Days Of Our Lives
Kate Mansi Hits It Out Of The Park As DAYS Abigail Turns The Tables On Ben!
Photo: Courtesy/IMDB
If you missed Friday’s episode of Days of our Lives, its a must-see for the star turn of Kate Mansi as Abigail. The actress who left the series at the end of December of 2015, is certainly going out with a bang as she shortly will wrap up her on-screen run. Mansi and the DAYS team should remember this episode come next year’s Daytime Emmys, as her performance contained so many layers, and so many emotional turns that should be in contention.
In story, it was the long-awaited showdown between Abby and serial killer on the loose and Abby’s ex , Ben Weston (Rob Scott Wilson)! Was this her mind playing tricks on her, or was this reality? Over the last several weeks, DAYS has been playing up Abigail loosing her grip and imagining Ben! This time however, it’s looking like the real deal. When she is confronted with being alone with the criminal, at first Abby concocts a story how Chad (Billy Flynn) has been abusing her and how miserable she is, and what a mistake she made to be with him. She tells Ben, she wants to be with him.
A very untrusting Ben tells Abby she is his everything, and he even tattooed letters of her name on his knuckles while in prison, so when he makes a fist her name is there! The creepy doesn’t stop there! Abby tells Ben, “she needs him” and that Chad is away for the next few hours. Ben heads upstairs to make love with her, and once in the bedroom Abigail continues what looks to be her seduction of killer Ben, only she reaches into the nighstand and grabs a pair of scissors and stabs in the arm. She then knocks him out with a blow to the head via a vase.
Courtesy/NBC
Perhaps, one of Mansi’s best moments was when her cell phone rang and Chad was on the other line, with blood on her hands and mutli-tasking tying up Ben’s feet and looking for ways to do it, she carries on a conversation with her husband to keep him away from the DiMera mansion so she can torture Ben.
Next, Abby grabs a drink and comes back with some accelerant in order to set fire to Ben in a turn the tables, turn about his fair play moment! Ready to make Ben suffer, she throws her drink in his face. He wakes up the horrific scene he now faces. In other fantastic note on Mansi’s performance she stands on the bed and jumps up and down and dances around as she throws the accelerant all over the bed and Ben!
Courtesy/NBC
Next Ben, tries one last attempt to throw Abby off her game by toying with her that he is all in her mind right now … he is not real! To ensure that he is, and that she is no fool, Abby punches his stab wound with her ring hand.
When he yelps, Abby says he sure seems real to her! Ben doesn’t think Abby will really light him on fire, but she goes for the matchbox and lights a match, just as Chad has come to the mansion with the door locked and the security guard knocked out!
Kudos to Rob Scott Wilson for making Ben so incredibly twisted and to the amazing performance by Kate Mansi! What did you think of the scenes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Rob Scott Wilson, this is proof that you can GROW as an actor. He was skin deep in the beginning but as he worked through this role he became his own man. He soared in this role and it was one hell of a ride. I love his character of Ben Weston. He definitely deserves attention, kudos and award noms for this performance. Kate Mansi took this to all the heights that she should have in this turn of events. I have loved watching her blossom as a younger actress. She definitely held it tightly in her hands and crafted a great ride for her viewers. Billy Flynn as Chad is amazing as well. I feel for him because when the story ends with Abby and Ben, he will have very little to feed off of…This was a great story for all involved and I am lifting a glass of bubbly for a job well done. DAYS has no idea what they will lose with both Kate and Rob gone from the canvas. Great job actors. Thank you.
Both deserve emmy nods next year…
Oh, my, Jimmy! Never have I seen Kate give such a well-executed performance….and Robert….such excellent delivery.
I am still wondering if all this is playing out in Abby’s head. But, how do we explain the knocked-out guard outside? Did Abby do that too? It just does not seem feasible for Abby to have left baby Thomas alone in his carriage alone like that. Besides, Jimmy, babies cry….impossible to stay in that position for too long.
