Days of our Lives Recap for Monday, April 7, 2025: Xander and Philip prepare to strike 

At the Brady Pub, Philip joined Kate at a table and exuberantly informed his mother that Alex would not be blowing up the secret about the letter. Kate was reading on her tablet, distracted. When Philip asked her what could be more important than his news, she showed him a Spectator article. The headline read, “Who Shot EJ?” Kate affirmed that EJ wouldn’t be going after her family anytime soon. Philip was surprised and said he hadn’t seen the news yet because he’d been on a late conference call.

Kate declared half of Salem would probably like to “shake the hand” of the shooter. When she cracked that she only wished the person had succeeded in killing EJ, Philip grinned and asked his mom if she’d done the deed. Kate was offended, but Philip defended his response. He knew how much Kate had hated EJ. Kate said that just because she hated the “immoral son of a bitch,” it didn’t make her a murderer.

Philip brought up Kate shooting Vivian, but Kate argued that was an accident and that Vivian had paid her back in full by shooting her and burying her alive. Philip conceded the point but also recalled that Kate had previously tried to take out Sami, Chloe, and even his father Victor. Everyone in town knew that Kate would go to great lengths to protect her family. Kate swore she had nothing to do with EJ’s shooting.

Philip decided he’d take advantage of the DiMera chaos by updating Xander about the situation. After her son left, Kate muttered that EJ had gotten what was coming to him as she fondled the gun in her bag.

At John and Marlena’s place, a dejected Tate sent a text to Holly, asking if they could talk. While he awaited a response, he received a visit from Sophia. She filled Tate in on EJ’s shooting. Tate was shocked and worried for his sister, Rachel, since she lived at the mansion. Sophia reassured him that everyone else was fine but that EJ was in critical condition.

Tate’s concern turned to Holly, and he wondered how she was taking the news of her former stepfather’s shooting. While Sophia couldn’t say anything about Holly, she did believe the shooting could be the answer to her and Tate’s prayers. Tate was taken aback by Sophia’s seemingly cold reaction, so she quickly clarified that she had sympathy for EJ and his family. But EJ being out of the picture could be a good sign for the adoption since Sophia’s mom’s main objection was EJ. Tate reminded Sophia that EJ was in a coma, not dead.

Sophia still thought EJ's recovery would take a while, so he wouldn’t be as involved in the baby’s upbringing. Sophia referenced all of the turmoil the adoption had caused her, Tate, and Holly. At the mention of Holly’s name, Tate revealed she wouldn’t be a factor anymore because Holly had broken up with him. Tate was surprised when Sophia hinted she knew the reason for the break-up. Sophia elaborated that she’d had a run-in with Doug, and he had told her about Holly wanting to confront Tate.

Tate believed Doug was probably ecstatic about the problems between Holly and him. Sophia got a text from her mom and said she needed to go. Tate decided he would leave, too. He wanted to track Holly down.

Upstairs at the Kiriakis mansion, Holly read over an apology text from Tate. Suddenly, someone yawned loudly, and Doug rose up from the floor, stretching. Holly apologized for the poor sleeping accommodations, but Doug assured her it was much better than the park bench. He worried that his staying there would cause problems with Holly’s grandmother.

Holly didn’t think Maggie would find out, and even if she did, Holly felt confident she could handle her grandmother. Doug then mentioned Tate, which prompted Holly to reveal that she and Tate were “done.” Doug suggested that Holly tell him what had happened. She was vague, but Doug correctly guessed that Tate outing him to Julie had played a major role. He considered the break-up his fault.

Holly balked and told Doug that Tate’s disclosure had been the “last straw” in a long line of problems Tate and she had encountered. Doug still felt guilty and told Holly he was sorry about the break-up. Holly wondered if Doug was entirely sorry since he had revealed he harbored more-than-friendly feelings for her. Before Doug could respond, Holly was distracted by a story on her phone about EJ’s shooting. Doug noted that she was shaken by the news and asked if she needed to go to the hospital.

Holly said she would check in with Johnny, but she didn’t feel the need to visit EJ herself. She did want to grab Doug some breakfast, though. She urged him to take a shower while she went for the food. Doug thanked her for all she had done for him.

