Days of our Lives Recap, August 1, 2025: Xander saw Sarah bonding with Brady

Here's your Days of our Lives recap for what happened on Friday, August 1, 2025 when Brady bonded with Sarah, Chad and Cat remained stuck in an elevator, and EJ questioned Rita about Stefano's death.

What happened on Days of our Lives

In the DiMera living room, Gwen and EJ talked about Susan’s psychic abilities. EJ noted that if Susan’s prediction that Stefano was alive were true, Stefano would be unhappy about Gwen’s decision to live in the mansion. “Something tells me he’ll be just fine,” Gwen said.

At the penthouse, Marlena thought about her Queen of the Night dream, and she flinched. Brady returned home with Rachel from the movies. “Are you feeling better?” Rachel asked. “I am. Now that you’re home,” Marlena said. Marlena suggested a girls' night with Rachel. With a nod of agreement, Brady said he would go out for the evening, and he left.

“Why did you want to get rid of Dad?” Rachel asked. “Was it that obvious?” Marlena countered. Marlena explained that she had wanted to talk to Rachel privately about Johnny’s trial. “It’s very important for you to tell the truth,” Marlena said. “But Uncle EJ wants me to lie,” Rachel said. Marlena asked Rachel to give her details, but Rachel said EJ had only hinted at it.

“I do have to tell the truth, don’t I?” Rachel asked. Marlena stressed that it was important for Rachel to tell the truth. Rachel noted that Brady agreed, but she was afraid that her testimony would send Johnny to prison. “The best thing you can do to help is tell the truth,” Marlena said. Marlena advised Rachel to leave everything else to the adults.

“If Johnny didn’t do it, then who did?” Rachel asked. Marlena asked Rachel if she had any other memories from the night of the shooting. After some thought, Rachel said she did not remember anything else. “I’m just so sorry you have to go through this ordeal,” Marlena said. Marlena assured Rachel that everything would be fine. Rachel worried aloud about her grandma Rachel, but Marlena promised Rachel that she would protect everyone she cared about. Before Marlena could say more, Sami called to tell Marlena that she would be in Salem in the morning.

At the hospital, Xander impatiently pressed the button for the elevator. Sarah noted that the elevator had been acting up all week. Xander offered to carry Victoria’s stroller down the stairs for Sarah, but she opted to wait for the elevator. Xander told Victoria goodbye. “Just know that Daddy loves you very much,” Xander said. Xander walked away. Sarah called EJ and asked him to send for an elevator repairman. EJ refused to send someone until the morning.

In the stuck elevator, Chad informed Cat that nothing on the panel was working. Cat confirmed that she had no cell phone reception. Chad screamed for help. “I don’t deal well in small spaces. I just need to get out of here,” Chad said nervously. Cat told Chad that visiting hours were over, and because of EJ’s budget cuts, there was not a lot of staff to notice that the elevator was stuck. Cat convinced Chad to sit on the floor with her and breathe deeply.

After Chad calmed down, Cat asked about court. Chad talked about his testimony, and then he mentioned what Susan had said at the mansion about Stefano still being alive. Cat gaped. “Do you think that could be true?” Cat asked. Chad said he did not believe the Phoenix would rise from the ashes again. When Cat asked why, Chad said that if Stefano were alive, he would have reached out to his family. Chad talked about how EJ was a lot like their father. Cat asked Chad if EJ shared his father’s penchant for crime. Chad shrugged. “I’d like to think that EJ learned his lesson. At least I hope so,” Chad said.

Bored, Chad suggested they play “Never Have I Ever.” Cat admitted she had accidentally given her brother a concussion when they were kids. For Chad’s turn, he told Cat about the time he had faked a brain tumor to get a rival to break up with Abigail. “That’s horrific!” Cat said. “I was young and dumb and in love,” Chad said. Cat admitted to sneaking backstage at a concert, and Chad talked about when he had won a drag queen contest. “You win,” Cat said with a chuckle. “I’m glad that I'm not stuck in the elevator by myself,” Cat said. “Me too,” Chad agreed.

