Connect with us

Days Of Our Lives

42

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Do You Think of the Death of Laura Horton?

Photo: JPI

This week on Days of our Lives, the longstanding character of Dr. Laura Horton (Jaime Lyn Bauer), a once mighty force and mainstay of the NBC soap opera, was killed-off in an altercation with Gwen (Emily O’Brien). The question is, did Gwen murder Dr. Laura, or did she fall and hit her head by accident?

Laura was played originally by Floy Dean, then made soap-famous by Susan Flannery. Later Susan Oliver took over the role, then Rosemary Forsyth, and on and off for years by Jaime Lyn Bauer.  In the 60’s and 70’s, Laura was involved in the love triangle between brothers Bill and Mickey Horton, which spawned much of DAYS central story.

Courtesy/NBC

Now in 2021, Gwen has a confrontation with Laura in her room at the Salem Inn.  There she learns that Laura at one time slept with her father, Jack (Matthew Ashford), after previously learning that Laura sent her real mother away when she was pregnant with her.  Laura had revealed to Gwen the reason she did that was to ease her guilt as she did not want anything standing in the way of her daughter, Jennifer’s (Cady McClain) happiness with Jack.  As Gwen sees it, this set the stage for Gwen’s entire childhood and life, and made the young woman hell-bent on revenge against her sister, Abigail (Marci Miller) and the Deveraux family.

 

In story, after Laura is dead, Gwen phones Jack to help her as she swears to her dad that she did not murder Laura and it was all an accident.  Jack says she will help his daughter and phones Rafe (Galen Gering).  When Rafe gets to the Salem Inn, he sees a bleeding out and dead Laura and takes Gwen in for questioning.  Later, Jack tells Jennifer and Abigail that Laura is dead.

Photo: NBC

Throughout the key scenes, Emily O’Brien delivered one of her strongest set of performances yet on DAYS.

So, what did you think of the decision to kill Dr. Laura Horton? Share your thoughts on the comment section below.

Leave a comment | 42 Comments

42

avatar
19 Comment threads
23 Thread replies
6 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
25 Comment authors
Jonathan D.carol greenPat KeadleFaye McBrideSylvie Recent comment authors
newest oldest
Louie Y
Guest
Louie Y

Laura is a legacy Horton character and didn’t deserve to die for a retcon child story. She could have left town after drama cleared, had a heart attack, in a coma, etc. No reason to kill her off for retcon Gwen whose story was another revision. Now, Cady is leaving as Jennifer this stuff is too much. Retcon Gwen, Charlie and Tripp are taking way too much time over legacy children and characters too. I’m not here for the Days of Retcon Children Lives. Too many characters being ruined for these characters and stories.

Moto62
Guest
Moto62

I didn’t know what “retcon” meant so I looked it up and boy are you right! This entire show has become that. It’s ridiculous. Thank you for posting.

Jonathan D.
Guest
Jonathan D.

Its ridiculous to kill her character off. Jennifer now has lost her mother and her dad just disappeared from the canvas…I hate this.

Adam
Guest
Adam

Usually I like Ronald Carlivati’s stories but killing off Laura Horton is one of his worst decisions.. right up there with killing off Adrienne Kiriakis. At least they found a way to bring back Judi Evans. I really liked Jamie Lyn Bauer on the show and wished they would have brought her back full time. I just wish they would kill off Sarah Horton if they were going to kill anyone off. She is horrible and annoying.

Joel
Guest
Joel

So stupid to bring her back just to kill her off. I absolutely loved Bauer in the role and wish the show had written for her more these past 20 years…definitely preferred her to Kate.

Jose A Torres
Guest
Jose A Torres

She is not dead. Another stupid back from the dead Rolf story for when Jennifer comes back.

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

I don’t know Jose, Rafe examined her himself. I would think he would know if she was really dead or not.

Satan
Guest
Satan

Rafe’s a cop, not a doctor. Sure, he’s seen his share of dead bodies in Salem… but how many of them remained DEAD??

