Days of our Lives Weekly Update July 13-17: Marlena Learns News That Changes Everything

The Days of our Lives weekly spoilers update for July 13-17 reveal that Marlena’s the go-to person in Salem for advice, but she has her own problems on her hands. Lexie makes a decision about her own secret, while Abe tries to make amends with Theo. Plus, EJ’s getting it from all sides, and more bad news means more trouble for the DiMera heir.

Key Takeaways

• Marlena worries about Rachel again.
• EJ’s desperate to make things right with Johnny.
• Theo finds an ally.
• Lexie’s dying secret comes out.

Weekly Recap

Monday, July 6, 2026 – Episode #15415

Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Steve (Stephen Nichols) watched the fireworks in Horton Town Square. Brady (Eric Martsolf) informed Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) that Rachel (Lorelei Olivia Mote) would be leaving Bayview soon. Kristen freaked out, worried EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) would hurt her, but backtracked when Brady pressed her on it. Leo (Greg Rikaart) told Gwen (Emily O’Brien) about Kristen and Xander (Paul Telfer). Gwen declared war on Kristen, leading to a physical fight that EJ and Leo broke up. Johnny reluctantly told EJ he had left Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) a clue to help Holly (Ashley Puzemis). They fought over EJ pulling Johnny into his mess. Johnny promised he would never be his father’s son. Sarah confided in Xander about Holly’s condition and Coriseal. Holly’s lab results showed her kidneys and liver were starting to fail. Xander promised to help her get to the truth, and then he visited Holly. Sarah found Johnny’s clue, a medical book open to the page on arsenic, and realized that it could be what Holly was suffering from. Kayla and Sarah began treating Holly for arsenic poisoning, but feared time was running out for her. Xander filled Brady in on the clue Sarah got about arsenic. They realized EJ was behind it. Brady called Steve to investigate Sarah’s office to find out who left her the book. Xander told Brady about EJ taking over Titan’s loan to put the squeeze on them. Brady and Xander agreed to work together to help Holly and take EJ down.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Episode #15416

Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) revealed to Marlena (Deidre Hall) that she was an ISA agent. Then she asked Marlena to hypnotize her. Marlena confirmed with Andrew (Colton Little) that Cat was an ISA agent and agreed to move forward with treatment. Cat was hypnotized and flashed back to talking to a comatose EJ in Italy about Clyde’s (James Read) many victims. She also remembered kissing EJ but kept it from Marlena. Theo (Tyler Joseph Andrews) witnessed an awkward run-in between Chanel (Raven Bowens) and Joy (AlexAnn Hopkins). Chanel shut down Theo when he tried to play peacemaker. Stephanie (Abigail Klein) promised to help Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) with the Titan issue and EJ. They talked about how they thought the DiMera and Kiriakis feud would have ended with the deaths of Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) and Victor (John Aniston). Joy pulled Alex away from Stephanie again due to car trouble. Stephanie expressed her frustration to Alex about it. Later, Chanel and Stephanie found common ground, venting about Joy and the things she has done. Joy vowed not to keep calling Alex for non-Kelsey (Lena and Mira Chase) emergencies. EJ learned Holly was being treated for arsenic. Lexie (Nikki Crawford) blasted EJ for bringing her back from the dead only for her to die again. A brokenhearted EJ admitted he never thought the drug wouldn’t work. Lexie laid into him more, calling him selfish. EJ declared that at least she got to see Theo all grown up. Theo arrived in the middle of their spat, but they covered so he didn’t know what was going on. After he left, EJ hugged Lexie and insisted he wouldn’t let her go.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 – Episode #15417

Brady pushed Kristen for answers about why EJ was a threat to Rachel and why she hadn’t confronted her brother. Kristen deflected, insisting there was nothing for him to worry about, but added that Brady should take Rachel to his place. Sarah gave Brady an update on Holly. Brady told her there were no fingerprints on the medical book in Sarah’s office. They got Holly’s test results that showed arsenic but no Coriseal. Philip brought flowers to Holly. Sarah filled him in on what was happening with EJ and DiMera Pharmaceuticals, sending him into a fit of rage. Philip vowed to make EJ pay, leading Sarah to compare him to Xander. Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) showed up at Theo’s office. Gabi wanted his help with Ari (Vico Escorcia). Theo balked at her request. In anger, Gabi informed Theo that EJ had bought Titan’s debt to put a squeeze on the Kiriakis family. Stephanie and Alex fought over Joy, leading Alex to storm out on her. Philip checked in on Stephanie. They talked about the Kiriakis-DiMera feud. Philip told her she could always lean on him. Alex confided in Bonnie (Judi Evans) about his struggles with Stephanie and Joy. Later, Alex returned home, where Stephanie asked him to see Joy from her perspective. Alex understood that she was concerned and promised to stop Joy if he felt he was being taken advantage of. They made up. Gwen vented to Tate (Leo Howard) about Kristen and Xander. She admitted she wasn’t mad at Xander because his intentions were clear from the start. Kristen tried to warn Theo about EJ. Theo got upset when Kristen bashed Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) while comparing him and EJ. Kristen bluntly told Theo that Stefano caused Lexie’s brain tumor back in the day.

