Days of our Lives Recap, May 14, 2025: Rachel's birthday party goes awry

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, EJ has a disturbing recollection, Gabi and Alex go on their date, and the race to secure the sepsis cure is on.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

At the Bistro, Philip caught up with his friend from high school, Kevin Lambert. Kevin explained his career in tech had gone bust, which had led him back to science – and to Dr. Russell’s lab. He regretted the job because Dr. Russell was “a tyrant,” and he asked Philip about a job at Titan-DiMera. “I think we can help each other,” Philip offered. Philip stated his interest in Russell’s sepsis drug and admitted he had a personal reason for wanting the drug: his brother, Bo.

Kevin sympathized but couldn’t help because Russell didn’t trust anyone enough to provide the entire formula for recreating the drug. Philip had another idea: they could steal the drug instead. With just one dose, Philip could save his brother’s life and obtain a means for Titan to reverse engineer the drug. Kevin, meanwhile, would score a better job and a sizeable influx of cash. Philip held up his glass in anticipation of Kevin’s acceptance; with a sigh, Kevin clinked the glass.

In Horton Town Square, Alex complained about his date with Gabi to Stephanie over the phone. He assured Stephanie he would be thinking of her the whole time.

At Rafe’s house, Gabi got a call from Arianna, and the girl asked for money. Gabi’s worry turned to joy when Arianna informed her mom that she wanted to come home. After extracting a pledge from Arianna that nothing was wrong, Gabi promised to send her the money. Gabi’s attention soon turned to her date with Alex, who arrived on her doorstep.

Gabi was none too pleased when Alex told her they were going to the Bistro. After bantering about the subject, Gabi confessed she had just bid on Alex to make JJ jealous. But it hadn’t worked. She didn’t care where they went, and at least Alex hadn’t accused her of shooting EJ. “I wouldn’t care if you had,” Alex cracked before extending his arm and promising Gabi a pleasant evening.

Later, Gabi and Alex arrived at the Bistro. Gabi immediately spotted Philip, took notice of his “cute, nerdy” dining companion, and suggested Alex and she say hello. When they approached the table, Philip grimaced and introduced Kevin as a high school friend. He hastily made an excuse to leave, as did Kevin. Gabi observed the duo’s strange reactions, as Alex looked on with suspicion.

When Gabi and Alex settled at their table, Gabi asked about Alex’s tension with Philip. Alex chalked it up to typical family drama. The comment prompted Gabi to gush about the importance of family. She updated Alex about Arianna’s impending arrival. Alex was surprised Will and Sonny wouldn’t be joining Arianna. He shared a celebratory toast with Gabi at the news.

After dinner, both Gabi and Alex agreed they’d had a surprisingly good time, even if they’d wanted to be with other people. Alex suggested that Gabi give JJ a call, but she turned down the suggestion. They joked they should go out again, provided Gabi “cough up” another 15,000 dollars.

Later, Gabi ran into Belle in Horton Town Square. The women talked about Arianna, Will, and Sonny. Belle had hope that when John was found, the whole extended family could be together again.

In Kayla’s hospital office, Xander greeted Kayla and then asked for a favor. He wanted to be present for EJ’s pitch to the hospital board so that he could make a counter-offer. Kayla was grateful for Xander’s offer to buy the hospital, but his offer puzzled her nonetheless. She wasn’t buying into Xander’s claims it was all about saving Sarah’s job. She directly asked if Xander’s and EJ’s interest had to do with the sepsis drug.

Xander conceded that the drug could make Titan a lot of money. Kayla was concerned that whoever owned the patent to the drug would gouge patients with high prices. Xander affirmed that Titan would do “the right thing.”

Later, after Xander departed, Kayla welcomed another visitor: Belle. She, too, wanted a favor...in regards to EJ. Belle asked Kayla to reconsider her stance on EJ buying the hospital. Kayla enlightened Belle that EJ’s motives were less than altruistic. Both Xander and he wanted control of a drug that could “line their pockets.”

