Buckle up, soap fans, because this week in Days of Our Lives delivers a mind-blowing paranormal twist that no one in Salem saw coming. From ghostly encounters and resurrected villains to bitter rivalries and cryptic investigations, the week of July 28th to August 1st promises thrills, chills, and secrets clawing their way to the surface. At the center of it all? The infamous Stephano DiMera, whose eerie presence seems to be creeping back into the lives of those who thought he was long gone.

It all begins with the eccentric Susan Banks stirring up Salem’s supernatural energy once again. Known for her quirky charm and psychic sensitivities, Susan starts having disturbing visions and ghostly conversations that suggest the line between the living and the dead is starting to blur. But these aren’t just harmless spiritual musings. Susan is convinced that something—or someone—is coming back. And that someone may very well be Stephano himself.

Susan’s latest vision shakes her to the core: a dark omen tied directly to the DiMera patriarch. She claims she hasn’t sensed Stephano in the spirit realm, a void she interprets as proof that the so-called Phoenix is still alive, biding his time. Viewers can expect scenes dripping with suspense: Susan whispering ominous warnings by flickering candlelight in the shadowy DiMera mansion, flashes of cryptic symbols, and dreams laced with Stephano’s familiar laughter echoing through the walls of her mind.

Meanwhile, EJ DiMera confides in his brother Chad about Susan’s disturbing claims. While Chad initially brushes off Susan’s antics, EJ warns that Susan’s visions aren’t always wrong. The brothers’ tense exchange suggests something bigger is at play—possibly involving old DiMera relics, hidden clues, or forbidden rituals from their family’s twisted past. As they dig deeper, their brotherly bond is tested, especially when Susan starts uncovering signs that Stephano’s “death” may have been nothing more than another elaborate illusion.

Over on the gritty streets of Salem, Rafe Hernandez warns the mysterious newcomer Cat Green (played by the captivating AnnaLynne McCord) about the real danger Stephano represents. Nicknamed “The Phoenix” for his many miraculous escapes, Stephano’s legacy haunts every lawman in town. Rafe paints a chilling picture of the DiMera patriarch’s unmatched ability to evade death, sparking fear in Cat, who has her own hidden agenda in Salem. Could her past be more connected to the DiMeras than she’s letting on?

But the supernatural wave doesn’t end there. Marlena Evans experiences a vivid dream so disturbing it sends her spiraling. In it, she stands as a spectral “Queen of the Night” surrounded by mist, opera music, and Stephano’s looming figure. Is it a manifestation of trauma, or something darker pulling her back into Stephano’s sinister web? Kayla tries to rationalize the visions with medical logic, but even she can’t ignore the uncanny timing. Marlena’s dreams start to feel like premonitions—ones that may hold keys to uncovering Stephano’s possible survival.

As Marlena struggles with her visions, Susan approaches her with a dire warning. In a surreal encounter filled with incense and cryptic mutterings, Susan claims Marlena is being attacked—not physically, but spiritually. She’s convinced something evil is trying to pull Marlena into darkness, and that Stephano’s return may be the source. Susan even begins conducting seances from the attic of the old Miller farmhouse, reportedly muttering incantations and calling out to EJ during stormy nights.

Meanwhile, Salem’s town square turns into a dramatic warzone when Gabi Hernandez and Gwen Rizczech face off in an epic confrontation. Gabi storms in, daughter in tow, ready for battle. Gwen, never one to back down, meets her with smug satisfaction. Their verbal clash quickly escalates, digging into old betrayals, painful relationships, and jabs about past lovers. But just as the tension peaks, the square falls silent.

Susan appears, seemingly out of nowhere, with her trademark wild-eyed expression and trembling finger pointed at Gabi. “Did you shoot my son?” she accuses, her voice filled with fury. The crowd freezes. Gabi is stunned. Susan claims to have seen Gabi at EJ’s mansion the night he was shot. Gwen watches with delight, basking in the chaos. Susan’s sudden appearance and her dramatic accusation shake Gabi to her core—has her past finally caught up with her?

As the town processes Susan’s cryptic warning, Gwen slinks away, her smirk hiding a much darker agenda. Back in her hotel suite, she pulls out a black notebook filled with clippings, photos, phone numbers, and cryptic notes linking Gabi, Dimitri, and EJ’s shooting. She’s not just amused—she’s investigating. Gwen may be planning to frame Gabi, or perhaps she’s protecting someone else. Either way, her motives remain mysterious, and her next move could change everything.

More intrigue surfaces as Gwen drops a bombshell: she’s been in contact with someone in Alamainia who claims Stefan has been seen alive—but not with his mother. Is Stefan missing? Hiding? Or being held against his will? Gwen’s cryptic statement rattles Gabi, who tries to reach Stefan but gets no response. Every missed call, every unanswered message deepens Gabi’s fear—someone is pulling strings behind the scenes, and she may be the next target.

Haunted by Susan’s words, Gabi starts to unravel. She knows she was at the mansion the night EJ was shot. Her fingerprints are there. But is someone trying to set her up? Could Gwen be manipulating the narrative for revenge, or something even more sinister?

Back at the farmhouse, Susan’s visions intensify. In one, she sees Gabi holding a silver pistol over a bleeding EJ. In another, Gwen counts stacks of cash next to a plane ticket to Zurich. Susan doesn’t know which vision is real—but one thing is clear: both women are hiding something. And time is running out.

Then comes the week’s most shocking twist.

Stephano DiMera returns. 

Not just as a ghost or vision—but in the flesh. The Phoenix has risen again. In a scene straight out of a gothic thriller, Stephano emerges from the shadows of a fog-covered graveyard, cloak billowing behind him, eyes gleaming with that familiar sinister intensity. He’s alive. And he’s not alone.

Standing beside him?

Marlena.

Somehow drawn to him again, she appears poised to play a role in whatever scheme Stephano is plotting. Are her dreams a psychic connection? A manipulation? Or something far more twisted?

As the week ends, Salem stands at the edge of chaos. The dead walk again. Old enemies rise. And the war between Gabi and Gwen threatens to tear everything apart. But the real danger may come from the shadows—where Stephano DiMera waits with secrets, vengeance, and a new plan that could destroy everyone.

One thing’s for sure: Salem will never be the same again.

Stay tuned. 👁️🔥💀