Days of our Lives, Recap, May 30, 2025: The family gathers around John and reminisces

Here's what happened in Salem on the Days of our Lives episode Friday, May 30, 2025.

What happened on Days of our Lives

In the town square, EJ called Kayla. “It’s official. The hospital is safe in my loving care,” EJ said. With a chuckle, EJ chided Kayla for having rejected his first offer. As EJ ended his phone call, he saw Eric. Eric stopped short when he saw EJ. “You seem like you’re in a good mood. I’m afraid to ask,” Eric said. EJ told Eric that he was the new owner of the hospital. “Why?” Eric asked. EJ explained that he had wanted to do a good deed and save the hospital from bankruptcy.

“A lot has changed from your departure, including my sense of moral responsibility,” EJ said. Eric scoffed at the idea. Eric announced that he was on his way to see John, and EJ said he hoped that John made a full recovery. EJ asked about Nicole and Jude, but Eric confirmed they were not in Salem. “Do I sense trouble in paradise?” EJ asked. Eric walked away.

EJ called Dr. Jeffrey Russell and informed him that he was the new owner of the hospital. “We’ll set up a meeting to discuss our plan moving forward,” EJ said. As EJ ended his call, he saw the Horton plaque. “Why are you looking at me like that?” EJ grumbled at Alice and Tom’s image.

In John’s hospital room, Paul blamed himself for not talking John out of joining Steve at the warehouse. “I should have insisted that I go in his place. It should be me in that bed instead of him,” Paul muttered. “No, you’re wrong. And your father would never have forgiven himself if that had happened,” Marlena said. Marlena reminded Paul that John was a stubborn man. “That stubbornness will let him get through this,” Marlena insisted. John whispered, “Doc.” Marlena rushed to her husband’s side.

“John, I’m right here, and so is Paul,” Marlena said. Paul said hello to his dad, and he called him a hero. “You’ve got a new mission now, okay? You’ve got to heal and heal fast. We’ve got a Cubs game to go to,” Paul said. With tears in his eyes, Paul said that although he wished John had been there during his childhood, he knew that he was a lucky man to have John in his life now. “I’m so proud to be your son,” Paul said. “Proud to be your dad,” John whispered.

In the waiting area of the hospital, Belle and Brady waited to see John. Belle asked about Rachel, and Brady said he hoped Rachel had a minor bug. When Brady mentioned the vote for the hospital proposals, Belle teased Brady about his vote.

“I’m just not so sure [EJ’s] the right guy for the job,” Brady said. “Come on! You think Xander is better? He assaulted Philip. We just watched him leave the building in handcuffs,” Belle argued. “I thought the Salem DA was supposed to be all about innocent until proven guilty,” Brady countered. Belle rolled her eyes, and she noted that Xander was guilty. Belle told Brady that the video footage confirmed that Xander had been in the Salem Inn 10 minutes before the assault and had left about 20 minutes later.

“What I understand about Xander, is that he is very prone to these blind, scary rages,” Belle said. “I’ve been on the receiving end of some. Yeah, they’re not fun,” Brady agreed. Brady admitted that he would not be surprised if Xander had assaulted Philip, but he was surprised that he had voted for EJ. “I am very aware that EJ has made his own share of questionable choices,” Belle said. Belle added that she believed that EJ wanted to be a better person.

Kristen and Rachel rounded the corner, and Belle stepped away to give Brady time to talk to them. Kristen said that Rachel had been cleared by the doctors. Rachel asked to see John. “I bet grandpa would love to see you. But he doesn’t really look like himself right now,” Brady said. “What does he look like?” Rachel asked. Brady said that John had been hurt badly. Rachel insisted on giving John the card she had made for him. Suspicious, Rachel asked Brady if Kristen had told Brady that she had seen Johnny hold EJ at gunpoint. Johnny walked over.

As Brady said hello, Rachel gaped at Johnny. “Are there any updates on Grandpa John?” Johnny asked. Kristen held Rachel close as she continued to stare at Johnny, scared. Brady confirmed that John was continuing to improve. Johnny offered a pastry box to Rachel, and she stammered that she was not hungry.

“She hasn’t been feeling well,” Kristen said. Rachel asked if they could see John, and Kristen suggested that they visit when both Rachel and John felt better. Brady offered to give Rachel’s card to John for her. Rachel reluctantly agreed. As Johnny offered a fist bump, Rachel stared blankly, then Kristen led Rachel away. “I know Rachel’s not feeling well, but she’s usually not so shy around me,” Johnny said to Brady.

Kristen and Rachel were waiting for the elevator when Rachel saw Eric. Eric hugged Rachel, and he asked Kristen about John. “I wasn’t allowed to see Grandpa John,” Rachel said. Kristen told Eric that Rachel had been ill and she wanted to get her home. “I hope you feel better,” Eric said.

