Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Freddie Smith and Alison Sweeney Deliver Heartbreaking Performances As Sonny & Sami Struggle With Will's Death!
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!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Camila Banus Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
The angst, drama, tears, and revenge continued this week on NBC’s Days of our Lives with the stirring portrayal of grief-stricken young woman; who is hell-bent on making everyone around her suffer for the loss of her husband in a fatal gunshot that left him brain-dead. Of course, we are talking about Camila Banus (Gabi), who turned in bravura performances this week, and there are four moments that really stood out to us that showed the range and depth of Banus’ work.
In the hospital chapel, Gabi talks to God and prayed to him that he will make Stefan (Brandon Barash) whole again. There has been one through-line for Gabi throughout her life – she seems to have everything and everyone she loves taken away from her, even if some of the decisions she makes along the way have a cause/effect that leaves her feeling completely alone, and ready to lash out at the world for what has transpired. In the chapel, she asks God through her tears, “Why do you hate me so much?” Gabi tells God she went to Sunday school as a little girl and still she has lost God and her husband. Gabi cannot even get herself to look at Stefan’s things when Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Will (Chandler Massey) try to share them with her as she slaps the envelope out of their hands.
In another heartbreaking scene, Gabi is in the bed she shared with Stefan. She flashes to kissing the love of her life. Next, Gabi breaks down in tears, and throws things around in the bedroom before slumping to the floor. She sobs and says, “Why did you give me your heart, Stefan, if you weren’t going to be around to love me with it?”
Photo: JPI
Later, Gabi talks to Stefan in her sleep as she hugs his pillow. When she wakes up she cries as Kate (Lauren Koslow) arrives to check on her. Gabi lets Kate have it, and at first blames Kate for the whole mess with Stefan. Gabi lashes out that if it wasn’t for Stefan getting in between Kate’s feud with Vivian (Robin Strasser), he’d still be alive. Kate knows Gabi is in despair and hugs her. Then, Gabi channels her angst towards Lani (Sal Stowers) promising to make her suffer.
And on Friday’s episode, Gabi is ramping us some sort of revenge plan promising Stefan his legacy will live on. Earlier, Gabi was present with Lani and Eli (Lamon Archey) when Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) informed them that Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) will need a special pacemaker, even after receiving Stefan’s heart. Somehow, Gabi found a file on Visionary Bionics, the company that makes this unique medical device, and recalls Kayla saying she’ll do the procedure on Julie tomorrow. Gabi makes a mysterious call. What is she about to do?
Through all of the emotional drama, Banus sustained a level of performance that is no easy feat. That is why Michael Fairman TV names Camila’s work The Power Performance of the Week.
Let us know if you agree with our pick, and what you thought of Camila’s performances, and what you think Gabi might do next, via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
TODAY: Ron Carlivati’s Dad Appears on DAYS
Be on the lookout on Friday’s October 18th episode of Days of our Lives for one of the shows “superfans” who pops in Salem. That is when the father of DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati appears as an extra on the NBC soap opera.
Carlivati Sr., who is very proud of his son, looks to be donning a medical lab coat as a physician in a photo shared on social media along with Kayla (Mary Beth Evans), one of Salem’s most busy and most respected doctors.
Ron told SOD about his dad appearing on the show that he writes: “It’s funny because I’ve been in soaps for over 20 years and my dad would watch to see my name on the credits but rarely get into the show. Somehow, I don’t know what clicked in for him, he’s obsessed with Days of our Lives. He does not miss it.”
As to how his dad became an extra for the day: “We were at the studio and Albert Alarr, our co-executive producer, comes up and meets my parents and turns to my dad and says, ‘We’re gonna be shooting some scenes in the hospital next. How would you like to be in them?’ I honestly had no idea this was coming. I also fainted.”
Make sure to check out today’s episode of Days of our Lives for this fun moment with Ron’s dad! Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Camila Banus Talks Stabi’s Heartbreaking Love Story; Matthew Ashford Melissa Reeves Chat On JnJ Reunion On ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast’
In the latest can’t miss ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives‘ podcast, two major interviews are the focus of the episode. First, Camila Banus who had been turning in bravura performances as Gabi, discusses with host. Michael Fairman, her reaction to finding out that Brandon Barash (Stefan) was being killed-off the NBC soap opera, now that Gabi’s love, Stefan is brain-dead.
The duo who became so popular as “Stabi” reveals why Gabi and Stefan’s love/hate relationship worked so well, and those sexed up love scenes. Later in the interview Camila discusses her recent scenes with Sal Stowers (Lani) where Gabi wants Lani to get down on her knees and beg for forgiveness for Lani shooting Stefan, even though he got in the line of fire to save his mother, Vivian (Robin Strasser). In addition, Camila talks about working with Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) and how Julie hurled some minority slurs at Gabi shortly before her heart-attack.
Then in a very special roundtable chat, Matthew Ashford (Jack) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer) chat with Fairman about playing those key scenes where Jack rescues Jennifer from Dr. Shah, hits his head, and then finally his memories come flooding back. The duo known as ‘JnJ” talk about their storied on-screen history, and tease what may happen in the next leg in their storylines.
To listen to the latest episode of ‘Inside Salem’ download it now on iTunes here, or head on over to NBC.com/Inside Salem.
So, what did you think of the conversations with Camila and Matt and Melissa? What do you hope happens next for Gabi … for Jack and Jennifer? Share your thoughts via 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.