Days of our Lives Recap, May 8: Lexie crashes Stefano's will reading

On the Friday, May 8, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, the DiMera family gathered for the reading of the will, strangers snooped in the tunnels, and two surprise guests interrupted the reading of the will.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Kristen argued with Marlena | Image: Peacock

Kristen ran into Marlena in the square and said she had been visiting Rachel. Kristen grumbled that Rachel would not have wanted to see Marlena if Rachel had known that Marlena had betrayed her. “How dare you try to keep me from Rachel!” Marlena said. Marlena reminded Kristen that Rachel needed her family, and she hoped that Rachel inherited some good from the non-DiMera side of the family. Kristen scoffed. Kristen argued that there were plenty of bad apples in Brady’s family.

When Kristen noted that Marlena hated EJ as much as she did, Marlena countered that Kristen shared some blame in EJ’s behavior. Marlena argued that Kristen’s obsession with John had driven Stefano to conceive EJ with Susan to give to Kristen to raise. She claimed that all the damage that EJ had caused stemmed from Kristen’s actions. With loathing on her face, Kristen said she did not understand why Stefano or John had loved Marlena. Marlena declined to attend the will reading. Kristen accused Marlena of still being afraid to face Stefano alone.

Tunnel to somewhere

EJ and Rita met in the tunnels | Image: Peacock

In the tunnels, EJ escorted Rita to see Lexie. When EJ asked Rita about the codicil, Rita redirected EJ to Rolf. Rita said her only concern was that Rolf had not convinced Stefano to leave him everything and prevent her from retiring. EJ noted that Rolf was disappointed that Lexie had not improved more. Rita asked about EJ’s plans if the drug did not fully revive the patient. EJ refused to quit. “We have no shortage of patients,” EJ said. An employee called EJ and informed him that a private plane from Alamainia had landed in Salem.

In the DiMera garden, Cat was cutting flowers in the garden when she found Leo snooping with binoculars. Cat told Leo that he was trespassing. When Leo said Chad was okay with it, Cat disagreed. With a smirk, Leo noted that Cat appeared to be more protective of Chad than EJ. Cat warned Leo to stay out of trouble and not get caught. As Leo returned to looking around, he saw Rita exiting an entrance in the hedges. Rita did not see him.

A gathering storm

Leo found Cat in the tunnels | Image: Peacock

The DiMera family started to gather at the mansion for the reading of Stefano’s will. Anna complained about the number of times they had said farewell to Stefano, but Tony assured her it would be the last. While Chad took Anna into the kitchen, Tony spoke to Theo privately about why he had stepped down as CEO. Tony demanded to know what EJ had used to force Theo out. Theo insisted that it had been his decision to protect his family and himself. Abe overheard as he walked into the living room and agreed with Theo.

While the three went to the dining room, Cat returned from the garden with a basket of fresh cut flowers. EJ exited from the tunnels into the living room with two bottles of Stefano’s favorite wines. In the foyer, Chad welcomed Rita at the front door. Chad went to inform EJ that Rita had arrived, and he overheard EJ promising to take Cat to dinner.

When Abe and Theo returned to the living room, it was empty. Abe informed Theo that he had decided to attend the will reading because Lexie would want him to be there for Theo when he got his share of the estate. Abe told Theo that Lexie was watching Theo, and she was proud of him. As everyone returned to the living room, Anna was annoyed to watch Tony flirt with Rita. Anna and Tony gave their sympathies to EJ for Johnny’s near death experience. As Tony asked about the search for Sophia, EJ shrugged. Kristen arrived, and she noted that it appeared that Sophia had taken her own life. EJ glared at Kristen.

As everyone took their seats, EJ announced that someone from Alamainia had arrived in town. Tony joked that they should lock the doors. “Or tunnels. You never know what’s creeping around down there,” Kristen said. In the tunnels, Cat was startled when she ran into Leo. Leo explained he had spotted Rita’s entrance to the tunnels and used it. Cat lied and said she was there to retrieve wine. Suspicious, Leo guessed that Cat also was there to spy on EJ. Leo explained that Dimitri had believed that Cat was ISA, and he asked if that was true. Leo gasped when Cat did not respond.

Cat laughed, and she said she wished she was that exciting. Cat explained that she had been snooping to protect her brother and to make sure her boss was not committing crimes. With a wave of his hand, Leo suggested they work together. There was a noise, so Leo and Cat opened a door to investigate.

The House of DiMera

Upstairs, Theo began the reading. The codicil explained that Stefano had chosen Theo as executor because he had believed Theo to be the least corruptible and most fair member of the family. Theo announced that the estate would be divided equally among Stefano’s children and that the inheritance of any deceased offspring would go to their beneficiaries. The will also stated that the portions for anyone without beneficiaries would be pooled among the living heirs. As Theo announced that any real estate could only be sold by unanimous consent, the doorbell rang. Marlena decided to attend, after all.

Theo announced that Stefano had bought homes for Rita, Harold, and Rolf for when they decided to retire, as well as a trust fund. The next item in the will was a bequeathment to John and Marlena. Rita handed Marlena a box. Abe told Marlena that she did not need to open the gift. “Stefano is gone. His sick game ends here and now,” Marlena said. Inside was a chess game. Marlena rejected the gift, and she walked out.

Theo concluded the reading with a message to Stefano’s children. Stefano asked his children to forgive and find unity together. Stefano instructed his children to extend on his legacy. “Long live the house of DiMera,” Theo concluded. The doorbell rang. Gabi walked in and announced that she was still legally married to Stefan when he passed. Gabi explained that Evan had confessed that Vivian had forged Stefan’s signature. “I am entitled to his share of the DiMera estate. Cha-ching,” Gabi said.

Family members had various levels of belief in Gabi’s announcement, but Theo and EJ promised to get to the bottom of her claim. As the family turned to Stefano’s portrait to share a toast, Lexie stumbled out of the hidden doorway to the tunnels, stunning everyone.

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