Tatiana
Guest
Tatiana

This is Rafe we are talking about, his pretty useless. lol

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

i’m not enjoying his scenes w/Nicole. it just seems TOOOO forced. can’t wait for Sami to return… just to see Rafe doing something else… and i actually like Sami…. JUST FOR HER ROMANCE w/Rafe. her shenanigans grow weary… and fighting w/Nicole over Rafe… oy covered this time and again. hopefully Ava, could and should engage with Rafe’alicious

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

Patrick
Thank you! I have said a a few occasions lately that Ava and Rafe would be on fire, but no one has agreed. Glad we see eye to eye on this.

Johnny
Guest
Johnny

The Rafe and Nicole thing is just the worst!! The dialogue is forced and atrocious. Even the actors aren’t selling it. And usually Ari Zuker can turn anything into gold….but not this! Greg Vaughan is not irreplacable. Eric was successfully recast once, and could be again!

Celia
Guest
Celia

Yes!! And Yes!!
I love both Nicole and Rafe—but this dance they are forced into is so very obvious. Eric ( recast) should soon return. I’m sure many of us are getting tired of all the excuses and ‘dire’ circumstances keeping Eric away!!
Is a love affair in the offing between Ava and Rafe?

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

Yes Emily gave a good performance but not as good as Marci Miller gave after her husband betrayed her yet again.

Satan
Guest
Satan

Assuming he actually did. I don’t remember it being shown that Chad actually did the deed with his new sis-in-law. Things were clearly headed in that direction, due to Gwen’s deception. But Chad was really drunk and well… let’s just say that after a certain blood alcohol level, some parts of the mortal male anatomy don’t function all that well. (The Dead Kennedys wrote a great song about this very subject. First half of the title is “Too Drunk”…. I’ll let you guess the other half. ) So my theory is that Chad just got wasted and passed out, and… Read more »

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

she certainly wasn’t lacking … to my surprise. Jake / Chad / even JJ ! I truly hope that Gwen , is not, RON C new pet and we are forced to see his leading lady sucking airtime. I am truly gobsmacked about Laura ! i just wrote how I revered this lady… and bam ! she’s dead? she , did unhinged , with such astonishment and mesmerize… I swear to you and those who weren’t watching in the “Day” MARVEL at this woman. Cady disappearance – READ @ STEVE summation. I certainly truly hope this. hopefully, once they determine,… Read more »

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

@STEVE’ summation : THREAD : Cady McClain to Depart Days of our Lives

I like that @DAYS w/Ron, Ryan , TPTB seem to be giving all it’s cast in’s and out’s ; coming and going ; time out for other projects… just to keep things fresh… altho, when Judi Evans was first killed off… now that was like a knife in the back

if shows NEED to recast let go or FIRE Melissa Reeves’ then so be it
this couple is more alive with Cady and Matthew. simply said

Satan
Guest
Satan

If ReRon brought back a character who’s been a part of the show – and the Horton family – since practically Day One – just to have her killed off by his latest pet, well that’s just too ridiculous for words, ain’t it? Seems more like this is a ridiculous plot point to get faux-Jennifer out of town (for an undetermined length of time) and of course in order to do that, they would need for her to be pissed off at Jack again. And I suppose Jack’s newfound daughter killing off her mom, and then Jack taking Gwen’s side,… Read more »

Alice
Guest
Alice

I am furious with the senseless killing of Laura Horton. Cheap lazy writing. Laura didn’t have to die to create angst in the family.

TomV84
Guest
TomV84

Im a bit conflicted by it. Laura hasn’t really had anything happen in 20 years, so if the character died offscreen, its kind of inconsequential (like Bill Horton last year). So i’m glad it happened as part of an actual story and that we got to see it, and i hope it drives more story. Too often characters die but are brought back, so death on DOOL doesnt mean much and its pretty rare that anyone will actually die and stay dead! So on one hand, i think it’s interesting and maybe a good thing. But on the other hand,… Read more »

Tatiana
Guest
Tatiana

I’m in my 50s and can’t recall all of Laura’s s/l. She might be a legacy character to those who remember her back in her glory days, but I don’t. Day’s really needs to focus on the younger generation of characters in their 20 30 40s with storylines that keep viewers, unfortunately, days have not been able to do this.

Momo
Guest
Momo

It’s a big mistake and I don’t like it. Why not kill Gwen instead? Or have put Laura into a coma?

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

Momo
My sentiments exactly. I’ll never accept Gwen as part of the family. A lot of people have led worse lives then she claims and haven’t done the horrible things she has to be recognized.

