Days of our Lives Recap August 5: EJ Tells Johnny Kristen Tried to Have Him Killed as Alex Blames Stephanie

TL;DR: In today’s Days of our Lives recap for Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, EJ tells Johnny that Kristen was behind the attempt on his life, Lexie secretly prepared goodbye letters while hiding from her family, Joy drove a wedge between Alex and Stephanie, and Paulina grew increasingly suspicious about Lexie’s sudden trip to Africa.

Days of our Lives Recap August 5

Lexie called home and pretended she’d just landed in Johannesburg. When she hung up, EJ told her she was making a very big mistake. He encouraged her to tell Abe and Theo but she was adamant in her decision.

Lexie asked EJ to make peace with Kristen and warned that the path he was on was going to destroy him. She asked for a pen and paper to write letters to Theo and Abe while she still could. Tearfully, Lexie wrote her goodbyes.

Meanwhile, when Theo hung up with his mom, Stephanie came in. She asked if he was okay but he wasn’t sure. Theo shared that he’d just talked to Lexie, and he felt concerned as she’d sounded off. Stephanie said it was probably just jet lag.

Stephanie told Theo how she had another blow up with Joy and that she apparently was going to ease up about her but now she’s doubled down. Theo wondered what Alex had to say about it, but Stephanie hadn’t told him about it yet.

Theo told Stephanie they should reschedule their PR meeting so she could go talk to her husband. She thanked him for being a good friend and left.

Joy Threatens To Leave

Outside the pub, Alex ran into Joy. She was frosty, and even though he apologized for blowing up, he wanted an agreement about Kelsey. 

They went into the pub, and Alex insisted he wanted to be part of his daughter’s life, but Joy said she didn’t need his drama or his support. Joy’s solution was for Alex to forget she ever came there, and he could go back to his uncomplicated life with Stephanie.

Alex tried to plead his case, but Joy was adamant, telling him she wouldn’t change her mind after what happened the day before. Alex didn’t know what she was talking about.

Joy told him about her disagreement with Stephanie, and how she almost changed her mind prior to it. When Joy insisted she was going to return to New York, Alex snapped and threatened to take her to court over Kelsey. He quickly backed down and apologized, and said he didn’t want her or Kelsey to leave.

Joy insisted that if she was to stay, Stephanie couldn’t harass her anymore. She warned that if she had one more run-in with Stephanie, she and Kelsey were gone.

Alex left the pub and ran into Stephanie. Before she could say anything, he ripped into her about upsetting Joy. He told her that because of her, there was no parenting agreement, and therefore, Joy could leave anytime with Kelsey.

Stephanie tried to explain but Alex didn’t want to hear it. He said he needed to go to work and walked away before she could say another word.

Meanwhile, in the pub, Joy talked to Kelsey, telling her that she had a dream for her and Alex, and wasn’t ready to give up on it.

Paulina asks Lani to investigate Lexie’s trip

Paulina met with Lani in the square and said she needed her help. Paulina recounted how Lexie staked claim on Abe and now all of a sudden, she’s gone to Africa alone, right before Abe’s birthday.

Johnny interrupted to ask if Lani had heard from Kristen, as no one could reach her and her phone had been disconnected. Lani admitted the last time she’d seen Kristen, it felt like she was saying goodbye.

Johnny left to investigate further as Paulina noted that first Lexie left mysteriously and now Kristen. She added that even Abe thought Lexie’s trip was odd, and that she didn’t book a return flight.

Paulina didn’t want to speculate that Lexie changed her mind about being back in Abe’s life, and asked her to get Eli to look into it.

After she left, Theo came by and admitted to Lani that he was concerned about Lexie and the trip she went on.

As he walked away, he saw Stephanie, upset. She told him she had a fight with Alex and he held her, telling her it would be okay.

EJ tells Johnny the truth about Kristen

Johnny went to the DiMera mansion to ask EJ if he’d heard from Kristen, but could tell by his reaction that he knew something. EJ told Johnny that he didn’t take Kristen away, but thought she left to avoid him.

EJ reluctantly told Johnny that Sophia tried to kill him because of Kristen. He explained that Kristen believed it was EJ’s fault for her going to prison and taking her from Rachel. He explained how Kristen told Sophia that he was home alone working that day.

EJ told Johnny that when he found out, he had to neutralize Kristen. “I almost lost you, Johnny. And I will never let that happen again,” he said.

EJ admitted he was going to put Kristen on the island, but she got away. He promised he would ensure that she never hurt or intimidated his children or grandchildren ever again.

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