Days of our Lives Recap, October 12-16, 2026: Welcome and unwelcome returns

On Days of our Lives, the week of October 12 to 16, 2026, Kristen returned to Salem with Sophia, Brady learned how Kristen had crossed EJ, Dominic backed out of buying the Kiriakis mansion, Alex pushed Joy out, Holly volunteered, Chad learned about Dominic, EJ asked Cat to come back to him, and Lani got a pardon.

The Kirkiakis Mansion

Maggie was thrilled when the house was saved | Image: Peacock

Maggie asked Julie why she continued to use her as an excuse to cancel her dates with Foster. Julie confessed she was unsure what she wanted out of the relationship, because she still felt like she was married to Doug. Roman celebrated his anniversary with Kate by asking her to move back in with him.

Although the home inspector found evidence of all the issues that Maggie had reported on her disclosure for the Kiriakis mansion, he noted that nothing was severe. After a failed bribe, Xander and Philip appealed to the inspector on a personal level. The inspector was sympathetic, and he confirmed that the issues in the disclosure were accurate. Dominic Marino backed out of buying the mansion. The Kiriakis family moved back into the house.

Joy's New Game

Joy put on quite an act | Image: Peacock

Stephanie entered Alex’s apartment when she heard Kelsey crying. Joy managed to get back in her wheelchair before Stephanie saw her standing, but Stephanie saw Joy’s leg move. Stephanie ran off and told Kayla about the movement. Kayla said she believed Joy’s paralysis was real. Frustrated, Alex said he wanted Joy out of his apartment as soon as possible. Joy admitted she had overreacted because she felt helpless in her chair.

Alex told Stephanie that he planned to ask Joy to move into the Kiriakis mansion. When Stephanie told Alex that she had seen Joy’s legs move, Alex did not believe her. Stephanie argued that Joy was lying in order to stay close to Alex because Joy wanted to be with him. Joy overheard their conversation on the baby monitor.

When Alex told Joy about moving into the Kiriakis mansion, she pretended to be happy so that Alex did not suspect she was interested in him. Joy took a muscle relaxant and struggled through her workout with Tate. When Joy saw Alex watching, she flirted with Tate. Forced out, Joy planned to convince Alex to move into the mansion with her.

Mason told Holly the story of his friend Joaquin who had died by suicide, and how Mason had been anxious to help Sophia because of his guilt. Holly told Mason that she felt bad about Sophia’s end. Mason urged Holly to work at the mental health hotline as a way to help others. During a training session, Holly and Mason bonded over art. When Tate arrived after his session with Joy, Mason looked disappointed when he saw Tate kiss Holly.

Chad was furious when he heard about Johnny’s statement to the police, so he confronted EJ. EJ claimed that he had believed that the tainted drugs had been properly disposed of by George. EJ told Chad that he felt betrayed by his son, who he believed did not understand the situation fully. When EJ complained about how even Rita had betrayed him, Chad asked what had happened.

EJ told Chad that Dominic was likely their half-brother by Marlena. EJ admitted that he was concerned that because Dominic was Marlena’s son, it meant EJ was no longer Stefano’s favorite. Chad told EJ to use Cat to research Dominic since Rita had skipped out, but EJ explained that Cat had quit because she had felt that EJ did not trust her. Chad grumbled that he did not trust Cat either.

Cat talked to Marlena about how she had quit her job in an effort to provoke EJ to trust her again. When Cat admitted she was disappointed that she had been wrong about EJ’s affections for her, Marlena asked Cat if she had been falling in love with EJ. Cat said no. Cat told Marlena that she was more upset about Chad’s reaction to the news that she was a former ISA agent.

When Cat went to drop off her laptop and keys to EJ, he told Cat that he was innocent and that he needed her to believe in him. EJ told Cat about Rita’s betrayal and that he needed Cat’s skills to investigate his half-brother. When Cat mentioned that their relationship had been more than business, EJ said he still wanted more.

Good News For Lani

Lani's life began again | Image: Peacock

Paulina called Lani and said that the governor had granted her a pardon. Jada offered Lani her old job back at the police station, and Lani accepted. Jada assigned Lani as Shawn’s new partner.

Gabi was furious to learn about Leo’s plan to use Philip’s gambling connections to track down the counterfeiters. Leo argued that Philip would not have to gamble, but Gabi was adamant that Philip not help with the investigation. Javi agreed to a do-over on his missed date with Leo.

While Philip and Gwen were chatting in the square about Philip’s big gambling win, they ran into Chad and Belle who had been discussing their half-brother, Dominic. Philip told the group about how they had saved the house from Dominic. Back at the hotel later, Gwen challenged Philip to a game of poker. Though tempted, Philip said no.

In therapy, Marlena advised Xander to refocus his love for Sarah as a partner rather than a lover. Xander agreed that it was time for him to give up on the idea of reuniting with Sarah romantically.

About Kristen and Sophia

Kristen wanted Sophia to contact Amy | Image: Peacock

Kristen confronted Sophia in a Kentucky diner. Sophia told Kristen that she did not remember jumping in the river. Kristen said she was relieved that Sophia was alive. Kristen told Sophia that she regretted her action, and Sophia admitted she was grateful that Johnny had survived. When Kristen told Sophia that she was hiding from EJ, Sophia blackmailed her. Although Kristen agreed to pay, she ordered Sophia to go with her to Salem to check on Rachel in the hospital. Once in Salem, Kristen urged Sophia to reach out to Amy so that she could make peace with Sophia’s death. Sophia refused.

Kayla told Brady what Johnny had said about EJ’s reason for getting revenge against Kristen. Brady believed EJ. Sarah told Maggie that although Johnny’s confession had helped her with the lawsuit, the accusations against Sarah had already damaged her reputation with her patients. Johnny promised to do what he could to clear Sarah’s name. When the police questioned Johnny about the digital alteration of Destiny’s records, Johnny advised them to focus on George O’Halloran. After Johnny picked up Trey from daycare, Sophia followed him.

Brady attempted to keep Kristen away from Rachel, but Kristen snuck into the hospital before security could be alerted. Before Brady could remove Kristen from the room, Rachel woke up and realized that her mother was there.

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