Steve ends up with an unexpected stowaway when he goes off to find Bo; Rafe struggles with his feelings for Hope; Julie and Maggie worry about Caroline's mental state; Paige's father turns up in Salem.

Steve tries to prove to Joey how much he loves his family; Rafe blows up over the return of a figure from his past; Nicole learns the identity of Theresa's silent investor; Eve and Kate form a bond.

The killer attacks Marlena; Ben finds Abigail and Chad sharing a moment; Rafe learns he has a personal tie to one of the victims; Justin and Adrienne go on a date.

Marlena tries to fend off her attacker; the Necktie Killer's identity is revealed; Abigail helps Chad; Jennifer makes a slip while talking to Clyde.

Bo tries to get away from his captors; Andre DiMera arrives to help Stefano; Adrienne gets shocking news about her mother's health; a cop from Miami arrives in town and takes an interest in Abe.

Chad figures out a way to prove he is innocent; Aiden confesses to Hope; Steve's search for Bo intensifies; an unexpected discovery troubles Jennifer and JJ.

Justin helps Eve deal with Paige's death; Adrienne is tested for the breast cancer gene; Nicole and Kate quarrel over their visions for Basic Black; Abe is shocked that Lani knows so much about him.

Chad searches for his alibi; Caroline is hospitalized when her mental state worsens; Kayla and Victor disagree over Caroline's treatment; Aiden ends up deep in debt with Stefano.

Chad searches for his alibi; Caroline is hospitalized when her mental state worsens; Kayla and Victor disagree over Caroline's treatment; Aiden ends up deep in debt with Stefano.

Eve struggles through Paige's funeral; Eduardo assists the police in finding Chad; Chad asks Stefano for help; Brady reaches out to Theresa.

Steve finds danger as he searches for clues to Bo's whereabouts; Bo works to keep the truth from his captors; Victor and Roman urge Kayla to allow an experimental drug to be used on Caroline; Rafe confronts Eduardo.

Chad and Stefano devise a plan to flush Clyde out; Abigail suffers a health crisis; J.J. comes to Gabi's rescue; Theresa and Brady worry about Tate.

Steve arrives with disturbing news about Bo; Caroline has a vision; J.J. tries to trap Clyde; Aiden thinks of another way to take care of his debts.

Will discovers evidence about the Necktie Killer; Aiden gets payback against Clyde; Chad wonders why Abigail keeps helping him; Stefano and Andre try to clear Chad's name.

The Necktie Killer strikes again; Aiden tells Hope he lied to her; Lucas helps Adrienne; Gabi and J.J. form a connection.

Sami returns to town; the latest murder victim affects Hope and Rafe personally; Chad realizes who has been framing him; Will's message makes Sonny decide to go home.

Chad finds himself in a dangerous situation; Rafe and Hope find more evidence linking Chad to the murders; Marlena and Lucas worry about Sami's behavior; Aiden is in a difficult position.

Memories of the past overwhelm Sami; Theresa tries to prevent Kate from shutting her out; Nicole gives Eric disappointing news; Marlena defends Chad's innocence.

Sami tries to kill; Stefano pleads with Chad; Paul lends John a hand; Sonny reunites with Adrienne and Justin.

Stefano blames Abigail for Chad's situation; Rafe unknowingly questions the real killer; Sonny and Paul have a tense encounter.

Will’s funeral brings Salem together as family and friends deliver emotional eulogies, while a guilty Ben avoids speaking. At the pub afterward, Andre shocks everyone by announcing he’s been pardoned and is Stefano’s son, prompting Sami to decide she must leave for Switzerland to take down the DiMeras. Meanwhile, Steve follows a new lead from Caroline’s visions, shares a charged goodbye kiss with Kayla, and heads out again. Kayla breaks the news of Will’s death to Caroline, and she and Hope worry the visions of Bo are only drug‑induced hallucinations.

