Days of our Lives Weekly Recap August 17 to 21: Birth, Death, and Letting Go

On Days of our Lives, the week of August 17-21, 2026, Gwen refused a deal, Leo convinced Dimitri to let him go, Gus made a decision, Gabi trusted Philip, Xander agreed to sell the mansion, Brady and Sarah said I love you, Roman made a move, Joy needed surgery, Chanel gave birth, and Lexie passed away.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Leo asked Dimitri to let go of him physically and emotionally | Image: Peacock

Rafe and Gwen returned to Salem. Gwen was upset they had left Leo behind, but Rafe told Gwen that his only concern was her testimony against EJ. Jada and Rafe attempted to convince Gwen to make a deal to offer evidence against EJ in exchange for immunity. Gwen refused to take the bait.

JJ welcomed Gwen back to town and told her that Jack had worked to track her down after she had been kidnapped. JJ said Gwen’s disappearance had made him realize that he did not want to lose another sister before they had repaired their relationship. Gwen was skeptical of JJ’s intentions, but he asked her to meet him halfway.

Rafe told Javi that Leo had offered to stay behind to save Gwen. Javi was furious that Rafe had abandoned Leo. Rafe admitted that Leo had not wanted to stay, but he had acted to protect Gwen. Javi said he cared about Leo as a friend, but Rafe countered that Gus felt like a rebound. Javi argued that Rafe would help Sami if she needed him, and Rafe agreed.

Dimitri refused to let Leo go. Leo appealed to Dimitri to understand that their relationship was over, and he asked Dimitri to let him go out of love. Dimitri said he hoped if he agreed to let Leo go and end his war with Gwen that it would mean that he had changed. Leo told Dimitri that he had a good side to him, and that if Dimitri leaned into it, he could find real love someday.

Gwen was thrilled to see Leo return home. When Javi saw Leo, he rushed to greet him. Gus watched from afar. Gus told Javi that it was clear that Javi still loved Leo and that he was moving out.

Kiriakis Problems and More

It was trivia night at the pub | Image: Peacock

Gabi declined to give Philip the money to stake his poker game, because she was concerned about his gambling addiction. Philip vowed that he was over his addiction and that he could handle one night of gambling.

Xander found a buyer for the Kiriakis mansion. When Xander and Sarah spoke about living arrangements, Xander suggested they move to the same neighborhood so that Victoria would be close to both of them. Philip was opposed to the sale of the mansion, and Gabi reluctantly agreed to give Philip the money he needed for the poker game to try and save his home. When Sarah told Brady about the sale of the mansion, Brady invited Sarah and Victoria to live with him. Brady and Sarah said I love you.

Roman invited Kate to move back into Ari’s room at the pub. Roman admitted that although he was not ready to share a room with Kate, he wanted to take a step toward reconciliation. Kate thanked Marlena for her encouragement to fight for Roman.

While Julie babysat Trey, she took him to trivia night with Foster. They played against Aaron and Ari, and they won. Aaron held Trey. Aaron said he did not regret his decision to give up parental rights, because he had not been ready to be a father, and because Trey had a good home. Holly and Tate reconnected on their date night, but Holly was jealous when she saw Tate and Gwen’s flirty banter when they ran into one another in the square.

Kayla told Joy that she would need surgery, but that there was a small chance of paralysis. When Joy told Alex, she broke down in tears. Stephanie passed by Joy’s room and she saw Alex comforting Joy. Stephanie was woozy in front of Theo after giving blood, and he helped her sit down. Alex saw Stephanie rest her head on Theo’s shoulder.

Life and Death in Salem

Lexie said goodbye and died | Image: Peacock

Lexie was unconscious in her room in the tunnels when Abe and Theo found her. Once in the hospital, Kayla confirmed that Lexie was dying. Lexie agreed to accept supportive treatment so that she could spend more time with Abe and Theo before she passed.

Chanel went into labor, and Johnny did his best to distract her. After bloodwork confirmed that Chanel would need a blood transfusion, Kayla informed Chanel that she would be unable to get an epidural. Johnny went to the blood bank to donate, and he ran into Theo.

After Theo complained about EJ’s actions, Johnny defended his father. Theo realized that Johnny had lied to him about Lexie, and he told Johnny that there was nothing he could do to repair their relationship. When Johnny told Paulina, she cautioned Johnny not to take his father’s side over his wife’s side.

Theo told Chad that he blamed Johnny as much as EJ for his lost time with Lexie. When Theo saw Johnny he was cold to him. Theo did not tell Chanel about Lexie when he visited her, but Chanel noticed the tension between Theo and Johnny. After Theo left, Chanel started to bleed. Kayla confirmed that all was well, and she sped up Chanel’s labor. Chanel pushed through and gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Lexie told Theo that EJ had convinced her to stay in Salem. Lexie confirmed that she had made EJ swear not to tell anyone about her as her dying wish. Lexie said her goodbyes to EJ, Theo, and Abe, and she passed away.

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