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DAYS Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi Deliver Star Turns As Abigail Confronts A Psychotic Ben!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

In impressive performances on Tuesday’s Days of our Lives, Rob Scott Wilson (Ben) and Kate Mansi (Abigail) continued their deeply-affecting and riveting story arc, which now has reached one very climatic ending.  But, is it really over?

Nectkie serial killer Ben, who has been arrested and brought into the Salem PD, has now had a break from reality and is in the interrogation room reliving his childhood memories of being beaten with a belt by his father, while longing for his mother.  Ben at this point is so far gone, but Abby needs to reach out to him to get him to spill the beans to where he took baby Colin!

Abby is frantic, while trying to maintain her composure while she faces the man that held her captive, attempted to set fire to her and Chad (Billy Flynn), and killed four innocent people, because of his jealousy of Abby’s relationship with Chad!  Abby goes into the interrogation room and in a riveting face-off gets Ben to admit he left their baby in a motel.

Courtesy/NBC

At the end of the episode, viewers find Ben locked up in a prison cell for his crimes and seeingly delusional.  This is juxtaposed with Abby being reunited with her baby boy, thanks to Chad and her brother JJ (Casey Moss), who she meets up with at the hospital.

In scene after scene on Tuesday’s episode, Rob Scott Wilson owned every second of Ben’s troubled inner life and turmoil, while Kate Mansi conveyed a woman who has been through such harrowing experiences, and now carries with her guilt that she was a major cause of the serial murders, and of a mother desperate to be reunited with her newborn child.

What did you think of the performances of Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Ben looks like Tony Perkins in Psycho when they showed him in that jail scene just staring creepily out at the audience just like the last scene with Norman Bates…both actors who played Ben and Abigail began as so-so actors but have improved greatly these last few months-so good they both deserve emmy nods next year!

When Andre and Belle were standing in front of that shop the name Hourglass and the symble of a hourglass appears on the door…i wonder now if Andre will torment Belle over the years the way Staphano had done with Marlena?

Yes, totally. Especially Rob Scott Wilson. He is TRULY a soap gem! Who knew. I wasn’t a fan of his when he took over the role of Ben Weston, but with brilliant material, Rob has totally shined & owned this role. He is so fascinating and compelling to watch. We WILL see him further his acting career post-Days.
I expect to see his name in the nominations for either Best Supporting or Younger Actor, come spring.

I felt the same too about him…what an emmy worthy performance!

You got that right, Jimmy! I was expecting a fly to land on Ben’s hand…”They’ll see, they’ll know and they’ll say…Why, she wouldn’t even harm a fly.” LOL!

Most of the acting has been top notch with the whole cast!

I also loved the location scenes with Hope and the Dr! It wasn’t your typical lush location shoot, but it fit the story. I read many more location shoots are on their way!

That i liked too…i didnt expect a location scene..thats 100% improvement over that fake park that looks like a leftover set from the Brady Bunch …tv series, not Salems Brady clan…lol

I can agree with what was said—these actors really took me to a new level and I was so taken with the whole story. It has been a while since I was blown away like that.

This goes to show you writing is everything on soaps. If you give actors meaty material they will deliver. Under the old regime the writing was so dull and I think most of the actors were really bored. With the writing change everyone seems to be energized. RSW has been great but, its always easier to play a villian IMO. What Kate’s done with her character having to walk the line of being in fear, worrying about your child, having to keep everything inside about how she really feels about Ben has been incredible. As far as I’m concerned RSW, BF, KM are the best 20 something actors on all four soaps.

ITA, DAYS has undergone a transformation with the new writing. Bringing back past beloved characters helps, but they need to have a compelling storyline or it falls flat. These writers have leaned a little too heavily on violence (did Hope have to get strangled AGAIN this week, so soon after Aiden?!) but they also have MUCH more romance than the other writers did. Chad and Abby are getting back to the old Supercouple formula. Having Patch & Kayla back and having them flirt with each other is just magic. Showing the younger generation how it’s done.

Amen! “Writing is everything!”

