By now, many viewers of NBC’s Days of our Lives have watched Tuesday’s episode, which saw Claire Brady (Olivia Rose Keegan) being wheeled out of a hospital room and on her way to the Bayview Sanitarium to deal with what led her to become a Salem firestarter after her latest attempt to torch Ciara (Victoria Konefal) and then herself.

In story, realizing she is severely troubled, Claire gets the news from her parents, Belle (Martha Madison) and Shawn (Brandon Beemer) that she won’t be facing prison time for attempted murder, but instead, she does need to be put away in a mental facility and leave right away at the judges orders.  That sets the stage for Olivia Rose Keegan to share her final scenes with many of her longtime co-stars before making her exit.

As her time on DAYS on-air came to a close, Olivia took to her Instagram to express her parting thoughts and the opportunity to play Claire, and be a part of the iconic soap opera

Keegan wrote: “Thank you for the best 4 years of my life.  To everyone who watches the show: I cannot thank you enough for sticking with Claire through the good, bad, and batsh*t.  Reading everyone’s comments/tweets this past week has been the most overwhelmingly amazing thing— It means more than you know   I also owe a huge thank you to the @nbcdays writers for giving me an opportunity to dig my nails into some fascinating material with this past storyline— as well as shine a light onto mental health awareness.  It would be too difficult to explain how much I love every single person in my @nbcdays family. It was a 4 year dream. I met lifelong friends, learned an infinite amount, and simply loved every minute of it.  Farewell from Salem’s newest pyro ”

Make sure to check out her exit interview with her co-stars, Rob Scott Wilson (Ben), Victoria Konefal and Brandon Beemer, exclusively on the DOOL app released this afternoon to hear the groups thoughts on the cabin fire twist, and Olivia’s exit from the Days canvas, and more.

So, sad to see Olivia make her exit from DAYS?  Do you hope she will come back for another turn as Claire?  Comment below.

On an all-new episode of NBC’s Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast released on Monday, Lauren Koslow (Kate) is the very special guest as she chats on the latest developments in Salem, which finds Ted (Gilles Marini) and Kate held captive by “Nicole” aka Kristen (Stacy Haiduk), and what ensues and will follow this week on DAYS.

Lauren and ‘Inside Salem’ host, Michael Fairman discuss: Kate’s innate ability to know that someone is up to no good, being part of the Salem bad girl club, her on-screen children, and of course, Kate’s distinctive fashion sense, and how Lauren brings the character to life through her wardrobe choices and more.

In addition. Lauren chats on her fan base and their tremendous support through the years. Plus, how Kate has a special bond with her grandson, Will (Chandler Massey).

But in story, will Kate eventually help bring Kristen down?  Will she fall back in love with Ted? Lauren weighs-in.

Later in the podcast, Stacy Haiduk welcomes Paul Telfer (Xander) to her dressing room as the two, who have shared most of their recent scenes together chat on how they rehearse their lines; which include Stacy standing on Paul!

Photo: NBC

To listen to the podcast download now via iTunes here or head on over to NBC.com/Inside Salem.

So, what do you hope happens next for Kate?  What was your favorite part of the interview with Lauren? Are you enjoying the scenes between Xander and Kristen? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Although she is exiting the show on-screen next week on Days of our Lives, Olivia Rose Keegan (Claire) got the opportunity to go out in a blaze of glory (those damn lighters!).

If you caught this past Tuesday’s installment of the NBC daytime drama series, Claire finally became entrapped and completely unhinged, after being set-up by Tripp (Lucas Adams) and Ciara (Victoria Konefal); where everyone learned she was the responsible party for the notorious cabin fire and was about to attempt to set her rival, Ciara, on fire in a cabin, yet again, after taking off with her.

In the process, Tripp was held with a knife to his throat by Claire, and eventually hit his head trying to get away from her knocking him unconscious.  The perfect opportunity for Claire to make her getaway with Ciara.

Once at the Cabin, Claire pours gas all around as Ciara begs her to stop, while she is chained to the bed.  Claire then flicks the lighter.  To the rescue come Ben (Rob Scott Wilson), Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Marlena (Deidre Hall); who have tracked down where the young women are.  Ciara calls out to Ben, who breaks down the cabin door.

Just then, Claire holds out the lighter with the flame ready to start another fire.  Knowing she is caught, Claire starts to explain how she lost her mind in all of this.  Ben tries to talk her down and to please put the lighter away, as does Hope.  As a desperate mother, Hope begs Claire to let Ciara live, and tells Claire that she knows she really doesn’t want to do this.  Hope tells her that she knows that Claire loves them both.   As Ben rescues Ciara, Claire closes the lighter as Marlena holds her.  As the others get out of harm’s way, Marlena says she has got this … and now it’s Claire and Marlena alone and inside the cabin together.

Photo: JPI

But then, wanting to end her own life, Claire picks up the lighter and flicks it open.  She tells Marlena she can’t go back and says, “It’s better if she dies.”  Claire thinks she’s a monster and certifiable … and is as criminal as what Ben Weston has done in his past.  Reassuring her and talking her down, Marlena promises Claire that with help, she can turn her life around as Ben has done.

Claire breaks down as Marlena holds her.  Next, Marlena is able to get her out of the cabin, away from setting herself on fire, and on her way to the hospital for observation, until it can be figured out what’s next for the troubled young woman.  As they leave the scene, Claire sobs uncontrollably knowing she is a damaged soul, has lost her way, and realizing the harm she has done to other people.

In all of these scenes, Keegan brought the angst, the mental instability, and the realization of Claire’s horrific motivations to life, in a dramatic, and not over-the-top way, even in the most melodramatic of soapy circumstances.  For those reasons, Michael Fairman TV names Olivia’s work are Power Performance of the Week.

Photo: JPI

Knowing those scenes were part of her final days of shooting on DAYS, Keegan told Soap Opera Digest in an interview (in their latest issue on newsstands now), “Obviously, it was sad to shoot.  And it was emotionally demanding and bittersweet, because Victoria Konefal and I are best friends.”

So, what did you think of Olivia’s performance in the key scenes? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.