Monday’s episode of Days of Our Lives launches the week with an emotional intensity that reminds fans exactly why Salem never sleeps peacefully.

The January 19, 2026, installment is packed with unraveling schemes, devastating goodbyes, and a dangerous showdown that pushes the next generation of

Salem’s power players to the brink. From Javi Hernandez’s sudden and heartbreaking departure to the growing fallout of Rachel Black’s impersonation plot —

and a long-anticipated clash between Holly Jonas and Sophia Choi — this episode sets the stage for a week where truth and deception collide head-on.

The Hernandez Family Closes In on the Truth

The hour begins with mounting suspicion inside the Hernandez family, as Rafe Hernandez and his sister Gabi DiMera turn their attention to an unlikely but crucial witness: young Ari Horton. In the aftermath of Rachel Black being caught impersonating Sophia at Bayview, questions linger — especially after Sophia’s too-convenient explanation that she had simply been “studying in the library.”

Gabi, never one to accept a flimsy excuse, senses something far more calculated at work. Her instincts sharpen when Ari admits she may have seen Sophia wandering freely in Salem’s town square — a detail that completely dismantles Sophia’s alibi. Rafe approaches the situation cautiously, aware that children can misremember details, but Gabi sees the bigger picture forming. The impersonation, the stolen money, the mysterious burner phone, and now Ari’s sighting all point to a coordinated scheme.

This interrogation is far from a casual family conversation. It marks the first real step toward exposing a dangerous alliance between Sophia and Rachel. If Ari recalls even one specific detail — a phone in Sophia’s hand, a purchase, a familiar location — the entire house of cards could come crashing down. As always, Gabi proves that beneath her impulsive reputation lies a razor-sharp mind that may soon crack the case wide open.

A Christening Rushed — and Doomed?

Across town, Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree scramble to finalize plans for baby Trey’s christening, creating an emotional anchor for the episode. The couple is desperate to make the ceremony happen quickly, and the reason adds an undercurrent of urgency: Javi Hernandez must be there to serve as Trey’s godfather before he leaves Salem.

Longtime viewers know that in Salem, rushed celebrations rarely end peacefully. While Johnny and Chanel focus on logistics — the church, the guests, the timing — an unspoken tension hangs in the air. This christening is meant to symbolize hope, renewal, and family, but the pressure surrounding it suggests it may also become the backdrop for heartbreak or disaster.

Johnny’s determination to include Javi highlights the depth of their bond, making what follows all the more painful. The joy surrounding Trey’s new beginning contrasts sharply with the looming sense that someone else’s chapter is about to close.

Javi’s One-Way Ticket Sends Shockwaves

The emotional core of Monday’s episode centers on Javi Hernandez and Leo Stark. Javi receives devastating news that his father requires surgery in Texas, forcing him to leave Salem immediately. At first, it sounds like a temporary family emergency — a familiar soap opera device. But then the truth emerges: Javi has purchased a one-way ticket.

In Salem, a one-way ticket is never just travel plans. It’s a warning sign.

Leo’s reaction says everything. Panic, denial, and heartbreak ripple across his face as he realizes this may not be a short goodbye. Despite their complicated history, Leo and Javi share a quiet, poignant moment as they prepare for Trey’s christening, reflecting on the time they’ve spent together and the unexpected family they helped build around the baby.

The subtext is devastating. Javi plans to tell Leo after the ceremony that he may not return — a revelation that casts a shadow over the entire event. While Salem gathers to celebrate new life, Leo faces the possibility of losing the one person who truly accepted him without conditions. The emotional fallout could be severe, potentially pushing Leo toward a darker, more self-destructive path in the weeks to come.

Holly Jonas Makes Her Move

Meanwhile, the tension between Holly Jonas and Sophia Choi finally erupts. After weeks of manipulation, lies, and subtle psychological warfare, Holly stops waiting for answers and decides to confront Sophia head-on. Raised among Salem’s most formidable personalities — including Nicole Walker and the DiMeras — Holly taps into her legacy and goes on the offensive.

She catches Sophia off guard, verbally attacking her and forcing her to react. The key to everything is the burner phone Sophia allegedly purchased using stolen money from Rachel. While Holly may not physically uncover the device on Monday, she pushes hard enough to rattle Sophia’s confidence — and that’s when mistakes happen.

Sophia has always believed she’s the smartest person in the room. But Holly’s aggression exposes cracks in her composure, and those cracks may lead to reckless decisions. Spoilers tease that Sophia has “one more trick” planned for the christening — a chilling prospect that suggests she could be preparing to sabotage the event or publicly humiliate her enemies.

Rachel Black Lurks in the Shadows

Hovering over every storyline is Rachel Black, quietly awaiting instructions. The parallels to her mother, Kristen DiMera, grow more unsettling by the day. Rachel isn’t the mastermind — Sophia is — but she’s proven herself a willing accomplice. As Holly applies pressure and Gabi inches closer to the truth, Rachel’s role in the scheme becomes increasingly dangerous, especially once Kristen inevitably learns how deeply her daughter is involved.

Endings, Beginnings, and Dangerous Crossroads

Thematically, Monday’s episode is all about contrasts. Truth versus deception. Innocence versus manipulation. Beginnings set against painful endings. Trey’s christening symbolizes hope and renewal, while Javi’s departure signals loss and uncertainty. Holly steps into her power just as Sophia edges closer to total collapse.

By the end of the hour, Salem feels primed for chaos. The questions left hanging are massive: Is Javi gone for good? Will Gabi expose Rachel and Sophia’s scheme before someone gets hurt? And will Sophia’s next move turn a sacred celebration into a public nightmare?