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.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
The Sydney mystery is solved! On Wednesday, September 2, Days of Our Lives revealed more details on the previous announcement that actress Sydney Malakeh was about to make her debut on the Peacock streaming soap opera on September 9.
However, now comes word via Deadline, that while previously unknown, Malakeh is taking on the role of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) and EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel), grown-up daughter, Sydney DiMera.
The last time anyone saw Sydney she was a pre-teen in the Days of our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas that streamed on Peacock in 2021.
Now the aged-up version is set to have a major storyline, in particular with the news of Brandon Butler showing up in his new role as Mason Whitfield, and especially the other DAYS casting announcement today of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali, with whom we last knew about off-screen was engaged to Sydney’s mother, Sami.
Taking to her Instagram on September 2, Malakeh shared, “Been waiting a long time to share this one. For the past 10 months, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of playing Sydney DiMera on Days of Our Lives. I cannot wait for you all to finally meet her September 9th on Peacock! It takes a village. So grateful for mine.”
WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
From the looks of it, perhaps Sydney will be obsessed with Dante, sort of like Sami was obsessed with Austin and tried to get him away from her sister, Carrie (Christie Clark). Might Days be about to do a retread modernized version and this time have Sami on the receiving end of manipulations from her daughter? Time will tell.
As previously reported, Alison Sweeney is not due back on-screen until most likely late spring of 2027 after she taped a series of episodes last month in July.
Those who know the dramatic history of Sydney DiMera recall that back in 2008, Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), who was married to EJ at the time, had a miscarriage and lost their baby. To hold on to her marriage, she plotted to steal Sami’s newborn daughter and switch her with another baby named Grace who’s mother was teenager Mia McCormick (Taylor Spreitler).
A few years later, Grace died, and then Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) began to put two and two together. After one of the biggest bitch-slap showdowns on the soaps back in 2009, Nicole admitted what she did to Sami by stealing her biological child and Sami was eventually reunited with Sydney.
The question is, do you think Sydney DiMera is a bad girl or a good girl? Do you think she and Dante Vitali might have a thing going on? Could she be involved with Mason? Weigh-in via the comment section, and just for good measure, here’s ‘The Slap!’ from Sami delivered to Nicole below.
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