General Hospital
General Hospital’s Maura West Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
On last Thursday and Friday’s episode of General Hospital, the ABC soap opera finally moved the story forward with the reveal to Ava (Maura West) that Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) and Esme (Avery Pohl) slept together, and within it, fans got to witness the beginning of the fallout and the reaction as played by three-time Daytime Emmy-winner and enduring fan favorite, Maura West.
As one might expect, the material in the hands of the mighty West, and the acting choices she makes are always intriguing and masterful.
In story, things start to unravel for Ava, when outside Trina’s (Tabyana Ali) courtroom trial, Esme and Ava have a confrontation. It is there that Esme snarks at Ava, that she has the ability to destroy her world. When Ava dares her to try, Nikolas shows up on the scene begging Esme to stop. However, a manipulative Esme says, “Too late, I’m ending this right here, right now.” After lighting the fire, Esme walks off telling Nikolas to have a nice chit chat with his wife.
Next, Ava and Nikolas go to a private office, and Nikolas tells her that he made a huge mistake. A now suspicious Ava, asks, “What kind of mistake?” Nikolas then goes on to explain how he slept with Esme, just once, when he thought his relationship with Ava had tanked and had suffered irreparable damage.
Courtesy/ABC
What comes after was where West shined, as a sarcastic Ava quipped, “Poor you, seduced by a high school graduate.” Ava, then launches into that she thought she married a man, but instead she married a spineless weakling, and now she is going to burn him to the ground.
Later at Wyndemere, as Esme is frantically packing her suitcase and taking with her the all-important envelope linking her to Ryan (Jon Lindstrom), Ava appears and a confrontation begins with Ava calling out Esme as a, “conniving little whore”. Esme flaps back that Ava slept with both Morgan and Sonny (Maurice Benard)! Having put two and two together, Ava says she know that Esme is responsible for the revenge sex tape of Cameron (Willian Lipton) and Joss (Eden McCoyand setting fire to her car.
Courtesy/ABC
Ava has wised up from all of Esme’s nasty statements and has come to realize that everything Esme has done including sleeping with Nikolas, feels like a targeted, planned attack on her, and she knows there is more to this story than Esme has ever let on. When Ava spots the envelope in Esme’s suitcase, she goes to get it, but Esme grabs it from her. Then, with a steely warning, Ava tells Esme that she will be going to the courthouse now to exonerate Trina, and if she doesn’t, Ava will make sure Esme disappears and no one will ever be able to find her alive.
Now, while some viewers may be waiting for a knock-down drag-out catfight, we don’t know what will happen on Monday or Tuesday’s episode, but sometimes it’s more delicious just letting the words and its intentions drive the action, and West delivered the goods in spades in scenes with Marcus Coloma and Avery Pohl.
For all the reasons stated above, Michael Fairman TV names Maura West’s work as The Power Performance of the Week.
What did you think of Maura’s performance in the scenes where Ava finds out Nikolas slept with Esme and Ava’s confrontation later with Esme? What do you hope happens next? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section. But firstm check out some moments from West’s performance below.
Flawless!
Bravo! Maura’s acting abilities are second to none. Glsd to Ava now knows the gruth and can’t wait to see yhe aftermath.
WOW is my first reaction! Not only for Maura West’s fantastic work…but finally a non-Steve-Burton article! I must say Ava has met a worthy match…that witch Esme is not backing down. Finally, some great drama. I used to like Nikolas but now I want Ava to unload all her wrath on both of them.
Soaphound
Double WOW! I’ve read so many Spoilers this week, Iam not sure what will happen, but I especially liked one, so here’s hoping. I also wish Esme would blab some stuff to Ava about her Daddy that would explain further that her attack on her has been indeed personal.
Completely agree with you!!! My woman Ava is going to have them both wishing they never crossed her!!!! That Esme though is a tough cookie, she’s her daddies baby
Bravo, Soaphound, and bravo Maura West. Indeed, Ava has been declawed and then clawed again. She has been absolutely brilliant! When Ava’s lip curled up to a snarl and told the sniveling and emasculated Nikolas, “Poor you,” I thought I saw Nikolas’s balls retreat and run for cover. Maura West can give a master class on acting to the already very talented actors who play Spencer and Esme. Marcus as Nikolas has proven himself to be stupid, tacky and devoid of manners. He is no Cassadine. This is not the Nikolas Cassadine with which we’ve become acquainted.
