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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Freddie Smith and Alison Sweeney Deliver Heartbreaking Performances As Sonny & Sami Struggle With Will's Death!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Earlier in the week, On-Air On-Soaps gave major kudos to the cast of Days of our Lives for their performances when many key characters in Salem learned that Will Horton (Guy Wilson) had been murdered by the necktie serial killer (Ben Weston). But once the action picked-up in later episodes, in particular on Thursday and Friday, it was Freddie Smith’s performance of Sonny Kiriakis, and Alison Sweeney’s performance as Sami, that truly broke our hearts.

Sonny had finally arrived in Salem from Paris grief-stricken.  He lost his husband, the man he was intending on coming back to town to make things right with.  Instead, he is coming back to Salem to bury him.  As Sonny made his way through Salem, he first stops by to see his mother, Adrienne (Judi Evans) and his father, Justin (Wally Kurth) for some tears and hugs.  He then made his way to the apartment he shared with Will.   Once inside, nothing made us reach for the hankies more, during this sad week of air shows, than when Sonny nearly collapsed on the floor of the crime scene in anguish … in the most gutwrenching of cries.  Gabi (Camila Banus), who was there, hugs Sonny and he asks to be alone.   Later, Paul (Christopher Sean) shows up to try to comfort him, but to no avail.  Sonny also goes to the hospital where he sees Abigail (Kate Mansi) and learns where Chad’s (Billy Flynn) room is.  He tells Abigail he cannot comprehend how Chad could kill Will.  “He was my best friend, and Will’s,” is what Sonny basically relates to Abby.  Thus far, Sonny has not been able to face his daughter Arianna … Will and Gabi’s bio-child he helped raise!

Courtesy/NBC

Then we have Will’s mother, Sami who is dealing with her grief by barely grieving at all.  However, she too lost it when she visited Will’s apartment, and wound up on the ground looking at the crime scene, and flashing back to her younger days caring for baby Will!  It was a tearjerker.  Sami also lets out some major tears at Will’s.  As Marlena (Deidre Hall), Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Eric (Greg Vaughan) try to help Sami  … kick,  scream, cry and let it all out, she becomes even more removed from her emotions.  Later, Sami wants to take her anger towards Stefano (Joe Mascolo) and the DiMeras, and put it good use to snuff out Chad’s life with a pillow, while getting into his hospital room.  Marlena eventually happens upon the scene and stops her.  When Sami goes to rest at John (Drake Hogestyn) and Marlena’s, she goes through a bundle of mail Marlena had been keeping for her, and it it contained a letter from EJ !  Will Sami check out what’s contained in the safety deposit box from the key EJ left her in the letter?  Stay tuned.  Sami has had to cope, and try to come to terms, with two deaths in the last year – her husband and her first- born son.  How Sweeney plays Sami, as she tries to pull it together, and then despite of herself has a moment of heartbreak and emotion has made also for emotional viewing for DAYS viewers.

Will’s funeral begins next week as Sonny, Sami, and Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) have to bury their husband, and their child, respectively.  We are sure hankies will be needed in droves for that, as well.

So, what did you think of the performances of Freddie Smith and Alison Sweeney on last week’s episodes of Days of our Lives?  Do you wish they were staying on the series longer than their short visits? What moment make you reach for the hankies?  Hard to imagine after seeing Sonny’s reaction, but  … WilSon is no more.  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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All performances were outstanding. I know many people were upset that they killed Will, but the show needed a shot in the arm and I think this was it. I am looking forward to see how this plays out. Kudos to the writers and actors. Emmy’s all around! 😉

Did Grandma Kate and 2nd cousin Teressa shed a tear over Will…noooooooo…they were more concerned with business matters…Sonny and Sami gave great performances as expected but when you have other characters showing very little emotion over Wills tragic death, it really somewhat ruins this storyline for me!

