It’s a seismic week in Salem, where heartbreak, haunting secrets, and buried rivalries threaten to tear everything apart. A beloved figure says an emotional farewell, two women reignite a war that never truly ended, and a chilling medical mystery has everyone scrambling for answers. In true Days of Our Lives fashion, lives are upended, loyalties tested, and not everyone will make it out unscathed.

🚍 A PAINFUL DEPARTURE: DOUG WILLIAMS III’S FINAL GOODBYE

Doug Williams III is leaving Salem — and this time, it feels final. After dragging Ariana and Holly into the dark world of illegal debt collectors, Doug has spent his last few days frantically seeking forgiveness. But nothing prepares him — or Julie — for the crushing finality of his goodbye.

In a moment charged with sorrow, Doug returns to the Horton house, standing on the same porch where so many family milestones were shared. He hands Julie the necklace, the symbol of his betrayal, with trembling hands. Julie’s words pierce like a dagger: she’s proud he’s leaving before more harm is done, but forgiveness? That’s still far away.

At the edge of town, Doug says goodbye to Tate — a final, silent promise that the chaos ends with him. As the morning fog swirls, Doug boards the bus with only a suitcase and the weight of his regrets. Whether he returns is a mystery. But Salem will never forget the man he was — and who he tried to become.

⚔️ THE WAR RETURNS: GWEN VS. GABBY IGNITES AGAIN

Over in the Salem Town Square, sparks fly as two fierce rivals cross paths once more. Gwen von Leor has reemerged, and she’s not hiding. Gabby Hernandez doesn’t wait for pleasantries — she dives straight into confrontation, dripping with sarcasm. “Back already? Couldn’t ruin someone else’s life first?”

Gwen, ever composed and biting, throws it right back: “At least I’m not the town’s moral compass with a knife behind my back.”

The tension explodes. Accusations fly — manipulation, betrayal, love triangles, power grabs. From Jake and Stefan to Xander, their messy history gets laid bare in front of a growing crowd. When Rafe steps in to separate them, it’s clear this feud is far from over. In fact, it’s just begun. The women of Salem are at war — and this time, no one’s pulling punches.

🧠 MIND GAMES AND MYSTERIES: MARINA’S TERRIFYING COLLAPSE

At University Hospital, fear grips the halls. Marina Evans — therapist, mother, and rock of the community — lies unconscious after collapsing during Johnny’s trial. But what began as a medical emergency has quickly transformed into a baffling enigma.

All the scans say she’s fine. No tumor. No stroke. Nothing tangible. Yet Marina murmurs eerie names: “Stefano… Queen of the Night…” The room chills with every word.

Belle Black watches helplessly from the hallway. Inside, Marina stirs — eyes glassy, words disjointed — speaking of places that don’t exist. A black crown. A shadow realm. It’s not just a breakdown. It’s something deeper. Something darker. The question on everyone’s mind: is this psychological trauma — or something Salem has seen before… something evil?

🔮 THE RETURN OF SALEM’S ECCENTRIC SEER: SUSAN BANKS STRIKES AGAIN

Enter Susan Banks. The woman known for her wild visions and uncanny timing is back — and more certain than ever that she’s seeing things no one else can. She cornered Johnny, claiming she saw Marina’s collapse before it happened.

A premonition. A psychic alert. Maybe even a warning.

Johnny brushes it off, but a flicker of doubt remains. Susan insists Marina’s mind isn’t failing — it’s being tampered with. Energies are at play. Darkness is rising. Something — or someone — is keeping the truth about Johnny buried.

Susan launches her own investigation: tarot cards, tea leaves, cryptic dreams. Most dismiss her as unstable. But in Salem? The ones branded “crazy” usually see the storm before it hits.

🍼 MATTERS OF THE HEART: SARAH’S QUIET STRUGGLE

Behind closed doors, away from the chaos, Sarah Horton sits quietly in the Kiriakis mansion, consumed by doubt. Brady finds her clutching a photo of Victoria, lost in thought about Xander — the man who claims he’s changed.

She confesses the tug-of-war in her heart: wanting to believe in redemption, but fearing the past repeating. Therapy, anger management — it all looks good on paper. But Salem is full of men who look reformed… until they don’t.

“I don’t know if I’m protecting Victoria… or depriving her of the only father she’ll ever know,” she says, voice trembling.

Brady offers no easy answers — just understanding. Sometimes love means giving someone a second chance. And sometimes it means walking away. But one thing is certain: Sarah must choose soon.

🔥 THE WEEK ENDS IN FLAMES

Friday’s episode tears the lid off every simmering secret in Salem.

Doug’s departure sends emotional tremors through the Horton family, even as old wounds remain open. Gwen and Gabby’s confrontation revives a battle no one was prepared for, sending shockwaves through town. Marina’s condition grows more chilling by the hour, as whispers of Stefano’s legacy rise from the ashes.

And Susan — Salem’s most underestimated oracle — may be the only one who sees what’s really coming.

Meanwhile, in the quiet corners of the city, Sarah must face her own storm — love, motherhood, and the terrifying risk of letting someone back in.

As the sun sets over Salem, one thing is clear: Days of Our Lives isn’t slowing down. It’s spiraling deeper into danger, drama, and jaw-dropping revelations.

And the next twist? It’s already waiting.