DAYS: MARLENA VISITS CLAIRE
■ Marlena gets a mysterious phone call and goes to Bayview to see Claire, who tells her she wants to be released and come home. “When Claire comes back, a lot of people are going to be questioning whether she’s actually better after being in a mental hospital for around a year, or if she’s just back to her crazy Claire schemes,” previews her portrayer, Olivia Rose Keegan. “I think there’s a lot of mystery around that for awhile, whether it’s sincere or not.”
Claire tries to prove to her grandmother that she’s ready to be sprung. “It’s hard to believe what she’s saying because people don’t know whether to trust if it’s sincere or not because of her past,” adds the actress. “But Marlena is her grandmother. They’re very close. And Marlena, being who she is, can easily see through the facades and the schemes with Claire. Hopefully, she can get to the bottom of it and see if it’s coming from the right place.”
Claire insists that she’s made strides over the past year. “She’s been sitting there for a good year while contemplating her mistakes and contemplating how to live with herself and be healthy once again,” explains Keegan. “Her main goal right now is to mend the friendship that she damaged the most, and that was Ciara. It means a lot for her. The stakes are high when it comes to that. She definitely wants to make things right.”
Marlena promises she’ll do what she can to get Claire out. After Marlena leaves, Claire looks at Ben and Ciara’s save-the-date notice for their wedding. “I think a lot of people know how passionate she is about this event, about Ciara and Ben’s wedding. It might come across as slightly obsessive.
To Claire it just comes from a heartfelt, loving place.”
Claire then talks to her new pal, Gwen, about wanting to leave. “They have a fun friendship. Claire’s been cooped up in this place for awhile so it’s only natural that she made some friends. It’s a very playful, good relationship and friendship for Claire. Claire and Gwen are very mischievous girls and they get along how girlfriends do. They like to gossip and talk and they’re very honest with each other. Gwen knows all about Claire’s past. She’s just looking out for Claire like a good friend would do.”
Gwen wonders about Claire’s intentions regarding her Salem return. “Well, from an outside perspective, from Gwen’s perspective, I can understand why she would think Claire might want to settle some scores because of Claire’s past, of course,” notes Keegan. “But Claire is on a totally different wavelength of making amends and redemption. She definitely wants to prove everybody wrong and make new impressions on everybody. The stakes are high.”
“The stakes are high.”