Days of Our Lives Recap: Susan Predicts Stephanie’s Murder Mystery Will Come to Life—Is It Fate or Foreshadowing?
Here’s your Days of our Lives recap for Friday, October 31, 2025, when Salemites celebrated Halloween, and Stephanie revealed her identity to fans.
What happened on Days of our Lives
At the Horton House, Chad called out to Thomas about being late for the Horton Town Scare event. “I’m not going,” Thomas said. “You’ve been talking about this for weeks,” Chad said. Thomas said he preferred to trick-or-treat with Charlotte and his grandparents. Chad said he understood that Thomas was still upset with him.
“But I will not allow you to punish yourself. Do you understand?” Chad said. Thomas nodded, and he admitted that he wanted to go to the square. Chad asked Thomas to put aside his anger for the evening.
Trick-or-treaters milled about the town square on Halloween. Stephanie talked to a pirate-costumed Alex about her book launch party. Stephanie worried aloud about whether her reveal would be embarrassing, but Alex assured her that everything would go well. Alex spotted Jeremy, and Alex told Stephanie he would meet her inside.
Alex followed Jeremy into the park, and he confronted him about Stephanie. When Alex threatened to hold Jeremy underwater in the river, Jeremy insisted that he was not the same person he had been during that incident. “People don’t change that much,” Alex countered. “I apologized to Stephanie. I am going to stay away,” Jeremy said. Jeremy added that he did not owe Alex any grace, and he growled at Alex to back off. Alex warned Jeremy that things were not over between them. Jeremy clenched his fists.
In the square, Marlena sat with Rachel as she carved a pumpkin. Rachel refused to do the extra credit pumpkin chucking. When Rachel called Jeremy lame, Marlena sternly warned Rachel to speak respectfully of her teacher. Rachel rolled her eyes as she apologized. “I don’t think you are sorry. And I don’t much like your attitude," Marlena said. Confused, Rachel asked Marlena if she was mad at her.
Marlena urged Rachel to give her teacher a chance. Once the pumpkin was carved, Marlena escorted Rachel over to the park. “Who are you supposed to be?” Rachel asked. “I’m the science guy!” Jeremy said as he modeled his mad scientist costume. Unimpressed, Rachel joined her classmates.
Outside the pub, Leo was with Tesoro as he talked to Javi on the phone. Johnny and Chanel rounded the corner, but walked away before Leo could notice them. Cat said hello to Leo as she passed by, and she complimented Tesero on the foutfit as a fireman that he was wearing. Leo told Cat that he had heard that Aaron was Tesoro’s father. “Would you care to hold your nephew?” Leo asked. Cat beamed and said yes. After Cat adored her nephew for a few moments, Leo noted that he had Javi loved everything about Tesoro.
Leo noted that he could not imagine how difficult things were for Aaron. “He’s very shaken up at the moment. All that matters is knowing that this precious little one is going to be placed with good people who love him,” Cat said. Leo admitted that he had been in denial, but he finally accepted that his time with Tesoro was at an end.
“The important thing is knowing that he is always going to be loved. And he is. I’m certain of that. Because he is just so damn special,” Leo said. Leo knelt beside Tesoro’s stroller. “You’re my buddy. And you are always going to be in my heart,” Leo said. Cat changed the subject to the clinic, and Leo was adamant that he had returned to the construction site to locate his lost earbud. “Great to see you!” Leo said as he hurriedly walked away with Tesoro.
At the bookstore, Stephanie donned a mask to conceal her identity until she was ready for the reveal. Chanel arrived with the pastries. “I’m actually just kind of glad to have something to keep me busy right now,” Chanel told Alex. Chanel admitted that she had seen Tesoro on the way over, and it had made her sad to think that she might not be able to adopt him.
“I am so sorry,” Alex said. “It’s like I just keep getting my hopes up, and then the rug gets pulled out from under us,” Chanel said. Chanel wiped the tears from her eyes, and she apologized for her self-pity. Alex hugged her. Bonnie arrived, and she excitedly told Alex that she was eager to meet Anastasia Sands.
Johnny told Stephanie that he had recorded footage of fans outside who were waiting to meet Anastasia Sands. Stephanie was overwhelmed by the attention. Stephanie changed the subject to the adoption, and she told him she was sorry that things had not been going well.
As Johnny and Chanel left the bookstore, they ran into Marlena in the square. Chanel sniffled back tears and ducked into the bakery. “Is she okay?” Marlena asked. “It doesn't look like the adoption is going to work out,” Johnny said.
In the park, Chad dropped Thomas off at the pumpkin catapult with Rachel and Jeremy. While Rachel showed Thomas the setup, Jeremy asked Chad if he was still struggling with Thomas. “I think we’re through the worst of it,” Chad said.
