Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Stefan is Brain-Dead After Getting In Lani’s Line Of Fire
If you caught last Friday’s Days of our Lives, and as we head into a new and dramatic-filled week ahead in Salem, after jumping in front of a bullet meant for Vivian (Robin Strasser), Stefan (Brandon Barash) has been shot badly – he has a gun shot wound to the neck through the carotid artery.
Lani (Sal Stowers), who fired the shot in an effort to stop and take down Vivian for her crimes against Kate (Lauren Koslow), et al, now finds herself in very, very hot water, and none more so than with Stefan’s wife, Gabi (Camila Banus).

Photo: JPI
In the waiting area, Gabi shows up and confronts Lani. However, Lani and Abe (James Reynolds) try to explain it was an accident. Gabi reminds him of how he felt after Theo was shot. As Gabi runs off to see Stefan, Lani cries, “What if he dies?”
When Gabi arrives in the trauma room, she is told by Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and team that they worked on Stefan for over 20 minutes but he is brain-dead. Vivian, who alerted Gabi to what happened, and showed up at the hospital incognito in her scrubs to check up on the fate of her son, is trying to make her escape plan from Salem
Meanwhile, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) is MIA from her hospital room as she and Doug (Bill Hayes) go to Doug’s Place. She wants to breathe her last breath there, and wants one last night with her beloved husband. Julie asks Doug, if she has been a good wife to him, knowing the end is near. After reminiscing of their past and flashbacks, and Julie wanting to have one last dance, she passes out

Photo: JPI
Next, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Eli (Lamon Archey) arrive at Doug’s Place and find Doug crying. They tells him that they need to get Julie back to the hospital but Doug says it’s too late. Everyone is heartbroken.
So, what have you thoughts of the twist? Stefan brain-dead? Gabi on the warpath? Julie’s plight and its toll on Doug? How do you think this will all play itself out? Could Stefan come back to life as others have via Dr. Rolf? Share your thoughts below.
But first, for a preview of what’s to come check out the latest DAYS promo from NBC.
Stefan’s going to have a hard time coming back from the dead without his heart. Which will be located in Julie’s chest very soon.
Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of Stefan down here. His father will finally get to meet him.
As most people already know, Gabi will do the right thing for once and donate Stefan’s heart to Julie. I for one would have preferred it was the other way around. He had more heart than she ever did.I guess they thought it would be of greater value to keep her around to cause misery to everyone than to keep B.B which a lot of us were getting to like in the role of Stefan.
Oh, mo God…this is shocking!!! I did not want this to end for Stefan this way. I hate Brandon Barash left the show because he really fit the role just like he did when he was at GH. But the way this story is being told, I do have to admit that DAYS is still on fire. It’s going to be interesting to see where all this leads now that these shocking events have unfolded.
Hope this frees him up for the return of Johnny Z to Port Charles!!!
Hey Shay
From your mouth to TPTB at GH.
Hi, Vi!!! Even though I despise mafioso characters on soap operas—think GH’s Sonny!!!—-I’ve always had a soft spot for that reluctant mob prince, Johnny Z. He had such possibilities in the beginning when he was a piano playing, car racing rebel who was wooing TruLu, which made his decline into a vicious killer all the more tragic…Then again, with a father/grandfather/role model like the insanely violent Anthony, could his life have really ended up any other way??? (Not to mention having a SisterMama like the tough as nails Claudia….How I loathed that woman! There was never a better use of an axe handle than when Michael cracked her in the noggin with it!) P.S. Be sure to refer back to our lengthy conversation thread…we done got spanked for going off-topic, Violet!!! Oh. My!
