Salem is no stranger to chaos, but the week of January 19–23 promises a level of turmoil that even longtime Days of Our Lives fans may not see coming.

Long-simmering secrets erupt into the open, alliances are tested, and once again the DiMera name becomes synonymous with danger, deception, and drama.

From a risky sting operation that puts Steve Johnson in jeopardy, to a shocking arrest at the Horton House, to a baptism that spirals into near-sacrilege,

this is a week that threatens to permanently alter the balance of power in Salem. At the center of the storm is a dangerous plan—one that may already be unraveling.

Steve Johnson Walks Into a Trap

The tension begins with Steve Johnson, a man who has survived decades of Salem’s darkest conspiracies. Tough, relentless, and fiercely protective, Steve is pushed into action when concerns escalate over Stephanie Johnson’s safety. With fear mounting that a stalker is closing in, Steve refuses to wait for protocol or paperwork. Instead, he throws himself into an off-the-books investigation that quickly becomes far more perilous than he anticipated.

Stephanie, desperate to regain control, devises a bold and controversial strategy: a staged engagement to Alex Kiriakis. The logic is simple—if the stalker is obsessed, seeing Stephanie “taken” should provoke a reaction and flush the culprit into the open. On paper, it’s clever. In practice, it’s explosive.

Alex is not a neutral pawn. He is emotional, impulsive, and deeply entangled in Stephanie’s past. Their history adds a volatile layer to the ruse, blurring the line between performance and reality. As the fake engagement announcement spreads online, Steve’s instincts go into overdrive. Trusting no one, he begins tailing Alex, convinced that something doesn’t add up.

What Steve uncovers, however, may trap him instead. Spoilers hint that this surveillance leads to a shocking turn—one that suggests Alex could be a target rather than a suspect. If the stalker decides to eliminate Alex to remove the “competition,” Steve’s plan could backfire catastrophically. Even more unsettling is the possibility that Alex himself is becoming dangerously comfortable in this pretend romance, complicating the mission and Steve’s already fragile trust.

A Shocking Arrest at the Horton House

As Steve’s investigation veers off course, another bombshell rocks Salem to its core. Commissioner Jada Hunter, known for her integrity and unwavering commitment to justice, makes a move that stuns the community. Acting on what appears to be solid evidence, Jada arrives at the Horton House with handcuffs—and leaves with Jeremy Horton under arrest.

The scene is devastating. The Horton living room, a symbol of tradition and stability, becomes the site of public humiliation and heartbreak. Julie Williams watches in disbelief as her family is torn apart under her own roof. For many viewers, the accusation itself is difficult to accept. Jeremy may be flawed and impulsive, but the idea that he is a calculating stalker feels fundamentally wrong.

The arrest raises more questions than answers. If Jeremy is innocent—and all signs point in that direction—then someone with intimate access to his life has orchestrated an elaborate frame job. The timing is suspicious, coinciding with high-stakes business dealings and escalating tensions elsewhere in Salem. Worse still, Jeremy’s arrest may serve as a dangerous distraction. While the town believes the threat has been neutralized, the real stalker could still be lurking, preparing their next move.

Julie, however, is not one to sit quietly. Her maternal fury ignites a personal crusade to uncover the truth, setting the stage for a parallel investigation that could expose corruption far closer to home than anyone expects.

A DiMera Baptism Turns Dark

From police drama to church pews, Salem’s chaos spills into what should be a sacred moment: the baptism of baby Trey DiMera. In another family, this might be a tender celebration. In the DiMera dynasty, it is a powder keg.

The guest list alone promises fireworks. Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez, named as godparents, are forced into uneasy proximity, seated carefully apart to prevent an all-out spectacle. Leo’s presence in a church is already provocative; his role as godfather borders on scandal. Known for his love of drama and razor-sharp tongue, Leo’s inability to resist the spotlight threatens to turn the ceremony into a sideshow.

Yet beneath the comedic tension lies something far more ominous. Chanel DiMera’s pregnancy complications cast a shadow over the event. What initially appears to be routine morning sickness begins to feel like a warning sign. In Salem, illness is rarely coincidental, especially when a DiMera heir is involved. Stress, family enemies, and whispered suspicions of sabotage raise the terrifying possibility that Chanel—and her unborn child—may be in danger.

If the baptism devolves into a medical emergency or violent confrontation, it would mark yet another chapter in the DiMera family’s long history of blood-soaked milestones. For Johnny DiMera, desperately trying to redefine what it means to carry his last name, this moment could push him to the brink.

A Custody Battle Breaks Hearts

Amid the chaos, the most emotionally devastating storyline unfolds quietly but powerfully: Chad DiMera’s custody battle for his son, Thomas. Still grieving the loss of Abigail, Thomas is caught between his father and his grandparents, Jack and Jennifer Deveraux—three adults who love him deeply, yet cannot agree on what is best.

As mediation begins, Thomas struggles under the weight of guilt, believing he is the reason his family is tearing itself apart. A recent traumatic incident in the crypt becomes a turning point, forcing him to confront the fragility of life and the depth of his father’s love.

Chad faces an impossible choice. Fighting Jack and Jennifer means battling people who are not villains, but pillars of compassion and stability. Victory will not come through DiMera arrogance, but through humility. If Chad can channel Abigail’s compassion—acknowledging his flaws while proposing healing rather than division—he may find a way forward.

Many signs point to Thomas himself becoming the voice of truth, articulating what the adults cannot: that love does not have to be exclusive, and family does not have to mean choosing sides.

Salem on the Brink

By week’s end, Salem is left reeling. A plan meant to protect has exposed deeper dangers. An arrest meant to bring justice may have unleashed greater evil. A baptism meant to bless may instead curse. And a custody battle threatens to redefine what family truly means.