In the November 13 episode of Days of our Lives, Dominic continued getting acquainted with his new family, but his private conversation with Rita revealed that he’s been making some rather calculated moves. While Marlena struggled with the possibility that he’s her son, Dominic plotted against EJ and laid the groundwork for an unlikely alliance with the Kiriakises. Stefano may be dead, but his talent for manipulating the entire town appeared to be alive and well.
What Happened on DAYS
Marlena (Deidre Hall) visited Dominic (Kyle Pryor) at the DiMera mansion but insisted on keeping her distance until a DNA test confirmed their relationship. Dominic pleaded for a chance to get to know his mother, while Marlena explained the horrifying circumstances of her captivity under Stefano. She didn’t even know whether she carried or gave birth to Dominic, and the whole situation remained incredibly painful.
Later, Dominic met Rita (Maggie Carney) in a secret office beneath the mansion, and we got a much clearer picture of his intentions. He never planned to purchase the Kiriakis mansion. Instead, he wanted to use the canceled sale to build goodwill with the family. He also checked on the shipping manifests sent to Johnny (Carson Boatman), expecting them to make EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) life considerably more difficult. Rita then revealed she’d promised Stefano (Joe Mascolo) her loyalty would belong entirely to Dominic.
Why It Matters
Dominic’s arrival wasn’t simply a surprise family reunion. Between Stefano’s ring, controlling interest in DiMera Enterprises, and his deliberate maneuvering around the Kiriakises, he’s positioning himself to take over. EJ has spent years believing he was his father’s rightful successor, only to discover that Stefano apparently had another candidate waiting in the wings.
The shipping manifests were particularly interesting. With the company’s warehouse already under scrutiny, Dominic seemed to know exactly where to apply pressure. And Rita’s allegiance gave him another advantage.
The Fallout
What makes Dominic interesting is how differently he behaves around Marlena and Rita. His plea for a relationship with his mother seemed heartfelt, particularly when she described what Stefano put her through. Yet minutes later, he calmly discussed how to undermine his brother. Is he genuinely seeking a relationship with Marlena, or is winning her over another part of his strategy?
And what about Stefano’s promise to Rita? She admitted feeling some guilt about abandoning EJ, but her loyalty to Dominic was absolute. With the Kiriakises potentially becoming allies and Johnny unknowingly holding documents that could hurt EJ, Dominic has several pieces already in motion. The old Phoenix would probably be proud. EJ, on the other hand, might want to start checking beneath the mansion for secret offices.