Harry, what I really find astonishing is that Maura West continually gets BETTER. She doesn’t rely on tics or gestures from before; she’s always doing something new and fresh. Reminds me of when Sally Field took on the series “BROTHERS AND SISTERS” and later the movie “LINCOLN”. She began to show sides of herself we’ve never seen (and she was already great). It’s so exciting to see actors continually grow. We saw it with Sofia Mattson’s Sasha when Liam died, and Nicholas Chavez in his terrific, evolving rendition of Spencer. Meanwhile, actors like Steve Burton and Chad Duell seem content with phoning in the same old performance year after year. That’s when I get bored and tune them out…figuratively that is.
Maura never fails to prove and improve herself, Soaphound. Brava !! Always Brava!!
I have perpetually praises her acting skills, albeit many were not too fond of Ava when she joined GH—even during her most manipulative and questionable tactics, I loved this Bostonian queen!
I’ve liked her since her days on Y&R, as the vicious Diane Jenkins. I appreciated her talent instantly.
Ava has definitely met her match in Esme—-or has she?! Both amazing!!
The weak link here is Nikolas—-he, by whom I was so taken at first, has proven to be a gullible dud…I will root for him no more…Ava needs a real man!!
And Spencer? WOW!! His testimony brought me to tears—-something which many a soap has failed to do for me in a long time.
Celia, my friend, how awesome was 6Spencer/Nicholas Chavez in these scenes? Just great! Meanwhile, daddy Nik is still sniveling out in the corridor. And poor, pretty Marcus Colomma is defeated by the material; the actor seems depressed by the way Nikolas has been morally castrated. But… I feel sorry for that sweet Officer Rory. Looks like Trina will be Spencer’s latest seduction. Imagine having to choose between these two sexy guys? I think I’d need to do A LOT of, um, juggling them both.
LOL….Juggle away—
Yeah, I think Trina and Spencer will be a couple–It’s a given.
Poor Rory indeed!! I’m trying to figure out what makes Trina so special??
You’re right about Marcus—the material has turned on him–that sexual interlude with Esme should have never happened—Not because of his infidelity so much, but rather because of his “choice” of “meat”. His persona has be been demeaned an black-marked.
I guess he’s always been attracted to the typical siren/femme fatale—
But, maybe I spoke too soon by calling him a dud? In today’s episode, he seemed to have stepped up? I mean, having his wife’s back ‘n all.
Esme–the villainess turned victim!! Alack, the horroe of it all.
Bravo Excellent Performance From Ava.l Loved lt! She.Should.Win Another.Emmy!
Hey, Soaphound—-I did not know Maura had a stunt double!! Did you? WOW!!—-could you tell? Completely bypassed moi!!
I had this weird thought about Esme’s mystery Mom—Ava? Nah—can’t be. Not possible—-wouldn’t make any sense, right?
I do wish there were a chance for the character to return as a good guy this time. She’s a baddie, I know—but soooo good at playing the mean vixen, she’d conquer any role. I truly respect and admire her talent.
Phenomenal!
Wonderful actress!
The powerhouse that is Maura West!
Emmy worthy episode. Go Ava JEROME!
No surprise as Maura West always rises to the occasion! Avery Pohl held her own against the powerhouse.
With all her research on Ava, didn’t Esme come across the name Connie Falconeri? Ms. Jerome has killed for a lot less than having sex with her husband. She knows how to make problems go away (AJ, Morgan). That should be plenty enough to scare the little witch to ever try something. Maybe Daddy withheld some details (like he did regarding his relationship with Felicia).
Now, please don’t lead this to yet another fall off the parapet. More people survive that fall than perish (Katherine Bell a second time excepted).
Hopefully this is the end of Nikolas/Ava. What started out with so much potential has fizzled. As mentioned previously, this weak watered-down version of Nik is unrecognizable to long time viewers. We want our smart dark prince back.
Well, we all saw that fall from the parapet coming, didn’t we? Where they go from here will be really interesting. I don’t believe Esme is gone, do you? Oh the drama! I just adore Maura! I hope she wins another Emmy! (:
Ok Michael, I know your googoogaga over Maura West( I too think she’s awesome), but You could have throw a big bone to Avery Pohl too because the girl knocked it out of the park and given them both the power performance of the week. Just saying!
