Days of Our Lives Early Spoilers August 17–21: EJ Attacked, Chanel in Labor and Lexie’s Final Days Rock Salem

Days of Our Lives is heading into another emotional and chaotic week from August 17–21, with EJ DiMera facing a surprising attack, Philip Kiriakis becoming increasingly desperate over Titan’s future, Chanel going into a dangerous labor, and Lexie Carver’s final days bringing heartbreaking scenes for Abe, Theo and the DiMera family.

Several storylines already unfolding this week will directly set up the drama ahead, and Salem could look very different by the time the week is over.

EJ Faces an Unexpected Attack

EJ has no shortage of enemies, but one of his newest problems comes from an unexpected direction.

Devlin St. John continues confronting EJ over the contaminated Smith Island water supply, and the dispute appears ready to turn physical.

Devlin is furious over what he believes EJ’s company has done, and their confrontation escalates to the point where EJ is punched.

The timing could hardly be worse for EJ.

He is already sick with the flu, dealing with multiple secrets and facing the growing possibility that Rafe Hernandez and Cat Greene are getting dangerously close to exposing him.

Once Devlin’s visit ends, EJ will still have much bigger problems waiting.

Titan Is Running Out of Time

Xander and Philip are also in crisis mode.

Titan has only about 30 days before its financial situation becomes catastrophic after EJ called in the loan that had been keeping the company afloat.

Gabi had helped rescue Titan, but after revealing too much to EJ, the entire arrangement became vulnerable.

Now Xander is desperate enough to consider drastic measures.

He may begin exploring risky or even questionable ways to raise the money needed to save the company.

Philip is just as panicked.

He pitches Gabi a dangerous idea and even appears interested in sports betting as a possible way to generate cash.

But Titan reportedly needs around $2 million, making gambling an extremely unreliable solution.

With the clock ticking, Xander, Philip and Gabi will have to find another plan quickly.

Rachel Fears Kristen May Never Return

Brady has a heartbreaking conversation with Rachel about Kristen.

Rachel is terrified that her mother may never come home.

Kristen left behind cryptic comments involving EJ before disappearing, leaving Rachel confused and frightened.

Brady tries to comfort his daughter, but there is only so much reassurance he can provide when he does not know exactly where Kristen is or what she intends to do next.

Kristen’s absence may make Brady’s life less chaotic, but for Rachel, it is still the loss of her mother.

Theo Finally Finds Lexie

One of the most emotional stories of the week centers on Lexie.

Theo and Abe have become increasingly suspicious about her disappearance.

Theo knows she is not in South Africa as claimed, and information gathered by Cat, Marlena and others gradually points him toward the DiMera mansion.

By Friday, Theo and Chad finally make their move.

Theo confronts Rita and demands that she let them pass.

When she finally gives way, Theo and Chad enter the tunnels beneath the mansion and discover the devastating truth.

Lexie is there.

Theo rushes into the room calling for his mother, while Chad follows close behind.

Once Lexie is found, Abe is contacted and joins his family at her bedside.

Lexie Is Taken to the Hospital

Lexie is not expected to remain hidden beneath the DiMera mansion for much longer.

Theo and Abe arrange to have her moved to Salem University Hospital so that her final moments are not spent in the same tunnels associated with so much DiMera darkness.

The hospital scenes are expected to be deeply emotional.

Abe and Theo remain with Lexie as her condition worsens.

EJ eventually recovers enough from his illness to visit his sister, but Abe is furious when he appears.

Abe reportedly orders EJ to leave.

Whatever EJ’s intentions may have been, Abe is unlikely to forgive him easily for helping keep Lexie’s condition secret from the people who loved her most.

Chad Turns on Cat

Cat Greene may also pay a heavy personal price for the secrets she has been keeping.

Her ISA investigation has required her to hide important information, but Chad may see things very differently once he learns how much Cat knew about Lexie.

Upcoming developments point toward Chad confronting Cat in anger over her lies and omissions.

The confrontation could permanently damage whatever trust still existed between them.

Cat has already complicated Chad’s life once by pretending to be Abigail.

Now Chad may believe she allowed his family to suffer while prioritizing her investigation.

Even if Cat eventually explains everything, Chad may decide he has heard enough.

Chanel Goes Into Dangerous Labor

Chanel’s pregnancy also takes a frightening turn.

She begins showing signs that she may be going into labor weeks before she was expected to be induced.

The situation quickly becomes serious.

At the hospital, Kayla examines Chanel while Johnny becomes terrified when he learns that she is bleeding.

Paulina and Lani are also present as the medical team moves quickly.

Given Chanel’s history with breast cancer and chemotherapy, Johnny has every reason to fear for both Chanel and their baby.

The hope is that Chanel and baby Quattro will both survive the high-risk delivery safely.

But the scenes are being set up as some of the most intense family drama of the week.

Dmitri Refuses to Give Up

The situation in Alamainia remains equally complicated.

Dmitri continues holding power over Gwen, Rafe and Leo.

Leo may offer himself in exchange for Rafe and Gwen’s freedom, but Dmitri could demand something even more extreme.

One possibility raised by the developing story is that Dmitri could insist that Leo marry him before allowing Gwen to leave.

Meanwhile, Gwen is considering an offer from Rafe.

Rafe wants evidence against EJ and may be willing to offer Gwen immunity if she agrees to testify.

EJ is the bigger target, and Gwen could become the key to bringing him down.

Javi is also preparing to become involved.

He may travel to Alamainia in an attempt to save Leo, only to realize that his feelings for Leo are far from over.

That revelation would almost certainly infuriate Dmitri.

Abe Faces Losing Lexie Again

Once Lexie reaches the hospital, Abe and Theo must prepare for the possibility of saying goodbye.

Lexie’s death would devastate Theo, who may turn to Stephanie for support.

That connection could become complicated because Stephanie is already having problems with Alex and is considering moving out.

Paulina will also try to support Abe through his grief.

But losing Lexie again could leave Abe emotionally overwhelmed.

The big question will be what happens to Abe and Paulina’s relationship after Lexie dies.

A reunion may eventually be possible, but Abe will likely need time to process an enormous loss first.

Could Gwen Save Titan?

Titan’s financial crisis may eventually intersect with Gwen’s return.

If Gwen has access to enough money, she could potentially become one of the few people capable of helping Xander and Philip save the company.

That possibility could become especially important once she returns to Salem.

With Xander and Philip increasingly desperate, they may be willing to accept help from almost anyone.

Salem Faces a Week of Loss, Birth and Revenge

The week of August 17–21 looks poised to deliver nearly every kind of soap drama at once.

EJ suffers a surprising assault while his legal problems grow.

Xander and Philip scramble to keep Titan alive.

Chanel faces a dangerous childbirth.

Theo and Abe finally find Lexie, only to realize they may have very little time left with her.

Cat faces Chad’s fury.

And Dmitri continues turning the situation in Alamainia into an increasingly dangerous game.

Salem will be dealing with both new life and devastating loss at the same time.

And for EJ in particular, Devlin’s punch may prove to be the smallest problem he faces.

Once Lexie’s secret is exposed and Rafe returns with new evidence, EJ could find himself under attack from nearly every direction.