Days of our Lives Recap September 22: Rita Threatens Sarah's Livelihood

On the Tuesday, September 22, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Maggie rejected Philip’s winnings, Holly talked to Mason, Steve made a gameplan, and Rita threatened Sarah’s livelihood.

Relapse

Maggie was reluctant to take Philip's money | Image: Peacock

Xander and Philip visited Maggie at the Horton house to relay the good news that they had enough money to pay off the loan for Titan. Suspicious, Maggie asked Philip how he had obtained the money. Philip admitted that he had gambled. Disappointed, Maggie noted that Philip had led her to believe that he would not gamble. Philip stressed that the gambling had been a one time thing. Xander argued that Philip had only gambled out of desperation to save the family legacy. Maggie was still furious that Philip had relapsed.

Maggie told Philip that because the money came from his decision to rationalize his addiction, she wanted no part of it. Maggie argued that Victor would be upset with Philip’s actions. “But there’s no way Victor would turn down this money,” Xander countered. Philip agreed. Philip noted that Victor would have done anything to keep Titan from the DiMera family.

After Xander noted that he and Philip had already made the decision to use the money to pay off the loan, Maggie said she would no longer be a part of the company. Philip told Maggie that he appreciated how much she cared about him, but that she did not need to worry. Maggie pointed out that Philip had lied to her, and she no longer could trust him. Philip agreed to do whatever he could to prove that he was not relapsing.

“In spite of my having defied you, I have enormous respect for you, Maggie,” Philip said. Xander insisted that they could not run the company without her. Philip argued that Victor would have wanted the three of them to work together to save Titan. Maggie reluctantly agreed. After the meeting, Philip took a poker chip out of his pocket and stared at it.

Guilt Echoes

Mason and Holly discussed their histories with Sophia | Image: Peacock

Holly was walking through the square when she saw Mason in the cafe. Frustrated, Holly showed Mason the cryptic text she had received, and she asked him if he had sent it. Mason said no. When Holly continued to push, Mason took offense to Holly’s implied accusation that he was stalking her.

Holly told Mason that she knew that he held her responsible for the death of a friend, and he asked if that person was Sophia. Mason said yes. After a moment, Holly calmly asked Mason if she could tell him the whole story. Mason agreed to listen. As Holly talked about her history with Sophia, Mason interrupted to say that Sophia had told him everything already. Mason reminded Holly of all of Sophia’s hardships. When Holly asked if Mason believed she was to blame for Sophia’s death, Mason said yes.

Mason told Holly that after Sophia had left Bayview, she had been a regular caller to the mental health helpline where he volunteered. Mason argued that Holly had known how fragile Sophia had been, and yet she had posted hurtful things about Sophia online. Holly argued that she had only posted once, but Mason countered that Holly was avoiding taking responsibility for how much pain she had caused. With a sigh, Mason noted that they all had to live with what had happened.

After Mason walked away, Mason took out his friend’s dogtags from underneath his shirt. “I failed you. And I failed Sophia,” Mason said. Back in the square, Maggie saw Holly in the cafe and joined her. Maggie told Holly that although they had lost the house, they had been able to save Titan.

Of the Sea

Steve and Brady discussed their next steps | Image: Peacock

At Black Patch, Steve and Brady talked about Sarah’s FDA complaint. Brady said he believed that the lawsuit against Sarah had been coordinated by EJ. Steve argued that the lawsuit was proof that EJ was desperate and that they were on the right track.

Steve confirmed that Paul had not uncovered anything new about Dominic Marino. Brady told Steve about Marlena’s comment that both Marino and DiMera meant “of the sea.” Steve agreed that it did not sound like a coincidence. Brady confirmed that neither Chad nor Tony were familiar with Dominic or the chess set mystery. Steve wondered aloud why Stefano would leave a trail to Dominic after Stefano’s death instead of before.

Steve told Brady that Roman had no information on Dominic, but that Marlena had remembered that the Celtic knot symbol had been on Stefano’s island. Brady wanted to search the island, but Steve suggested they investigate Rita first.

Intimidation

Sarah was happy to see Xander | Image: Peacock

At the hospital, Sarah told Kayla that she believed EJ was behind the wrongful death lawsuit. Rita entered the hospital and cheerily greeted Sarah and Kayla. Rita explained that the hospital intended to launch their own internal investigation into Destiny’s death. Kayla argued that the evidence would show that the hospital was not at fault. Rita agreed that the hospital was not at fault, but she argued that Sarah was the subject of the internal investigation.

Kayla reminded Rita that the hospital review board had already gone over the records and had determined that Sarah had followed proper protocol. Rita countered that Destiny would be alive if Sarah had given her patient the proper treatment. Furious, Sarah unloaded a tirade against Rita. Rita continued to needle Sarah, and suggested that Sarah take a leave of absence during the investigation.

After Rita left, Kayla told Sarah that she was proud of how she had stood up for herself. Sarah confessed that although she was offended by the accusations, there was still a part of her that felt to blame for Destiny’s death. Kayla cautioned Sarah not to second guess her actions based on what she had known at the time. Sarah argued that they had no proof of arsenic poisoning, and it was clear that EJ’s investigation would reach whatever conclusion EJ wanted.

Sarah told Kayla that she was worried that she would lose her license. Kayla assured Sarah that the truth was on her side. “When has the truth ever stopped EJ?” Sarah said. With a shake of her head, Sarah noted that she should not have filed the complaint. Kayla vowed to protect Sarah.

After Sarah left work, Kayla warned Rita that she knew that EJ was retaliating against Sarah because he believed Sarah had filed the complaint. Kayla added that anyone could have filed the complaint, because many people knew what EJ had done. Kayla noted that EJ’s intimidation tactics would not work, because she would make sure that EJ could not hide the truth.

An emotional Sarah was walking through the square when Xander ran up to her. Xander told Sarah that they had secured the money to save Titan. Sarah forced a smile. “We won! So much for EJ getting the best of us,” Xander said as he hugged Sarah.

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