Days of our Lives Recap for Monday, March 31, 2025: Steve and Marlena fear the worst

At Rafe’s house, Rafe read the Spectator article about EJ. When he got to a line stating that EJ was unlikely to be charged for any of his alleged crimes, Rafe pledged, “There’s no way in hell you’re getting away with this.”

At the police station, Shawn offered Jada an awkward congratulations on her reinstatement as police commissioner. He explained that he had been trying to keep his distance because he hadn’t been sure how Jada would feel about working with him. Jada admitted the situation was awkward for her as well, but she believed Shawn and she could still work as colleagues and as friends. Shawn agreed they could. He asked how Rafe felt about their hook-up and immediately noted Jada’s hesitation.

When Shawn guessed that Jada hadn’t told Rafe, Jada confessed she hadn’t and she never would. She quickly explained that Rafe had already been through enough, thanks to EJ. Jada didn’t want to hurt her fiancé anymore. Shawn acknowledged that things must be difficult for Rafe, especially since EJ would probably “skate” on the charges. Jada begged to differ on EJ, as she had one more “Hail Mary” that could “put that bastard away for the rest of his life.”

At the DiMera mansion, EJ scanned the article about him in the Spectator. “At least I look handsome,” he sighed. In an effort to cheer himself up, he texted Belle with a simple message: “I miss you.” EJ grew impatient waiting for Belle’s response and chastised himself for acting like “a lovesick schoolboy.” As he was busy on his phone, he failed to notice Rafe peek his head from the tunnel entrance.

When EJ got up to leave the room, Rafe promptly shut the door so EJ wouldn’t see him. Rafe only emerged after EJ had left. He made a beeline for a statue on the table and placed a recording device on it. After he was finished, Rafe stared down Stefano’s portrait and promised he’d put the patriarch's "sociopath son" away for good.

Rafe strode to the door but came face-to-face with EJ, who demanded Rafe explain why he was there. Rafe claimed he had come to see Johnny since the young DiMera needed support after what he had discovered about EJ. As EJ hissed that it was none of Rafe’s business and tensed up, Rafe goaded EJ about his darkest secret coming to light.

Rafe was relieved to hear that Johnny had moved out because it meant EJ would have to answer for at least one of his sins. Rafe pressed further by suggesting EJ visit with Marlena and unload his burdens. He believed confession would be good for EJ’s soul. EJ continued to claim ignorance and accused Rafe of rambling about nothing. He commanded Rafe leave, and Rafe eventually obliged.

At Marlena’s place, Belle had a busy morning fielding calls from Marlena, texts from EJ, and a visit from Jada. The police commissioner solicited Belle’s help to “nail EJ once and for all.” Belle was testy with Jada and made a snarky comment about having to recuse herself from the case because Paulina had found out about her personal relationship with EJ. Jada apologized for outing Belle to Paulina and attributed the revelation to her intense frustration with what EJ had done to Jada and to Rafe. Belle softened somewhat but reiterated that she couldn’t help prosecute EJ.

Jada had a different idea. She asked Belle to wear a wire and to get EJ to incriminate himself. Belle argued it wouldn’t work because she’d ended her dalliance with EJ. Jada asked if EJ might still have lingering feelings that Belle could use to her advantage. With a glance at her phone, Belle conceded it might be possible.

Jada appealed to Belle’s sense of justice and her respect for the rule of law. At Belle’s continued hesitation, Jada pondered, “Unless you don’t want EJ to go to prison.” Belle defensively said she did want EJ brought to justice. She would prove it by honoring Jada’s request.

Back at the station, Shawn approached JJ, who was working on the case of the missing necklace. The partners agreed that Doug III’s actions had been “unforgiveable,” but JJ wasn’t certain Julie could bring herself to press charges against Doug’s grandson. The admission prompted talk of another criminal who could get away with his crimes: EJ. Shawn told JJ that Jada had a plan to ensure that EJ was brought to justice. Before Shawn left, JJ stopped him and stated he’d understand if Shawn thought what he was about to say was none of his business.

Shawn urged JJ to proceed, so JJ asked how things were going with Jada. Shawn told him that Jada hadn’t and wouldn’t tell Rafe about the one-night stand. Shawn believed it would make the situation less “messy.” JJ challenged Shawn on how his partner felt about lying. Shawn defended Jada’s decision and launched into a passionate defense about her good character.

“I just want her to be happy,” Shawn finished. After listening to his speech, JJ had only one question for Shawn: “Do you have feelings for Jada?” Shawn denied it and stressed that he and Jada were just friends. JJ wasn’t convinced, but Jada arrived with Belle before the conversation could go further. Jada told the men that Belle had agreed to wear a wire in order to extract a confession out of EJ.

Shawn and JJ both thanked Belle for the help, and Belle affirmed she wanted EJ to answer for his crimes. Shawn excused himself and left JJ to fit Belle with the wire. Later, when Shawn returned, he found Jada alone in the room. She told him that Belle was currently on her way to see EJ. Jada also broached the subject of Rafe again and admitted she was having second thoughts about keeping the truth from her fiancé.

