Days of our Lives Recap October 2: Johnny Expose EJ to Rafe, Marlena Confronts Rita, High Times At Chanel’s

TL;DR: In today’s Days of our Lives recap for Friday, October 2nd, 2026, Johnny exposes his and EJ’s DiMera Pharmaceuticals cover-up to Rafe, Marlena confronts Rita about Dominic Marino, and Chanel’s baby shower takes a hilarious turn when everyone accidentally eats pot donuts.

Days of our Lives Recap October 2

Marlena was thinking about Dominic Marino when Julie knocked on the door. She reminded Marlena they were supposed to be going to Johnny and Chanel’s baby shower together.

Marlena wasn’t sure she was up to it; Julie knew she was dealing with the memories that were stirred up from Belle’s trip and offered to talk about it, but Marlena didn’t want to. Julie thought that playing with the babies and being around people to cheer her up would help.

Meanwhile, Lani saw Abe in the square and told him that he and Theo were invited to the baby shower. He said he didn’t get an invitation, but she was sure that Paulina invited them and would be upset if they didn’t show.

Abe said that Theo was too sick to go, so Lani brought Abe with her to pick up the cake and flowers, so he could arrive with her. 

Rita Pledges Her Loyalty To A DiMera

At the DiMera mansion, Sydney came downstairs and overheard EJ complaining to Rita that he hoped to have taken Titan, but Xander and Philip paid the loan at the 11th hour. She could hear his frustration and thought about what Johnny told her about wanting to go to the police.

Sydney came in with presents and said she was going to Chanel’s baby shower. EJ wasn’t surprised he wasn’t invited, and noted Johnny had been upset with him lately. Rita and Sydney assured EJ he wouldn’t enjoy it anyway, as baby showers weren’t his cup of tea.

After Sydney left, EJ talked to Rita about Johnny. He was relieved Theo quit, so there wouldn’t be any more cracks with the FDA watching. Rita told EJ that Kayla called for him to pack up his office; he noted that Cat had done that before she quit.

EJ didn’t seem interested in rehiring Cat. He told Rita she was the only one he could trust. “My loyalty to the DiMeras runs deeper than blood,” Rita told him. EJ thought he’d go for a walk to get some fresh air.

Johnny Confesses To Rafe About EJ’s Cover-up

Johnny went to the Hernandez house. Rafe said he’d heard about the allegations regarding DiMera Pharmaceuticals. “Yeah… they’re all true,” Johnny replied. Johnny told Rafe it was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, but he was ready to come forward with what he knew.

Rafe told Johnny he was proud of him, but warned that he might be implicated in the cover-up. “Somebody died because of DiMera’s negligence, and now Sarah almost did, too. And now Sarah’s being set up; it could ruin her entire career. I cannot let any more people get hurt,” Johnny insisted. 

Johnny told Rafe that two men raised him, but he wanted to be the type of man and father that Rafe taught him to be, rather than his father. He knew the decision he was making today was the right one, because Rafe taught him that it was. Rafe promised to be with him every step of the way.

Johnny hoped that coming forward would keep him out of prison, but if he had to face legal consequences for helping cover up EJ’s crimes, then it was what he deserved. Rafe asked if Johnny was prepared to lose his father forever. Johnny said he was, in order to save his family.
“I’m sorry you had to make that choice,” Rafe told him. Johnny said it went with being EJ’s son. Rafe could relate, saying he had to arrest his father, Eduardo, but he knew he was a cop and he forgave him. “I have a feeling my father won’t be as forgiving,” Johnny said.

High Tea at Chanel’s Baby Shower

At Chanel and Johnny’s, Chanel told Paulina that Johnny said he’d gotten involved in something with EJ, but he was fixing it. Paulina told her that if Chanel had faith in Johnny, then she did, too.

Sydney, Marlena, Julie, Abe, and Lani arrived, and Chanel realized that her mom had planned a baby shower after all. “Surprise!” they all yelled happily as Chanel sighed. In a moment alone, Paulina told Abe how glad she was that he was there.

Sydney handed out Grandma Horton’s donuts that Julie brought, and Paulina gave Chanel a speech. Later, they played games, and even Marlena laughed a lot as they played Put the Pacifier On The Baby. 

Later, they were noting how hot it was in the apartment as Sydney asked if there was a secret ingredient in the donuts. Julie said it was love, and Paulina went on about love making the world go around. “What an idea,” Julie agreed. Paulina, Julie, Abe, and Sydney all laughed hysterically over minor things as they ate the donuts. 

When Chanel opened baby gifts, half the room couldn’t stop laughing, while Lani, Chanel, and Marlena wondered what was so funny. Marlena got a text and slipped out while everyone was distracted. Chanel asked Lani why everyone was laughing so hard, but she was wondering the same thing. They wondered if it was too much wine, but Sydney told them it wasn’t.

Hope For Paulina and Abe

Sydney said the last time she felt like this was when she had pot brownies in Amsterdam. “Oh no!” Chanel gasped and ran to the kitchen as Julie dramatically suggested to Paulina that the whole group go on a world cruise with a chocolate fountain on every deck and karaoke.

When Chanel returned, Julie was doing the twist to no music. She explained that she had a plate of pot donuts, and that Sydney had served them. Sydney laughed at her mistake. 

They told Julie and apologized for the mistake, but to their surprise, she said it wasn’t her first time. She told them about an incident at a book club she was hosting. “JJ doctored Grandma Alice’s donuts… and we all got baked,” she said. Sydney wished she could have seen that. “It was absolute bliss — kind of like this party!” Julie howled.

Later, Paulina told Lani that Governor Waller was considering her request to pardon Lani. Across the room, Chanel told Abe that it meant a lot to Paulina that he was there. “Things might be changing,” he said as he looked at Paulina.

Chanel got a call from Johnny and asked where he was as she’d been trying to reach him. “You’re where?” she gasped.

Marlena Confronts Rita About Dominic Marino

Marlena let herself in and told Rita about the clues being fed to Belle, and how they led her to Dominic Marino. She said that Rita’s fingerprints were found on the program at the Verite concert. Rita explained she volunteered for the concert, so her fingerprints were everywhere. 

Rita tried to make a quick exit, but Marlena stopped her. “I need you to tell me about Dominic Marino. Is he my son?” she asked. Rita wondered why she’d think such a thing. Marlena snapped that she saw the birth certificate listing her as his mother. She angrily reminded Rita that Stefano was obsessed with her, held her on his private island, and used her as a surrogate. 

Rita started to deny knowing anything, but Marlena demanded to know what she knew about the conception. Marlena said she didn’t believe Rita when she still denied it. “Is the information on the birth certificate true? Is Dominic Marino my son? And is Stefano his father?” Marlena asked loudly as EJ came in the front door and heard.

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