DAYS Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi Deliver Star Turns As Abigail Confronts A Psychotic Ben! | Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps | Daytime Soap Interviews, News, Updates and Previews, Video and Audio Interviews

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37 December 9th, 2015 DAYS Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi Deliver Star Turns As Abigail Confronts A Psychotic Ben!

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Courtesy/NBC

In impressive performances on Tuesday’s Days of our Lives, Rob Scott Wilson (Ben) and Kate Mansi (Abigail) continued their deeply-affecting and riveting story arc, which now has reached one very climatic ending. But, is it really over?

Nectkie serial killer Ben, who has been arrested and brought into the Salem PD, has now had a break from reality and is in the interrogation room reliving his childhood memories of being beaten with a belt by his father, while longing for his mother. Ben at this point is so far gone, but Abby needs to reach out to him to get him to spill the beans to where he took baby Colin!

Abby is frantic, while trying to maintain her composure while she faces the man that held her captive, attempted to set fire to her and Chad (Billy Flynn), and killed four innocent people, because of his jealousy of Abby’s relationship with Chad! Abby goes into the interrogation room and in a riveting face-off gets Ben to admit he left their baby in a motel.

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Courtesy/NBC

At the end of the episode, viewers find Ben locked up in a prison cell for his crimes and seeingly delusional. This is juxtaposed with Abby being reunited with her baby boy, thanks to Chad and her brother JJ (Casey Moss), who she meets up with at the hospital.

In scene after scene on Tuesday’s episode, Rob Scott Wilson owned every second of Ben’s troubled inner life and turmoil, while Kate Mansi conveyed a woman who has been through such harrowing experiences, and now carries with her guilt that she was a major cause of the serial murders, and of a mother desperate to be reunited with her newborn child.

What did you think of the performances of Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Tags: Abigial Deveraux, Ben Weston, Billy Flynn, Casey Moss, Chad Dimera, Days of our Lives, DAYs Recap 12-8-15, Kate Mansi, nbc, Rob Scott Wilson

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Jimh(leave it to beaver) says:

December 9, 2015 at 9:27 am

Ben looks like Tony Perkins in Psycho when they showed him in that jail scene just staring creepily out at the audience just like the last scene with Norman Bates…both actors who played Ben and Abigail began as so-so actors but have improved greatly these last few months-so good they both deserve emmy nods next year!

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Jimh(leave it to beaver) replied December 9th, 2015 at 10:14 am
When Andre and Belle were standing in front of that shop the name Hourglass and the symble of a hourglass appears on the door…i wonder now if Andre will torment Belle over the years the way Staphano had done with Marlena?

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Jeremy replied December 9th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Yes, totally. Especially Rob Scott Wilson. He is TRULY a soap gem! Who knew. I wasn’t a fan of his when he took over the role of Ben Weston, but with brilliant material, Rob has totally shined & owned this role. He is so fascinating and compelling to watch. We WILL see him further his acting career post-Days.
I expect to see his name in the nominations for either Best Supporting or Younger Actor, come spring.

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Jimh(leave it to beaver) replied December 9th, 2015 at 3:20 pm
I felt the same too about him…what an emmy worthy performance!

4ever DAYS replied December 9th, 2015 at 10:26 am
You got that right, Jimmy! I was expecting a fly to land on Ben’s hand…”They’ll see, they’ll know and they’ll say…Why, she wouldn’t even harm a fly.” LOL!

Most of the acting has been top notch with the whole cast!

I also loved the location scenes with Hope and the Dr! It wasn’t your typical lush location shoot, but it fit the story. I read many more location shoots are on their way!

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Jimh(leave it to beaver) replied December 9th, 2015 at 3:17 pm
That i liked too…i didnt expect a location scene..thats 100% improvement over that fake park that looks like a leftover set from the Brady Bunch …tv series, not Salems Brady clan…lol

James R. Poissant replied December 10th, 2015 at 9:48 am
I can agree with what was said—these actors really took me to a new level and I was so taken with the whole story. It has been a while since I was blown away like that.

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Tanya says:

December 9, 2015 at 10:48 am

This goes to show you writing is everything on soaps. If you give actors meaty material they will deliver. Under the old regime the writing was so dull and I think most of the actors were really bored. With the writing change everyone seems to be energized. RSW has been great but, its always easier to play a villian IMO. What Kate’s done with her character having to walk the line of being in fear, worrying about your child, having to keep everything inside about how she really feels about Ben has been incredible. As far as I’m concerned RSW, BF, KM are the best 20 something actors on all four soaps.

