In the Wednesday, May 21, 2025, episode of Days of Our Lives, Stephanie and Cat’s Sip ‘n Paint hospital fundraising event was apparently a success. Brady, Alex, and Maggie fretted for Philip, who remained in critical condition. And Stephanie warned Cat that Chad may never get over Abby. Paulina gave Johnny and Chanel her place. But, really, the big news was the disintegration of Xander and Sarah’s marriage thanks to their secrets, lies, and violent actions.
The Secret is Finally Out
Wow, those Xander (Paul Telfer) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) scenes were intense, but what else could we have expected? We knew Xander connected the dots after Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) told him, “Sarah knew.” How could he not? It was just a matter of how he would react to learning about the betrayal.
He reacted by becoming utterly cold and unfeeling about Philip, Sarah’s betrayal, and her reasons for betraying him. The only time he really showed any heartfelt emotion was when he ultimately had to say goodbye to Victoria.
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Xander’s beatdown of Philip
First, we have to talk about how Xander came clean about knowing what Sarah did, but he remained cagey on beating Philip to a pulp. Even though his hand/knuckles were bruised and hurting. He showed no remorse for what he did to his half-brother.
It feels like Xander has morphed into something even colder and more unfeeling than his old self. It’s the walls he’s constructed at this latest betrayal, but still, calling Philip “crazy” and blaming Sarah for his beatdown was hurtful and wrong.
Sarah covering up Philip’s betrayal
Sarah did her best to explain her side of things to Xander. She told him that she really thought that Victor (the late John Aniston) would have wanted the half-brothers to work together. But the real reason she kept the forged letter from him was that she hoped Philip’s presence would keep him in check. She was afraid that with enough power at his disposal, his base instincts would take over.
She didn’t want him to do something that would end up with him in prison. Xander couldn’t believe what he was hearing. And he couldn’t believe she had such little faith in him. However, she pointed out that it wasn’t too long ago that her husband went after Brady (Eric Martsolf) with a bat, plotted to kill him, and held a gun to Philip’s head. She said she felt her choices were validated after knowing what he did to Philip.
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And then she threw him out of the mansion. He told her that if he was leaving, it was with Victoria. But there was no way Sarah would let Victoria go with Xander after the violence he had just inflicted on his brother. So, Xander had to bid his daughter adieu, but he told his daughter he would always be there for her.
Burning Questions
How could the Salem PD let Xander go when the evidence was those bruised and bloody knuckles of his? The railing excuse shouldn’t have worked.
Do you think that Xander and Sarah are over for good?
Sarah covered for Maggie (Suzanne Rogers). Do you think Xander will deduce that Maggie also kept the secret from him?
Do you think Stephanie (Abigail Klein) was right about Chad (Billy Flynn) never getting over Abby (Marci Miller)?
Was Johnny’s (Carson Boatman) and Chanel’s (Raven Bowens) closeness in this episode sudden to you?
Let us know in the comments.
