Days of our Lives Recap, August 6, 2025: Tate meets his son

On Days of our Lives today, Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Sophia worries her plan is falling apart, Paulina and Gabi testify at Johnny's trial, and EJ goes on the offensive.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

In Horton Town Square, Tate spotted Belle and asked why she had a bag with her. Belle explained she was staying at the Salem Inn while Sami was in town. She wanted to avoid her sister since she was prosecuting Sami’s son and dating her ex. Belle also thought it best to spare Marlena the sight of her daughters “brawling” in her home. She turned the subject to the baby’s adoption and asked Tate how he felt about Sophia’s decision.

Tate confided that he was upset that he didn’t get the chance to meet his child. Belle offered him a listening ear any time he wanted to talk. Tate thanked her and inquired how Belle was feeling about the trial. Belle said she kept calm by trying to focus on being fair. Tate realized he should be taking the same approach in his situation. He wanted to be more selfless and be a source of support for Sophia.

Belle commended Tate’s perspective and bid her nephew a fond goodbye as she left to prepare for the trial.

At The Bistro, Paulina chowed down on her meal with Abe while fretting about her stress eating. She was worried she would “put my foot in it” and give testimony at Johnny’s trial that would help send him to prison. She also felt guilty for getting the whole process of Johnny’s arrest started. Abe reassured Paulina that she had only been doing her job. Paulina’s stress increased when she received an unexpected call from the attorney general’s office.

After she ended the call, Paulina updated Abe on the conversation. The attorney general had relayed to Paulina that he would be keeping a close watch on the trial and would be sending a representative to observe the proceedings in person. If Belle didn’t properly “fulfill her duties,” she would be disbarred.

At Rafe’s house, Rafe joined Leo at the kitchen table while the reporter groused about the “boring” coverage of Johnny’s trial in The Spectator. Leo also complained about the “measly” pay he was getting for serving as a juror. When Gabi strode into the room in a conservative dress, Leo cracked, “It’s like Laura Ingalls Wilder has risen from the dead.” An annoyed Gabi clarified she was testifying at Johnny’s trial, which Leo should have known. Leo mused that nothing about the trial was normal; both the DA and the defense attorney wanted the defendant acquitted, after all.

Gabi and Leo bantered about how he had ended up on the jury and whether he could be objective. Leo thought Gabi and he had reached a truce after Arianna’s kidnapping. Gabi acknowledged Leo could be kind when he wasn’t acting like an “insensitive nincompoop.” She apologized for the remark and admitted she was nervous about incurring EJ’s wrath after she testified. Rafe stepped in and suggested that Leo and Gabi conclude their talk about the trial.

Leo conceded and went upstairs to say goodbye to Javi and Tesoro. When they were alone, Rafe told Gabi that he would be there for support at the trial and encouraged his sister to focus on giving truthful testimony instead of worrying about EJ.

At the DiMera mansion, EJ gave Johnny a pep talk as father and son prepared for the trial. EJ reminded Johnny he’d have to be ruthless, “no matter what it takes.” Johnny requested that his dad take it easy on Paulina when he cross-examined her, for Chanel’s sake. EJ urged Johnny to “keep your eye on the ball” and to let him take care of the rest. The baseball metaphor prompted Johnny to reflect on his visit with Sami and his mom’s love for John.

Johnny conveyed how happy Sami had been to hear that EJ and he had made amends. EJ shared the sentiment and suggested Johnny and he go to court and “hit it out of the ballpark.” Johnny joked that his dad couldn’t pull off the metaphors quite like John.

Later, at the courthouse, Johnny and EJ greeted Paulina, who asked for a word with the attorney. When Johnny went inside the courtroom, Paulina warned EJ to “back the hell off,” trying to make Belle Johnny’s “friendly prosecutor.” An unmoved EJ cautioned Paulinathat he wasn’t going to go easy on her on the stand and stalked off before Paulina could tell him about the attorney general's call.

Just then, Belle arrived. Paulina took her aside and informed Belle she’d had an important talk with the attorney general.

Later, when the trial resumed in the courtroom, Belle began her questioning of Paulina. She got Paulina to recount Chanel’s state of mind the night of the shooting and asked Paulina if Chanel had been worried Johnny would inflict violence on his father. EJ objected, so Belle reframed the question to ask what Chanel had been concerned about specifically. Paulina expressed that Chanel had been worried because Johnny was “in a bad place” with EJ at the time. Both Chanel and she had been relieved when Johnny had returned home that night.

Belle then asked Paulina how Johnny had reacted when they had received the call about EJ’s shooting. “He said he got what he deserved,” Paulina reluctantly admitted. The jury, including Leo, visibly reacted. Belle pressed Paulina on where Johnny claimed he had been the night of the shooting. Paulina conceded that Johnny had lied at first by saying he had been at the park; Johnny had eventually confessed to Paulina and Chanel that he had gone to the DiMera mansion to confront his father with a gun.

EJ rose for his cross-examination and, right out of the gate, asked Paulina if she had also considered confronting him. Belle objected, but the judge allowed the question. Paulina said she had considered it. “Did you confront me that night to shoot me in cold blood?” EJ challenged. Paulina vehemently denied the allegation.