Later, in Horton Town Square, Holly left a message for Nicole about EJ. She grumbled when she spotted Sophia, who approached Holly. Sophia offered her sympathy for the break-up, but Holly was short with her and said she didn’t want to talk about it. Holly’s irritation turned to alarm after Sophia revealed that Tate had gone to the mansion to talk with Holly.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Doug returned to Holly’s bedroom, fresh from his shower. Just then, Tate knocked on the bedroom door. When no one answered, Tate turned the knob and walked inside — and took in the sight of a barely clothed Doug standing beside Holly’s bed.

Downstairs at the Kirakis mansion, Xander — shirtless and sweaty from a workout — greeted Sarah. After Sarah lightly turned down his amorous advances, Xander said he’d been working off the stress from the friction between Alex and Philip. Xander still couldn’t believe that Alex would simply get past such a betrayal. He hoped that the situation wouldn’t impede the family's plans for DiMera Enterprises.

Sarah was distressed at Xander’s talk of lies and confessed that she had been lying to him about something. She hedged and revealed that the secret had involved what Philip and Stephanie had been hiding. At Xander’s continued prodding, Sarah claimed she had known about the supposed affair before Xander. He was confused and reminded Sarah that he’d told her about Stephanie and Philip. Sarah clarified that she’d actually found out from Stephanie herself.

Sarah added that Stephanie had confided in her after a fundraiser. Sarah said she’d kept quiet because she hadn’t wanted to betray Stephanie’s confidence, and that's why she hadn’t wanted Xander to reveal the secret, either. She grew emotional and asked Xander if he could forgive her for lying to him.

Xander was a bit incredulous and said that Sarah’s secret didn’t compare to some of the secrets he had kept from her. Besides, what went on between Philip and Alex didn’t directly impact their relationship. Xander smiled, promised Sarah “of course” she was forgiven, then gave her a hug...as she looked even more guilty.

In Stephanie’s bedroom, Stephanie greeted Alex with breakfast in bed. He smiled and asked if she had brought extra coffee. Stephanie asked, “For who?” Sarah suddenly popped from underneath the covers and proclaimed with a smile, “For me!”

A sleeping Stephanie shot up from bed. Alex, lying beside her, asked what was wrong. Stephanie tried to play it off, and Alex jokingly suggested that Stephanie had been having a sex dream about Philip. Stephanie huffed out that the “sex dream” had featured Alex and Sarah. Alex laughed and chided Stephanie about the dream, then pondered why she would dream such a thing.

Stephanie attributed the nightmare to her stress about continuing the lie regarding her "affair" with Philip. Alex could understand Sarah’s worries but was likewise frustrated that the lie painted both him and Stephanie in a negative light. He still couldn't wrap his head around why they were keeping the secret from Xander since Xander had a right to know about his stolen birthright.

Alex empathized with Xander because he, too, had been duped by someone he cared about. Alex also bemoaned the thought that anyone believed he couldn’t satisfy a woman. Stephanie smiled suggestively and assured Alex he kept her “plenty satisfied.” She challenged him to not just take her word for it, and he gladly accepted the challenge.

During the afterglow, Stephanie and Alex bantered about who was a better lover: Alex or Philip. Stephanie eventually conceded that Alex was better. The moment took a more serious turn when Alex told Stephanie that none of his former partners could compare to her.

Later, Alex and Stephanie got dressed and made plans for their day. Stephanie was going to the hospital to attend a fundraiser meeting, while Alex would attend a business meeting at the mansion. Alex admitted he was having second thoughts about keeping the secret from Xander, and Stephanie vowed to support her boyfriend no matter what he decided.

When Stephanie went to the hospital, she ran into Sarah, who thanked her for backing up the lie. Stephanie advised Sarah that she was premature in her gratitude since Alex might still reveal the truth to Xander.

Back at the mansion, Philip arrived and had an awkward exchange with Xander in which he promised that his “affair” with Stephanie was over for good. Xander was glad to hear it; he didn’t want anything to interfere with their DiMera takeover attempt. On cue, Philip showed Xander the article about EJ’s shooting. Xander was pleased that EJ had gotten what he deserved and even more pleased that the turn of events would further weaken the DiMeras.

Alex soon joined his cousins and pretended to make peace with Philip. With the personal business seemingly set aside, Xander filled a shocked Alex in on EJ’s shooting. Xander called the shooting a “silver bullet” the Kiriakis men could use to oust Kristen and neutralize EJ. Alex was slightly unsettled by Xander’s callousness and suggested they hold off “dancing” on EJ’s grave. Xander disagreed and insisted they should take full advantage while the opportunity was ripe.

Stream new episodes of Days of our Lives on Peacock.