Viewers were recently reminded that Days of our Lives‘ Julie and Marlena are members of a club they’d prefer not to be, as both are widows. Now, Soap Central is honoring Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) and Deidre Hall (Marlena) with our Performer of the Week honors for a touching scene in which their characters connected on a special level.
Susan Seaforth Hayes and Deidre Hall, Days of our Lives, Performers of the Week
Viewers know that Bill Hayes (Doug) and Drake Hogestyn (John) died in real life, so this time, there’s no coming back for their characters. As a result, the writers can craft scenes that speak to the finality of Doug’s and John’s absences, and the actresses can play those scenes in a different, more definitive way.
Knowing well what Marlena was going through, Julie dropped by her pal’s apartment bearing gifts. Trying to be upbeat, a mourning Marlena injected as much joy as possible into her character’s persona.
Julie updated Marlena on the return of Alice’s (Frances Reid) missing necklace, joyfully sharing that Doug Williams III (Peyton Meyer) returned it. However, that wasn’t the primary goal of her visit, however, so Julie said she’d save the details for another day. Marlena is still in mourning, but Hall injected joy into her character as Marlena knew how much the missing jewelry meant to Julie.
Reaching out
“I come bearing gifts,” an upbeat Julie said as she shared that she had brought iwth her wo memoirs about grief and embracing life again after you’ve lost the center of your universe, which, she added, “we both have.”
“You helped me so much on the darkest day of my life,” tearfully recalled Julie, referring to when Doug died. Julie, and perhaps Seaforth Hayes, too, knows full well that grief is not linear and that one doesn’t “move on” after the love of your life dies, but, instead, one moves forward.
“You’re still helping me,” Julie shared. “I understand how much you have to deal with. Books or no books…I am here for you, too. You’re not alone.”
“I know that,” Marlena replied knowingly and warmly. Hall brings compassion to her role as Salem’s favorite psychiatrist, but the actress allowed Marlena to let her guard down as she also showed sympathy and empathy to her friend. “And I know that you understand all too well,” added Marlena, who wanted to help Julie as she was helping her.
“All too well,” Julie replied as she hugged Marlena. This lovely, emotional slice of life moment is what soaps are all about. Two characters shared their thoughts in a room while the audience at home identified and empathized with characters they’ve come to love like family.