Days of our Lives recap for March 4, 2025: Xander and Philip make a move on DiMera

Marlena stared at a photo of John in her office. “Come home soon, sweetheart. I miss you so,” Marlena said. Cat asked Marlena if she wanted her to get lunch. Marlena looked at the photo of John, and she noted that she would eat at the cafeteria.

As Cat started to leave, Marlena asked her about her conversation with Chad. Cat told Marlena about it. “I think I agree. Galas are expensive, and we want every dime to go right to the hospital,” Marlena said. “Precisely. That is what Chad understood, and he said we could do another brainstorming session this afternoon,” Cat said. Cat added that Chad intended to support the fundraiser with the paper.

“Heartwarming to see everybody come together this way. Willing to help the hospital. But I think we do have to acknowledge our limits,” Marlena said. Confused, Cat asked Marlena what she meant. Marlena mentioned Cat’s feelings for Chad. “I really appreciate that, but I realized I’m over Chad. And I told him as much,” Cat said. “So wait, were you lying to him or to yourself?” Marlena countered. Marlena assured Cat that she was asking her as a colleague.

“A colleague who also happens to be a world-renowned psychiatrist? I really don’t know why I thought I was going to be able to pull one over on you,” Cat said. “So you do have feelings for Chad?” Marlena asked. Cate admitted she did, but she stressed that she would get past them because there was no future with Chad. “It’s so much better that Chad doesn’t know because that way it doesn’t get in the way of us planning the fundraiser,” Cat said. Marlena’s phone rang with a call from Shane. Cat started to leave.

“Do you have anything on John’s information and his whereabouts?” Marlena asked. As Cat opened the door, she heard the upset tone in Marlena’s voice, and she lingered in the doorway. Marlena asked Shane to call her as soon as he had more information. As Marlena ended the call, Cat apologized for eavesdropping, and she asked Marlena if everything was okay. “My husband is missing,” Marlena said. Marlena explained that John was undercover, but he had not made contact with the ISA.

“Even his handler has lost contact with him. Which means either he has gone rogue, which he is wont to do, or that something terrible has happened,” Marlena said. “It’s the not knowing that’s the worst part, isn’t it?” Cat said. Marlena said yes. Cat said that when she had not known the fate of her mother, it had haunted her. “But I did find my mom. And if a miracle could happen for us, why can’t it happen for you and John?” Cat said. With a nod, Marlena noted that she and John had faced greater odds before.

“But I guess there is a time when people’s luck just runs out. Even John’s. I don’t know what I will do if anything happens to him,” Marlena said, her voice breaking. After a moment, Marlena shook off the tears, and she apologized for having been unprofessional. With a chuckle, Cat noted that she had discussed her share of personal stuff with Marlena. “You have been there for me through the worst of my moments. If you think for a second that I am not going to return the favor, then you don’t know me at all,” Cat said.

At the nurses’ station, Sarah greeted Stephanie as she stepped off the elevator. Stephanie explained that she was there to drop off a presentation for the fundraiser. “We are definitely lucky to have your expertise. I can’t even believe that the hospital shutting down is a possibility,” Sarah said. Stephanie nodded in agreement.

“What about the patients? Or the people who are going to lose their jobs?” Sarah said. Stephanie asked Sarah if she planned to stick around, and Sarah said yes. Sarah explained that Xander had offered to take care of her if the hospital closed. “Somehow, I doubt you liked the sound of that,” Stephanie said with a chuckle. With a grin, Sarah agreed that she had not endured eight years of medical school to be a “kept woman.”

Stephanie asked Sarah how Xander had reacted to the news about the forged letter. Stephanie explained that she did not plan to spill the secret, but that she was still angry that Philip had dragged her and Belle into the legal repercussions of his scheme. “I’m mad at him, not you,” Stepanie stressed. Stephanie agreed that it would be a disaster to everyone if she spilled the secret.

“I hate lying to Xander, but it is for the greater good,” Sarah said. “Do you really believe that, though?” Stephanie asked. Sarah noted that although she loved her husband, he was also a great example that power was corrupting. Stephanie noted that Philip was the same way. “Both of Victor’s sons got that ruthless trait from him. But if they are forced to share Titan and play nice, it will curb each other’s most reckless impulses,” Sarah said. “If they don’t kill each other first,” Stephanie countered. Sarah told Stephanie that Xander and Philip had been getting along so well that Xander had invited Philip to move back into the mansion.

“Everything is working out the way I’d hoped,” Sarah said. “I just hope nothing happens to change that. For your sake and mine. Things are going really well with Alex. I doubt that he would be too happy to know that I kept quiet about all this,” Stephanie said. Sarah held out her hand. “For the greater good,” Sarah said. Stephanie shook her hand, and she reluctantly said, “For the greater good.”

Joy was eating in the Brady Pub when Alex entered. Alex walked over. “It’s been a while. I haven’t seen you since--” Alex started. “Since you dumped me to go be with Stephanie?” Joy finished. Alex picked up his takeout order and returned to Joy’s table and apologized.

