I know it's a soap, but even for Days, this is getting confusing.
John's apparently alive and will return on 1/8. He's the man in Stefano's basement and his "death" was just another of Stefano's games to recreate his "soldier."
A woman from Stefano's past (who has been a thorn in his side for YEARS) is coming to Salem. (Shirley Jones is joining the cast.)
It's beginning to appear that John is Stefano's half brother, not his step-son. John is Tony's uncle, not his brother. Daphne isn't John's mother. Colleen Brady is.
Colleen Brady is alive.
Brady being missing, Crystal trying to "help" Belle and Marlena -- it's all involved.
To John Black aka Forest Alamain aka The Pawn aka Colleen Brady's son aka ad nauseum. The most retconned character in soaps. A walking AU.