Maura West is a powerful actress. I hope she gives Esme what’s coming to her. As for Nikolas in a way I feel sorry for him. Eager to watch this week. My favorite show for years!
She’s the absolute best at what she does.
She is awesome Maura! I miss the days she was a killer n had moments like this daily!
Mail Bal
Must have missed those. What show was that?
As usual, Ms. West’s performances were both explosive and chilling to the bone – reminding how lethal Ava can be! Look out, Esme!! I predict another Emmy in Ms. Wests future:)
There was no one else to choose. The continued under-playing of Maura West is criminal and, the past two days have proven that. And we know TODAY will be the tripple-hitter we’ve been asking for! No one in daytime is better than West and no one is able to match her!
That lady is always on point plus ten, this generations Beverlee McKinsey
Mike, THANK YOU for mentioning the fabulous Beverlee McKinsey. I loved her Alexandra Spaulding. What talent, what thrilling performances. I’ll always remember her disdain of Mindy Lewis…she’d drawl out her name as “Mannndeee”. So much fun. Luckily, Marj Dusay was a worthy successor…I also remember Oscar/Emmy winner Allison Janney’s brief, hysterical stint as her maid Ginger(?). Golden days for soaps!
Agree with the fantastic work of Beverlee McKinsey as Alexandra on GL. She also deserved an Emmy for that body of work. And finally GH is giving Maura West some material to work with! She rips it apart with Emmy style and now she is going to show Esme who is the leading lady of daytime. Get ready!
Maura West is the best actor on daytime . She deserves to be on a prime time show . She is perfection. !! Love love love her !
Ava was great I esme can squirm can’t wait for the rest
I’ve been a favorite of Marla West skills since Another world. You are my all time fav actress in daytime soaps. You are brilliant when it comes to emotions, u go from Villian,supporting friend, protective mama bear and will stand up against the best of them, while kicking a—- an taking names! I love it! Wish u were my kick ass bestie. Continue what youre doing, u bring life an entertainment to the screen.
Meshi Redd
Oh, never seen her on that show. Who did she play?
Maura is hands down the best actress on daytime tv! Really impressed by Avery, whose done a fabulous job acting. Well deserved!
Luv me some Ava, great viewing
I love Ava’s work with her lips and eyes in her expressions. She’s an awesome scary woman i wouldn’t want to mess with. She’s extremely seductive, enticing and a true bad ass woman! Some great acting going on here.
For the pass couple of days,GH has been awesome!!! Ava is my kinda women,she gets the job done! I hope Esme is not dead yet, so Trina can confront her. Jan
Maura has been amazing this past week! Finally, she has Emmy caliber material and she is deserving of a win or at least a nomination for 2022! I am a bit partial to Maura because we went to college together (as did Cynthia Watros) and she was my favorite during 1995-2010 when she played Carly on ATWT! I am certain she will get more great material in the days and weeks to come! (: (: (:
The only thing wrong with yesterday’s scenes? Y’all know damned well that nobody ever really dies from falling off that parapet at Windemere. So sorry to have to report this, but Esme’s not in Hell…. yet.
We all know Ava’s heading this direction herself eventually, but if she takes Esme out for real, then she’s probably earned her air conditioner for her future accommodations.
Maura West is an outstanding actress and always delivers! I hope that this is the end of Esme Prince (though I suspect not.)
MW is the best.
Maura was awesome, but Sofia Mattson was AMAZING with her manic breakdown.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Kristina is Rocked By Sonny’s Behavior, Finn Teeters on the Edge as Gregory’s Condition Worsens
Monday’s May 20th episode of General Hospital brought with it emotional moments featuring excellent performances by Kate Mansi (Kristina), Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Michael Easton (Finn).
In the pick of Friday’s cliffhanger, Sonny goes postal on Dex (Evan Hofer) and Jason (Steve Burton), until he sees that Kristina heard and saw the whole thing. She runs into the bathroom, while Sonny goes after her.
Sonny is begging Kristina to let him explain. He goes on to say how Dex and Jason both turned on him, and to please not be afraid of him. But, all Kristina can do is cry as she begs Sonny not to touch her, and with that, he walks out.
