Xander Kiriakis has been desperate to turn over a new leaf for what seems like eons – but every time he seems to be on the straight and narrow, fate intervenes…and then he’s back to being big bad Xanimal. But whether he’s playing a hero or a villain, a comedic character or frightening brute, actor Paul Telfer – the recipient of Soap Hub’s Performer of the Week Award – remains a firm fan favorite.
Paul Telfer – Performer of the Week
Xander began his workday perusing an adult magazine – you know, for research purposes – and he ended it by helping housemate Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) dispose of a dead body. Highs and lows, as they say.
In betwixt those two diversions, he encouraged co-worker, ex-wife, and blackmail victim, Nicole Walker Brady (Arianne Zucker) to get some leverage over her rival, Sami “The Teflon Blonde” DiMera (Alison Sweeney) – it’s really Nicole’s only shot at hushing up the woman’s accusations that she cheated on her husband.
Then there was the run-in with his only friend, and landlord, Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford). Xander tried his best to tell Jack that Gwen, his recently discovered daughter, was a bad apple, but Jack didn’t have the time to listen.
So off for home Xander set – and who should he find at the Horton House but Gwen’s tormentor, Dr. Clay Snyder (Michael Lowry)? Neither Snyder nor Gwen cared for the intrusion, and the latter swore she had everything under control…but she was clearly posturing.
When Snyder boldly declared that Xander didn’t intimidate him, Xander decided to do just that – and worse. He grabbed the man roughly, pinned one of his arms behind his back, and held a letter opener to his throat.
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For a time, Snyder remained unperturbed; he even corrected his assailant when he confused the carotid artery with the aorta. But he started to panic when Xander admitted:
“You know…I had someone in my life that made me be a good person. Just the thought of her would stop me from crossing the line like this. But, she’s gone now; and I have absolutely no reason to be good anymore.”
Gwen begged and pleaded with Xander to release Snyder, and he eventually relented. Snyder then promptly dropped dead! A debate over their next move followed. Julie Williams’s (Susan Seaforth Hayes) arrival threw them for a loop, but she eventually took off none the wiser. More debating.
Xander suggested calling the police; Gwen dismissed the notion – she’s already been accused of one murder, why raise further suspicion? They decided to get the body “out,” as in, not inside anymore.
Jack’s sudden appearance brought a temporary halt to the proceedings – and resulted in the two covering the body with a decorative throw and their own two feet.
Afterward, Xander warned that he and Gwen were now “in this together.” Unbeknownst to the characters, we the fans are also happily along for the ride, due in no small part to Paul Telfer’s continued tightrope walk between being a scary thug and a charming rogue. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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