Spoiler Alert: Marlena’s Terrifying Transformation and the Shocking Truth Behind EJ’s Shooting!

Get ready, “Days of Our Lives” fans, because Salem is about to be rocked by a series of revelations, with the iconic Dr. Marlena Evans at the very center of it all! As the show heads into its astonishing 63rd season, it’s clear that our beloved Marlena is not just a key player but a crucial linchpin for several explosive storylines that will leave you on the edge of your seat. She’s stepping into multifaceted roles—therapist, hypnotherapist, grieving wife, mother, and grandmother—but most chillingly, she’s barreling headfirst towards a terrifying return to her infamous “Queen of the Night” persona!

First on Marlena’s plate is the intensifying mystery surrounding who shot EJ DiMera. While EJ himself, under Marlena’s expert hypnotherapy, hasn’t fully pieced it together, the clues are piling up, and it looks like a shocking truth is about to be unveiled. The way EJ described his assailant during hypnosis strongly suggested he was talking to a child who picked up a gun. This has led to a startling theory: EJ’s own young niece, Rachel, is the shooter! The idea that a child, even a precocious or bratty one, could be responsible for such an act would certainly be something EJ would be reluctant to recall, especially given that Rachel is family. The summer preview has already hinted that Marlena will indeed uncover the identity of the shooter but will be incredibly hesitant to reveal it. If Rachel is the culprit, this would place Marlena in an agonizing dilemma, forcing her to choose between protecting one grandchild (Rachel, from legal trouble) and another (EJ, seeking justice). The stage is set for Marlena to confront Rachel directly, hinting that the truth will explode very soon.

But the twists don’t stop there. Marlena’s own health has taken a mysterious and disturbing turn, seemingly tied directly to the chilling legacy of Stefano DiMera and that unforgettable era when he stalked, drugged, and tormented her, cementing her as his “Queen of the Night.” While fans might immediately jump to conclusions about another demonic possession storyline, rest assured, this isn’t a Satanic redux – unless, of course, you count Stefano himself as the devil incarnate! It appears this new crisis for Marlena is intrinsically linked to the resurrected Stefano narrative, a development that ties into the dramatic return of Tony DiMera and his audacious power play for DiMera Enterprises.

The big question now is, what’s Tony’s true agenda? While he’s generally considered one of the kinder DiMeras, he’s far from a saint and perfectly capable of scheming and betrayal, as Gabi might soon discover. Crucially, in the summer preview, Tony is seen conversing with “father,” strongly implying he’s attempting to bring Stefano back from the dead. This plot point feels very much in line with André DiMera’s manipulative tendencies, leading some fans to speculate if Tony is actually André in disguise. The return of Tony, his determination to reclaim DiMera Enterprises, and his apparent efforts to revive Stefano cannot be mere coincidence in light of Marlena’s unsettling regression into her “Queen of the Night” persona. It all points to Marlena playing a pivotal, perhaps even terrifying, role in the coming months as Stefano’s dark influence resurfaces, threatening to consume her once more.

Beyond these central mysteries, several other storylines are heating up in Salem:

• The baby drama involving Sarah and Sophia is accelerating! Sarah has already discovered Sophia’s deception and is on the verge of confronting her. However, strict HIPAA regulations might force Sarah to keep Sophia’s secret under wraps, leading to further complications.
• The character of Doug III, who many felt was underutilized, finally had a moment of poignant impact through his final scenes with Julie, hinting at the potential that could have been.
• Gwen and EJ are now working together, a development that even Brady found odd, especially EJ’s casual acceptance of Gwen moving in. This alliance is sure to stir up more trouble.
• Whispers abound about the potential returns of Dimitri and Stefano, especially after Gwen pointed out that both their “husbands” are missing and have been frequently mentioned. This could hint at some major comebacks!
• And finally, the abrupt off-screen breakup of Theo and Claire seems suspiciously random, leading to speculation that the show might be planning to bring one of them back to Salem, but perhaps not both, setting the stage for fresh romantic drama.

“Days of Our Lives” is proving that even after decades, it can still deliver the “downright fun” and ridiculously addictive drama its fans crave, ensuring Marlena’s terrifying journey and EJ’s shooter reveal will keep everyone glued to their screens! What do you think this “Queen of the Night” return will mean for Marlena and the rest of Salem?