‘Days of Our Lives’ spoilers reveal that Paul Telfer, who plays the complex and emotionally charged Xander Kiriakis on DOOL, recently won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Telfer Made Us Empathize With Xander More Than Sarah
If you saw his performance opposite his leading lady, Sarah Horton Kiriakis (Linsey Godfrey), on October 24th, you know exactly why he deserved the award.
Sarah confronted Xander about his almost beating his brother, Philip Kiriakis (John Paul Laviosier), to death. He admitted to his wife that he committed the violent act.
A lesser actor would not have been able to make us side with Xander, but Telfer made us empathize far more with him than with Sarah in the situation.
The look on Xander’s face when Sarah told him that their marriage was over for good was heartbreaking. Fans could visibly see the pain and defeat on his face.
As his voice gently quivered, he begged Sarah not to end their marriage. He reminded her that he was doing the work and attending their therapy sessions with Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall).
Sadly, Sarah refused to listen. She informed him that he would never see his daughter again and tossed him out. Telfer made us feel deeply for Xander and wish Sarah hadn’t been so cruel.
Xander, who had nowhere else to go, showed up at Philip’s hotel room, the brother whom he had almost killed.
Philip was kind and reassuring, reminding Xander that he and Sarah had endured several tests in their marriage and that their love had always prevailed, no matter how many times they broke up.
‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Telfer Made Xander’s Character Growth Believable And Evident
Philip also made it a point to tell Xander that if he could forgive him, so could Sarah, which is basically what we were all thinking.
Xander commented that the brother whom he beat so viciously was his only friend left in the world, bringing their brotherly bond full circle.
The most poignant moment that demonstrated some of the most compelling character growth we’ve seen on a soap in a long time was when Xander went back to his room and picked up the vase to smash it.
Yet, he hesitated for a second and realized he wasn’t that man anymore. He took a deep breath, put the vase back on his desk, and broke down. We broke down right along with him. Telfer’s performance was breathtaking.
Xander obviously loves Sarah so much that he realized it would be more painful for him to continue the behavior that made her lose faith in him than to change. In that moment, he decided to be the man Sarah always knew he could be.
In the October 27th episode, we were impressed with Philip for standing by Xander and defending him to Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suanne Rogers).
Philip could have allowed Maggie to demote Xander and join Maggie at the top, but Philip stoically told Maggie that he would never turn his back on his brother and refused to turn him in to the police.
‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Xander And Philip’s Relationship Hit A Major Turning Point
Once again, Telfer delivered. With a mix of shock and heartfelt gratitude written all over his face, the brother he fully expected to flip on him was uncharacteristically loyal, loving, and supportive.
It was the moment we were waiting for and a major turning point in Xander and Philip’s relationship. Xander was genuinely touched that Philip had his back and vowed never to say a word about the horrific incident that occurred in Philip’s hotel room.
After all, Xander felt like he was the black sheep of the family and an outsider looking in. He was always forced to do Victor Kiriakis’s (John Aniston) bidding. Now he has a brother who cares about him.
The best quality that Telfer brings to Xander and every single performance is that we know that Xander is not a “perfect man.”
Xander has made some whopper-sized mistakes, but always feels true remorse for his sins, and he’s committed many of them. He was once a cold villain, but now he’s evolved into something much more.
Telfer plays Xander as everything you want in a soap character, especially one of the male persuasion. He’s complex, daring, exciting, drop-dead sexy, a little dangerous, and loves deeply with his whole heart.
Telfer’s Emmy win was definitely well-deserved, as he’s taken Xander to the next level.
We are eagerly anticipating seeing how Xander continues to grow and become a better man. If not for Sarah, for himself.
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