Full spoilers ahead. If you’re not caught up on Days of Our Lives, consider this your final warning. What unfolds next week is not just another rescue storyline—it’s a pressure-cooker event

that threatens to change the DiMera family, Salem PD, and several core relationships forever. From a desperate race against time underground to a shocking medical crisis that could turn fatal, Salem is bracing for impact.

A Race Against the Clock Beneath Salem

After weeks of mounting tension, next week delivers the moment viewers have been waiting for: Rafe Hernandez finally locates the underground tomb where multiple members of the DiMera family have been held captive. It’s a breakthrough that feels both triumphant and terrifying—because while rescue is imminent, survival is far from guaranteed.

This isn’t a simple “find them and bring them home” operation. Days of Our Lives thrives on twisting hope into heartbreak, and the spoilers suggest that the rescue will be complicated by a sudden medical emergency inside the tomb. The question hanging over Salem isn’t whether Rafe will find them—it’s whether everyone will make it out alive.

Inside the Tomb: Fear, Fever, and a Family on the Brink

Before Rafe and Salem PD arrive, the situation below ground spirals into chaos. The emotional temperature rises dramatically with the arrival of Peter Blake—yes, that Peter Blake—now portrayed by Dan Gauthier. His presence immediately destabilizes the fragile unity among the captives.

Kristen DiMera’s reaction is especially volatile. Initially relieved to see her brother, Kristen quickly becomes overwhelmed by her worsening physical condition. She’s feverish, weak, and emotionally shattered by fears about her daughter, Rachel. In classic Days fashion, illness becomes a catalyst—not just for sympathy, but for explosive conflict.

As her fever intensifies, so does her paranoia. Kristen begins to suspect that Peter may not be an innocent victim at all. In her compromised state, she connects dots that may—or may not—exist, accusing Peter of orchestrating his own kidnapping and possibly masterminding the entire DiMera tomb ordeal.

Is Kristen onto something? Or is this a tragic case of a woman unraveling under unbearable stress?

When Accusation Turns Physical

What elevates this storyline from tense to shocking is the escalation. According to spoilers, Kristen doesn’t stop at accusations—she physically attacks Peter inside the tomb. This moment is raw and unfiltered, revealing a side of Kristen rarely seen. She’s often calculated and manipulative, but here, she’s driven by fear, sickness, and desperation.

The fallout is immediate and lasting. Later, Kristen apologizes to Peter in the hospital, confirming that she survives the ordeal—but the meaning of that apology remains ambiguous. Is she admitting she was wrong? Or merely regretting how far she went while still believing Peter is guilty?

That distinction matters. If Kristen still harbors suspicion, this sibling relationship may be permanently fractured, setting the stage for future betrayals and revelations.

Rafe Hernandez: The Hero Salem Needs

Above ground, Rafe Hernandez proves once again why he remains one of Salem’s most reliable heroes. Tasked with locating an underground tomb with limited clues, Rafe refuses to give up—even when the odds border on impossible. His determination underscores the emotional weight of this rescue: these aren’t just cases to close, they’re lives he refuses to abandon.

Joining him is Cat Greene, whose involvement adds an extra layer of intrigue. Cat has been one of the season’s most unpredictable figures, with complicated ties to Chad DiMera and a history that keeps viewers guessing. Is she acting purely out of concern? Or does she have her own agenda?

Her presence during the discovery of the tomb ensures that this rescue will have consequences far beyond gratitude.

The Hospital Fallout: Who Is in Real Danger?

Once the captives are freed, the drama shifts from underground terror to hospital crisis. Kristen and Peter are both admitted—Kristen due to her prolonged illness, and Peter likely because of injuries sustained during the altercation. But they’re not the only ones under medical scrutiny.

Theo Carver’s condition raises the most alarm. Spoilers reveal that he collapses inside the tomb and hits his head before the rescue. Head injuries are notoriously unpredictable, and in the world of soaps, they often signal long-term complications. While an outright death seems unlikely, the possibility of memory loss, cognitive changes, or lasting trauma looms large.

Tony, EJ, and Chad DiMera also undergo medical evaluations. While their physical injuries may be minor, the psychological toll of captivity cannot be overstated.

EJ DiMera’s “Secret Project” Raises Eyebrows

Perhaps the most intriguing tease involves EJ DiMera. Upon his release, spoilers indicate he has “a lot to catch up on,” particularly concerning a mysterious secret project. That line alone is enough to set speculation ablaze.

EJ is not a man who wastes time—even when trapped. Viewers can expect that his confinement only sharpened his ambition. Whether his project targets a rival, reshapes the DiMera empire, or challenges Stefano’s legacy, one thing is clear: EJ’s next move could destabilize Salem all over again.

Will Someone Actually Die?

Despite the ominous tone, it’s unlikely that Days of Our Lives will permanently kill off a major character during this arc. Too many storylines are still unfolding. However, the show may leave someone in critical condition or a coma, allowing the emotional aftermath to ripple through Salem well into the new year.

Kristen’s illness combined with Theo’s head injury makes them the most vulnerable—but in Salem, danger has a way of surprising everyone.

Aftermath: A Family Forever Changed

The rescue may bring the DiMeras home, but it won’t restore what was lost. Accusations, secrets, and unresolved suspicions will linger. Trust has been shaken, alliances tested, and emotional scars will take time to heal—if they ever do.

Chad DiMera, in particular, stands at a crossroads. Will this ordeal harden him, or push him to reevaluate what truly matters—his children, loyalty, and the cost of DiMera power?

Final Take

Next week’s episodes promise edge-of-your-seat drama, emotional confrontations, and high-stakes medical suspense. Rafe’s rescue may save lives, but the real fallout begins afterward. As Salem moves into a new chapter, one truth remains certain: nothing—and no one—emerges unchanged.

Do you think someone will die? Was Kristen right to suspect Peter? And what exactly is EJ planning?