Full Episode 03/22/2025 Days of Our Lives: A Tribute to John & EJ’s Fight to Stay on Top!
Salem is cloaked in sorrow as friends and family gather at St. Luke’s Church to honor the legendary John Black. Marina stands at the front, her voice shaking with emotion as she reminisces about her late husband. “John was more than just a hero,” she says, pausing to compose herself. “He was a man of loyalty, a protector, and a relentless fighter for justice. We will never stop missing him.”
Brady clenches his fists in silent grief, sitting beside Belle, who wipes away her tears, while Eric stands stiffly, burdened by the weight of his own emotions. Across the aisle, Steve Johnson and Kayla hold onto each other, their eyes glistening with unshed tears as they recall cherished memories of John. As the service progresses, Marina invites others to share their thoughts. Roman recounts old ISA missions, while Kate reflects on how John stood by her in her darkest hours. Even Chad steps forward, recalling John’s wisdom during his struggles with Abigail’s loss.
The service takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Andrew Donovan. Having been away on a perilous ISA mission, he barely makes it back in time. Stepping forward, he salutes John’s casket. “John Black was a legend. He trained me, guided me, and made me the agent I am today. I vow to carry on his legacy.” Tears stream freely, and as the service concludes, Marina gently places a single white rose atop John’s casket, a final tribute to Salem’s fallen hero.
Even in the midst of mourning, danger lurks in the shadows. Andrew isn’t just in town for John’s memorial—he brings urgent news. Teresa immediately senses his unease. “Andrew, what’s wrong?” she asks, concern in her voice. He hesitates before revealing the shocking truth. “Paul’s been taken.”
A stunned silence fills the church. Marina gasps, still clutching the funeral program. “Taken? By who?”
“A rogue faction connected to Clyde Weston,” Andrew reveals grimly. “The ISA has been tracking their movements, but we need to act fast. They’re using Paul as leverage.”
Brady is on his feet in an instant. “Then what the hell are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
Despite the emotional exhaustion from John’s funeral, urgency takes precedence. Andrew, Steve, and Brady work together, pooling their resources to orchestrate a rescue mission. With Kayla and Marina overseeing from the command center, they track Paul’s location to an abandoned warehouse outside of town.
Tension is thick as the team closes in. Steve signals for silence, gun in hand, before Andrew kicks in the door. Inside, Paul is tied to a chair, bruised but defiant. His captors scramble for their weapons, but Andrew and Brady act swiftly, subduing them. “Took you long enough,” Paul jokes weakly as Andrew frees him. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”
Andrew chuckles, relief washing over him. “Not a chance.”
As they make their escape, a gunshot rings out. Brady shoves Andrew aside, taking a grazing bullet to the shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he pushes forward, determined to get Paul to safety. The team evades further conflict, returning Paul home, where he is embraced by loved ones.
Meanwhile, across town, EJ DiMera finds himself in a crisis. A scandal threatens to unravel DiMera Enterprises, spiraling beyond his control. “This is a disaster,” EJ snaps, pacing his office. “If we don’t contain this, the board will turn on me.”
Nicole sits on the edge of his desk, arms crossed. “Losing your temper won’t fix anything, EJ. We need a strategy.”
The scandal stems from leaked documents exposing ties between DiMera Enterprises and Clyde Weston’s illegal dealings. The media frenzy is relentless, and EJ knows public perception is everything. “I should’ve shut Clyde down sooner,” he mutters.
Just then, Johnny bursts in. “Dad, you need to see this.” He hands EJ a tablet displaying a breaking news report. “Sources confirm that DiMera Enterprises had prior knowledge of Clyde Weston’s criminal activities but failed to take action. The question remains—was EJ DiMera complicit or simply negligent?”
EJ slams the tablet down, cursing under his breath. Nicole sighs, rubbing her temples. “You need to make a statement. Now.”
Taking a deep breath, EJ steps in front of the cameras at a hastily arranged press conference. His expression is calm, calculated. “DiMera Enterprises has always upheld the highest standards of integrity. Any association with Clyde Weston was a mistake—one I deeply regret. Effective immediately, all ties with his operations are severed, and we will fully cooperate with authorities.”
Reporters bombard him with questions, but EJ navigates the chaos skillfully, shifting the focus to the company’s reforms. Behind the scenes, he works to secure loyalty from the board, ensuring his position remains unshaken. When the conference ends, Nicole exhales. “That was a good start, but this isn’t over. You have enemies who will use this against you.”
EJ smirks, straightening his tie. “Let them try. The DiMeras always come out on top.”
As Salem reels from John’s passing and the chaos surrounding EJ intensifies, one thing remains certain—the fight for power and justice never truly ends.
