Performer of the Week

Laura Spencer is no stranger to conflict. Hey, she killed her mother's lover, got married and ran away with her rapist -- all before she was old enough to drink. How she copes with trauma is what has changed.

Today's Laura is grounded by her children, motherhood having given her a strength and spirituality that carries her through the most trying times. Her portrayer, Genie Francis, conveys that hard-won maturity while retaining the essence of the starry-eyed, stubborn spitfire who long-time viewers remember so well. This was never more evident than in two recent, pivotal conversations.

When hubby Luke slinked back into town sporting multiple earrings and spewing venom, a ferocious face-off was inevitable. In the heated exchange, Laura tried to salvage her marriage, despite her feelings for Stefan... until Luke announced it was time for Nikolas to learn that Stefan is his father. "I'm begging you, find another way to punish me," Laura cried. When Luke refused, Francis showed Laura's fear, but also the courage that she has drawn from being a parent. Fierce as a tigress, her son being threatened brought out her claws. "All right. Do it!" she challenged, adding that if Luke crossed the line, there was no going back. Luke walked out.

Later, when Laura relayed the scene to Stefan and saw how shaken he was, her maternal instincts once again emerged. Laura assumed control, calmly and quietly reassuring Stefan that he would never lose Nikolas's love.

After so many years of playing one of daytime's most beloved heroines, Francis still manages to make life with Laura as fresh as ever. And that's amazing.