EJ was wrapping up a call from a furious Kayla when Rita walked into the DiMera living room. “I did warn you that nickel and dimeing the hospital was bound to cause a revolt,” Rita said. EJ reminded Rita that her budget suggestions had been just as unpopular. “The elevator problem, that’s totally on you for canceling the maintenance contract in favor of a more economical alternative,” Rita said. Rita gave EJ a copy of the hospital budget reports.

“I do have a non-work-related question for you. It’s about my father,” EJ said. Rita looked wistfully at Stefano’s portrait. “Whom I do dream about often,” Rita said. Rita remarked that she still felt Stefano’s presence in the room. EJ hesitantly asked Rita if Stefano was truly dead.

“Of course, your father is dead. Why would you ask me that?” Rita said. EJ told Rita about Susan’s claim that Stefano was alive. Rita reiterated Rolf’s story that Stefano had survived being shot by Hope, but he had died in hiding. “Don’t you think it’s strange that he never said goodbye? Never came home?” EJ asked. When Rita seemed skeptical, EJ joked that Susan had been off base. EJ lamented that he had been unable to say goodbye to his father.

“Although Dr. Rolf was a miracle worker, I hate to admit it, but everyone has to die, even the great Stefano DiMera,” Rita said. EJ and Rita both said they missed Stefano. When EJ thanked Rita for the report, she advised him to eliminate some of the budget cuts to boost morale. With a grin, EJ said he had plans for the savings. Rita warned EJ to spend the money to fix the elevator or risk a lawsuit.

Xander was eating dinner at the Bistro when Gwen interrupted. “How about I join you?” Gwen asked. “How about you don’t?” Xander countered. Xander explained that he wanted time alone. “I thought that you and I were on good terms,” Gwen said. Gwen told Xander that Leo had seen them enter the hotel together, but that she had not said a word. With a shrug, Xander noted that Sarah would not care now that they were legally separated. Gwen reached across the table to take Xander’s hand, but he pulled it away.

“I think you’re always trying to change yourself for her when you know in your heart of hearts, you’re never going to be good enough for her. And besides that, I think this whole good boy act is just, it’s not you,” Gwen said. Gwen told Xander that his bad side was more fun. “Maybe you and Sarah weren’t ever really meant to be together,” Gwen said. Xander looked for the waiter to pay his bill as Gwen told Xander that she did not like to see him sad all the time. Xander dropped money on the table, and he walked out.

In the square, Brady asked an out-of-breath Sarah if she was okay. Sarah explained that she had had to carry Victoria’s stroller down six flights of stairs because of a broken elevator. “Why didn’t you take another elevator? Or ask for help?” Brady said. Sarah confessed that she had done it to prove to herself that she was self-reliant, but she believed she had only proved that she was stubborn. Brady invited Sarah to join him for a drink at the cafe.

Over their mocktails, Brady encouraged Sarah to vent. “Honestly, I shouldn’t be complaining at all. Xander did something very nice for me today,” Sarah said. Sarah told Brady that Xander had given her Victoria early. Brady and Sarah agreed that co-parenting was difficult. Brady noted that Rachel had a lot of good influences, including Sarah.

“It saddens me to say this, but that probably was the most stable year of [Rachel’s] life,” Brady said about Rachel’s first year with Sarah. Sarah thanked Brady, and she asked if Rachel was doing better. Brady noted that Rachel was having a girls' night with Marlena and was doing much better. Sarah told Brady about her legal separation, and he reminded her that she had told him she still loved Xander. “We were talking about having a second child a few months ago,” Sarah said. With tears in her eyes, Sarah noted that it was not meant to be.

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“I’m sorry. I did not mean to suggest that you should give up on your marriage to Xander. You can work things out. It happens,” Brady said. Sarah told Brady that she understood that he had only wanted to be helpful when he had given her the advice about co-parenting. “You’re such a great friend, Brady,” Sarah said. “Back at ya,” Brady said. As Brady and Sarah hugged, Xander exited the Bistro and saw them together.

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