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Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/CBS

Taking on a DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) storyline on the soaps can be extraordinarily challenging for the performer who is tasked with making a clear distinction and delineation between the various alters of their character.

However, the other trick to playing this kind of story, is often having the various alters trying to hide the fact from those they know and love of what is truly going on with them, so as not to tip them off, as to what is happening to them as they battle for control of a person’s psyche.

The gold standard is One Life to Live icon Erika Slezak’s (ex-Viki) Emmy-winning and gut-wrenching and riveting DID storyline where we met Tori, Niki (although we met her earlier in the life of the show), Tommy, Princess, Jean and even her father, Victor.

Photo: JPI

Now in 2024, The Young and the Restless’ Eileen Davidson is playing out a new DID storyline for the first time as Ashley Abbott. We knew decades ago that Ashley had a breakdown and has suffered psychological issues, but this has taken it to a new level. And, let’s be real, if you are going to give someone currently on a soap a DID story, who better than Davidson, who is used to playing multiple characters at one time as she did on Days of our Lives. Although on DAYS, each of the characters were their own distinct person, while now on Y&R, Ashley’s alters are fighting for control of her being,

Last week, on the Thursday, April 12th episode of the CBS soap opera, Davidson truly got to shine, as in front of the Abbott family and through what was supposed to be an intervention (they hadn’t figure out what the hell was happening to her), Ashley was flipping from alter to alter. We know there is Ms. Abbott, and Ash thus far, but there is said to be one more alter a-coming.

Photo: JPI

In the key scenes, Davidson’s internal struggle was played pretty masterfully in a scene where she literally is in a tug of war with her alters and flings herself on the couch, while Jack (Peter Bergman), Diane (Susan Walters), Billy (Jason Thompson) and Traci (Beth Maitland) look on. Of course, there are the soap trope scenes of alters in handcuffs while the other is on the loose. And leave it to Billy to figure out Ashley is suffering from DID from his past experience.

Photo: JPI

While this all seemed to spring from Ashley’s messy relationship with Tucker (Trevor St. John) and a throw back to an old car accident where she lost her unborn baby, is there some other underlying issue in Ashley’s past that was even more traumatizing that will be revealed as another trigger for this massive personality split? We shall see.

Photo: JPI

In the meantime, Michael Fairman TV names Eileen Davidson’s work the Power Performance of the Week, and rest assured, come 2025, Davidson will find herself going for the third Daytime Emmy win as Lead Actress for this storyline.

So, let us know, what did you think of Eileen’s performance? Are you enjoying Ashley’s DID storyline? What do you think will happen to her next? Comment below.

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Am I the only one to notice, once again the character of Abby, her daughter, is excluded from this entire storyline and “family” intervention…. Did they reach the limit of “actors” per scene? Remove Diane, include the daughter.

I agree. Soaps anymore overlook what to us seems obvious. Cost cutting is cast cutting.

And what would that airhead contribute to the already crazy situation?

I was thinking about Abby and Adam during the anniversary show as well when Nick and Victoria were hosting their parents. I was guessing that since Adam and Abby are only half Newman, they didn’t rate being front and center like their older siblings

Yup, why would they need to include her. And for most of the issues with the Newman’s, she’s the forgotten child over there several times as well. My thinking is as soon as Eileen wraps it up, Melissa will be gone too. Pity.

Diane is Jack’s wife, so she should have been there too. You’d have probably thought it would have been fine if Phyllis had popped. Some viewers will never get past the fact that Jack finally woke up and saw Phyllis for who she really is. If faking her own death (like Diane did years ago) and then her marrying Jeremy Stark, didn’t make viewers see that Diane has never been any worse than Phyllis, then there’s no hope.

The subject is Ashley. Her daughter should be the most prominent character there—not Jack, not his wife, not her sister or nephew.

Abby is a buttinsky. She has enough of her own crap to do without insinuation herself into something important.

Mother or not – this situation with Abby will be worse if Abby butts in and starts throwing her theories and weight around.

I for one am thrilled to NOT SEE HER!

For sure! She and Summer, two dumb blondes.