The evolving talent of Robert Scott Wilson is beyond mesmerizing. When he started on Days he was plastic. He was Mr Gorgeous with ZERO talent or acting ability. In fact he was beyond terrible. Then after a few months in the role he started to show some small grains of ability. He took the over the top writing and managed to contain it with slow, casual nuances that led to the slow boil of talent that came into play towards the end. The first time I was blown away was when Ben confessed to his father, Clyde, what he had done. It was so subtle that it drained the life out of me watching him tell what he had done and then watching his father’s horror receiving this news. Clyde was an evil man but he loved that boy and to see that his evil had been passed on almost killed Clyde on the spot. Then we watched as Ben melted away. He became possessive and jealous. He became angry and irrational and then he just became downright psychotic. His full blossom moment was when he beat the crap out of Chad (Billy Flynn). That moment was Robert Scott Wilson at his finest. He was completely believable doing what he was doing. He had everyone on the edge of their seats when he killed Will Horton but the fight scene with Chad was beyond gripping. And then when he completely lost grip with reality by kidnapping Abbi was the payoff for months of solid work. The scene in the interrogation room with Abbi (Kate Mansi) was stunning. It was not over the top. It was not overacted and Ben portrayed the crux of what pushed him over the edge. His jail room scene reminded just about everyone of Tony Perkins as Norman Bates from Psycho. The blanket and the eyes were the tools that utilized the shout out to Psycho. I truly believe that Robert Scott Wilson is Emmy worthy for this portrayal. He hit every mark. He was beyond great. Spectacular in fact. The writing was sub par but he was able to overcome that handicap and make it believable. Now that DAYS has wrapped up this story they will be hard pressed to find another story as engaging. Hope going all Rambo is pathetic defined. The Kayla Patch Ava story is just stupid and if I see Chase and Ciara in one more seen I will market it as a sleep aid. Let’s see then we have Caroline and her visions. Can someone lock her away in an institution already. Get back to the kitchen quickly. Marlena and John chasing his family history when they should be chasing the trail of the missing Social Security checks. This show is going to tank very soon. There is nothing worth caring about now.

LoL you’re so funny but I agree – the Ben and Abby storyline has been really interesting to watch….unfortunately it is being drawn to a conclusion.
I too can’t stand Ciara and Chase and to be honest, Caroline and her geriatric delusions are about as interesting as a cup of ovaltine.
I also think that Kayla and Patch are (to me) just not that compelling to watch, albeit they are competent actors.
Watching Marlena and John do a scene is the emotional equivalent to watching
paint dry.
With the gay characters off the canvas (which is what drew my attention to begin with about two years ago) and Abigail’s peril being over, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be tuning in for – I hope that they develop some new storylines that build to something substantial now…..and I really don’t mean Theresa and Brady, I mean, that’s kind of played out.

I watched today’s episode and the ONLY thought I had was, maybe it’s time to give up DAYS. They had nothing I cared about. The Sami/Belle/Andre terror story is ridiculous because I don’t give a crap about it. Abbi is now home and the name she gave the child was so beyond pathetic. I get family history and all but enough is enough. Next thing you know they are going to bring back Tom Horton in a Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole style video. I get it, the characters have history but part of history is making new history.

I also thought the actors in the Ben/Abs story did a great job. Given that Kate was wearing a lumpy pillow one day for a baby bump, she did make her pregnancy believable. However, I’d rather she carry around a load of bread than they continue to show this 20 lb baby that is supposed to be severely premature.

I like your comments as I also think Days is headed back into boring territory. Plus they still have character overload; they’ve got to make some cuts. Hopefully starting with the kids. I think Ciara has aired every day since she first reappeared. I need a break from her and her voice.

Ciara is going to bang Chase and then get pregnant. YAWN. She is so boring now, do I really have to deal with her whiny yawn inducing character while she is knocked up. For nine months no less. And regarding the watermelon sized baby that Abbi had. You’re so right. Next time we see that kid he will be 18 hanging out with Ciara, Chase and Theo. I am seriously questioning my loyalty to DAYS

I agree with all your comments, Paul, Tim and Mateo. I was surprised at how engaging this story line actually became. Ben, Chad and Abby were all great but the cabin story line did go on a bit long. Especially since they kept talking about taking the premie to the hospital when that baby was huge! Talk about suspension of disbelief.
Ciara and Chase are beyond boring, Patch and Kayla could drive interesting story line but I haven’t seen it yet. Except for their top notch acting during the Bo death scenes. They broke my heart.
John and Marlena are a snooze fest, Brady just looks like an idiot for being with Theresa after everything she has done, Andre looks and acts like a cartoon villain and is not scary at all. Belle cheated again….whoopee.

I tuned in again because they brought back Bo and got hooked on Ben/Abby/Chad story line. But now that Bo is dead and Hope gets her revenge so that Bo will no longer appear as her conscience; and this story line is wrapping up, I can’t imagine what will keep me tuned in….

I agree. What amazing acting. Definitely Oscars worthy. I agree too that this show lost its appeal years ago and some have earned their place as actors. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is all leading to the shows cancellation within 2 years. Abby naming her baby boy after the patriarch of the Horton family and the patriarch of Abby immediate family could be the beginning of the finale. A tribute in the midst of the chaos and loss.

Rob has improved greatly in his acting. I guess all it took was a story.

This has been a good story line for DAYS. Violent, I know, but the actors have been compelling to watch. And the actions of this character have been catalysts for others, now and in the future. I like DAYS best of the four on broadcast TV now. And I hope the level of writing and acting and productions continues into 2016.

I was completely mesmerized and blown away by the acting in these scenes!! Supported by great writing, these two actors were allowed to soar and shine! Kate Mansi has truly come into her own and joined the ranks of legacy Horton heroines like Hope and Jen. She deserves an Emmy next year! You could almost smell her fear throughout the kidnapping ordeal, but she always kept some semblance of strength, and kept some of her wits about her and never quite seemed defeated. When she saw her baby again, it was as if all was right with the world. And Rob was phenomenal! I knew he had charisma and potential when he joined the AMC reboot, and did a fine job with the material he was handed there, even though it was not that challenging. When he reverted to young Ben, he was clueless and confused, and even though he killed 4 people, I felt sympathy for him. He is just playing the hell out of every beat as more of Ben’s madness and motivation are revealed. Bravo to these two young actors!! Soaps have a hard time these days investing in a younger set with future potential, but these two (with Billy Flynn) definitely have IT!!

