Days of our Lives Recap, November 19, 2025: Salem’s hottest dating app makes another match

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Johnny and Chanel adapt to parenthood, Cat has another close call, and EJ has a recollection.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

In the park, someone tried to snatch Cat’s purse. She fought off the would-be thief and laid him out on the ground. As the man tried to flee, Abe arrived and quickly identified the attacker as his mentee, Liam. Cat assured Abe she was fine, save for a slightly injured wrist. Liam pleaded with Abe and her not to call the cops. He claimed he had been driven to desperation because he had a son to feed.

Abe reminded Liam he’d already violated the terms of his parole by skipping his last tutoring session. Cat admitted Liam hadn’t actually had the opportunity to grab her purse, so she was willing to let the matter go. She had also done things she regretted for her family. Abe compelled Liam to apologize to Cat. Before she left, she told Liam he should be grateful for having a good man like Abe in his life.

Once they were alone, Abe sternly set more ground rules with Liam. He expected Liam to show up for all future appointments and to drop the attitude. Liam insisted he wasn’t a criminal by nature and again mentioned the difficulties in providing for his son. Abe talked to his mentee about the city resources available for assistance. He offered Liam money so that Liam could treat his son to a real restaurant meal.

While Liam refused the money at first, he eventually accepted it. He seemed sincere in thanking Abe for the help.

At Johnny and Chanel’s place, the couple again struggled with a crying Trey. They had apparently been up most of the night trying to calm him. Johnny decided to take the baby out for a stroll, leaving an exhausted Chanel with Paulina. Chanel confided to her mom that although she was grateful to have Trey in her life, caring for him – along with trying to balance her marriage and her work at the bakery – was overwhelming at times. Paulina suggested Chanel take maternity leave to give herself a breather.

Chanel didn’t like the idea because she wanted to be a self-made woman, like her mother. Paulina stressed that no one would think ill of Chanel if she prioritized her family. Johnny could also help more, Paulina stated, just as Chanel’s father had done when he had worked two jobs during her early childhood. Chanel did take Paulina up on her offer for a snack and to take a nap while Johnny and Trey were gone. Later, Paulina returned with the snack to find her daughter sound asleep on the couch.

At the Brady Pub, Roman chatted with an inebriated EJ. He gave his former son-in-law accolades for the gala’s success and stated he wanted to be cordial with EJ for Johnny's sake. EJ asked about the baby shower and lamented that he couldn’t be there. When Roman helped a stumbling EJ out the door, they encountered Johnny and Trey. Johnny had stopped by to locate Trey’s missing pacifier.

Roman went inside to look for the pacifier while Johnny and EJ remained outside. EJ asked his standoffish son if he could take a peek at the baby since he hadn’t seen the boy. After a moment of hesitation, Johnny agreed. EJ approached Trey’s stroller with a smile and a soft greeting. Johnny cut off the moment and affirmed it didn’t change anything between EJ and him.

EJ mentioned that he’d pledged to Amy Choi he’d stay out of the baby’s life anyway. Johnny seemed slightly surprised by the disclosure. EJ told his son that since Johnny was a parent, he would have a better understanding of how fathers would do anything for their sons. Despite Johnny’s protests, they’d always be family. And on the subject of family, EJ filled Johnny in on Tony’s disappearance and Kristen’s escape from prison.

Johnny was taken aback by the news. He hoped his relatives were okay, but EJ had reminded him of how “dangerous” it was to be a DiMera. EJ said Johnny was and always would be a DiMera.

Later, Johnny returned home with Trey. Chanel was still asleep, and Johnny concurred with Paulina that she needed her rest. Paulina said Johnny should get some rest as well. She would look after Trey, who had finally fallen into his own slumber. Johnny thanked her, placed a kiss on Chanel's forehead, and retired to the bedroom.

Meanwhile, EJ went home as well. He cracked open his copy of Wuthering Heights. As he read a passage, a flicker of recognition crossed his face.

In Horton Town Square, Leo met with Chad for a work update. Chad commended his reporter on Leo’s latest story, while Leo was quick to assess Chad’s down mood. He also spotted the dating app open on Chad’s phone. Chad sheepishly admitted he was giving the app a try in order to convince Jennifer he was moving on from Cat. Leo grabbed the phone and perused the profile Chad had made; he declared the “Love Doctor” would touch up the boring profile.

For Chad’s hobbies, Leo changed “a night in with a movie” to “I’m sort of renovating an old nickelodeon in a mid-sized city in the Lone Star State…talkies, dog-friendly matinees, even a little buttered popcorn -- can you say yee-haw?” Chad balked because none of what Leo had said was true. Leo stressed Chad’s objective was to “draw the reader in” by being “witty and engaging.” Leo promised Chad that he’d soon be “drowning in heart emojis.”

Later, Chad and Cat ran into each other once again. He asked about her wrist, but she insisted it was only a minor injury and told him about her near-mugging. While Cat tried to make a quick getaway, Chad expressed concern. She stressed that she would be okay and that she shouldn’t be seen with him after everything that had happened. They wished each other goodbye.

After looking longingly at Cat, Chad pulled out his phone. He read more of the profile Leo had written for him: “helps kids find their inner saxophone rock stars…fluent in movie quotes and sarcasm, this professional over-thinker is seeking someone to help me make decisions. Swap right if you can keep up.” Chad grinned and conceded that Leo’s effort wasn’t bad. On cue, he got an alert for a match.

At the Hernandez home, Javi attempted to distract Leo from his work with kisses. The effort ultimately proved successful, and the couple basked in their newly found alone time as they fell onto the bed. Later, they cuddled in the afterglow. Leo joked about what he had been thinking but grew serious and confessed to Javi that he finally felt as if he had found a real family. He called Javi his “person,” and Javi responded that Leo was his “everything.”

At the hospital, Shawn awaited a suspect’s release from evaluation. He saw Belle in the waiting area and joined her. Belle opened up about the health crisis with Marlena and the part she felt EJ had played in her mom not getting proper medical care. She again blasted herself for ever falling for the man. Shawn comforted his ex about Marlena and told Belle not to be so hard on herself; she wanted to see the best in everyone, which was an admirable quality.

Belle started to lament her bad luck with men but stopped herself and apologized. She had loved and would always love Shawn, even if they couldn’t make it work. Shawn echoed the sentiment and expressed his hope that Belle would find someone who could make her happy. They chatted about the gala and about putting themselves back out there.

Following the pleasant exchange, Shawn got word that his suspect was ready. He wished his best for Marlena and for Belle and left. Belle was soon distracted by a beep on her phone. She had received a match from the dating app she’d joined. Belle smiled when she learned the identity of her match: Chad DiMera.

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