In the mysterious and ever-twisting world of Days of Our Lives, Salem once again finds itself shrouded in darkness — and this time, the shadows reach straight into the soul of one of its most beloved residents. Theo Carver’s shocking return to town has stirred both hope and unease. But beneath his calm exterior, fans sense something far more sinister at play. Has Theo truly come home of his own free will, or is he being controlled by forces even he can’t comprehend?

Ever since Theo’s arrival, his behavior has been… off. Gone is the bright, compassionate young man who once brought light to the Carver family. Instead, Salem now sees a version of Theo who acts more like a machine — robotic, obedient, and disturbingly loyal to Tony DiMera. He’s carrying out Tony’s every command with an eerie precision, from working to get JJ Deveraux fired from the police force to accepting a suspiciously convenient job offer at DiMera Enterprises. It’s as if every step he takes has been carefully scripted.

But who’s really pulling the strings? Could Tony be manipulating Theo for his own gain, or is there something — or someone — darker lurking behind the mask? The possibility that Tony’s sinister twin brother, Andre DiMera, has returned from beyond the grave is spreading through Salem like wildfire. And if Andre truly has found a way back, his motives are guaranteed to be as twisted and dangerous as ever.

Theo’s Troubling Return to Salem

When Theo came back to Salem, it was supposed to be a fresh start. He had left years ago to heal — physically, mentally, and emotionally — after the tragic shooting in 2017 that nearly cost him his life. But instead of peace, Theo has found himself caught in a storm of chaos, manipulation, and psychological torment.

At first glance, his new job offer from Tony seemed like a dream come true: a high-ranking position at DiMera Enterprises, complete with prestige and power. But as the days go by, cracks begin to show in the perfect picture. Theo’s mental state has started to unravel, and those closest to him are beginning to see signs of something terrifying. His old trauma — especially his post-traumatic stress from being shot by JJ — has resurfaced with brutal intensity.

The trigger? A chance encounter with JJ during Salem’s recent blackout and curfew. The moment Theo saw the police uniform, badge, and gun, he froze — transported back to the horrifying night when his life was almost stolen. He blacked out, lost control, and woke up with fragments of memory missing. But something far more chilling happened during that blackout — something that seems to have opened the door for a dark influence to take over his mind.

Who Brought Theo Back? Tony… or Andre?

While Salem believes Tony DiMera was the one who brought Theo back to town, not everyone is convinced that the man claiming to be Tony is who he says he is. Longtime fans know that when it comes to the DiMeras, death is rarely permanent — and deception is practically a family tradition.

Tony’s behavior has become increasingly out of character. The once-calm, morally balanced DiMera is now secretive, manipulative, and disturbingly cold. He’s made questionable alliances, especially with EJ DiMera, and has been quietly funneling resources into mysterious “projects” at DiMera Enterprises.

This is where the whispers of Andre’s resurrection begin to make sense. Andre, Tony’s infamous twin, was once one of Salem’s most ruthless villains — and he’s impersonated Tony before. With Dr. Rolf’s resurrection technology still in play, is it really so hard to believe that Andre could have been brought back from the dead once again?

If Andre is alive and posing as Tony, then everything suddenly clicks. The strange job offer, Theo’s eerie obedience, the subtle manipulation — it all fits Andre’s signature style. He’s a master of psychological control and deception, and Theo could very well be his latest victim.

The Ghosts of 2017

To understand why Theo is so vulnerable, we must revisit the tragic night that changed everything. Back in 2017, Theo was accidentally shot by JJ during a police operation gone wrong. Theo, acting on Kate Roberts’ request to investigate a hacking attempt at DiMera Enterprises, was mistaken for a suspect. JJ, young and eager to prove himself, fired a shot that nearly ended Theo’s life.

Though Theo survived, he was left with both physical scars and deep psychological trauma. JJ was consumed by guilt, leading to his own emotional breakdown. The event tore apart friendships, families, and communities — leaving wounds that never fully healed.

Now, years later, Theo’s sudden campaign to have JJ removed from the police force feels far too calculated to be coincidence. Before the blackout incident, Theo had already started making complaints against JJ, going as far as to meet with Jada Hunter to push for JJ’s dismissal. This wasn’t a spontaneous act — it was premeditated. And the question remains: who put him up to it?

Mind Games and Manipulation

It’s becoming clear that Theo may not be acting entirely of his own free will. His recent behavior — detached, robotic, and single-minded — mirrors the effects of mind control or psychological programming. The DiMeras have a long history of dabbling in science and manipulation, and if Andre is truly alive, he could easily be using Theo as a pawn in his grand scheme.

What if Andre’s goal is to destroy JJ from the inside out, using Theo’s trauma as a weapon? By turning Theo against JJ, Andre could achieve multiple objectives: revenge, chaos, and control over Salem’s police force. And if JJ is pushed out, there’ll be one less obstacle standing between Andre and his next big move.

Alternatively, Andre may have more sinister motives — using Theo’s hacking expertise to commit corporate espionage or cyber crimes under the guise of legitimate work. By keeping Theo close, Andre gains both a loyal tool and a scapegoat.

The Devastating Truth Waiting to Surface

As the pieces fall into place, one horrifying possibility becomes unavoidable — the real Tony DiMera might be dead, and Andre has taken his place entirely. If that’s true, it would devastate Tony’s wife, Anna, who believes she’s been living with her husband. Chad and EJ would be forced to confront the chilling reality that they’ve been manipulated by a ghost from their family’s dark past.

Meanwhile, Theo’s father, Abe Carver, would be heartbroken to discover that his son is being used and corrupted by the DiMeras once again. The emotional fallout from this revelation could ripple through every corner of Salem.

JJ, too, faces a moral crisis. Should he resign from the police force to give Theo peace, or fight to protect him from whatever evil is controlling him? The guilt of the past and the danger of the present collide as both men find themselves ensnared in a psychological battle neither of them fully understands.

A Terrifying Future Awaits

With each passing day, Theo’s grip on reality weakens — and the DiMera mansion grows darker. Andre’s ghostly presence looms larger, his influence spreading like poison. Salem’s residents are left questioning what’s real, who’s alive, and how deep the deception truly runs.

Is Theo doomed to become a permanent puppet, trapped under Andre’s control? Will the real Tony DiMera resurface in time to expose his brother’s masquerade? Or will Andre succeed in turning Theo into the ultimate weapon against his enemies?

As this chilling storyline unfolds, one thing is certain: Salem is heading toward a storm of lies, revelations, and heartbreak. The truth about Theo, Tony, and Andre will shatter families, test loyalties, and resurrect old ghosts that should have stayed buried.

Stay tuned — because in Days of Our Lives, death is never the end, and every puppet eventually discovers who’s holding the strings.