Days of our Lives Recap October 22: Steve's Latest Mission Puts Him in Harm's Way

On the Thursday, October 22, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Chanel underwent successful surgery, Javi confessed his feelings, Abe confided in Kayla, and EJ took care of his George O'Halloran problem.

New Hope for Javi and Leo

Leo met with Javi at Small Bar | Image: Peacock

Leo nervously walked into Small Bar to meet Javi and told him he was early. Javi admitted that he was early too. They made some awkward small talk, as Leo acknowledged that he knew they were just meeting as friends. They decided to just sit and see what happened.

When Leo mentioned the last episode of Housewives, he finally broke the ice. They argued a bit about the show, but at least the awkward vibe was gone. They then reminisced about the day they had met. As they spoke some more, Javi told Leo that he feared Leo was taking a risk by investigating the counterfeit purses.

Finally, Javi admitted that he couldn't be friends with Leo, which made Leo panic, thinking he may have been too needy. Javi clarified that he wanted to be more than friends with Leo.

"There is a reason I can't be friends with you and it's not what you think," Javi said.

Angry EJ

EJ didn't have a good day | Image: Peacock

In the DiMera living room, an angry EJ left a message for George to call him back. Theo then walked in to talk to EJ about Lexie's memorial service. "I thought you might like to attend," Theo said. "You gave me time back with my mom that I will always be grateful for."

Theo asked EJ to be on his best behavior if he chose to attend. EJ was offended by that remark and pointed out that he'd loved his sister. After all, he was the one who had brought her back.

Health News

Johnny and Chanel got good news | Image: Peacock

Kayla walked into an exam room to see Abe, who had been having some health problems he wanted to discuss. Abe told Kayla that he'd been more forgetful than usual. He also had been suffering from hand tremors and his handwriting was sometimes illegible.

Kayla wanted to run some tests, so Abe asked her to keep this all between them. Abe worried because his symptoms were similar to Lexie's. He knew he didn't have a tumor but worried about Theo seeing him like this. Kayla acknowledged that losing Lexie again had to have been hard, but Abe was thankful for the extra months.

At their apartment, Johnny and Chanel prepared for her lumpectomy surgery. Johnny had packed everything Chanel could want for a hospital stay, despite it only being one night. Johnny even had a bottle of champagne ready to celebrate the end of her cancer journey.

Johnny also packed his laptop because he'd be doing a lot of work cleaning up for EJ while she was in surgery. Chanel once again asked Johnny to quit. "For me. For our children. For our marriage," she said. Johnny promised Chanel he would walk away once he'd fix what EJ had broken and found someone to replace him.

At the hospital, the couple met up with Paulina, who grew choked up as she told Chanel how proud she was of her. As they waited, Paulina ran into Abe, who offered to wait with her. Paulina asked if Abe was well. He lied and said that he was. "I'm fine. There are no complaints," Abe said.

Theo was also there and had a chat with Johnny. Johnny told Theo that he was making changes for the better at DiMera. Theo acknowledged that he knew Johnny had told the cops about the Coriseal mess. "Hopefully, they'll be able to build a case or I don't think I can ever forgive myself for helping my father get away with what he did," Johnny said. "I have to make this right."

"Better late than never, I guess," Theo said. Johnny said he'd hoped it was enough. Theo said he was surprised but not surprised that the DiMera family would do something like this. Theo thought that Johnny should quit now, but Johnny was determined to make things right before he did that. "The truth needs to come out," he said. Theo thought Johnny had some lofty goals.

Johnny filled Theo in on the plan to track down George's laptop and get the evidence they needed to clear Sarah. Steve was watching George now with the hopes of getting their hands on that laptop.

Soon, Kayla arrived and told them all that the surgery was over and Chanel was in recovery. She reported that all looked good, but Chanel would still need hormone treatment and monitoring. Paulina asked Theo and Abe to join her at the Bistro to celebrate, but Theo turned her down. "Why don't you two go together?" Theo suggested with a smile.

At George's House

Johnny feared for Steve | Image: Peacock

After Kayla left Abe, she finally heard from Steve, who had been surveilling George O'Halloran's house all night. After he hung up with Kayla, Steve spotted EJ entering George's house.

In George's living room, EJ questioned George about his laptop. George said it was in a hidden spot in the lab. He didn't expect anyone to be able to find it. EJ asked how George expected to get it back. George assured EJ that he would take care of it. "I'm going to DiMera tonight," George said. He had cloned his key card, so it wouldn't be hard.

EJ ordered George to leave Salem once he had his hands on the laptop. EJ gave George a hefty sum to do so and promised more. He had even gotten George an alias, a new bank account, and a new home in Fiji, so George was all set.

Steve watched as George brought packed bags outside the front door. He quickly called Johnny and told him what he had seen. "Looks like he's about to run and if I'm a betting man, there's no way this dude leaves Salem without his laptop," Steve said.

Steve told Johnny he planned to follow George to the lab, but before he could say much more, someone came along and tased Steve.