At the nurses’ station, Belle called Shawn and left him a voicemail to ask about Bo. When Belle ended her call, she turned and saw Will. Will gave Belle a big hug. “How is Grandpa John?” Will asked. “He is defying doctors’ expectations, as per usual,” Belle said. Will smiled. Belle asked about Sami, and Will confirmed that Sami and Sydney had found another flight and were en route to Salem. Will confirmed that he had run into Carrie at the hotel, and she would be back at the hospital in the afternoon. With a grin, Belle complimented Ari.

“I’ll admit I wasn’t super happy with [Ari’s] timing of her visit to Salem and missing her graduation ceremony and everything. But I am glad that she’s here now to see Grandpa John,” Will said. Will asked if he could visit John, and Belle escorted him over. Marlena greeted Will warmly when he entered John’s room. Will and Paul chatted, and Will thanked Paul for helping to return John home. Paula gave all the credit to Andrew.

“Must have meant the world to him to be the first friendly face he saw,” Marlena said. With a nod, Paul stepped out to call Andrew. Marlena suggested that Will have time alone with John, and she left the room too. “Grandpa John, it’s tough seeing you like this. But I know you’re going to bounce back just like you always do,” Will said. Will thought about when he had come out to John, and John had supported him. “If anybody taught me courage, it was you,” Will said.

In the waiting area, a concerned Johnny asked Brady if EJ had been denigrating him to Rachel since Johnny had cut off contact with his father. “No, that’s not it. I’m sure it’s just because he is not feeling well,” Brady said. Eric walked up and hugged Brady hello. Paul and Marlena joined the men, and she hugged Eric hello. “We just saw dad, and he’s getting more responsive. He even said a few words,” Paul said. Belle hugged Eric hello, and she asked about Jude. Eric pulled out his phone to show videos of Jude, and the family crowded around and laughed. Johnny stood off to the side.

In John’s room, Will told John about Ari. “She’s a little strong-willed. Sonny thinks she gets that from her mom, but I definitely see a little John Black in her,” Will said. Johnny entered the room, and he and Will hugged one another. “[John] is probably tired of me talking his ear off. So please, you were always his favorite,” Will said. “I’m not sure I’m really worthy to carry his name,” Johnny said. Confused, Will asked why. Before Johnny could respond, Eric joined them. When Eric commented on how Johnny had left before he could say hello, Johnny explained that he had not wanted to interrupt the family reunion.

“Well, it’s not a family reunion without you, kid,” Eric said. Eric hugged Johnny tightly, then he turned to look at John. “I’m going to say a quick prayer,” Eric said. As Eric sat beside John, Will and Johnny left the room. “John, you have been a father figure to me for most of my life. You’ve been a role model too,” Eric said. Eric thought about when John had asked him in the past to watch over Marlena when John was not around.

Outside John’s room, Will asked Johnny if he was okay. “I’m just having a bit of an identity crisis. Ever since I found out that I wouldn’t even be here if my dad hadn’t raped mom, and everybody in our family knew about it. Including you,” Johnny said with a shrug. “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling. And Johnny, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Will said. Johnny assured Will that he understood it had not been Will’s responsibility to spill the secret.

“I just don’t really know where I fit into this family anymore,” Johnny confessed. “You’re my brother, and I’ve loved you since the day you were born. And trust me, I had a pretty tough time when I found out about everything that happened. But it didn’t change for a second how I felt about you,” Will said. Will told Johnny that he was there if he wanted to talk. “I promise you, if you keep that anger buried inside of you, it’s gonna get out in some way, probably in a way that hurts you,” Will advised.

After Will stepped aside to take a call from Sonny, Marlena asked Johnny if he wanted to join the family in the chapel. When Marlena noted the bakery box, Johnny informed Marlena that he was back together with Chanel. Elated, Marlena congratulated Johnny. “And your dad. Any news there?” Marlena asked. Johnny told Marlena about when he had watched EJ fall in the square.

“And when I saw him there on the ground with his cane, struggling to get up, the first thing I thought was, serves him right. And I just walked away. At the time, it felt like the right thing to leave him there,” Johnny said. “How do you feel now?” Marlena asked. Johnny admitted that he was ashamed because his reaction felt like EJ's. “I do not want to be like him. Not ever,” Johnny said. Marlena reminded Johnny that he would make mistakes in his life. “I just hope that in the end, they’ll be choices you can be proud of,” Marlena said.

In John’s hospital room, Brady sat next to his father. “Even through all the messed-up relationships that I’ve had, and the substance abuse, and the days when I’m feeling like the worst parent in the world, you know, you’re always there to support me, Dad,” Brady said. Brady told John that he had always made Brady feel loved by both him and Isabella. Brady thought about when John had told him about a memory of Isabella in a gondola ride in Venice. John had said, “All she wished for you was that you would feel the peace and happiness that she was feeling at that moment.” John had tracked down the gondola from that day and removed the number from it to give to Brady as a memory of his mother.

