Fans of Days of our Lives have taken comfort in the fact that characters often come back from the dead. “Many die in Salem but few are buried,” goes the saying. Viewers have willingly suspended belief as it means that loved ones will be reunited on-screen after characters do the Lazarus bit. However, Deidre Hall, beloved as Marlena Evans, John’s wife, was tasked with playing the final scenes between the supercouple as the show wrote in the real-life passing of John’s portrayer, Drake Hogestyn.
“Gosh, I could stay here like this forever with you,” Marlena warmly told John before he took a turn for the worse. In flashback scenes, we witnessed in Hall’s performances that Marlena’s love for John has never wavered.
Honoring John’s past as the man known as the Pawn, who wore bandages in his early days when the character debuted nearly 40 years ago, the show wrapped a stand-in up in gauze so that Marlena could say goodbye to John in the hospital. Had the show opted to kill John off-screen, viewers, whether they learned of Hogestyn’s real-life passing or not, might have felt that someday the character would return. Days knew it had to show his death on-screen.
“The day that you stole my heart, that was when my life began,” a loving Marlena told John. Hall had her character hold back her pain so that Marlena could make her husband feel loved in what turned out to be his final moments. There was a lot of expository information to get out as the show had Marlena take a walk down memory lane with John and go over the highlights of their life together. Hall didn’t make her memories sound like a recap, but rather a part of the journey that led to their great love story. “It didn’t matter how many identities you had,” Marlena lovingly said.
Instead of delving into histrionics (which would have been totally understandable), Hall had Marlena maintain both her grace and her deep love for John in these heartbreaking scenes.
“I always knew exactly who you were. You were the man that saved my life,” she told him. “You were the man that protected me, even during my darkest hours. You are the strongest, the kindest, the gentlest man I have ever known. You are…you will always be the great love of my life.”
When John managed to whisper through his bandages that he was still here, we saw Marlena’s face light up. She was hopeful that things would take a turn for the better. Alas, they did not when John’s injuries caught up with him. Marlena breathed with John, hoping to get his condition to stabilize. This wouldn’t be the first time one of them willed the other back to life, but, alas, it would be the last. Marlena thanked Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) for calling the priest, stoically saying that it was the right time. “John, I love you so,” Marlena said. Her face brightened when John returned the sentiment. Hall had Marlena dig deep and draw on reserves of strength to alleviate John’s pain. “If you need to go, it’s okay,” she said. “You have given us all the love we will ever, ever need.”
It was a testament to John and Marlena’s love story that she was strong enough to tell him it was okay for him to go. “You can rest now,” Marlena added. With Marlena by his side, John passed away.
While death may end a life, it does not end a relationship. We saw in the following episode that John and Marlena’s love will continue on in her heart. We also witnessed Marlena’s physical pain over losing her great love.
She found on her phone one final gift from John: a voicemail message that he left for her as he was trying to make his way back to her side. Hall had Marlena briefly hesitate before pressing the keys that played John’s final words. “I love you, Doc,” the message read, causing Marlena to cry out in grief. She played it two more times as Marlena let her deep loss wash over her. “I love you, too,” she responded to John’s last message.
Have you ever watched a scene so powerful, so raw, that it left you frozen? That’s exactly what happened this week on Days of Our Lives. Deidre Hall, the legendary actress behind Marlena Evans, gave a performance that will be etched in the hearts of fans for years to come. This wasn’t just acting — it was art. Let’s break down how Hall turned a simple goodbye into a heart-wrenching symphony of love, loss, and unforgettable storytelling.
Why Deidre Hall Is Our Daytime Performer of the Week
She didn’t just speak lines. She felt them. She lived them. Deidre Hall brought such truth and tenderness to Marlena’s farewell to John that it transcended television.
Saying Goodbye: A Scene That Left Viewers Breathless
The Context Behind the Goodbye
In case you missed it, Marlena’s health took a tragic turn. As she lay in her hospital bed, her final moments with John were filled with emotion, memories, and a deep, soul-shattering love.
