Salem is no stranger to chaos, but the week of May 5th, 2025 takes the drama to an entirely new level. From unraveling relationships to high-stakes heists and haunting suspicions, the residents of this iconic town face choices that will change their lives forever.

EJ’s Questionable Intentions Draw Chad’s Suspicion

Chad DiMera has always been fiercely protective of those he loves, and this week, that protectiveness is laser-focused on Cat. Chad can’t ignore the red flags going up after EJ unexpectedly joins a charity bachelorette auction and wins a date with her. What seems like an innocent gesture for a good cause quickly strikes Chad as something much more calculated.

Still recovering from recent trauma, EJ suddenly pursuing Cat in such a public setting doesn’t sit right with Chad. Could EJ be using Cat to clean up his image as he positions himself to become the hospital’s next big benefactor? Cat’s elegance and civic involvement make her an ideal companion to boost EJ’s reputation—but Chad fears there’s something deeper and more manipulative at play.

Determined to get answers, Chad confronts EJ directly this week. But going head-to-head with his cunning brother won’t be easy. EJ is always armed with deflections, charm, and calculated comebacks. Still, Chad refuses to back down, prepared to face even painful truths about his own family if it means protecting Cat from being used as a pawn.

Chanel’s Dream Crumbles and Her Fury Erupts

While Chad wrestles with suspicion, Chanel is drowning in grief and betrayal. Her hopes of starting a family were shattered when Johnny suddenly backed out of the adoption they’d worked so hard to pursue. Just days ago, they were preparing to welcome a child. Now, Chanel is left heartbroken and blindsided.

She believes EJ is to blame. Whether it was direct interference or subtle manipulation, Chanel is convinced that EJ planted seeds of doubt in Johnny’s mind about becoming a father. Furious and grieving, Chanel unleashes her wrath on EJ, holding him accountable not only for the end of the adoption but for breaking her trust and tearing apart her future.

EJ doesn’t deny his missteps. Still processing his own trauma, he offers sincere remorse. But underneath that guilt lies a darker fear—a haunting, fragmented memory of the night he was shot.

The Memory Card That Could Destroy Everything

EJ is terrified of what may be hidden in a small but damning memory card. Blurry recollections of the night he was attacked suggest a horrifying possibility: Johnny may have been the one holding the gun. Though unsure whether it’s truth or trauma-induced confusion, EJ fears that the footage on the card could confirm his worst nightmare.

If it’s true—if Johnny truly pulled the trigger—then EJ faces an unthinkable dilemma. Exposing that truth could ruin his son’s life, both legally and emotionally. The guilt, the silence, the uncertainty—they’re eating EJ alive.

Johnny’s Inner Conflict and Marina’s Gentle Guidance

Johnny himself is unraveling. His decision to halt the adoption has left a deep rift in his marriage, and he doesn’t know how to fix it. Caught between guilt and confusion, he turns to Marina—the family’s emotional anchor—for advice.

Marina listens with compassion. She sees Johnny’s fear: the fear of failure, of not being enough, of bringing a child into the world when he’s not ready. But she also senses his deep love and desire to do right by Chanel. Marina urges him to explore those feelings in therapy and dig beneath the guilt. She believes that healing is possible, but the clock is ticking on his marriage. Whether Johnny can find peace before it’s too late remains to be seen.

Shawn and Steve’s Bold Heist to Save Bo

Elsewhere in Salem, danger becomes all too real. Bo’s life is hanging by a thread, and with traditional channels failing them, Shawn and Steve make a drastic decision—they’re going to steal the only drug that might save him.

Locked in a secure lab, the experimental drug is unapproved and unavailable. But for Shawn and Steve, it’s the last hope. Risking everything—their jobs, their freedom, and their futures—they begin planning the heist.

Before going through with it, Steve confides in Kayla. Her response is immediate and unconditional: do it. For her, Bo’s life outweighs every consequence. It’s a heartbreaking yet empowering moment that shows the depth of their shared love and loyalty.

Doug Williams III’s Painful Sacrifice

Doug Williams III also makes a heart-wrenching decision this week. Having left the Kuryakis mansion behind, Doug chooses to live in a homeless shelter to avoid putting Holly Jonas in danger. His past debts have resurfaced, and shadowy figures are demanding repayment. To Doug, staying away is the only way to protect Holly.

But Holly doesn’t understand the sudden distance. She feels abandoned, and her emotional vulnerability leads her straight into danger. Defying Doug’s warnings, she gets entangled with the very criminals he’s trying to escape.

Holly’s Kidnapping Shocks Salem

Holly’s brave attempt to stand up to the thugs backfires horribly—she’s kidnapped. Her connection to the powerful Kuryakis family makes her a high-value target for ransom. Her disappearance sends shockwaves through Salem, and Doug is forced to take desperate measures to rescue her. His devotion to Holly is put to the ultimate test, and his actions could cost him everything.

Xander and Sarah’s Romantic Getaway Turns Into a Crisis

Xander and Sarah Kuryakis’s anniversary trip starts with love but ends in crisis. A sudden, severe allergic reaction puts Sarah in the hospital, sending Xander into a panic. His frantic efforts to save her reveal just how deeply he cares.

But the ordeal also stirs up buried secrets. Sarah realizes she’s been holding back, and the scare forces both of them to confront unresolved issues in their marriage. As they navigate the emotional fallout, trust and honesty become the pillars they must rebuild.

Alex Kuryakis’ Mysterious Offer Stirs the Family

In the midst of all the chaos, Alex Kuryakis unveils a mysterious and tempting offer—one that could alter the entire family dynamic. Though details are sparse, his plan seems bold and possibly dangerous. As the family considers his proposal, loyalties are questioned and ambitions come to light.

Final Thoughts

The week of May 5th in Days of our Lives is an emotional rollercoaster packed with betrayal, redemption, danger, and deep emotional reckoning. As secrets emerge and loyalties are tested, one thing is certain—Salem will never be the same again. Tune in to see who survives the week and who’s left picking up the pieces.