DAYS Recap October 1: Xander and Philip Thwart EJ as Melinda Maligns Sarah

On the Thursday, October 1, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, EJ's plans came together, but then just as quickly fell apart.

Showtime for EJ

EJ was ready with snacks | Image: Peacock

In the DiMera living room, EJ spoke to Melinda on the phone and ordered her not to screw things up. "Don't worry, EJ. It's handled," Melinda said. After he hung up with Melinda, an agitated EJ left a message for Johnny to call him about the lawsuit. Finally, he sat down and turned the TV on.

Just as he expected, there was Melinda at her desk publicly accusing Sarah of negligence and medical malpractice. With a look of glee on his face, EJ popped party mix into his mouth and continued to smile.

The Truth From Philip

Philip gave Maggie her ring back | Image: Peacock

Philip and Maggie met for a meal at the cafe in Horton Town Square. Maggie was intrigued when Philip said he wanted to talk about something personal. He handed Maggie back the ring he had given Gabi and sheepishly said, "Thanks for the loan."

Maggie said she had been looking for her ring everywhere. It had been a gift from Daniel. Maggie had hoped that Philip had just gotten it mixed up with his own things, but Philip had to break it to her that he had taken it for his Monte Carlo excursion.

Maggie was surprised to hear that Gabi had fronted Philip the money to gamble. She was further surprised to hear that Gabi and Philip were now back together and Philip hoped to spend the rest of his life with her. "I'm so happy for you, Philip. And I'm very grateful that you saved the company, even though I was upset about how you did it," Maggie said.

Sarah's Heartache

Xander found Sarah with Brady at the Brady Pub and asked how she was holding up. Sarah said she was doing as well as could be expected. Before she could say much more, Belle called Brady and told her brother that she was worried about Marlena.

Belle said that Marlena had been crying all night and was refusing to come out of her room. Sarah told Brady she would be fine and that he should go to his mother. Sarah stayed at the pub with Xander as they watched Melinda's public announcement on a tablet.

Sarah broke down crying when it was over, knowing the world would see her as a liar and a negligent doctor. Xander assured Sarah that she was the best person she knew, but Sarah said that didn't matter. Now, everywhere she went, people would see her differently.

Sarah later found her mother in the square, where she received some of the comfort she needed. She also admitted that Xander had been her rock. "I don't know how I would get through this without him," she said. "And Brady, too," she added as an afterthought.

Marlena's Heartache

Marlena confided in Brady | Image: Peacock

In the Black Patch office, Steve flashed back to showing Marlena the telltale birth certificate and how distraught she had been. He looked at a picture of John. "Sure wish you were here, buddy, with a knack for always finding the silver lining when the rest of us come up empty," he said. He vowed to get to the bottom of things.

Marlena was lying in bed staring at the picture of Stefano and Dominic when Brady arrived to talk to Belle. Just then, Steve texted and asked to see her. Brady said it was likely about the Dominic Marino mystery. Brady offered to stay with Marlena while Belle met with Steve. After Belle was gone, Brady watched Melinda's press moment on his phone.

Soon, Marlena emerged from the bedroom and embraced Brady. They sat down to talk as Marlena told Brady about the birth certificate. Marlena assured Brady that Stefano had never touched her sexually in all the years he had tortured her. However, she wondered if Domonic may have been conceived in another way. "If seeing the picture of that little boy was Stefano's way of tormenting me, it certainly worked," Marlena noted.

Marlena poured out her feelings to Brady. "It makes me so angry to be manipulated by Stefano after all these years," she said. She wondered if Dominic really was her son. Brady promised to find him and get DNA proof one way or another. Marlena was relieved for help, but still tormented. "I can't even sleep, Brady. It never stops," she said.

Back at Steve's office, Belle told Steve that her mother was in bad shape and she wished she knew what was wrong. Steve didn't tell Belle about the birth certificate and just said that the mystery in general was weighing on her mind. Steve wanted to check the Verdi program for prints as part of his investigation, specifically Dr. Rolf's and Rita's prints.

After Belle left Steve's office, she returned home and told Marlena that Steve was going to have the Verdi program dusted for prints. She was also glad to see her mother was no longer in the bedroom. Belle apologized for ever pursuing any of these clues. Things would have been fine if she had just left well enough alone. Marlena assured Belle that none of this was her fault.

Marlena decided she needed some fresh air and went for a walk. Belle could tell that Brady knew what this was all about. Brady admitted that he did, but he just couldn't tell her.

Sorry, EJ

Xander and Philip have bad news for EJ | Image: Peacock

Back at the DiMera mansion, Melinda stopped by and asked EJ if there was any truth to what she had just said. EJ played it cool and said that what happened was in the documents. Melinda just wanted to know if the documents were true. Before EJ could confirm or deny, Xander and Philip showed up.

Melinda left so EJ could taunt Xander and Philip about losing Titan. As he gloated, Xander told EJ that he loved listening to the sound of his own voice. EJ didn't stop speaking, so that was apparently true. The brothers took a sip of EJ's scotch as he toasted to the end of the Kiriakis era. They then informed EJ that they weren't the ones with something to mourn.

EJ was shocked to learn that the Kiriakis clan had come up with the money to save Titan. Philip handed EJ a check. "Read it and weep, you son of a b****," Philip said. EJ stared at the check in disbelief. "No congratulations for a job well done?" Xander asked. All EJ could do was tell them to get out.

"Oh, EJ, just like you didn't get away with this, you're not going to get away with what you did to Sarah. In fact, that's going to blow up in your face," Xander warned.

Joy's Big Risk

Joy took a gamble with her health | Image: Peacock

In her hospital room, Joy asked Kayla if a package had arrived for her. Kayla said she'd check, but first she had to check Joy's reflexes before her nerve conduction test. Joy put on a good act and once again claimed that she couldn't feel anything. Soon, Kayla brought Joy her package. The muscle relaxers from her father had arrived.

"Thank you, Daddy. Let's hope these do the trick," Joy said, as she debated how many to take.

After Joy was taken for her test, Kayla tried to shut the TV off in her room and caught Melinda's public announcement. Kayla lamented the lawsuit and Joy's condition to Steve when he stopped by. She just wanted to get to the bottom of things.

Later, when Joy was back in her room, Kayla told her that the test results were abnormal as Joy slipped in and out of sleep. Joy claimed she was just tired because she hadn't slept the night before.

Are you growing tired of Joy? Is everything about to really blow up in EJ's face? Sound off in the comments.