Hi, Jimmy.
If truth be known, I was ver much impressed by Lucas. He really outdid himself. I was in tears along with him.
Yes, Sami mourned, wept, sobbed as a mother should….however, no one can compare to Kassie D. The image of the what’s-the-point-of-living, grieving mother took permanent residence in my brain.

let my put out their; my adage… just when i think I”ve got it all figured out or formulated in my mind… posts stream in and level (LOL) my ideal… and help me creatively enjoy

JimH… I was all set to agree with you about Kate and Theresa… till I read… more

1… all I really need to see is Alison Sweeney ACT… and I’m floored dam break and on emotional overload

2… if he was my husband… i’d lose it…. ie: seeing Freddie Smith home for this is tantamount to… LGBT reeling very much REAL LIFE

Oh, Ceec’ : I’ve thought about Kassie DePaiva… (how dare I compare) these two amazing actresses….. and they are both no longer on the show

for the love of all things want : I’d take Kassie DePaiva back in a heartbeat… ie: and it’s due to new blood; new character; new energy ; new intrigue

Lauren Koslow… is one of my all time favorite characters on Serial… (LOL) and yes… i’ve stated as much… if I were a woman… I’d be Kate… a powerful woman… with intricacies… and emotional upheavel she carries with so much aplomb that I admire her character… how is it that her character… lives her life… with our without ??? any one? she traverses through Salem… on her own energies…

ie: JimH… I care so much about this show… that i’m pinpointing… like… Kate’s reaction kinda threw me… as well… I see her “sorrowing” on her own… as she collects herself, sums up , and pulls herself together and forges onward…

I liked that she told Lucas… as they are on the outs… “I’m glad that you called me”

she gave all the credit to Marlena… as Lucas shared how his mother knew and accepted outright Will happiness

TEARS : this is definately… a throwback to what serial does well.. when a character with so many ties… just cuts to the core

CeeCee…you know me very well…most people call me Jimmy…love it!

I respectfully disagree with you– Kate is not the sloppy sentimental type, I think it would be out of character to see her grieving Will outwardly– the show did show a shot of her crying alone in the park when Lucas showed up– then she composed herself like Kate would. Also many people deal with grief by keeping busy, like tending to a business, which is also an acceptable way to do it.

As for Theresa she hardly knew Will even if they were related. I think the amount of grief she shown is in keeping with the character.

Lastly this still a television show and there has to be some balance, if everyone was just standing there weeping for an hour that would way toooo depressing. There are also only so many scenes they can show per day, so they are focusing on the reactions people want to see like Sonny’s and Sami’s — and hopefully Caroline’s because she loss her great grandson and her reaction is the one I want to see over watching Theresa shed some fake tears for a 2nd cousin she hardly knew.

So I hope you reconsider because this story is so compelling as it is, it is a shame if you let something like this ruin it for you.

You are right about Kate…but still talking business in the town square felt sowewhat tacky and disrespectful to me…i barely knew my cousin who was killed by a drunk driver but i still put off normal everyday activities until at least after the funeral but then again this is a soap!

Kate is somewhat cold anyway, Jimh. Plus, she did thank Lucas for calling her “last night” to tell her of Will’s death, which meant her reaction wasn’t shown, except the little bit with Lucas at the park. Kate had to keep up her business bitch facade with Nicole and Theresa.

I never want Sonny to leave. I feel like Freddie did a wonderful job as the grieving husband.

And Paul dropping by? Shades of Noah butting in on Luke’s grieving of Reid and asking hiim to come to LA with a view toward taking more of Noah’s abuse. But at least Paul didn’t play that card. But him dropping by was SO inappropriate. have they let Sean go, too?
v
Sami/Alison? Tpical over the top chewing furniture immature bullsht she usually pulls. I’m TERRIFIED that she is going to stay since she got a letter from EJ. But then, I keep forgettng. When Sonny leaves, I leave. I’d rather eat dirt than watch that fireplug emote her way from A to B. In what universe do people act that way and pull the crap Sami pulls and people still love her and fall all over themselves for her well being. What did that guy call her? Trainwreck of self-involvement! How many times has she gotten away with murder or attempted murder iincluding last week? No, no, no. I just can’t. I kknow she’s a fan favorite but I just can’t ride that train.