Shay,
Glad to finally hear from you after our reprimand from M.F.I answered your last reply, but guess it went astray, ha.I too love and miss Johnny Z. He was something else and so sexy. I liked him and Olivia together, and his father/grandfather was a piece of work. I don’t know how he could ever return to P.C as Johnny, but we know in Soaps never say never, right? I never saw Claudia, and know only what I’ve heard or read about her. By the time I’d gotten back to GH, after many years, she was gone and Michael had just gotten sent to prison. Laura Wright is also the only Carly I’ve seen. It was like watching a whole new show to me.Gosh, I think the only ones left from the old days was Monica, Scotty, Luke and Laura.
I am enjoying the SLs now, I know a lot of fans are bored, but I am anxious to see how the baby Wylie thing turns out, and though I am not crazy about nuNina, I like the possibility of she and Jax, while hopefully getting rid of Valentin and the return of Nickolas, as long as they don’t pair him up with Ava. I do feel sorry for Sasha, but am still excited for the reveal of Willow being Nina’s real daughter. Well, hope you get this reply, as I didn’t go off topic once!
Hi, Shay. There are strong indications Brandon has already returned to DAYS. Maybe the upcoming “time jump” (November 8th, DAYS’ 54th anniversary) will explain Stefan’s supposed death. Stefan and Gabi are too popular to let go.
@4everDAYS….Thank you for the info, even though I haven’t watched Days in probably two decades!!!! Despite that fact, I still find myself being able to follow many of their current characters because (unlike GH…) this soap actually honors its past by keeping old favorites and consistently adding to their legacy families…there are still plenty of Salemites who are related to at least one Brady, Horton, DiMera, Williams, et al. As far as Brandon goes, I’m glad his Stefan is so popular with the Days crowd, but I’m always up for Johnny Z to resurface in Port Charles…he is missed!
I’m crying. I like Stefan and Gabi together. Don’t want them to end.
I agree with you Momo. Stefan and Gabi are cute together. I think their marriage is good for both of them.
The only thing I can hope for is that somehow Gabi is pregnant.
I am extremely disappointed to see Stefan go. TPTB didn’t think this through. There is so much potential story for Stefan. He carried the genes of two important villains from the show’s history. He came into the show as a dark, isolated, ruthless and destructive force. His marriage to Gabi has turned into a genuine and loving connection. There are so many potential stories for Stefan as he struggles to find a balance between his dark, destructive side and being a loving husband and father. I believe Gabi and Stefan really do love each other. We already know he’s a push over for children. He’d be a very loving stepfather to Gabi’s daughter. And then, they could have their own child or children. I’ve read that Chad and Abigail are coming back. There is another story that could be told as Stefan tried to repair his relationship with them.
From where I sit, killing Stefan is throwing away an important future of the show.
Agree!!!
I am sorry to see Stefan dead.What a shock.I wonder if Vivian will come back.If not she didnt last to long either.One more thing I saw Gabi in a Lifetime movie I think it was called Killer Caregiver of course she was a bad girl and committed murder.She is a great actress I only hope they can do something for Stefan,Days is like a new Dark Shadows people are always returning from the dead.
How is he breathing if he is brain dead???
Technically he isn’t. He’s hooked up to machines which are forcing air in and out of his lungs and circulating his blood. It’s standard practice with brain dead patients, for two reasons: First it gives family members time to say their goodbyes, and more importantly in this case, it keeps organs alive so they are viable for donation. It was a one in 666 million chance that Stefan jumped in front of a gun and was “lucky” enough to take one in the throat, rather than the chest, which obviously would have been a much bigger target.
One very odd thing I observed in how this whole thing was written on screen….
Kristen only learns of Stefan’s death by reading about it online??
Now I realize that Kristen isn’t the most popular mortal in Salem, but I was under the impression that hospitals always make a “good faith effort” to contact all known relatives of the deceased before reporting the death to the media. So all DiMera family members known to be alive – which would be Kristen, Chad, and Tony at the most recent count – should have been contacted before the death was made public.
Hateful or not, nobody should hear about the death of a sibling from the media.
Satan
You are very knowledgeable, so I wonder if you have any thoughts about Dr.Rolfe using stem-cell via Kristen’s baby to resurrect Stefan although they are not blood related.
