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.
Oh, this is looking to be good! I didn’t see this happening. And, I’m intrigued. I guess, this event will help or hurt Will’s secret affair with Paul. It’s anyone’s guess. Paul will want to see Sonny, for sure. I think Paul and Will will fit the pieces of the puzzle together, while Sonny is in hospital, in a coma? Then, Sonny will get better, released…but the two men will keep the secret to themselves for the sake of Sonny’s recovery.
and, …I guess Clyde will be found dead? Bummer. I really think James Read is a fine actor.
I don’t think Clyde is dead. I hope James Read is here for a long time, he’s fantastic.
I don’t know that Clyde is really dead. If the police don’t find the body and declare you dead, it’s pretty iffy on these soaps. Sometimes even when they police are involved, death doesn’t always take. OLTL fans will remember Mitch Laurence. I agree with others here. James Read is a terrific actor.
yeah, Clyde is good at playing games. I did have a feeling that he might have wore a bullet proof vest.
and,…what about Paul’s big secret? Will Will’s article be pointless and put on-hold? Will Theresa see Paul confessing his love to Sonny, at the hospital, and then Paul is outed by Theresa? So many possibilities here. Days is getting good!!!
Days is so fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, I would love to see more of “T”, (he works at Club TBD), he’s longing for some loving. Who is the actor who plays “T”? He’s cute.
Maybe, he can turn bi? That would be wild! and ironic.
Brendan Coughlin : T as in Tad Stevens
I love how his eyes sparkle… with that smile…. temptations
@ Patrick, yes, his sparkly BLUE eyes. He’s got a great smile, he’s just fun and radiant, and I wish DAYS would utilize him more. I would be interested to see him try to purse Abby, or for fun… get tempted by Paul!!! Tad or T, I believe was not cool, at first with Will being gay. I think it would be hot if Tad got tempted by Paul, and became bi. Why not?
I think all will come to a head. Paul and Will will see each other at the hospital and wonder why the other is there. It will come out how they are connected to Sonny, then all H*ll will break loose! It is going to be so good! I hope this does make Will take his head out of his…umm backside?..lol I am not opposed to Adrienne and Lucas. It will be odd for the boys but Justin has been gone too long without coming to see his wife and from what is indicated he has a secret as well.… Read more »
I would like to see this version play out on screen. It would be good to see Will’s remorse drive him to become “husband of the year” and then have Sonny find out what happened between Will and Paul when he and Will are in a good place in their marriage — making it all the more dramatic. Not sure we’ll get this much build up, but I can hope. I would like to see Lucas with someone, and while I don’t know if he and Adrienne are a good match, it would certainly add to the drama in Will… Read more »
@ Carolyn, yeah Paul’s paternity would be interesting to learn. Paul has only mentioned his mother and grandfather. And, they don’t want to visit Salem either, why does Paul’s mother, especially… not want to visit her son in to Salem? hmm. And, let’s not forgot those two encounters between John and Paul.
As far as Lucas and Adrienne go– I wouldn’t have put them together but there really isn’t anyone else on canvas for either. I’m ready for Lucas to have a love story of significance, so I’ll give it a chance. I think I could see Lucas getting paired with Melissa Archer. As far as the guys go- we already know Paul is leaving and the truth about the triangle has to come out at some point. I do like Victor & the Kiriakis family getting a story– seems like a great time to me to bring back Phillip or intro… Read more »
Paul isn’t going anywhere. The actor is on contract til 2016 I believe. Two year contract.
thank the soap gods…. Reagan… you gave me a start
whew!
Paul has brought SO much… to the canvas…. it’s rocking
go Victor
c’mon Adrienne
at last more Lucas
don’t you just love Freddie Smith…. and yeah… as shared, w/MF… Sonny IS the last of the good guys…. just LOVE him to bits
Pauls past catches up to him… “he did ask Sonny to marry him”
what’s not to love
I’m ecstatic !
hey Alex, that’s good news. Where did you get/read the info on the actors contract?