“…I have loved watching her blossom as a younger actress. ”
she stated herself… how… in her last year.. in Salem… she gave her ALL
boy did she ever ! prove me wrong
I am so thankful… that Kate Mansi, Billy Flynn, and Robert Scott Wilson… just flew
just put themselves out their…. REELED
these three underlings… newbies… upstarts… CATAPULTED
Kate Mansi and Billy Flynn were robbed of emmy
it was … speculated… should they have submitted in LEAD
darn tootin… as professionals with; they mined themselves WORTH
When DAYS was transitioning…. ie: for the renewal… who carried
who sparked; who magnified
Abs, Chad, and Ben
they have solidified themselves a place in heart of heart
they were , all three, glaringly overlooked by the emmy panel
the emmy panel…. i’m certain are VETS… need to VOTE and for the win… newbie
her work… in 2016… like in all of the latter half of 2015… has been duly noted..
Kate Mansi : you have forever left a lasting impression
congrats on your 5 years… hard work … it’s a big production that may not be fully realized
ovation
you know… she was a part of an MF interview… and she was so forthright… in her person… in her wherewithal command
she shared how… the three of them… in that studio… ie: Billy, Rob, and Kate
would rehearse.. and discuss openly their character motivation and how they related to each other and most importantly… just took their own work… for their character places beyond
you dream of this stuff.. DAYS of ole was elevated…
beyond treat
Ms. Abs
I don’t watch Days, Patrick but have caught a couple of episodes with Abby in it.
Is it just me? Or does Kate Mansi have a certain young Scarlett Johanasson essence about her?
@Harry
I cant explain… if you will… the phenomena… that occurs.. and lightening strikes… between writers and actors
Kate Mansi 4 years prior to her last year… meh?
EXCEPT… when she starred… with Patrick Muldoon… as Austin Reed
it was an all out fest of feast.. of comedic, cougar, and a burgeoning exploration
Kate Mansi roared in her debut
faltered for 3 years… and impaled with EJ and CHAD… more Chad. just took us all by storm.. and STARRED with scripts to boot
I don’t know… like I said… I liken this to.. for example… Billy Miller… knock me out… I love him
all triggers fired… as Billy Abbott
go figure as Jason Quartermaine… ??? w/Sam just further plummets
ie: Kate Mansi… mystique
smiling from ear to ear… grinning and besotted… this yearling… is worth
if she’s ringed in with Scarlett Johansson… that’s an accolade
HAVE you ever… seen… “The Other Boleyn Girl”
tour de force knock me out… this is my favorite movie by Ms. Scarlett
from “wiki”
The Other Boleyn Girl
Reviews were mixed; some said it was a brilliantly claustrophobic look at palace life in Tudor England, while others are troubled by the lack of historical accuracy. It has enjoyed phenomenal success and popularity since its publication.
LOL it ranks right up their with TREAT, camp, and ooh la la
The Queen reigns
Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson as sisters… woah
ps:… on the emmy nomination live show…
Laura Wright herself… said… she’s on the panel
I know.. that Doug Davidson… Paul Williams… Y&R
is also.. ON
just saying… you know…
I really respect what Laura Wright said… on air
that .. there was a time… when these behind the scenes production
TOOK THE TIME… to introduce… newbies
no more… as we are all well “versed” they NOW currently shoot… upwards of 2-3 shows a day
so… it’s CHEER accolade out loud.. when newbies FIRE on all cylinder…
kate Mansi, Billy Flynn… and Robert Scott Wilson… of DAYS
these newbies… by themselves WORKED as a trio to concoct and bring to the screen. their WORK resonated
for all the emmy panelists… new hires… need to be acknowledged
Beautifully said, Patrick.
Im waiting to see the bed and Ben burn. Finally Will, Paige, Serena, and Wendy have finally been avenged.
Will would *never* want to see a man burned alive!
