Salem is bracing itself for another unforgettable week of passion, betrayals, and life-altering choices as Days of Our Lives kicks off the month of September with a string of

storylines that promise to leave fans reeling. Between courtroom fireworks, long-awaited family reunions, dangerous schemes, and the haunting return of old rivalries,

the week of September 1–5 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic stretches in recent memory.

Brady vs. Kristen: Courtroom Showdown of the Year

At the center of the week lies a charged courtroom battle between Brady Black and Kristen DiMera. During her sentencing hearing, the atmosphere grows tense as the presiding judge gives Kristen one final opportunity to alter her plea before the gavel falls.

Brady, however, is in no mood for mercy. With years of betrayal weighing heavily on his shoulders, he delivers a fiery plea for the harshest possible sentence, highlighting Kristen’s manipulations and the chaos she has inflicted on Salem. It is a gut-wrenching moment, driven by Brady’s desperation for justice—not just for himself, but for everyone Kristen has wronged.

Yet what Brady doesn’t realize is that Kristen’s silence masks a dangerous truth. She has been protecting their daughter, Rachel, from devastating secrets that could upend the fragile Black–DiMera family balance. Viewers can expect Kristen’s motives to cast a long shadow over this trial, forcing Brady to question whether his thirst for vengeance blinds him to the deeper sacrifices being made.

Xander’s Breaking Point: Therapy and Temptations

Elsewhere in Salem, Xander Kiriakis finds himself wrestling with his demons. In a powerful therapy session with Marlena Evans, he vents years of pent-up anger, lashing out about betrayals, manipulation, and the weight of a family legacy that often feels like a curse. Marlena, with her calm wisdom, pushes Xander to name the true culprits behind his fury.

This scene promises not just introspection but transformation, as fans glimpse a softer, conflicted side of Xander. Can he truly reform, or will his rage continue to make him a pawn in Salem’s ruthless power games?

But while Xander battles his emotions, danger lurks closer than he realizes. Gabi Hernandez, never one to shy away from scheming, has planted a bug in his office. With Tony DiMera by her side, Gabi eagerly eavesdrops on Xander’s most private conversations, hoping to gain leverage in Salem’s ever-shifting corporate wars. This unlikely alliance—Gabi’s cunning paired with Tony’s aristocratic strategy—could spell disaster for Xander and reignite the battle for DiMera Enterprises.

Brady’s Obsession and Sophia’s Secret

While Brady faces Kristen in court, another storm brews in his personal life. His relentless obsession with uncovering the truth about his son Tate’s mysterious “baby situation” continues. Plagued by doubts over the child’s gender and haunted by missing details, Brady digs deeper, determined to uncover what has been hidden from him.

This puts Sophia Choi in the hot seat. Desperate to protect her own secrets, she confides in sharp-tongued attorney Melinda Trask about a catastrophic mistake she made. The mysterious code name “Tessoro” surfaces, raising questions about hidden assets, concealed identities, and possibly even international conspiracies. Can Melinda spin her usual legal magic to cover the truth, or will this secret unravel in the most public way possible?

Joy and Tension at the Deveraux Home

In a rare moment of warmth, the Deveraux family prepares for a joyful reunion. Julie Williams is practically glowing as Jack and Jennifer return home just in time for JJ’s birthday celebration. Expect laughter, heartfelt toasts, and nostalgia to fill the Horton living room.

But even family celebrations in Salem come with shadows. Jack shocks everyone by extending an olive branch to Gwen von Leuschner, inviting her to the festivities. Gwen, haunted by her past betrayals and the lingering suspicion of nearly everyone in town, hesitates. Jack’s reassurance—that he holds no hatred for her—signals a possible step toward reconciliation. But forgiveness in Salem is never simple. Old wounds resurface, and Gwen’s presence could reopen scars that some family members would rather keep buried.

Philip’s “Choking” Crisis: Heroics or Setup?

Over at Titan, a seemingly ordinary corporate day takes a dramatic turn when Philip Kiriakis suddenly begins choking. In a shocking twist, it’s his long-time rival Xander who leaps into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving Philip’s life.

On the surface, it’s a heroic moment that might thaw their icy rivalry. But whispers suggest Philip may have staged the entire ordeal as a loyalty test. With his history of faked deaths and Machiavellian ploys, fans are left wondering: was this a genuine medical crisis, or a cunning move in the ongoing battle for power at Titan?