Rachel complained to Thomas about how Marlena had forced her to attend the extra credit science project. “At least the catapult will be fun though,” Thomas said. Rachel disagreed. As Jeremy helped students use the catapult, Rachel asked Thomas if he had made progress in removing Cat from Chad’s life. Thomas said he believed Cat was gone for good. “He seems so sad. I kind of feel bad for him, actually,” Thomas said. Rachel warned Thomas not to let up or else Chad would reconnect with Cat.
Chad went to the bookstore and joined Marlena in line. Johnny escorted Bonnie to the front. While Johnny returned to his equipment to film the event, Julie introduced Anastasia and Alex. “Anastasia for tonight has decided to reveal her true identity,” Alex announced. Stephanie removed her mask.
“Salem’s very own, Stephanie Johnson!” Alex said. The crowd cheered. Stephanie took her seat. “You had us all fooled!” Bonnie said. Bonnie told Stephanie that her book had spiced up Bonnie’s marriage. With a groan, Alex told Bonnie not to hog all of Stephanie’s time.
While Stephanie signed books, Marlena asked Chad about Thomas. Chad admitted he was struggling to find the balance between discipline and regaining trust with his son. Bonnie took a selfie with Stephanie, and Alex escorted her away. Marlena handed her book to Stephanie to sign. “Aren’t you full of surprises?” Chad said as he stepped forward after Marlena. Chad congratulated Stephanie.
Chanel returned, and Alex confirmed that everyone had loved the pastries. “[Stephanie] pulled this off brilliantly,” Chanel said. “She revealed her identity on her own terms for the most part, at least,” Alex said. Alex explained that all of Stephanie’s exes had guessed she was the author after they read the book.
Julie told Marlena that she was planning programs for the bookstore. “Like what?” Marlena asked. Julie said one of the programs was a discussion group about grief and bereavement. Marlena promised she would think about joining the group.
In the square, Johnny thanked Leo for publishing Stephanie’s story so quickly. “It helps that it was pre-written,” Leo said. Johnny asked about Tesoro’s Halloween. “It’s going, except Javi had to work, so I think he missed him,” Leo said. Leo asked Johnny to watch Tesoro while he said goodbye to Stephanie. As Leo walked away, Johnny kneeled next to Tesoro and smiled.
Leo returned inside to show Stephanie how popular his story about her was on the website. “I would have preferred to remain anonymous, but as far as coming out parties go,” Stephanie said with a shrug. “You really pulled it off,” Leo said. Stephanie noted that she and Leo had made a good team, and she hugged him.
Johnny pushed Tesoro’s stroller inside to rejoin Leo. As Chanel cooed over Tesoro, Leo walked over. “Little T was getting a little fussy,” Johnny said. Leo thanked Johnny. “No matter what happens, I know that you two are going to make really wonderful parents,” Leo said. After Leo walked away with Tesoro, Paulina called Chanel’s phone to tell her that there was a decision about Tesoro. Social services texted Leo, “An adoptive family has been found for Tesoro.”
As Bonnie walked home, she ran into Susan outside the pub. Susan said she refused to wait in a long line to meet anyone. Bonnie told Susan that Anastasia was really Stephanie. “What’s surprising is you didn’t get a vibe to clue us in,” Bonnie said. Susan noted she had been off her game. Bonnie gave Susan a signed copy of Stephanie’s new murder mystery.
In the square, Chad saw Cat at the pumpkin carving station with Felicity’s pumpkin. “She is having so much fun tonight,” Cat said. As Chad and Cat smiled awkwardly at one another, Jeremy and the kids finished chucking their pumpkins in the park. While Jeremy started to clean up, Rachel pointed out Chad in the square with Cat. “Adults always lie. Your dad is still with Cat Greene,” Rachel muttered.
In the square, Cat asked about Thomas. “I think that things are getting better,” Chad said. In the park, Thomas cried out, “He lied to me again!” Rachel suggested that they catapult a small pumpkin at Cat. Thomas was hesitant, but Rachel argued that Cat needed to pay for impersonating Abigail. “Right,” Thomas said quietly. Rachel loaded a small pumpkin into the catapult and aimed at Cat.
While looking for Alex, Stephanie ran into Susan outside the pub. Susan told Stephanie that the story in her new book would come true. In the square, Cat and Chad looked around the table for the missing carving knife. Nearby, a person dressed as a mad scientist clutched the knife. As Alex walked through the square, the person with the knife raised it above their head.
Fire Country Season 4 Episode 3 Review: The Tiny Ways We Start to Heal
Babysitting Bode has been such a huge part of Fire Country, and now that he’s being forced to grow up, I’m unsure what the show will look like.
Chief Richards arrives to put things in order, but realizes that this is a station running on fumes, and he pushes some fixes, or the whole thing will collapse.
