Days of Our Lives

Darin Brooksis currently starring on Spike TV's Blue Mountain State.

But he isn't finished with Days of Our Lives just yet. He'll reprise the role of Max for a couple of episodes in March. Look for the character to check in on sister Melanie.

There are five new episodes of Days of Our Lives next week. Expect these developments to take place on them:

• Vivian tells Victor that Carly has a daughter.
• EJ gets together the ransom money.
• Phil (Jay Kenneth Johnson, pictured) and Mel set a wedding date.
• Nathan's mom comes to town for Mickey's funeral.

How will Days of Our Lives welcome in a new year? With a planned murder and a death, of course...

• Sami has a secret meeting with EJ.
• Bo and Justin butt go toe-to-toe.
• Troy hires a hitman.
• Salem is rocked by a major death!

Days of Our Lives closes out 2009 next week. Here's a look at how...

• Chad is happy that Gaby is staying in town.
• There's a major confrontation between Vivian and Carly
• Troy (Erik Fellows, pictured) schemes.
• EJ wants a secret meeting with Sami.

Prepare to say goodbye to Bryan Dattilo, Days of Our Lives fans.

The actor, who joined the NBC soap opera in 1993, "has taped his last episode" already his manager told Soap Opera Digest.

Dattilo contract officially expires in February. No word yet on when his final appearance on the show will air.

How will Days of Our Lives ring in Christmas next week? Find out below...

• Stefano reaches out to Elvis.
• EJ and Sami issue a joint public plea for the return of Sydney. 
• Mia (Taylor Spreitler, pictured )is distressed by the sight of Chad dancing with the new girl in town.
• The Carvers spend quality time together.

During this week prior to Christmas, Days of Our Lives will air five new episodes. Ready to be spoiled? The following developments will take place during them...

• Bo to Justin: stay out of his life!
• Brady (Eric Martsolf, pictured) and Ari smooch.
• We learn who snatched Sydney.
• Rafe pumps Stefano full of truth serum.

Dylan Michal Patton is out, and Chandler Massey is in, on Days of Our Lives.

The latter actor is taking over the role of Sami and Lucas's son, as a show insider confirmed: "They just felt they needed to make a change with the story coming up."

Massey has guest-starred on Army Wives and One Tree Hill. No word yet on his debut date.

Will there be happy holidays ahead on Days of Our Lives? These developments will play out next week...

• Rafe catches Nicole trying to leave town.
• EJ to Fay: do the right thing!
• Justin demands an explanation from Bo.
• An inconvenient truth about Dan (Shawn Christian, pictured) is uncovered.

Over the next few episodes, fans can expect the following developments on Days of Our Lives...

• Nicole's mother, Fay, arrives.
• Ari admits to her sister that she's working undercover! 
• Melanie dumps Nathan (Mark Hapka, pictured).
• Hope demands answers from Carly.