Salem is never short on reversals, but Thursday’s Days of Our Lives episode proves once again that a change of heart can be just as dangerous as open conflict. On January 29,

familiar faces make surprising pivots that ripple through family dynamics, romantic entanglements, and long-simmering power struggles. Jennifer Deveraux softens toward Chad DiMera

after weeks of hostility, while Chanel Dupree reaches out to Sophia—though not for reasons anyone would call pure. Meanwhile, Gabi Hernandez lays down hard-earned wisdom for Ari,

and Johnny DiMera makes a bold publishing decision that could change Bonnie’s life forever.What looks like reconciliation on the surface quickly reveals itself as something far more complicated.

Jennifer’s Sudden Shift Stuns Chad

Only days ago, Jennifer Deveraux and her husband Jack were locked in a fierce legal battle with Chad DiMera over custody of Thomas and Charlotte. Old wounds reopened, accusations flew, and the courtroom became another battlefield in the long-running war between the Deverauxs and the DiMeras. For Jennifer, this fight wasn’t just about legal rights—it was about protecting her grandchildren from what she believed to be Chad’s dangerously complicated world.

Now, with the custody issue temporarily resolved, Jennifer does the unthinkable: she changes her tone entirely.

In a startling about-face, Jennifer offers Chad something he hasn’t received from her in a long time—support. She assures him that she’s willing to help him keep the promises he’s made, especially his vow to stay far away from Cat Greene forever. No more late-night conversations, no emotional check-ins, no “just one more goodbye.” Jennifer makes it clear: Chad’s future depends on clean breaks, not lingering attachments.

What makes this shift so unsettling is how absolute Jennifer sounds. Her kindness comes with conditions, and her warmth carries an unmistakable warning. She may be smiling, but she’s watching Chad closely, determined to make sure he doesn’t backslide—even as he quietly mourns the death of Stefano DiMera, a man whose shadow still looms over Salem.

Jennifer’s decision may ease Chad’s immediate stress, but it also places him under a microscope. And in Salem, pressure like that rarely ends well.

Chanel Reaches Out — And Raises Red Flags

If Jennifer’s change of heart feels cautious, Chanel Dupree’s move is far more troubling.

From the moment Chanel decided she wanted Trey’s baby, her focus narrowed with alarming speed. Sophia, the child’s biological mother, became less of a person and more of a problem—an obstacle standing between Chanel and the life she envisioned for herself. When Sophia suffered a devastating emotional breakdown, Chanel offered sympathy, but it was sympathy with strings attached.

Now pregnant herself, Chanel approaches Sophia once again. On the surface, it looks like a gesture of compassion. After all, pregnancy is supposed to change people, soften them, open their hearts. But those who know Chanel best understand that her actions are rarely simple.

Is Chanel truly checking in to make sure Sophia is okay? Or is she making sure Sophia no longer poses a threat to her carefully constructed future?

The visit is loaded with unspoken tension. Sophia represents everything Chanel fears losing—control, security, certainty. And while Chanel may insist her intentions are good, her history suggests otherwise. Even with a baby on the way, her instinct is still to protect what she believes she deserves, no matter who gets hurt in the process.

Sophia, fragile and still healing, may not be ready for this encounter. And Chanel’s presence could reopen wounds that never fully closed.

Gabi Draws the Line With Ari

Elsewhere in Salem, Gabi Hernandez steps firmly into her role as protector when her daughter Ari faces a crossroads of her own.

Holly is eager to rush a sorority and wants Ari by her side. To some, it sounds like a harmless college experience. To Gabi, it sounds like a slippery slope. She knows all too well how quickly youthful choices can spiral into lifelong consequences.

Gabi doesn’t sugarcoat her past. She’s lived through a teenage pregnancy, an abusive marriage, and time behind bars. Every scar informs her parenting, and she’s determined that Ari won’t repeat her mistakes. When Ari hesitates about rushing, Gabi supports that hesitation wholeheartedly.

Her message is clear: don’t rush into something just because everyone else expects you to. Gabi wants more for Ari—more stability, more self-respect, more freedom from the cycles that trapped her for so long.

It’s a rare moment of calm wisdom in a town fueled by impulse, and it highlights how far Gabi has come. Whether Ari listens is another question entirely.

Johnny Makes a Bold Move for Bonnie

In a lighter but no less consequential storyline, Johnny DiMera sets his sights on the publishing world—and Bonnie Kiriakis is about to benefit.

Johnny pitches the idea of publishing Bonnie’s book, convinced it will be a hit despite having never actually read it. His confidence is unwavering, his enthusiasm contagious. Theo agrees—at least in theory—pending editorial approval. In Johnny’s mind, that’s already a formality.

He rushes off to deliver the good news to Bonnie, convinced he’s just changed her life.

The move is classic Johnny: impulsive, optimistic, and slightly detached from reality. Neither Titan nor DiMera Enterprises has ever made their business focus particularly clear, but pouring resources into publishing without due diligence raises more than a few eyebrows.

Still, for Bonnie, the possibility alone is exhilarating. Being seen, validated, and championed means more than Johnny realizes. Whether the deal holds up or collapses under scrutiny, this moment gives Bonnie something priceless—hope.

Shifting Loyalties, Dangerous Consequences

Thursday’s episode underscores a familiar truth in Days of Our Lives: changing your mind doesn’t mean escaping consequences. Jennifer’s kindness may come with expectations Chad can’t meet. Chanel’s outreach may deepen wounds she claims to want healed. Gabi’s wisdom may clash with Ari’s desire for independence. And Johnny’s big dreams may collide with harsh reality.