I completely agree! Diane has no reason to be there What so ever! Abby NEEDS to be there! I’m sick of Diane!

That’s what I was going to write. Abby is her daughter and she should have been there instead of Diane. It’s not just with the Abbotts, but she is excluded from.Newman meetings and gatherings as well. What the heck??

Well deserved. Eileen is so damn good that she made this story compelling.

Eileen Davidson has been wonderful in this storyline and I know she’ll continue. But Beth Maitland is the one that gets to me. So understated, yet so believable in her role. Kudos to her for her many years on Y&R. I love it when they focus on families, not businesses.

Agree 100s% re: Beth Maitland. She is carrying this storyline forward. She’s captivating in her portrayal of Traci. I could watch her every day; a pleasure to watch her craft.

You’re right, Susan. Beth brings in the humanity, the history. She’s so good she makes it look easy- she’s a treasure. And did you know that the quilt Traci put in Ashley was one Beth made in real life?

Love it and I agree where is her daughter in all this?????

Oiling her scalp

I smell another Daytime Emmy, for Eilleen Davidson. She is a wonderful actress, love her as Ashley Abbott. Loved her on Days Of Our Lives.

I love the fact that Beth Maitland has been used in this story. But I have always wondered, for decades, why there is never any interaction between Traci Abbott and Victor Newman. I have always viewed the character of being the peace bridge between the Newmans and Abbotts.

I am along the thought process where are Abby and Kyle? Kyle needs to put his big boy pants on, and leave the business dealings at Jaboť! There are a lot of other things, but they would take away from Ashley’s performance, which does not need to happen!!!

I would watch Eileen read the phone book so I’m thrilled. Hopefully the alter murders Diane.

ED rocked those scenes – as fully expected….

Love her and love Tucker !!

How about put an end to this storyline please co ti use with Nikki and Jordan.

She is doing a horrible job doing this. Very unbelievable. This story line is getting very boring. I fast forward through this. I record this show and takes about 15 minutes most days to watch it after I FF through it.

Which she are you referring to? Certainly not Eileen or Beth/ Tracy. The only unnecessary one is Diana.

I think that Eileen Davidson will win Best Actress Award for Y&R this year. Her acting with the DID is on point. She is doing a remarkable job portraying the disorder. I enjoy watching Y&R on days when they are showing Eileen.

The Jordan story seems to be draging along slowly. I hope we don’t have to wait until next year before Jordan is caught and put away for good where she can never escape again. Summer needs to get somewhere and sit down with her immature self. She has a lot of nerve passing judgement on anyone while sleeping with her Aunts EX husband. She behaves like a spoiled Brat. Plus, Harrison is no relation to her. He has a Mother. What is she going to do whenever Tara comes back, if they decide to bring her back? IJS

What I’m dying to know is, what the hell is Ashley’s problem ? Jack asked his sister today the same thing. What is she protecting herself from, etc, etc. We know Tucker is a jerk but that alone can’t be what brought her other selves out for help and why does she want to kill him?

Recaps

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?

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We have another scream machine on her hands at The Bold and the Beautiful after the dramatic ending of the May 1 episode, and that would be Dylan (Sydney Bullock)!

B&B is finally making some headway on just who was the person behind the mystery call that Dylan received telling her they have some “unfinished business.” At the time of the mysterious call, it was clear that the voice was altered to disguise the true identify of the person on the the other line.

On today’s show, after Dylan and Electra (Laneya Grace) exchange words in the wardrobe room about Dylan wanting to rebuild their trust and friendship and how Electra has issues stemming from way back trusting anyone after what Remy (Christian Weissmanm) did to her by befriending her and then plastering deep fake nude photos of her across social media.

Photo: JPI

The timing of Electra bringing up Remy is also interesting to us, as we had previously reported now that Christian Weissmann is back and on on contract with The Bold and the Beautiful, he’s already teased that Remy has another connection to someone on the canvas, which many are still believing its Dylan.

At the end of the episode, after Electra leaves the room, Dylan hears noises coming from behind the dress rack. She asks, “Jamie” is that with you? After no answer and a bit more hangar and dress ruffling, a figure steps out behind it, while Dylan is looking down at her tablet trying to get back to work.

