As Days of Our Lives barrels toward the end of the year, Salem once again proves that no moment of happiness goes unpunished. What should have been

a week filled with romance, family reflection, and hopeful New Year’s resolutions instead spirals into paranoia, surveillance, and carefully orchestrated manipulation.

The final days of December bring a chilling reminder that in Salem, love is always being watched—and sometimes recorded.

Engagement Bliss Turns Dangerous for Alex and Stephanie

At the center of this growing storm are Alex Kiriakis and Stephanie Johnson, a couple riding high on the joy of their recent engagement. After months of emotional detours, professional rivalry, and romantic interference, the pair appear stronger than ever. Stephanie, portrayed with warmth and quiet resilience by Abigail Klein, has found a sense of emotional safety she long craved. Alex, played by Robert Scott Wilson, continues his evolution from reckless playboy to committed partner, determined not to repeat the mistakes of his past.

Next week’s episodes deliver what should be a cinematic highlight: Alex and Stephanie sharing a tender, passionate kiss in the middle of Salem’s town square. It’s a public declaration of love—romantic, hopeful, and symbolic of their commitment to face the future together.

But as the camera pulls back, the tone shifts.

Unbeknownst to the couple, a shadow passes nearby. A figure in a black hoodie pauses just long enough to raise a smartphone and record the moment. The kiss. The intimacy. The vulnerability. What looks like romance to the rest of Salem becomes evidence to someone lurking in the dark.

And that changes everything.

The Hooded Figure: Surveillance, Not Coincidence

In Days of Our Lives, a black hoodie is never just a wardrobe choice. It’s a warning.

The mysterious figure doesn’t confront Alex and Stephanie. They don’t speak. They don’t interfere. Instead, they observe—quietly, deliberately—capturing footage that suggests future intent. This is not a случай encounter or casual voyeurism. This is surveillance.

The implications are deeply unsettling. Whoever is behind the camera isn’t interested in stopping the engagement. They’re collecting leverage.

Speculation immediately explodes among fans and within Salem itself. Several suspects rise to the surface:

• A corporate enemy of the Kiriakis family, possibly aiming to use Alex’s personal life to destabilize Titan from within.
• A scorned figure from Stephanie’s past, someone who has never fully accepted her happiness or independence.
• A manipulative opportunist, gathering material for blackmail, social sabotage, or emotional warfare.

The most chilling possibility? This person has been watching longer than anyone realizes.

The Horton House: Wisdom Before the Storm

While danger stalks the town square, the Horton House offers a quieter, more reflective counterpoint. As New Year’s Eve approaches, Julie Williams—the living heart of Salem—shares a poignant moment with Jeremy Horton.

Julie’s advice is layered with affection and warning. She understands the rhythms of Salem better than anyone. When things feel calm, she knows trouble is already forming.

Her words serve as thematic foreshadowing. Peace, she reminds Jeremy, is always fragile. And those who forget the past are destined to relive it.

Jeremy’s presence signals more than a family visit—it suggests the next generation is about to inherit the consequences of long-standing rivalries and unresolved secrets.

Sarah Horton and Brady Black: Hope with a Target on It

Elsewhere, another Kiriakis-adjacent storyline offers hope tinged with risk. Sarah Horton and Brady Black share a midnight New Year’s kiss that signals the start of something real and potentially powerful.

Both characters carry deep scars. Sarah is still recovering from emotional devastation tied to Xander. Brady continues to wrestle with his history of addiction and self-destruction. Yet together, they find understanding—and strength.

Their connection represents unity between legacy families, but it also paints a target on their backs. In Salem, stability attracts chaos.

A Paris Surprise: Holly Returns, and Nothing Is the Same

The younger generation doesn’t escape the drama. Holly Jonas returns unexpectedly from Paris, appearing just in time to shock Tate Black at midnight. The reunion is romantic, emotional—and suspiciously timed.

Holly’s sudden return raises questions. Why now? Why so abruptly? And is she bringing more than just memories back from Europe?

Their kiss ends the year on a hopeful note, but the undercurrent is clear: secrets have traveled with her across the Atlantic.

Inside the Bistro: Joy, Delays, and Brewing Trouble

In a parallel storyline, joy fills the Bistro as Steve Johnson, Kayla Brady, Alex, and Stephanie celebrate upcoming weddings. Yet practicality intervenes. Wedding planning proves more complex than expected, and the couples wisely decide to extend their engagements.

It’s a rare moment of maturity in Salem—and one that ironically gives looming threats more time to strike.

Javi and Leo: Marriage on Paper, Not Yet in Law

Meanwhile, Javi Hernandez and Leo Stark sign their marriage certificate—only to learn it won’t be legally binding until Marlena submits it to the court. A bureaucratic delay due to the New Year’s holiday leaves their union in limbo.

And that limbo becomes dangerously important.

Because Gwen Rizczech is watching.

Gwen’s Smile—and Her Signal

Gwen approaches Javi and Leo with polished congratulations that feel hollow beneath the surface. Moments later, she steps away, sends a text, and waits.

Almost immediately, Dimitri von Leuschner appears.

The timing is too perfect. Gwen’s barely concealed anticipation says everything. This was planned.

As Dimitri moves closer, Gwen’s mask slips—revealing not joy, but triumph.

2026 Begins with Eyes Everywhere

As Days of Our Lives heads into 2026, one message is crystal clear: no one in Salem is truly alone. Cameras are rolling. Secrets are being stored. And love—especially public love—comes at a cost.

For Alex and Stephanie, the question isn’t just who is watching, but why.

And when that footage is finally used, the fallout could change everything.