Salem is once again bracing for impact as the September 4, 2025 episode promises some of the year’s most emotional confrontations and high-stakes revelations. From family dynasties crumbling

to forbidden secrets simmering just beneath the surface, today’s installment delivers the kind of gripping drama that has kept DOOL viewers hooked for decades. This episode centers on fractured family ties, maternal heartbreak,

haunting nightmares, and a power struggle threatening to ignite Salem’s corporate and emotional landscape. Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about the drama set to unfold.

EJ and Johnny – A Father and Son Torn Apart

The Demera legacy has always been built on power, secrets, and betrayal, but rarely has it looked this fractured. The rift between EJ and Johnny explodes today, with emotions spilling over into a confrontation that cuts straight to the bone.

Johnny’s cold rejection of his father isn’t just typical teenage rebellion—it’s rooted in the profound betrayal he feels. Despite EJ’s desperate attempts to explain the sacrifices he made to protect his son from murder charges, Johnny refuses to acknowledge his father’s role.

What makes this so devastating is the cruel irony: EJ orchestrated Kristen’s false confession, shielding Johnny and even protecting Rachel from exposure, yet Johnny knows none of it. Instead, he sees only a father who controls and manipulates, not a man who moved mountains to save him. Their scenes bristle with tension—Johnny’s body language stiff, his tone icy, while EJ is left visibly shaken by the rejection of the very child he fought to protect.

Could this be the breaking point that sends Johnny down a darker path, away from the Demera family altogether? Or will a hidden truth eventually shift his perspective?

Chanel – A Mother’s Dream Meets Heartbreaking Reality

Across town, Chanel Dupree’s world is unraveling in a different way. The loss of an adoption opportunity has left her devastated, yet her yearning to be a mother is stronger than ever. Chanel’s grief over repeated disappointments is palpable—her conversations, her glances toward children in Salem, even the way she clings to Johnny for reassurance reveal the depth of her longing.

But grief has a way of morphing into obsession. Chanel begins to explore unconventional paths to motherhood, even considering connections through Javi and Leo’s foster care situation with Rafe. Every move she makes is tinged with desperation and hope, creating a volatile cocktail that strains her relationship with Johnny.

Will Chanel’s determination to have a child heal her wounds—or push her marriage to breaking point?

Marlena’s Nightmares – Haunted by Stefano

In perhaps the episode’s most chilling storyline, Dr. Marlena Evans descends into a terrifying psychological spiral. Haunted by vivid dreams of Stefano DiMera—dreams so real they blur the line between reality and nightmare—Marlena is once again reliving her darkest past when she was forced into the role of Stefano’s “Queen of the Night.”

These aren’t ordinary bad dreams. They leave her gasping for air, trembling, and questioning her sanity. Tests show nothing physically wrong, yet her mental state deteriorates rapidly. For Salem’s most respected psychiatrist, the irony is brutal: she can’t treat her own mind.

Her plea to Belle isn’t for therapy, but for legal expertise. Could her nightmares be linked to unresolved legal or even supernatural forces? Marlena believes there is something more sinister at work. Watching her break beneath the weight of Stefano’s shadow adds a gothic intensity to the episode, one that leaves the entire Evans family rattled.

Gabi’s Corporate Chess Game

Meanwhile, Salem’s business world is about to ignite. Gabi Hernandez is playing her cards with ruthless precision, weaving romance, deceit, and corporate espionage into one master plan.

By planting surveillance equipment in Xander’s office, she uncovers explosive information—Philip has forged documentation that could unravel the Kiriakis-Cook alliance. For Gabi, this isn’t just an opportunity; it’s her ticket to restoring Demera dominance.

But business isn’t Gabi’s only battlefield. Her entanglements with both Xander and Philip complicate her maneuvering, creating a dangerous emotional undercurrent. Can she stay detached long enough to execute her plan, or will her heart betray her sharp mind?

Philip and Xander – Brotherhood on Trial

The bond between Philip Kiriakis and Xander Cook is put to the ultimate test. Philip orchestrates a life-threatening scenario designed to measure Xander’s loyalty—not only as a business partner, but as a newfound brother.

This “test” is layered with manipulation. Philip isn’t sure whether he wants Xander to succeed or fail. On one hand, genuine brotherhood would mean trust. On the other, betrayal could give him the justification to sever ties once and for all.

But should Xander discover that the crisis was staged, Philip risks losing far more than a brother—he risks unleashing another dangerous enemy in Salem’s already cutthroat corporate jungle.

Belle and Brady – A Rare Bond in the Chaos

Amid the betrayals and heartbreak, one bright spot shines through: the renewed sibling bond between Belle Black Brady and Brady Black. Both have weathered storms of love, loss, and betrayal, and their shared experiences have created a foundation of unshakable loyalty.

Belle’s legal brilliance and Brady’s business acumen make them a formidable team, and their growing solidarity will soon be tested as they navigate both Marlena’s crisis and the fallout from Salem’s corporate wars. Their relationship is a reminder that, even in Salem, family doesn’t always have to mean betrayal.

The Seeds of Tomorrow’s Drama

This September 4 episode doesn’t just deliver drama—it plants the seeds for battles still to come.

• Johnny vs EJ – Will Johnny ever learn the truth of his father’s sacrifices, or is this the beginning of a permanent family fracture?
• Chanel’s Quest for Motherhood – Will her desperation bring her happiness, or destroy her marriage?
• Marlena’s Haunting – Are her nightmares purely psychological, or has Stefano’s shadow truly returned to torment her?
• Gabi’s Coup – Can she balance love and power without losing everything?
• Philip’s Loyalty Test – What happens when a test of brotherhood becomes the ultimate betrayal?

Final Thoughts

Days of Our Lives has always thrived on its ability to weave personal tragedy with epic drama, and today’s episode is a prime example. From the crumbling Demera dynasty to Marlena’s ghostly torment, every storyline is threaded with tension, secrets, and the promise of devastating fallout.

As Salem proves once again, nothing stays hidden forever. And when the truth comes out—as it always does—it will shatter lives, alter legacies, and redefine the future of families who have already endured generations of betrayal.

Stay tuned, because the drama on Days of Our Lives is only just beginning.