Salem never rests—and during the week of January 26 through January 30, Days of Our Lives delivers one of its most emotionally loaded and plot-heavy stretches of the year.

Long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface, alliances quietly fracture, and truths—some long overdue, others devastatingly premature—are finally spoken aloud.

At the heart of the storm are the DiMeras, once again proving that no family in Salem can outrun its past. But this week’s fallout won’t stop at the crypt.

From corporate sabotage and literary manipulation to romantic ultimatums and moral reckonings, nearly every corner of Salem feels the shockwaves.

The Bones That Could Destroy the DiMeras

The DiMera family may have escaped captivity and survived yet another brush with death at the hands of Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier), but freedom comes at a price. The lingering question—whose bones were hidden in the crypt—refuses to fade, and on Tuesday, the answer finally arrives.

And it won’t be a relief.

The revelation of the bones’ identity is poised to shake the DiMeras to their core, reopening old wounds and raising chilling questions about past crimes that may never have truly been buried. While the family tries to project unity, cracks are already forming beneath the surface.

Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), raw and emotionally volatile, rejects EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel) attempts at sympathy. Whether driven by guilt, fear, or genuine concern, EJ’s outreach falls flat—and possibly fuels Kristen’s suspicion that there’s more he’s not saying.

Meanwhile, Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) makes a morally questionable decision of his own. As Theo (Tyler Joseph Andrews) continues his recovery, Chad chooses to withhold crucial information—ostensibly to protect him, but at what cost? In Salem, secrets rarely stay contained, and Chad’s silence could come back to haunt him.

The stakes rise further when Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) brings disturbing news to Abe Carver (James Reynolds). The implications are ominous: could the bones somehow be connected to the Carver family? If so, this mystery isn’t just a DiMera problem—it’s a Salem-wide reckoning waiting to happen.

Abe, already stretched thin, faces additional pressure as he reconnects professionally with Liam, a man whose troubled past continues to cast long shadows. Actor Hank Northrop recently teased that Liam’s storyline will test Abe’s leadership—and his conscience—like never before.

Publishing Power Plays and Kate’s Quiet Revenge

While bodies and bones dominate one side of Salem, another kind of battle unfolds behind closed boardroom doors.

Midweek, Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) sits down with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) to discuss business. On the surface, it’s a straightforward professional conversation—but Johnny remains blissfully unaware that his own grandmother may be actively plotting his downfall.

Kate has never been one to relinquish control easily, and recent developments suggest she’s playing a long, calculated game with DiMera Enterprises. Enter Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans)—and her mysterious new manuscript.

Kate previously rejected Bonnie’s work, but when Johnny delivers unexpected good news to the aspiring author on Thursday, eyebrows immediately raise. Is DiMera Enterprises suddenly interested in publishing Bonnie’s book? Or is this all part of Kate’s elaborate strategy to undermine Johnny while appearing supportive?

If history is any indication, Kate rarely makes a move without multiple angles in mind. Whether Bonnie is an unwitting pawn or a secret collaborator remains unclear—but one thing is certain: Johnny’s professional future may be far more fragile than he realizes.

Love, Obsession, and Leo’s Divided Heart

Elsewhere in Salem, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) continues to spiral emotionally following his disastrous wedding night. Torn between past and present, Leo finds himself unable to stop thinking about two very different men.

On one hand, there’s Javi (Al Calderon)—the connection that still lingers, unresolved and emotionally charged. On the other, Dimitri, whose presence becomes increasingly difficult to ignore as the week progresses.

By week’s end, Leo’s thoughts are no longer just wandering—they’re bordering on obsession. Whether this internal tug-of-war leads to clarity or catastrophe remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Leo’s romantic indecision is setting the stage for heartbreak.

Kristen vs. Sarah: A Battle Disguised as Protection

If there’s one woman who never underestimates a rival, it’s Kristen DiMera. Early in the week, she puts Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) firmly on notice.

Kristen frames her warning as maternal instinct—protecting her daughter from emotional harm. But beneath the surface, the motive is unmistakable. Kristen does not want Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) moving on, especially not with someone she views as a legitimate threat.

As tensions mount, Sarah is forced to confront her own feelings—and her past. On Friday, she finally sits down with Brady for an honest conversation. But the question lingers: Is Sarah telling her truth… or the version of events Kristen wants Brady to believe?

The emotional weight of this confession could redefine relationships across Salem. If Sarah chooses honesty, she risks losing Brady. If she chooses silence—or half-truths—she risks losing herself.

A Week That Changes Everything

By the time the week concludes, Days of Our Lives will have irrevocably altered its landscape. The bones unearthed from the DiMera crypt may close one chapter, but they open several more—each darker and more dangerous than the last.

Corporate empires wobble, romantic lines blur, and personal truths demand to be spoken. In Salem, survival isn’t just about escaping danger—it’s about facing what comes next.

And next week? The fallout begins.