As Days of Our Lives barrels toward the end of 2025, Salem is bracing itself for a week so explosive it promises to leave lasting scars across the canvas. From ancient skeletons hidden

beneath DiMera soil to a wedding destined for disaster, from devastating lies told across international borders to a long-awaited awakening that could change everything,

he final days of December and the opening moments of January are nothing short of catastrophic. This isn’t just another dramatic week in Salem—this is a reckoning.

With New Year’s Eve approaching, secrets buried for decades are clawing their way to the surface, and no one will escape unscathed.

Skeletons in the DiMera Tunnels: A Legacy of Blood and Secrets

The week begins with a discovery that sends chills through Salem. Unidentified skeletal remains are uncovered deep within the DiMera tunnels—a place already steeped in decades of crime, corruption, and buried sins. When Rafe Hernandez finally receives the lab results, the truth is more disturbing than anyone expected.

The bones are confirmed to be too old to belong to Stefan DiMera, immediately ruling out one lingering mystery—but opening an even darker one. EJ DiMera reportedly recognizes the identity connected to the remains, a reaction that speaks volumes. This isn’t some nameless victim or forgotten henchman. This is someone who mattered.

The implications are enormous. Could these remains belong to a long-lost DiMera relative? A victim of Stefano’s ruthless reign in the 1980s? Or perhaps someone EJ himself crossed paths with during his own morally compromised past? The tension between Rafe and EJ intensifies as law and order collide head-on with DiMera power and privilege. Whatever the truth is, it threatens to expose a legacy secret that could rewrite the DiMera family history—and destroy what little trust remains.

Vivian Alamain’s “Proof” and the Lie That Breaks Gabi

Just as the tunnel mystery deepens, Vivian Alamain drops another bombshell—sending “proof” from Alamainia that Stefan DiMera is dead. The evidence is convincing enough that Rafe feels compelled to do the unthinkable: tell Gabi Hernandez that her husband is truly gone.

For Gabi, the news is shattering. Her grief is raw, immediate, and devastating. Yet she does what she has always done—channels her pain into work, throwing herself into finishing a dress for Gwen. It’s classic Gabi: strong, controlled, and quietly unraveling.

But the audience knows what Rafe may not want to admit—Vivian Alamain is not a reliable narrator. This is a woman who has faked deaths, buried enemies alive, and manipulated entire governments. Alamainia is her kingdom, and every document, coroner, and official answer can be controlled at the push of a button.

The psychological implications are chilling. If Stefan is alive but injured, vulnerable, or incapacitated, Vivian’s possessive nature would demand she keep him hidden—far from Gabi’s reach. And when the truth finally comes out, Gabi’s fury may be unlike anything Salem has seen before.

Kristen DiMera vs. Peter Blake: Victimhood and Hypocrisy

At the hospital, another moral battle unfolds. Peter Blake lies injured after being shoved by Kristen DiMera and falling awkwardly—yet somehow manages to paint himself as the victim. Kristen, attempting an unfamiliar act of accountability, arrives to apologize.

Peter’s response? He throws her out.

The irony is staggering. This is the same man who orchestrated kidnappings and manipulations, now claiming the moral high ground. His refusal to accept Kristen’s apology is textbook gaslighting, and it underscores the dangerous power dynamics at play. Still, the moment marks a subtle shift for Kristen. Instead of lashing out, she tries—however imperfectly—to do the right thing.

Peter, meanwhile, is unlikely to let this injury go to waste. Whether he uses it to manipulate Rachel, control the DiMera empire, or extract sympathy, his condition may soon take a darker turn—one that conveniently escalates when it benefits him most.

Rachel Black: The Making of a Villain

If there is one figure quietly emerging as Salem’s most dangerous wildcard, it’s Rachel Black. Spoilers hint that Rachel may stage an escape from Bayview, using skills taught to her by Sophia Choi. Lock-picking, manipulation, sneaking past authority—this is no childish rebellion. This is training.

Rachel’s bond with Kristen is deeply toxic yet fiercely loyal, and her growing intelligence makes her unpredictable. If she escapes, she won’t just run home—she’ll cause chaos. A surprise appearance at the DiMera mansion or even the New Year’s Eve wedding is well within the realm of possibility.

Brady Black may be running out of time to stop his daughter from becoming the next great DiMera villain.

A Wedding Doomed: Leo, Javi, and Dmitri’s Return

The emotional centerpiece of the week is Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez’s New Year’s Eve wedding—a celebration practically designed to implode. Leo is no stranger to drama, and peaceful ceremonies are not his specialty. Javi represents stability, safety, and redemption—but passion tells a different story.

Because Dmitri von Leuschner is back.

His return guarantees chaos. Whether he objects mid-ceremony or silently locks eyes with Leo from across the room, the impact will be immediate and devastating. Leo’s unresolved feelings for Dmitri are undeniable, and their chemistry has always been explosive. Javi, despite his sincerity, may find himself sidelined in a moment that changes everything.

And then there’s Gwen—hovering at the edges, waiting for an invitation, and possibly pulling strings behind the scenes. If Dmitri is back, Gwen knows. And if chaos is coming, she may be welcoming it with open arms.

A Light in the Darkness: Theo Carver Awakens

Amid the destruction, there is one moment of hope. Theo Carver wakes up, offering Abe and Paulina a desperately needed miracle. After months of pain, fear, and uncertainty, this reunion brings warmth to an otherwise brutal week.

Yet this is Salem, and questions remain. What does Theo remember? Does he hold a key to one of the many mysteries unraveling across town? Or will his awakening simply serve as a rare reminder that not all endings are tragic?

Final Verdict: Salem Will Never Be the Same

As 2025 fades into history, Days of Our Lives delivers a week packed with lies, revelations, betrayals, and emotional devastation. Skeletons are unearthed, marriages are shattered, and the next generation of villains takes shape. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, Salem won’t just be welcoming a new year—it will be entering a darker, more dangerous era.