Hall’s Delivery: Subtle Yet Earth-Shaking
What made the scene hit so hard? It wasn’t over-the-top. It was quiet. Intimate. Hall’s voice cracked at just the right moments. Her eyes spoke volumes even when her lips didn’t. That’s seasoned acting, folks.
Hall’s Legacy: Decades of Drama, One Iconic Moment
A Soap Opera Legend
Deidre Hall has been Marlena since 1976 — that’s nearly 50 years of captivating audiences. And yet, this week’s performance might just be her finest.
Why This Scene Stands Out in Her Career
With all the wild plots Days has thrown at Marlena — from possessions to kidnappings — this raw goodbye showed the character’s true humanity.
The Psychology Behind Why It Moved Us
It Wasn’t Just Sad — It Was Relatable
Anyone who’s ever lost someone or feared losing them felt a lump in their throat watching. It struck a universal nerve.
Real Emotions in a Fictional World
This wasn’t just about Marlena and John. It was about us. Our heartbreaks, our goodbyes, our fears. That’s why it worked so well.
Cinematography and Script: The Perfect Canvas
Lighting and Camera Work That Elevated the Scene
The soft lighting. The close-ups. The quiet pauses. The scene was shot like a love letter — and the visuals matched the emotion beat for beat.
The Script: Poetic, But Never Overwritten
The writers deserve credit too. They knew less is more. Marlena didn’t need to say much — and what she did say was unforgettable.
The Marlena and John Love Story: A Legacy Built Over Decades
A Romance That Defined Daytime TV
Since the 1980s, John and Marlena have been the couple everyone rooted for. Their chemistry? Undeniable. Their story? Epic.
Love, Loss, and Love Again
Through amnesia, affairs, death, and resurrection, they kept finding their way back. That’s why this goodbye felt so final. So real.
Fan Reactions: Social Media Lit Up
Tweets, Tributes, and Tears
Twitter exploded. Fans posted clips, reactions, and tributes. Hashtags like #MarlenaForever and #DeidreHallDeservesAnEmmy trended within hours.
Instagram Reels and TikToks Break Down Every Second
People were analyzing Marlena’s final lines like scholars. That’s the mark of a moment that truly mattered.
Should Deidre Hall Win an Emmy for This? Yes. Here’s Why.
Acting That Transcends Genre
This isn’t about “soap opera” acting — it’s about great acting. Period. If the Emmy committee was watching, the decision should be easy.
Performance of the Week? More Like Performance of the Year
Forget “of the week.” Hall may have just given the best performance of 2025 so far in daytime television.
The Ripple Effect: What This Means for ‘Days of Our Lives’
Will This Be a Turning Point for the Show?
This kind of viral moment can bring in new viewers, spark renewed interest, and elevate the entire cast and crew.
A Masterclass for Future Soap Stars
You want to be a daytime legend? Watch Hall’s performance on repeat. That’s the gold standard.
What Other Actors Are Saying
Even co-stars were blown away. Social media posts from fellow actors praised Hall’s grace, power, and emotional depth.
Lessons Writers and Directors Can Learn From This Scene
-
Let actors breathe.
-
Trust the moment.
-
Silence can be louder than dialogue.
This scene was a clinic in character-driven storytelling.
Final Thoughts: When a Scene Stays With You
You know it’s something special when you wake up thinking about it. When your chest still feels heavy. That’s what Deidre Hall did this week. She didn’t just play Marlena — she was Marlena. And we all felt it.
Conclusion: A Goodbye That Will Echo for Years
Deidre Hall reminded us why we watch soap operas. For the love stories. For the heartbreak. For the humanity. Her performance as Marlena saying goodbye to John wasn’t just a scene — it was a cultural moment. One that proves daytime TV still has the power to move us, shake us, and leave us speechless.