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maddiehayes replied December 10th, 2015 at 6:24 am
ITA, DAYS has undergone a transformation with the new writing. Bringing back past beloved characters helps, but they need to have a compelling storyline or it falls flat. These writers have leaned a little too heavily on violence (did Hope have to get strangled AGAIN this week, so soon after Aiden?!) but they also have MUCH more romance than the other writers did. Chad and Abby are getting back to the old Supercouple formula. Having Patch & Kayla back and having them flirt with each other is just magic. Showing the younger generation how it’s done.

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nancy dillingham replied December 10th, 2015 at 8:58 am
Amen! “Writing is everything!”

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Mateo says:

December 9, 2015 at 11:06 am

The evolving talent of Robert Scott Wilson is beyond mesmerizing. When he started on Days he was plastic. He was Mr Gorgeous with ZERO talent or acting ability. In fact he was beyond terrible. Then after a few months in the role he started to show some small grains of ability. He took the over the top writing and managed to contain it with slow, casual nuances that led to the slow boil of talent that came into play towards the end. The first time I was blown away was when Ben confessed to his father, Clyde, what he had done. It was so subtle that it drained the life out of me watching him tell what he had done and then watching his father’s horror receiving this news. Clyde was an evil man but he loved that boy and to see that his evil had been passed on almost killed Clyde on the spot. Then we watched as Ben melted away. He became possessive and jealous. He became angry and irrational and then he just became downright psychotic. His full blossom moment was when he beat the crap out of Chad (Billy Flynn). That moment was Robert Scott Wilson at his finest. He was completely believable doing what he was doing. He had everyone on the edge of their seats when he killed Will Horton but the fight scene with Chad was beyond gripping. And then when he completely lost grip with reality by kidnapping Abbi was the payoff for months of solid work. The scene in the interrogation room with Abbi (Kate Mansi) was stunning. It was not over the top. It was not overacted and Ben portrayed the crux of what pushed him over the edge. His jail room scene reminded just about everyone of Tony Perkins as Norman Bates from Psycho. The blanket and the eyes were the tools that utilized the shout out to Psycho. I truly believe that Robert Scott Wilson is Emmy worthy for this portrayal. He hit every mark. He was beyond great. Spectacular in fact. The writing was sub par but he was able to overcome that handicap and make it believable. Now that DAYS has wrapped up this story they will be hard pressed to find another story as engaging. Hope going all Rambo is pathetic defined. The Kayla Patch Ava story is just stupid and if I see Chase and Ciara in one more seen I will market it as a sleep aid. Let’s see then we have Caroline and her visions. Can someone lock her away in an institution already. Get back to the kitchen quickly. Marlena and John chasing his family history when they should be chasing the trail of the missing Social Security checks. This show is going to tank very soon. There is nothing worth caring about now.

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Tim Welles replied December 9th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
LoL you’re so funny but I agree – the Ben and Abby storyline has been really interesting to watch….unfortunately it is being drawn to a conclusion.
I too can’t stand Ciara and Chase and to be honest, Caroline and her geriatric delusions are about as interesting as a cup of ovaltine.
I also think that Kayla and Patch are (to me) just not that compelling to watch, albeit they are competent actors.
Watching Marlena and John do a scene is the emotional equivalent to watching
paint dry.
With the gay characters off the canvas (which is what drew my attention to begin with about two years ago) and Abigail’s peril being over, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be tuning in for – I hope that they develop some new storylines that build to something substantial now…..and I really don’t mean Theresa and Brady, I mean, that’s kind of played out.

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Mateo replied December 9th, 2015 at 7:29 pm
I watched today’s episode and the ONLY thought I had was, maybe it’s time to give up DAYS. They had nothing I cared about. The Sami/Belle/Andre terror story is ridiculous because I don’t give a crap about it. Abbi is now home and the name she gave the child was so beyond pathetic. I get family history and all but enough is enough. Next thing you know they are going to bring back Tom Horton in a Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole style video. I get it, the characters have history but part of history is making new history.

Paul replied December 9th, 2015 at 4:48 pm
I also thought the actors in the Ben/Abs story did a great job. Given that Kate was wearing a lumpy pillow one day for a baby bump, she did make her pregnancy believable. However, I’d rather she carry around a load of bread than they continue to show this 20 lb baby that is supposed to be severely premature.