Will had a good heart, and he was devastated when he thought Nick had been killed (by a bash to a head and then drowning), despite the fact Nick had made his life miserable. And then when Nick survived and caused him more grief, he tried to *stop* Sonny, when he thought Sonny was going to shoot Nick! You can’t have it more wrong if you think Will would want someone stabbed and burned alive – even someone who had killed people! Will was very upset when he thought Nick was dead – and he compassionately considered Nick to be someone who had had misfortune in his life. And when Nick was actually killed, he tried to take the blame on himself! Yes I know Will did some violent things as a child – and indeed an anguished Will actually shot someone as a kid, but he learned a huge lesson from that! He saw and felt the consequences of that, the damage on all sides, and he and his loved ones paid dearly for it. He grew up, matured, and learned his lesson. And he learned what it was to have a bullet in his gut! So the adult Will hated violence. And he was compassionate!
If Will was there, he’d be stopping Abby, and calling the police, so that official justice could deal with Ben – properly!
Karim – your comment is horrific.
And it is a symptom of what Days has become – Griffith and Higley have turned the show to darkness and hatred, and it is really quite disturbing that this is appealing to some people. The whole show has become socially immature and backward. That began with the Griffley having the whole town railroad Chad, and then had Will killed in an avalanche of anti-gay messaging, and everyone ignoring the actually obvious suspect – Ben! And this kind of repulsive nonsense has just gone on and on and on during Griffley’s regime.
Goodness is important. But this show now showcases hatred and irrationality, and clearly it inspires the same. (Of course bad things happen in soaps and other dramas, but this show has gone over the edge – and it has lost both its balance and its heart and any sensibility at all!).
Also, I don’t understand why there isn’t a “V” on the content label, on episodes like this! What is the point of the labeling system, if an episode like this doesn’t come with a “V”. It’s crazy and pointless! I suppose its just another example of production companies being free to do whatever they like – hate-messaging included!
As to the performances – I think both KM and RSW do well – but if the writing sucks the result is still going to suck. It is a mark of poor writing when many of the characters are mad and irrational (or brainwashed!), and the plot can only work if they are! And that is very much the case with Ben and Abby, and Higley and Griffith! 🙂
Will was a fighter though. He knew how to throw a punch – and he used to hit the bag at the gym back in the day – and he had a fighting spirit. He was a high school athlete. His uncle was a prize-fighter. He loved sport. (He was captain of the volley ball team back when he was tall!!) Griffley ignored that so that they could have him exterminated in double quick time.
What I am saying though, is that Will would never never never want to see a man stabbed and burnt alive!! Absolutely never! That is so completely opposite to Will. He would have stopped Abby. (I doubt Abby is going to burn Ben, but then I wouldn’t put anything past the real Will-Killers – Higley and Griffith!).
Also Will would be totally against the death penalty. He nearly lost his mom to the death penalty once – I’m sure he does not support it!
Will would understand being in an anguished place like Abby. He would stop her doing the crazy thing.
It is better if the real Will-Killers – Higley and Griffith – get their comeuppance. Never mind their fictional puppet! I’ll be glad to see the back of Higley! That’s what I want to see!
Yes, WAY over the top–and eerily and chillingly TOO close to the infamous case in Texas where the wife tied her husband to the bed, stabbed him repeatedly, dragged his body outside of the house and buried him. At the trial, the (woman) lawyer brought in a bed and re-enacted the horrible scene in the courtroom. TOO MUCH. Too bad the writers took Abby back to being a victim of her fear and emotions after having her be strong when she withstood the horrors Ben inflicted on her. Would love to have seen Abby remain rational and strong–maybe take a well-deserved “vacation” until they found a replacement. Days has gone down a dark, dark road with the murder of Stefano, Ava—and all that simply CRAZY stuff with John Black and the weird “father.” I could go on but I won’t for fear of being sick–like the show has, unfortunately become. Thumbs down!
