The first week of 2026 opens a new chapter utter chaos in Days of Our Lives Old grudges haven’t even cooled down, familiar faces unexpectedly return, and a series of reckless decisions are pushing Salem to the brink of no return. Spoilers from 5–9/1/2026 shows: This isn’t a week to breathe a sigh of relief, but rather a week to… prepare to pay the price..

Dimitri Returns – And Leo Is Dragged Straight into a Dangerous Vortex

Leo Stark’s fragile peace had barely begun to form when…Dimitri von LeuschnerHe appeared like a ticking time bomb. Without warning, without any clear remorse, Dimitri returned at the very moment Leo was trying to build a new future with Javi.

According to speculation, Dimitri is about to make a shocking confession:The letter that ended his relationship with Leo may be a fake.If that’s true, the entire emotional foundation Leo is building upon will collapse.

Tensions escalate as more signs emerge that Dimitri is not acting alone. Gwen von Leuschner’s shadow lurks in the background, raising suspicions that Dimitri is merely a pawn in a larger game – a distraction from Leo’s investigation into EJ DiMera’s mysterious lab project. And one…surprise kissIt is expected to blow away all the boundaries Leo tries to maintain.

Sophia Choi and a Potentially Bloody Escape Plan

At Bayview, Sophia Choi She could no longer tolerate waiting. This week, her escape plan was pushed to the next level. No longer just an idea in her head, Sophia began to act – quickly, recklessly, and uncontrollably.

What makes things even scarier is the possibility Rachel Black Interfering with the plan. A small mistake, an impulsive decision, and the escape could turn into a disaster.

Spoilers reveal that Sophia’s path to freedom could lead straight to…Chanel Dupree DiMera and Johnny DiMera With Chanel pregnant, any confrontation could have irreparable consequences, especially if Sophia sought to win back Trey DiMera at all costs.

Peter Blake Wakes Up – And Kristen Gets Kicked Out the Door

Another medical miracle occurred at the hospital, butwithout forgiveness. Peter BlakeShe woke up just as Kristen DiMera had given permission for the medical team to remove her life support.

Kristen, consumed by guilt, reportedly begged for forgiveness, admitting her role in the series of tragedies that nearly cost Peter his life. But Peter’s response was cruelly cold:He refused the apology and ordered Kristen to leave immediately..

That moment not only ended any hope of reconciliation, but also confirmed a harsh truth: Kristen would have to face the consequences alone.

The Silent Investigation and Legal Battles

While EJ DiMera was away in Italy, Salem was anything but quiet. Cat Greene and Rafe Hernandez They exploit the power vacuum to delve into the secrets EJ left behind – secrets that could shake the entire DiMera family.

In parallel, Melinda Trask She steps into the role of mediator in Chad DiMera’s child custody dispute. With Jack and Jennifer Horton Deveraux seeking a compromise, all eyes are on Melinda – the one who can decide the outcome of a broken family.

Salem This Week: No Safe Escape

Dimitri sowed chaos.
Sophia risked everything to escape.
Peter slammed the door shut with Kristen.
And the secrets were unearthed at the most critical moment.

The week of January 5–9 not only marks the beginning of the new year – itShaping Salem’s entire year of 2026.

Who will be the first to fall when everyone crosses the line?