Delonjo D Barber
Guest
Delonjo D Barber

People die in real life just as they do on soaps. However, I don’t believe Laura’s dead; HW already revealed a long-standing relationship between Dr. Rolf (love him!) and Gwen, so that’s really that.

Rodd
Guest
Rodd

Absolutely HATE this!!! They could have had Laura ALMOST die, even fall into a coma. But to kill off this legacy character after so many of the Hortons are gone from Salem is a travesty! I know Laura was living in Boston, but she was able to pop into town every once in a while. I love Ron C’s writing most of the time, but this is one storyline that just might tip the switch for me. Great performances and story could have still been carried off in a less final way. I find it disgusting and shameful.

Steve
Guest
Steve

For many GH fans, Ron’s downfall began with the killing off of a key legacy character (AJ). It only got worse with the Fluke and Denise Demuccio storylines.

DAYS fans should take notice and hope for the best.

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

“this” is certainly on the checklist

1. Sonny and Will
2. Judi Evans’ Adrienne
3 the rape story of Tripp and Ali…
4. this is just a blip but nevertheless meaningful…Dr. Laura horton? expletive

as a lifetime @ DOOL fan.. living in the bottom of the barrel and seeing accolades with award ? huh? this is STAR

this is “thank you” @Ron; @Ryan; @TPTB

remiss @ : effin yah

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

I agree, Rodd. I have no problem eliminating characters but it always seems to be the WRONG characters. Just like GH killing the complex, sexy Julian Jerome after wrecking his character and saddling us with T.J., Brando, etc. Maybe they should ask the fans first!

Celia
Guest
Celia

What to think of the death of a character who’s never on? Her death is kind of pointless. Makes no difference.

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

Good point, Celia. Reminds me of that great line Jane Fonda delivers in THE MORNING AFTER: “I was supposed to replace an actress the audience didn’t even know was missing.” But I’m sure missing Drew Cain and Julian Jerome on GH.

Celia
Guest
Celia

You bet, Soaphound—-most especially, Billy!! I can do without Anna, as well—-so superfluous. I guess TPTB don’t know what to do with her. Why is she with Finn?–no spark. No ” WOW!! Oh, my God!!”. Such a mismatch!!
The character (and the actress) has lost her mojo.
The fact that she’s Peter’s mother ( or so we think) makes her presence even more insufferable to me—-not everyone feels the same way—
What mien will she adopt after Peter is kaput?

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

Celia, Celia, what’s happening to our Anna? So smug and illogical about Peter Puke-O. Can’t wait to see her kowtow to Liesl when this debacle is over. I swear, this story has felt longer than WAR AND PEACE.

Celia
Guest
Celia

Actually, ithe story never did have that je ne sais quality–not with Peter on the scene. The most boring, unsophisticated, bland character to hit soapland.
TPTB are trying to turn Anna into a overaged teen ager—childish maneuvers . My grandmother said the woman she first met ( Anna) as the intrepid agent is no more. Now, Anna is just chasing her own tail, as it were.
Not Finola’s fault. Her character has been in square one for years. Pairing her with Finn was the ultimate mis-calculation.

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

But Celia, I must admit…when Peter acts “tough” and sports that “don’t mess with my family” grimace he learned in junior-high drama class, I’m overcome with giggles. I guess that’s more than one gets from frumpy Finn.

Celia
Guest
Celia

Oops—forgot the “quoi” .
PS. I just ask for Anna to go back to being Anna. Too many desperate moves by the writers.
Just as I see too many desperate moves on Days. The Three Stooges Saga ( Morpheus, Clyde and Rolf) continues. The story is lackluster—-always was.
So many pertinent characters were ejected but I am still hoping for some of my faves to return…..such as Louise Sorel, for one—no offense to Ms Dano.