Hi Stephen. Very well written posts, but I am not sure I understand the mixed messages youre sending out. You take issue with the fact that Will, a fictional character, was a kind soul, and would wish no harm or comeuppance on another character, even a violent murderer. But then you, a real human, go on record saying that two other REAL people, deserve some sort Of comeuppance for scripting the death of Will. Huh? I too am vocal about my displeasure with writing regimes, but I never wish personal harm or comeuppance to the writers! When you give more credit to a slain soap character for being kind than you are doing in real life, something seems wrong there. We all know that when soaps are written well, they can be great!!! But more often than not, the writing is subpar. But that is no reason to wish bad things to befall real people. I have sat through some brutally horrific deaths on soaps…but was never so angry that I publicly wished harm on the writers! Michael Fairman, the awesome owner of this site, provideus fans a forum, and just recently posted rules that should be followed when posting. Personal attacks are no longer appropriate. We all emotionally invest in these characters and stories because they make us think and feel. But at the end of the day, it is just fiction and does not directly impact our lives as real humans.
@ Dylan
I said “I’ll be glad to see the back of Higley! That’s what I want to see!”.
That’s UNAMBIGUOUS. If you check the phrase in a dictionary you will see that it has no connection with violence or harm or hurt whatsoever! It means here that I would like to see Higley gone, and in this case that means gone from Days – which is a perfectly acceptable opinion to express.
Dylan, you sound erudite, and I do not buy at all that you do not understand the very common and basic English phrase of “seeing the back of”. Your post implying that I am wishing violence on a person is extremely unwelcome, profoundly rude, and ugly. And it is slanderous towards me!
Also Dena Higley has fired many actors. Why should she have special protection? Of course I can say I wish her fired – it is a totally reasonable opinion. Her kind of job is only ever a temporary affair. And I think her latest era on the show is terrible – a disaster! They need good head writers desperately. She, imho, isn’t one. I’m not here to discuss that – it’s off topic – I’m here now just to counter the unacceptable slurs you have made against me.
You said I was sending “mixed messages”. This is false. I was unambiguous in my abhorrence of violence. Indeed it was the main thrust of my post, which is what makes your own post so scandalous! And I was very clear about what I wanted to see – Higley gone from Days (just like Griffith).
You admonish me, saying “personal attacks are no longer appropriate” whilst making a personal attack on me by making slurs about me, and slandering me. I think it is the kind of comment that people dislike to read here! People don’t come here to be slandered, or see other people slandered! Please listen to your own advice, and don’t make personal attacks against me, or others, again. This is not the first time you have made a personal attack on me, so your admonishment to me is rich to say the least. I did NOT make a “personal attack”. But you yourself did – against me!
Please do not address my comments again, unless you do so honestly and fairly. I am being polite simply to get this post past moderation.
This was a terrific episode. It was beautiful to watch Abby get revenge on crazy Ben. I loved her expression as she was calmly chatting with Chad on the phone while tying Ben to the bed. Ideally, I’d like to see her start the fire. Crazy Ben shouldn’t be killed. He is crazy after all. I don’t want Abby or Chad or the baby hurt. either. But, it would be great if that mausoleum they live in burned to the ground. That’s no place to bring up a child.
Looks like it’s off to the funny farm for both Abby and Ben. Let’s hope they aren’t sent to the same place. I certainly hope they will recast Abigail. I’d hate for the poor baby to be raised by Chad alone.
Major kudos to Kate Mansi and Rob Scott Wilson for excellent performances. I am truly sorry to see them leave the show.
You say “it was beautiful to watch Abby get revenge on crazy Ben”.
It was horrific!
I am sad to see the character to have gone this way. Abby is the Woman Who Lived! And four people lost their lives! But on Friday, it was all about her: Abby, Abby, Abby – and doing to Ben what Ben had done to her. But she lived! And four people died!
Their families have a right to proper official justice – and answers! Abby is acting to deprive them of that. She has no right. And she has no right to assume that the people who were murdered by Ben would want to see him burned alive. And they have more right to make the call as to what happens to Ben than her.
I hope she doesn’t go through with it, and that she settles with scaring Ben. But I am confident that Griffith will make it all as ugly as possible.
We’ll probably be seeing Abby scaring and scarring Ben, Stephen, but I do see your points.
