Days of Our Lives Goings and Comings: 2 Stars Leaving, But 3 Big Stars Will Return.
Days of Our Lives Weekly Update: Departures, Returns, New Faces, and a Dangerous Conspiracy Rock Salem
The week of July 21st, 2025, brings a cascade of emotional shifts, explosive reveals, and dangerous secrets to Days of Our Lives. From a heartfelt farewell within the Williams family to the return of power players like Melinda Trask and Tony DiMera, Peacock’s beloved soap delivers a rich blend of nostalgia, reinvention, and escalating suspense.
This isn’t just another week in Salem — it’s a turning point.
Monday, July 21st – Payton Meyer Exits as Doug Williams III Leaves Salem
A bittersweet goodbye sets the tone for the week as Payton Meyer, who first stepped into the role of Doug Williams III in November 2024, officially departs from the series.
Doug’s character quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his layered relationships and emotional maturity. But this Monday, viewers watched as he bid farewell to his grandmother Julie Williams (played by the iconic Susan Seaforth Hayes) in an intimate, tearful scene.
Their goodbye — rich in family history, legacy, and hope — reflects the show’s signature ability to tug at heartstrings. As Doug prepares to leave Salem, speculation mounts: will he pursue business opportunities, personal reinvention, or perhaps return down the road with a dramatic twist?
Doug’s final episode airs Friday, July 25th, marking the end of a short yet impactful arc. But with soap operas, farewells are rarely forever.
Tuesday, July 22nd – Melinda Trask Returns with a Vengeful Scheme
Power returns to Salem on Tuesday as Tina Huang reprises her fierce role as Melinda Trask. Back with a vengeance — and partnering with the ever-resourceful Sophia — Melinda is on a mission.
Their plan? Shake the foundations of Salem’s legal and political structure.
The two are seen conspiring behind closed doors, possibly dredging up skeletons from past legal cases or manipulating current events. Melinda’s strength lies in her cold strategy and calculated moves, but she’s never been immune to personal motives — making her unpredictable.
Expect high-stakes power plays, legal shocks, and the resurgence of buried secrets.
Wednesday, July 23rd – Tony DiMera Returns, Family Secrets Reignite
On Wednesday, the DiMera family legacy takes center stage as Thaao Penghlis steps back into the role of the ever-suave Tony DiMera.
Tony’s return isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about unfinished business. He reunites with Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus), and their interaction hints at unresolved tension and deeper mysteries.
Imagine Tony arriving at the DiMera mansion, unveiling a foreign artifact, or perhaps revealing a new heir — whatever he brings, it’s certain to disrupt the power balance within the DiMera empire. Expect tense dinners, emotional fallout, and maybe even unexpected alliances.
Tony never returns without stirring the pot.
Thursday, July 24th – Rachel Black Shines in a Family-Centric Episode
Thursday shifts to a lighter, more heartfelt tone as Alice Holly continues to expand her role as Rachel Black.
Joined by Brady (Eric Martsolf), Gwen (Emily O’Brien), and Belle (Martha Madison), the episode explores Rachel’s youthful curiosity amidst the adult drama. The family shares warmth, laughter, and maybe a bit of chaos as Rachel uncovers a family photo album, or embarks on a small mystery of her own.
Her innocence provides a welcome contrast to Salem’s usual scheming. Holly’s energy breathes fresh life into the series, underscoring its generational depth.
Friday, July 25th – Double the Drama: Susan Banks Returns and a New Judge Arrives
Stacy Haiduk brings back the eccentric and beloved Susan Banks, offering support to her nephew Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) in one of the week’s most emotional moments.
Johnny, facing escalating pressures, finds Susan’s homespun wisdom and wild charm the lifeline he needs. Haiduk’s signature dual-role talent adds both gravity and levity to the episode. Expect comic relief mixed with intuitive revelations — perhaps even cryptic clues tied to Salem’s larger mysteries.
But that’s not all.
Friday also marks the debut of Carol Foreman as Judge Dabney, presiding over Johnny’s attempted murder trial. Dabney’s entrance immediately sets the courtroom buzzing. Described as stern, fair, and deeply principled, this judge may have hidden ties to key Salem players.
Could she harbor past grudges? Or connections to the powerful DiMera family? Her decisions may send shockwaves through Salem’s legal system — and change Johnny’s future forever.
⚖️ Beneath the Surface: Rafe Hernandez Investigates EJ DiMera’s Dark Agenda
While the courtroom heats up, Detective Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) dives into a sinister plot that may unravel everything.
After weeks of pouring over documents and shadowy financial dealings, Rafe delivers a bombshell to financial analyst Cat Green: EJ DiMera may be using a doppelgänger to orchestrate his latest scheme.
What began as simple suspicion evolves into a full-blown investigation into a sprawling network of deceit — implicating EJ in identity fraud, financial manipulation, and a covert operation tied to Salem’s ailing hospital.
The Hospital Purchase: What Is EJ Hiding?
The local hospital — once a beacon of Salem — is on life support. Equipment is failing, staff are fleeing, and services are being diverted. Yet, EJ seemingly just purchased it outright. The problem? He doesn’t have the money.
Cat Green, with her sharp eye, identifies inconsistencies in the paperwork. Something doesn’t add up. Why would EJ invest in a losing venture unless he’s hiding something… or betting on something big?
That “something” might be Verse 6 — an experimental pharmaceutical drug whispered about in Salem’s medical circles.
Verse 6: The Billion-Dollar Gamble
Still in early development, Verse 6 is rumored to be a medical gamechanger. If successful, it could be worth billions — but it’s riddled with hurdles: clinical trials, regulatory red tape, and huge legal risks.
EJ’s sudden investment makes no logical sense — unless he’s not working alone.
Enter Vivian Alamain: The Return of a Villain
Rafe begins to suspect EJ’s ally is none other than Vivian Alamain, recently released from prison under suspicious circumstances. Known for her ruthlessness and old grudges, Vivian is the perfect partner in crime.
With access to funding, a network of rogue scientists, and personal vendettas, her reappearance is no coincidence. If she and EJ are in league, Salem may be facing a power grab on a scale never seen before.
A Third Player in the Shadows?
But what truly keeps Rafe up at night is the possibility of a third player — someone embedded deep within Salem’s infrastructure. Perhaps on the hospital board, or even within law enforcement itself.
Rafe suspects that this silent partner could be more dangerous than EJ and Vivian combined — someone hiding in plain sight, pulling strings while others take the fall.
What’s Really at Stake?
This isn’t just about money or power anymore. As Cat warns, “If EJ, Vivian, and their partner succeed, they won’t just control Salem. They’ll control its lifeblood — medicine, justice, and truth.”
Rafe faces a brutal choice: stay in the shadows and gather more intel, or go public — and become the next target.
Final Thoughts: Change, Chaos, and a City on the Brink
This week’s Days of Our Lives episodes on Peacock are bursting with emotional highs and dangerous lows:
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A beloved character says goodbye
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Familiar faces return with schemes and secrets
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A courtroom drama looms
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And a conspiracy threatens to engulf the entire town
From Rachel Black’s childhood wonder to Vivian Alamain’s dangerous ambition, Salem remains a place where the past collides with the future — and no one is safe.
So buckle up, fans. Because if Rafe is right, the soul of Salem is under siege, and the days ahead may decide its fate.