Moto62
Guest
Moto62

I think Ron is a selfish writer who does things the way he wants. I sometimes think he is almost vicious with the way he writes storyline. It’s been hard to watch some of the stories he’s written. Killing Laura Horton for no reason other than to further push the evilness of Gwen really makes me mad. For how long was Laura the central character in the Mickey/Bill/Mike storyline? Laura was always a fragile character. To then destroy her legacy by saying she paid off a woman who she didn’t know to keep a child away from Jack? I’m not… Read more »

I would like to see Nicole and Rafe end up togeth
Guest
I would like to see Nicole and Rafe end up togeth

I would like to see Nicole and Rafe end up together and her get rid of that selfish Eric he has no business in Africa he belongs with his newlywed wife so whatever happens to Eric I hope it’s something bad. Also the new Jennifer sucks she’s a horrible actress and the new Claire all the new actors and actresses are absolutely horrible they must really go be going into a small fishing pool to get these lame people. And Jack’s a piece of shit he screwed everybody in Salem including his wife’s mother please????? The whole show needs a… Read more »

Dawn
Guest
Dawn

No I’m gonna miss her shes a true icon. She. Should of stayed.

Sylvie
Guest
Sylvie

I think Days mad a bad decision to kill Laura. I agree with Louie Y, she is a legacy Horton character. She could of stayed as an on again off again character. Let’s get rid of Gwen!!! Or maybe Kate Roberts!!!!

Faye McBride
Guest
Faye McBride

I hate Gwen whether or whether she not kill Laura. When is a snotty little snit to I want to see somebody smack her into next week.and I would like to see somebody punch Gabby in the nose really hard

Pat Keadle
Guest
Pat Keadle

As much as I have disliked Gwen, I really doubt she is a murderer. I think that Laura slipped and fell hitting her head.

carol green
Guest
carol green

First of all I dont believe for one minute that Laura is dead.Or that if she is dead Qwen didnt do it.I have this awful feeling that Abby possibly did it.Angry at her grandmother for what she did.For her and Gabby to get together to get back at Qwen is odd enough I mean since when has Abby become cruel? It doesnt seem like her.Maybe one of her alters has come back.Abby isnt right.Something is wrong with her.Beleive me Qwen is no angel but I dont think she would kill anyone.I just wonder what Abby and Gabby are going to… Read more »

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Alum Jensen Ackles on ‘The Winchesters’ Inability to Find New Home is a Case of ‘Unfortunate Timing’

Former Supernatural, Big Sky, and Days of our Lives star, Jensen Ackles (ex-Dean, ex-Beau, ex-Eric) took to social media on Saturday when the news broke that his series, The Winchesters, in which he executive produced, has run out of options to find a new home.

The show which aired for one season on the CW was a prequel to Supernatural.   In an update, The Winchesters producing studio, Warner Bros, attempted to find another network or streaming partner to move forward with the series after its cancellation.

Now comes word that all avenues have been exhausted.  All this, even though a #SavetheWinchesters campaign led by Ackles, himself, was attempted to bring some attention and heat on the show.

Photo: NBC

Jensen expressed his ‘thanks’ to the viewers and cited the current WGA writer’s strike as one of the main contributing factors to making the search for a new home for the series extremely daunting.

Ackles shared: “To all of you who watched, followed, and supported this story, THANK YOU. And to all those who brought this show to life…I couldn’t be more proud of what we all did together. But as they say…timing is everything. With a massive Network shift coupled with an industry strike…welp…that’s some unfortunate timing. Sleep well dear  @WinchestersOnCW…until we meet again. Somewhere down the road.”

Courtesy/CW

So, did you watch The Winchesters? Do you hope it can someday return? What did you think about the sentiments shared by Jensen Ackles? Comment below.

Continue Reading

All My Children

Pride Month Celebrating LGBTQ+ Soap Supercouples: Nuke, Kish, Otalia & WilSon … Which Stands the Test of Time?

June is Pride Month, the time when across the U.S and the world there are celebrations and commemorations to recognize all who identify as LGBTQ and their allies.

Daytime soap operas have had a rocky road when it comes to the representation of same-sex couples.  The soaps have been at one time leaders in portraying key social issues of our time, as well as treading lightly on other subjects, as to its concerns to ‘turn-off’ its core audiences.

When you look back at the groundbreaking first same-sex weddings, and the first gay kiss, the soaps have come far in some ways in their representations of gay characters, but there is always work to be done to serve and to shed light on the under-represented.

As we reflect back to the then and the now, which LGBTQ soap supercouple remains your favorite and had made a lasting impact? Let’s take a look at four duos who captivated many viewers.

