Performer of the Week
Sometimes, you watch an actor you are very familiar with go to a different place with their character, and it’s like discovering something new and wonderful. That happened this week with Brandon Beemer, who plays Shawn Douglas Brady on Days of Our Lives. We’ve been watching Shawn spiral for months now, ever since he accidentally shot his father (Peter Reckell) and put him in a coma after he had just come back from the dead after almost a decade.
That would be a lot for anyone, and it was for Shawn. He started drinking heavily and even drank on the job as a detective with the Salem PD. He was suspended but then reinstated and promoted to commissioner, a job previously held by his father. Shawn hadn’t dealt with the demons around his dad’s shooting yet but was hit again by the news that his grandfather (John Aniston) had died in a plane crash, coming home after visiting his father.
In his already depressed state, Shawn blamed himself for that too, and drank even more. He pushed away his wife (Martha Madison), friends, and other family members and sunk deeper and deeper until finally, he found himself sitting in his office with his gun in his hand, thinking about taking his own life.
Thankfully, Shawn found the strength to go to Marlena (Deidre Hall) and ask her to take his gun. He knew he needed help and sought it out. He consented to be put on a 24-hour psych hold and was admitted after talking more to Marlena. The scenes were powerful and moving, and none were over the top or soapy dramatic.
Brandon Beemer brought a quiet vulnerability to Shawn this week that has been building under his guilt and anger for months. He has had many angry outbursts since Bo’s shooting, but Beemer went a different route with this. The anger was gone, and all he played was the pain Shawn felt and the emptiness he felt. He was like a raw nerve, and it was very sad but so beautifully acted. This performance felt like a true gift to the audience and that is why we are naming Brandon Beemer our Performer of the Week! Congratulations, Brandon, you really moved us this week.
Days of Our Lives
A new mystery man arrived in Salem, whom Jada took to Kayla to get some help with. Marlena talked with the mystery man to see how she could help. Brady learned Philip is alive, and they had an ugly confrontation once the truth was about Philip framing him. Acting Mayor Paulina Price wanted Rafe to take his job back. Gabi and Stefan got some dirt on Leo and Dimitri. Kristen almost blew Dimitri’s cover. Theresa returned and surprised Brady. Sonny was back in Salem and had a run-in with Leo. Chad gave Alex some good advice. Leo posed as Gwen to accompany Dimitri to meet with Elliot Roth. Sarah was rushed to the hospital. Kate gave Rex some advice.
General Hospital
We ended the week with Sonny getting arrested. In the week, we saw Lucy going to court and being shocked when she realized it was Tracy she was battling. Lucy and Maxie later came to the realization that Brook Lynn betrayed them. Chase asked Brook Lynn to move in with him. Gladys turned to Nina for help. Sam helped Cody to get committed to Ferncliff. Spencer confided in Alexis. We discovered that Nikolas was alive and well and that Austin had him as a houseguest. Cyrus kept a meeting in Pentonville. Curtis made a big decision to go home with Portia.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Thomas confronted Liam and then professed his love to Hope. Finn surprised Steffy with lunch at work. Eric asks RJ to keep his secret. Finn confronted Liam. Steffy told Eric and Ridge that she was returning home to Finn. Ridge and Carter paid Deacon a surprise visit, asking about Sheila’s whereabouts. Steffy returned home to Finn and later got scared when she spotted Sheila peeping in from outside. Ridge told Liam that Steffy had moved back in with Finn.
The Young and the Restless
Diane saved Ashley’s life. Ashley and Jack called a truce. Victor made a decision, asking Nikki to be CEO of Newman, and then kicked Adam to the curb. Tessa and Mariah got an update about baby Aria. Summer told Nikki that Kyle was sleeping with Audra. Nikki later confronted Audra and gave her a shocking ultimatum. Sharon told Victor that she wanted her company back. Tucker caused tension between Jack and Billy.
Honorary Mentions
Cait Fairbanks and Camryn Grimes wowed us this week as they dealt with the news of Aria’s hearing. The scenes brought us to tears as the moms faced their reality as parents. A big thumbs up to Cait and Camryn for their superb performance this week as Tessa and Mariah on The Young and the Restless.
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