For soap opera "Days of Our Lives," the first week of 2017 is already packed with drama and thrills. One exciting scene to watch out for is when Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso) finds out that Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) is actually alive.

At one of the opening episodes for 2016, it can be recalled that Hope ended up shooting the villain after the two got into a heated confrontation. With the help of Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering), she managed to cover up the crime at first. However, Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) was able to acquire a tape recording in the possession of Aiden Jennings (Daniel Cosgrove) where Hope admitted the crime. Hope ended up in jail.

On the other hand, reports have it that fans of "Days of Our Lives" will still be able to watch the late actor Mascolo as Stefano in a number of episodes as he was able to tape some scenes before he passed away. These reports were actually confirmed by CBS before 2016 ended. It can be recalled that, sadly, Mascolo died at the age of 87 on Dec. 8, 2016 as he had been battling Alzheimer's disease according to Variety's report.

Before 2016 ended, the show built up a storyline that made fans feel certain Stefano was still alive. Now, as the synopsis for Jan. 2 to 6, 2017 of "Days of Our Lives" gets published, it has been confirmed that the villain is not dead and is currently living in Prague.

On the Tuesday, Jan. 3 episode of "Days of Our Lives," the synopsis clearly teased that Rafe will pay Hope a late night visit in prison to say Stefano is still alive. Aside from that, fans can also expect to see Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) and Abigail Deveraux (Marci Miller) seal New Year with a kiss.

The story involving Rafe, Hope and Stefano will build up in the following days of the week. On Jan. 4, the synopsis also reveals that Rafe will learn that Stefano has been sighted in Prague and he will be subsequently asked by Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) to fly to Europe.

On Jan. 5, spoilers suggest that fans will see Rafe, Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols), and Paul Narita (Christopher Sean) realize that Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) can be used as bait as she also insists in going to Prague to find Stefano.

The "Days of Our Lives" Jan. 2 schedule has been preempted  for the New Year holiday. Fans will thus see the first episode of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 1 p.m. EST on NBC.