The next two weeks in Salem, spanning December 8 through December 19, 2025, promise to deliver edge-of-your-seat drama, dark secrets, and shocking returns that

will shake the very foundations of the DeMarz family. These upcoming episodes aren’t merely progressing storylines—they’re rewriting the DeMarz legacy, setting the stage for

a merciless winter saga. Let’s unpack everything in full, dramatic detail.

The excitement ignites immediately. Abe Carver, after days of agonizing uncertainty, finally answers a call from his son Theo. Relief washes over him—until it doesn’t. In a heartbeat, Theo’s voice cuts off mid-sentence. No scream, no warning—just silence. Panic seizes Abe as he redials again and again, each call ending the same: disconnected. Paulina rushes to his side, but her own fear mirrors his. Salem has seen this pattern before—kidnappings of DeMarz family members never happen by accident.

When Chanel hears the news, her horror is palpable. “First Chad, then Tony and Kristen, now Theo,” she whispers, her voice trembling. The so-called DeMarz curse isn’t just legend anymore—it’s frighteningly real. Every mind in the family immediately turns to the unthinkable: Johnny, the family patriarch, and even baby Trey are now prime targets. Chanel’s anxiety spirals as the possibility of more abductions looms over them.

EJ DeMarz, finally stepping out of his usual stubbornness, takes decisive action. He secures full-time bodyguards for Johnny and Chanel, refusing to entertain objections. Johnny bristles, resistant to protection, while Chanel despises the constant surveillance—but EJ’s warnings are chillingly clear: the kidnappings are not random. Four family members already gone, and the pattern is precise, calculated. The realization hits them—their family dynasty is being dismantled piece by piece.

Meanwhile, a different storm brews behind the mansion’s walls. EJ awakens disoriented, drugged by the cunning Cat Green, who plays the concerned partner with lethal precision. She seduces, questions, and manipulates, blurring the line between genuine intimacy and calculated exploitation. The tension escalates until Susan Banks bursts in, only to witness the most unexpected visitor: Dr. Wilhelm Rolf. Salem’s infamous mad scientist emerges from hidden tunnels beneath the mansion, his return signaling a darker, more sinister plot in motion. Rolf’s presence is no accident—someone has called him back, and the implications are terrifying.

Below ground, the DeMarz crypt holds its own horrors. Chad, Tony, and Kristen, trapped in a confined, stone-cold tomb, wrestle with despair. Hours, days—time has lost meaning. Then, a door slams open. Theo is thrown inside, joining the others in captivity. The abductions are no longer isolated incidents; they are methodical strikes aimed at dismantling the family’s power. As they search the crypt for escape, Kristen uncovers something horrifying: human bones hidden beneath the floor. Shock, disbelief, and dread ripple through the captives. Whose remains are these? An enemy from the past? A DeMarz no one knew existed? The discovery ties the kidnappings, Rolf’s return, and the mansion’s secrets into a single, chilling conclusion: Salem is facing a resurgence of buried crimes long thought resolved.

EJ, already humiliated and manipulated, soon joins his family in the crypt. The powerhouse of Salem, the mayor, and the strategist, now faces the ultimate loss of control. As he processes his helplessness, he also recognizes a terrifying truth—these abductions are personal. Every element, every detail, is orchestrated to bring EJ to his knees, to dismantle his empire from within.

While the older generation faces peril, Salem’s younger residents navigate crises of identity and trust. Tate Black reaches a breaking point as academic failures overwhelm him. Holly Jonas becomes his anchor, offering solace and understanding. Yet her own struggles deepen quietly, creating an ironic juxtaposition—while she supports Tate, she herself is in danger of being consumed by emotional turmoil she hasn’t yet recognized.

Across town, unexpected connections begin to emerge. Brady Black and Sarah Hordon tentatively explore a fragile bond built on shared trauma and emotional vulnerability. Their moments of laughter and comfort are subtle yet poignant, but they are observed by Rachel, whose perception is being stealthily manipulated. Sophia Choy, the seemingly fragile patient at Bay View, is quietly and methodically reshaping Rachel’s mind. Trauma becomes a tool, memories are distorted, and loyalty is rewritten. Rachel is being groomed into the perfect instrument—an unwitting pawn for Sophia’s dangerous agenda, which centers on reclaiming her baby and exacting revenge on the DeMarz family.

Meanwhile, Salem’s law enforcement begins connecting the dots. Rafe Hernandez and Jada Hunter piece together the fragments: kidnappings, crypt discoveries, Rolf’s covert presence, and missing DeMarz family members. The pattern becomes horrifyingly clear—the perpetrator knows the estate intimately, striking with precision and intent. Jeremy Hordon’s loud, dramatic outbursts only serve as a convenient distraction, diverting attention from the true mastermind orchestrating the chaos.

In the midst of this storm, Alex and Stephanie share rare moments of warmth, grounding the narrative in human emotion. Their quiet conversations amid holiday decorations reveal fears, hopes, and the tentative steps toward a shared future. This intimate subplot provides a calm contrast to Salem’s relentless danger, emphasizing that even in chaos, life continues and love struggles to find a foothold.

The climax arrives December 19 with a return that sends shockwaves through the DeMarz saga: Peter Blake, long-absent, long-feared, and intertwined with the family’s darkest secrets, reemerges. Stefano’s adoptive son, with a history of crime, betrayal, and unfinished business, doesn’t just appear—he detonates the storyline. Questions abound: is Peter the mastermind behind the kidnappings, or is he the next victim? His knowledge of the tunnels, mansion secrets, and family patterns positions him as a wild card in the deadly game unfolding beneath Salem’s surface.

So, what does this mean for viewers? The next two weeks are more than thrilling—they are strategic, dangerous, and transformational. Five key pillars emerge:

1. DeMarz kidnappings: Not random, but calculated strikes against the family’s power and legacy. Theo, Chad, Tony, Kristen, and EJ are targeted for maximum disruption.
2. Dr. Rolf’s return: A signal that a secretive, medically-based plot is underway, possibly involving resurrection, memory manipulation, or long-buried family secrets.
3. Bones beneath the crypt: Evidence of past crimes, warnings, and connections to Peter Blake’s dramatic return.
4. Sophia’s manipulation of Rachel: A psychological takeover that could have devastating consequences for the family and Bay View.
5. A brewing winter war: The convergence of kidnappings, underground discoveries, family betrayals, and emotional manipulation signals that Salem is on the brink of a ruthless, multifaceted conflict.

As the Demarz family faces abduction, manipulation, and the collapse of their carefully constructed lives, Salem’s residents—and viewers—are reminded that in Days of Our Lives, past sins never stay buried, and the future is never safe. With Peter Blake’s explosive reentry and the mounting threats to every branch of the family, the stage is set for a winter storyline that will redefine the power dynamics of Salem.

The next two weeks are more than television—they are a masterclass in suspense, family drama, and psychological warfare. Salem’s winter won’t just be cold—it will be merciless, as secrets, revenge, and survival collide in a storm that promises to leave no DeMarz untouched.

For those who want to stay ahead of the chaos, keep your eyes on the crypt, the mansion, and Bay View. Watch for every whispered secret, every shadow in the hallway, and every subtle manipulation. Days of Our Lives is about to remind us all why Salem is the ultimate town of secrets, danger, and unrelenting drama.