Photo: Eric & Nicole’s relationship has been strained as of late. (But does it really matter?!).

New Year. New relationships!
While ringing in the New Year, Melanie and Brady share an unexpected, passionate kiss. Serena goes off on Nicole for digging around in her hotel room. Rafe confronts Chad and accuses him of sending an anonymous letter, which resulted in his firing. Will comes out and asks Paul if he’s gay. If that’s not enough, Adrienne and Justin’s relationship is somewhat on the rocks! (Adrienne and Lucas bond). Look for Theresa to get a new love interest named Clint (Lucas Kerr) mid-month. He’s actually working for Kristen! Brady doesn’t like it.

Later, Melanie finds Theresa experiencing a very vulnerable moment when she breaks down at the hospital.

Victor buys Sonny a posh new club, but when Sonny doesn’t want it, Victor decides to open it on his own, just in time for a catfight between Nicole & Serena!

Is Aiden a sociopath? Hope is concerned that he is hiding something. But rumor has it that his former wife may NOT be dead (she may have faked her own death).

Nicole finds a secret involving Serena! It turns out that Serena is really in Salem to do an expose on Eric!​

Chad doesn’t have an easy love life.

Someone exposes JJ’s affair with Eve and he is thrown out of Jenn’s house!

Clyde would like to see Victor go by the wayside.

Actor/model James Ellis appears as a background player in the January 16th episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do7Kpct1EEY

Updates:

Wally Kurth returns as Justin.

Theresa is being watched by one of Kristen’s hired helpers

.Look for Rafe to stay around Salem, thanks to Victor!

Come springtime, the Italian polizia make a visit to Salem!

Both Jordan and Paige will be leaving Salem in the coming months.