Salem is no stranger to chaos, but the week of January 26–30, 2026 threatens to rewrite the city’s darkest history. Long-buried secrets are clawing their way back to the surface, alliances are being forged in the shadows, and mad science is once again turning grief into obsession. At the center of it all stands a single, haunting revelation:

Stefano DiMera may finally be dead.
Or so we’re being told.

But in Salem, death has never been permanent—especially for the Phoenix.

As the DiMera family reels from the discovery of human remains believed to be Stefano’s, an equally terrifying force returns to town. Vivian Alamain has resurfaced, hungry for revenge and ready to burn down anyone who stands in her way. Meanwhile, Dr. Rolf is back in his laboratory, experimenting with something that could change the power structure of Salem forever.

This is not just another dramatic week.
This is a reckoning.

The Phoenix Reduced to Bones

Police Commissioner Rafe Hernandez delivers the bombshell that shakes Salem to its core: the remains discovered in a hidden location have been identified as Stefano DiMera’s.

For EJ and Chad, the moment is devastating in ways words cannot capture. Stefano was not merely their father—he was a force of nature, a legend who refused to die. To see him reduced to a skeleton is to confront something no DiMera ever truly believed possible.

Yet the question lingers:

Is it really him?

In a town built on masks, faked deaths, and DNA deception, skepticism comes naturally. And with Dr. Rolf back in Salem, the idea that this could be an elaborate decoy cannot be ignored. Could the bones be planted? Could the real Stefano be somewhere else—being rebuilt, reprogrammed, resurrected?

The shadow of Joseph Mascolo’s legacy looms large over this storyline. The Phoenix cannot simply be replaced, and fans know it. Whether this moment closes a chapter or opens something far more dangerous remains to be seen.

Vivian Alamain’s Triumphant Return

Just as the DiMeras are thrown into turmoil, Gwen receives a phone call that changes everything. The voice on the other end is unmistakable.

Vivian Alamain is back.

Vivian doesn’t just return—she announces herself with venom and purpose. Her hatred for the Kiriakis and Von Leuschner families runs deep, rooted in decades of betrayal and rivalry. Now, she has found the perfect pawn.

Gwen is desperate for power, recognition, and revenge. Teaming up with Vivian gives her resources and protection—but also places her in the orbit of one of Salem’s most ruthless manipulators.

Vivian isn’t just targeting old enemies. She wants control. Influence. Legacy. And there’s reason to believe her ultimate goal is tied to Dimitri—and the bloodline she believes belongs to her.

Gwen may think she’s finally on the winning side. But in Vivian’s world, loyalty is temporary, and betrayal is inevitable.

Dr. Rolf Plays God Again

Where Stefano’s mystery and Vivian’s revenge converge is in the darkest corner of Salem: Dr. Rolf’s laboratory.

Rolf is experimenting again—this time on mice. But his goals are far larger. He has perfected a new serum, one that he previously claimed could heal—or even resurrect.

And someone is funding him.

All signs point to EJ DiMera.

EJ has always sought power, but now he may be reaching for something far greater: control over life itself. Whether he is hiding an illness, preparing for war, or attempting to surpass his father’s legacy, one thing is clear—this is no small experiment.

If Rolf’s serum works, it could make EJ the most dangerous man in Salem.

Julie’s Crumbling Grace

Not all drama is supernatural. Some is heartbreak in plain sight.

Julie Williams is spiraling under the weight of grief. Her recent clashes—especially with Marlena—have exposed how deeply she’s hurting. When Marlena simply asks for space, Julie lashes out, weaponizing her pain instead of confronting it.

Her behavior toward Gwen and others reveals a woman who feels abandoned, angry, and lost.

Roman Brady, by contrast, offers compassion without judgment. He stands as a reminder of what Julie once was—and could be again—if she allows herself to heal.

But something has to give. Either Julie confronts her grief, or it will consume her.

The Kidnapping Web Tightens

As the town reels from emotional and supernatural turmoil, another mystery deepens: the DiMera kidnappings.

Rafe suspects Liam—but many signs point elsewhere. Peter Blake emerges as a far more plausible suspect, with motives rooted in past vendettas. Meanwhile, Owen lurks in the shadows, and Eve spies on Steve, suggesting that no one is telling the full truth.

Then there’s Jeremy Horton, dragged into a web of suspicion that threatens to revive decades of family conflict.

The truth may be far worse than anyone expects.

Final Word: Salem on the Brink

This week, Salem becomes a powder keg of legacy, obsession, and revenge.

Stefano’s bones hang like a ghost over the city.
Vivian is pulling strings from the shadows.
Rolf is rewriting the laws of nature.
And old grudges are reigniting into something far more dangerous.

One thing is certain:
Salem will never be the same again.

The Phoenix may be ashes…
but in Salem, ashes have a way of rising.