If Salem were holding its breath, next week is the moment it finally exhales—and everything collapses. As Days of Our Lives barrels toward the end of the year, the week of December 29 through January 2 delivers a relentless cascade of revelations, betrayals, and emotional devastation that will leave no character untouched. This isn’t just another dramatic stretch; it’s a turning point where buried sins claw their way to the surface, love stories combust, and one chilling discovery threatens to rewrite Salem’s history forever.

From bones hidden in the DiMera tunnels to a wedding destined for disaster, the sands of the hourglass are running out—and the fallout will echo well into 2025.

Bones in the Tunnels: A Secret Too Big to Stay Buried

The week begins with an unsettling discovery that sends shockwaves through Salem. Skeletal remains have been uncovered deep within the DiMera tunnels, a place already steeped in blood, betrayal, and long-buried crimes. When Rafe Hernandez finally receives the lab results, the truth proves far more explosive than anyone anticipated.

The remains are old—too old to belong to Stefan DiMera—ruling out yet another resurrection fake-out. But this only deepens the mystery. When EJ DiMera realizes he recognizes who the bones belong to, the stakes skyrocket. This isn’t some nameless victim. This is someone significant. Someone with a history. And someone whose death was deliberately erased.

The tension between EJ and Rafe escalates immediately, pitting law and order against DiMera power and secrecy. Rafe is determined to expose the truth, while EJ’s reaction—whether shock or sheer terror—will reveal how close this discovery hits home. Was this a casualty of Stefano’s reign of terror? A forgotten sin from EJ’s own past? Or a legacy secret capable of destroying the DiMera name from the inside out?

Whatever the truth, once bones surface in Salem, consequences are never far behind.

Vivian Alamain Strikes Again: Stefan “Dead”… or Just Claimed?

As if the tunnel mystery weren’t enough, Vivian Alamain unleashes her latest manipulation from afar. Rafe receives proof from Alamainia confirming Stefan DiMera’s death—and it’s convincing enough that he feels compelled to deliver the devastating news to Gabi Hernandez.

But trusting Vivian Alamain is Salem’s oldest mistake.

This is the woman who has faked deaths, orchestrated kidnappings, and buried enemies alive. The idea that she would suddenly provide honest, verifiable proof of her own son’s death defies logic—and reeks of control. If Stefan is truly dead, it would be a calculated move. But far more likely is a darker scenario: Stefan is alive, incapacitated, and being held somewhere Vivian can keep him all to herself.

By declaring him dead, Vivian ensures Salem stops searching. She isolates Gabi emotionally while maintaining absolute power over Stefan’s fate. And in Alamainia—where Vivian controls the systems meant to confirm life and death—fabricating evidence would be child’s play.

For Gabi, the pain is immediate and crushing. Learning of Stefan’s supposed death from her own brother only compounds the heartbreak. She throws herself into work, channeling her grief into finishing Gwen’s wedding dress—but this is only the calm before the storm. When Gabi inevitably learns the truth, Vivian’s reign of manipulation may finally face its fiercest reckoning.

Kristen vs. Peter: Hypocrisy in a Hospital Bed

Meanwhile, Salem University Hospital becomes the stage for a clash dripping with hypocrisy. Peter Blake lies injured after Kristen DiMera shoved him—an act that left him wounded but hardly innocent. Kristen attempts something unfamiliar: accountability. She comes to apologize.

Peter’s response? Outrage. He casts himself as the victim, conveniently ignoring his role in kidnapping and chaos. His moral indignation borders on absurd, yet it highlights a crucial shift for Kristen. Instead of spiraling or plotting revenge, she tries to make amends—a fragile step toward redemption.

But Peter is never one to waste an opportunity. His injury could become leverage, a tool to manipulate those around him, including Kristen and possibly even Rachel. And if history is any indication, his condition may worsen just enough to extract sympathy before a perfectly timed recovery serves his next scheme.

Rachel Black: The Making of a Monster

Perhaps the most chilling development involves Rachel Black. Spoilers suggest she may escape Bayview, using skills learned from fellow patient Sophia Choi. This isn’t just mischief—it’s training.

Rachel is no longer a troubled child acting out. She’s learning manipulation, strategy, and deception. And if she escapes, it won’t be quietly. She could resurface anywhere—from the DiMera mansion to the wedding that’s about to implode—bringing chaos in her wake.

The bond between Kristen and Rachel remains disturbingly powerful, and Brady’s inability to contain it may cost Salem dearly. This feels less like rebellion and more like an origin story.

The Wedding from Hell: Leo, Javi… and Dmitri

All roads lead to New Year’s Eve—and the wedding of Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez. On paper, it’s a fresh start. In reality, it’s a ticking time bomb.

Leo may be trying to choose stability with Javi, but unresolved feelings never stay buried in Salem. Enter Dmitri von Leuschner—back at the worst possible moment. His return all but guarantees chaos.

Whether Dmitri interrupts the ceremony outright or simply locks eyes with Leo from across the room, the effect will be devastating. Leo’s heart has never truly let go, and Javi may soon realize he was standing in the shadow of a love story that never ended.

Gwen’s involvement only deepens the intrigue. Waiting for an invite, commissioning the dress, lingering on the sidelines—she knows something. Gwen always does. And if this wedding explodes, chances are she helped light the fuse.

Salem Will Never Be the Same

Between hidden bones, manufactured deaths, dangerous children, and a wedding poised to self-destruct, Days of Our Lives is closing the year with unapologetic chaos. Secrets won’t just be revealed—they’ll detonate, forcing characters to confront truths they’ve spent years avoiding.

Next week isn’t just dramatic. It’s transformative. And when the dust settles, Salem will look very different indeed.