Days of our Lives Recap, November 13: Marlena has chest pains at the big gala

Here is your Days of our Lives recap for Thursday, November 13, 2025.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Eric and Sami caught up with one another at The Brady Pub and discussed visiting each other more often. Sami accused Eric of wanting to take a trip to Italy because their mother asked him to check on her. Eric denied the allegations, so Sami just asked him not to visit with Nicole.

Eric pointed out that Sami didn't get along with John, but still spent time with him. Sami didn't think they were comparable situations. "And I'll just have you know, for all the times I hated John, I always loved him," she said.

Ari and Holly were dressed in their formal best outside the pub, excited about the gala. Tate soon came along, filled with compliments for Holly. Feeling like a third wheel, Ari made herself scarce. She soon returned in time to greet her grandmother, Sami, and her Uncle Eric.

She gave them an update on college, as Sami marveled about how grown-up Arianna was now. Will happened along to meet up with his date, namely his daughter Ari. "My son and my granddaughter are all grown up. Where does the time go?" Sami asked Eric.

Marlena and Will spent some bonding time in her living room before the gala. Marlena told Will that Great Grandpa Tom and Grandpa John would be proud of him. After Will left, Belle was surprised to see that Marlena wasn't ready yet. Marlena thought she still had plenty of time.

Belle wondered if Marlena was up to going to the gala, but Marlena wasn't going to miss it for the world. She had to be there to honor John. She also worried how Belle would fare with Sami there, but Belle said she didn't care what her sister said or did.

Marlena asked Belle to go ahead to the gala without her. She wanted some time alone beforehand and would catch up. Once Belle was gone, Marlena remembered moments with John.

Andrew and Paul got ready for the gala in their Salem Inn room, the same room where they spent their honeymoon

A worried Gwen stood in the secret lab on the phone, arguing about a delayed shipment. "The delivery has to be here tonight," she demanded.

At the hospital, Leo told Chad that he had the gala coverage under control, so he could stay home and take care of Thomas.

In Horton Town Square, Cat surveyed the setup for the outdoor gala while carrying her copy of Wuthering Heights. She remembered reading the book to a bandaged EJ in a hospital room years ago. EJ happened by looking sullen. Cat asked if he was okay. EJ told her that Anna was right to be worried because Tony was still missing.

On top of that, Interpol told EJ that Tony's phone was found abandoned on a beach with the location tracking turned off. He had hired his own team of investigators to find Tony. Cat wondered if EJ was up for the gala, but he said he would be a welcome distraction.

After EJ walked away, Cat called Rafe and told him what she knew about Tony. She then made it to the hospital to try to sneak into the lab and found Leo, who was there to do the same thing. However, neither one knew what the other was up to. Kayla then happened by and got Leo to walk with her to the square.

Back in the square, EJ ran into Sami and complimented her on her dress. EJ asked Sami if Johnny would be coming. She told him that Johnny and Chanel chose to stay home with their new baby. Brady and Rachel soon appeared behind them. They all made small talk, and Tate even took a few photos.

When Sami and Brady stepped aside to talk to Tate, EJ took Rachel to a table and advised her not to encourage Thomas' bad behavior anymore. "Thomas isn't like you and me. He is more Horton than DiMera," EJ told the girl. Brady then sent Rachel to Sami's side before warning EJ to stay away from Rachel.

Soon, Gwen approached EJ and told him that an accident on the freeway had delayed their delivery. EJ sent Gwen to find Rita and problem-solve with Rita. After Gwen walked away, Sami accused EJ of sleeping with Gwen. "Why would you care?" EJ asked Sami, causing her to walk away in a huff.

Sami sidled up beside Belle next and made a few snide remarks as each sister took a drink. Belle was shocked when Sami told her that she felt awful about what EJ did to her. "I'm just impressed that you woke up to who EJ really was way sooner than I did," Sami said. The sisters were arguing again by the time Marlena arrived.

Eventually, all the guests were settled, so EJ could take the podium and deliver welcoming remarks. Belle's speech came next, in which she honored her late father and the contribution he made to the hospital. He had left money to help fund research and treatment for pancreatic cancer, the disease that took Brady's mother, Isabella.

Paul and Brady also delivered speeches to honor John. When Marlena got up to speak, she stressed how important it was to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, which also claimed Drake Hogestyn's life last fall. "People with pancreatic cancer will have more time with their family, with their friends, and one day, there will be a cure," she said.

Despite both Leo making it to the square with Kayla, he snuck away again and opened the door to the clinic just as Cat arrived at the same spot. Leo claimed he was there to work on his story, while Cat was there as EJ's assistant. Inside the lab, Gwen assured Rita that the truck was finally at the loading dock.

As for Leo, he knew he needed to make his way back to the square to cover the gala part of the story.

Cat also returned to the gala, where it became apparent she knew Andrew. Cat told Andrew that she had started having memories of reading to a man covered in bandages.

"He feels very familiar to me. Although I seem to remember your cousin Sami visiting him," she said. Andrew confirmed that Cat and EJ were both in the same rehab facility in Italy.

Finally, after Sami bid her family adieu to catch a flight, Marlena sat down with Rachel and appeared to have heart palpitations. Kayla and Belle approached. "Don't make a scene, but I need to get to the hospital," Marlena said.

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