This weekend marks the initial Soap Hub Performer of the Week — which will be an ongoing series of articles in which an editor pays tribute to one performer from each show who was outstanding. For Days of our Lives, the obvious choice was Kristian Alfonso, in her final scenes as our favorite heroine for the last few decades — Hope Brady.
Kristian Alfonso Says Goodbye As Hope Brady
There are few who have known as much heartbreak in Salem as poor Hope. She’s lost a son, she’s lost the love of her life, and now it looks like she’s lost her daughter, Ciara (Victoria Konefal) — and that realization, coming to terms with the enormity of that loss, crushed Hope like nothing else ever has.
Alfonso simply had a framed photo of her character’s daughter as the only means with which to convey her tremendous sorrow. With an understated elegance, viewers could feel her heart breaking into a million pieces. What made it extra poignant was knowing these were her last scenes as the character she had portrayed off and on since 1983. It provided fans with a way to release their own sadness over this double loss.
Over the decades, Kristian Alfonso has taken Hope from trouble-prone ingenue to romantic leading lady, to loving mother juggling a very successful career — all the way to a wise sage to her granddaughter. Hope has remained relevant and an integral cog in the inner workings that has kept life in Salem always exciting.
While these scenes were taped back in late winter, their emotional punch has retained their resonance. While it looks like Hope’s daughter may have lived to enjoy life another day in Salem, it is unclear if the audience will get to see Hope learn this — at least in the body of Alfonso.
Luckily, these final scenes will stand as a great testament to the impact both Hope and Kristian Alfonso have had on DAYS fans for many years to come. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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