Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Emily O’Brien Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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.
23
oh, most definitely, even i backtracked.. and kept thinking… she turned me ?!?! how about it two quotes from @Writer : 1. a young woman so deeply-emotionally wounded that you might just come around and eventually feel some empathy for her 2. 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. YOUR #2 is “chilling” in and of itself.. stupendous .. another emmy worthy submit people hence it’s #1.. alas the big reveal, she did all on her own. it was at ‘SOME’… Read more »
I say this genuinely, because i was caught up in watching Cady McClain act her arse off.. and being impressed by NEW things on the canvas about and with Jack Deveraux .. and you find yourself keeping up with Gwen… TADA she made both apples and oranges
I like Gwen and O’Brien is a powerhouse! Well worth the recognition here!
I think she and Marci Miller are at the top of their games. Emily is a powerhouse, making you hate her one minute and feel sorry for her the next. I am hoping to see her nominated for Best Lead Actress at the 2021 Emmys.
I hated to see a legacy character killed off with Laura’s death. I think she had more that should have been said and done before her death. More scenes with Jennifer, Jack, Abigail, Gwen and Kate.
Powerful performance or not, TPTB have ruined this character. I doubt any viewer likes her—-unless for her acting skills. As a character, Gwen is shot!! Now, it seems, that the writers are trying to play with the viewer’s emotions—-giving a pity-party to a poor, poor, abandoned, helpless child. Perhaps, it works for others—not for me. I am not buying it. Too much evil in one human being and not enough humility for having survived her devastating childhood. It’s a soap; so I get it. Melodrama is a necessary tool. However, this character will never have redemption for me. Will Gwen… Read more »
Celia – “not enough humility for having survived her devastating childhood”? An abused and neglected child should grow up to be a humble adult grateful for the crumbs given to her by Laura? Have YOU lost your mind!?Just what kind of humility would you have Gwen show to the world? You obviously has NO UNDERSTANDING AND NO EMPATHY for children who have been abandoned and told they are unwanted. Gwen has EVERY right to be angry and resentful. Self entitled Laura decided, without consulting Jack, that the child Gwen did not have the right to a father. And Jack, according… Read more »
Gee, that’s a lot of hate. It’s a TV show, right?
Hi, Moto62
Tell me about it. Thank you. We are talking about a character here, not the actress.
There”s a pandemic going on and in the midst of this, people are flipping out over a soap. We come here to exchange views, not cut each other up. I’m off school this week, therefore, I have a little time to spare to chat and catch up.
Nonetheless, I have loved Emily since her short stint on Y&R, as Jana.
There’s no dispute to her talent.
Be safe!!
LOL. It’s a soap, ma’am. You need help.
As do you! Suggesting that Gwen has not shown enough humility for having survived as an unwanted and abandoned child. Seriously!
On the other horn, if Gwen had been with her father when he came to Salem, she might have got killed by his adoptive father or beaten and/or raped by his biological father. So it’s not like life in the Deveraux/Johnson family was all that great back then. No question that Laura did the wrong thing by never telling Jack & Jennifer the truth. But it wasn’t worth killing her over, and seriously, Gwen’s thirty something now…. is she really holding on to childhood grudges. When she voluntarily checked herself into the nuthouse to hide from Jake, she should have… Read more »
Anne So sorry, but I absolutely hate Gwen. Many people have grown up under same or worse circumstances and have turned out to be happy, loving and worthwhile people. It was actually noted recently on Y&R when talking about that monster Adam, that while he didn’t have his father in his life, he had everything else and certainly no excuse for his sociapathic treatment of everyone else in his life, especially his own family. Gwen is finally showing a little guilt, but it’s too little too late especially after the damage she’s done, especially her horrible hate and jealousy of… Read more »
I hope she’s not jacks daughter in the long run
DNA has proved that Gwen is Jack’s daughter
I agree with her being the power performer. I am loving the character of Gwen and Emily as an actress. Her chemistry with Marci Miller and Billy Flynn is amazing. When all 3 are in a scene it’s fire. I have to blame RON on killing Laura, not Gwen. RON has made some big mistakes with killing Adrienne and now Laura. Hopefully Dr. Rolf will bring her back.
