Salem never eases into a new year quietly—and January 2026 proves that tradition is alive and well. As the calendar turns, Days of Our Lives unleashes a trio of explosive storylines that threaten to fracture relationships, ignite vendettas, and permanently alter the balance of power across town. From long-buried secrets clawing their way to the surface, to ruthless corporate betrayals, to teenage emotions spiraling out of control, Salem is once again a pressure cooker ready to blow.

At the center of the chaos are three seismic developments: Dmitri von Leuschner’s vengeance-fueled return and his shocking accusations against Gwen Rizczech, Brady Black’s emotional high followed by a devastating professional collapse, and Holly Jonas’ unexpected homecoming—one that may expose a dangerous love triangle involving Tate Black and Sophia Choi.

And this time, the fallout may be impossible to contain.

Dmitri Returns — And Gwen Becomes His Target

Dmitri von Leuschner’s return to Salem is anything but accidental. He doesn’t come bearing nostalgia or reconciliation—he comes armed with resentment, suspicion, and a carefully constructed narrative that places Gwen Rizczech squarely at the center of his downfall.

The timing is brutal. Leo Stark has just married Javi Hernandez, a union that finally seems to promise Leo the stability he’s spent years chasing. For once, Leo looks like a man trying to do better, to be better. But the celebration barely fades before Dmitri reappears, and his arrival instantly casts a long shadow over Leo’s happiness.

Dmitri insists that what happened to him wasn’t bad luck—it was orchestration. Delayed flights. Missed moments. A wedding he was never meant to stop, only arrive too late to prevent. In Dmitri’s mind, the invisible hand guiding these events belongs to Gwen.

And if there’s one thing Gwen has taught Salem over the years, it’s that underestimating her is dangerous.

What makes Dmitri’s accusations especially chilling is how plausible they sound. Gwen has motive. Gwen has a history. And Gwen has never been above manipulation if it serves her survival. As Dmitri begins laying out his version of events, the question shifts from could Gwen be behind it to how deep does this go?

His strategy isn’t just exposure—it’s isolation. By destabilizing Gwen’s relationships, particularly her bond with Leo, Dmitri aims to strip her of protection and force her into the open. This isn’t revenge born of rage; it’s vengeance fueled by precision.

And the most devastating consequence may not be Gwen’s downfall—but Leo’s emotional reckoning.

Leo, Javi, and the Marriage on Shaky Ground

Javi Hernandez quickly realizes that Dmitri’s presence has awakened unresolved feelings Leo never fully buried. Watching Leo unravel, watching him react to Dmitri with confusion, guilt, and undeniable emotion, makes one truth impossible to ignore: the past isn’t finished with them.

Rather than pretend everything is fine, Javi makes a bold—and heartbreaking—decision. He announces his intention to ask Marlena Evans to delay filing the marriage certificate.

It’s not punishment. It’s honesty.

Javi refuses to build a marriage on denial. He demands clarity, even if that clarity costs him everything. And for Leo, the pressure is suffocating. He’s torn between the stability Javi represents and the emotional gravity Dmitri still exerts over him.

Meanwhile, Gwen watches the walls close in. If Dmitri truly has proof—financial records, international dealings, or secrets tied to the von Leuschner estate—her carefully constructed façade may finally crack.

In Salem, secrets never stay buried forever.

Holly Returns — And Catches Tate Where He Shouldn’t Be

While adults wage psychological warfare, Salem’s younger residents are heading toward their own emotional explosion.

Holly Jonas’ early return from Paris catches everyone off guard—especially Tate Black. What should have been a joyful reunion is instantly complicated by the presence of Sophia Choi, who has grown far closer to Tate during Holly’s absence.

Sophia didn’t just fill the space Holly left behind—she embedded herself into Tate’s daily life. She listened. She supported. She stayed.

And Holly can feel it.