I understand how some viewers could be burning mad about this. I’m not a doctor, but if I were to take a stab at it, I’d say Abby is suffering PTSD.
Have to agree with you!
To Stephen
You do give valid points. I’m not sure what what to think about the scenes involved. I’m just grateful that Chad arrived in time to stop Abby from killing Ben. However, there are a lot of DOOL fans who are more than celebrating. They think what Abby did to Ben as more than poetic justice. There is no doubt in my mind as to what happens next. Ben will be sent somewhere he cannot escape from again. Justin, the DA, will agree under the circumstances that Abby should be placed under psychiatric care in an institution where she can get the help so desperately needed.
Where can you go after that? Days, unfortunately, has taken a page from GH–taking all their characters one (or more!) steps too far.
Nancy…OH, I AGREE!!!!! That stuff with John (who I think is dreary, dull and boring, anyway) and his CREEPY-LOOKING father is just too ridiculous…and even more PAINFUL to watch!!!!! No Thank You. Next……….
Later.
I found excellence in the acting; sadly, I found no beauty in the dark, morose path Days has taken with Abby and many of the other characters. I agree with nancy. I find no entrtainment in the “pursuit” of mental illness, murder and evil.
As much as the acting is, by far, over the top ( not the teens), I do not understand the point? The introduction of these weirdos, the destruction of Will, the unforgivable ‘misuse’ of Kassie D and Melissa A, did not follow a cohesive or coherent thought for me.
As nancy said, Abby, and the baby could have gone away for an extended amount of time and then re-emerge with a recast.
I hope THE BURNING BED symbolism is all in Abby’s head….where the same idea could apply. She leaves for an institution and comes back brand new.
I agree 100%. Her performance was riveting. She played so many layers and conflicting emotions as the scenes progressed. This was daytime drama at its best. I hope she knows how effective and affecting she was. This was great acting – not just for soaps but for ANY genre.
I think it’s unfortunate that Rob Wilson was not nominated at this year’s Emmys. Hopefully with the recent scenes he will be next year.
And I am going to miss Kate Mansi as Abby.
I agree, he was fantastic in the latter half of last year and it would have been great both for Robert and the show to have that recognised with an Emmy nomination.
Those bedroom scenes sure are going to be hot-lol
Ben will wish he never had the hots for Abby, Jimmy!
Abby has an appetite for revenge, but I never liked wiener roasts!
I prefer mine with chili…
Paging Brittany Underwoos…
Underwood…
Absolutely NOT!!!! There are far better actresses out there!
I suppose we’ve all seen our share of characters knocking other characters out with vases on all the soaps, but this seemed more real because it wasn’t a vase. It was a lamp. Ben went limp from a lump by a lamp, LOL!
She used the lamp to ‘knock his lights out’-lol
LOL, Jimmy! Great comeback! Do you think Abby will pop popcorn on an open fire? lol
Kate Mansi set the screen on fire. Literally. Best exit story DAYS has given an actor in ages.
I’ve been a fan of both of the character of Abby and Kate a long time. I do hope they find a recast soon because I haven’t loved a couple like Abby and Chad is so long. That said, I’m going to miss Kate so much in role! I feel like she has just been fantastic over the last year and especially during this story & Friday’s episode. I’m very proud of her, and I hope she wins an Emmy next year!
Kate did an excellent job portraying her part and Rob too, but the scene was not my cup of tea. This kind of constant muder, meanness, revenge is not want I want to keep watching on Days. Very upsetting and distrurbing not the type of escape I want to watch regularly on a soap. I know this is following up /ending the story line of Ben’s viciousness, serial killing, etc., but I keep hoping Days will move in another direction now. Murder after murder. Enough is enough. Let’s move on to more evolved human relationships, drama.
Thank you for your comment, Rj. It cheers me up! I was upset to read that people are enjoying this nastiness, and it heartens me to see others who dislike it are speaking up!
O no, Stephen! Don’t feel that you are alone in thinking this way. You are speaking the truth.
At the risk of sounding repetitious; I do praise the acting, but abhor, just as yourself, the morbid, and basically, ineffective storylines.
