The next two weeks of Days of Our Lives—airing from September 1 through September 12, 2025—are shaping up to be some of the most dramatic and heart-wrenching episodes Salem has seen in months. Expect a perfect storm of joy, heartbreak, and shocking revelations that will ripple through families, friendships, and romances. From birthday celebrations to courtroom reckonings, medical mysteries to explosive secrets, Salem is about to be rocked on every front. Let’s break down everything coming in the next two weeks and what it could mean for your favorite characters.

JJ’s Birthday Bash Brings Nostalgia and Conflict

The Horton family gathers to celebrate JJ Deveraux’s birthday, an event that brings together generations under one roof. For a brief moment, laughter fills the air and old memories warm the room. The return of Jack and Jennifer Deveraux adds a powerful wave of nostalgia, as longtime fans are reminded of the family’s enduring legacy in Salem.

But as is always the case in this town, happiness doesn’t come without shadows. Gwen Rizczech finds herself at the center of emotional turmoil when Jack extends an olive branch, inviting her to the party. His gesture is meant to heal old wounds, but Gwen reacts defensively, reminding him of the many betrayals that fractured their relationship. Jack, however, doesn’t back down. He insists that despite her mistakes, she’s still his daughter.

Spoilers hint that Gwen will wrestle with conflicting emotions—part of her craving acceptance, another part consumed by bitterness. This fragile father-daughter truce won’t last long, and fans should brace for a confrontation that reopens old scars rather than heals them.

Marina Evans Haunted by Nightmares

Meanwhile, Marina Evans faces a chilling battle that no family gathering can distract her from. At night, she’s tormented by vivid nightmares—visions so real they blur the line between past and present. The dreams transport her back to darker times, when she lived in shadows, manipulation, and danger.

Her daughter Belle Black becomes her confidante, listening as Marina admits her growing fear. But when fainting spells accompany the nightmares, concern deepens. Are these haunting visions a warning of a hidden medical crisis? Or is something more sinister at play—possibly even supernatural, as Salem has seen in the past?

The uncertainty terrifies her family. Salem’s matriarch has faced kidnappings, possession, and brainwashing, but this feels different. This is personal, internal, and inescapable. Spoilers suggest Marina’s decline could mark one of the most chilling arcs of the season—one that threatens to shatter not only her health, but also the fragile bonds that keep her loved ones steady.

Brady Black’s Search for the Truth

Elsewhere, Brady Black grows increasingly suspicious of Sophia’s story about Tate’s adoption. His instincts tell him something is wrong, and his suspicions are confirmed when he tracks down the attorney supposedly involved in the case—only to learn the man has no record of it whatsoever.

The discovery shakes Brady to his core. He has been striving to be the father Tate deserves, but now the foundation of his family life crumbles. If Sophia fabricated this story, what else might she be hiding? And how far has her deception gone?

Panicked, Sophia turns to DA Melinda Trask for help, but even Melinda may not be able to shield her from the fallout. A single slip of the tongue—referring to the baby as he instead of she—becomes a glaring sign of her unraveling. Brady seizes on it, replaying every conversation in search of more cracks in her lies.

With Steve Johnson joining forces with Brady, the investigation intensifies. Every clue draws them closer to uncovering the truth about Tessera, a revelation that could change lives forever.

Kristen DiMera Faces Judgment

The courtroom becomes the stage for one of Salem’s most dramatic reckonings as Kristen DiMera faces sentencing. Brady demands the harshest punishment possible, believing justice—and protection for his family—depends on it. His voice is cold and unforgiving, urging the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

But Kristen’s silence hides a heartbreaking sacrifice. Instead of fighting for her freedom, she accepts her punishment to shield Rachel Black from painful truths. Every day behind bars becomes her way of protecting her daughter, though it comes at the cost of her own future.

For Rachel, however, the loss is devastating. Watching her mother disappear into prison stirs memories of past traumas, leading her down a dangerous path of rebellion and grief. Spoilers warn Rachel’s fragile emotional state may spiral into reckless behavior, creating a storm that Brady never anticipated. Kristen’s sacrifice, meant to protect, may instead fracture her daughter forever.

Aaron Green’s Return Brings Sparks

In lighter but no less dramatic news, Aaron Green finally returns to Salem, welcomed by Cat and Felicity, who organize a cheerful homecoming celebration. His reappearance seems joyful, but as with all things in Salem, it comes with foreshadowing.

Aaron quickly finds himself entangled with Ariana Horton, and their initial sparks are anything but romantic. Trapped together by circumstance—perhaps a Salem U project or an unexpected mishap—their irritation soon gives way to an undeniable chemistry.

For Ariana, who prides herself on her independence, Aaron’s presence is unsettling. For Aaron, it’s a chance to carve out an identity outside his family’s drama. But Salem teen romances rarely stay simple. Expect jealousy, interference, and secrets that could ignite a whole new wave of teen drama.

Xander Kiriakis Tested at Titan

The halls of Titan Industries explode with tension when Philip Kiriakis suddenly collapses in front of his colleagues. While others freeze in panic, Xander Kiriakis leaps into action, saving his cousin’s life with the Heimlich maneuver.

On the surface, it’s a heroic act that proves Xander’s growth. Yet whispers soon spread that Philip may have staged the ordeal, using it as a twisted test of loyalty. If true, it’s a cruel reminder of the manipulative games that run through the Kiriakis family legacy.

Meanwhile, Gabi Hernandez continues her own schemes, feeding intel to Tony DiMera through a bug she planted in Xander’s office. The danger of discovery looms large—one wrong move could ignite chaos across Titan and beyond.

For Xander, this moment marks a crossroads. Will Salem finally see him as a true hero, or will manipulation and mistrust drag him back into suspicion?

Salem’s Next Generation Steps Into the Spotlight

At Salem U, the younger crowd faces their own battles. Sophia Choi intensifies her sabotage against Tate and Holly, determined to manipulate situations in her favor. What should be a time of freedom and exploration at college instead becomes a breeding ground for jealousy, betrayal, and shifting alliances.

Meanwhile, Cat Green takes on a dangerous new role as EJ DiMera’s assistant. Determined to dig up dirt on her boss, Cat risks placing herself squarely in EJ’s crosshairs. Chad DiMera grows increasingly concerned, warning her that her ambition could lead her into deadly territory. But in Salem, curiosity is often a fatal flaw.

The Weeks Ahead

As September unfolds, Salem finds itself at the intersection of celebration and catastrophe. JJ’s birthday promises joy but stirs old wounds. Marina’s nightmares grow darker, hinting at a crisis no one yet understands. Brady and Steve race to expose Sophia’s adoption lies, while Kristen’s sentencing sparks heartbreak for Rachel. Xander’s heroism is questioned, Gwen struggles with her father’s love, and Salem’s youth steps into messy, chaotic romances.

In true Days of Our Lives fashion, every thread connects, every joy carries a shadow, and every secret is one heartbeat away from explosion. Fans should prepare for two weeks of gripping television where love, betrayal, and danger collide in the heart of Salem.