Days of Our Lives Recap: Philip and Xander Agree to Avoid Mutually Assured Destruction

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Days of Our Lives Recap: Philip and Xander Agree to Avoid Mutually Assured Destruction originally appeared on Daytime Confidential.
On today's Days of Our Lives recap:
Marlena and John's Penthouse: Marlena walks through her house alone. She says she can't be around anymore death. With that, she grabs flowers from a vase and throws them across the room. Marlena crosses to the cabinet and pulls out John's Yankee cap. She smells it and begins to cry.
DiMera Mansion – Living Room: EJ opens a Happy Father's Day card from Sydney.
Flashback: Johnny tells EJ he's dead to him. Later, he walks in and holds a gun on his father.
Johnny and Chanel's Place: The couple are unpacking when he sees a wrapped gift. He thinks it's for his birthday, but Chanel says it was supposed to be his first Father's Day gift. He says they should keep the gift as someday she will have a reason to give it to him. Chanel pulls out Johnny's gold watch and says he is now all ready for his first day at Titan/DiMera. He wonders if she has time to grab a bite but she says she has to head to work. They kiss and he makes his exit. Chanel immediately makes a call to Felicity and says she won't be in to Sweet Bits until later in the day.
EJ arrives and tells Johnny he is sorry about John. They talk a bit about John's legacy and how much EJ thinks he's like his grandfather. He also apologizes for trying to force his son to forgive him. EJ is there to set him free and promises, after tonight, they never have to see each other again. EJ takes Johnny by the shoulders and says he loves him with all his heart. Sometimes loving someone means letting them go. He asks his son if that's what he wants, and Johnny says he doesn't know.
Johnny says he hates EJ for what he did to his mother. That being said, he can't deny he's been a good father. Johnny says he's always known he is important to his father and EJ says he would do anything for him. Johnny doesn't know if he can handle losing anyone else. EJ tells him to think everything over and promises to accept his decision.
Salem PD – Jada's Office: Rafe arrives just after Jada hangs up with an irate Kate. She asks about FBI training, and he says he's great and ready to get back in the field. He'll be working through the Chicago office, so he'll be able to remain in Salem. Jada asks why he's there and he says he's learned some information about the shooting of EJ DiMera.
Jada is surprised to learn Rafe planted a camera in EJ's living room. She asks why she's just now learning about it. EJ says the memory card was stolen and he has no clue how or when. Jada agrees to overlook the pesky B&E and get to work on locating the memory card.
Jada and Rafe go through the possible suspects. She starts with Gabi and then they move to Leo, neither of which Rafe thinks are responsible. They effectively eliminate anyone in the Hernandez house and they shift their focus to the DiMera mansion.
University Hospital – Philip's Room: Belle brings Philip a smoothie and wants to go over his statement. He says he already told Jada everything. She notes she is his friend and wants to help him get justice. Philip repeats he never saw his attacker. Belle can't understand why a stranger would attack him. She doesn't believe a single word he is saying.
Philip is stunned to learn John died. He says Bo and Hope visited him before they left town. Philip freaks out because if he had made it to the drop with Kevin and his actions caused this entire mess. Belle says everything was an accident, but his assault was not. Philiip continues to stick to his story. Belle says she's going to find the truth and makes her exit.
Belle reminds Philip she knows why Xander had motive to assault him. Philip gets it but says it wasn't Xander. Belle goes along with it saying maybe he hired someone to do it. She wonders if he said he would keep quiet about Philip's crimes if he remains silent about the assault. Belle implores him to tell the truth as she can't lose another person she loves.
University Hospital – Exam Room: Xander tells Sarah the police have dropped all the charges against him. He is looking for an apology because she was dead wrong. Sarah says she's not apologizing as she still believes Xander beat Philip within an inch of his life. She notes he's never once denied being the culprit. Further, Philip would be getting himself in hot water by admitting the truth.
