Days of our Lives Recap, September 9, 2025: Theo returns to Salem at Tony's request

Here’s your Days of our lives recap for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, when Xander and Philip closed ranks, Gabi scrambled, and EJ deployed his cover story for his hospital plans.

What happened on Days of our Lives

Stephanie celebrated officially being a best-selling author. Alex told her that he wanted her to attend the press conference as the PR representative for Anastasia Sands. Stephanie said she was busy with her actual PR job and could not attend.

In the DiMera living room, a worried Gabi told Tony that she was concerned that Xander and Philip would discover that she had planted the bug on Xander’s desk. “What if they’re able to protect themselves before you can challenge a takeover?” Gabi asked. “They lied. And we’re going to prove it. I just hope they don’t find out that you’re the mole,” Tony said. Gabi questioned Tony’s commitment to her, but he assured her that their deal was intact.

At Titan, Philip was surprised when Xander invited him to Victoria’s birthday party. “We need to act like a real family, show a united front as we prepare to take on this latest threat. Also, I’d just like you to be there for your niece," Xander said. Philip agreed to attend, but he asked if Sarah would mind. Xander explained that he and Sarah had called a truce for the party.

Xander said that per Marlena’s advice, he would work to control his anger and make amends. “Is that what this invitation is about?” Philip asked. Xander admitted that was part of the reason. Philip said he thought both Marlena and Sarah would be impressed with Xander’s effort. Xander thanked Philip for his support, but he noted that there was no chance of a reconciliation with Sarah.

”I’ll always love her, but I just can’t get over what she did to me,” Xander said. Philip said he regretted that he had told Xander about Sarah’s lie. “I hated you for it at the time. But now, looking back, I’m glad you did,” Xander said. Philip defended Sarah, and he said that he had put Sarah in an impossible position.

”She made a choice,” Xander said. Xander explained that Sarah had been the only person in the world that he had trusted completely, and that was why he could not forgive her betrayal. “But you’re working on forgiving me, right?” Philip noted. Philip started to urge Xander to fight for Sarah, but Xander argued that it was too much to get past.

Philip confirmed with security that the building was free of any more bugs. Xander said he had expedited the CEO papers for Philip to sign. “The last thing we need is to lose DiMera. It’s pretty much the only part of our business turning a profit right now,” Philip said. “If the merger falls apart, Titan could become vulnerable to someone from the outside raiding us,” Xander said.

Philip smiled, and he noted that it reminded him of how well they had worked together at the start of their partnership. ”If you and I can tolerate each other after all that’s happened, well, it just proves my point about you and Sarah,” Philip said. Xander dismissed Philip.

When Alex arrived at work, Xander told him about the bug in the office. Xander said that whoever had planted the device had likely heard him talk about Philip’s fraud. “I’ve decided to execute Stephanie’s strategy to indemnify us by officially making Philip my co-CEO,” Xander said. Alex agreed that was the right move.

Xander ordered Alex to get Stephanie to tell him who she had talked to about the fraud. “Or else what?” Alex asked defiantly. Xander told Alex that he was not threatening to fire him. Xander stressed that the threat was that the family company could go under if they were not able to fix the situation.

Philip invited Gabi to dinner. In the Bistro, Gabi talked about the night Xander had gotten them thrown out. “Not [Xander’s] best moment, but it is the night that he decided to go into therapy,” Gabi said. “Then it turned into a positive, because he really has begun working on his anger issues,” Philip confirmed. Gabi agreed that Xander had made progress.

“I mean, you two are getting along again, right?” Gabi said. “How would you know that?” Philip asked. Gabi explained that when she had seen Philip and Xander earlier, they had been working together as a team. “Our office was bugged. The company is under attack. But you are right about us,” Philip said. Philip credited Gabi with “the thaw” of his relationship with Xander, because she had inspired him to talk to Xander.

“He even invited me to his daughter’s birthday party tomorrow,” Philip said. Philip noted that having a common enemy had helped draw them closer together. Gabi asked who had bugged the office. Philip shrugged. “When we find out whoever did this, they’ll be sorry they picked a fight with the Kiriakis brothers,” Philip said.

