The February 9 episode of Days of Our Lives delivers reunions that warm the heart, confrontations that threaten to blow the town square apart,

and discoveries that leave more than one resident stunned into silence. After weeks of grief, secrets, and DiMera fallout, the canvas tightens into a chapter

where every meeting feels loaded and every goodbye carries weight. At the center of it all? Eli Grant’s return — and the ripple effect his presence sends through the people who love him.

Eli comes home

For Julie Williams, the sight of Eli is nothing short of a gift.

After enduring loss upon loss and saying farewell to Stefano alongside the rest of Salem, Julie has been running on emotional fumes. The matriarch has always been a pillar of grace under pressure, but even pillars crack. Eli walking through the door offers a reminder that family can still show up, still wrap you in relief, still make the world feel manageable again.

Their reunion is expected to be tender, grounding, and deeply personal. Eli represents continuity — proof that even as eras end, bonds remain. And for Julie, who has watched generations come and go, that stability matters more than ever.

But this visit isn’t only about comfort. Julie is also thinking about the future.

Spoilers hint she’ll have an important conversation with Alex about what comes next, suggesting she’s in no mood to let the younger set drift aimlessly. Julie has always believed in purpose, and if Alex is floundering, she intends to set him straight.

A temporary goodbye

As meaningful as Eli’s return is, it comes with a catch: it’s not permanent.

In scenes sure to tug at viewers’ heartstrings, Eli and Rafe share a farewell that acknowledges both their friendship and unfinished business. These two men have fought side by side, trusted each other with impossible burdens, and navigated the DiMera maze more times than they can count.

Parting ways again won’t be easy.

Yet Rafe barely has time to process it — because the moment Eli exits, another firestorm is waiting.

Rafe vs. Dimitri

If you thought Salem might get one calm afternoon, think again.

Armed with explosive information uncovered through Vivian, Rafe heads straight for Dimitri. The town square becomes a battleground as accusations fly regarding the DiMera kidnappings and the twisted chain of events surrounding Stefan’s captivity.

For Dimitri, whose every move lately has been scrutinized, the confrontation couldn’t come at a worse time. He is already tangled in emotional warfare with Leo, fighting legal jeopardy, and navigating a family legacy built on betrayal. Now Rafe is publicly challenging him, and there’s nowhere to hide.

Expect intensity. Expect raised voices. And expect this clash to push Dimitri further into a corner.

Watched from every angle

Nothing in Salem happens without witnesses — and this showdown is no exception.

Gwen is nearby, keeping careful tabs on both Dimitri and Leo. She knows better than anyone how dangerous charm can be, and she doesn’t trust the ease with which history seems ready to repeat itself between the former lovers.

Her watchfulness isn’t idle curiosity. It’s strategy.

Gwen has fought too hard for her footing to let Dimitri’s chaos swallow her whole, and if she senses vulnerability, she may very well exploit it.

But what she and Gabi end up seeing will knock them sideways.

Shockwaves through the square

Spoilers promise that both Gwen and Gabi are left reeling by what unfolds in front of them.

Is it something Dimitri says under pressure? A reaction from Leo? Or perhaps a revelation that confirms Vivian’s manipulation runs deeper than anyone realized?

Whatever the trigger, the moment lands hard.

For Gabi — who has already endured the brutal truth about Stefan’s captivity — any new twist is salt in a wound that refuses to close. Her grief has sharpened into vigilance, and if someone is lying, she will hunt them down.

For Gwen, shock often morphs into action. She adapts quickly, and she rarely forgets.

Leo caught in the middle

Poor Leo. Once again, he finds himself orbiting disaster.

Trying to maintain dignity after resisting Dimitri’s temptations hasn’t magically erased their connection. Feelings linger. History lingers. And when Rafe starts digging, Leo risks becoming collateral damage in a war he never intended to fight.

The square may force him to pick a side — truth or loyalty.

And that choice could redefine him.

Julie’s light in the darkness

Back across town, Julie’s time with Eli stands in poignant contrast to the hostility brewing outside.

Her joy is genuine, her pride unmistakable. In a week dominated by funerals and betrayals, this reunion is a reminder of why Salem keeps going. Love endures. Families return. Hope sneaks in through the cracks.

But Julie is wise enough to know happiness can be fleeting.

Which makes every hug, every shared smile, all the more precious.

Salem at a crossroads

February 9 isn’t just another episode. It’s a hinge point.

Eli’s visit reconnects the past to the present. Rafe’s confrontation drags hidden truths into daylight. Gwen and Gabi’s shock promises consequences that will echo throughout the week.

By sunset, alliances may be fractured, suspicions confirmed, and new battles drawn.

In Salem, reunions heal — but revelations ignite.

And this time, both are happening at once.