Jada knew secrets had a way of coming out and didn’t want Rafe to find out from someone else. Shawn pledged his support no matter what Jada decided to do. Just then, Rafe entered the office and happily greeted Jada and Shawn. Jada requested Shawn give her a moment alone with Rafe, and Shawn complied. Once they had privacy, Jada asked Rafe to take a seat and announced she had something important to tell him.

Back at the DiMera mansion, EJ received a more welcome visitor in the form of Belle. She told EJ she had missed him, too, which brought a smile to EJ’s face.

At the facility in Estonia, Steve searched a desk and came across a familiar photo inside a file folder: Orpheus. Just then, Paul and Andrew returned to the scene and said they’d taken care of the guards. They’d also managed to secure key cards from the men. When Paul asked if Steve had found anything, Steve cracked, “Only the mastermind.” He showed the picture of Orpheus to a shocked Andrew and Paul.

Steve believed the ISA must have drawn John into the case because John knew Orpheus better than anyone. Paul wondered if Orpheus had been responsible for his dad’s disappearance. Steve said the file mentioned someone disguised as a scientist infiltrating the facility. He thought it might be John.

Paul wanted to search for John immediately, but Steve reined him in and declared they would not all be going on the search. Paul began protesting until Steve clarified it was Andrew he wanted to leave behind. Steve’s declaration led to a spirited protest from Andrew. Steve tried to reason that Andrew could jeopardize his career since the rescue operation was unauthorized. Paul joined in and pleaded with Andrew to let him and Steve handle it.

A suggestion from Steve that Andrew return to the hotel room and update Marlena further raised Andrew’s ire. Steve insisted that Andrew would understand in time. After Andrew begrudgingly left, Steve and Paul agreed to separate and divide the search so they could cover more ground.

In the Estonian hotel room, Marlena called Belle back in Salem and updated her daughter on the search for John. Marlena expressed optimism because Steve, Paul, and Andrew had gotten a promising lead. After she ended the call, Marlena perused the contents of her suitcase. Suddenly, a voice behind her asked, “Forgot your shampoo?” A startled Marlena turned to see one of John’s archenemies, Orpheus, standing in front of her.

“Hello, Marlena. It’s been a while,” Orpheus said. When Marlena asked what he was doing there, Orpheus calmly poured himself a glass of orange juice and updated Marlena on “borrowing” a waiter’s uniform and her room key. Marlena wanted to know how Orpheus had gotten out of prison. Orpheus smirked and reminded Marlena that no prison had been able to contain him yet. Marlena challenged Orpheus on his association with the nuclear device.

Orpheus was glad Marlena was up to speed because it would “save time….to get you and that meddlesome husband of yours out of the way for good.” Marlena correctly surmised that John had been tracking Orpheus, who was unsurprised that the ISA would “sic” John on him. He explained how John had managed to get into his top-secret facility, but Orpheus had still managed to stay “one step ahead.” Marlena demanded Orpheus tell her what he had done with John. Orpheus joked that in life, he could always count on “death, taxes, and the eternal devotion between John Black and Marlena Evans.”

Orpheus suggested Marlena worry less about John and more about herself, then he pulled out a gun. Marlena asked Orpheus if he would shoot her in “cold blood.” Orpheus said Marlena and John had been “thorns in my side for decades.” He relished the opportunity to end their interference for good. He refused to divulge his plans to Marlena and instead raised the gun, coldly stating, “Sorry you didn’t get to enjoy room service.”

At the moment Orpheus fired the gun, Marlena blocked the shot with her suitcase and hit Orpheus. He fell to the ground.

Later, Andrew arrived back at the hotel. Outside the room, he announced himself to Marlena, who let him in. Andrew started to say they had discovered who was behind the entire operation, but he stopped in his tracks when he saw a bound and unconscious Orpheus slumped at the table. “I do, too,” Marlena said. As Andrew absorbed the sight, Marlena explained that she’d subdued Orpheus; she asked Andrew for news about John.

Andrew filled Marlena in on Steve’s discovery of the dossier. He added that Steve and Paul were currently searching the facility from top to bottom. Eyeing Orpheus, Andrew said he needed to get a move on transporting the “piece of garbage” to a secure location. When Andrew made a joke about Marlena doing “the hard part” and assured her he could handle it, Marlena took the opening to say she was going to help Steve and John.

Andrew resisted the idea, but Marlena implored him to think about how he would feel if Paul was in danger. Marlena had proven she could be of great help and argued that she hadn’t been safe by staying behind at the hotel. She begged Andrew to divulge the location of the facility.

Later, Andrew made a call to the ISA to update them about Orpheus. After he had hung up, he said aloud, “OK, Orpheus, your days of--” Andrew never finished the thought because when he turned around, Orpheus was gone.

Back at the facility, Steve carefully approached a locked door and grabbed his key card. It didn’t work, so Steve prepared to leave. A commotion inside the room halted his retreat. Steve used his shoulder to bust through the door. A white-haired man resembling John laid face-down at a table.

Another man ran from the body, and Steve shot the other man. Steve gazed upon the slumped body in despair as Marlena raced inside behind him. She, too, saw the downed man at the table. “Oh my God,” Marlena gasped. “Is it John?”

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