Thursday, July 9, 2026 – Episode #15418

Sarah demanded that Holly tell her what drugs she took. Holly was horrified at the accusation and denied taking any drugs. Sarah didn’t believe her. The teen told Sarah to leave. Tate comforted Holly and insisted that he believed she didn’t take any drugs. Sarah leaned on Brady as he vowed to get Holly the help she needed. EJ informed Rita (Maggie Carney) he altered Holly’s test results, so Coriseal wouldn’t show up. He admitted if Holly had to go to rehab again, it was worth it to save her life and keep his secret. Abe (James Reynolds) told Paulina (Jackée Harry) their marriage was null and void since Lexie’s death certificate was revoked. Later, Paulina returned her wedding ring to Theo when she ran into him. Theo was furious no one told him what Stefano did. Lexie reminded him of his relationship with Stefano and the love they had for each other. Theo wished Abe had told him the truth earlier. Lexie was about to tell him about her condition when Abe arrived, and Theo argued with his father. Abe admitted he didn’t want to hurt Theo’s relationship with Stefano and that at the time they were both grieving, so Abe didn’t want to make things worse for his son. Theo hoped there were no more secrets. Rafe (Galen Gering) threatened to pull the plug on Cat’s EJ mission. Cat accused Rafe of being jealous of her relationship with EJ. They fought. Rafe agreed to let her move forward with her plan. Cat told EJ about being hypnotized, including that the first time he asked about it, she lied. Then she kissed him. EJ pulled away, knowing she wanted to take things slow.

Friday, July 10, 2026 – Episode #15419

Philip, Alex, and Xander argued about how to move forward with Titan. Alex suggested he take over as CEO, but was shut down. They got nowhere. The meeting was cut short when Xander received a phone call from Sarah. Philip offered to help Alex with Joy if he needed. Stephanie and Steve had a heart-to-heart about her childhood trauma. When Alex left his phone at home, Stephanie ignored several calls from Joy. Later, Alex learned Joy and Kelsey were in a car accident and rushed out as he snapped at Stephanie. Javi (Jacob Martinez) worried about Leo, who was acting weird because of his concussion. Leo enjoyed spending time with Javi. The latter encouraged Leo to take his wedding ring off before he left him alone. Sarah informed Brady that Destiny’s (Sarah J. Bartholomew) and Holly’s test results didn’t match. Brady concluded EJ tampered with the test results. Xander told Sarah that he was at a dead end with the DiMera Pharmaceutical files. Brady again confronted Johnny over Coriseal. Johnny insisted that he had found the files and everything was in order. Steve informed Brady he wants to investigate the Coriseal case differently. After Brady shared his conversation with Johnny with Xander and Sarah, Xander declared Johnny was covering for his father. Johnny gave Chanel the wigs he and Paulina bought for her. Chanel tried them on and felt better. Johnny filled Chanel in on the arsenic in the well water at the Horton cabin. Chanel reminded him that she drank the well water and had gotten cancer twice since then. Johnny realized EJ’s cover-up may have caused his wife’s cancer.

The Week Ahead

Monday, July 13, 2026 – Episode #15420

Joy leaves Alex puzzled. Stephanie comes clean to Kayla. Lexie spills her secret to Marlena. EJ ups his revenge game against Kristen.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – Episode #15421

Theo is livid after learning that Abe conspired with EJ. Paulina and Chanel talk marriage troubles. EJ tries to reach Johnny. Julie seeks out Marlena. Chad and Belle look for more clues in connection to Stefano’s chessboard.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – Episode #15422

Stephanie and Theo grow closer as they face an unexpected challenge. Alex is there for Joy and Kelsey. Gus and Javi have an awkward run-in with Leo. Gwen and Gabi bond. Belle and Chad catch a break in their investigation.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 – Episode #15423

Cat sees EJ in a new light. Kristen is shocked by Lexie. Rachel worries Marlena. The pressure gets to Holly. Sarah vents her frustration to Brady.

Friday, July 17, 2026 – Episode #1542

EJ gets more bad news. Stephanie and Alex work through their fight about Joy. Abe apologizes to Theo. Ari and Holly lean on each other. Tate makes a shocking discovery.