Days of our Lives Weekly Recap August 31-September 4: Rita Lies to EJ, Johnny Is Questioned

TL;DR: In this week’s Days of our Lives weekly recap for August 31 to September 4, 2026, Cat recalled that she had confessed her ISA status to EJ in Italy, Xander began plotting his revenge over EJ’s takeover of Titan, Holly was mugged after receiving a special necklace, and Johnny’s growing loyalty to EJ left Chanel questioning whether she could trust him. Xander and Sarah struggled with their lingering feelings as Brady questioned his, while EJ joined Chad and Belle’s trip to Italy to investigate Stefano’s clues. Meanwhile, Joy continued plotting to take Alex from Stephanie, and a mysterious stranger began watching EJ, Chad, and Belle.

Days of our Lives Weekly Recap

In hypnotherapy, Cat remembered telling EJ being in the ISA, so to cover in case he also remembered, she made up a lie. Cat explained that she had been working as a desk operative when she followed Clyde Weston’s money trail and became a target. 

Cat said she was worried that the revelation would destroy EJ’s trust in her, but he assured her that everyone had a past. EJ kissed her, but his reaction afterward suggested that he was still processing what she had told him. 

Meanwhile, Xander enlisted Marlena’s help investigating whether EJ knew about the Coriseal leak and what role Johnny may have played in it. Xander remained determined to retaliate against EJ after losing Titan.

Holly Is Mugged

Holly received an emotional gift from Maggie when she found a necklace that she had been given Holly’s father. Holly treasured it as a connection to her dad, but the necklace soon put her in danger. A man followed Holly and confronted her outside the pub, demanding the necklace and pulling a knife when she refused.

Lani arrived in time to intervene and disarm the attacker. Holly later told Tate about the mugging and admitted how frightening it had been. She also mentioned Mason, a new student who had been nearby but showed little concern for what she had experienced.

Chanel Questions Johnny’s Loyalty

Chanel received encouraging news when doctors told her that her tumor had shrunk by 60% and her placenta was cancer-free. The good news brought relief for Chanel and Johnny as they brought Olivia home.

Marlena also questioned Johnny about what he knew about EJ’s involvement in Holly’s situation. Johnny denied knowing anything, but Marlena clearly did not believe him. Chanel overheard the conversation, leaving her with even more reason to wonder where Johnny’s loyalties really lie, and she also later questioned him..

Xander and Sarah Face Their Feelings

Xander and Sarah continued struggling with the reality of moving out of their familiy home, particularly as they prepared to attend the father-daughter dance with Victoria. Their lingering feelings became impossible for Brady to ignore after Philip told him about their near-kiss.

Brady confronted Sarah and asked if she still loved Xander. Sarah admitted that she did but insisted that she wanted to be with Brady. She said she and Xander were over, and Brady still agreed to let Sarah and Victoria move in with him.

Xander overheard their conversation, and later, when Sarah planned for her to spend the night one more time with Victoria and Xander all under one roof, Xander refused, telling her that they needed to “rip the band-aid off” and move forward.

EJ Joins Chad and Belle in Italy

Belle and Chad planned to leave for Italy on the DiMera jet immediately after the dance to chase the clues in Stefano’s mystery. After Belle showed her mom the clues they had so far, Marlena recalled a black blanket with a large Celtic cross in the middle, though she could not yet connect the memory to anything specific. 

EJ was also trying to learn more about the investigation. He questioned Rita about Chad and Belle’s plans, but she claimed she knew nothing. EJ decided to join Belle and Chad, uninvited, but forgot his father’s ring on the coffee table back home. EJ called Rita about it, but she lied and said she had not seen his ring. After he hung up, she picked up the ring and put it in her pocket.

The mystery deepened when an unknown man watched EJ, Chad, and Belle through a camera connected to his tablet. He sat beside a photo of Stefano, poured himself champagne, and moved a chess piece as he monitored their departure for Italy.

Joy Plots Against Stephanie

Philip confronted Joy after learning that Chloe did not even know Joy was in the hospital, but Joy refused to call her family about her surgery. Alex, meanwhile, reconnected with Stephanie after Steve offered to babysit Kelsey. The two spent time together and talked about Joy, with Alex insisting that he would fix the situation and would not allow Joy to keep him separated from Stephanie. Joy later fantasized about taking Stephanie’s husband and contacted Melinda after receiving custody documents from Justin.

Stay Tuned to The Soap Scene

Miss a day? Catch up with our daily recaps for Days of our Lives — or be the first to look ahead with our DOOL spoilers at The Soap Scene!

For the daily spoilers, casting updates, birthdays, and more, bookmark our Days of our Lives page at The Soap Scene — and be sure to get the up-to-the-minute news, spoilers, and more on our social accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter. 

We want to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment or you are welcome to join our Facebook chat rooms!