Nuke  – Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer – As the World Turns

Van Hansis (Luke) and Jake Silbermann (Noah) were a key part of the evolution of, and representation of LGBTQ character on the soaps.  ‘Nuke’, as they were known as, became the first gay male soap couple to share an on-screen kiss back in 2007.  ATWT also became known as the first soap to depict a fully realized romantic male couple as an integral part of the show.  There was plenty of backlash along the way for the long-awaited kiss to happen, but when it did, the show moved forward to tell their love story.

Otalia – Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera Aitoro – Guiding Light

When Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and Jessica Leccia (Natalia) began to play the love story of Otalia, they had to show their affection by a kiss on the head, or holding hands.  It took quite some time for GL to move forward to have two women, two moms, no less, share a lip lock. The complicated love story featured Natalia being conflicted to face her true romantic feelings for Olivia, because of her value system and religions upbringing, and that made this all the more riveting and frustrating at the same time.  In the end, the rabid fan base for this duo was so great that Chappell wound up creating her own series, Venice, to honor and serve them, remaining one of the LGBTQ communities greatest allies.

Kish – Kyle Lewis and Oliver Fish – One Life to Live

In 2009, One Life to Live’s Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell) was an out lab tech in Llanview, who back in college had a relationship with Officer Oliver Fish (Scott Evans).  It imploded when Oliver denied he was gay.  For years, Oliver remained in the closet, before finally coming out to himself and Kyle.

Kish had been a big success with the media and One Life’s gay audience. LGBTQ-advocacy groups honored the couple and the story.  However, Kish was cut short when the network felt that the data showed that the storyline was not resonating with the show’s core audience.

WilSon – Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis – Days of our Lives

Days of our Lives delivered daytime’s first-ever gay male wedding in 2014, between Will (then played by Guy Wilson) and Sonny (then played by Freddie Smith).

In an interview with EW, Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday shared on the union, “Will and Sonny have been together for a while and it was the natural progression of their love story. We didn’t feel like there was anything we could or couldn’t do, we treated them like any other couple on the canvas and continued to grow their romance as such.”

In addition, the coming out story of Will Horton was critically praised and noteworthy for the performances of Chandler Massey, who won three Daytime Emmys for his work in the Outstanding Younger Actor category 2012, 2013 and 2014.  Freddie Smith also won in the same category in 2015.  Will has been played over the years by Chandler Massey and Guy Wilson, while Sonny has been portrayed by Freddie Smith and Zach Tinker.

There have been several other key LGBTQ couples throughout the course of daytime history including All My Children’s Bianca (Eden Riegel) and Reese (Tamara Braun). These two characters were involved in the first same-sex lesbian wedding on daytime. Problem was … Reese kissed Zach (Thorsten Kaye) before the wedding, making this infuriating for viewers at home.

Other notable LGBTQ couples through the years have included: Bianca and Maggie on All My Children, Mariah and Tessa of The Young and the Restless played bv Camryn Grimes and Cait Fairbanks, Maya and Rick on The Bold and the Beautiful, Lucas and Brad on General Hospital and others.

Which couple do you think has had the most lasting impact on the history of LGBTQ representation on daytime soap operas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS and GH Alum Tyler Christopher Arrested for Public Intoxication

Daytime Emmy-winner, Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas, GH; ex-Stefan, DAYS) was arrested for public intoxication at the Burbank, California airport, this past Friday, on May 26th.

According to the Burbank PD and reports obtained by TMZ, Tyler was arrested after they found him asleep and on the ground at the American Airlines terminal.  The officers noted that Tyler displayed clear and objective signs of drinking.  They also reveal he was unable to care of himself.

Christopher, who remains a fan favorite as the former Nikolas Cassadine on GH and Stefan DiMera on DAYS has opened up and discussed his battle with alcoholism in the past.  Last year, he appeared on former GH co-star Maurice Benard’s You Tube series, State of Mind.

Photo: NATAS

Tyler was released from police custody following his airport arrest, cited, and will need to appear in court at a later date.

Back in 2019, the popular actor was cited for two counts of misdemeanor public intoxication and landed in jail for two days, following an arrest in Indiana.

Share your thoughts on this latest situation for Tyler in the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

The Michael Channel

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Scott Clifton as Liam

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdates: 5-26-2023

Popular