Salem is once again a powder keg of secrets, suspicions, and simmering vendettas, and this latest Days of Our Lives episode proves just how quickly everything can explode.

As old grudges resurface and new alliances form, several key players find themselves pulled into storylines that could permanently alter their futures.

At the center of it all, EJ DiMera uncovers a revenge scheme that may be far more dangerous than anyone anticipated, while Rafe Hernandez pushes a suspect to the brink in his relentless pursuit of the truth.

If anyone thought the DiMeras were finished scheming, this episode makes it clear that deception remains the family’s native language.

The hour opens with tension already running high across Salem. Jeremy Horton finds himself drowning in accusations, branded a stalker and treated like a criminal before any concrete evidence has been revealed. Jeremy is furious, adamantly insisting that he is being framed. His anger, however, barely masks the fear underneath. In Salem, reputations are fragile, and once suspicion takes root, it can be nearly impossible to escape.

Julie Williams stands out as Jeremy’s lone, unwavering supporter. While others distance themselves, Julie refuses to abandon him, believing there is more to the story than meets the eye. Her loyalty gives Jeremy a lifeline, but even she cannot fully shield him from the court of public opinion. Every interaction feels loaded, every glance accusatory. Whether Jeremy is truly innocent or hiding something darker remains an open question, but the pressure surrounding him is unmistakable—and potentially dangerous.

Meanwhile, another deeply personal conflict is unfolding behind closed doors. Kristen DiMera and Brady Black are locked in a fierce disagreement over their daughter Rachel’s treatment. Kristen is determined to pull Rachel out of Bayview immediately, alarmed by reports that Sophia is still managing to pass notes and exert influence within the facility. To Kristen, Bayview represents failure—proof that the system cannot protect her child.

Brady, however, takes a far more cautious stance. He worries that uprooting Rachel yet again could worsen her fragile mental state. From his perspective, stability matters more than control, and moving Rachel impulsively could do lasting harm. Their argument crackles with unresolved resentment and unspoken blame, turning what should be a shared parental decision into a battle of wills. Though neither parent uses the word, the conflict carries all the weight of a custody war, with Rachel caught painfully in the middle.

Across town, the DiMera drama escalates in a way that sends shockwaves through Salem’s power structure. Gabi Hernandez pays EJ a visit, and what begins as a strategic update quickly transforms into something far more explosive. Gabi reveals her growing alliance with Vivian Alamain and outlines a calculated plan to bring down Dimitri von Leuschner. The scheme is layered with vengeance, manipulation, and timing—everything EJ understands all too well.

As Gabi speaks, EJ listens carefully, his reaction measured but unmistakably intrigued. He quickly realizes that this information is more than gossip; it is leverage. Though EJ does not immediately reveal his intentions, it is clear he files away every detail, already considering how this revenge plot could be used to his advantage later. In Salem, knowledge is power, and EJ has just been handed a loaded weapon.

Elsewhere, Rafe Hernandez takes center stage as the voice of relentless law enforcement. Determined to crack the DiMera kidnapping case, Rafe places Liam squarely in the hot seat. His interrogation is sharp, direct, and unapologetically intense. Rafe believes Liam may know more than he is admitting and offers the possibility of a deal—cooperate now, or face serious consequences later.

Liam does provide information, but whether it brings Rafe any closer to the truth is unclear. The details feel frustratingly incomplete, raising the possibility that this lead may be yet another dead end. Still, Rafe senses that something is being held back. In Salem, half-truths are often more dangerous than lies, and Rafe refuses to let this slip through his fingers.

As if the town weren’t already tangled enough, emotions complicate matters further when Gabi turns her attention to Theo. What begins as casual questioning quickly grows uncomfortable. Theo, never known for hiding his emotions well, becomes visibly flustered under Gabi’s scrutiny. His reactions suggest more than nerves—there is a vulnerability there, and perhaps something deeper.

It soon becomes apparent that Theo has been thinking about Gabi more than he cares to admit. Whether his feelings are harmless or the spark of a messy new romantic triangle remains to be seen, but the tension is undeniable. In Salem, attraction rarely stays uncomplicated for long, and this interaction hints that trouble may be brewing just beneath the surface.

Taken together, the episode weaves a dense, compelling web of intrigue. EJ’s discovery of a revenge plot threatens to ripple outward, affecting not only Dimitri and Gabi but anyone caught in the DiMera orbit. Rafe’s dogged pursuit of the truth underscores the fragility of justice in a town where secrets are currency. And the emotional battles—between parents, lovers, and would-be allies—add layers of heartbreak to the unfolding drama.

As the episode closes, questions linger heavily in the air. Is Jeremy truly the victim of an elaborate frame-up, or is there more to his story than he admits? Will Rafe manage to extract the truth from Liam before it’s too late? And is Theo on the verge of making a move that could entangle Gabi in yet another complicated relationship?

One thing is certain: Days of Our Lives shows no sign of slowing down. With revenge plots simmering, interrogations intensifying, and emotions running dangerously high, Salem is once again poised on the edge of chaos—and the fallout from these events is only just beginning.