Aiden refuses to steal evidence for the DiMeras, so Stefano and Andre push him toward murdering Hope after their wedding to erase his debt and frame the timeline to clear Chad. Shaken, Aiden researches the killings, hides it from Hope, and even adds himself to her life‑insurance policy while asking Rafe to be his best man. Rafe still doubts Chad’s guilt but tries to move on by spending time with Lani, who starts to develop feelings for him. Meanwhile, Abigail questions Ben’s odd behaviour, and at the station Clyde forces Ben to admit he’s the Necktie Killer—vowing to protect him—while Rafe and Lani witness Ben’s fear and grow suspicious.

The Bicentennial Gala begins with the whole town gathering for Salem’s anniversary and Hope and Aiden’s wedding, while Caroline reels from another vision of Bo—who is actually alive and struggling through the wreckage of a crashed plane with Steve, desperate to reach Hope. At the party, Stefano and Andre subtly pressure Aiden to carry out their deadly plan, and he steels himself as Hope lovingly tries to calm his “jitters.” John returns to Marlena, JJ tells Jennifer he’s applied to the police academy, and Eric quietly drinks as he works the event. Meanwhile, Abigail discovers disturbing, time‑stamped photos on Ben’s phone that link him to the murders; when she tries to leave for the Gala, he stops her—and she’s frightened for the first time

Bo races home to stop Hope’s wedding as Aiden, pressured by Andre to kill his bride, tries to hold himself together. Caroline insists Bo is coming and publicly objects just as the ceremony begins. Meanwhile, Abigail discovers Ben is the killer and wakes trapped in a remote hideout. Across Salem, couples grow closer while Eric is left on the outside looking in.

Caroline disrupts Hope and Aiden’s wedding to stall for Bo, but Kayla pushes her to go to the hospital while the ceremony continues. At the hospital, Caroline insists she truly spoke to Bo, while Bo and Steve—delayed by running out of gas and then being arrested—miss the wedding entirely. Aiden, torn between love and the DiMeras’ orders, goes through with the marriage. Andre warns Chad another killing is coming, but denies any DiMera plot. Meanwhile, Abigail confronts Ben about being the killer; he leaves to cover his tracks by texting Jennifer from her phone, and just as Abigail frees herself from her restraints, Ben returns.

Bo kills Aiden in a brutal fight and saves Hope, who falls into shock as she’s rushed to the hospital. Sami reveals her plan to take down Stefano but is kidnapped by Andre before she can act. Chad learns he’ll be freed as Aiden is named the killer, while Abigail tries to survive Ben’s escalating violence. Steve confesses to Kayla that an old enemy may be tied to what happened to Joey.

Hope questions Claudia about Bo's kidnapping; Shawn says goodbye to Belle; Abigail fears for her life.

Chad tries to save Abigail; Lani and J.J. search for Abigail; Hope tracks down Dr. Malcolm; Belle is drawn into Sami's mess.

Chad and Abigail have a night to themselves; Belle and Philip run into each other, stirring up old feelings; Theresa encourages Brady to change his life course; Gabi and JJ go out.

Hope is arrested for murder; Ciara is upset that Theo is being bullied; Andre steps in when Chad rejects his plan to help the family; Abigail gets good news about Thomas.

Kayla comes face to face with Ava; Andre's scheme involves Chad; Eduardo makes an admission to John; Theresa plans to remove Kate from Basic Black.

Abigail is devastated when Chad ends their relationship; Eduardo sheds light on John's past; Ava has news for Kayla; Rafe helps Hope and Ciara get into the holiday spirit.

Steve and Kayla test Ava's story; Chad tries to charm Belle; Philip and Brady butt heads over the running of Titan; Victor wants Maggie to move in with him and Maggie.