So true!

Spectacular performances by both. Robert held the floor….the air charged with suspense. He was the best psychopath I have seen on screen in a very, very long time. The subdued, shy, almost introverted young man, that was Ben, emerged into a demon, fire in his eyes with a commanding presence. What an up and coming, hold-my-breath performance. If this guy does not win an Emmy, then, something’s rotten in Salem.
I have already sung my praises of Kate. I am speechless, for once. This girl started as an obscure, little character, as she timidly walked on the Days’ stage, yet, blossomed into a butterfly with colorfully spread wings galore. More power to you, guys. And, Ben…GOOD LUCK.

PS. It is now time for Abbi to find out Chad is the father. It should not be that difficult to write it into the plot. The baby is a premie; he develops somekind of ailment. He has a rare blood-type….enter, Chad. Lo and behold and oh, so coincidentally, Chad carries the same type. Voila.

Yes, Chad has to be the father!

I mean Robert, good luck. Lol, sorry!

Very astute analysis, CeeCee! You are right on the mark! It was great acting all around, portraying characters that were originally far from my favorites. Rob Scott Wilson does deserve an Emmy!

Emmy for Robert Scott! Very talented young man and I wish him a bright future!! Of course I hope he can make a return visit to Days too; sorry that his character has to go bye bye. Props to Kate Mansi also for a job well done. Abigail usually grates on my nerves but Kate has stepped up to the plate with this story. Well done!

Robert Scott Wilson has become a scene stealer. Billy Flynn and Rob can completely interrupt my day when they are in a scene together. Kate Mansi has finally become more than a prop for others around her. Yes, Rob has been on television, some movie roles, but was known as a model until his last six months on DAYS. This should launch his Hollywood career . He also has a chiseled face which the camera lens loves.

Seriously if Rob isn’t nominated for an Emmy, I’m going to be so mad. I can’t think of another supporting male who deserve it more. Not one.

I so agree. Amazing !!! One of my favorites.

I myself was not so impressed when he showed up as the new Ben but as time went by I got use to him,needless to say the scenes with the baby creeped me out I was so afraid he may hurt him .Actually the whole ordeal scared me but that is what it was suppose to do,well he did an excellent job of doing that,now question is who was he actually seeing when he was committing these murders?HIs dad ,mom who. I mean he still thinks his mother is alive. He certainly had the eyes to scare you,I have seen many a horror movie and Days did an great job of writing this story ,I hope that we never see Ben again,and now that his dad is gone maybe the doctor who lied about Ben being the father of Abby’s baby will come out with the real truth that Chad is the father. It will come out one way or another. soon I hope

At the end I was expecting him to say “I’m not even going to squat that fly”, “They’ll all say she wouldn’t hurt a fly” lol

On a waaaay different note: John Paul Lavoisier made his big gorgeous appearance today. The set looked so much brighter….yeeeessss!!!!!!!

I guess with Rob Scott Wilson done they ushered in JPL. I’m going to miss RSW though.

Oh, Blake! I did like Ben, as he was….not as he is now. So, I doubt if I will miss the evil around Ben….I’m sure you won’t either. I know what you mean, though. I always enjoyed seeing the ‘old’ Ben. We will miss the good Ben before TPTB turned him into a fire-breathing dragon. Sad. But, I will gladly trade him for John Paul. Later.

One character I do NOT connect with is this Andre guy. His acting is way over the top, and I find I just don’t care about the characters he is associated with. His villainous ways are to me, very cartoonish and almost campy. I do not see what he adds to the show.
The show now needs something topical, something today, not Caroline seeing these idiotic visions or Stefano uttering his brief, cornball lines about family in that non-convincing atrocious Italian accent. I can’t take anymore scenes of John’s raspy voice telling Marlena the same old boring crud about finding his family.
They should ask the fans to submit some storyline ideas, they need something new and fresh.

Rob Scott Wilson has done incredible work the past six months or so! I thought he was just the regular pretty boy hair model but he has done outstanding work. It’s wild to have seen him grow so far as an actor just in a few months. Very professional, he goes in deep to Ben’s emotions and reasoning for what he had to do. He has blown me away and it sucks that he is leaving the show now. I hope he can return to the show and still be a bad boy.

Rob and Kate Mansi both deserve to win the Emmys for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. There will be an uproar if they are not and it won’t be pretty.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside

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The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!

After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.

So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI

FIERY FACE OFF

The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.

Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI

A BROKEN SOPHIA

Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI

A DEADLY TRAP

Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.

So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.

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Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role

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Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.

As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.

Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI

Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.

Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”

Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.

So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.

 

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