Days of our Lives Performer of the Week: Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans

Deidre Hall has always had the perfect take on her multi-faceted character, Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives. She's an expert psychiatrist, sympathetic family member, and loving wife all at once. For bringing these aspects and more to her character in the ongoing story of Marlena's missing husband, John (Drake Hogestyn), Soap Central bestows Performer of the Week honors on Hall.

Deidre Hall is a classic heroine on Days of our Lives

Dr. Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans), Marlena's friend and colleague, put it best when she said that Marlena was doing plenty in light of John's disappearance. One reason Marlena may have doubted that she wasn't is that she mostly holds things together during this difficult time.

Marlena lent a sympathetic ear to her grandson Tate (Leo Howard) without letting him know just how much John was weighing on her mind. That's the Marlena we know and love. She's ready to help others, but viewers can see that she's missing and loving her husband.

Next, Hall played Marlena more vulnerable when she met with Kayla, a woman who can understand what it's like to have a husband in a dangerous line of work, as Steve (Stephen Nichols) is often in peril.

Back at her apartment, Marlena was alone when she received a call from Shane (Charles Shaughnessy). The update she received was that John's location was being zeroed in on. Knowing the worst-case scenario is indeed a possibility, Marlena showed her fear and concern for John. It was tough watching the woman, who's always there for everyone else, be alone in a moment when she needed comfort the most. We wanted to reach through our screens and give both Marlena and Hall a hug as she was giving us all the feels.

Marlena's a warm, compassionate woman, but make no mistake — she's not made of stone. Hall brings a myriad of human emotions to her character. When Marlena was having breakfast with Susan (Stacy Haiduk) in Horton Square, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) joined the two women.

"I feel the same way. I think he will be coming home to me safe and sound," Marlena bravely smiled, trying to be optimistic.

Perfectly human

Susan may not always acknowledge EJ's foibles, but Marlena cut loose with a sharp tongue as she was unable to hide her disdain for the man that her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) is supporting.

Marlena graciously thanked EJ for his well-wishes about John's safe return as she took the DiMera heir at his word. Hall didn't play Marlena as being too confrontational with EJ as his mother was right there. However, she still made an impact on EJ by pointing out that Belle was the apple of John's eye and that he would do anything to protect her.

"So would I," Marlena pointedly added as Hall had her character hold eye contact with a man she'd prefer not to look at. "You would do well to remember that."

Once EJ departed, Hall put on Marlena's supportive hat once again. She encouraged Susan to go on her cruise and try to put out of her mind her worries. Hall effortlessly has Marlena shift from being a concerned wife to embodying the friend that everyone wishes they had.

Next, Marlena walked away from Susan to take a call from her stepson, Paul (Christopher Sean). Marlena was told that John had been found! "Thank you, and thank Andrew (Colton Little) for me, I'm so relieved," Marlena joyfully shared. Turning to Susan, Marlena declared that John had been located. "I'm so relieved," Marlena said of John. "He's weary and he's hungry, but he's coming home!"

Marlena's joy was dampened by the sensitive Susan, who declared that she got a feeling that someone had just walked over her grave. Hall was tasked with turning Marlena's joy into fear as she knows Susan does not share such feelings haphazardly.

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Viewers who know that Hogestyn has passed away in real life can't help but watch this particular storyline with a different eye. Hall is taking us on an emotional journey unlike any other in her career. We will mourn along with Marlena as this tale continues to play out. Brava to Hall for her performances filled with compassion, humanity, and love.

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