When Dylan looks up, she lets out a scream that could be heard to Nebraska, as viewers see partial view of what looks to be a woman with long dark hair from the back. Dylan in shock, says, “It’s you!” We fade to black.

So, what’s going on here? Is the reason the caller said to her that we have “unfinished business” because on Monday, it will be revealed to actually be an alive and well, Luna (Lisa Yamada)? Did the two strikes some sort of deal, that allowed Dylan to help Luna escape after Luna supposedly died after Dylan ran her down with her car, which was all off-screen? Another theory, is the mystery caller is Remy and he is doing some sort of Luna fakeout on Dylan for a yet to be revealed reason.

What do you think is going on? Did Lisa Yamada just make an on-screen return to The Bold and the Beautiful? Share your thoughts and theories below, but first check out our recent interview from back in March on the Michael Fairman Channel when Lisa who attended the BBTV app launch party.

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Recaps

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond

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When The Young and the Restless can deliver an emotional side to their stories and their family dynamics, it usually makes for some great scenes delivered by their A-list cast.

Such was the case on the Friday, May 1 episode when Adam (Mark Grossman) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) returned to Genoa City and gave their father, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), an update on what had gone down with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) in Las Vegas.

As Victor questioned, “What the hell happened?” Nick piped up, “We both made mistakes along the way, but we’re here now and we’re sorry for giving you so much worry on top of everything else that you’re dealing with,” which was in reference to Victor trying to reclaim his company Newman Enterprises et al.

Courtesy/CBS

NICK’S CONFESSION

Next, Nick, explains one of the ways he messed up while trying to go after Matt Clark, when he admitted to this father with tears in his eyes, “That’s one of the ways I messed up … I took Fentanyl willingly. Some of it was because of Matt, but most of it was on me. I was in a lot of pain, dad, after my accident, I was burning through my prescription meds really quickly after I left the hospital. I could see that it was becoming a problem. But honestly, I thought that I could manage it.  I was wrong. I was out in LA and Matt had taken Noah (Lucas Adams) and Sienna (Tamara Braun) and he gave me this bag of pills and said I could use it to trade for information. When I went out to that drug warehouse, he was trying to convince me and Sharon (Sharon Case) that Noah was a drug addict. I just put the pills in my pocket of my jacket and I came back to Genoa City and I was in a lot of pain, dad, and I was wearing that jacket. I put my hands in the pocket and the pills were there.”

Nick sadly added, “I was desperate. I couldn’t get anymore prescription meds, so I took the fentanyl  I’m deeply ashamed that I was so weak, but all I can do is stand here and tell you the truth that I’m going to make this right and I’ll get better.”

BROTHER TO BROTHER

Adam stood up for his brother and reconfirmed to Victor the plan for help Nick through his pill addiction, “Nick is already on his way to doing that. Sharon has set up an appointment with an outpatient facility. He’s going to do the meetings and he’s going to push through this better than ever.”

Courtesy/CBS

“You should also know that the only reason I’m standing here is because of Adam,” Nick confessed to Victor. “Every time I fell, you were there to pick me up. You risked your life to save me, and that’s not something I will ever forget.”

In the climatic and emotional ending of the scene, Nick in tears admits his shame to his dad, who comes in to give him hug. Nick says, “I’m so sorry. I know that this is the last thing you or this family needs.”

All three actors, Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman and Eric Braeden, were excellent in this exchange in their scenes, but at its epicenter continues to be the Emmy-worthy performances by Y&R MVP, Joshua Morrow. Nick’s heartbreaking journey and fall from grace with his pill addiction problem has finally shown the clinks in the armor of the man who is always on the ready to help others … now he needs to let others help him through this. Can we do it?

So, what did you think of the scenes between the Newman man featuring Joshua, Mark and Eric on the Friday episode of Y&R? And though who watched also know that at the very end, Matt Clark who clearly has been injured wakes up from being conked out, so there is more revenge to come on the Newman clan. Share your thoughts below, but take a look at these scenes from a Canadian viewers who saw them air yesterday.

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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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