PS: Please please give Fr eddie Smith his second Emmy! This whole year has been Sonny & Will’s year.

yeah, I really thought the same thing… when it seemed like all things were going good … ie: character evolve

and she pulls the stunt of wanting to murder Chad… with pillow , as he lay comatose in the hospital

that’s what let me go… of AS … when she left the show… the immaturity and loud vocal of her stubborn lacks

all in all… Alison Sweeney and Kassie DePaiva acting of loss… when it’s your child…

tears and had me right their

Blown away! However, mixing business in with the grief feels false and is disappointing. Kate would be beside herself losing Will.

I agree… Emmys all around. This is DOOL’s year!

“gosh darned it”

would’nt this be an opportune time… for the headwriting team… and DAYS production to let loose…. Lauren Koslow

as in: give her a predilection… of damnation… ???? !!!! just giving in and collapsing her stalwart back bone and losing spine and losing face….

having said that… it wouldn’t be our Kate… who puts one foot in front of the other

to see her show emotion…

it’s been a long time hasn’t it ?

She was so good with Rafe

ie: when it was shared that Eduardo may be in her horizon ????

couldn’t come any sooner

Reign

I think Freddie Smith was wonderful. He mourned was so realisticly. He made me cry right along with him. If he doesn’t get a Emmy for this one something is wrong.

hmmm I actually disagree and have not thought that the crying from Freddie Smith has been that great.. I have watched this show for many years and have no connection with the actor who played Will.. I have not felt bad at all. This murder has not drawn me in… it has been fun to wath.. but not shedding any tears….

For me, Eve’s grief scenes felt far more heart wrenching. Even in her appearance… little makeup, wardrobe, just incredibly real and raw in her grief. Major kudos to Kassie DePaiva.

I cried when Sami was on the ground crying for her first-born. Sonny crying over his husband made me feel so bad. I don’t understand why Days had to kill Will. Ali Sweeney didn’t understood it either. But Ali is a really great actress, she can play Sami like only she can. I just hoped that she would stay for the longer hold. But there’s nothing you can do about it. I love Sami

I think the acting the last couple of weeks was spot on. From the moment Will stepped into Ben and Abigail’s Apartment, to his death scene, and now with all of his family and Husband finding out.

I was heart sick to watch Sami (Alison was amazing) and especially Sonny (Freddie was incredible), I used a box of tissue during the two episodes, and I have more waiting.

I also think that Kassie DePaiva was great the past fews weeks too.

I WANT THE RATINGS FROM LAST WEEK NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will’s death has provided so many wonderful scenes. With these performances I could see Emmy wins for Sweeney and Smith! Even these episodes for best show!

Sorry Michael I meant to put that in the general comment section.

Will’s death has provided so many wonderful scenes. With these performances I could see Emmy wins for Sweeney and Smith! Even these episodes for best show!

Great performances; although, I am ready for Sami to head to Switzerland to chase after EJ’s letter. Nice visit; but time to go. Really, who would believe that Chad committed these murders? It’s ridiculous. The evidence is all circumstantial. Anyone that knows Chad knows that he may be arrogant and have an ego-but he’s not a murderer.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem

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The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.

To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).

With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.

Courtesy/Peacock

THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE

From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.

Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall)Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.

In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.

Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)

Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.

JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL

Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!

The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.

Courtesy/Peacock

MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE

When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.

As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.

An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.

So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans

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If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.

It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.

In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.

Photo: NBC

There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.

DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.

Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.

Photo: JPI

THE LOVES OF MARLENA

Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.

TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME

While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!

The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!

Photo:JPI

The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.

The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.

The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)

Photo: NBC

Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.

It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.

THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA

In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)

In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.

Photo: JPI

One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.

Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.

Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.

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Days Of Our Lives

Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’

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It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.

In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.

Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.

Photo: JPI

“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”

Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”

Photo: NBC

Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.

NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.

So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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