But those of us who have been with these people since the beginning know where the problem lies: Bode. Within a short period, Richards figures it out. Now, that’s a smart man.
Two Ways to Grieve; Only One Leads Anywhere
Fire Country Season 4, Episode 3, “The Ways We Begin to Heal,” is all about grieving for Vince. Sharon tries to move on by donating some of his clothes to the people affected by the Zabel Ridge fire.
Coincidentally, Vince’s birthday arrives, reminding Bode of what he’s missing. While most people find ways to deal with their grief, Bode chooses the less-traveled path.
He’s like one of those people who will correctly identify a problem but offer an insane solution. Say your house is rat-infested, isn’t it better to find a way to get rid of the rats instead of burning the house down? Not with Bode, no.
He takes out his grief on the people nearest to him, but for the first time, they don’t just take it. Jake pushes back, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Chief Richards.
I have found fault with Jake on many occasions because of how he allows himself to be abused by this grown man. I get that he’s not the most confrontational person, but everyone has their limits, and I’m glad he’s reached his sooner rather than later.
He has always walked on eggshells around Bode, afraid to say or do anything that might trigger him. Unknowingly, he’s been enabling Bode while shrinking himself.
Without his favorite punching bag, Bode turns his attention to some poor guy whose greatest mistake was requiring help.
The passive aggressiveness boils over, and he goes on a rant that nearly costs him his job.
Now, I’m not the biggest Bode fan, but he does make some excellent points. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Anyone who has watched the news knows how easy it is to start wildfires, doing stupid stuff like fireworks in a forest during the dry season, or gender reveal parties that end up burning neighborhoods to the ground.
We often think that some things can’t happen to us until they do, and that guy never thought his fireworks could start a fire. He may never find out because, luckily for him, Bode caught it early.
Vince Will Forever Be Missed
Speaking of someone who never thought it could happen to them until it did, Sharon never thought she’d be giving away her late husband’s clothes until she did.
She never thought she’d reconnect with her late husband’s ex-girlfriend until she did.
We already knew that Renee would be showing up this episode from the Fire Country Season 4 Episode 3 Spoilers to help Sharon with this massive loss.
And from the moment she shows up, we can see Vince had a type. With that haircut and wardrobe, Renee and Sharon look like sisters more than Sharon does with Mickey.
I appreciate that Fire Country is still exploring the aftermath of Vince’s death from different angles. They might have fumbled the goodbye, but they’re slowly correcting this mistake.
Once again, Diane Farr delivers a masterful performance as Sharon navigates this stage of grief. She has been knocking these deeply emotional scenes out of the park, but I’m ready to see her smile again.
“The Ways We Start to Heal” is a roadmap for dealing with grief. It shows that we can get through anything by leaning on the people who care for us – whether it’s blood or found family; they’ll help us get through it.
When everyone gathers for a dinner and Eve covers Joy Oladokun’s Look Up, it’s such a great note to end the arc on.
Now I don’t understand what they intend to do with the note Eve finds and attributes to Renee, but that’s a story for another episode.
In contrast, we see how isolating ourselves can lead us down even darker paths. It’s not out of character for Bode to tough it out through situations alone, but this is not one of those situations.
He lost someone who means a great deal to him, and normally, he might be able to crush the feelings through lifting weights, but this is not a normal situation. He’s fighting a disease that has taken down men stronger and smarter than him: addiction.
Had Audrey not taken those pills, who knows what might have happened? I maintain that Bode has that stash of blue pills from his cousin, so he might have succumbed to the desire to use.
Speaking of Audrey, she’s a better match for him, but snooping through his things is a quick way to lose Bode’s trust.
This is a delicate situation, but she should let him figure it out on his own. If he fails, let it be a lesson. Breaking his trust is not the right approach, as it could isolate him further, given that she’s the only person he connects with without abusing.
Gut Check
This episode doesn’t blaze – it smolders. The energy is subdued, not because the show is stalling, but because grief demands quiet. Vince’s absence finally feels real, not just a plot point for conflict.
Sharon sorting out the remainders of his life, Renee walking in like a memory made flesh, and even Bode’s erratic behavior all carry the weight of someone who mattered. Fire Country lets the absence speak, and it’s clearer than any line written by the best writer.
Stray Observations
- Even without Billy Burke, Fire Country still boasts a wealth of musical talent. Sometimes I forget that many of these actors are appropriately trained in more things than acting.
- I’ve never believed Jake could make a decent Chief, but this new version of him? It’s the thing Station 142 needs.
- I just know that the white vs. blue pill sleight of hand will factor into the story later.
This was a surprising episode that I didn’t know I needed. If you’re into stories that explore grief with just as much heart, check out A Million Little Things.
Do you have thoughts on Bode, Sharon, or the note Eve found? Drop them in the comments and let’s keep this party going until next week.
