Soap Hub Performer of the Week for Days of our Lives: Paul Telfer

Xander is many things to many people. He’s a hero and heel and everything in between…and it takes an immensely talented thespian like Paul Telfer – the recipient of Soap Hub’s Performer of the Week Award – to embody such a contradictory individual.

Paul Telfer — Performer of the Week

Playacting a drunk scene is an acquired skill – and Telfer delivered in spades. His Xander slurred through a convo with Jake (Brandon Barash), and then through one with ex-wife Nicole (Arianne Zucker) whom he managed to talk into retiring with him to the Salem Inn.

The pair bantered about Rafe (Galen Gering), and Xander correctly deduced that Nicole “had the hots for the Commish.” The discourse continued, and Xander again hit upon a painful truth: if Nicole weren’t the “awful, horrible person” that she thinks she is, then she wouldn’t be holed up in a room with her “disgusting” former husband and his recently stocked mini-fridge.

Furthermore, he cautioned Nicole against continuing her marriage to do-gooder Eric as well as pursuing a relationship with Rafe because “at the end of the day, you’re just not worthy of someone like that.” Then he suggested that they should make like birds of a feather and “FLOCK!”

Nicole took Xander up on his uncouth offer – though she regretted doing so in the cold light of day. Xander assured his bedmate that he didn’t share her feelings of self-reproach…but once Nicole took her leave, Xander solemnly pawed and eyed Sarah’s (Linsey Godfrey) engagement ring.

“If you’re wondering how I handled losing you, I’m doing fine. I’ve just made one great decision after another…I feel like I’m really getting it together. Yes indeedy…I’m better off without you.”

Telfer nailed those inebriated scenes, and he excelled at delivering his character’s pointed commentary to Nicole…but it was during Xander’s quieter, reflective moments that the actor truly shined. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.