I honestly can’t stand her from her accent to her crooked smirk of a smile. I think it’s horrible that Carlivati killed off Laura Horton for this character’s storyline but I don’t think Ron cares about characters that he didn’t invent. His interest is not in the history of Days of Our Lives, in my opinion.
So, if the character of Gwen ever leaves, I’ll be happy to see her go but something tells me she’ll be around for some time me to come.
When this character first merged into our screens, I immediately liked this actress. Her nail biting, which grossed out viewers, only added to the more than real character. Not everyone is perfect in real life, everyone has their own bad habits, and I think this little addition showed me just how great Emily was going to be.
Hi Carlos : Yeah, I readily admit… when she was doing these ??? nail biting, her crooked smirks ; and her full on large teeth… she was off putting… even knowing her stellar work @Y&R. 3 out of 4 years emmy nominated. What really took me… if she is staying longer… she has to change her look…. “look” more amenable, up to date, rambunctious, so she has daddy around the corner. I LOVED HER RED WIG when she, abs and jennifer did that FLASHBACK…. that hairstyle gave her younger, panache, attitude and when she wants a fun lot to dole… Read more »
These accolades for Emily O’Brien are well deserved! Her acting is terrific, which is why some viewers “love” to “hate” her… As a fan of her work on Y&R, I am eagerly hoping for a DOOL episode when Leo (Greg Rikaart) returns to town and runs into Gwen.
Oh Jamesj75, how perfect would that be? Kevin & Jana were my favorite soap couple for years! Two odd, loopy people who fit like a glove. And two of daytime’s best performers ever. I like Chloe and Kevin but Jana made Greg Rikaart even sexier.
Hey Soaphound! I just noticed your response — I miss the old days when we were notified when someone replied to a post. Glad to learn that Kevin and Jana were your favorite soap couple for years. I can see that! Both appealing characters and actors. Take care, Friend!
Soaphound
I agree with you and James. I also loved Jana and Kevin. Could never really take to Chloe. She just annoys me somehow.
I think GWEN is mentally ill. But she sure can act enough to hate her. Cady has done an excellent job doing the JENNIFER role.
Days Of Our Lives
Mike Manning On His DAYS Departure: “Thank You to NBC, to Everyone Involved, and Most of All to the Fans That Were Along for the Ride With This Crazy Character.”
Now it’s the end of the line for Charlie on Days of our Lives, his portrayer Mike Manning took to his Instagram for some parting words of his time in Salem playing this very bad dude.
As Days fans know, many people wanted Charlie dead, and now he is! Thus begins a good old fashioned soap murder mystery on the long-running NBC soap opera, the question now is, who ultimately did the deed?
Photo: JPI
After getting a copy of the latest Soap Opera Digest on newsstand now, which features, “Who Killed Charlie?” on the cover, Manning shared in a post on Friday: Everybody has a motive to want this guy dead.” 😂 Not exactly how I pictured my first soap magazine cover, but at least we’re having a good time with it. It’s been fun Salem. I’ll love you all forever. ✌🏼💙. Thank you to NBC, to everyone involved, and most of all to the fans that were along for the ride w/ this crazy character. You’re amazing. I’ll always be grateful for you. Excited to share what’s next as soon as I can. Arrivederci. -Charlie/Mike”
So place your bets on who will turn out to be the murderer via the comment section below and let us know what you thoughts on Mike’s run on DAYS!
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
WATCH: Jackée Harry Comes to Days of our Lives Promo
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Cady McClain Ends Her Great Run as Jennifer; But Not Before A ‘Wink-Wink’ Nudge-Nudge’ to AMC’s Dixie ‘Poison Pancake’ Debacle
‘Pine Valley’s’ Leo Richardson Teases First Episode Script of All My Children Primetime Reboot
Mike Manning On His DAYS Departure: “Thank You to NBC, to Everyone Involved, and Most of All to the Fans That Were Along for the Ride With This Crazy Character.”
