Days of Our Lives sees Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) has finally opened his eyes on Monday’s episode, much to his brother Xander Cook Kiriakis‘ (Paul Telfer) surprise. And incredibly, Philip is going to lie and cover for Xander. But does that silence come at a price?

Xander’s Awkward Encounter: Pillow Talk Gone Wrong on Days of Our Lives

So, it’s pretty awkward when the brother you tried to beat to death wakes up just as you’re trying to smother him with a pillow. But that’s where Xander found himself at the beginning of this week, pillow in hand, looming over Philip’s, who opened his eyes and saw his brother.

Xander lied and told other people that he was in the room just to check on Philip as one does when you try to murder them. And of course, Xander lied and said he was just wishing his brother Philip a speedy recovery. And Xander even said what a miracle it was that his brother finally woke up.

Kate’s Suspicion and Philip’s Shocking Revelation: Days of Our Lives Spoilers

And of course, Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) was freaking out when she saw the Salem cop at the lobby coffee station getting some water instead of at his post outside her son Philip’s room. And the officer claimed he suddenly felt queasy and had to run to the bathroom because he got all pukey.

Kate suspected foul play involved and alerted Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu). Kate and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) were stunned to find Philip awake with Xander lurking in the room. Since Kate and Sarah both know Xander was the one who put Philip in that coma on Days of our Lives. Nearly beating him to death, they were on high alert about Xander’s presence this week. So, Philip shocks everybody when he tells a different story about the night he was attacked.

The Price of Silence: Will Philip Control Titan on Days of Our Lives?

However, Xander may have to pay a high cost for this lie so that he can stay out of prison. We’ll see. Philip covering for Xander could come with a considerable price tag and something he might demand could be full control of Titan DiMera. But for now, Kate is so relieved that Philip is awake and doing much better.

But Xander fears Philip will press charges for the assault and send him straight to Statesville prison. And in fact, that is what Xander fully expects Philip to do. So he took off before he could be questioned before Philip started talking.

Philip’s Deception and Xander’s Fury: A Brotherly Betrayal on Days of Our Lives

Amazingly this week, Philip lies to everybody about what happened the night he was attacked. So first, Jada is grilling him about what happened. And from the very first, Philip denies his brother hurt him and says it was definitely not Xander. But we also know how conniving and underhanded Philip can be. So Xander may have to turn over the reins at Titan DiMera or Philip could press charges against him.

And even if the whole forgery thing came out, I think there might be mitigating circumstances now that Xander brutally beat Philip. Days fans know that Xander and Philip had been getting along great up until the forgery lie and the Versix thing. You know, Xander’s been enraged ever since he found out his brother Philip used the letter forged by Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) to take him to court to steal half of Titan.

From Bro Bonding to Heartbreak: The Xander and Philip Saga Continues

And you know what? Before that came out, Xander had rolled with the punches, and he was embracing Philip as a brother. Plus, it was all made worse when Sarah decided to cover for Philip and lie to her darling husband. But, you know, Xander and Philip did really genuinely like each other. They were getting along and making big moves, and they had taken DiMera right out from under Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk).

They were high-fiving and bro bonding. I loved it. It was very cute. It was very sweet. But when the ugly truth came out, Xander was I think I mean he was infuriated at Philip, you know, and the Versix incident pushed him over the edge. But I think what it was Xander was heartbroken like he had kind of fallen for the idea of Philip as his brother. And then for his from his perspective, it’s like it was all a lie. I meant nothing to him, you know.

Xander’s Motives and the Question of Premeditation on Days of Our Lives

And of course, after Xander confronted Sarah, she was absolutely unapologetic for lying to him. So Xander’s angry at her right now as well, especially since Sarah’s not letting him see his daughter Victoria. So, I’m not sure if Xander went to smother Philip because he’s still angry at him or because Xander, you know, was hoping that if he took care of Philip, he could avoid prison and maybe Philip wasn’t going to wake up anyway. Like a mercy killing.

I don’t know. To be honest, Xander might not have even thought it through properly. I mean, he did take steps leading up to it, but that doesn’t mean he weighed everything out. You know, Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) had just been lecturing Xander about his anger management issues and his impulse control. But on the other hand, Xander’s actions this week were well thought out because he planned ahead to drug the guard presumably. You know, we’re assuming he did that.

Manslaughter or Premeditated Murder: Xander’s Potential Fate on Days of Our Lives

So, while I think Philip might have forgiven Xander for the initial beating because Philip might have felt like, “Okay, I deserved it.” The follow-up action of planning to smother him in his hospital bed might be a little harder to forgive. You know, Xander beating Philip in his hotel room was his temper snapping. You know, it was that anger management issue, but the second attempt Xander made to get Philip this week was premeditated 100%.

So, not only could Philip tell Jada that Xander beat him nearly to death, but Philip could say he woke up to Xander holding a pillow over his face. Absolute truth. The beating could be mitigated down to manslaughter. You know, that’s a few years behind bars. Xander could do that easy. But the other attempt on Philip was absolutely pre-meditated murder. One that could send him to prison for life.

A Glimmer of Hope: Can the Kiriakis Brothers Reconcile on Days of Our Lives?

But I don’t think all is lost for the Kiriakis brothers. Our Days of Our Lives leaker told us that Philip is going to work to regrow his brotherly bond with Xander. And from there, Philip is going to try to help Xander win back Sarah. He wants to put things back together that he broke. However, that doesn’t mean Philip is doing everything altruistically.

Belle’s Confrontation and Philip’s Motives: What’s Next for Xander on Days of Our Lives?

So, to start off, Philip claims it wasn’t Xander that almost killed him. Jada reports back to DA Belle Black (Martha Madison) on what Philip said, and Belle’s going to freak out, go confront Philip, and demand to know why he’s lying. I mean, Belle and Jada may think that Xander’s threatening him or something, but Philip’s not going to back down. He insists Xander’s innocent. I will say that many days fans think Philip is going to want something big in return for keeping quiet and keeping Xander out of prison.

Philip could insist that he wants his co-CEO position back again. Or maybe he doesn’t settle for co-CEO. Maybe Philip demands that Xander make him sole CEO of Titan DiMera, you know, and there’s also the big question of whether Philip is saving Xander out of guilt, out of the goodness of his heart, or for more predatory and selfish reasons. You know, these men are both sons of Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston), who was wickedness personified. So, Xander and Philip come by those devious genes.

The Price of Freedom: Will Philip Demand a High Price from Xander?

Honestly, you know, I mean, whatever Philip asks for, I’m guessing Xander’s going to have to agree because he just can’t kill Philip at this point because Xander’s already the top suspect in the near killing. So, we’re going to see if Philip demands a high price for keeping Xander out of prison or if Philip tells Xander the price is simply, “You have to let me back into your life.”

Because he wants to make amends and for them to be real brothers. Real brothers with no agenda between them. And of course, Kate wants Xander behind bars and may try and say that Philip’s not right in his head because of the injuries or his memories are flawed, or he’s been threatened into silence by Xander. But if Philip insists his brother didn’t do it, there’s nothing Kate or police commissioner Jada or District Attorney Belle can do about it.