Dominic, Leo, Abe, Xander, Sarah: The DiMeras Have a New Problem and His Name Is Dominic: DAYS Two Scoops For the Week of November 9

Stefano DiMera apparently spent his final years preparing a surprise for his family on Days of our Lives, and Dominic Marino arrived in Salem to deliver it personally. EJ found himself dethroned, Marlena discovered she might have another son, and Rita revealed that her loyalty belonged to someone other than EJ.

Meanwhile, Leo's investigation into DiMera's shady shipping operation nearly got him killed, Xander's legal problems threatened his future with Sarah, and Abe received a diagnosis that could change his life. For a town that had supposedly gathered to honor Lexie, Salem managed to make the week remarkably stressful for just about everyone still breathing.

Dominic arrived to claim his inheritance and upset the entire DiMera family

Dominic's arrival had far-reaching implications | Image: Peacock

Dominic certainly knows how to make an entrance. He interrupted Lexie's memorial, introduced himself as Stefano and Marlena's son, and presented EJ with a codicil giving him controlling interest in DiMera Enterprises. He also inherited Stefano's ring and a share of the family properties, which meant EJ suddenly had a new brother and an unwanted houseguest. Most importantly, Susan Banks couldn't even get a reading on Dominic, although perhaps Stefano's ring somehow interferes with her psychic reception.

EJ's reaction was entirely understandable, particularly when he explained how Stefano delighted in manipulating his children and setting them against one another. Dominic insisted that he wanted the family united, but EJ wasn't buying the cheerful reunion routine. Tony encouraged his brothers to coexist, while Chad remained cautiously open-minded. Unfortunately, Dominic had already demonstrated that he knew considerably more about the family than he'd initially admitted.

The newcomer's behavior around the mansion was particularly interesting. He wandered through the rooms, touching furniture and studying his surroundings as though establishing a connection with the father he'd lost. His encounter with Sydney ended badly after he discovered that Stefano and Marlena were supposedly her grandparents. Dominic also admitted to arranging Dante's introduction to Sami, which understandably infuriated his longtime friend once the family connection became public knowledge.

Marlena had a far more difficult decision to make. After reliving the horrors of her captivity under Stefano, she visited Dominic and explained that she couldn't even remember whether she'd carried or given birth to him. Dominic pleaded for her to acknowledge their connection, but Marlena wisely insisted on waiting for DNA confirmation. Given Salem's history of tampered laboratory results, Kayla's promise to supervise the testing personally may not inspire quite the confidence everyone hopes.

Friday finally revealed that Dominic's arrival involved considerably more planning than a family reunion. He told Rita that he'd never intended to keep the Kiriakis mansion for long and had withdrawn his offer hoping to gain the family's goodwill. He also wanted an update on shipping manifests sent to Johnny, expecting them to put pressure on EJ. Rita then admitted she'd promised Stefano her complete loyalty to Dominic, despite her affection for EJ.

That revelation changed everything. Dominic has the family fortune, the company, Rita's assistance, and a plan to cultivate the Kiriakises as potential allies. His apparent sincerity toward Marlena might be genuine, but his strategy against EJ certainly isn't accidental. Stefano spent decades turning his children against one another, and his latest heir seems remarkably comfortable continuing the tradition. While EJ was busy throwing his weight around, Dominic was quietly figuring out how to take the whole DiMera empire out from under him.

Leo's investigation nearly became his final assignment

Leo's life was in terrible danger on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Leo's decision to investigate the counterfeit merchandise passing through DiMera's warehouse proved considerably more dangerous than he'd anticipated. After following Gwen's information to the waterfront, he found himself trapped inside a shipping container by one of EJ's henchmen. His initial panic was understandable, although Leo seemed particularly offended by the prospect of dying surrounded by counterfeit goods. Even impending death apparently comes with quality-control standards.

Things briefly looked promising when Leo threw himself against the container door and it opened. Unfortunately, the guard was opening it from the other side, and Leo's escape attempt ended almost immediately. The henchman announced that a more permanent solution was coming before shoving him back inside. Lani arrived moments later to investigate the warehouse, but the guard demanded a warrant and prevented her from searching. Leo pounded on the container from inside, yet somehow she heard nothing.

The tension worked because the audience knew exactly where Leo was while Lani stood frustratingly close to finding him. Theo had brought his sister into the investigation after discussing DiMera's illegal shipments with Sydney. His determination to expose corruption within his own family was particularly meaningful following Lexie's memorial. Unfortunately, the family's questionable business practices had already placed somebody else's life in immediate danger.

By Friday, Gwen finally shared what she knew with Steve after realizing Leo might be missing. Steve questioned Javi and Gabi, who were growing increasingly worried after Leo failed to answer their messages. Gabi even admitted that Leo had grown on her and acknowledged how much he meant to Javi. It was a welcome moment of understanding between people who haven't always been enthusiastic about one another.

