Days of Our Lives Next Week Goings And Comings: VIVIAN’S DEADLY REVENGE! Who Is Her Next Victim?

Next week on Days of Our Lives, Salem braces itself for a seismic shift as familiar faces return, dangerous alliances begin to form, and heartbreaking goodbyes loom on the horizon. This is not just another week of drama — it’s a turning point where the past collides violently with the future, and no one escapes unscathed. Buckle up, because the storylines ahead move fast, hit hard, and promise lasting consequences.

The biggest shockwave comes with the long-awaited return of Salem’s most notorious schemer. Vivian Alamain is back — and her arrival instantly raises the temperature across town. Portrayed once again by the legendary Louise Sorel, Vivian’s return feels less like a homecoming and more like an impending storm. Absent since April 2025, her sudden reappearance begs one crucial question: what does she want this time?

Vivian has never been a character who drifts back into Salem for nostalgia or pleasantries. She arrives with intent, and that intent is usually tied to power, revenge, or family — often all three. With the DiMera family fractured and vulnerable, the timing of her return feels anything but coincidental. Salem’s power structure is unstable, and Vivian has always thrived in chaos. To her, a broken dynasty isn’t a tragedy — it’s an opportunity.

At her core, Vivian’s villainy has always been deeply psychological. Her ruthless actions are driven by an obsessive need for legacy and belonging. She doesn’t just crave power for power’s sake; she wants to secure what she believes is rightfully hers. This is a woman who once buried her enemies alive, not out of random cruelty, but because she believed they threatened her family’s future. Redemption rumors may swirl, but longtime viewers know better. Vivian doesn’t soften — she sharpens. And her inevitable clashes with power players like Maggie or Kate could ignite conflicts that scorch everything in their path.

As Vivian’s shadow looms larger, another dangerous figure resurfaces. Dr. Wilhelm Rolf returns to Salem, and whenever the infamous mad scientist is involved, reality itself becomes unstable. Rolf is the keeper of Salem’s darkest secrets — a man who has cheated death, erased memories, and rewritten destinies through his unhinged experiments. This time, he’s not alone. Gwen Rizczech appears by his side, forming an alliance that feels as unsettling as it is intriguing.

Gwen has always been desperate to stay one step ahead, and partnering with Rolf suggests she’s seeking more than emotional leverage. Whether it’s a buried truth from her past, a hidden inheritance, or a biological secret waiting to be exploited, Gwen’s interest in Rolf hints that something explosive is about to surface. When science and manipulation collide in Salem, the fallout is never contained.

Adding another layer of danger is the continued presence of Dmitri von Leuschner. Smooth, calculating, and burdened by a sinister family legacy, Dmitri walks a fine line between ambition and self-destruction. His bloodline alone makes him a ticking time bomb, but his intelligence and charm make him even more dangerous. As Salem politics grow increasingly murky, Dmitri appears poised to align himself with powerful forces — and a partnership with Vivian could spell disaster for everyone else. Together, they would be nearly unstoppable.

Midweek, the tone shifts from scheming and suspense to raw emotional devastation. Legal drama takes center stage as Melinda Trask returns to handle the custody arrangements involving young Thomas DiMera. This storyline strikes at the heart of Salem, as it becomes clear that Thomas’s future may lie away from the town — and away from his father.

Chad DiMera has already endured unimaginable loss, and the possibility of losing his son feels like the final blow. Thomas has been a symbol of hope and continuity since Abigail’s death, and the idea of him leaving Salem creates an emotional void that can’t easily be filled. While the official discussion centers on safety and stability, the subtext is painful and personal. Is the DiMera environment too dangerous for a child? Has Chad failed to provide the security Thomas needs?

Melinda Trask’s involvement suggests the situation may be far more serious than simple paperwork. Her role could be to deliver a brutal truth — that love alone may not be enough, and that Thomas’s best chance at healing might require distance from his father and the legacy that haunts him. For viewers who’ve watched Thomas grow up, this goodbye promises to be one of the most heartbreaking moments in recent memory.

As the week closes, attention turns to a troubling new generation of chaos. Rachel Black continues to evolve into one of Salem’s most fascinating — and unsettling — young characters. The daughter of Kristen DiMera and Brady Black, Rachel embodies a volatile mix of obsession, manipulation, and emotional intelligence far beyond her years. Her scenes with Kristen reveal a chilling nature-versus-nurture dynamic, where influence and instinct blur dangerously.

Rachel knows how to push buttons, and she understands exactly how to maneuver the adults around her. With Belle entering the picture, legal or psychological consequences may soon follow. A single calculated move by Rachel could force Brady and Kristen into impossible positions, exposing fractures that can no longer be ignored. Watching her evolve feels both brilliant and terrifying, as Salem witnesses the rise of its next potential villain.

Taken together, this week represents a bridge between eras. Vivian Alamain stands as the embodiment of classic Days of Our Lives villainy — bold, unapologetic, and devastatingly effective. Rachel Black, meanwhile, signals the future: a new generation shaped by trauma, legacy, and manipulation. The past and future are no longer separate — they are colliding.

There’s also a growing sense that Vivian’s return may be tied directly to Dr. Rolf’s latest experiments. Rumors swirl that he has uncovered something about the Alamain bloodline — a discovery that could alter Salem’s balance of power forever. If true, Vivian’s motivations go far beyond revenge or family. She may be preparing for something much bigger… and much deadlier.

Meanwhile, a separate but equally intense storyline unfolds on Friday, January 23, 2026. The episode opens on a deeply unsettling note as Alex and Stephanie stand frozen inside their home, gripped by an unnamed fear. This isn’t a sudden scare — it’s the suffocating dread of knowing something is terribly wrong. Their silence speaks volumes, hinting at secrets or threats that may soon explode into the open.

Across town, Belle and Marlena share a quiet but emotionally revealing breakfast conver sation. Marlena admits she’s struggling to process her grief, even in safe spaces meant for healing. Belle urges her to slow down and rest, but Marlena’s exhaustion runs deeper than fatigue. Unresolved pain continues to weigh heavily on her, especially as long-buried mysteries resurface in Salem.

The discussion inevitably turns to lingering questions about the past — unresolved deaths, half-truths, and the persistent mystery surrounding Stefan. While some believe the truth has finally been revealed, others sense that Salem is still being misled. The conversation then shifts to Brady and the uncertain future of Basic Black, with Belle suggesting Marlena’s guidance could still prove invaluable. Marlena doesn’t dismiss the idea, but the thought of reentering corporate chaos feels overwhelming.

The calm shatters when Belle receives troubling news about Jeremy. The shift in tone is immediate and alarming, signaling that his story is far from over and that new consequences are on the way.

Elsewhere, trust becomes the central issue within the DiMera family. Jennifer and Chad unite in shared grief, but their focus quickly turns to Thomas. Jennifer argues that emotional reassurance isn’t enough — Thomas needs tangible stability. Chad resists, fearing further separation will do more harm than good. The tension isn’t rooted in anger, but in desperation from two adults trying to protect a child already scarred by loss.

Determined to reclaim his role as a father, Chad insists on handling the situation himself. When Thomas finally arrives, their conversation is raw and painful. Thomas longs for the past, for safety, for his mother — an impossible wish that underscores his grief. Chad listens, validates, and ultimately makes a powerful promise: he will do whatever it takes to earn his son’s trust, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness.

As the week ends, one thing is clear — Salem will never be the same. Alliances are forming, legacies are being rewritten, and the line between hero and villain is blurrier than ever. With Vivian’s deadly revenge just beginning, the question remains: who will be her next victim? And when the dust settles, who will be left standing?