Cat met up with Rafe in his office, and she showed him the photos of EJ’s blueprints. Rafe noted that although there was nothing obvious in the plans, he knew that there was more to the renovation. “Is it possible that maybe [EJ] turned a corner?” Cat asked. Rafe stressed that EJ would always be a criminal.

In EJ’s hospital office, EJ showed Chad the fake blueprints for the new free clinic. “I want to do something good for the community. Give back,” EJ said. Chad asked EJ if he had an ulterior motive with the hospital, but EJ said no. EJ admitted that at most, he wanted to rehabilitate their family’s reputation. “If all of this is on the up and up, then I’m proud of you. And if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know,” Chad said.

Chad changed the subject to Cat, and he asked EJ to be nice to her. EJ teased Chad about his feelings for Cat. ”Right now, we’re just enjoying each other’s company,” Chad said. “I hope it works out for you. You deserve to be happy,” EJ said. Chad warned EJ not to tell anyone about the relationship, and EJ promised to be nice.

After Chad left, Stephanie arrived to meet with EJ. EJ walked Stephanie through his plans for the free clinic. “I’m pleasantly surprised. As your PR person, you’ve just made my job a whole lot easier,” Stephanie admitted. When EJ noted that only Stephanie and his family knew about the plans, Stephanie asked why he had kept it a secret.

”I wanted to make sure the announcement comes out right. There’s going to be a lot of skepticism,” EJ said. EJ admitted that he needed Kayla to be on board. Stephanie reminded EJ that Kayla had worked at the Riverfront free clinic for years. “If you’re on the level with this project, she’ll be your biggest ally,” Stephanie said. EJ announced that he wanted to call it the DiMera Family Free Clinic. Stephanie told EJ that the staff would object, and he needed their support.

“This hospital is steeped in nearly a century of tradition. It’s not just the building. It’s the staff. It’s the volunteers, not to mention the people it cares for. The name that you put on this clinic should reflect that,” Stephanie said. Stephanie suggested that EJ name the clinic after Dr. Tom Horton. EJ agreed.

As Chad passed through the square, he ran into Cat. Cat told Chad that Mark was grateful that Chad had decided not to contest his parole. “I hope it helps his case,” Chad said. Cat admitted she was concerned that Chad’s decision would put him at odds with Abigail’s family. “I’m doing what I think is right for my family to move forward,” Chad said. Chad said he hoped Mark’s release would help Cat’s family heal as well.

”You know if he does get released, you and I are going to have to have a talk and figure out what that means for us,” Chad said. Cat told Chad that she believed they could figure out how to continue to see one another if Mark moved home. Chad told Cat that EJ had guessed that he was involved with her. Cat was worried about her working relationship with EJ, but Chad assured her that EJ would not interfere.

“How is James?” Chad asked. Cat noted that she was not interested in James. Cat said that she had suffered through numerous bad relationships. “I can already see that it’s different with you,” Cat said. “I want to kiss you right now,” Chad said. Cat glanced across the square, and she saw EJ and Rafe. “That’s my boss right there,” Cat said.

Across the square, Rafe told EJ he was happy to hear that Johnny had been exonerated. “Especially since you were the one that got him arrested in the first place,” EJ muttered. Rafe countered that it was a miracle that EJ had not been disbarred for his conduct. “One of these days, EJ, your luck’s going to run out,” Rafe said. Chad and Cat interrupted to say hello. Rafe warned Cat to be careful around her new boss.

Alex returned to Stephanie’s place, and he told her about Xander’s request for Stephanie to explain how she had buried the investigation into Philip’s fraud. “As it turns out, whatever you did, it didn’t work,” Alex said. Alex told Stephanie about the bug. “Do you know who it was?” Alex asked.

At the DiMera mansion, Tony greeted Theo at the front door. “So glad to have you back in Salem,” Tony said as he hugged his nephew. Theo asked Tony why he had sent the jet to retrieve him so that they could talk in person.

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