The search ended when Lani discovered Leo unconscious on a nearby footbridge. He still had a pulse but wasn't breathing, leaving Javi desperately performing CPR and pleading for him to survive. After all the jokes surrounding Leo's amateur detective work, watching Javi struggle to save him was genuinely heartbreaking. Leo's fate now hangs in the balance, and EJ's warehouse operation has become considerably more than another questionable DiMera business venture.

Xander and Sarah faced another test of their fragile reconciliation

Xander was surprisingly wise this week | Image: Peacock

Xander and Sarah spent the week discovering that wanting to rebuild a relationship doesn't automatically erase the problems that destroyed it. Sarah returned to the Kiriakis mansion hoping they could move forward, but Xander insisted they needed to take things slowly. Maggie understood his reasoning and encouraged Sarah to recognize their destructive patterns. For once, Xander was trying to approach reconciliation responsibly rather than rushing straight back into the arrangement that had repeatedly failed them.

The frustrating part was how everyone kept treating Xander's caution as evidence that he didn't want Sarah back. His position was actually quite reasonable. He still loved her and wanted their marriage to work, but he also understood that both needed to change. Sarah eventually recognized that he was right about breaking their toxic cycle. Considering how often these two have ignored their problems until another disaster arrived, acknowledging them was genuine progress.

Philip provided some of the week's most enjoyable moments during his visit with Xander. Their relationship has improved dramatically, particularly considering that Xander previously beat him badly enough to land him in the hospital. Philip encouraged his brother to stop overthinking things and reunite with Sarah, while Xander reminded him that their future involved considerably more than a romantic reunion. Xander and Philip's increasingly comfortable sibling relationship is becoming one of Salem's more welcome developments.

Unfortunately, Xander's legal problems may interfere with all those good intentions. He admitted that possessing a firearm as a convicted felon could send him to prison for years. By Friday, Lani revealed that the gun had also been connected to a previous homicide. Xander explained that he'd purchased it on the street years earlier for protection, but that explanation hardly improved his situation.

There's something particularly unfortunate about Xander finally making responsible decisions regarding his marriage while his previous decisions threaten to put him behind bars. He thanked Lani for clearing Sarah's name and insisted that protecting her had been worth the consequences. Still, he hasn't been entirely forthcoming with Sarah about the seriousness of his predicament. His possible prison sentence could derail their reunion, especially if he continues keeping information from the woman he's supposedly learning to communicate with.

Abe faced a difficult diagnosis as his family worried about the future

Abe faced an unthinkable diagnosis on Days of our Lives | Image: Peacock

Lexie's memorial provided a meaningful backdrop for Abe and Theo's conversations about family, responsibility, and doing the right thing. Theo spoke privately to his mother's urn and promised to confront corruption within DiMera Enterprises if necessary. Abe overheard the declaration and reminded his son how proud Lexie would have been of him. It was a touching moment, particularly as Abe was struggling with health concerns he hadn't fully shared with his family.

Abe's trembling hands became increasingly difficult to dismiss, especially when he spilled a drink while talking with Kate. He initially blamed the emotional strain of Lexie's memorial, but he eventually agreed to see Kayla about his test results. The diagnosis was Parkinson's disease, something Abe had already suspected after researching his symptoms. Kayla explained that treatment could help him manage the condition and emphasized the importance of family support.

Abe's response was quietly heartbreaking. He understood what the diagnosis meant, but he still wanted to decide when to tell Paulina and the rest of his family. Kayla urged him to be honest with the people who loved him. Unfortunately, Salem residents have a remarkable tendency to believe difficult news becomes easier if they postpone sharing it long enough.

The storyline carries additional significance because James Reynolds has revealed his own Parkinson's diagnosis. Incorporating his real-life experience into Abe's story offers an opportunity to portray the condition with sensitivity and authenticity. Hopefully, the writers allow Abe to navigate the challenges realistically rather than resorting to another miraculous medical discovery.

His diagnosis also arrives as the family faces uncertainty elsewhere. Johnny and Chanel are considering leaving Salem after the latest DiMera revelations, while Theo is increasingly determined to confront the corruption associated with his mother's family. Paulina was understandably upset at the thought of Johnny and Chanel departing just when her family had finally come together. Abe needs that family support now more than ever, even if he isn't quite ready to tell them why.

Outro

Join us next time when Salem's planning committee unveils a proposal to convert the DiMera mansion's secret tunnels into a municipal underground railway. Unfortunately, the grand opening is delayed when Rita discovers the tunnels already have a timetable, three unidentified passengers, and an express service to Stefano's private laboratory. The council votes unanimously to blame EJ.