“I handled that entire situation in the worst way possible, and you didn’t deserve that,” Alex said. “It was just a fling. I’ll get over it,” Joy said. Alex thanked Joy for having been so kind, considering how he had treated her. Alex noted Joy had barely touched her food. Joy explained that she was preoccupied with the decision of what to do with her life now that the show was over. “Did you hear they recast our roles?” Joy asked. Alex was surprised. Joy admitted that she had considered the move to LA, but she had waited too long to make a decision.

“There will be other roles,” Alex said. With a shrug, Joy said she did not know if she wanted to continue acting. Joy urged Alex to get back to Stephanie with their takeout. “Take care of yourself,” Alex said. “You too,” Joy replied. Alex walked out. Joy took a bite of food, and she immediately ran to the bathroom to be sick.

When Alex arrived at Stephanie’s apartment, he told her about his run-in with Joy. “It was a little awkward at first. I just apologized, and she got some things off her chest, and we got to an okay place,” Alex said. Alex added that Joy had wished them well. Stephanie admitted that she still felt bad about how Alex and Joy’s relationship had ended. “In the end, you know Joy and I weren’t really all that serious, but she just wants to put it behind her. Which means we should too,” Alex said. Stephanie agreed. Alex told Stephanie that the soap had recast his character, and she asked him if he regretted not going to LA.

“Absolutely not. I think that whole acting thing was like some weird detour for me. Besides, I have a hard enough time staying away from you, and I live across the hall,” Alex said. “Why do you still seem bummed about this?” Stephanie asked. With a shrug, Alex said he had realized that he needed to find a purpose in his life. Stephanie suggested that Alex return to Titan. Alex was not sure, so Stephanie told Alex to give the idea some thought.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Philip informed Xander that the company had the cash reserves for their planned acquisition. Xander grunted an approval, and Philip asked why he was not excited. “I’m afraid it might not matter unless we get answers,” Xander said. “About?” Philip asked. Xander explained that he did not understand why Victor had written the letter, but he had never changed the will.

“Are we really dredging this up again? I thought we were in a good place?” Philip said. Xander told Philip that he had made peace with Victor’s decision and that his concern was about how the shared power would affect an acquisition of DiMera Enterprises. “We need to get inside Victor’s headspace,” Xander said. “Regulatory hurdles? That’s a long way away,” Philip said. Xander disagreed. Xander explained that he was waiting for a special guest.

“I was thinking about the conversation we had the other day,” Xander said. “But we determined that the DiMeras and Peter could never be flipped,” Philip said. After a moment, Philip realized who Xander meant. Wei Shin walked into the living room. Xander fixed a cup of Wei Shin’s favorite tea. Wei thanked Xander and Philip for the comfortable jet ride and car service.

“Why go through all this trouble to have an audience with me?” Wei asked. “My brother and I have a proposition for you,” Xander said. Xander explained that they wanted to acquire DiMera Enterprises. “DiMera is not for sale,” Wei said. Philip argued that with enough shareholders, Titan could conduct a hostile takeover. “The family will not side with you. At a minimum, you will need my vote, which, I assure you, you will not get,” Wei said.

As Wei turned to leave, Philip called out, “What if we give you a position of power in the new regime?” Wei turned and looked at Philip with interest. Philip explained that under Kristen’s control, DiMera had gone downhill. “Your CEO is a sociopath,” Philip said. “So was her father, but he was good for the bottom line,” Wei countered. Xander asked Wei if Kristen, EJ, or Tony had been as good for the company as Stefano.

“Time and time again, they’ve proven themselves liabilities to you and the other shareholders. I mean, I can barely keep track of all their scandals,” Xander said. Philip chimed in, “Kristen was just accused of kidnapping a woman. Plus, there’s the rumors of EJ’s involvement.” With a raised eyebrow, Wei asked Xander and Philip if they had any ammunition other than gossip. Xander argued that if Kristen was tried and convicted, the backup CEO would be implicated in the same crime.

“What makes you believe Titan would be any less chaotic? It’s not even clear which of you Victor truly wanted to be his successor,” Wei argued. Xander agreed that it was confusing that Victor’s letter and his will were at odds. “But when faced with that fact, Philip and I put aside our differences for the good of the company and its shareholders. Can you really say that Stefano’s heirs would be capable of doing the same?” Xander asked. Wei thought for a moment.

“You put forth a very tantalizing offer,” Wei admitted. Wei added that he did not want to go behind Kristen’s back. “Well, business is rarely comfortable,” Xander said. “And your loyalty is not being returned in kind. EJ sat on evidence that could have brought your son’s killer to justice for months,” Philip said. Xander noted that Gabi and Kristen had also treated Li poorly. “I often wonder if [Li] would still be alive if he hadn’t been involved with [Gabi],” Wei said. Philip told Wei that although he and Xander were co-CEO’s, Wei would be in charge of the DiMera holdings. Wei asked for a written guarantee, and he shook hands with the brothers.

