She has been a polarizing character since her arrival in Salem, with some fans screaming Gwen is sucking up too much airtime. HOWEVER, the performances by Emily O’Brien (Gwen) show an actress on top of her craft who can play, as Gwen called herself, “A miserable, vindictive bitch”, or a young woman so deeply-emotionally wounded that you might just come around and eventually feel some empathy for her.
Last week, while the soaps were pre-empted for most of the week due to the senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, DAYS posted all of its weekly episodes online on NBC.com, the NBC app, or on the Peacock streaming platform, and O’Brien’s work was a standout.

Photo: JPI
It all came to a boiling point when Laura (Jaime Lyn Bauer) and Gwen have the long-awaited confrontation in Gwen’s room at the Salem Inn, where O’Brien goes from Gwen baiting Laura to tell her dirty secret of her long-ago affair with Jack (Matthew Ashford), to her utter anger at how because of it, Laura trashed Gwen’s entire life.
Laura reveals the guilt she felt for sleeping with Jack, so much so, that she would do anything to save Jennifer (Cady McClain) and Jack’s marriage. In delight at getting to the root of the truth, Gwen responds: “You slept with Jack? That is just perfect! My father slept with his mother-in-law!”
Then, Laura shares how it happened. They were both at the “Meadows” finding their ‘truest selves’ and they were both using other names – she, Monica and he, Clark, and Laura had never seen a photo of Jack before to know it was him! Gwen wants to burst out in hysterical laughter, but then she becomes filled with rage knowing that if Laura hadn’t bought off her birth mother, Tiffany, her own life would have been very different. She goes on to say that she and Abigail (Marci Miller) might even be close as sisters, but instead of “borrowing her clothes, she borrowed her husband” alluding to sleeping with Chad (Billy Flynn). Next, Gwen wants to make Laura pay and lets Laura know that, “All the damage that you did, can’t be undone.” When Laura tries to leave, Gwen stops her and says in no uncertain terms, “I want revenge, because you ruined my life and you’re not going to get away with it!”

Photo: JPI
Next, we see that there had been a struggle with Laura dead on the floor bleeding out of her head. A freaked-out Gwen does not know what to do. She realizes she will be accused of murder. With no one in town to call, she decides to call her father, Jack. When he shows up at the Salem Inn, Jack is shocked, and grief-stricken to see his mother-in-law, dead. Gwen swears to Jack this was an accident and that she did not kill Laura, and that he has to believe her. Jack decides he will stand by his daughter. Gwen wants to get rid of the body, Jack says he can’t be involved in a cover-up, so he calls Rafe (Galen Gering). When Rafe arrives at the crime scene he is very suspicious of Gwen, and takes her down to the station.
Scene after scene, O’Brien layered her performances with venomous and ominous undertones, illustrating a woman with so much emotional baggage who becomes desperate to save herself. For all these reasons, Michael Fairman TV names Emily’s work, The Power Performance of the Week.
What did you think of Emily O’Brien’s key scenes? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
i been watching my fave Days for 51 yrs.started at age 11 yrs old. what a loving In Memory.i liked all the cast responding,,and ex-cast members. I feel Lauren Koslow said it best…..“Good night, sweet prince..and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” Forever my honor to share your stage, Joe….this is so poetic. TY Lauren!
I can’t believe no one has written anything up here. This man was so good that he still IS. HIs presence will be felt forever, because he is the Phoenix/Massimo. I can’t talk about him in the past tense because I feel like I’m insulting the man, who’s presence was so dear that he wasn’t just a villain, he was a force, he was Days of our Lives. He’s a classic villain, when you hear about villains, you will see Mr. Mascolo’s picture. He practically was on the show until his last breath, and he still acted rings around half… Read more »
Great post, Dante! And it’s kind of you to mention all these other legendary actors…
James , a marvelous tribute to the Phoenix; however, this time only God can bring him from the ashes! Mr. Mascolo will rise again in the resurrection of us all!
Zaslow and Mckinsey from your list were two of my favorites ; I mentioned Zaslow in another post ;however, I couldn’t think of Beverlee’s character on Guiding Light .
You kind of stuck Eric Braeden in there with all the actors that have passed. He is definitely still alive and well.
You assumed incorrectly what I was saying. I never said Eric Braeden was passed, I watch Y&R every day. If you were paying attention you would see that I was writing about actors that play characters who are good and bad and played the parts very well, and many of them happen to be deceased.
I tried to send this through several times, haven’t seen it yet. To those who might be confused, like lkmystique, I never said Eric Braeden was gone, there’s a reason he’s on the list if you read it.
I love days!!!! RIP joe mascolo
Sorry to hear that the masterful Mr. Mascolo has passed. He had such a force and strong presence in portraying the complex character of Stefano who had a warm, caring, gentle heart with his family, but a sinister, evil, controlling exterior with the world around him. It was always compelling to watch him portray the depth and dual dimension of the character. Some how you had hoped that the Phoenix would rise one more time, he is missed, but will live in our hearts as his colleagues have said. They have all given him a much deserved and moving tribute.… Read more »
I loved him and his character. Day’s was very fortunate to have him for so long. Joe Mascolo will never be forgotten, long live the amazing Stefano Dimera. .
