Salem is bracing for impact on Days of Our Lives this Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as the hourglass turns toward an episode packed with emotional reckonings,

long-buried trauma, and high-stakes danger on multiple fronts. From a chilling blast from the past that reopens old wounds for the Carver family,

to a carefully constructed trap that may already be doomed, and a ruthless corporate game that threatens to swallow Johnny DiMera whole, this episode promises to be anything but quiet.

At the heart of it all lies a familiar Days truth: when Salem’s residents think they are finally one step ahead, someone else is already listening from the shadows.

Marlene and Kayla: A Moment of Calm Before the Storm

The episode opens on a softer, deeply resonant note as two of Salem’s most enduring pillars—Dr. Marlena Evans and Dr. Kayla Johnson—come together to reflect on major life milestones. On the surface, the moment feels warm and grounding: two longtime friends sharing conversation, laughter, and hard-earned perspective. For veteran viewers, however, the scene carries far more weight.

Marlena and Kayla have survived nearly everything Salem has thrown at them—possession, presumed death, kidnapping, betrayal, illness, and loss. Their bond represents the emotional backbone of the show, and their shared moment serves as a reminder that humanity still exists amid the chaos. Yet even as they smile, the tension lingers. Marlena can’t help but worry about Johnny and the growing DiMera mess surrounding him, while Kayla’s thoughts are clearly consumed by Stephanie and the escalating stalker threat.

In classic Days fashion, the tenderness of this scene feels less like a pause and more like a warning. Happiness in Salem is often fleeting—and usually signals that something devastating is just around the corner.

A Nightmare Returns: Abe, Rafe, and the Liam Revelation

That sense of dread becomes reality when Rafe Hernandez delivers shocking news to Abe Carver. The information is contained in a single, devastating image: a mugshot of Liam. For Abe, it’s not just another criminal file—it’s the face of a man tied to his son Theo’s darkest memories.

Liam’s return rips open old wounds rooted in bullying, trauma, and powerlessness from Theo’s high school years. Theo has grown into a resilient young man who has overcome extraordinary challenges, but this development threatens to undo years of healing. Rafe suspects Liam may be connected to Theo’s recent kidnapping, transforming the crime from a random act into something deeply personal.

The implications are terrifying. Was Liam acting out of old hatred, or is he merely a pawn in a much larger scheme? The spoilers hint that another figure—possibly someone named Peter—is pulling the strings, hiring local muscle to do the dirty work. Yet what complicates matters further is the suggestion that Liam may be motivated by concern for his own child.

That single detail reframes everything. A villain driven by cruelty is dangerous—but one driven by desperation and family loyalty is unpredictable. If Liam is being manipulated or coerced, he may be both perpetrator and victim. And Abe, upon seeing the face of the man who once tormented his son, may abandon diplomacy altogether. Papa Bear Abe is awake—and Salem should be very afraid.

A Trap Set… and Already Compromised

Meanwhile, another storyline races toward disaster as Steve Johnson, Jada Hunter, Stephanie Johnson, and Alex Kiriakis finalize a plan to catch Stephanie’s stalker. Convinced the culprit will strike during an upcoming event—likely an engagement party—the group decides to use Stephanie as bait, leaving her momentarily alone to draw the stalker out.

The fact that Steve agrees to this strategy underscores just how desperate the situation has become. Steve Johnson does not gamble with his family’s safety lightly. Jada brings the law, Steve brings experience, and Alex brings muscle and raw emotion. Alex, in particular, appears eager to prove himself as Stephanie’s protector, but his ego and impulsiveness could become a liability.

The true horror, however, is that the stalker already knows the plan.

Hidden inside a picture frame—sent under EJ DiMera’s name—is a listening device. Every word, every strategy session, every calculated move has been overheard. The revelation turns the entire operation on its head. The trap isn’t a trap at all—it’s an ambush waiting to happen.

Even more disturbing is the psychological warfare at play. Framing EJ feels deliberate, designed to exploit existing distrust and divert attention away from the real threat. Whoever the stalker is, they know Salem’s history. They know its grudges. And they are several moves ahead.

Johnny DiMera Enters the Shark Tank

As danger mounts elsewhere, Johnny DiMera faces a quieter but no less perilous threat at DiMera Enterprises. Sitting down with Kate Roberts to discuss a publishing deal, Johnny believes he’s simply doing his job—reviewing the details of Bonnie’s book release. What he may not realize is that he’s stepping into a corporate minefield.

The book in question is widely suspected to be a ripoff of Stephanie’s work, and when the truth comes out, the fallout could be catastrophic. Lawsuits, reputational damage, and financial ruin loom large. The question is: who will take the blame?

All signs point to Johnny.

Kate Roberts and Xander Cook are seasoned survivors who know how to protect themselves. Johnny, by contrast, is an artist at heart—a filmmaker trying to navigate a world of ruthless business tactics. If he signs off on the deal without scrutinizing the fine print, he could destroy his credibility before his career truly begins, while Kate and Xander walk away unscathed.

It’s a harsh reminder that in Salem, kindness is often mistaken for weakness—and those who hesitate are quickly devoured.

Final Predictions: Disaster Is Imminent

By the end of Wednesday’s episode, the pieces will be firmly in place. Marlena and Kayla provide the emotional anchor, but the storm is already raging. Abe is on the brink of taking justice into his own hands. The stalker trap is compromised beyond repair. Johnny is edging closer to a professional catastrophe.

The engagement party may well become the scene of the crime—not because the stalker walks into the trap, but because they avoid it entirely and strike where it hurts most. And as for Liam, his fear may drive him to make a desperate move—one that could either save Theo or seal his own fate.