Y&R’s Sharon Case, Mark Grossman & Jordi Vilasuso Talk Love and Betrayal in the Rey/Sharon/Adam Triangle
Kim Delaney on All My Children Primetime Reboot: “All They Have To Do Is Ask, and I’m There”
‘Passions’ Alum Gerardo Celasco Cast in ABC Drama Pilot ‘National Parks’
CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Season Four Premiere Date Announced
Rome Flynn Joins Netflix Series ‘Dear White People’ for its Fourth and Final Season
‘This Is Us’ Star Mandy Moore Welcomes Baby Boy
OLTL & DAYS Alum Melissa Archer Mourns the Loss of Her Father to COVID-19
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Welcomes Baby Boy Lenix
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Cady McClain Ends Her Great Run as Jennifer; But Not Before A ‘Wink-Wink’ Nudge-Nudge’ to AMC’s Dixie ‘Poison Pancake’ Debacle
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Did Vinny Switch the Paternity Results of Steffy’s Baby?
Y&R’s Anthony Morina & Josh Griffith Issue Statement on Casting of Sasha Calle as new ‘Supergirl’
GH’s Maurice Benard Will Celebrate His Birthday With Very Special Guests When He Drops ‘Bad Boy Stories’ On March 1st
Kim Delaney on All My Children Primetime Reboot: “All They Have To Do Is Ask, and I’m There”
GH’s Josh Swickard and Wife Lauren Reveal They’re Expecting A Baby Girl
CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Season Four Premiere Date Announced
TONIGHT: Kim Delaney Stars in Lifetime’s ‘The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice’
WATCH: Jackée Harry Comes to Days of our Lives Promo
Y&R’s Sasha Calle Cast as DC Universe’s New ‘Supergirl’ In Upcoming Motion Picture, ‘The Flash’
Y&R’s Sharon Case, Mark Grossman & Jordi Vilasuso Talk Love and Betrayal in the Rey/Sharon/Adam Triangle
WATCH: Jackée Harry Comes to Days of our Lives Promo
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Did Vinny Switch the Paternity Results of Steffy’s Baby?
TONIGHT: Kim Delaney Stars in Lifetime’s ‘The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice’
Y&R’s Sasha Calle Cast as DC Universe’s New ‘Supergirl’ In Upcoming Motion Picture, ‘The Flash’
GH’s Maurice Benard Will Celebrate His Birthday With Very Special Guests When He Drops ‘Bad Boy Stories’ On March 1st
TODAY: ‘Edge of Night’s’ Terry Davis, Frances Fisher, and Sharon Gabet in Virtual Chat
Expectant Mom, B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Shares Gender Reveal of Her Baby
Linda Dano Talks Taking On DAYS Vivian, Heartfelt Memories of Another World & Felicia Gallant, One Life to Live, Winning a Daytime Emmy & More
Cicely Tyson Recalls Her Time On ‘Guiding Light’ & Her Mother’s Obsession With Soaps In Final Interview on ‘Live with Kelly & Ryan’
-
Days Of Our LivesFebruary 18, 2021DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Cady McClain Ends Her Great Run as Jennifer; But Not Before A ‘Wink-Wink’ Nudge-Nudge’ to AMC’s Dixie ‘Poison Pancake’ Debacle
-
PreviewsFebruary 21, 2021THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Did Vinny Switch the Paternity Results of Steffy’s Baby?
-
NewsFebruary 23, 2021Y&R’s Anthony Morina & Josh Griffith Issue Statement on Casting of Sasha Calle as new ‘Supergirl’
-
General HospitalFebruary 18, 2021GH’s Maurice Benard Will Celebrate His Birthday With Very Special Guests When He Drops ‘Bad Boy Stories’ On March 1st
-
All My ChildrenFebruary 25, 2021Kim Delaney on All My Children Primetime Reboot: “All They Have To Do Is Ask, and I’m There”
-
General HospitalFebruary 17, 2021GH’s Josh Swickard and Wife Lauren Reveal They’re Expecting A Baby Girl
-
DynastyFebruary 24, 2021CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Season Four Premiere Date Announced
-
All My ChildrenFebruary 20, 2021TONIGHT: Kim Delaney Stars in Lifetime’s ‘The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother’s Hunt for Justice’