I did not know Mr. Mascolo, personally. But, everything his cast mates’, past and present, adoring and respectful words they spoke, are so true. I do know many of the offspring and great-great offspring of family friends from West Hartford, East Hartford, Avon, Simsbury, Farmington, Hartford proper and the outlining towns, as my Boarding School was only a couple of towns away. Many football games were played back and forth ( still are) from the different High Schools in the surrounding towns/cities in Connecticut and all of New England, and then some. Everyone loved him so……kind heart and generous hand.… Read more »
i first seen him on Where The Heart Is soap opera that lasted only a few years but i didnt watch that one much…it was on in the late 60s to early 70s…there were so many back in those days with better stories and none ever seemed the same like the remaing four do…besides cartoons and captain kangaroo soaps were fun to watch back then that i sometimes not even play with my friends-these soaps were that addicting back in the day…i dont see his days on WTHI mentioned anywhere unless i overlooked it…so many legends from daytime passing!!!
jimh, I enjoyed reading your nod to “Where the Heart Is” as well as your remembrances of daytime TV during that time. I was also watching then… And I threw in a few game shows. Yeah, I also watched TV instead of playing with friends. Of course, if I had had any friends back then, I might have felt differently… 🙂
Very sweet and gracious post, Celia…
RIP and thanks to Days/Corday for keeping a vet like him on the show for so long instead of kicking him out the door like a certain other soap on another channel still does ’til this day to the detriment of the show.
I know that Guiding Light did it to Michael Zaslow when he suffered from ALS. That cost the show in viewership . I’ll always believe that how they treated Zaslow was the show’s death knell.
My thoughts and prayers for Joe’s family, friends and colleagues. He sang with Luciano Pavarotti and now he’s singing with the angels.
Awwww….so sweet, 4ever. So a’ propos!!!!
Watched his talents on B&B and was minimally familiar with his DOOL Character. His reputation speaks for itself. RIP Joe!
What a tremendous loss! Wouldn’t it be nice if Days devoted one whole show as a tribute to this great actor and man , maybe have his co-stars’ reminisce and show some of his best scenes. They are already six months ahead, so they could slip in a one day tribute. It is the least they could do for this legendary actor who was greatly loved and will be sorely missed. RIP Mr. Mascolo
This is a great idea! Days should have a tribute show (or many) to him! It was always great to watch him on the show. He added so much that doing a special montage of how work over the years would be wonderful to watch. Such a great talent!
Oops, sorry typo – should say his work over the years.
I thought about that also or show episodes which includes most of the stars .
Rest in peace dear Joe, Days and our worlds will never feel quite the same.
it made me very sad reading the comments…..we all loved ‘ The Phoenix”
Impressive to see so many actors commenting on his passing, especially from the actors who have been off the show for years now. I had no idea he was so loved by his co-workers. But I really enjoyed him as Stefano. I was upset that he wasn’t on the show much for a couple of years now because I always liked when he was on, causing trouble.
I missed him too; however, I knew that he had health issues.
So sad to hear Joe has passed. Starting Days around 1982, I fell in love with the DiMera clan then moving toward the early 80’s when Stefano was such a force to be reckoned with; so many memories of great shows ! Such an icon of a character he created and such a sweet & kind man who I had the honor of meeting alongside Gloria Loring one Days weekend. May you rest in peace Joe!
Sorry to hear of Joe M passing. Hated him, loved him, laughed with him, over the years. Great actor. You will be missed. RIP, Sir.
Still awaiting kind words from Lisa Rinna…
I’m still awaiting words from Renee Jones…Don’t people on Georgia farms have internet access, Jamesj75?
The meaning behind your comment only went unnoticed a few minutes, James, LOL!
Thanks, 4ever DAYS! Glad you quickly got my meaning. I certainly mean no disrespect at all to the great Joseph Mascolo.
Also, LOL to you regarding Georgia farms and internet access! 🙂 (I had to look up the “farm” link to Renee Jones.) Take care, Friend!
three of his fellow castmates… REALLY impress and … it’s from 3 generations Kate : Lauren Koslow Sammi : Alison Sweeney Chad : Billy Flynn not to say anything less of ALL the cast and crew of DAYS just had to share what an affect he meld Lauren Koslow : she’s so classy… altruistic… yes, really. no matter the “circumstance” this lady of Salem charges… it’s her dime.. her choice… her time.. her whet… she’s always on.. never on less ( GOD: how I’ve dreamed… why couldin’t Nikki, Y&R, be this kind of woman”) Ms. Koslow… I love your work.… Read more »
Rest in Peace Joe. I’ll never forget when I heard him speak for the first time outside his role as Stefano. I didn’t know he didn’t have an accent 🙂
I was totally expecting to see the Phoenix again on DOOL.