Kayla advised Belle to tread lightly when it came to EJ. Belle admitted she’d had her doubts, but she had truly seen more “humanity” in EJ since his shooting. She wanted to give him a chance to prove he’d changed, and she hoped Kayla could give him the same grace.

At Titan, Xander reacted with hostility when Philip showed up. Philip explained he’d thought Xander was out of town, and he claimed he’d found out about the hospital purchase via Kate. Xander caught Philip off guard by revealing he had a meeting scheduled to pitch his proposal to the hospital board. The deal should be closed, “provided you didn’t do anything stupid while I was off the grid,” Xander snapped.

Later, Xander shared a drink at the office with Alex. The men discussed the upcoming board meeting. Alex was reassured that Xander was in charge because he was less likely to “drive us off a cliff.”

Meanwhile, in Horton Town Square, Philip called Kevin to firm up their plan. Kevin told Philip it was a go, since Dr. Russell would be gone from the lab for the entire weekend.

Back at Kayla’s office, Kayla conferred with Steve by phone about their own break-in plan.

At the DiMera mansion, Rachel (dressed like the Queen of Hearts) walked in on EJ and Belle making out on the couch. “Off with their heads!” she exclaimed with disgust as Kristen joined her. Kristen made a crack about EJ and Belle’s display, then explained Rachel was having an Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party in honor of her birthday. Things got awkward when Belle and EJ asked how many kids were coming. Brady’s arrival provided a needed distraction, and Rachel hugged her father.

As Brady donned his Mad Hatter hat, Rachel asked EJ and Belle to stay for her party and then raced into the kitchen. The adults immediately got to snarking with each other. Brady was less-than-pleased that Belle and EJ were an official item, and Kristen joked how EJ was a “kinder and gentler” version of himself. Brady wasn’t buying it; further, he refused to advocate for EJ with the hospital board, as he considered Xander the “lesser of two evils.” Kristen surprised Brady by suggesting he back EJ, with a caveat: EJ would tell them what he had done with Kristen’s mother.

Kristen pledged she would keep her mother from testifying against EJ if he revealed the woman’s whereabouts. While Kristen and EJ bartered, Belle excused herself for “plausible deniability” and cautioned the trio to behave. EJ seemed to be mulling the offer until Brady piped up and said he hadn’t agreed to anything. Kristen wanted to sweeten the pot, for Rachel’s sake, by getting EJ to tell the police she hadn’t shot him. EJ said he couldn’t do it, which earned a scowl from Kristen and a smirk from Brady.

EJ claimed he didn’t remember anything from the night of the shooting, so Kristen was not off the hook. Kristen accused EJ of lying and told him Brady would vote for Xander if he didn’t accept her terms. Brady corrected that he would vote his “conscience.” Rachel interrupted the exchange and asked about Belle. She was visibly disappointed upon learning that Belle had left.

Later, Rachel, Kristen, Brady, and a whirly hat-adorned EJ convened for the tea party. The light moment grew tense again when Rachel innocently brought up Johnny and Chanel’s adoption of her brother Tate's baby. EJ was affected but gently explained the adoption wasn't happening. Rachel tried to comfort EJ and said he still had plenty of family, like her mommy. Rachel assured EJ that her mom hadn’t shot him.

Despite Kristen and Brady’s efforts to change the subject, EJ said that his shooter was still out there somewhere. Rachel seemed uncomfortable and suddenly claimed she wanted to go to bed early. After their daughter went upstairs, Kristen and Brady laid into EJ for scaring Rachel and implying “a maniac” was lurking around the mansion. “And I’m looking straight at her,” EJ sneered.

As the post-party cleanup commenced, EJ and Kristen resumed their hostilities. EJ’s remark about the “epic turnout” at Rachel’s party prompted Kristen to lunge at him. In the process, she knocked over a tray. EJ got rattled at the loud crash, but a scream from Rachel diverted Kristen and Brady's attention. The little girl raced downstairs and into Kristen’s arms.

Rachel cried that she’d had a nightmare about a gunshot. Back in the main room, a trembling and distressed EJ remembered hearing a gunshot, accompanied by shattering glass.

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