Salem is bracing for impact, because EJ DiMera is back—and his return is anything but peaceful. What should have been a quiet homecoming after an emotionally charged

trip to see his daughter has instead ignited one of the most volatile storylines Days of Our Lives has delivered in recent memory. At the center of the storm?

A shocking revelation that Gwen Rizczech played a role in bringing Dimitri von Leuschner back into Salem, a truth that sends EJ spiraling into rage and sets the stage for betrayal, revenge, and all-out war.

This isn’t just another DiMera feud. This is personal.

A Father’s Guilt, a Daughter’s Fear

To understand why EJ’s reaction is so explosive, viewers must first rewind to the trauma that drove him away from Salem in the first place. EJ DiMera—the polished, calculating heir to the DiMera empire—was recently subjected to one of the family’s darkest traditions: imprisonment in the DiMera crypt. Cold, isolated, and steeped in generations of betrayal, the crypt has long symbolized the family’s willingness to destroy its own.

EJ’s disappearance sent shockwaves far beyond Salem, reaching his daughter Sydney, who lives overseas. The news of her father’s kidnapping triggered severe panic attacks, leaving her emotionally shattered and terrified that she might never see him again. When EJ was finally freed, he didn’t hesitate. He left Salem immediately to be by Sydney’s side, determined to repair the damage his dangerous life had inflicted on her.

Those scenes were among the most tender EJ has ever shared on screen. Gone was the ruthless power player; in his place stood a remorseful father, desperate to reassure his child that she was safe, that he was alive, and that the DiMera darkness had not claimed him entirely. With guidance from Dr. Marlena Evans, Sydney slowly began to stabilize, her panic subsiding as EJ remained present and emotionally available.

But Salem, as always, was waiting.

Trouble Lurking Back Home

With Sydney’s condition improving, EJ felt compelled to return. Business, unfinished vendettas, and the ever-persistent pull of the DiMera legacy called him back to Salem. What EJ did not expect was to walk straight into another nightmare—one with a very familiar name.

Dimitri von Leuschner.

The mere mention of Dimitri is enough to raise alarms, but learning that he is not only back in Salem, but brought back with Gwen’s involvement, is what pushes EJ over the edge. For EJ, Dimitri represents unfinished business, a secret buried too shallow to stay hidden.

Months earlier, EJ and Gwen had formed a dangerous alliance. United by shared resentment and personal grudges, they orchestrated Dimitri’s disappearance after his affair with Leo Stark devastated Gwen. Dimitri was kidnapped, held captive, and forced to write a brutal breakup letter designed to crush Leo emotionally. It was cruel, calculated—and meant to be final.

Or so EJ thought.ư

Gwen’s Betrayal Changes Everything

The revelation that Gwen may have facilitated Dimitri’s return lands like a grenade. For EJ, it’s not just a betrayal—it’s a direct threat to his freedom, his power, and his family. Dimitri knows too much. If he remembers who orchestrated his captivity, EJ could be facing consequences far worse than public humiliation.

Sources close to the storyline suggest EJ reacts with uncontrolled fury. His carefully maintained composure fractures, giving way to the volatile DiMera temper fans know all too well. Viewers can expect explosive confrontations, particularly between EJ and Gwen, as he demands answers and struggles to comprehend why she would undo everything they worked so ruthlessly to achieve.

Is Gwen acting out of guilt? Has her conscience finally caught up with her? Or is this yet another scheme—one designed to manipulate both Dimitri and EJ for her own survival?

Dimitri: Victim or Vengeful Predator?

Dimitri’s return raises unsettling questions. Is he back seeking justice, revenge, or leverage? A man of privilege and intelligence, Dimitri is not likely to forgive and forget. If he uncovers the full truth, he holds the power to dismantle EJ’s world piece by piece—through blackmail, strategic alliances, or a public reckoning that could devastate the DiMera name.

And then there’s Leo Stark.

Leo, who was emotionally destroyed by the breakup letter, remains a wildcard. If he learns that the letter was coerced and Dimitri was held captive, everything changes. Leo could become Dimitri’s strongest ally—or his most dangerous liability. Either way, the fallout promises heartbreak and chaos in equal measure.

A Powder Keg of Consequences

EJ’s return was supposed to mark a reset—a chance to reclaim control after surviving betrayal and confinement. Instead, Gwen’s actions threaten to drag him back into the very darkness he was trying to escape. His rage, fueled by fear and humiliation, could lead to reckless decisions that endanger everyone around him.

Nicole, Marlena, and other voices of reason may attempt to intervene, but history suggests EJ rarely listens when pushed into a corner. The DiMera mansion is poised to become a battleground once more, its grand halls echoing with accusations, shattered alliances, and threats that could reshape Salem’s power structure.

What Happens Next?

With Dimitri back, Gwen under suspicion, and EJ teetering on the edge, Days of Our Lives is setting up a storyline rich in tension and emotional stakes. Will EJ strike first to protect himself? Will Gwen confess—or double down? And will Dimitri expose the truth, igniting a scandal that consumes Salem?

One thing is certain: EJ DiMera’s return has lit the fuse. And once it detonates, no one—not even the DiMeras—will emerge unscathed.