Welcome back, Days of Our Lives fans. The week of September 1st to 5th is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic yet, with courtroom fireworks, shocking family reunions, secret betrayals, and even a daring rescue that could change the balance of power in Salem. Let’s walk through each twist and turn in detail so you can picture the chaos that’s about to unfold.

Courtroom Showdown: Brady vs. Kristen

The Salem courthouse becomes ground zero for explosive drama when Kristen DiMera’s sentencing hearing takes center stage. The judge, stern and unflinching, gives Kristen one final chance to revise her plea. The tension is palpable, but it’s Brady Black’s entrance that electrifies the room. Fueled by betrayal and years of DiMera schemes haunting his family, Brady passionately pleads with the judge to impose the harshest punishment possible. His words are laced with pain and frustration, demanding justice at any cost.

But there’s more here than meets the eye. While Brady seeks vengeance, Kristen’s silence hides a deeper motive—she’s shielding her daughter, Rachel, from devastating secrets that could tear their fragile family apart. Kristen’s struggle—torn between maternal instinct and her reputation as Salem’s resident villainess—adds heartbreaking depth. Will Brady’s thirst for justice blind him to the truth, or will a shocking revelation change everything?

Xander in Therapy: Anger or Redemption?

Over in Dr. Marlena Evans’ office, Xander Kiriakis opens up during an anger management session. Vulnerable yet defensive, Xander rants about betrayal, manipulation, and infidelity that have left him seething. Marlena, ever patient and insightful, gently nudges him to identify the real culprits behind his pain.

This glimpse into Xander’s psyche shows a man at war with himself—caught between his darker impulses and a genuine desire to change. Marlena’s probing questions peel back his bravado, revealing that beneath the tough exterior is someone desperate for redemption. But Salem rarely forgives easily, and Xander’s past sins may come back to haunt him in ways even therapy can’t cure.

Gabi and Tony’s Secret Alliance

Meanwhile, Gabi Hernandez proves she hasn’t lost her scheming touch. She plants a bug in Xander’s office, hoping to gather ammunition for her next power move. When she shares her findings with Tony DiMera, their unlikely partnership takes root. Tony’s old-world elegance and strategic mind mesh with Gabi’s street-smart ruthlessness, creating a dangerous alliance.

Tony urges Gabi to spill every detail, knowing that information is the sharpest weapon in the DiMera arsenal. Their plan could unravel Xander’s ambitions at Titan, setting up another corporate war that echoes Salem’s long history of boardroom betrayals. In true Days fashion, even a whispered secret can spark an empire-shaking war.

Brady’s Obsession and Sophia’s Mistake

Brady’s week isn’t only about Kristen—he becomes consumed with the mystery surrounding his son Tate Black and a puzzling baby situation. Desperate to know the truth, Brady scours for clues, convinced something about the child’s identity is being hidden.

This obsession sends ripples through Salem, particularly for Sophia Choi, who made a costly error tied to the mysterious name Tessoro. Desperate, Sophia turns to Melinda Trask, Salem’s razor-sharp attorney, begging for her help to bury the truth. Melinda, always willing to bend the rules for the right price, may have to manipulate the law itself to keep this secret under wraps.

But secrets in Salem rarely stay buried. Sophia’s mistake could expose a much larger conspiracy connected to the Black family tree. Could Tate’s storyline unravel decades of hidden truths?

Horton Family Reunion – But With Tension

On the brighter side, Julie Williams is overjoyed as she prepares for a warm family celebration. Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton return home for JJ’s birthday, bringing balloons, cake, and heartfelt toasts. The Horton house radiates love—but Salem family gatherings are never drama-free.

Jack shocks everyone by inviting Gwen von Leuschner. Gwen, scarred by her past deceptions and still seen as an outsider, hesitates to attend. Jack insists he harbors no hatred, extending an olive branch in hopes of repairing their sibling bond. Gwen’s decision to walk into that living room, surrounded by wary faces, could open the door to long-overdue forgiveness—or ignite old wounds all over again.

Picture it: JJ blowing out his candles while glances filled with unspoken history dart across the room. Laughter mixes with tension as the Hortons once again test the limits of love and redemption.

Xander’s Heroic Moment – or Philip’s Trick?

At Titan headquarters, chaos erupts when Philip Kiriakis suddenly begins choking. Panic spreads until Xander leaps into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving Philip’s life. It’s a stunning moment of heroism—showing that, despite their rivalry, Xander’s loyalty runs deep when life is on the line.

But is it genuine? Salem whispers suggest Philip staged the entire ordeal as a test of Xander’s loyalty. After all, Philip has faked deaths before and manipulated situations to his advantage. Did he slip a device into his food to fake choking? Was this a setup to measure whether Xander is friend or foe?

If true, this stunt could either create an unlikely alliance—or reignite their bitter rivalry. With Titan’s empire hanging in the balance, trust is a luxury neither man can afford.

Hospital Tensions: Chad, Kayla, and EJ’s Secret

Elsewhere, at University Hospital, Chad DiMera stops by for routine paperwork concerning his children—but nothing stays simple in Salem. While meeting with Dr. Kayla Brady, Chad mentions his recent separation, exposing his heartbreak and lingering regrets. But the conversation takes a darker turn when Kayla confides her growing concern: EJ DiMera has secretly purchased the hospital.

Why would EJ do such a thing? Kayla fears his motives tie into Versedex, a shadowy pharmaceutical project not even close to human trials. Chad offers to investigate, but he knows his brother is a master manipulator. Could EJ be planning something sinister that endangers Salem’s healthcare system? Chad’s loyalty to family may be tested in ways he never imagined.

Leo and Gwen – Old Friends, Bitter Enemies

On Salem’s streets, Leo Stark and Gwen Rizczech collide in a heated argument. Leo’s sarcasm cuts deep, mocking Gwen’s shopping spree with Dimitri’s money. But Gwen, still carrying scars of betrayal, lashes out with venom. Their fight is more than insults—it’s years of broken trust boiling to the surface.

Yet beneath Gwen’s rage, Leo sees real pain. In a rare moment of sincerity, he admits he still cares and wishes their friendship could be repaired. Gwen refuses, insisting he was never truly her friend. Before storming off, she delivers a chilling warning: “Enjoy your happiness while it lasts—because it won’t be for long.”

Her cryptic words leave Leo shaken. Is Gwen plotting revenge? Does she hold a secret that could upend Salem once more? One thing is certain—her return won’t be quiet.

Brady’s Next Chapter?

Finally, Brady visits an adoption attorney’s office, his face set with determination. Could he be seeking to expand his family? Or is this tied to a larger plot involving the Kiriakis legacy? Either way, this decision could reshape his future and create ripples across Salem’s already fragile family web.

Final Thoughts

From courtroom battles and hospital secrets to family reunions, betrayals, and shocking rescues, Salem is on fire next week. Will Brady’s pursuit of justice against Kristen destroy their family forever? Can Xander truly change, or will his past drag him back into chaos? Is Gwen preparing for a ruthless comeback? And what secret is EJ hiding behind his hospital takeover?

In Salem, every whispered secret carries the power to explode into scandal. The sands of the hourglass keep turning, and so does the drama.