I also thought that having Kristen find out about Stefan dying that way, was very insensitive of the writers.Actually none of his living relatives were notified. What about E.J who is back with the living and as far as we know with Sammy and not a vegetable.
Stem-cell technology isn’t really capable of reproducing vital organs yet but I guess it’s really not anymore ridiculous than any of Rolfe’s other medical experiments. So if Stefan shows up a few months from now with a brand new heart (and presumably that hole in his throat fixed) I wouldn’t be surprised.
And yeah, good catch on EJ… forgot about him, since he disappeared so soon after he was found in that weird warehouse/hospital.
Satan,
Thanks for the info. I have read rumours of Stephan returning, with Tyler Christopher in the saddle again, with a couple of variations. The stem cell was one of them. Funny thing about that old hoot Rolfe, I kind of like him, crazy as he is.
Hopefully Tyler is on his way back to Port Charles where he really belongs. Because the anvils have been dropping from the sky on an almost daily basis, regarding Nikolas Cassadine not being dead, and the last attempted recast of that character was every bit as horrible as the recasts that ReRon has done on Days (with Brandon Barash being the one exception)
All the rumors I’ve heard of Stefan (or somebody who looks like Stefan, at least) returning to Salem have been about Brandon, rather than TC in the role.
Satan,
I agree. I would rather see T.C in P.C than Salem. I hope what I read was really just rumour and not a spoiler. It said he could also be a Stefan twin. I was really starting to like Stefan when played by B.B, except for his last romantic choice.
@ Michael Fairman
Michael, what can you tell us about the DOOL time jump that is supposed to be happening soon? Is it fact or fiction?
Since Michael hasn’t chimed in here yet, I’ll take the question….
According to Jason 47 at soapcentral.com, the “time jump” period is apparently one year into the future. The pretense for the missing year will be an un-named character waking up from a coma. And over the coming Helliday season there will be several “flashbacks” from the missing previous year.
That’s about all I know at the moment, but hopefully fast-forwarding through the current pregancy storylines on the show will prevent ReRon from dragging out one of his favorite recycled storylines, the tired “baby switch” gimmick.
Satan
Once again thanks again for the info. I thought this sounded so interesting. I’ve never seen it done before on soaps, only other TV fare. Now I am going crazy trying to imagine who the coma person is you mentioned. You said un-named. Does that mean someone we know or someone that doesn’t exist yet? Sorry, I know I’m driving you nuts!
Hi again, just read that Ciara or Rafe is poisened by that crazy Jordan at the B.D party, so maybe one if these will be the coma victim.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Lexie Emerges and Shocks Abe as the DiMera Family Gathers for The Reading of Stefano’s Will
Next week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives, finally it looks like Lexie Carver is fully resurrected when the character now played by Nikki Crawford stumbles into a DiMera family gathering, which is supposed to be for the reading of Stefano DiMera’s will.
In the Peacock video teaser, as EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and company toast the Phoenix, the secret tunnel door swings open, and out stumbles out Lexie! Meanwhile, Dr, Rolf (Richard Wharton) realizes Lexie is gone and no longer in her bed. When Abe (James Reynolds) sees his beloved Lexie, he is absolutely stunned. But the question is, when Lexie speaks, is she the Lexie of old, or will her memory and brain be all scrambled eggs?
As longtime DAYS viewers know, the part of Lexie was portrayed for years by Renee Jones, who retired from acting after her run which lasted from 1993-2012. At the time of her departure, Lexie was killed-off with an inoperable brain tumor.

Courtesy/Peacock
Elsewhere, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) is up to no good and now makes a play for Xander (Paul Telfer). but then tells him, “What I want now, is for you to kill him!” Who does she want killed? EJ? Johnny (Carson Boatman)? Or someone else?
Take a look at the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of May 11-15 below.
Monday, May 11
Lexie crashes the reading of Stefano’s will.