I think we would all enjoy seeing a healthy romantic relationship and a dose of good drama, as Rj proposes.
And you guys are all right. I hate watching constant misery and despair and grief and violence and evil. I lost 6 family members in two years, including a cousin, an aunt, two brothers, and my mom. It is not entertaining in real life, and it is not entertainment on the screen. Give me scenes with Kate, Nicole, and Theresa tosaing back martinis and planning business strategy and I am on board! When Days is at its best, it blends romance, family, love, humour, and an outrageous outlandish story or two. But they are balanced!! I do hope Days returns to a more traditional production schedule so they can nip things in the bud that arent working, rather than being powerless to appease fans for 6 months. I thought the lead up to the 50th was great!!!! But I was expecting some sentiment, some heart, some flashbacks, some returning favourites who were popular before 1984, Like Bill Horton, Marie Horton, Jessica Fallon, Liz Chandler, Neil Curtis, etc etc. The show refused to slow down the plot velocity, and didnt reward long term fans at al, deapite what was promised. Rather than seeing Aiden strangling Hope, I would have loved ro have seen Doug, Julie, Marie, Marlena, Roman, etc etc reminiscing and strolling down memory lane. I really long for what soaps used to be, andcould still be. Morality plays where the good guys win in the end! I
@ RJ – How exactly was Abby supposed to have reacted to re-appearance in her home? A psychopath everyone thought was sitting in a prison cell. How exactly was Abby supposed to react when Ben took hold her claiming that he still loved her?
OMG…I was rivetted to Friday’s episode and replayed it immediately as it was all so good! Kudos to Mansi & Wilson as their performance will long be remembered in soap history! They both deserve Emmys for their roles for sure…just amazing and such growth over the arch of the story and their characters. Bravo!
Personally I am hoping this is all in her mind and we are watching Abby’s descent into madness otherwise to see another Horton act no different than a DiMera is painful. I do think most people can be pushed into doing horrible things but in general most decent people like the Horton’s don’t go around killing and torturing people no matter how deserved. If this is all in her mind, then Abby will exit by being checked into an institution for the mentally ill which fits with the history of show since her grandmother had a mental illness– it will give a place for the character to be until they find a recast–but as for the actress, yes she is doing a brilliant job whether this real or not and hopefully she will get an Emmy nod next year.
Thank you for your comment Mary. I found it painful to watch too. And I agree that it would be better if it was all in Abby’s mind, but I think that’s wishful thinking now. I believe that there is no limit to the horribleness that Griffith and Higley will create on this show – they demonstrated that amply six months ago!
Kate Mansi deserves both an Oscar and an Emmy. She has proven herself worthy of my praise.
“Michael Fairman”
this thread… is simply…. one of your best
it’s a chilling account of Abs …. “… as her performance contained so many layers ”
from the get go : could she be experiencing… a mind spiral that just goes
she’s protecting her son at all cost
she’s protecting her love for her husband
is she unaware of what she’s doing… it’s a fascinating glimpse of dark, raw emotion, tit for tat, and that overdrive she’s consumed and we’ll find Abs mind not with
is Abs combusting…. coming undone
you take in to account… her family history… can’t wait for the return of Jamie Lyn Bauer, Laura Horton…. talk about a class act … she’s what fascination is all about
this is a fully charged all your senses ON… finale for…. Kate Mansi
she’s upped her character and her person… Superlatives and Kate Mansi… Done!
As I watched Abby pour lighter fluid on Ben, I thought, the writers have ruined another character. Very disappointed in what I saw on screen. I hope she does not go through with it.
Also, pouring lighter fluid like Abby did, she no doubt got some on herself, which is not a good idea.
I think Rob did a great job. He has really improved since he first appeared in Salem. Of course, getting a story helped.
I thought Kate did a good job conveying that Abby did not enjoy kissing Ben and was only doing it to save herself. When Ben went upstairs, I don’t know why Abby didn’t grab Thomas and run, hide, call police. But she obviously already had her endgame in mind.