I hate to see Sonny get hurt but this will be some really great emotional scenes for Freddie Smith to play and I am excited for this opportunity for him to show us how talented he is in this role. Guy Wilson has the same opportunity to reveal his emotional side as Will deals with the gravity of the situation with his husband being severely injured. Also we will see how Paul deals with the situation as portrayed by Christopher Sean. Judi Evans and Bryan Datillo are going be great as they deal with the situation as Adrienne and Lucas.… Read more »
What I hope for this story is that Sonny recovers fully first. Please god, no paralysis story. Second, I want Sonny to find the truth about his husband’s betrayal and the tptb to allow the character to get a divorce. Will and Sonny need a MAJOR LONG BREAK away from each other. I prefer eternal break. Some people aren’t meant to be and I never felt their love. They were the two gay guys on the show and of course they got together. I would like to see Sonny and Paul get a second chance. That would be hard of… Read more »
I really like the context… that … without doubt : Paul and Sonny truly loved each other… every person has their OWN coming out experience… and to share it… in whatever capacity… is instrumental I honestly think i’d have moved on as well.. even though love never left either of them Sonny deserved to have that open relationship… so he moved on with his heart for Paul lets look at this as Sonny first love this is what it is… sharing Sonny backstory… doesn’t lessen Sonny and Will… I totally agree with LeeAnn… this forward march of coop de ta… Read more »
I’m all about Judi Evans (Adrienne) & Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) for more screen time and deeper stories. Justin will return, though I’m not keen on a romance between Lucas and Adrienne. Someone else suggested a Lucas and Serena pairing, that could be more interesting than Eric and Serena. Lucas definitely needs a solid love interest. Kayla needs a man, too. I’m hoping Days will write more for Adrienne, Kayla, and Lucas, and Abe, too! It may be useful to recast Lexi and bring her back from the dead. Or, maybe Abe and Kayla pairing? DAYS utilize Judi Evans and… Read more »
Well, the focus being on Will was always a pleasure as long as Chandler Massey was in the role. But now, the bad acting has reached a point where it just has to stop if they don’t lose even more viewers than they already have. Only someone who’s blind wouldn’t see that Paul and Sonny are the ones who should be front and center, together. And Spencer Neville proved within a couple of episodes that HE should be on the show instead of that new version of Will that has been shoved down our throats for over a year only… Read more »
I soooo agree with you, Brian. Ditto to your every word. I have missed so many episodes….I haven’t even had the ‘urge’ to watch, as I normally would. The JJ, Paige, Eve triangle should have never happened. So stupid. If it was meant to arouse interest or give the storyline a titillating twist, it failed. Seeing Eve and JJ in bed made my stomach revolt . She’s what? Thirty-five years older? TPTB should not have even gone there I like Sonny with Paul. NuWill just does not cut it with anyone…no looks to speak of, and no talent. JMO. Is… Read more »
@ CeeCee – yeah. those shovels with Aidan were interesting – nice notation that it could be what you described. very good!
As for JJ and Paige, I really hope the writers make Paige more active. I think she’s a really talented actress. I hope JJ & Paige’s love will conquer the screw-up JJ made my sleeping with Eve, what twice? I too, am really growing tired of watching Daniel and Eric, and Melanie!
don’t pull your hair out, I believe Kristen Di Mera is back this month!
Sonny will become paralyzed…Paul will sneak a few visits…Will catches Paul telling an unconcious Sonny that he loves him…Will learns Paul is Sonnys ex and Paul learns Will is Sonnys husband…both decide to keep there whoopie moment a secret as well that Paul is gay…Paul agrees to stay away from Will and Sonny so they can work on their marriage but Paul is hearbroken…Sonny wakes up with amnesia and unable to walk…Will takes Sonny home but sleep in seperate rooms because Sonny doesnt remember who Will is…Will promises Sonny he will help him get his memory back and the use… Read more »
Gosh, now they even almost kill Sonny only to continue pimping NuWill. Fans were so excited when NuWill was out of town and we thought that SONNY would finally get his own story, front and center together with PAUL!! These execs and writers sure know how to keep DAYS’ ratings in the toilet. Only totally blind people wouldn’t see that NuWill and NuWilSon just DON’T work. Zero chemistry and bad acting. The contrast to OriginalWilSon, Chandler and Freddie, couldn’t be any sharper. Will it take them another year to finally make a change??? I’m only watching for PaulSon!!
Couldn’t agree with you more. NuWill has zero chemistry with all the characters and the acting is incredibly bad. There is no way that Guy WilSon will be able to pull off any emotional feeling that he would need to in order to make this storyline believable. He has one facial expression and a year later continues to deliver lines like he is just reading them, no emotion or any clue as to what is really happening. Same expression if the character is angry, sad, in love or upset. Why has management not realized after a year that this is… Read more »
I don’t get this either…. “management”
whomever …. despite a 6 month schedule… the executive producers MUST know… Guy Wilson isn’t up to par or nowhere near relating with the cast
it’s time for him to go
that being said… at least Guy Wilson isn’t like dullard Daniel and totally ruining every thing else
this trio is palatable… dang! if I was GW and noticed the chemistry with Paul and Sonny … “i’m nowhere” whew!