Tony makes Gabi an unexpected offer.
Kristen sees Sophia.
EJ questions Cat.
Chad defends Leo.
Tuesday, May 12
Belle asks Marlena for advice.
Holly lashes out at Tate.
Brady and Sarah comfort each other.
Philip comes through for Gabi.
Ari opens up to Liam.
Wednesday, May 13
Steve pays Alex a visit.
EJ pulls a fast one on Gwen.
Marlena offers Paulina support.
Thursday, May 14
Johnny and Chanel lean on each other.
Jada moves Shawn into her place and opens the door for renewed romance.
Gabi presses Ari about her relationship with Liam.
Amy confronts Holly.
Friday, May 15
EJ wants to explore his past with Cat.
Kristen and Chad discuss life and death.
Javi opens up to Rafe.
Gwen plays hardball with Xander.
Check out the latest DAYS promo entitled, “Heartbreak Hotel” below.
Then, let us know, does this Lexie come back from the dead intrigue you, even though Nikki Crawford is taking on the role and not Renee Jones? Do you think she will be anywhere near the same personality she had before she “died’? Who does Kristen want killed now? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Breaking News
DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott
In a ironic twist, Lauren Koslow, who currently plays Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives is returning to The Young and the Restless to play Jill Abbott while temporarily filling in for Jess Walton. Koslow will appear for five episodes beginning on Thursday, June 25.
Koslow first appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 1984 in what was her first soap opera role when she was cast as Lindsey Wells. Now, she returns decades later subbing for Walton, who due to a scheduling conflict, was was unable to travel to Los Angeles when the storyline called for Jill. The Emmy-winning Walton has played the Jill since 1987 and went on recurring status with the show in 2012. Jess also left Los Angeles to reside in Oregon in 2011.
Making this all the richer was the original Jill played by Brenda Dickson, often shared scenes with Koslow’s Y&R character. Lauren played Lindsey Wells until 1986, before moving over to The Bold and the Beautiful as Margo Lynley. Koslow was B&B’s Margo from 1987–1992, and again in 2002. Then, in 1996, she was cast on Days of Our Lives as Kate Roberts, replacing Deborah Adair, and she has been in Salem ever since. But there’s still another another twist to this casting history. Y&R viewers recall Deborah Adair also played Jill, after Brenda Dickson left in 1980, and following a brief stint by Bond Gideon, before heading to DAYS to originate the role of Kate.

Photo: CBS
THE DAYS AND Y&R CONNECTION
As soap fans know, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are both part of Sony. Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television, while DAYS is owned by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony.
So, having Koslow visit The Young and the Restless to fill in for Jess Walton has nothing to do with her continued role of Kate on DAYS. In fact, a rep for the show shared that her upcoming appearance on Y&R, “does not affect her status with the show in any way.” Recently, Stacy Haiduk reprised her role of Patty Williams on Y&R, even though she is still being seen as Kristen DiMera on DAYS.
In a joint statement offered up to TV Insider, executive producer, Sally McDonald and head writer, Josh Griffith expressed, “We’re extremely grateful to Lauren Koslow for returning to her Y&R roots and temporarily stepping into the role of Jill. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Ken Corday (executive producer) and Noel Maxam (co-executive producer) at Days of Our Lives and Peacock. Their support embodies the collaborative spirit of the daytime television community.”
McDonald and Griffith clarified that Jess Walton is forever their Jill and shared, “Jess Walton is an enduring cornerstone of Y&R. We look forward to welcoming her back to Genoa City as her schedule permits and celebrating her extraordinary 40th anniversary as the iconic Jill Abbott.”
So, what do you think of Days of Our Lives Lauren Koslow stepping in for Jess Walton as Jill Abbott? Excited to see what she does in the role while filling in for the Jess? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation
Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.
Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.
On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

Photo: NBC
In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.
“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”
Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”
As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”
Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”
What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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