Days Recap: Days of our Lives Recap October 26: The DiMera Shootout Claims a Life

In today’s Days of our Lives recap for Monday, October 26, 2026, Xander fights for his life, Sarah makes a big declaration, Leo and Javi share their good news, and EJ panics.

Gunfight at DiMera Pharma

Xander held on in the wake of his heroism | Image: Peacock

In the lab, George O’Halloran pointed his gun in Sarah’s direction and fired. Xander jumped in front of her and took a bullet to the stomach. Before collapsing against the table, he aimed his gun and hit O’Halloran in the chest. As George stumbled away, a frantic Sarah tended to Xander on the ground. She put a compress on the bleeding wound and called for an ambulance. Xander managed to groan out for Sarah to secure the gun O’Halloran had dropped.

Returning to Xander, Sarah implored him to keep his eyes on her. As he struggled to stay conscious, she spoke of Xander’s bravery and his many good qualities, which she’d refused to acknowledge when they first met. The exes flashed to bantering with each other, to the first time Sarah told Xander she loved him, and to him meeting Victoria as her father. Javi arrived on the scene, and Sarah told him Xander was crashing. While Javi worked on him, Sarah continued talking with Xander and asked him to fight for Victoria because their little girl needed him.

Meanwhile, George made his way with great effort through the hallway…where he ran into EJ. George’s boss laid into him for making EJ get his hands dirty, and George admitted the laptop was still in the lab. EJ did try to assist George with walking, but the gravely injured man eventually slumped against the wall. EJ heard approaching sirens, kicked George to confirm he was dead, and left his employee behind. Later, Shawn arrived with other officers and examined George’s body.

You’re a Good Man, Brady Black

Brady served a plateful of troubles to Marlena | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Marlena kept Brady company in the waiting area. Both were relieved that Rachel was on the mend. Marlena gave Kristen credit for doing the right thing for Rachel’s benefit, but Brady let it be known he was “boiling mad” at his ex for once again putting their daughter through the emotional wringer. He told Marlena about Rachel’s epiphany regarding Kristen and her role in Rachel’s life. Marlena concurred with Brady that Rachel was making psychological as well as physical progress.

Brady fielded a call from Kayla about Steve’s assault. He told Marlena about the incident and expressed worry because Kayla had also said Sarah and Xander had gone over to the lab. He hadn’t heard from Sarah. Just as Marlena was trying to reassure Brady, he got word that there had been a shooting at DiMera Pharma…with multiple victims.

Shortly thereafter, Sarah and Javi burst through the doors. A now-unconscious Xander was on a gurney. As they raced by Brady and Marlena, Sarah continued tending to and pleading with Xander. Sarah later approached and tearfully told Brady and Marlena that Xander’s heart had stopped, but they’d managed to restart it. She cried that Xander had saved her life and then broke down in Brady’s arms.

After Sarah returned to Xander’s side, Brady expressed his hope that Xander would make it through, for his family’s sake and for Sarah’s sake. Marlena commended Brady’s selflessness and called him a good man. Meanwhile, Sarah sat down with Jada and emotionally recounted the events that had led them to the lab and to Xander’s subsequent shooting. She reiterated that Xander saved her life and that he had no choice but to shoot O’Halloran.

Later, a still-shaken Sarah sat by Xander’s bedside. He was stable but in critical condition. She begged Xander to come back to Victoria…and to her. “I love you so much. Please don’t leave me,” Sarah pleaded. At the door, Brady seemingly heard every word.

News Travels Fast

Days of our Lives' Leo accepted a hug from Javi | Image: Peacock

In Horton Town Square, Leo mused about potential topics for a new quiz show on his podcast: Who Said It? Salem Mayor or Soap Opera Villain? His musings were interrupted when he received an alert about a shooting at DiMera Pharma.

Leo made his way into the hospital just in time to witness Xander, Sarah, and Javi’s dramatic arrival. Following the commotion, he pulled Javi aside and got an update about Xander. The brawny Scotsman had become Leo’s unlikely friend, and Leo hoped that he would be okay. Leo couldn’t stand to lose someone else he cared about. Javi believed Xander would make it because he’d had someone he loved by his side. Leo rambled a bit, and Javi lovingly teased him.

Leo was in awe of Javi’s bravery and so thankful that he was okay. Javi returned the sentiment. Marlena approached and saw the meaningful, close interaction between the two. She smiled and asked if they were back together. With their own smiles, Leo and Javi confirmed her assumption.

Out, Damn Spot!

EJ literally had blood on his hands. Image: Peacock

At the DiMera mansion, Sydney answered a call from Dante, who said he had a message from Dominic Marino – for hers and Marlena’s ears only. Just as Sydney ended the call, a harried EJ arrived home. He stared at a splatter of George’s blood on his cufflink. When he saw Sydney, he put on a composed face and greeted his daughter with a hug. Sydney told her dad about Chanel’s lumpectomy, which had been a success.

EJ hadn’t heard the news and sincerely expressed his happiness for Chanel and Johnny. Sydney mentioned the tension between father and son and asked if EJ had spoken to Johnny since the Coriseal investigation had started. Before the conversation could proceed much further, Shawn paid EJ an unwelcome visit. He had questions for the DiMera…about Steve’s tasering and about George O’Halloran’s death.

EJ feigned shock at his employee’s unceremonious demise. He denied any knowledge of the goings-on at the lab. Shawn pressed EJ about why he had dropped in on O’Halloran earlier that night. EJ claimed he’d learned of potential wrongdoing on George’s part – again of which he had no knowledge – and had gone to confront the man. In light of EJ’s refusal to provide answers, Shawn left, but not before advising EJ not to leave town.

Following Shawn’s departure, Sydney worriedly asked her dad if he was telling the truth. He insisted he didn’t know anything, so Sydney backed down. Right after she left EJ, he stripped off his bloody shirt and appeared to be at his wit’s end.

Meanwhile, Sydney called Marlena and filled her grandma in on Shawn’s interrogation. She confided that she didn’t believe EJ was being honest about what he knew. Marlena offered to come over and comfort her granddaughter, but Sydney said she’d had another reason for calling. Dominic Marino had reached out to Dante and provided his contact information.

Sydney asked if Marlena wanted the information. After a moment’s hesitation, Marlena replied that she did. She looked pensive when Dominic’s contact details popped up on her phone screen.

Will Marlena meet a long-lost son at long last? Will Brady bow out of the battle for Sarah’s heart? And will EJ invest in a high-end dry cleaner to remove that bloody stain? Sound off in the comments.