Days of our Lives Early Spoilers Feb 16-20: Dimitri Erupts in Fury & Xander Finds New Romance

Days of Our Lives spoilers for Feb 16-20, 2026 indicate Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte) is irate and Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) is moving on.

As we always do on early edition day, we start with what’s coming the rest of this week, and then we’ll dive into the action next week.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Salem Heats Up with Dimitri and Xander Drama

On Wednesday, February 11th, Valentine’s Day gets started in Salem. Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) is noticing a shift in EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel) demeanor and behavior. I thought he looked really devilish at the moment he slid Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) ring onto his finger in the crypt. This happened after Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) hand-delivered it to him and told him it was the original Phoenix ring.

DOOL Spoilers: EJ DiMera Faces Dark Temptations with Stefano’s Legacy

Then Rolf told EJ that he must carry on his father’s work and legacy. I think that’s the time to wake up the pod person and get more villainous.

Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) have a talk. Since it is Valentine’s Day, I’m sure that Leo is really missing Javi Hernandez (Al Calderon). At least Dimitri’s in jail, falsely accused of the DiMera kidnapping, so he’s not in Leo’s hair. I wonder if Marlena is going to have some good advice on Days of our Lives.

Plus, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) gets an enticing offer from Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk). She pulled Rachel Black (Alice Halsey) out of Bayview without Brady agreeing. Belle Black (Martha Madison) warned her that Rachel could face judicial consequences now that she took her out of the psych hospital—as in juvie instead of therapy. But Kristen is stubborn.

Brady and Kristen’s Custody War Over Rachel Intensifies

She offers Brady joint custody, but the question is at what cost? I wonder if it will be to support her keeping Rachel out when Belle keeps saying this is a bad idea. Belle says they’re going to really tank the criminal case against her.

Dimitri wants his freedom. He keeps insisting to Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) and others that he did not kidnap the DiMeras. I wonder if Melinda Trask (Tina Huang) is going to get him out of the Salem PD lockup in time for him to try and woo Leo on Valentine’s Day.

Gwen, Melinda & Rafe: Salem’s Law and Love Tangle with Dimitri

On Thursday, February 12th, we have Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) ready to leave Salem. He’s going to take the kids to Arizona for an extended period. If you don’t remember, a fair amount of Salemites used to live in Arizona. Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker) used to live out there.

Arianna “Ari” Grace Horton (Marissa Reyes) was with them when she was younger, and Chad spent time with them out there. Nobody that used to live there is there now, though, that we’ve heard. So it’s kind of an interesting choice.

It was his brother Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) who convinced Chad that he should take Thomas DiMera (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte DiMera (Autumn Gendron) away for some quality time after the custody battle. Plus, Thomas is taking some heat over the Jeremy stuff.

Chad DiMera’s Big Move: Family Turmoil and Last Days in Salem

Billy Flynn’s last episode comes really soon. Then we’re going to meet the recast Chad and recast Thomas in a couple of months.

There’s a spoiler photo of Chad and Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) in the square on Valentine’s Day. Chad approaches her to tell her he’s taking the kids to Arizona. Maybe it’s a kiss goodbye. Or maybe one of them is daydreaming. Chad should not be kissing Cat in the middle of Salem Town Square because he knows that is a deal breaker for Thomas. They even wrote it into the custody papers.

Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) surprise Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) with a wedding. This elopement is the real deal, not just for the stalker. Of course, he’s thrilled to marry Stephanie. He carries his wife home and over the threshold in his arms, ready to start honeymooning.

Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) enjoy some Valentine’s Day romance. Cat gets invited to dinner by EJ. With Chad walking away and leaving town, Cat may decide to double down on her ISA investigation into EJ.

Valentine’s Day on DOOL: Weddings, Romance, and Spying on EJ

We also may see this week the kiss that we know is coming between Cat and EJ. Also this week, Gwen and Xander are flirty. They’re playing putt-putt in the park. Then Gwen takes him back to her bedroom in the DiMera mansion and climbs aboard. So it looks like Xander is embracing single life even if he doesn’t want to, since Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) is moving on with Brady.