Maybe it will turn out to be….she did all THAT and Ben wasn’t actually there?
great job Abby now if only someone could put out Ben’s lights that would be even nicer.In his case lights on but nobody home.
On the edge of my seat. The best dramatic scene I can remember. Sure there is lots, but this was great. Hard to believe Ben used to be on price is right. Hope to see more acting from him. Loved Abbi! Feel bad for who replaces her. She just made it impossible.
Yesterday’s ep was gruesome. Kate did a good acting job.
I was surprised Chad waited so long in calling 911. And did JJ get a promotion when we weren’t looking? Now he’s giving orders. Say what?
I do think these eps were too gruesome and dark and not what I want to see on Days. I am very disappointed in the way Days is going. I think Ted and Betty Corday would be disappointed too.
I disagree. Ben callously strangled Serena, Paige and Will then tried to frame Chad for the murders. Ben then kidnapped a very pregnant Abby. He took Abby to motel in the middle of no where and forced her to give birth there. Oh, Ben also kidnapped a woman forced her act as midwife then killed her after. Then Ben took the baby away from Abby. Instead of staying in prison where he belongs Ben escaped to torment Abby once again. Sorry, Ben got exactly what he deserves. Those episodes were gruesome but not as gruesome the others where took lives.
Kate Mansi gave am Emmy winning performance. The actress chosen to replace Kate will have some very big shoes to fill.
While the scene may have been too graphic, violent, and gruesome for my taste, I understand that it may have followed a progression in the storyline, but the issue for me is the broader one that I wish Days would not choose to go down this path so consistently, especially showing such vivid images of Abby stabbing Ben with the scissors , etc. – I realize she needed to do that to incapacitate him, but if Days is trying to attract a younger audience is this what we want the youth to be watching? With that said, there may be an element of attraction to psychological thrillers, and Abby’s decent into mental illness, as this may be a subject worthy of soap opera material, but I hope that Days will take the high road, and be socially responsible and show less violence on all levels especially if they want a younger audience whose minds may be shaped and influenced by what they watch. I hope I am staying within Michael’s guidelines, and not repeating myself too much, but I do feel that this is a discussion that within the soap opera industry that is worth having. Do we want to see love or hate? I realize there may be a place for both as soap opera drama may try to reflect life, but it may depend how it is portrayed, how often, etc.? Well, for me I choose love, and would like to see more of that. Once there is a violent scene I tend not to watch for awhile because it is too disturbing and upsetting. I would not want my teenage nieces and nephew to watch this.
I will say I love the cast, in fact I watch because I get attached to the characters. I think Days has talented writers as I know it is hard work to write and pull together storylines (even if I do not like some of them), and I have a lot of respect for Ken Corday. I marvel how he has kept the show on the air for 50 years despite challenges. I would just ask that have storylines that are not as violent, mean, and ugly as they seem to have had a wave of recently. Focus on relationship and family drama/conflict in a more humane way, so I could watch the show with my teen nieces and nephew. You could bring in a whole new generation.
HI FOR THE LONGEST TIME I DIDN’T LIKE ABBY ESPECIALLY THE EJ& ABBY AFFAIR BUT WHEN THE RECAST CHAD THE CHEMISTRY THAT ABBY& CHAD HAVE DAYS STRUCK GOLD SHE THE LAST YEAR WOW WHAT A CHARACTER TURNAROUND THE STORY LINE BETWEEN HER & CHAD& BATTY BEN&I WILL MISS KATE MANSI AS ABBY FOR SURE HER & BILLY FLYNN AMAZING CHEMISTRY DIDN’T THINK NO ONE COULD TOP EJ&SAMI OR BO& HOPE & THESE 2 SURE HAVE& WHOEVER PLAYS ABBY NEXT TOUGH SHOES
The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.
To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).
With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.
Courtesy/Peacock
THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE
From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.
Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall). Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.
In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.
Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)
Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.
JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL
Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!
The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.
Courtesy/Peacock
MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE
When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.
As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.
An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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