I like your comments as I also think Days is headed back into boring territory. Plus they still have character overload; they’ve got to make some cuts. Hopefully starting with the kids. I think Ciara has aired every day since she first reappeared. I need a break from her and her voice.

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Mateo replied December 9th, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Ciara is going to bang Chase and then get pregnant. YAWN. She is so boring now, do I really have to deal with her whiny yawn inducing character while she is knocked up. For nine months no less. And regarding the watermelon sized baby that Abbi had. You’re so right. Next time we see that kid he will be 18 hanging out with Ciara, Chase and Theo. I am seriously questioning my loyalty to DAYS

tatiana replied December 10th, 2015 at 8:28 am
I agree with all your comments, Paul, Tim and Mateo. I was surprised at how engaging this story line actually became. Ben, Chad and Abby were all great but the cabin story line did go on a bit long. Especially since they kept talking about taking the premie to the hospital when that baby was huge! Talk about suspension of disbelief.
Ciara and Chase are beyond boring, Patch and Kayla could drive interesting story line but I haven’t seen it yet. Except for their top notch acting during the Bo death scenes. They broke my heart.
John and Marlena are a snooze fest, Brady just looks like an idiot for being with Theresa after everything she has done, Andre looks and acts like a cartoon villain and is not scary at all. Belle cheated again….whoopee.

I tuned in again because they brought back Bo and got hooked on Ben/Abby/Chad story line. But now that Bo is dead and Hope gets her revenge so that Bo will no longer appear as her conscience; and this story line is wrapping up, I can’t imagine what will keep me tuned in….

Mom to 4 plus grandkids replied December 9th, 2015 at 11:44 pm
I agree. What amazing acting. Definitely Oscars worthy. I agree too that this show lost its appeal years ago and some have earned their place as actors. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is all leading to the shows cancellation within 2 years. Abby naming her baby boy after the patriarch of the Horton family and the patriarch of Abby immediate family could be the beginning of the finale. A tribute in the midst of the chaos and loss.

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Mo says:

December 9, 2015 at 12:38 pm

Rob has improved greatly in his acting. I guess all it took was a story.

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Iakovos says:

December 9, 2015 at 2:07 pm

This has been a good story line for DAYS. Violent, I know, but the actors have been compelling to watch. And the actions of this character have been catalysts for others, now and in the future. I like DAYS best of the four on broadcast TV now. And I hope the level of writing and acting and productions continues into 2016.

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DYLAN says:

December 9, 2015 at 2:58 pm

I was completely mesmerized and blown away by the acting in these scenes!! Supported by great writing, these two actors were allowed to soar and shine! Kate Mansi has truly come into her own and joined the ranks of legacy Horton heroines like Hope and Jen. She deserves an Emmy next year! You could almost smell her fear throughout the kidnapping ordeal, but she always kept some semblance of strength, and kept some of her wits about her and never quite seemed defeated. When she saw her baby again, it was as if all was right with the world. And Rob was phenomenal! I knew he had charisma and potential when he joined the AMC reboot, and did a fine job with the material he was handed there, even though it was not that challenging. When he reverted to young Ben, he was clueless and confused, and even though he killed 4 people, I felt sympathy for him. He is just playing the hell out of every beat as more of Ben’s madness and motivation are revealed. Bravo to these two young actors!! Soaps have a hard time these days investing in a younger set with future potential, but these two (with Billy Flynn) definitely have IT!!

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nancy dillingham replied December 10th, 2015 at 8:59 am
So true!

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CeeCee says:

December 9, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Spectacular performances by both. Robert held the floor….the air charged with suspense. He was the best psychopath I have seen on screen in a very, very long time. The subdued, shy, almost introverted young man, that was Ben, emerged into a demon, fire in his eyes with a commanding presence. What an up and coming, hold-my-breath performance. If this guy does not win an Emmy, then, something’s rotten in Salem.
I have already sung my praises of Kate. I am speechless, for once. This girl started as an obscure, little character, as she timidly walked on the Days’ stage, yet, blossomed into a butterfly with colorfully spread wings galore. More power to you, guys. And, Ben…GOOD LUCK.

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CeeCee replied December 9th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
PS. It is now time for Abbi to find out Chad is the father. It should not be that difficult to write it into the plot. The baby is a premie; he develops somekind of ailment. He has a rare blood-type….enter, Chad. Lo and behold and oh, so coincidentally, Chad carries the same type. Voila.

