Salem has never been a town where the dead stay buried for long — and on the March 3 episode of Days of Our Lives, that legacy takes a chilling new turn.

EJ DiMera makes a decision that could permanently redefine his reign over the DiMera empire, and this time, he’s not acting alone. With Gwen at his side

and Dr. Rolf’s twisted genius waiting in the wings, Salem may be on the verge of yet another resurrection saga.

But while EJ plots in the shadows, other lives hang in the balance. Theo approaches Johnny with a proposition that could fracture loyalties, and Stephanie and Jeremy find themselves in escalating danger with no easy way out. Across town, guilt and vengeance threaten to collide as Justin attempts to steady Alex before he spirals.

March 3 promises not just drama — but the kind of morally murky decisions that echo for months.

EJ Embraces His Darkest Instincts

EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) has never pretended to be a saint. Yet even by Salem standards, his latest maneuver feels audacious.

After acquiring Salem University Hospital under the guise of civic responsibility, EJ insisted his intentions were forward-thinking. The opening of the free clinic appeared to soften his image — at least superficially. But beneath the polished exterior, something far more sinister has been brewing. His long-standing partnership with Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton), Salem’s most infamous scientific mastermind, is no secret to those paying attention.

Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Sarah (Linsay Godfrey) have repeatedly questioned EJ’s motives, blaming him for every malfunction, mishap, and medical scandal that touches the hospital. Whether fair or not, the perception of villainy has stuck.

And now, EJ seems ready to lean into it.

Sources within Salem suggest that EJ’s latest plan involves more than financial gain or political maneuvering. He is allegedly exploring Rolf’s resurrection technology once again — a process that has historically defied science, ethics, and sometimes even logic. The DiMeras have long flirted with the idea of conquering death itself. This time, EJ may be prepared to bring that fantasy back to life.

Gwen Steps Into the Shadows

If there is anyone willing to walk into moral gray areas without flinching, it’s Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien). Once a wildcard with divided loyalties, Gwen now appears fully aligned with EJ’s vision.

Rather than recoil at the suggestion of grave robbing — literal or scientific — Gwen leans in. Her partnership with EJ signals not only trust but ambition. For Gwen, this could be the ultimate power play: to help orchestrate Salem’s next “miracle.”

The question isn’t whether Rolf can revive someone. History proves he can. The question is who they intend to bring back.

Will EJ seek to restore a DiMera heir? A fallen enemy? A strategic pawn? Each possibility carries enormous consequences. Resurrections in Salem rarely come without psychological and emotional fallout. Loved ones are destabilized. Power dynamics shift. Secrets resurface.

By inviting Gwen into this plan, EJ signals that he sees her as more than an accomplice — she’s a co-conspirator in reshaping Salem’s future.

And if this gambit succeeds, the balance of power could tilt dramatically in DiMera’s favor.

Theo’s Proposition: A Family Power Struggle Brewing?

Elsewhere, Theo (Tyler Joseph Andrews) returns to full strength after his hospital stay — and he’s not content to quietly reclaim his old position.

Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) stepped into the CEO role during Theo’s recovery, a move that temporarily stabilized the company but shifted internal alliances. Chanel (Raven Bowens) has privately celebrated the idea of Johnny stepping back from corporate chaos to focus more fully on their marriage.

But Theo has other ideas.

Insiders hint that Theo approaches Johnny with a proposal that could complicate everything. Rather than resume business as usual, Theo may be suggesting a restructuring — one that keeps Johnny deeply embedded in DiMera Enterprises.

Such a move would undoubtedly frustrate Chanel, who has long feared the corrupting influence of the DiMera legacy. Meanwhile, Abe (James Reynolds) may see opportunity in stability and leadership continuity.

What begins as a business discussion could quickly become a referendum on loyalty, ambition, and identity. Is Johnny prepared to embrace his DiMera bloodline fully? Or will he resist being pulled deeper into the family’s morally questionable orbit?

Theo’s pitch may force him to choose.

Stephanie and Jeremy: Trapped and Running Out of Time

While corporate intrigue unfolds, the stakes are far more immediate for Stephanie (Abigail Klein) and Jeremy (Michael Roark).

Now aware that Jeremy was attempting to save her from Owen (Wes Ramsey), Stephanie finds herself in an uneasy alliance with the man she once distrusted. The revelation shifts the emotional dynamic between them — but it doesn’t solve their most pressing problem: they are still in danger.

Owen’s instability has escalated in recent days, and his connection to larger forces at play only compounds the threat. With limited resources and no clear escape route, Stephanie and Jeremy must rely on quick thinking and fragile trust.

Their captivity isn’t just physical. Emotionally, both are grappling with guilt and second-guessing. Stephanie questions her past decisions, while Jeremy struggles with the weight of having underestimated Owen’s volatility.

If they are to survive, they will need more than courage — they will need strategy.

And in Salem, rescue rarely arrives without complication.

Justin and Alex: Guilt, Grief, and the Edge of Revenge

As danger looms elsewhere, Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) is wrestling with his own storm of emotion. Haunted by guilt and simmering anger, he stands at a crossroads between accountability and retaliation.

Justin (Wallace Kurth) steps in as the steadying voice of reason. Having weathered decades of Salem’s chaos, Justin understands the cost of impulsive vengeance. His counsel to Alex is grounded in experience — and concern.

But whether Alex can hear it is another matter.

Grief in Salem often mutates into vendetta. And if Alex allows his guilt to morph into retribution, the fallout could ripple far beyond his immediate circle.

Justin’s attempt to anchor him may be the only thing standing between reflection and destruction.

Salem’s Past Refuses to Stay Buried

What makes March 3 particularly explosive is the convergence of resurrection, ambition, and desperation. EJ’s willingness to revisit Rolf’s experiments is not merely a plot twist — it’s a philosophical escalation.

By attempting to “repopulate” Salem, he challenges the natural order once again. And Salem has historically paid a price for such defiance.

Every resurrection alters relationships. Every revived secret destabilizes alliances. And every power grab invites retaliation.

As EJ and Gwen peer into the abyss of forbidden science, as Theo nudges Johnny toward deeper corporate entanglement, and as Stephanie and Jeremy fight for survival, one truth becomes undeniable:

Salem is once again flirting with death — and daring it to answer.

The question isn’t whether someone will rise.

It’s whether Salem will survive what rises with them.