Sarah tells Xander they won't be reuniting. He says it was never his intention to reunite. They both agree they can't trust each other. Xander says they need to revisit their custody agreement as he no longer has assault charges hanging over his head. He wants joint custody, but Sarah says she will never agree to that. Xander concludes they will have to do this the hard way and makes his exit.
University Hospital – Lobby: Chanel runs into Paulina who is there for her yearly physical. Chanel congratulates her mother on her wedding anniversary. Paulina asks why Chanel is there. She says she is having a follow up appointment to her cancer surgery. Further, she wanted to ask Sarah if it was ok to start trying for a baby. Chanel didn't want to ask Johnny so as not to worry him. Paulina thinks she's making a mistake, but Chanel heads off to her appointment alone.
Marlena and John's Penthouse: Belle arrives home and finds her mother in tears. The two embrace and Malena tells her about the baseball cap. Belle thinks she should work remotely the rest of the day, but Marlena wants her to go back to the office. Belle says nothing is more important than her.
Marlena asks how Belle is doing, and they both admit the quiet moments are difficult for both of them. She asks about EJ and Belle says she's been having second thoughts about EJ who is allowing her space to work through her feelings. Belle wants to honor her father as she knows he wouldn't approve of their relationship. Marlena says Belle has to live her own life despite what she or John might think.
Marlena tells Belle to head back to work. When they rise, she loses her balance. Belle wants to take her to the hospital, but Marlena says she's all good. With that, they embrace, and Belle exits.
University Hospital – Philip's Room: Xander thanks Philip for making the right choice in keeping his name out of his statement. Philip said he didn't have much choice after what happened when he woke up.
Flashback: Xander is about to put the pillow over Philip's face when he awakens. Xander says the police are going to come question him. Philip says Xander attacked him. Xander sets him straight saying he won't tell the police anything or he will lose his inheritance and stake in Titan/DiMera.
University Hospital – Exam Room: Sarah tells Chanel her cancer screening is clear but wants her to wait to get pregnant. She doesn't want to risk a recurrence of the cancer right now. Chanel asks for a timeline and Sarah says it could be months or longer. Sarah knows her words are hard to swallow but says waiting will help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
In real-time, Xander says they have to find a way to make their relationship work or they will both lose everything. Philip isn't certain they can possibly work together. Xander takes a seat and says how sorry he is for the assault. He was so furious and explains about the drug acquisition and Sarah's anaphylactic shock. All of it came together to lead him to something he deeply regrets. Philip senses Xander is sincere and apologizes for outing Sarah's part in the cover up. Xander says he's glad Philip told him but says Sarah doesn't know he's the one who exposed her. He says no one can ever know what happened in that hotel room.
University Hospital – Lobby: Chanel tells Paulina about the positive bloodwork but then shares the disappointing news about not getting pregnant yet. They chat a bit more before Chanel makes a quick exit to get to work.
Endings
Marlena stumbles again on her way to the bedroom and lands on the arm of a chair. She looks at a picture of her and John before calling Sarah.
Sarah examines Philip who says he's getting stronger by the day. She asks if he was the one who told Xander about her involvement in the cover up. Philip denies the truth and says how sorry he is to learn the truth was revealed.
Xander runs into Paulina and says he is planning to contest the decision of the hospital board. He wants to know if he can count on Abe's support. Paulina tells him to focus on what's important, his wife and daughter.
Johnny calls in saying he's going to be late. Just then, Chanel returns. He explains what happened with his father. Chanel is thrilled to hear EJ is willing to get gone but Johnny informs her that he's not so sure he wants to completely divorce himself. Chanel is none too thrilled with this turn of events.
Rafe and Jada agree someone took the memory card before he snatched it back after the shooting. They admit there are dozens of suspects but are glad to be on the right track. Jada hopes working together in this way means someday they might be friends.
EJ is playing chess when Belle arrives and tells him that she needs to follow her heart. She declares her love for him, and he returns the sentiment. With that, they kiss.
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This story was originally reported by Daytime Confidential on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.