With her grandson, Will, in emotional meltdown mode –- the poor kid was already struggling with his sexuality, when he witnessed Sami and EJ’s adulterous romp –- Marlena’s been the person he’s turned to for support and guidance. While having Will open up to his grandmother of all people may seem a tad odd to Days of Our Lives viewers, Deidre Hall believes it makes perfect sense and explains why.
What were your thoughts when you first learned you’d be working so closely with Chandler Massey (Will)?I was thrilled. I adore Chandler. I absolutely adore him. He’s a wonderful actor, and he’s a wonderful kid.
Marlena was the first person in Salem who really sensed something was off with Will. How did she come to that realization?
She has known Will since he was born. Marlena saw his problems with Gabi, and she heard things around town. They didn’t make it as a couple because of this. Or Gabi didn’t want to that, and Will couldn’t this. Then, she heard they lacked intimacy and Marlena thought, Okay.
Do you think it’s at all odd that Will opens up to his grandmother of all people? It just doesn’t seem like Grandma would be the person that most young men would confide in.
I don’t think it’s surprising that he’d open up to Marlena, because they’ve been close forever. She senses Will’s discomfort and his confusion and his stress. She wants to provide a safe place to discuss whatever it is. One of the lines I said to him was, “You know how much I love you. So when I see you in pain and struggling, the one thing I want to do is try to help you.” That’s what she’s doing here.
Do you like Marlena being the person that Will comes to for counsel and the person that he will eventually open up to about being gay?
I do. I like it for several reasons. I like it, because Marlena is close to him. I also like it for the audience, because they will know he’s in safe hands. I think there’s a fantasy that everybody would like to, when they’re considering coming out, be in those kind of safe harbors. Will will be with Marlena.
And, because of Will’s messed up relationship with Sami, the poor kid certainly couldn’t turn to his mother. Could he?
No. Also, Sami is so dysfunctional.
Well, Marlena has to take some responsibility for that, being Sami’s mother. Perhaps, Marlena feels that helping Will could make up for some of the mistakes she made with Sami.
You’re right. There is an undercurrent of that, too.
