even Kristen’s conscience has a twisted side).

Bloody Sophia, after learning that her temporary turn as hitwoman had been unsuccessful, switched tactics and affirmed how sorry she was for what she had done to Rachel. Didn’t Kristen understand being the town pariah? Hadn’t Kristen actually claimed she’d seen herself in Sophia? Kristen, unmoved, stalked forward and muttered, “Goodbye, Sophia”…

And hello, EJ. Kristen awoke from one nightmare to find another shaking her and staring her in the face. EJ was very curious as to why Kristen had been dreaming about Sophia. Kristen weakly used the ‘Rachel’s friend’ excuse and chanced that lightning strike some more by lamenting Sophia’s tragic ending. EJ wasn’t buying what Kristen was selling and pondered if Kristen’s dream had included Johnny’s untimely demise…at his loving aunt’s behest.

As Kristen protested, EJ mused that such a betrayal would be “a stain on this family’s honor.” Stefano certainly wouldn’t take kindly to an attempt on his beloved Giovanni’s life. With a pointed look at his sister, EJ vowed that in this theoretical scenario, Kristen would pay “the DiMera way.”

Coming up on Days of our Lives

A mother-daughter clash commences as Gabi and Ari trade words. (Nice try, Philip). While Alex shares his bouncing baby news with dad Justin, Stephanie’s busy wishing Joy and baby would bounce out of town.