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 don’t watch DOOL, but-
It will come back up, it has loyal fans that most likely they don’t give a hoot about the numbers, they simply love and enjoy their soap..
Numbers= no big deal ..
Unfortunately I’m not convinced that fans are as loyal as they say they are. Very few are…like us. When Luke and Laura got married, 30 million people tuned in. TV ratings measure the popularity of a show. The more popular, the higher the ratings, and the more the network can charge for those commercials. When people stop watching, the networks lose money because they can’t charge as much for the commercials. The 4 remaining shows barely have 3 million viewers today, give or take. And you’re right about one thing, they are all on borrowed time. I love GH, have… Read more »
Of course numbers are a big deal…if they continue to drop the show will be one of the dearly departed…
DAYS is awful and boring. I can’t watch that nonsense. I think DAYS may not get another renewal. Y&R looks strong with being number 1 in every ratings category. Y&R is in the best shape ratings wise. It will be interesting to see Y&R’s numbers next week after the huge disaster event this week.
I do watch DOOL and since the pathetically written exit of Sami and EJ we are lucky to have two or three above par episodes a month. I have been watching, with the exception of the ridiculous possession storyline, since 1965. This show is in deep trouble, fans are very unhappy and I’m not sure it can be fixed. This 6 month ahead taping is the biggest problem of all. Nobody seems to remember what season fans will be watching. No Thanksgiving ep, very minimal Christmas and no Valentines ep. Sad beyond words.
I have been a DOOL fan for 30+ years and I have to say that in the past year a few of their story lines have been horrible and therefore I rarely watch anymore. It is getting disgusting to watch ! The Eve and JJ story line are absolutely disgusting. These writers are terrible, DOOL IS BETTER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON, truly a shame.
we are sick of some of the story lines ESPN JJ and Eve. Yuck
Especially not espn
All of the soaps had a horrible week. This is in the middle of February sweeps and how sad for the entire genre. This is not good at all for all the soaps. Bad week across the board.
Numbers = a big deal. Tell that to AMC and OLTL, along with many other dead soaps.
The numbers made no difference to the fans of AMC and OLTL.. They loved their soap and would watch loyalty everyday even if they were the only ones watching.. numbers = no big deal .. to the fans .. It was not by the numbers alone that killed them, ABC could not support 3 soaps. 3 soaps on ABC daytime tv during this era would be crazy financially/not doable .. I love GH .. and I could care less how many watch as long as I can watch it then all is well and happy for me.. The 4 soaps… Read more »
The numbers do matter…without them they garner little advertising which is why they no longer become affordable. Large numbers, especailly in the age group/ demographics the advertisers covet, mean big profit to the network. It’s ALL about the numbers in terms of whether ANY show survives.
I really like most of the characters on Days, but the ONLY two stories that I’m enjoying are the Paul/Sonny/Will triangle and the developing Justin/Adrienne/Lucas story. I’m kind of paying attention to the JJ/Eve story because JJ is hot, but the story is dark and seedy, and not in a that you want to watch. And all the other stories are dullsville right now. They’ve got the characters to make interesting stories but they wasting all of them.
I am only watching for the Sonny/Will/Paul story along with Justn/Lucas/Adrienne.
I want Sonny and Will to work it out and Paul to find someone too.
Loving to watch the L/A/J wondering where exactly it will go.
Hope this show lasts.
havent watch days since Sami and EJ left and the stories are getting boring
DOOL is in trouble, it better improve or the soap will be cancelled next year.
in my heart of hearts…. a part of me has already succumbed to TPTB… after 50 ? I’m holding fast to the ideal….
that daytime serials will always be the cornerstone of what daytime IS
that NBC would NEVER DARE cancel it’s one viable commodity that the daytime audience still wants over any thing they have or will try to hoist an an unforgiving audience if DAYS is let go
DAMn
I remain steadfast that TPTB build around Days of OUR Lives
I have watched Days from the beginning. How can we, as fans, make a difference so the powers that be will understand the vast numbers of loyal fans Days has?
Watch DAYS live or same day to count by the ratings system.