“I need to pitch this to my associates. And if we want to keep this secret, I should do this in person,” Wei said. Xander promised that the jet would be refueled by the time the car returned him to the airstrip. After Wei had left, Xander and Philip high-fived. “You knocked that out of the park,” Xander said. “You were pretty awe-inspiring yourself there, Xan,” Philip countered. Xander noted that they made a great team. Excited, Philip left to work on the numbers for the deal.

Xander looked at Victor’s portrait. “This is what you wanted all along, isn’t it? Your two sons bringing out the best in each other. The DiMeras won’t know what hit them,” Xander said. Xander called an employee to keep tabs on Wei’s return home. As Xander ended his call, Alex walked in. “I want to come back to Titan,” Alex said.

In the Spectator office, Leo arrived, and he thanked Chad for the opportunity to return as a news reporter. Suspicious, Chad asked Leo what he wanted. Leo pitched a story about the DiMera family called “Fall of the House of Phoenix.” “This isn’t a first pitch. It’s a first draft on a hit piece about my family,” Chad argued. Leo disagreed.

“Think of it as an in-depth expose on the DiMeras,” Leo countered. Chad told Leo that the story idea was fine for a book but not for the paper. When Leo noted that Kristen and EJ were involved in Ava’s kidnapping, Chad said that the court reporters would cover the trial. Leo argued that a scandal that big was front-page news, not a story to bury at the back of the paper in the crime blotter. With a sigh, Chad agreed to let Leo write the story.

An elated Leo started to celebrate, but Chad cautioned Leo to remember that as a journalist, Leo needed to adhere to the journalistic standards of the paper. “Of course. What are they?” Leo asked. “Fact checking, triple sourcing, vetting every angle and statement that is made in this thing. All right? I don’t want you to forget that my brother is a lawyer, and he is not afraid of litigation,” Chad said. Chad ordered Leo to run the story by legal.

“And I have one more condition,” Chad said. Chad reminded Leo that Rachel was a minor and that she should not be included in the story. Leo agreed to the terms, and he held out his hand. “Thank you for trusting my instincts, Chadwick,” Leo said. “You’re welcome. Don’t make me regret it,” Chad said as he shook Leo’s hand.

At the hospital, Joy talked to Sarah about her nausea. “You don’t think this has anything to do with me getting poisoned, do you?” Joy asked. “Given how long ago that was, I sincerely doubt it,” Sarah said. Sarah insisted that Joy go to an exam room. “There’s a flu going around. Or--,” Sarah said. “Morning sickness?” Joy interrupted. With a grimace, Joy wondered aloud if she could be pregnant. Sarah suggested that they start with a pregnancy test and work from there.

After the test, Joy and Sarah talked by the nurses’ station. “Let’s try to stay calm until you know what you’re dealing with,” Sarah said. Sarah reminded Joy that she had options, and that she had the right to decide how to proceed. “Thank you. I’m just, I’m scared,” Joy said.

After Leo had dropped off his news story with legal, he informed Chad. “I have some other stories I would love to run past you,” Leo said. “It’s gonna have to wait,” Chad noted. Chad explained that he needed to prepare for a meeting with Cat. “Why would you be taking a meeting with the woman who pretended to be your dead wife?” Leo asked. Chad explained that he was working on the hospital fundraiser with Cat. Leo worried aloud that Cat could not be trusted. Chad reminded Leo that Clyde had manipulated Cat.

“I get that! But a decent person wouldn’t then plant roots here in Salem, and they certainly wouldn’t play party planner with the guy they conned into marrying,” Leo argued. “The marriage was annulled,” Chad countered. When Chad noted that Cat did not have feelings for him, Leo pointed out that Chad did not seem happy about it. Chad rambled on about how Cat was not interested in him and that it was professional. “If you say so,” Leo said before he walked out.

In the town square, Philip saw Joy sitting on a bench as he exited Sweet Bits. Philip offered Joy a cookie. Joy declined. “I know I’m not your favorite person because of how things ended with Chloe. But I've known you since you were a kid. So if you need to talk, or if you need anything, I’m here,” Philip said. Joy asked Philip if he was hiring at Titan.

At the hospital, Sarah called the lab and asked them to put a rush on Joy’s test results. As Stephanie exited the elevator, she overheard Sarah say, “A pregnancy test. Patient name: Wesley, Joy.” Stricken, Stephanie hurried down the hall out of sight.

While Chad was working at his desk, Cat arrived for their meeting. “Everything okay?” Chad asked. “No, it’s not okay. I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I know that you and Dr. Evans are close friends,” Cat said. Chad stressed that Marlena was family. “What’s wrong?” Chad asked. Cat explained that Marlena had gotten bad news about John.

In Marlena’s office, she stared at her photo of John, and she thought about a time when she had been reunited with him after an ordeal. “I can’t count the number of times our love has brought us back together. I hope we get to have it again,” Marlena said to the photo.

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