Days of our Lives Recap, September 7-11, 2026: Paralysis, Blown Covers, and Mystery Men

On Days of our Lives for the week of September 7 through 11, 2026, EJ crashed Chad and Belle’s trip, Joy had a medical setback, George threatened Johnny, Javi agreed to coffee with Leo, Maggie comforted Xander, and Philip ran into Sydney at the poker game.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Joy and her daughter, Kelsey | Image: JPI

Joy was annoyed to learn that Kayla had babysat Kelsey overnight without her approval. Joy suggested to Alex that they reevaluate Stephanie and the custody agreement in a year. When Alex balked, Joy threatened to give Chloe temporary custody instead. Alex agreed to the one-year clause.

When the anesthesia from Joy’s surgery wore off, she had no feeling in her legs. Kayla assured Joy that the issue could be temporary inflammation. Alex comforted Joy and let her cry on his shoulder. Stephanie complained to Kayla about the custody amendment and her concern that Joy wanted to string her along. When Stephanie talked to Steve about how she felt helpless, Steve reminded Stephanie that she could only control her own actions. Stephanie confirmed that she chose to fight for her marriage.

Theo was suspicious that Johnny wanted to meet with Pharma head George O’Halloran rather than sit with Chanel for chemotherapy. When Johnny assured Theo there were no secrets, and Theo could take the meeting, Theo relaxed.

Paulina sat with Chanel for her chemo, and Chanel said that she had talked to Johnny and trusted him. Abe ran into Paulina in the square, and he asked if she had been thinking of him. Paulina apologized for not having reached out after Lexie’s death, but Abe said he understood.

Johnny admitted to Marlena that he was lying to protect his family. Marlena urged him to come clean to Chanel, but Johnny argued that it was a moot point since he would never help EJ again. Johnny met with George, and George refused to take the blame for the Coriseal debacle. George threatened to direct the police to Johnny if the truth came out.

Maggie Is Proud of Xander

Steve found footage of Johnny entering Sarah’s office the night that someone had left the book open on Sarah’s desk to help Holly. Brady told Sarah, and they both agreed that it was unlike Johnny to skip his wife’s chemo treatment in favor of covertly helping EJ.

When Xander visited Chanel, Xander advised Johnny to be honest with his loved ones so that he would not end up like him. Johnny apologized for how far EJ had gone to seek revenge. Xander and Johnny agreed that they both had regrets. Xander struggled with the emotions of ending the company and laying off the staff. Sarah encouraged Xander to open up to her, but Xander declined.

When Maggie saw Xander packing at Titan, she told him that she was proud of how much he had changed for the better. Xander admitted that he had believed he would reconcile with Sarah, but he had overheard her tell Brady that she loved him. Xander said he accepted that Sarah had moved on, even though he did not believe he could ever love another woman.

Gwen told Leo that she planned to accept EJ as a silent partner rather than fight him. Leo was concerned about Gwen’s welfare. Leo told Gwen and Gabi that he believed the counterfeit bags were part of a greater DiMera criminal enterprise. Gabi agreed.

Kate told Leo she was his new editor, and she ordered him to beef up their digital presence with a podcast. Leo pitched the title as “Stark Raving Mad.” Leo overheard Tate talk about Lani’s heroics, and he pitched a story on the mugging to Kate for the podcast. When Javi avoided Leo in the pub, Leo told Javi that he knew why Gus had left. Javi said he did not want to date. Leo asked if they could be friends instead. Javi agreed to start with a coffee.

A Move to Monte Carlo

Mason was chatting with Ari in the square when he saw Holly. Holly started to thank Mason for having helped Lani, but he coldly noted that he had not done it to help her. Ari confronted Mason about his behavior. Mason explained that he was upset because Holly was responsible for the death of a friend.

Kate followed through on her promise to Gabi to remove Ari from her internship. When Ari told Kate about her disappointment, Kate assured Ari that her boss had told Kate that Ari had done excellent work and not to take it personally. Tate encouraged Holly to skip schoolwork and go to the lake with him. While at the lake, someone sent a strange text to Holly.

Philip and Gabi arrived in Monte Carlo for the poker game. As Philip and Gabi leaned in for a kiss, Sydney interrupted. Sydney confirmed that Dante Vitali ran the poker game, and he had asked Sydney to play. Sydney agreed not to tell anyone Philip and Gabi were playing poker or that they were engaged.

Belle and Chad in Italy

Roman and Marlena were surprised to learn from Chad that EJ had joined them in Italy. Marlena remembered that the Celtic knot on the lure was the same symbol she had seen on Stefano’s island. Marlena confided in Kate about her concerns.

EJ’s surprise visit with Sydney was ruined when he learned she was out of town. Chad and Belle resisted speaking with EJ, but he told them about his concerns about Cat’s past with the ISA. Chad noted that Shane would not have let an agent pose as Abigail, so her explanation that she had left the agency seemed accurate.

J followed up with Rita, and she confirmed that Cat’s story was true. EJ asked Rita to make sure that Cat was not still with the ISA. Rita confirmed that the hospital board had learned about Gwen’s connection to EJ and that they had rejected her bid. EJ was furious to lose his leverage over Gwen and his only way to recoup his losses. When EJ told Rita about Chad’s treasure hunt and that he believed Rolf was behind it, Rita agreed. EJ asked Rita to track Rolf down while he stayed in Rome to investigate. While EJ longed for his father's missing ring, Rita sent it to a mystery man connected to Stefano.

Belle received a text about a dinner reservation, and she realized it was another clue. Belle and Chad researched, and they determined that the clues pointed to a former convent now owned by Dominic Marino.

Gwen confronted Rafe over his decision to leak her letter to the hospital board. Rafe reminded Gwen that she had decided to partner with EJ. When Gwen noted that Rafe’s actions would cause the hospital to fall into receivership with the state, Rafe argued that the hospital was better off without her or EJ. Leo asked Cat if she had stolen Gwen’s letter and given it to Rafe. Cat lied and said no. Leo asked Cat to help him with his investigation into the DiMera criminal empire.

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