The week of August 18th–22nd on Days of Our Lives is shaping up to be one of the most explosive in recent memory. Loyalties are shattered, shocking secrets surface, and a long-standing mystery finally reaches its climax. Fans can expect EJ to be cornered for tampering with evidence, Tony and Gabby to join forces in a dangerous pact, and the long-rumored identity of the shooter to be confirmed at last.

Things heat up on Monday as EJ begins to lose control of the delicate web of lies he has spun. After meddling with evidence in an effort to protect Johnny, EJ finds himself in the hot seat. His actions are no longer under wraps—people are catching on, and the fallout is inevitable. In a tense conversation with Tony, EJ spirals, panicked that Johnny may end up being wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. His desperation underscores just how far he has already gone, and how much further he may be willing to go.

By Tuesday, August 19th (Season 60, Episode 257), the spotlight shifts to Tony and Gabby. Their alliance, simmering in the background for weeks, now takes a decisive turn. Tony dangles the ultimate prize in front of Gabby: the CEO position at DiMera Enterprises. The catch? She must bring Titan to its knees. Hungry for power, Gabby doesn’t hesitate. Papers are drawn up, and the two formally seal their sinister agreement, their signatures marking the beginning of a new era of manipulation in Salem’s corporate wars. With this alliance solidified, the question becomes not if, but when, the fallout will strike.

Meanwhile, romance and intrigue intertwine elsewhere. Cat grows closer to Chad, their connection deepening at just the right—or perhaps the wrong—moment. Their blossoming bond promises emotional complications as the week continues, particularly as larger family and corporate dramas consume the town.

The biggest bombshell of the week drops on Tuesday as well: the identity of the shooter is finally revealed. Longtime viewers may recall whispers months ago, and now those spoilers prove true—Rachel is confirmed as the culprit. This revelation is guaranteed to shake Salem to its core. How did she get involved, and what will it mean for those closest to her? The shocking unmasking brings new questions even as it resolves one of the show’s most pressing mysteries.

Elsewhere in the courtroom, Chanel faces another grueling day on the stand, this time under Belle’s sharp cross-examination. The legal battle intensifies as questions about the validity of key evidence grow louder. The doctored video that EJ tampered with becomes the center of attention, and suspicions rise about how the police were convinced to authenticate it. With rumors of bribery swirling, EJ’s reputation crumbles even further. Johnny, furious that his father has crossed a line, makes the drastic choice to fire EJ and represent himself. Despite his lack of legal training—after all, he holds a film degree, not a law degree—Johnny is determined to take control of his fate. His closing statement alongside Belle’s promises high drama as the trial barrels toward a conclusion.