The Basic Black New Year’s relaunch kicks off with tension as Nicole and Kate snipe at each other while Theresa holds the event together and ultimately wins applause for her designs—and grows closer to Brady. Daniel and Eric congratulate Nicole, JJ shares a sweet moment with Gabi, and Ava causes a stir by arriving with Fynn, unsettling Steve, Kayla, and Joey. Belle shows up with Philip and reveals Shawn has filed for divorce, then later storms out with Chad after Claire confronts her. At the hospital, Abigail learns Ben cannot be Thomas’s father and tearfully tells Jennifer that Chad must be the real dad.

Theresa, Nicole, and Kate celebrate Basic Black’s success until Kate hogs the spotlight, sparking a blow‑up that Daniel later urges Nicole to rise above. As Brady reassures Theresa he wants their life together—not Titan—Eric gets drunk, ignores Nicole’s warnings, and drives straight into a three‑car collision with Brady, Daniel, and Jennifer. Meanwhile, Abigail confronts Chad just as he’s about to sleep with Belle, tells him Thomas is his son, and leaves him reeling. Belle, shaken, ends up having a drink with Philip, while Joey grows jealous over Ava’s games and Steve and Kayla quietly look toward a hopeful future.

The fashion show is a success, but tensions erupt between Theresa, Kate, and Nicole just as a catastrophic car crash sends Jennifer, Brady, Eric, and Daniel to the hospital with life‑threatening injuries. As Kayla and Fynn fight to save them, loved ones learn Daniel is brain‑dead and only one heart is available for either Brady or Eric, leaving Maggie facing an unbearable decision. Meanwhile, Abigail tells Chad he’s the father of her baby, he rejects her, then later finds her lost earring and follows her—leading to an emotional confrontation when they meet again at the hospital.

Kayla forces Maggie to choose whether Daniel’s heart should go to Eric or Brady, while Victor fails to find another option and the doctors warn Eric may not survive. Families gather in grief as Nicole blames Eric and Theresa pleads with Brady, and John stuns everyone by offering his own heart so Daniel’s can go to Eric. Chad demands proof he isn’t the father, but the test confirms he is, and he’s shaken as he holds his son. Meanwhile, the teens sneak into Club TBD for a low‑key New Year’s Eve, sharing secrets and worries.

Brady and Eric's fate is set; Nicole bids farewell to Daniel; Chad has a breakthrough; Rafe worries about Hope's dedication to getting an confession out of Stefano.

Chad lies to Stefano and Andre; Philip offers Bell comfort; Rafe questions Andre; Ava leaves evidence of her secret for Steve to see.

Hope and Stefano have a confrontation; knowledge of everything that has happened devastates Brady; Marlena and Roman worry about Eric's future; grief brings Nicole and Chloe together.

Chad asks Abigail to marry him; Rafe offers help to Hope; Nicole blames Eric for Daniel's death; Victor comforts a grieving Maggie.

TBC

Melanie returns to plan her father's funeral; Nicole struggles to deal with Daniel's death; Eric feels guilt; Eduardo gives John important information.

Hope considers making a risky move; Kayla and Ava square off; Andre's theory unnerves Chad; Jennifer tries to hide her pain.

Realizing Kayla is missing, Steve confronts Ava; Andre learns Hope's secret; Ciara invites Rafe on a family getaway; Chad makes a suggestion about where he and Abigail should live.

The cops pick Eric up as soon as he leaves the hospital; Theresa envies Brady and Nicole's connection; Belle criticizes Eve for interfering with Claire; Victor tests Deimos.

Joey catches Steve and Ava in a private moment; Belle tells eve to steer clear of her daughter; Theresa and Nicole make a career move; Brady dreams of a mysterious woman.

Chad makes a deal with Adrienne and Justin; Chase and Ciara have an emotional confrontation; Rafe supports Hope as she deals with family drama; Eric confronts Jennifer about her use of painkillers.

Steve goes to extreme lengths to save Kayla; Belle accepts her feelings for Philip; Deimos threatens Philip; J.J. rescues Gabi.

Summer tries to get to know Maggie; Theo, Claire and Joey try to help Ciara; Philip's latest move infuriates Victor; Shawn and Belle butt heads over the purchase of the club.

