Days of our Lives Recap, August 15, 2025: Johnny reaches a shocking decision about EJ

Here’s your Days of our Lives recap for Friday, August 16, 2025 when Ari made a life decision, Chanel objected to evidence, and Leo struggled with sequestration.

What happened on Days of our Lives

When Ari returned home, Javi spotted the Salem University brochure that she set on the table. Ari admitted that she wanted to attend Salem U rather than go to Arizona for college. “When did you make this decision?” Javi asked. Ari said she had been considering it for some time, but that she still needed to talk to Gabi. Ari confessed that she was worried her dads would not approve.

“They’ll miss you of course, but I’m sure they just want what’s best for you,” Javi said. Ari noted that she had the best dads. “Just like you would have been,” Ari said. Javi’s smile faltered. Ari apologized for overstepping. “It’s okay. It’s not like I don’t think about her all the time. I’m just not used to talking about it,” Javi said. Javi admitted he had not told Leo, because it was too difficult to explain to him. “My lips are sealed,” Ari said.

The fire department called Javi in to work. Ari agreed to watch Tesoro for him. Ari noted that she would miss Tesoro when the foster ended and they had to give Tesoro back. “I just think about how Sophia had to give up her own baby and how that must have been a million times harder, you know?” Ari said. Javi nodded in agreement.

The court sent Leo and the other jurors to the Salem Inn for sequestration. Fellow juror Adam told Leo that his wife was a huge fan of Leo’s work. When Leo learned that superfan Adam would be his roommate, he grimaced.

While Belle was reviewing her notes alone in court, Paulina walked in. “You have behaved admirably and ethically throughout these proceedings,” Paulina said. Paulina informed Belle that the Attorney General was satisfied with Belle’s work. Belle said she wanted to do her job, but she admitted that she did not know if she could live with sending her nephew to prison. Paulina reminded Belle that she could not worry about what the jury might do.

When Paulina worried aloud about the video of Chanel, Belle stressed that the police had not believed it had been enough evidence to charge Chanel. “In the absence of any other hard evidence, it’s not enough for me to charge her,” Belle added. Paulina argued that the video could destroy Chanel’s reputation.

Outside the courtroom, Johnny talked to EJ while Chanel was in the bathroom. “I know you have a job to do, but please, do not drag her through the mud, okay?” Johnny asked. EJ said he did not want to leave any thread to support a case of reasonable doubt unexplored, but Johnny ordered EJ not to go after Chanel.

“I was just telling my father to play nice with you on the stand. Which he agreed to do,” Johnny told Chanel when she rejoined him. “I appreciate everything you’ve done to defend my husband,” Chanel said. EJ said he hoped they had enough to earn an acquittal. When court was called to order, Chanel testified that she believed Johnny was innocent.

“And how are you so certain?” EJ asked. “The same reasons you are. Because I love him. And I know he’s telling the truth,” Chanel said. EJ asked Chanel if she had any doubts. When EJ hinted at his complicated history with Sami, Chanel said that she even though she knew Johnny had been devastated about EJ’s rape, Johnny had not shot EJ. EJ countered that Johnny’s anger had lead to the cancellation of his adoption plans with Chanel. EJ asked Chanel if she had blamed EJ for the adoption issue.

“Yes, I did,” Chanel said firmly. EJ played the recording of his confrontation with Chanel the night of the shooting. Chanel asked EJ to stop the video. Once paused, Chanel protested, “I swear. That never happened. I didn’t say any of that.” The judge admonished Chanel not to speak unless counsel asked her a question. Leo furrowed his brow as EJ restarted the video.

“I’m not going to let you live long enough to hurt Johnny or anyone else I care about ever again,” Chanel said on the video. At the conclusion, EJ said, “That speaks for itself.” Chanel attempted to explain herself, but EJ cut her off. The judge adjourned the court for the day.