Xander, Sarah, and Gwen: Complicated Hearts and Fresh Starts on DOOL

On Friday, February 13th, we’ve got Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Susanne Rogers), Marlena, and Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) getting together to talk about past Valentine’s Days. Of course, their sweethearts have all passed away now.

Maggie lost Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston), Marlena lost John Black (Drake Hogestyn), and Julie lost Doug Williams (Bill Hayes). I’m hoping we’re going to get a few flashbacks of some of their Valentine’s Day pasts with their soulmates. I enjoyed the recent Stefano flashbacks too, I will say.

Brady has a heartfelt conversation with Tate Black (Leo Howard), and it may be about Rachel, maybe about Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis). I do wonder if Tate is going to move into Brady’s new place with them.

Xander and Sarah have a bittersweet moment of nostalgia. We know Brady and Sarah moved forward officially, and Xander may have already gotten intimate with Gwen by then.

Days Spoilers: Memories and Heartache: Maggie, Marlena, Julie & The Ones They Loved

Plus, Julie and Gwen are swapping insults on Friday. She may cash that big check she got from Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and go back to the bookstore to flaunt some cash in front of Julie. She’s trying to restore some of her pride because Gwen was really upset after Julie mocked her.

Plus, Holly snaps. She is going to freak out on Tate at the Brady Pub, saying things about him wanting to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not. Those drugs that Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) slipped Holly looked to be pretty strong. They seem to be turning Holly into somebody new and unlikable.

Holly’s Downward Spiral & Gwen Versus Julie: DOOL’s Fiery Friday

The week of February 16th through the 20th is the last full week of February sweeps, which officially wraps on the 25th. Gwen and Xander may have already hit the sheets on Valentine’s Day. We’ll see if they stop at a one-night stand, which is all he wanted from Gwen. Or maybe Xander asked Gwen out for another date.

Certainly, she wants to be with Xander and has for a long time. But any rebound between Gwen and Xander is going to be short-lived because we know from our leaker there is a Sarah and Xander reunion coming.

Gwen & Xander: Can Love Last or Will Sarah Change Everything on Days of Our Lives?

I kind of hope Dimitri walks in on them in bed because we know he doesn’t want Gwen to have any happiness in her life for obvious reasons. Cat may not be able to stop being attracted to EJ. We’ll see if they discuss Chad leaving and her being hurt. I wonder if Cat can keep her feelings for EJ compartmentalized so she can do her job for the ISA.

Chad’s packing up and leaving Salem. We’re going to see Billy Flynn’s last air date. Then Connor Floyd’s debut as the new Chad comes in April. Gabi is still cleaning up the mess—I mean, Gwen is still cleaning up the mess she made with Dimitri. The question is, how long will Dimitri stay behind bars since the charges against him are trumped up?

Dimitri in Jail, Gwen’s Guilt, and Chad’s Exit: DOOL Sweeps’ Shocking Twists

Lani Price (Sal Stowers) and Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) are headed back to Salem with the twins. I’m really excited about that.

Stephanie’s stalker soon snatches her from the hospital. Owen Kent (Wes Ramsey) is ready to make his move. Stephanie’s wedding to Alex may have pushed Owen to act now. Taking her from work, where they think Stephanie is safe, is the perfect plan.

We are going to see Alex assaulting and blaming Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) for her kidnapping. Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) is certain that it’s Jeremy, so he’s going to be super surprised when he grabs the guy in the hoodie in the park. It’s Owen Kent, who is another terrible blast from Stephanie’s past.

Arianna “Ari” Grace Horton noticed an abrupt and unwanted change in Holly. Of course, nobody knows that Sophia drugged her.

Days of Our Lives Returns and Revelations: Lani, Eli, Stephanie & Salem’s Troubled Teens

Rolf and EJ are nearly ready to revive the pod person. Very soon, Paulina Price (Jackee Harry) is shocked when EJ takes her down to the secret lab and shows her who is in the tube. Paulina looks horrified. I think it might be Lexie Carver (Renée Jones). We’ll know more soon.