Days of our Lives Recap (June 23, 2025): Shane Gives Cat a Dangerous Mission!

On Days of our Lives today, Monday, June 23, 2025, Gabi and Chad catch up, Jennifer grills JJ, Tony returns, and EJ’s potential problems multiply.

What Happened on Days of our Lives

At the DiMera mansion, Rita delivered the camera footage to EJ. She griped about the task, but her mood considerably brightened when Tony arrived and laid on the charm. Rita reiterated her loyalty to the DiMera family and left the brothers to their discussion. Once alone, Tony confronted EJ about the real reason for Rita’s visit. EJ, unable to hide the truth from his brother, revealed the camera disk and told Tony he was protecting Johnny.

EJ then filled Tony in on the contents of the footage. Tony was incredulous that Johnny would hurt his father, but EJ reminded his brother that Tony had been gone a long time. Johnny had discovered what EJ had done to Sami and had made his disdain for EJ clear. EJ would go to any lengths to help Johnny. Tony offered his support.

At The Bistro, Gabi wined and dined Chad in an attempt to get him to make a play for DiMera Enterprises. Chad swore he was through with his family’s business, especially since he believed criminal activities were still happening. Gabi argued that Chad’s job at The Spectator wouldn’t offer as much financial security as the lucrative company. She also pitched Chad on how Xander and Philip were destroying Thomas and Charlotte’s legacy. Chad remained uncommitted.

After Chad stepped away briefly to take a call from Leo, Gabi redirected the conversation when she noted Chad’s limp. He updated her on his skydiving date gone wrong with Cat, but insisted Cat and he were just friends after Gabi questioned the duo's increased time together. Chad told Gabi about Jennifer lambasting him for being friends with Cat. While Gabi admired Cat’s determination to make amends, she understood why Jennifer couldn’t forgive the woman.

Gabi and Chad’s conversation was interrupted by Tony and EJ’s arrival. Chad hugged Tony and welcomed him back to town, while Gabi and EJ shared a frostier greeting. Gabi bristled after Tony inquired if she’d heard from Stefan. EJ informed the group he’d gotten a “Get Well” card recently that had Stefan's name on it, which he’d promptly thrown away. When Tony suggested the four of them sit down for dinner, Gabi quickly excused herself.

Tony was curious about Gabi’s abrupt departure but ultimately decided he didn’t want the gory details. He instead turned the talk to reclaiming the family business. EJ then stunned Tony by revealing he wasn’t interested. EJ intended to focus on the hospital and on getting back in Johnny’s good graces. Before Tony could even begin his persuasive plea to his other brother, Chad declared he was out the family wars, too.

Chad made a smooth getaway, but not before Tony let him know the conversation was not over. Chad grinned in acknowledgment. Later, Tony called Anna and lamented his failed day. If anyone was going to save the DiMera legacy, Tony announced, it would have to be him.

At the Horton house, Jack, Jennifer, JJ, and Thomas gathered for a family game night of Monopoly. Charlotte had apparently gone on a spa date with Julie. Thomas grew sad after realizing that his Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jennifer would be returning to Boston later that night. The couple assured their grandson that they intended to come back for frequent visits. Thomas was curious as to why they would be returning so often.

Jack and Jennifer assured Thomas they wanted to spend more time with their family, including Thomas, and they also wanted to support Julie. When Thomas went to grab a snack, though, Jennifer admitted to JJ that Jack and she had another motive: to keep an eye on Cat Greene. She informed JJ about Cat and Chad’s growing closeness. JJ was miffed and promised his mom that he would also keep her apprised of the situation with Cat. Thomas returned and inadvertently put JJ in the hot seat by revealing that JJ had been “dumped” by Gabi. Thomas apologized for the slip-up.

Jennifer took JJ aside at the first opportunity and chastised him for getting involved with Gabi again after everything that Gabi had done to the Horton family, most recently with Julie. Jennifer let it be known she was no more approving of Gabi than of Cat. Jack tried to intervene, but JJ snapped that it didn’t matter because Gabi wanted nothing to do with him. Tensions calmed long enough for Jennifer and Jack to give Thomas a heartfelt goodbye hug.

Later, JJ ran into Gabi in Horton Town Square. She was cold toward him but seemed to soften slightly after JJ apologized for accusing her of murder. He knew she didn’t do it. Gabi asked what had changed JJ’s mind. When he clarified that he knew Rafe wouldn’t have revealed the video drive's existence if it would implicate Gabi, she grew angry again.

Gabi was hurt that JJ didn’t have faith in her own assertions of innocence. She wished JJ good luck with his investigation and stalked away.

Earlier in Horton Town Square. Cat was on a call with Felicity as a mystery person spied on her. She seemed to sense the person’s presence and turned around, but no one was there.

Later, Cat anxiously walked through the park. When Shane strolled up behind her, she was startled but unsurprised. He apologized, but Cat believed Shane was trying to “test” her. Shane replied that he did the same to all of his “employees.” Cat corrected her status to “former employee.”

Cat hadn’t been returning Shane’s calls because being an ISA analyst had provided “plenty of danger” for her in the past. Cat wanted nothing else to do with the ISA. Shane stated she didn’t have a choice. Cat scoffed and asked if Shane was threatening her. Shane just wanted Cat to “understand the stakes," so Cat reminded Shane of what she had already lost because of her work.

Cat had been ordered to investigate Clyde’s drug operation, and soon thereafter, the accident occurred that had killed her father and badly injured her. Worse yet, Cat’s mother had been kidnapped and brainwashed by Clyde. Shane, in turn, reminded Cat that the ISA had paid for her reconstructive surgeries. Cat wondered if Shane was holding the payments over her head, but Shane pledged the ISA had been genuinely compelled to compensate Cat for her services. Cat insisted those services were concluded because she had obligations to care for her brother and sister; she couldn’t afford to “end up like John Black.”

Shane fiercely defended John’s service and sacrifice and deemed the world a “darker place” without John in it. Cat calmed and asked Shane why he wanted her specifically for the mystery assignment. Shane responded that Cat was “perfectly positioned” due to her personal connections with the DiMeras and her job at the hospital. He said the case involved the DiMera “criminal enterprise,” which the ISA had long sought to end. EJ’s purchase of the hospital had made the agency suspicious about where he had secured the money.

Shane believed EJ had a secret partner investor, and both the partner and EJ had “nefarious” intentions. The ISA wanted Cat’s help in uncovering EJ’s true motives and the identities of any cohorts in crime. Since the DiMeras were vulnerable because of the Titan takeover, Shane thought it was the ideal time to take the family down. At Cat's continued reticence, Shane invoked the debt Cat owed the hospital since it had once saved her sister’s life when Felicity had needed a “life-saving” operation as an infant. Cat begrudgingly agreed to be the ISA’s “ears,” on the condition that after the assignment was done, they left her alone for good.

Later, a preoccupied Cat returned to Horton Town Square and encountered Chad. Following some small talk about the high school graduation, Chad confirmed dinner plans with Cat. From a distance, JJ watched the flirty exchange.