Days of our Lives Recap, August 14: Marlena takes the stand as EJ suspects Belle

Here is your Days of our Lives recap for Thursday, August 14, 2025.

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Chanel greeted Johnny as he arrived home during court recess. He told her all about EJ's hypnosis session in which he remembered the shooter being female. Chanel worried that EJ would now try to pin the shooting on her. Johnny assured Chanel that it would never happen.

Chanel was sure that EJ would use the video of her on the memory stick as evidence when she took the stand. Johnny said he wouldn't allow EJ to do that. He was even going to have EJ strike her from the witness list, but Chanel told him that she was ready to testify. Then, she planned to be by Johnny's side through the rest of the trial.

Later, in Horton Town Square, Paulina approached Chanel to talk about the trial. "I wasn't about to let you go down to that court and face EJ DiMera all by yourself," Paulina said. Paulina was surprised to hear that EJ remembered a woman shooting him. "If he has to point the finger at me, so be it," Chanel declared.

EJ trudged into the DiMera living room, thinking back to when Marlena told him that she didn't recommend another session. He wondered if Marlena didn't want the truth to come out. Gwen appeared and interrupted EJ's thoughts. She poured him a drink and asked how things had gone in court.

EJ told Gwen that he remembered that Johnny did not shoot her. "So, pray tell, who did shoot you?" Gwen asked. "That I do not know, but I'm quite sure Marlena does," EJ replied. He was sure that Marlena was protecting someone. Gwen agreed it was suspicious that Marlena didn't want to conduct another hypnosis session.

Gwen wondered if Sami could be the culprit, but EJ said Marlena brushed that idea off. EJ thought that Marlena might be trying to protect Belle, but Gwen wasn't so sure. EJ felt that Belle's conflicted feelings for him before the shooting may have led her to pull the trigger.

Gwen thought that was a little extreme, but EJ pointed out that he induces irrational reactions in women. "For instance, Samantha once shot me right in the head," he said. Gwen wondered why Belle would then allow her own nephew to take the fall. EJ felt Belle might believe Johnny would be acquitted.

In Marlena's living room, Marlena told Belle that she didn't think EJ's subconscious was capable of remembering who shot him, so she wasn't going to do any more sessions. Belle was surprised that Marlena believed that EJ remembered a female shooting him.

Belle saw the look on Marlena's face and said, "You do know who shot him, don't you? You know who shot EJ." Marlena admitted she had a theory, but no proof. "You are so enmeshed in this case, both personally and professionally, that I think it's best if I don't say anything," Marlena said.

Later, Belle and Marlena arrived at the courthouse, where Marlena waited to testify. Belle apologized in advance for having to attack her mom's credibility on the stand.

When Marlena finally took the stand, EJ questioned her about the practice of hypnosis before talking about the results of his hypnosis sessions. Marlena testified that: "You remembered asking her to put down the gun. When I questioned you further, you remembered that the shooter was a woman."

"The shooter was a woman," EJ declared to the jury. "And since the defendant is not a woman, the only logical conclusion is that John Roman DiMera is completely innocent."

When Belle questioned her mother, she got Marlena to admit that hypnosis can produce false memories. "Is it true that the conscious mind could override the subconscious mind even under hypnosis?" Belle asked. Marlena said that it could. When EJ asked for a re-direct, Marlena claimed she believed that EJ's memories were legitimate and genuine.

EJ questioned Kristen next, who testified that she was at home showering when EJ was shot. She recalled how she and EJ had a fight over her mother that night. "I was desperate to find out where my mother was, but you couldn't tell me where she was if you were dead," Kristen pointed out. She also admitted there was a gun in her purse.

Krsiten told Belle that the bullet removed from EJ's body didn't match her gun. During recess, EJ informed Kristen that he believed that Marlena was protecting someone.

Xander surprised Sarah in the Kiriakis living room as she picked up Victoria's toys. She told him the nanny would bring the baby down in a bit and asked how his session with Marlena went. Xander was happy to report that Marlena agreed to take him on as a patient.

Sarah wasn't yet impressed, but Xander thought it was good that he was making an effort. Sarah still harped on Xander for getting drunk and taking a swing at Brady, but Xander defended himself. "You deliberately provoked me by kissing him," Xander said. Sarah insisted that it didn't give Xander the right to physically assault someone.

Xander said he didn't want to argue because he had a hangover. When he asked for coffee, Sarah slapped him clear across the face. "And here I thought you abhorred violence," Xander said. Sarah thought she gave Xander a taste of his own medicine.

"That slap was also for you, for breaking our marriage vows the first chance you got," Sarah accused. Xander was confused. "I know you jumped into bed with that British slut who still has the hots for you," she added. Xander insisted he had not slept with Gwen recently.

He admitted that he came close to sleeping with Gwen, but couldn't go through with it. "You and I...we're not together...we were, we still are legally married. I couldn't. I had to leave. I could never cheat on you," Xander said. Sarah didn't care because she considered kissing to be cheating. "Just go get Victoria and leave," Sarah demanded.

Xander later ran into Gwen in Horton Town Square and laid into her for telling Sarah what had happened that night. "What the hell is wrong with you, Gwen?" Xander asked.

Gwen tried to defend herself. "They say that jealousy sparks romantic feelings, and I thought if I could make her jealous, she would remember how much she loves you," Gwen lied. Xander accused Gwen of only wanting to cause trouble.

At the Brady Pub, Kristen tried to cheer up Rachel by talking about their shopping day, but Rachel wasn't having it. Rachel was glad her testimony was over, but was worried about Johnny. She also worried about Kristen taking the stand.

Kristen finally cheered Rachel up by talking about Grandma Rachel. They both remarked that the fact that she always wore white was a little weird. "I'm so happy Uncle EJ finally told you where she was. I know you missed her," Rachel said with a smile.

When Rachel learned that Brady had a flat tire and she'd have to go with Kristen to court, she threw a fit. When Rachel spotted Sarah, she asked if she could stay with her. Kristen reluctantly agreed.

Rachel began asking personal questions as she and Sarah had dessert. "Are you two getting divorced?" Rachel wondered about Sarah and Xander. Sarah said that she wasn't sure. Rachel felt bad for Victoria. "I know what it's like when your parents don't get along," she said.

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