Ciara and Chase have a confrontation; Claire sees her mother kissing Philip; Philip deals with his past; John and Eduardo get instructions from the kidnappers.

John makes a major discovery about his past; Eduardo needs emergency surgery; J.J. offers Gabi support; Shawn and Belle have a run-in; Joey makes a guilt-racked decision.

Brady tries to pick up where he and Theresa left off; Dario goes to Summer's place; Kate and Deimos heat things up; Rafe, Steve, Marlena, Hope and Eduardo try to locate John.

Deimos visits Maggie; Summer needs Brady's help; Chad and Abigail spend their honeymoon in Chicago; Claire and Belle try to clear up some tension; Shawn and Lani grow closer.

Ciara throws a wild birthday party; Joey makes a spur-of-the-moment confession; Paul's imprisonment with John confuses him; Steve, Rafe and Marlena plan John's rescue; Dario discovers what happened to his father.

Rafe offers Roman support; Hope tells Caroline she killed Stefano; Nicole has questions for Deimos; Roman, Rafe, Hope and Caroline believe Deimos may be responsible for what happened to Maggie and Bo; Rafe and Hope share a kiss.

Ciara, Theo, Claire, Henry, Jade and Joey go to prom; Kate and Deimos honor their partnership; Hope withdraws from Rafe; Victor and Nicole finalize their plan to take Deimos down.

Andre makes a deal with Aiden; Hope tells Rafe she needs to take things slowly; Fynn finds a virus antidote; Steve looks for Joey.

Claire wonders if Belle and Shawn have gotten back together; Ciara opens up to Marlena; Hope talks to Rafe about Ciara; Aiden realizes winning Hope back won't be easy.

Aiden works on a plan to get Chase out of prison; Chase is attacked; J.J. and Roman butt heads; Eduardo lets his disapproval of J.J. and Gabi's relationship be known; Steve and John track Jade and Joey.

Hope offers Aiden comfort; Adriana summons someone to town; Abigail refuses to see Chad; Joey robs a souvenir shop for Jade; Kayla turns to Fynn for comfort.

Kayla makes John take her to look for Steve and Joey; Nicole opens up to Dario about Deimos; Joey faces the consequences of his actions; Kate sees Nicole and Deimos kissing.

Belle and Shawn share a moment; Kate makes a revelation to Nicole; Fynn makes a decision about Kayla; Steve, Kayla and Joey make plans.

Aiden and Hope share a moment; Rafe learns Aiden visited Andre in jail; Deimos tells Nicole he wants to get revenge before revealing he's alive; Andre gets a text from Aiden.

Aiden and Hope make plans to return to Salem; Rafe becomes more suspicious of Aiden; Summer sits on a plane.

Chad loses control; Chad and Jennifer disagree over Thomas; Hope and Aiden find their way back to each other; Jennifer turns to Doug and Julie for advice.

Chad loses control; Chad and Jennifer disagree over Thomas; Hope and Aiden find their way back to each other; Jennifer turns to Doug and Julie for advice.

Rafe and Hope continue to be trapped; Rafe has a nightmare; Rafe's feelings for Hope are put to the test.

J.J. attacks Chad; Rafe and Hope share a romantic evening; Jennifer thinks about Jack comforting her; Justin faces bad news.

Kayla encourages Joey to continue with therapy; Eduardo tells Gabi he's leaving Salem; Paul asks Sonny to lunch; Joey tells Jade he loves her and wants her in his life.

The realization that Aiden is re-opening the investigation into Stefano's death shakes Hope; Chad asks Belle to move to Hong Kong for work; after being chastised by his supervisor, Shawn expresses doubts about being suited for the job.

Belle and Shawn disagree about Chad's offer; Victor claims he can prove he didn't take Tate; Gabi asks Paul about Sonny; Orpheus, Clyde and Xander dwell on those who did them wrong.