On November 8, 1965, the very first episode of Days of Our Lives aired. It featured a teenage Julie Olson (originally played by Charla Doherty), who had been arrested for shoplifting.Julie believed her Grandfather Tom and Uncle Mickey weren't helping her, and she accused them of ganging up on her. She declared that no one cared about her in the entire world and she broke into tears.
On the May 9, 2014 episode, a loving, wise and protective Julie Olson Williams (played by Susan Seaforth Hayes since 1968) counseled her cousin Nick Fallon (Blake Berris) as he shared his deep feelings of isolation. Nick worried that everyone was out to get him, and it turned out he was right. As the episode came to close, Nick had been shot.
Before Monday arrives, and we segue into the “Who killed Nick Fallon?” story, I can’t let the beautiful performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes go without recognition, as well as the importance of the Julie character to Days of Our Lives.
Susan was absolutely magnificent as Julie. It was simply breathtaking watching her in a series of scenes with Nick as she exhibited a tenderness that felt as though it was seeping from her pores. She effortlessly radiated love and tenderness comforting the tormented Nick.
I was mesmerized by the powerful intensity she displayed as she told Nick, "I've been there honey. I know you want to push it off on everybody else but, darling, you have to deal with your own demons."
When Nick worried that he would be judged by her, Hayes was simply rapturous as Julie spoke the line, "God would strike me dead. I have no right to judge anybody. But I’m Exhibit A that things can get better. So, what do you say I take you out to dinner and then astonish you with stories from my misspent youth. I promise you will feel like a saint.”
Susan Seaforth Hayes is a treasure that Days of our Lives should be immensely grateful to have after all of these years.The writing on Friday's episode was excellent and Blake Berris was flawless, portraying Nick as a tortured broken man, seemingly unable to change, as much as he would like to. Berris is going to be greatly missed but I have no doubt he is going to go far in the industry.
However, the light truly needs to shine on Seaforth Hayes, as this is the time to take notice of how important she is to Days, and how much viewers benefit from her presence in a storyline.
The history that Julie brings to Days is a goldmine just waiting to be tapped, and the character is ready to pick up the mantle from her beloved grandmother, Alice Horton (Frances Reid). I hope the show's producers and writers get this and will start using Julie more often.
Alice was the character that everyone turned to in their time of need, and was always ready to lend a helping hand, or doughnut. Julie greatly benefited from Alice's advice and matured into the character she is today. She has been through it all, and made it to the other side. Who is in a better position to offer comfort to her friends and family members?
As proud as I was of Susan Seaforth Hayes and her sensational performance, Alice would have been just as proud of Julie and the powerful sense of family she has developed over the years.
Watch Friday's Julie and Nick scenes below as well as a classic moment between Julie and Alice.
You can watch Friday's episode of Days in its entirety here.
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