Days of Our Lives Recap: John Black Passes Away

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Days of Our Lives Recap: John Black Passes Away originally appeared on Daytime Confidential.
On today's Days of Our Lives recap:
University Hospital – Lobby: Steve and Kayla discuss how well John's recovery is going. Steve thinks it's his fault John is in this situation. Kayla stops him saying there was nothing which would stop John from saving Bo.
Kayla tells Steve she wants Bo to wake up but is worried there will be complications. Steve only wishes they could have gotten him the drug sooner. Kayla hopes they can be there when he inevitably wakes up.
University Hospital – John's Room: Marlena tells John she could stay next to him like this forever. She pulls out a coin which reminded her of when they tossed coins in a fountain. Belle had a dream he had a coin in the palm of his hand which has become a symbol that they were not going to lose him.
Flashback: Marlena in a hospital bed with John and she finds a coin in his hand.
In real-time, Marlena places the coin in the palm of John's hand and he says, 'I'm still here.'
Marlena remembers a time when John thought she had died. John says he was lost and notes his life began when he met her. Marlena says the day she stole his heart is the day her life began (Poor Roman…).
Marlena looks at John's file and recalls his many identities, including when she thought he was Stefano.
Flashback: Marlena calls Bo and tells him that Victor Kiriakis is trying to kill her and John… except she thought he was Stefano DiMera.
In real-time, Marlena says John is the kindest, most gentle man she has ever known. He will always be the great love of her life.
Hospital: Hope tells Ciara Alice and Shawn Douglas she is not leaving Bo until he opens his eyes. Hope tells her children how she has been talking to Bo everyday for two years and would love him to wake up so he would tell her to shut up. Shawn D said he constantly reads to his father which reminds them how he read to them when they were children.
Flashback: Bo tells little Shawn Douglas a story.
In real-time, Bo begins to move, and Shawn Douglas runs to get a doctor. The doctor checks on Bo and says it appears his conditions are unchanged. That being said, she encourages them to continue to talk to Bo as it can only do him good. Hope leans in and tells Bo she knows he is trying to tell them something. Shawn D and Ciara think maybe Bo is dreaming. Hope says Bo has always done things his own way – a rebel. Ciara and Shawn D rib each other about how their own rebellious streaks. Hope wonders, had he lived, if Zack would have followed suit.
Comatose Land: Bo finds his way back into the Brady Pub and sees Zack behind the counter. He wonders what Zack is doing there and then realizes he doesn't know where he actually is. They establish they aren't in Salem and Bo says it reminds him of a dream he had once where they were together with Hope in a place bathed in white. Bo wants to hug him but Zack says he can't because he doesn't want him to get so attached. He isn't supposed to be there.
Hospital: Bo's heart rate begins to increase and Hope believes he's being impacted by the family stories.
Flashback: Bo and Hope's extensive love story.
In real-time, Hope says their life has been every bit the adventure he promised her.
Comatose Land: Zack says Bo's place is with his family. Bo thinks Zack needs him to as he never had the chance to watch him grow up (When he called Zack 'tiny man' I almost lost it). Zack says he has been surrounded by family and notes Grandpa Shawn and Grandma Caroline say hello. Bo wants to stay but Zack says he has to make a decision soon. He says he will be waiting for him there when it is his time to go. Bo wonders if it is his time when suddenly he sees Hope, Shawn Douglas and Ciara Alice beckoning him home.
Hospital: Shawn Douglas returns saying he has spoken to Claire and told her the drug is working. Hope leans into Bo and tells him to think about their lives together because it cannot end this way. They have so many more memories to make together.
Flashback: Bo and Hope's extensive love story (That shot of Shawn Douglas' birth is iconic).
In real-time, Hope grabs Bo's hand and says she thinks the trip down memory lane might be upsetting him. Shawn Douglas notes not all the memories are pleasant, including losing Zack. He thinks it would be important to his father to remember Zack.
Comatose Land: Shawn Douglas tells Bo he's been napping for the better part of a decade. Bo worries about leaving Zack and then finds him on the other side of the bar, embracing his family. Hope reminds Bo he has a choice to make. Bo thinks maybe it's time to realize he's where he belongs. Hope says it's his responsibility to fight his way back to them.
In real-time, Bo's vital signs begin to go haywire. Shawn Douglas and Ciara Alice run to get the doctor as Hope yells for them to hurry.
University Hospital – John's Room: Steve and Kayla arrive to see John. Soon afterwards, a nurse arrives to administer his morphine drip. Steve continues saying Rafe has left them in the lurch and John needs to return to put the 'Black' back in Black Patch. He can't believe they've been partners for over a decade.
Flashback: Steve asking John to go into business together. John thinks they need to bring Bo on board, but Steve says they should wait until they are up and running. John thinks they should call their firm, 'Black Patch.'
In real-time, Steve says John has been laying on the hero stuff kind of thick, lately. Kayla thinks they will soon need to erect a John Black statue in Horton Square (I wonder if we will be getting a John Black statue). Marlena is cool with that as long as he is still around to be with his family.
Flashback: John introduces Belle to her big brother, Brady.
In real-time, Marlena is in tears and says she knows his family has always been his priority. Marlena worries if she gets John home, he won't be entirely safe. She recalls being a bit too aggressive with him the night of their first wedding.
Flashback: John and Marlena's first wedding (with THAT dress!).
In real-time, John's machines begin to go haywire, and he says he can't breathe. Kayla runs to grab a specialist to help get John's breathing under control. As he has trouble breathing, Marlena lies beside John and breathes with him (Steve and Kayla in the background are killing me).
A desperate Marlena asks Kayla if there's anything they can do. Kayla says John's lungs are so damaged. She's not asking her to give up hope but wants her to know they could be running out of time. Kayla thinks maybe they should call a priest.
Kayla returns having called the priest. Marlena has collected herself a bit and asks for some time alone with her beloved. Before they leave, Kayla thanks John for everything and a distraught Steve can barely speak before he exits.
Marlena tells John how much she loves him, and he says, 'I love you, Doc.' She tells John how brave he has been but knows he is weary and suffering. Marlena says, 'if you need to go, it's ok.' She tells John she and the children will survive on the love he has given them and will always have him in their memories. Marlena tells John it's ok for him to rest now.
Endings
Steve breaks down as Kayla tells him John's body is shutting down and it's just a matter of time. She embraces him and they weep together.
Marlena cuddles next to John on the hospital bed as she thinks back to moment from their love story. John's voice narrates the memories saying he promises to love her until the day he dies. In real-time, John flatlines and Marlena pulls him to her.
Bo opens his eyes, sees Hope and calls her Fancy Face.
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This story was originally reported by Daytime Confidential on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.