I know the ratings aren’t contingent on any one fan base, but I know, as a John and Marlena fan, I have been very frustrated about, not only their lack of airtime, and not having their own major story, but also that SO many of their moments (like their ‘reunion’) happened off screen……And I know this is true for others fan bases as well…..We watch the shows TO SEE stories unfold, not hear about them offhandedly by other characters!
The “new” writing team at Days has their work cut out for them, no doubt. 1. STOP taping for 4 months & assess the situation. When you resume taping, have no more than a 4-7 week lead time from tape to air so that if something is resonating with viewers, it can be incorporated more & if something is making them tune out, it can be scrapped. 2. Get RID of some of the new & new’ish characters that aren’t working. Serena, Eve, Paige, Ben, Clyde, Anne (or make her not so snipey & explain that she hates the Hortons… Read more »
WOW beautiful, beautiful, blue print and canvas for promenade of this great show of shows for all the loyal fans of… I don’t feel an angst .. that the show is in dire straits 1. I LOVE your idea that John and Marlena are the top tier couple : ala Tom and Alice… easily followed by how lovely and loved Victor and Maggie 2. your point #2… I’d get rid of Paige, Ben, Clyde, Jordan, Daniel, and I’d love it if the show needed some history to catapult upheaval and heart sick… let Jennifer Horton be the one to die…… Read more »
No1_ILoveLucyFan you hit the nail on the head. I AGREE with everything you wrote!!
FIX DAYS for the fans!!!!
Too much focus on gay story line. Let’s have more Rafe, Melanie, Victor.
I haven’t watch DOOL in years but I just started watching 2 weeks ago because of Sonny/Will/Paul story can’t get enough of it. ❤️
The Sonny/Will/Paul story is hot hot hot! Loving it. I guess, Derrick is hot, too! 🙂
Days have shifted away from the super couple format and that’s a shame
They can’t even keep John and Marlana together it’s
Like nobody can ever be happy for more than 5
Minutes in Salem, I love days but I have just lost interest
The story lines just don’t hold my interest
I sure hope the new writers can bring it back to what
It used to be …
I MISS DAYS OF OUR LIVES !!!!
What’s weird is I have given all the soaps a shot since summer. #DAYS I still love but it’s clear nbc has cut its budget beyond belief. I have never met anyone who watches Y&R which is crazy considering I’ve lived in three states in 32 years of my life. So I’m mystified where Y&R has these Nielsen families hidden. I’ve watched it and it puts me to sleep daily. The sets and acting are nice, but the stories are meh and their music is for the elderly. B&B seems to recycle it’s love triangle storyline ad nauseam with amazing… Read more »
Y&R had nearly as disastrous of a week as DAYS. The Sony soaps are on the highway to hell. Just dreadful and a shadow of themselves. Steve Kent should be shown the door, but I fear it’s too late. It’s only a matter of time before both of these shows are gone for good. DAYS will get the ax first, but Y&R will follow about 18 months to 2 years later. Sad, but self-inflicted.
I only started watching Days the week of Will and Sonny’s wedding. I have enjoyed what I’ve seen. After OLTL was taken off the air, I watched Y&R for 2 years and could never get used to it. I never bonded with the brooding characters or the snail pace format. I find Days much more alive and interesting. I’ve come to care about the characters and want to see what happens to them. My one criticism is the constant scenes in the park and/or the town square during the dead of winter. Can’t these people meet in their houses or… Read more »
I may be in the minority on this board, but I’m really enjoying the JJ-Eve story. It could be because I didn’t watch Days when Eve was previously on and it could be because I think Casey Moss has really developed into a fine young actor or I’ve been a longtime fan of Kassie DePaiva. But I think it’s fun to watch in a soapy way.
I must be an amnesiac smoking meth because I’ve been loving DAYS again for several weeks!
I think Jennifer & Rafe should be the next super couple since they both have the same values. JJ & Abigal should quit confiding in mommie so much and make their on way. Stephano should come back and bring with him Nichole’s baby that he took. I read a while back that this might be a storyline. The nurse that told Nichole her baby was stillborn worked for Stephno and he has her baby. Christian is supposedly carrying Brady’s baby that Teresa conceived is a little strange since Christian is almost as old as Marlena. Who carries a baby at… Read more »
This is only in the US
What about world wide etc etc
I am from Canada. I am not at home when it is on but I PVR it and watches it ASAP
Also if PVR don’t record or special news broadcast interrupts it
I got to youtube!!