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nancy dillingham replied December 10th, 2015 at 9:00 am
Yes, Chad has to be the father!

CeeCee replied December 10th, 2015 at 8:36 am
I mean Robert, good luck. Lol, sorry!

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Jamesj75 replied December 12th, 2015 at 3:37 am
Very astute analysis, CeeCee! You are right on the mark! It was great acting all around, portraying characters that were originally far from my favorites. Rob Scott Wilson does deserve an Emmy!

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Ces says:

December 9, 2015 at 4:31 pm

Emmy for Robert Scott! Very talented young man and I wish him a bright future!! Of course I hope he can make a return visit to Days too; sorry that his character has to go bye bye. Props to Kate Mansi also for a job well done. Abigail usually grates on my nerves but Kate has stepped up to the plate with this story. Well done!

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Richard says:

December 9, 2015 at 6:39 pm

Robert Scott Wilson has become a scene stealer. Billy Flynn and Rob can completely interrupt my day when they are in a scene together. Kate Mansi has finally become more than a prop for others around her. Yes, Rob has been on television, some movie roles, but was known as a model until his last six months on DAYS. This should launch his Hollywood career . He also has a chiseled face which the camera lens loves.

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Lia says:

December 9, 2015 at 7:09 pm

Seriously if Rob isn’t nominated for an Emmy, I’m going to be so mad. I can’t think of another supporting male who deserve it more. Not one.

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Mom to 4 plus grandkids says:

December 9, 2015 at 11:46 pm

I so agree. Amazing !!! One of my favorites.

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xmascarol says:

December 10, 2015 at 5:08 am

I myself was not so impressed when he showed up as the new Ben but as time went by I got use to him,needless to say the scenes with the baby creeped me out I was so afraid he may hurt him .Actually the whole ordeal scared me but that is what it was suppose to do,well he did an excellent job of doing that,now question is who was he actually seeing when he was committing these murders?HIs dad ,mom who. I mean he still thinks his mother is alive. He certainly had the eyes to scare you,I have seen many a horror movie and Days did an great job of writing this story ,I hope that we never see Ben again,and now that his dad is gone maybe the doctor who lied about Ben being the father of Abby’s baby will come out with the real truth that Chad is the father. It will come out one way or another. soon I hope

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Brett says:

December 10, 2015 at 5:57 am

At the end I was expecting him to say “I’m not even going to squat that fly”, “They’ll all say she wouldn’t hurt a fly” lol

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CeeCee says:

December 10, 2015 at 10:14 am

On a waaaay different note: John Paul Lavoisier made his big gorgeous appearance today. The set looked so much brighter….yeeeessss!!!!!!!

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Blake replied December 10th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
I guess with Rob Scott Wilson done they ushered in JPL. I’m going to miss RSW though.

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CeeCee replied December 10th, 2015 at 6:51 pm
Oh, Blake! I did like Ben, as he was….not as he is now. So, I doubt if I will miss the evil around Ben….I’m sure you won’t either. I know what you mean, though. I always enjoyed seeing the ‘old’ Ben. We will miss the good Ben before TPTB turned him into a fire-breathing dragon. Sad. But, I will gladly trade him for John Paul. Later.
Tim Welles says:

December 10, 2015 at 2:34 pm

One character I do NOT connect with is this Andre guy. His acting is way over the top, and I find I just don’t care about the characters he is associated with. His villainous ways are to me, very cartoonish and almost campy. I do not see what he adds to the show.
The show now needs something topical, something today, not Caroline seeing these idiotic visions or Stefano uttering his brief, cornball lines about family in that non-convincing atrocious Italian accent. I can’t take anymore scenes of John’s raspy voice telling Marlena the same old boring crud about finding his family.
They should ask the fans to submit some storyline ideas, they need something new and fresh.

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Blake says:

December 10, 2015 at 5:05 pm

Rob Scott Wilson has done incredible work the past six months or so! I thought he was just the regular pretty boy hair model but he has done outstanding work. It’s wild to have seen him grow so far as an actor just in a few months. Very professional, he goes in deep to Ben’s emotions and reasoning for what he had to do. He has blown me away and it sucks that he is leaving the show now. I hope he can return to the show and still be a bad boy.

Rob and Kate Mansi both deserve to win the Emmys for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. There will be an uproar if they are not and it won’t be pretty.

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