She has been a polarizing character since her arrival in Salem, with some fans screaming Gwen is sucking up too much airtime. HOWEVER, the performances by Emily O’Brien (Gwen) show an actress on top of her craft who can play, as Gwen called herself, “A miserable, vindictive bitch”, or a young woman so deeply-emotionally wounded that you might just come around and eventually feel some empathy for her.
Last week, while the soaps were pre-empted for most of the week due to the senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, DAYS posted all of its weekly episodes online on NBC.com, the NBC app, or on the Peacock streaming platform, and O’Brien’s work was a standout.

Photo: JPI
It all came to a boiling point when Laura (Jaime Lyn Bauer) and Gwen have the long-awaited confrontation in Gwen’s room at the Salem Inn, where O’Brien goes from Gwen baiting Laura to tell her dirty secret of her long-ago affair with Jack (Matthew Ashford), to her utter anger at how because of it, Laura trashed Gwen’s entire life.
Laura reveals the guilt she felt for sleeping with Jack, so much so, that she would do anything to save Jennifer (Cady McClain) and Jack’s marriage. In delight at getting to the root of the truth, Gwen responds: “You slept with Jack? That is just perfect! My father slept with his mother-in-law!”
Then, Laura shares how it happened. They were both at the “Meadows” finding their ‘truest selves’ and they were both using other names – she, Monica and he, Clark, and Laura had never seen a photo of Jack before to know it was him! Gwen wants to burst out in hysterical laughter, but then she becomes filled with rage knowing that if Laura hadn’t bought off her birth mother, Tiffany, her own life would have been very different. She goes on to say that she and Abigail (Marci Miller) might even be close as sisters, but instead of “borrowing her clothes, she borrowed her husband” alluding to sleeping with Chad (Billy Flynn). Next, Gwen wants to make Laura pay and lets Laura know that, “All the damage that you did, can’t be undone.” When Laura tries to leave, Gwen stops her and says in no uncertain terms, “I want revenge, because you ruined my life and you’re not going to get away with it!”

Photo: JPI
Next, we see that there had been a struggle with Laura dead on the floor bleeding out of her head. A freaked-out Gwen does not know what to do. She realizes she will be accused of murder. With no one in town to call, she decides to call her father, Jack. When he shows up at the Salem Inn, Jack is shocked, and grief-stricken to see his mother-in-law, dead. Gwen swears to Jack this was an accident and that she did not kill Laura, and that he has to believe her. Jack decides he will stand by his daughter. Gwen wants to get rid of the body, Jack says he can’t be involved in a cover-up, so he calls Rafe (Galen Gering). When Rafe arrives at the crime scene he is very suspicious of Gwen, and takes her down to the station.
Scene after scene, O’Brien layered her performances with venomous and ominous undertones, illustrating a woman with so much emotional baggage who becomes desperate to save herself. For all these reasons, Michael Fairman TV names Emily’s work, The Power Performance of the Week.
What did you think of Emily O’Brien’s key scenes? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Not familiar with her work on DAYS, but I know her from PASSIONS and know she is a great actress. I think that OLTL should snag her if Amanda Setton is not intent on returning to OLTL anytime soon. I can picture Lindsay in the role of Kim and I think she would do an amazing job! Plus, it would give OLTL a reason to have Clint on more…he has been MIA for far too long.
I am shocked with this sudden news! Lindsay is a powerhouse of an actress and kept numerous fans glued to the screen during her 9 year Passions run. The only reason I dove back into Days was for her joining the cast. I know Lindsay will find the perfect role soon, so her fans will patiently wait for the right decision.
After her last episode I will no longer tune in, there you have it TPTB.
Lindsey is never going to get her man, Ethan. alius Brady Black. This romance want see an end if you FIRE her. She,s a great actress. Boo to you for taking her off.
My first day back after 3 years off from DOOL was Lindsay’s first day. Her last day will be my last day. I don’t think TPTB can see what’s in front of them. EJ-Arianna were cute together, and could have made a nice little couple for a while. Instead we have Rafe and Sami getting back together around Labor Day and then what…..EJ sits home alone playing chess?? There isn’t another woman on DOOL who works with him.
This is terrible news. I started back watching when Lindsay came on, and now she’s leaving after just a year! She’s one of the best actresses on daytime, I hope another soap like General Hospital snags her up soon. This might make me quit watching Days after she leaves. Maybe if they bring Jack and Jennifer back I MIGHT stick around…
Are you kidding Lindsay got fired from Days, What a lousy move, If she didn’t see eye to
eye with Brady you should have gotten a new boyfriend for her. Get rid of Nicole she
is obnoxious,If it weren’t for Galen Gering I would never watch the show again, Also tell Allison Sweeney to stop wining and screaming all the time She does not know a goodf
thing when it is right in front of her,
I am mad beyond belief…Never really watched days until LH arrive. I have never seen such incompentence on a soap in my life. I totally enjoyed ej and ari. I thought it would have beautiful see JS as a heartthrob. But the brainiac kept every story line long as hell and they just ruin it for me. Her last day will be mine.
I was actually very shocked when i heard the news..LH is such a wonderful actress and I think Days is making a big mistake letting her go. I hope she gets snagged by another (smarter) soap. I only started watching Days when she came on and loved the idea of her and Ej as a couple..they have such chemistry..her last day will also be mine. She is a great actress and I wish her all the best in the future!
Lindsay is a talented actress. But I didnt see a future with her on days of our lives, The writers did a bad job writing her character. Bring Lindsay to General hospital. She can somehow have ties to , Olivia, brooklyn, or maybe even a love interest for Sonny or Johnny. Lindsay is a ver dynamic and captivating. Another idea is that we been hearing alot about the lopez brother. Lindsay character name was theresa lopez fitzerald on Passions. Maybe General Hospital Can use lindsay as a sister of the lopez brothers and she falls inlove with Johnny Zacarah. THey… Read more »
Day’s just makes one mistake after another. I’ve had enought. Lindsay’s last day will be mine too. I’ve been watching Day’s for 42 years. I can’t do it anymore. This is the straw that broke the camels back. I hope one of the smarter soaps pick up Lindsay and do right by her. Dirty rotten shame..
LINDSEY HARTLEY IS A WONDERFUL ACTRESS. SHE IS YOUNG ,BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED. I LOVED HER ON PASSIONS AND DAYS OF OUR LIVES. WHY THE HELL DID THEY LET HER GO? IM VERY UPSET ABOUT HER LEAVING.