I have watched DOOL for years. I am 60 years old. I must say, it is getting worse with each episode. Get rid of the JJ/Eve bull. I love the Sonny/Will/Paul story line and love the Aiden/Hope line. Do something with Rafe instead of nothing. All the older cast are gone and new are coming in, great, just do something with them instead of disgust!!
Days should bring back Rex, Cassie, Peter, and Nicholas. I would like to see Andrew.
I agree about the gay storyline. I hate the Eve and JJ storyline too. I just find Days boring.
I LOVE Days and I have rarely missed an episode all these years. However, ,I am worried. The writing and storylines have been Terrible for a very long time. Give Marlena a real story. Write stories with a dramatic structure that keeps the audience wondering what will happen next. (Ask Ron and Frank from GH for some help- They are the only current soap team that seems to intrinsically understand the inherent demands of soap entertainment.). Bring back core characters. And for the love of Mike bring back Chandler Massey as Will. Pay him Anything! And please get rid of… Read more »
Yeah, am a bit worried about Days as to whether or not they will be around after 2016. I’m not a fan with some of the goofy storylines that they have been doing lately. I have been originally been watching Days since the mid 1970’s- the late 80’s. And, sadly took a long break from it but, started watching it again in 2012 when they introduced the first gay storyline(Thanks Days).
I know a few people who have stopped watching because they spend way to time on the gay story line. It is almost as if it has become the Will and Sonny show.
Whenever there is a concentration on the gay storyline, Days’ ratings drop. This year the show did a heavy concentration on Sonny, Will and Paul. So the ratings plunge is no surprise. The Serena-Eric-Nicole story started out good. But it started to tank with the cat fight between Serena and Nicole at the opening of Victor’s new club. The relationship between Serena and Nicole had already been well established. The cat fight was overkill. There had previously been a cat fight between Theresa and Melanie. It felt like the writers said, “Let’s throw another cat fight in here for good… Read more »
Have watched this show for years and this is the worst I have ever seen. Enough of Will, he is terrible. Hate the storyline. Melanie is pathetic as is Dr Dan. And Eric, omg, how stupid can one man be. Don’t these actors have any say in their stories?? And if Victor doesn’t kick Clyde’s ass I give up.
Please let me object to everyone referring to anyone as ‘hillbilly’ and worse. I am a Southerner and I object to being referred to with these comments. Please refrain.
Maybe people from the South have turned DOOL off because of these caustic remarks.
You’re right about the advance shooting schedule.
The Serena/Eric story is as dull as could be, and the JJ/Eve/Paige story is irritating at best — a waste of good actors all around.
The only saving grace lately is the Sonny/Will/Paul story and the Aiden/Hope story. Both well acted and interesting.
Ken Corday has ruined days of our lives. He has no idea what a good story is. He keeps firing and rehiring writers each one worse than the last just to recycle again. Then he goes and says screw you to the biggest fan base (EJ and Sami fans) with that goodbye story. In my opinion I wouldn’t hire any of those writers I would go on any of the soap opera websites and look for fan fiction writers to hire. They would do a much better job than any of the fired or rehired writers. I for one am… Read more »
Days has one decent storyline (Paul/Sonny/Will) and the rest is a snoozefest. Sadly it’s been this way for awhile and will continue to be this way for a few more months. I cannot understand how shows say they want to honor history and be true to who their characters are, and then hire actors to play new characters with no history on the show, and we’re supposed to care. The answer is painfully obvious that we don’t. Serena and her elephant statue are becoming the biggest joke of a story in 2015, and it’s only February. But as others have… Read more »
The gap that the Sammy/EJ departure has created has yet to be filled. The ongoing stories are lasting much too long(Eve and JJ, really?) and are not causing much of a stir.Although Hope & Aiden’s story got a bit of excitement this week, it’s time we start seeing new story lines in this show.