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There has been an untold amount of heartache over four decades with Days of Our Lives; even the most spectacular twists leave an audience full of emotions. Be it betrayal, staggering resurrections, or dizzying identifications, the show thrives by locking audiences in. In the city of Salem, there is no such thing as being truly dead, the past always finds a way of dealing with its inhabitants.
What makes it unique is DOOL's own mixture of romance, mystery, and tension against outrageous but fascinating stories. One day, a beloved character dies a tragic death. The next moment, they return with the most outrageous reasoning behind it. Many of the greatest moments in soap history have been made from these instances. Truly, DOOL is one of the most unpredictable soap operas to exist.
These twists have destroyed relationships, forever redefined characters, and intrigued the audience for years. Whether they made the fans gasp in disbelief or cheer happily, they were all proof that nothing is as it appears in Salem.
Here are 10 shocking twists in Days of Our Lives that defined the show's legacy.
1) Bo Brady’s Brainwashing
Bo Brady's return from the dead was a real shocker, but the real twist came with the discovery that he was actually brainwashed! Thought to be lost forever, he returned to Salem as a whole new person, someone with no memory of his past or his love for Hope. The dear old hero had been manipulated into a much colder and unrecognizable version of himself. Watching Bo try to fight the programming to connect back to his family made for one of the most tragic yet captivating twists in Days of Our Lives history.
2) Marlena’s Evil Twin
One of the iconic soap operas has revealed the evil twin sister of Marlena Evans named Samantha. This twist turned the whole story upside down, making the fans rethink it all. Troubling Salem, impersonating Marlena, and pulling her trickery on the people closest to her, Samantha is responsible for many things. The switch of twins has led to devastating surprises and heartbreaking misunderstandings. The reveal of the true identity of Samantha left many fans shocked, further reinforcing the contention that Days of Our Lives is one about high-stakes, unexpected drama.
3) Vivian Buries Carly Alive
In one of the most gut-churning turns, Vivian Alamain buried Carly Manning alive as vengeance. The ghoulish storyline saw Carly underground and completely at Vivian's mercy. She was taunted through a two-way radio, adding to the ordeal of that imprisonment. The tension escalated as Carly started to run out of breath, finally leaving the audience on edge. This event is the most shocking, twisted act of revenge among the all-time disturbing yet unforgettable moments in Days of Our Lives.
4) Nicole’s Baby Swap
Nicole Walker’s strong desire to become a mother led to one of the biggest tragedies in the history of Days of Our Lives. She got pregnant, then lost the fetus, and therefore got an already-born baby from Mia. This baby she would pass off as her own. Sami Brady was the real mother, and she had no clue that her baby had been taken away. The heartbreaking reality unfolded gradually, leaving tears in the eyes of families and fans. Even now, years later, the effects of this deception continue to haunt Nicole, as it's clear that no secret can ever stay hidden in Salem.
5) Will Horton’s Return from the Dead
When Will Horton was murdered, fans were devastated at the news, only to find out much later that he had been kept alive in secret by Susan Banks, who faked his death and brainwashed him into forgetting his past. As it came to light, uproarious tremors moved through Salem, leading to a deep struggle for Will's memory to be restored. His effort to reconnect with his loved ones only deepens the emotional drama. Perhaps the most classic soap opera truth reaffirmed with this surprise return was that no one stays dead for long in Salem.
6) Ben as the Necktie Killer
The transformation of Ben Weston from a loving boyfriend to an intense serial killer shocked his fans. He was once seen as Abigail's charming partner. But when he was unmasked as the Necktie Killer in charge of some of the most shocking killings to date in Salem, he became the definition of a terrifying serial killer. He left a horrified audience, and one of the deaths was the apparent murder of Will Horton. Eventually, the character would seek redemption, but this astonishing twist sealed Ben's identity as one of the most terrifying villains on Days of Our Lives.
7) Marlena’s Possession by the Devil
One of Days of Our Lives's most shocking but most memorable turns was Marlena Evans' possession. The popular physician became the vessel for the Devil, frightening Salem with paranormal events. From eyes that glowed to floating in bed, the plot stunned viewers and is still one of the soap's braver decisions. Although ultimately exorcised, Marlena's possession came back decades later, demonstrating that Days never hesitates to revisit its most jaw-dropping turns.
8) Kristen DiMera’s Disguises
Kristen DiMera may have her fair share of schemes, but the biggest con of all came when she disguised herself as Nicole Walker. This disguise afforded all the opportunity to manipulate Brady Black and keep everyone in Salem fooled. When, however, her true identity was finally exposed, the fallout was explosive. The mind games Kristen played and the shocking unmasking solidified this as one of Days of Our Lives's most memorable twists.
9) EJ DiMera’s “Resurrection”
EJ DiMera's stunning return from the dead was a signature Days twist. Having been shot and pronounced dead, viewers thought they had seen the last of him. Years went by before it was discovered Kristen DiMera had secretly brought him back to life with Dr. Rolf's notorious resurrection serum. His return shook things up in Salem, rekindling familiar rivalries and romances, showing once again in Days of Our Lives that nobody remains dead very long.
10) Sami’s Death Fake-Out
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Sami Brady has been the focal point for most of the show's crazy storylines, but her fake death was the ultimate shock. Sami, targeted by assassins, staged her own death with some assistance from the ISA. Her "killing" shocked Salem, including her loved ones, who mourned her death until the secret got out. She returned later, alive and well, illustrating once again that Sami always keeps an ace up her sleeve.
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