“I just wanted to thank you for always keeping the memory of my mother alive for me. You know, whenever I get frustrated with Tate and Rachel, I always think about you and Marlena, you dealt with my antics so well and with such grace and love. You did. And that’s the kind of dad that I want to be. Or at least try to,” Brady said. Belle walked into the room, and she sighed. “It’s really hard to see him like that. Again,” Belle said. With a shake of his head, Brady noted that John had had more than his share of injuries and traumas.

“And yet, I can’t recall more of a rallying cry from friends and family,” Brady said. “Yeah. It kind of feels hopeful. It’s like somehow, we’re all gonna will him out of that hospital bed just by letting him know how important he is. How loved he is. Although he already knows that,” Belle said. “It doesn’t hurt to remind him,” Brady said. With a nod, Brady left so that Belle could have some privacy. Belle sat next to her father.

“This is all too familiar, isn’t it?” Belle said. Belle thought about a moment in the past when John had been unconscious in the hospital, and she had begged him for a sign. John had wiggled a finger and stretched it out toward her hand. John did the same thing, and Belle gasped. “You know all those years ago when you reached for my hand like that, the doctors said it was an involuntary reflex and that it didn’t mean that you were coming back to us. And boy, he could not have been more wrong. You’re gonna get through this, Dad,” Belle said. “That’s a fact, Tink,” John whispered. Belle smiled.

In the hallway, Brady and Eric asked Paul about his wedding plans. Paul said he and Andrew wanted to wait for John to recover. Brady suggested that Eric could officiate the wedding. “I’d be honored,” Eric said. Paul noted that Andrew would return to Salem soon. “Dad will be back on his feet soon, and this is how we’ll celebrate. A Salem wedding,” Paul said.

After Marlena talked to John’s burn specialist and pulmonologist, she informed Belle, Brady, Paul, and Eric that the test results were positive. “In fact, they went on to say his recovery seems to be absolutely miraculous,” Marlena said through tears. “Belle, it’s like you said, we will him to get better with love,” Brady said. “Love will do that, won’t it?” Marlena said. Marlena encouraged the kids to go home and rest. Paul and Belle were concerned about Marlena, but she insisted on staying with John.

In the town square, Will asked Johnny what he had meant when Johnny said he had not felt worthy of John’s name. “I’m being hard on myself, I guess,” Johnny said. Johnny noted that John was a hero and a great husband and father. “I don’t know if I can live up to all of that,” Johnny said. “There will only be one John Black. But I think John Roman is pretty great too,” Will said. Johnny thanked Will for the support, and he hugged his uncle.

When Kristen and Rachel returned home, EJ cheerfully greeted them, but he realized that Rachel was upset, and he apologized. Kristen asked Rachel to go upstairs, and she reluctantly went. “That must have been horribly upsetting for her to hear about John’s accident,” EJ said. “Yes, but that’s not the only horrible, unsettling thing that she’s experienced lately,” Kristen said. Kristen told EJ that Rachel had seen something the night of the shooting.

“What a horrible thing for a little girl to see. I thought she was asleep when Chad found me,” EJ said. “She was. You haven’t recovered any memories from the moment leading up to the shooting, have you?” Kristen asked. EJ said no. Kristen told EJ that Rachel had witnessed Johnny point a gun at EJ and argue with him. “Surely Rachel is mistaken,” EJ said. “I know my daughter, and I really think we need to take this seriously,” Kristen said. EJ asked Kristen if Rachel had any evidence, and Kristen said no.

“But it’s not hard to believe. Johnny is telling anyone that will listen to him that he wishes you were dead,” Kristen said. Kristen apologized for having been blunt. “I know the last thing you want is to see your son in prison,” Kristen added. EJ bristled at the remark and stressed, “He’s not going to prison because you’re not going to say anything about this. And neither is Rachel.” Kristen chuckled.

“I knew your true self would emerge. Now tell me, how long have you known?” Kristen asked. EJ explained that he did not know anything. “I’m simply protecting my son from these baseless accusations,” EJ said. Kristen said she understood the need to protect family. “I will make sure Rachel keeps quiet, if,” Kristen said with a smirk. EJ asked Kristen for her price. “Tell me where my mother is,” Kristen said. After a moment, EJ said, “Your mother will never set foot in Salem.” Kristen agreed. “And if she does, you’ll never see her again,” EJ said. Kristen agreed to the deal.

At the hospital, Marlena curled up next to John on his hospital bed, and she smiled at him. “It’s nice to have you awake. I hope you were as touched as I was by all your loved ones who came to see you today. You have impacted so many lives. And now we’re alone. I’m happy for that. You know, no matter what obstacles we faced, we’ve always, always ended up together. My love,” Marlena whispered. Marlena gently kissed John’s shoulder.

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