EJ switched tactics and asked Paulina if she believed Johnny’s claims that he hadn't shot his father. “With all my heart, I do,” Paulina affirmed. Johnny smiled, touched by her assertion.

Next to the stand was Gabi. Belle asked her to recount the events that had unfolded the night of the shooting. Gabi admitted she had been lurking outside with the intent to confront EJ about what he had done to her brother, Rafe. She had heard men shouting and had realized after some time that the voices had belonged to EJ and Johnny. EJ, during the exchange, had implored, “You don’t want to do this; put the gun down.”

Johnny had insisted, “It’s what you deserve.” The audience erupted in commotion, and the judge called for order in the court. Belle asked Gabi if she had witnessed anything else. Gabi recalled seeing Ava Vital, another suspect, flee from the estate. Gabi had not seen Johnny leave, though. EJ glared at Gabi.

EJ approached the stand for his cross and pondered why Gabi had waited so long to come forward with what she knew. Gabi acknowledged she hadn’t wanted to put herself at the scene of a crime. EJ needled her until she confessed she had “borrowed” Rafe’s gun that night and had the weapon with her on-scene. EJ suggested Ava might have doubled back – or that Gabi had taken the initiative herself to shoot him “in cold blood.” Gabi responded with hostile defiance and reminded EJ that Johnny’s gun had been identified as the weapon.

EJ mused that Gabi might have picked up the discarded weapon in order to frame Johnny. Gabi, as EJ gleefully informed the jury, was a convicted felon. When Gabi protested she had been innocent of those crimes, EJ concluded, “You are far from innocent.” EJ returned to his table and conferred with Johnny, assuring his son that they had “come out on top.”

After the trial was paused for a lunch break, EJ gave Belle an apology for the strain the trial had placed on her and on their relationship. He asked her not to doubt his love and wished for just a few moments that would allow them to get away from it all. Belle mentioned she was staying at the Salem Inn and discreetly slipped her key card to EJ. “See you soon,” she said with a suggestive smile. EJ watched her go with a pleased grin on his face.

Outside in the corridor, Johnny, Paulina, and Abe chatted. Johnny assured Paulina he had no ill will toward her testimony and thanked her for publicly declaring her belief in his innocence. She expressed hope that the jury likewise believed Johnny. He expressed the same hope.

Back at Rafe's house, Gabi ranted about EJ’s cross-examination as Rafe and she returned home. Rafe reassured Gabi that EJ wasn't trying to pin another crime on her but was only attempting to create reasonable doubt for Johnny. Gabi posed the question of whether her brother still believed in Johnny’s innocence.

In Melinda’s office, Sophia arrived and called out for Melinda, only to be greeted by stacks of empty boxes. She received a call from Tate and braced herself before answering. He wanted the address of the baby’s adoptive parents so he could send a gift for his “daughter.” Sophia claimed she’d have to get the address from her lawyer and ended the call, panicked.

When Melinda eventually came into the office, Sophia filled her in on the confrontation with Sarah. Sophia wasn’t sure she could keep the lie going. Melinda reminded her that if Sophia came forward, she might have to raise the baby. Sophia brought up her other “emergency”: the call with Tate. Melinda promised Sophia she would “take care of it.”

Later, outside the Brady Pub, Tate approached Sophia and apologized for making the adoption fallout about him. He asked how she was doing, and Sophia claimed she was okay. Tate invited her for lunch, and Sophia gladly accepted.

Things quickly got awkward, however, when they sat down for lunch and Tate asked Sophia to tell him about the adoptive parents. Sophia suggested Tate move on, but Tate said he couldn’t. He wanted to meet the parents…and he wanted to meet his baby. Sophia insisted he couldn’t do either because they had both signed away their parental rights. It would only be harder for Tate to let go.

Tate wondered why Sophia seemed so adamant about him not meeting the baby. “What are you keeping from me?” he asked of a wide-eyed Sophia. She reiterated that she was only worried about Tate’s well-being. She considered his “fixation” on a child they hadn’t intended to have or to keep unhealthy. Tate appreciated Sophia’s concern but remained steadfast in his desire to send a gift to the baby – and to meet her.

Tate wanted to write a letter to the adoptive parents requesting a meeting. Later, back outside the pub, Sophia called Melinda and frantically updated her on Tate’s requests. Melinda said she had set up a PO Box for the “parents” and pledged to Sophia that they were still in control.

Meanwhile, in Horton Town Square, Tate picked up a toy Leo had dropped from Tesoro’s stroller. Leo thanked him and gushed about Tesoro and how he thought the baby was even beginning to look like him. Leo asked Tate about his baby. Tate gave a brief recap of the “adoption” and lamented how he hadn’t gotten an opportunity to “see” his child, while ironically staring at Tesoro. The baby started fussing, and Leo inquired if Tate would like to hold him.

Tate obliged and took Tesoro in his arms. He marveled at the boy’s cute smile. “You’re a natural at this,” Leo observed. Tate grinned and cradled his son.

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