Salem is no stranger to scandal, secrets, or jaw-dropping twists—but this week, the town is pushed to the brink. Emotional farewells, shocking medical emergencies, and dangerous escape attempts converge, throwing every family into chaos. From courtroom drama to an underground rescue mission, the people of Salem are facing trials that will leave lives shattered and loyalties tested.

Let’s dive into what promises to be one of the most explosive weeks in Days of Our Lives history.

A Heartbreaking Goodbye: Doug Walks Away From Salem

The week opens with a quiet, gut-wrenching farewell. Doug Williams III, long tormented by rejection and conflict, finally reaches the end of his rope. After months of tension and failed redemption, Doug returns to the Horton House—not to stir trouble, but to say goodbye.

In a deeply emotional scene, Doug stands before Julie, remorse in his eyes and vulnerability on full display. He apologizes—not just for the damage he’s done, but for the pain he’s caused her and the family name. Julie, torn between mistrust and maternal hope, finally lets her guard down. Her voice shakes as she tells Doug she still believes there’s good in him, that he can change—even if it’s far away from Salem.

Their final exchange is filled with pain, but also grace. It’s not just a farewell—it’s a quiet plea for redemption. Doug leaves, perhaps for good, carrying the weight of his choices and the hope that somewhere, he can build a better future. His departure casts a shadow over the Horton legacy, leaving viewers to wonder if this is truly the last we’ll see of him—or just the start of a long road to recovery.

Baby Bombshell: Tate’s World Crumbles

While Salem grieves a loss, Tate Black’s life takes a devastating turn. A frantic voicemail from Sophia Choy claims she’s gone into labor—alone. Panicked, Tate calls her back, only to receive news that hits like a freight train: the baby has already been born… and given away.

Sophia, eerily calm, tells him she delivered the child in Chicago without telling anyone, and that the baby is now with strangers. Her lack of remorse or explanation shakes Tate to the core. He’s left with more questions than answers—why was he shut out of his own child’s birth? Why the secrecy? And is the baby truly gone?

Sophia’s detached tone raises suspicions. Is she hiding something? Was this just a panicked decision… or a well-crafted lie?

Tate is left shattered. The future he imagined has crumbled, and viewers are left asking: can he recover from this? Or will this betrayal push him to a breaking point?

Hypnotic Revelation: EJ Confronts His Buried Trauma

Meanwhile, the courtroom sizzles with tension as EJ DiMera edges closer to unlocking the truth behind his own shooting. Desperate to clear Johnny’s name and find the real assailant, Belle Black turns to a controversial method: hypnosis.

EJ, skeptical but desperate, agrees. Under the guidance of Marina Evans, he allows himself to delve deep into his subconscious. The session is intense. Marina’s calming voice guides him through fragmented memories, buried emotions, and flashes of that terrifying night.

As he relives the trauma, EJ begins to break. His face contorts in fear, guilt, and recognition. The clues are there—shattered images of the shooter, glimpses of a conversation, a sense of betrayal. But just as a revelation seems imminent…

Courtroom Chaos: Marina Collapses

Everything spirals into panic when Marina, still reeling from the emotional weight of the hypnosis session, suddenly collapses in court. One moment she’s calm and professional—the next, she slumps forward, unconscious.

Gasps ripple through the courtroom. Abe Carver leaps to catch her, Belle screams in horror, and the DiMeras freeze in shock. Marina lies motionless, her condition critical.

Medical personnel rush in, the trial is halted, and suddenly everything hinges on Marina’s health. Did the stress of unlocking EJ’s memories cause this collapse? Or is there something more sinister at play?

Without Marina’s testimony, the case is in jeopardy. But more urgently, her life hangs in the balance—and her collapse could mark the end of the only real path to the truth.

Escape Gone Wrong: Holly & Ari’s Desperate Bid for Freedom

While the courtroom reels, elsewhere in Salem, two young captives are fighting for their lives. Holly Jonas and Ari Hordan remain hidden away, imprisoned by an unknown villain. But time is running out.

Inside their dim, claustrophobic prison, they spot a loose vent cover. Ari squeezes through in a desperate attempt to escape. The air is thick, the tunnel narrow. With Holly cheering her on, Ari inches forward into darkness…

Then, a scream. A loud, chilling cry echoes from the vent. The screen cuts to black.

Did the tunnel collapse? Did someone catch her on the other side? Or did Ari find something even more horrifying?

Their fate hangs in the balance. This escape may be their only shot—or their final mistake.

The War of Words: Gwen vs Gabby Explodes

In the town square, a war of a different kind erupts between Gwen von Loer and Gabby Hernandez. What begins as a snide comment quickly escalates into a verbal brawl that draws a crowd.

Gwen, sharp-tongued and ruthless, taunts Gabby about Stefan’s recent absence. She hints that he might not just be out of town—he might be gone. Gabby’s rage flares, fists clenched, eyes blazing. But Gwen doesn’t stop. She fans the flames, suggesting betrayal, secrets, even abandonment.

Is Gwen just playing games? Or does she know something Gabby doesn’t?

Their argument might seem petty, but it threatens to unravel a deeper mystery surrounding the Dera family. And in Salem, even the pettiest fights can lead to earth-shattering revelations.

Recap: One Week, Countless Shocks

This week in Days of Our Lives has everything:

• Doug walks away from Salem in an emotional farewell

• Tate is blindsided by Sophia’s cruel baby secret

• EJ dives deep into hypnosis to unearth a long-buried truth

• Marina collapses in court, leaving the trial—and her life—in limbo

• Holly and Ari risk everything in a desperate escape

• Gwen and Gabby’s war of words hints at deeper secrets to come

And that’s just scratching the surface. With every passing day, Salem spirals deeper into chaos. The question is—who will survive?

What Comes Next?

Marina’s collapse threatens to derail the entire trial. Will she recover in time to testify? Will EJ’s hypnosis reveal the true shooter—or bury the truth forever? Is Sophia telling the truth about the baby… or hiding something darker?

And what happened to Ari in that tunnel?

Days of Our Lives is pulling no punches this week, delivering one emotional gut punch after another. This is the kind of storytelling that reminds us why we watch—love, lies, betrayal, redemption, and chaos all wrapped into one unforgettable week.

Stay tuned, because Salem’s storm is just beginning. 🔥💥

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