I am so excited for the entire storyline! Freddie deserves to show what he’s got. He has been a steady supporting character for so long.He is a great character actor with a leading man’s face and body.I can’t wait to see my favourite actor on the show tear his scenes up! Guy is doing a wonderful job showcasing his acting ! Christoper Sean is such a fine actor that you can’t help but feel for Paul. He and Freddie have tremendous chemistry and act well together! I would like to see Will change over what he has done and realize… Read more »
beautiful post
there you have it
the conundrum
because of falling in love originally w/Will and Sonny
and now the potent leading men in Paul and Sonny
I’m taking this for all it’s worth… “…I am so excited for the entire storyline!”
yeah Kelly, these guys are all great, Freddie, Guy and Christopher!
I’m loving this storyline, it’s getting real good! And, yes, it’s Freddie’s time to shine. He’s going to get unbelievable material to work with.
oh my you don’t mess with victor and I believe if Clyde isn’t dead he will be, You go Victor you never did let anyone mess with your family. And as for Lucus and Adrienne I never thought to much about them together but I think it’s a greatttttt match Lucus so needs to find a good woman cuz he so deserves love in his life. and come on Sonny and Will really have gone thought a lot together so let’s keep them together and let them have a great marriage and family with their little one.
LOL
“Victor Kiriakis” I love you
what a reward treat and feast to savor his character acting
Victor is one of the most consistent characters on DAYS. Love his sharp delivery. He’s a gem. Glad he’s a main player on the show.
Please don’t let nothing happen to Sonny and Will, send Paul packing and as for Adrienne and Lucas No they don’t look like a good match because she’s always putting Sami down, bring Sonnys dad back please he needs to be there for their son
The promo could be misleading:
Clyde/Clyde’s men may not be behind the attack on Sonny. Crazy Derrick , the bellboy at Salem Inn who’s got it bad for Paul, could be the knifer.
Keep your eye on Christopher Sean as Paul. He seems like he’s been acting for a thousand years…he’s a star!
As long as BD and JE get much deserved screen time, I’m all for the pairing of Lucas and Adrienne!!!
I like Sonny, but don’t care about Guy’s Will. And not interested in Paul either.
Guy Wilson is in his element, he’s a fine actor, and makes very committed acting choices. Guy Wilson, Freddie Smith and Christopher Sean are all doing a fantastic job, this is a big storyline for them, and it’s heading in a very dramatic and intriguing direction. I’m so excited. Great actors, great material.
How about Sonny wakes up and doesn’t remember Will at all. He’s still in love with Paul. Melanie needs to grow up. Eve needs to be outed. Serena is just a disappointment…so much for a good love story with Aiden and Hope
Will and sonny need eachother Paul needs to stay out of the picture and no Lucas and Adrienne don’t need to b together Lucas is too good he does need a romantic woman in his life a good one
@Jeremy…why, thank you, kind sir…LOL.
Seriously, where is this going? Please, writers, spare us from another zombie/wife killer and no body found/”Criminal Minds” storyline. Later.
Ps…HaHa. ,Jeremy. I think I’ll keep my hair. I like my blond locks, LOL.
I am so excited about Kristen’s return. Let’s light some fire under some of these boring storylines; well, except for the Sonny/Paul/Will storyline. I really love, love the idea of Sonny and Paul as a couple. Now, wIth the hotel waiter (what is his name? He is so beautiful), playing some part (good or bad is yet to be seen)…..the storyline could get very interesting.
Hey CeeCee… one of the great things about Eileen Davidson is that no matter what material she is handed at DAYS, she sells it, she is just THAT good. She’s always been so interesting to watch. Eileen is such a great soap opera talent. Long live Kristen DiMera!
What day is this episode coming on? Please reply
The stabbing is on Wed Feb 4 episode.
Today!
Thank you so much.
Poor Sonny, he’s really been having a rough time of it lately and now this….I wonder if he shall recall that he was on his way to confront Will (wasn’t he?) when he was
attacked.
It’s a good thing February for DAYS OF OUR LIVES is a little interesting because to be honest December and January were a bit of a snooze.
DAYS is spectacular!
Let Adrienne and Lucas get a little close to bring Adrienne and Justin back together!! They belong together so I hope this is leading up to an amazing reunion!!!