She missed the funeral. She’s carrying regret. And now Sami finally returns — to face the pain of losing John… and confront the past she never made peace with. This reunion will crush you.

The door creaks open at Marlena’s townhouse — and there she is. Sami Brady. Eyes swollen, voice trembling, heart absolutely shattered.

Her return isn’t about drama this time. It’s about grief. It’s about unfinished business. And it’s about saying goodbye.

When John Black was laid to rest earlier this summer, one person was painfully absent. Sami, played by Alison Sweeney, couldn’t make it to filming due to scheduling conflicts — but her character’s silence was deafening. Fans noticed. And so did the writers.

Now, they’ve written her back in. Not just for closure — but for a raw, emotional reckoning that only Sami could bring.

In a recent interview, Sweeney opened up about the storyline. “I really wanted Sami to be a part of the story of saying goodbye to John,” she said. “As difficult as the subject matter was, I’m really glad they were able to make this happen.”

The scenes between Sami and Marlena don’t need big dialogue or flashy conflict. Just a long, silent hug. Just a few words. Just the pain of a daughter who missed her chance to say goodbye… and the comfort of a mother who understands.

But there’s more. Beneath the grief is something darker — guilt.

Sami’s relationship with John has always been rocky. Years of conflict. Mistakes. Words said in anger. Now, she’s left to carry all that unresolved weight, knowing nothing can be undone.

And as if that weren’t heavy enough, the rest of Salem is unraveling. Her son, Johnny, is locked in a brutal trial. Her family is fractured. And grief has a way of making old wounds bleed again.

Sami’s return is brief, but the impact is lasting. This isn’t the firestorm fans know as “Hurricane Sami.” This is something more intimate. More painful. And more human.

She’ll be back again for the show’s 60th anniversary this fall — but for now, her scenes offer something Days fans rarely get in soaps: stillness. Reflection. And a heartbreak that feels all too real.

Can Sami finally forgive herself — or is this grief a burden she’ll carry forever?