Salem is about to enter one of its most tumultuous weeks yet. In the latest episodes of Days of Our Lives, airing September 22–26, the city’s idyllic small-town façade begins to crumble,

giving way to chaos, heartbreak, and high-stakes drama. From citywide crises to intimate personal battles, the coming week promises to leave Salem’s residents—and viewers—gripped, gasping, and glued to their screens.

Here’s an in-depth look at the explosive storylines set to dominate Salem next week.

A City Plunged Into Darkness: Salem’s Power Outage Crisis

It begins with a literal blackout. Salem, already simmering with secrets and rivalries, is thrown into chaos as an unexplained power outage plunges the city into darkness. Main Street goes silent, businesses grind to a halt, and communication lines falter. In this shadowy backdrop, tensions rise and alliances are tested.

At the heart of this crisis is the beloved Sweet Bits Bakery, where sisters Chanel Dri and Felicity face their own battle for survival. Ovens go cold, cash registers are rendered useless, and their once-bustling bakery teeters on the edge of disaster. Desperate to save their livelihood, they must scramble to preserve perishable goods, negotiate with neighbors, and fend off opportunistic looters.

Adding fuel to the fire is Alex Kuryakis, the charismatic and often enigmatic heir to the Kuryakis empire. His arrival at the bakery seems like a lifeline, but his motives are anything but simple. Complicated by lingering romantic tension with Chanel and personal ambitions, Alex’s involvement threatens to deepen the fissures between the sisters even as he offers a helping hand.

Meanwhile, the outage strands Philip Kuryakis, Brady Black, and Gabby Hernandez in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Cut off from the world and running low on supplies, the trio’s endurance—and loyalties—are tested. Philip sees a chance to manipulate the situation, Brady wrestles with guilt over recent choices, and Gabby refuses to let either man dominate the conversation. As tensions flare, secrets spill, revealing betrayals and shocking revelations that could forever alter their relationships.

The power outage is far more than a mere plot device—it is a mirror reflecting Salem’s fragility. In the absence of light, the darkness brings out both the best and worst in its residents, illuminating hidden vulnerabilities, long-held grudges, and unspoken desires.

Marina Evans’ Health Crisis: Shadows of the Past

Amid the citywide turmoil, Salem’s beloved matriarch, Dr. Marina Evans, faces a personal crisis that could shatter the Black family. On Thursday, viewers were left breathless as Marina collapsed, her body succumbing to an alarming episode that hints at more than simple fatigue.

This isn’t the first time Marina’s health has raised concerns. Whispers of recurring spells have circled for weeks, each episode more unsettling than the last. The timing of her collapse is particularly ominous, coinciding with devastating news expected to arrive early next week—news that could alter her life and the lives of those around her.

Adding a chilling layer to Marina’s condition are her haunting dreams of the long-dead patriarch, Stephano Dera. In these visions, Stephano’s piercing gaze and taunting voice suggest a connection between the family’s dark past and Marina’s present health struggles. Are these merely stress-induced hallucinations, or is there a deeper, psychological—or even sinister—force at play?

Her devoted husband, John Black, works tirelessly to uncover the truth, consulting specialists and combing through medical records. Meanwhile, her children, Belle and stepson Brady, rally around her, even as their own conflicts threaten to pull them away when she needs them most. As the week unfolds, Marina’s health takes a dramatic turn, forcing her and her family to confront the fragility of life itself.

The Adoption Battle: Love vs. Vengeance

While some face health crises and chaos, others confront heartbreak on a deeply personal level. Chanel Dri and Johnny De, a couple whose love has been tested time and again, are engaged in a high-stakes fight to adopt a young boy named Tazaro. Their hope, optimism, and commitment to family are palpable—but their path is fraught with obstacles.

Standing in their way are Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez, a couple equally determined to secure a loving home for Tazaro. Leo’s sharp intellect and complex past add tension, while Javi’s quiet strength balances the scales. The adoption agency weighs both sides, creating a legal and emotional tug-of-war.

Adding a dramatic twist is Sophia, Tazaro’s biological mother, whose motives remain shrouded in mystery. Her efforts to sabotage Chanel and Johnny’s chances—whether through past indiscretions or hidden evidence—threaten to derail their dreams. The adoption storyline is a microcosm of Salem itself: love pitted against betrayal, hope clashing with vengeance, and the outcome hanging by a thread.

The Kuryakis Empire in Peril: A Family Divided

No week in Salem would be complete without corporate intrigue. The Kuryakis family finds its empire under siege as Tony DeAra launches a calculated offensive against their holdings. With motives both personal and financial, Tony seeks to dismantle the family legacy piece by piece.

Midweek, tensions reach a boiling point in the family boardroom. Alex, Brady, Philip, and Xander clash over strategy, loyalties, and ambition. Philip questions whether the family can trust one another after past betrayals, while Brady drops the bombshell that he may leave the company altogether—a revelation that shocks his relatives and adds fuel to the fire.

As the week progresses, desperate measures and risky alliances come to the forefront. Will the Kuryakis clan unify to protect their empire, or will internal strife grant Tony the victory he seeks? This battle promises high-stakes drama and tense confrontations, further complicating an already precarious week in Salem.

Why You Can’t Miss Next Week

September 22–26 is shaping up to be a week where no one in Salem escapes unscathed. From the citywide blackout that tests resilience and exposes hidden truths, to Marina’s health crisis and the lingering shadow of Stephano, the stakes are both personal and profound.

The adoption battle over Tazaro embodies Salem’s emotional core—where love, ambition, and betrayal collide. And the power struggle within the Kuryakis family threatens to destroy legacies and fracture loyalties in ways that will echo for months to come.

Every storyline next week is a thread in Salem’s intricate tapestry, weaving passion, suspense, and raw emotion into a drama that defines Days of Our Lives.

Will Chanel and Johnny triumph in their adoption battle, or will Sophia’s interference shatter their dreams? Can Marina withstand her mysterious health crisis, or will the shadow of Stephano prove too powerful? And will the Kuryakis family hold together, or crumble under Tony’s relentless assault?