Salem rarely slows down long enough to catch its breath, but the week of February 9–13 will force the town to stand still — even as new schemes ignite,

old wounds reopen, and love either soars or shatters. In the aftermath of an emotional farewell to Stefano DiMera, Days of Our Lives launches into

a run of episodes that promise romance, revenge, and revelations. Cupid is circling. So is danger. And if the past week proved anything, it’s that grief in Salem has a way of clearing space for fresh chaos.

A goodbye that changes everything

The memorial for Stefano cast a long, complicated shadow. Allies and enemies gathered under the same roof, bound by history whether they liked it or not. Tears flowed beside barely concealed resentment. Marlena leaned on Roman. Kate struggled with jealousy she couldn’t quite mask. Abe wrestled with what it meant to mourn a man who had caused so much pain.

For the DiMeras, however, the ceremony was something else entirely: the end of an era. Patriarch. Puppet master. Legend. Stefano’s presence defined the family for decades, and saying goodbye leaves a vacuum no one is truly prepared to fill.

That vacuum begins to ripple immediately next week.

Because once the mourning period ends, power questions begin.

Vivian’s lie — and a deeper mystery

Before Salem could even process its loss, Rafe and Eli’s overseas mission detonated new complications. Vivian spun a tale pointing the finger at Dimitri for the damning camera footage tied to Stefan’s final days. But the deeper investigators dug, the more slippery the truth became.

Liam’s confession that he’d been hired by the DiMera kidnapper only thickened the plot, especially when a sketch connected his mystery employer back to Vivian. And the ultimate horror? Stefan had been held captive before his death.

That knowledge is going to haunt everyone who loved him — and fuel the fury of those determined to make someone pay.

Don’t expect Rafe or Gabi to let this go quietly.

Leo and Dimitri: desire vs. dignity

One of the week’s most emotionally charged undercurrents remains the combustible connection between Leo and Dimitri.

Dimitri tempted. Provoked. Even tried to seduce his way back into Leo’s orbit. And Leo — astonishingly, defiantly — walked away.

It was a moment of growth fans have waited years to see.

But walking away doesn’t erase history. Next week, the pair finally talk about what they are to each other, and whether love can exist without manipulation. It’s vulnerable territory, particularly as Dimitri is simultaneously fighting for his freedom.

Every glance between them will matter.

Sophia declares war

If Salem needed a reminder that youth can be ruthless, Sophia delivered it with chilling precision.

After stalking Holly’s social media and discovering her supplement routine, Sophia staged a fake apology, gained access, and switched the contents with medication. It was calculated, quiet, and deeply dangerous.

And she’s not done.

By week’s end, Holly is set to lose her cool — and viewers will be left wondering whether Sophia’s tampering is about to explode into a full-blown medical or emotional crisis.

Teen rivalries in Salem have always burned hot. This one may become catastrophic.

Love is in the air… for some

Valentine’s Day arrives midweek, and the holiday spreads romance unevenly across town.

Johnny and Chanel carve out a tender afternoon together, a welcome pause amid DiMera turbulence. Xander and Sarah share a moment tinged with longing and history. Marlena, Maggie, and Julie look backward, reminiscing about the great loves that shaped their lives.

But not every couple gets roses.

Gwen begins to sense a change in EJ — a shift she can’t quite name but absolutely feels. Brady finds himself in unexpectedly honest conversation with Tate. And Alex’s world is rocked when Stephanie and Jada pull off a surprise he never saw coming.

In Salem, love stories rarely sit still. They evolve, fracture, or deepen without warning.

The DiMeras regroup

Even in mourning, the family machine keeps moving.

EJ receives a mysterious gift. Tony offers Chad guidance just as Chad contemplates leaving town — though viewers shouldn’t panic, as his exit is not yet permanent. Marlena, Belle, and Brady unleash their fury on Kristen, whose complicated history with nearly everyone in the room ensures fireworks.

And in a twist that could reshape her future, Kristen extends an offer of joint custody to Brady regarding Rachel.

Is it genuine growth? Strategy? Desperation?

With Kristen, it could be all three.

Eli’s homecoming

Amid the upheaval, Eli’s return provides a rare beam of warmth, particularly when he surprises Julie. Their bond, forged through heartbreak and endurance, reminds Salem that family can still heal even when the past feels overwhelming.

Expect tears — the good kind.

Storm warnings ahead

By Friday, emotions are raw. Holly’s temper flares. Gwen and Julie exchange frosty words sharp enough to cut glass. The town is still balancing remembrance with renewal, and not everyone is managing the transition gracefully.

Because moving on from Stefano doesn’t mean escaping his legacy.

It means living with what he set in motion.

A week that resets the board

What makes February 9–13 so pivotal is not just the romance or the scheming — it’s the sense of realignment. Relationships are being tested. Power structures are wobbling. Characters are deciding who they want to be in a Salem that no longer has its most infamous architect looming overhead.

Some will rise.

Some will fall.

And some, like Sophia, are ready to rewrite the rules entirely.

One thing is certain: by the time Valentine’s Day ends, hearts in Salem will be anything but calm.