Days of our Lives Recap, May 12, 2025: Philip plots his next move

On Days of our Lives today, Monday, May 12, 2025, Chanel extends an olive branch, Roman and Kate have an honest conversation, Brady and Kristen have it out, and Doug makes a confession to Holly.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

In Horton Town Square, Johnny reacted with surprise when Chanel asked him if he had shot EJ. Chanel reminded Johnny of all the times he’d wished his father dead. Johnny reaffirmed the feeling and told Chanel that EJ knew how he felt, too. After Johnny briefed Chanel on his latest encounter with EJ, Chanel worried even more. Johnny had been talking about how he didn’t think he was a good person, and he had gone missing on the night of the shooting.

Johnny pledged that although he hated his father, he hadn’t shot EJ. He seemed hurt when Chanel was slow to say that she believed him. Chanel expressed her concern about Johnny’s hostility to EJ. She didn’t think that deep down, Johnny would have been okay if his dad had died. The tense conversation was interrupted by Paulina, who had heard about the situation with Sarah. Chanel complained that soon the whole town would know she had almost killed the doctor.

Paulina assured Chanel that Sarah was fine, as she’d seen Sarah and Xander at the hospital. Chanel fretted that Xander would sue her, but Paulina said Xander liked Chanel…after all, they were married. Chanel insisted she’d screwed up. Johnny believed he’d given her plenty of reason to be distracted, so he shouldered some of the blame. He especially felt guilty that he’d blown up the adoption around Mother’s Day. Chanel couldn’t deny it had been difficult.

Paulina excused herself but continued to watch Chanel and Johnny’s interaction from a distance. She was pleased when Chanel invited Johnny to return home following Johnny's sincere apology for his behavior.

At the newly minted Titan DiMera offices, Alex read an excerpt from Stephanie's romance novel, featuring the characters of “Bronwyn Ellis” and “Jason Blade.” Philip entered the office and demanded to know about Xander’s bid for the hospital. Alex responded with hostility. Philip apologized again for his deception and reminded his cousin that he was still part of the company. He believed Xander’s actions – which appeared to be an attempt to save Sarah’s job -- could endanger the Titan/DiMera merger

Philip couldn’t see the value of sinking money into a failing hospital. Alex was insistent that the hospital could be a big money-maker. Philip soon realized that Xander had another reason for going after the hospital: a reason he'd kept from Philip.

Philip was intrigued after Alex said EJ was also interested in the hospital. Philip backed off the questions and claimed he trusted Xander and Alex. He’d even persuade Kate to back the deal with the other board members. Alex thanked Philip for his seeming acquiescence. When Philip left, however, he immediately got on the phone.

At John and Marlena’s place, Kristen stopped by to give Brady an invitation to Rachel’s birthday party. Brady was skeptical that Rachel would want him there, given the event was supposed to be “girls-only.” Kristen admitted that none of Rachel’s school friends would be coming to the party, so she had hoped Brady’s presence would distract their daughter from the disappointment.

While Kristen laid the blame on the “nasty little girls,” Brady acknowledged that Rachel was troubled and probably difficult to be around. Kristen defended her daughter and claimed Rachel’s behavior was attributable to worry about her grandpa and grandma, both of whom were missing. Brady snarked that Rachel’s grandma had been a major contributor to the girl’s problems, which drew Kristen’s ire.

When Kristen got angry and stormed for the door, Brady stopped her and apologized. He just wanted Kristen to see that Rachel’s problems preceded her grandparents’ disappearances. Rachel had taken on Kristen’s pattern of developing unhealthy fixations and torpedoing her personal relationships. Kristen shot back that “Daddy Drunkest” hadn’t been the model of good behavior either, but she calmed and took the statement back.