When Leo got back to the hotel with Adam, Adam started to talk about the video from court. Leo reminded Adam that they could not discuss the trial. Adam changed the subject to sports, but Leo was not interested. Leo declined to play card games, but Adam insisted on calling the front desk for a deck. Leo rubbed his head and groaned. When Leo wondered aloud about the weakness in his hand and toe was a stroke, a flustered Adam called 911.

Javi with his partner for the call. “I’m feeling a lot better,” Leo said. Adam detailed Leo’s complaints. Once Javi’s partner and Adam left the room, Leo hugged Javi. “My knight in shining armor!” Leo said. Leo begged Javi to rescue him from his talkative roommate. Javi playfully pretended to choke Leo.

“If I bring you down to the hospital, you might just wiggle your way out of the jury,” Javi said. Leo refused because he did not want to lose his insider perspective on the case. Javi offered to tell Adam that Leo needed peace and quiet to recover.

In the town square, Paulina, Chanel, and Johnny walked together. “I know I told you before that I didn’t remember making those threats to your dad, but now that I’ve seen that video, I know for a fact that it didn’t happen that way,” Chanel said. Before Chanel could give details, Johnny noticed Belle, and he called out to her.

As Belle started to apologize, Johnny cut her off to tell her that he believed the court video had been manipulated by AI. Belle noted that the Salem PD forensics department had authenticated the video. Johnny reminded Belle that he had experience with film, and he wanted to pass the video along to an AI expert on that he knew. Belle hesitated, but Johnny argued that he had the right to question evidence in his trial.

“Your dad is your attorney. He would have to file a formal request,” Belle said. “If I’m right, and this video is a deepfake, I think he might be the one behind it,” Johnny said. Johnny left to confront his father. Chanel said that she agreed with Johnny’s theory because the end of the video was a fabrication. Paulina noted that the fake had been so good, that she had believed it had been Chanel in the video. Chanel wondered aloud how the Salem PD expert had missed the evidence.

“Maybe EJ has a mole in the forensics department,” Paulina suggested. Paulina vowed to investigate. Belle noted that EJ was capable of bribing the police, but that the new technology was also getting better every day. “Law enforcement is having a hard time keeping up,” Belle said.

When Johnny arrived at the DiMera mansion, EJ argued that he had met Johnny’s request. “I never accused Chanel of shooting me,” EJ said. “Save your pathetic excuses. I just came here because I’ve got two words for you: you’re fired,” Johnny said.

Tate was sitting in the Brady Pub when Sophia walked in. Tate told Sophia that that the parents had declined Tate’s request to see his daughter. “Maybe this is what’s for the best,” Sophia said. Tate vehemently disagreed. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going to give up,” Tate said.

Sophia reminded Tate that their daughter belonged to someone else. “I’m her biological father. They have to let me see her,” Tate demanded. Tate wanted to talk to the lawyer about arranging a meeting. As a frustrated Sophia started to tell Tate to drop it, she saw Ari entering the pub with Tesoro.

When Ari stopped by the table, Sophia tensed. Ari noticed and apologized to Sophia for having been insensitive. Ari started to leave, but Sophia asked her to stay. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to see him again,” Sophia said. “What do you mean again?” a puzzled Tate asked. Sophia explained that she had met him with Javi. “I met him with Leo. Isn’t that right, Tesoro?” Tate cooed at the baby. With a grin, Tate noted he had even held the baby. Sophia’s eyes went wide.

Tate asked Sophia if she was okay. Sophia started to cry, and she said, “I just can’t. I’m sorry.” Tate pulled Sophia into his arms and let her weep. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I should not have stayed here with the baby. I’m sorry,” Ari said. Sophia said it was okay, but Ari left anyway. Sophia apologized to Tate for having gotten upset.

“I really thought that I was doing okay and that I was, like, healing or whatever. And then because I thought I was going to be over it by now, but I’m not,” Sophia said. Tate apologized. “I can’t believe what a jerk I’ve been just thinking about myself, when all you’ve wanted is to do what’s best for our baby,” Tate said. “No, this has been really hard for you too,” Sophia said. With a sigh, Tate agreed that he needed to let go of their daughter.

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