The June 5 episode of Days of Our Lives painted a somber picture of Salem as the town grapples with the loss of John Black. At The Spectator, Leo worked diligently on John’s obituary, titled “John Black Dies a Hero,” while Chad reflected on John’s kindness following Abigail’s death. Though Leo wanted to honor John extensively, the obituary was considered too long, and Chad agreed to shorten it before his planned charity skydiving date with Cat. However, sensing Chad’s hesitation, Leo suggested he cancel the risky jump, especially since Cat might still have feelings for him. Chad admitted he wasn’t ready to move on from Abigail, so canceling the date felt like the right choice, though it earned him a sharp look from Leo.
At home, Gabi tried to comfort Ari, who was struggling with John’s death and the tension around her living with Leo Stark. Their conversation about Leo’s odd gifts, like Celine Dion CDs, quickly turned into a small argument until Rafe arrived, sharing that he had left FBI training early to attend John’s funeral. Gabi confessed feeling disconnected from Ari and revealed she overheard EJ arguing with a mysterious man the night he was shot, although she denied having the memory stick that might hold crucial evidence. Rafe was focused on tracking down that memory stick as part of his work from the Chicago office.
At the Brady Pub, financial stress weighed on Doug, who was caught between flirting with Ari and dealing with interruptions from Holly. Their conversation about John’s passing brought the news home, especially for Holly, and Doug’s relief that Ari was now legally an adult was evident. However, outside the pub, an unknown man secretly photographed Ari, adding a layer of mystery and potential danger.
Meanwhile, Cat visited Marlena’s home with fruit tarts and quietly remembered John’s kindness to her family. Holly and Tate reconnected warmly, with Tate apologizing for stealing Julie’s necklace, a moment of vulnerability interrupted by Sophia’s text reminding Tate of their hospital tour. At Julie’s house, Jack and Jennifer reflected on Bo’s recovery and John’s impact, but grief crept back in for Julie on her wedding anniversary. Jennifer then revealed surprising news about Chad’s skydiving plans with Cat, leaving Jack stunned.
The episode closed with Doug visiting Leo at The Spectator, concerned about his mounting debts and complicated romantic life. Leo advised him to stay out of trouble and find a way to make quick money, hinting that Doug’s life might be at risk. Meanwhile, the mystery photographer continued to snap pictures of Ari around the Square, setting up suspense for what’s to come.