The past was present on the Thursday, July 31 episode of Days of Our Lives. Troubled pasts and the return of the Phoenix were big topics. Plus, Sarah and Xander made their legal separation official—well, it will be official once the signed documents are filed.

Is Stefano DiMera Alive?

If you talk to Susan (Stacy Haiduk), the resident medium-in-training at MIT (Mediums Institute of Transcending), Stefano is alive. She feels the vibes and everything that comes with that. And now she’s in full investigation mode as she attempts to figure out why she feels the late DiMera’s presence — not in body, but she feels his soul.

Even Cat’s (AnnaLynne McCord) and Rafe’s (Galen Gering) conversation turned all things DiMera. She’s getting a crash course in Stefano’s many lives and more for their case into EJ’s hospital purchase.

Somebody needs to warn Marlena (Deidre Hall) about this. After all, she’s having Stefano/Queen of the Night dreams. And Susan felt something off with her, too. She felt bad vibes in Marlena’s body, mind, and soul.

Is Jeremy Horton About to Return?

Steve’s investigation into the Kirikakis bros had an unintended revelation. Before he got to Salem, Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) had a brush with the law. No details were given, but he was arrested for a couple of crimes. Steve (Stephen Nichols) tells Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) that he is still digging into things to see what he can find out. Justin (Wally Kurth) didn’t give him any specific details either. But the news doesn’t exactly endear Alex to Steve.

But he’s on high alert because of Stephanie’s (Abigail Klein) disastrous love life, which included Jeremy Horton (then Trevor Donovan). Years ago in Salem, Jeremy and Stephanie (then Shelley Hennig) were involved — during her racecar driver days. Jeremy was super shady and often up to no good. And it turned out he was abusive towards Stephanie as well.

He has to be the ex that she thought had sent that package. Plus, he has to be the ex who Stephanie feels should never see a certain passage in her book. It’s the passage she asked Alex to remove from the romance novel she wrote. Unfortunately, things fell through, and it’s still in there.

So are we about to see the return of Jeremy Horton? And what version will we get? Will we get the seriously shady individual or a reformed guy wanting to be redeemed? And how is Alex’s past going to affect his and Stephanie’s present?

Will Xander and Sarah’s Separation Stick?

In a nice gesture, Xander (Paul Telfer) delivered Victoria to Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) a day early. He said Victoria made it clear she wanted her mommy, so he brought her to the hospital. Of course, Sarah questioned his motives. She said he had to have one for doing something so generous.

Ultimately, they had a civil yet painful conversation in which they agreed they loved each other but also agreed a legal separation was the right move. Xander happened to have the papers on him. He had already signed them and simply needed Sarah to sign them, too, which she did.

However, the two looked at each other like they didn’t want it to be over. Yet they had resigned themselves to this scenario, where they’re unable to live as husband and wife.

Let us know your thoughts on the Thursday, July 31 episode in the comments.