Kristen didn’t believe it benefited Rachel for her parents to continue rehashing who was most to blame. She wanted to set a good example for her daughter, and she’d thought she could start by showing Rachel what a “lady boss” could do. The “mouth-breathing goons” Xander and Philip had deprived her of the opportunity. On cue, Brady received a text from Philip, with whom he had a business meeting. When Brady asked Kristen if she would be okay, she responded that Stefano had taught her to “rise from the ashes.”

Later, Kristen went to her old office to retrieve a vase Rachel had made her. When an unknowing Alex off-handedly said he’d thrown the vase away, Kristen was irate. Alex seemed remorseful, which gave Kristen an opening to request that Alex put in a good word for her to his cousins.

Kristen's romantic advances didn’t work, so she switched tactics and pitched herself as a “driven, intelligent” woman who had a lot to offer the company. Alex remained unmoved and said he couldn’t help Kristen. She got angry, swore Alex would be sorry, and left in a rage.

Afterward, Alex took a break at the square and read more of Stephanie’s manuscript. He then made a call to a friend in publishing.

At the Brady Pub, Kate gave Doug pointers on being a successful server. When she got to their policy on attempted robberies, she went behind the counter to show Doug the gun lockbox…only to find the box missing. Roman approached soon thereafter, and Kate immediately confronted her husband about the missing gun. Roman claimed he’d left the box with a gunsmith for a cleaning, but Kate wasn’t buying it.

After Kate took them upstairs for privacy, Roman wondered why Kate believed he was lying about the gun. Kate reminded him that she’d learned at the feet of master deceivers Stefano and Victor. Roman was offended by the comparison.

Kate reaffirmed that she’d fallen in love with Roman precisely because he was different from her previous relationships. And she knew he was lying because she knew him so well. Kate conceded they both had reasons to want EJ dead. Plus, they’d both been gone the night of the shooting.

Kate promised she hadn’t shot EJ, but she needed to know if Roman had. Although Roman had carried plenty of hate for EJ, he affirmed he hadn't shot the man either. A relieved Kate hugged Roman, who still looked troubled.

Kate sensed her husband was holding something back. Roman swore her to secrecy. Someone had taken his gun that night, and he was afraid that person had used the firearm.

Back downstairs, Holly congratulated Doug on his first day of work. Doug mentioned the prom, and Holly stated she wasn’t going. In fact, she didn’t care about it at all. “Me thinks the lady doth protest too much,” Doug observed. The comment prompted Holly to banter with Doug about his interest in Shakespeare.

Doug turned the conversation serious by apologizing for making Holly miss out on her senior prom. Holly would be going with Tate if it weren’t for him. Holly balked at the suggestion and reminded Doug that her problems with Tate had been ongoing. When Holly mentioned Tate and Sophia’s prom date being canceled because of her bed rest, she admitted that she felt sorry for her former friend.

Doug confided that he could relate because he’d missed most of his senior year milestones. Holly asked why. Doug confessed he was a high school dropout. Holly was surprised but stressed she wasn’t judging Doug.

Doug opened up about how he’d gotten involved with a bad crowd who’d never gone to class. When his grades started slipping, his parents didn’t care so eventually, neither did he. Holly offered to help Doug study for his GED. Brady arrived and put a damper on the moment by greeting Holly and bringing up Tate. Holly grew uncomfortable after the mention and said she had to get going.

Brady turned his attention to Philip, who had come in for their business meeting. As the two grabbed a table, Philip began prodding Brady for information about the hospital purchase. Brady insisted he didn’t know anything and suggested Philip look elsewhere for intel.

Later, Brady ran into an upset Kristen outside the pub. She got emotional talking about Rachel’s vase and about the little girl in general. Brady said she wouldn’t be comforting their daughter alone because he wouldn’t miss the birthday party. Kristen smiled with relief and hugged Brady.

Meanwhile, back at Titan DiMera, Philip snuck into Alex’s office. He found a file on the hospital. After perusing through the contents, Philip called a doctor mentioned in the file. He lied that Xander had asked him to get in touch. “Bring me up to speed,” Philip said.

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