Courtesy/ABC
Alone and frightened, and trying to calm herself down, Kristina phones Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) and tells her to come to the bathroom. Kristina is worried about her unborn baby, and cannot believe her father’s behavior. It’s at that point, Kristina voices she feels like a fool because everyone was warning her about her father. She thought he had a code of ethics, but the man she saw threaten to kill Dex and Jason is nothing like that, leaving her bewildered and stunned.
Jason calls Carly (Laura Wright) and she comes running to the Metro Court to find Sonny, while Jason follows her, but remains sight unseen. Carly finds Sonny at the pool area. Sonny says he thinks no one loves him anymore. Carly says Kristina just needs some time. Carly tells Sonny to not act like that again, but Sonny says he can’t promise that.
Courtesy/ABC
Following Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) wedding, Gregory, Finn and Violet (Jophielle Love) come home. When Violet goes to bed, it leaves father and son to have some very heavy moments given Gregory’s battle with ALS. Finn tells his dad that he appreciates the time they have together now after years of being apart. Gregory tells Finn he is proud of him, which brings the good doctor to tears.
After Finn helps Gregory get ready for bed, he leaves and calls Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn). Finn admits he threw away 7 years of sobriety by somehow taking a sip of champagne at the wedding reception. Alexis wonders if subconsciously he wanted the drink but says that doesn’t mean he failed.
Courtesy/ABC
At the end of episode, Gregory is in bed, and has flashes of his own life from a child till now, and of his children, Finn and Chase. He finally closes his eyes. Will Gregory not wake up sending Finn on a complete downward spiral? Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the performances of Kate Mansi, Maurice Benard and Michael Easton? What do you think will happen next? Share your theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Remarries Sanford Bookstaver
Congratulations are in order for Rena Sofer (Lois Cerullo, General Hospital) and her longtime love, TV director and producer, Sanford Bookstaver. The couple re-tied the knot over this past weekend in a wedding ceremony.
In a post on her Instagram, Sofer shared the details, expressing, “This weekend on what would have been our 21st wedding anniversary I got to Re-Marry my best friend Sanford Booksaver once again!”
The GH star and Daytime Emmy-winner added,”The journey we are about to begin is the most exciting adventure, in a new state and town, but most thrilling is that we get to do it together as husband and wife!”
Photo: SBookStaverIG
Alluding to their time apart, Rena noted, “The three years we spent apart were humbling and heartbreaking but vital to us finding each other again. The love I have for you now is the foundation of my life. I can’t imagine another moment NOT walking through life with you hand in hand and our hearts entwined. You are the love of my life, and it’s not ‘oops we did it again, but I’m so grateful we did it again!❤️❤️❤️”
Previously, Sofer was married to GH and Days star, Wally Kurth (Ned and Justin, respectively) from 1995-1997, and the two share a daughter together, Rosabel Rosalind Kurth. Rena and Sanford were previously married from 2005 to 2017 and share a daughter together, Avalon Leone.
Share your well-wishes to Rena and Sanford as they embark on the next chapter of their lives together as a married couple via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Alexis , Finn, and Kristina Face Life-Altering Moments
This week on ABC’s General Hospital could bring a shift in the lives of several lives in Port Charles. In the latest promo for the daytime drama series, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is seen in court facing her accuser, the brother of her former lover, the late Neil Byrne, in the form of Lane Davies as Fergus Byrne.
Will Alexis finally be reinstated as a lawyer? Will Fergus and Alexis actually hit it off since Lane and Nancy Lee Grahn played the beloved Mason and Julia Capwell on Santa Barbara, and Davies was previously on GH as Dr. Cameron Lewis?
Meanwhile, a pregnant Kristina (Kate Mansi) is reeling after seeing her father, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) lose his grip and threatening to kill Jason (Steve Burton) and Dex (Evan Hofer). Will her unborn baby be in danger?
Photo: ABC
Finally, Finn’s (Michael Easton) sobriety is really tested and it all seems to be inadvertently caused by the Cerullos. First, at the wedding reception of Brook Lynn and Chase, Carmine hands Finn a glass of champagne after his daughter Violet’s performance. Not paying attention, he takes a sip of champagne during a toast.
Photo: ABC
Now, Carmine and Gloria send a bottle of bourbon to Finn with their “warmest regards.” However, Finn can’t stop himself from pouring himself a drink. Will Finn finally give in, and we are off to the races with another addiction storyline for the good doctor? Stay tuned.
Check out the latest GH preview below.
Now, let us know. What do you think will happen with Finn, Alexis and Kristina on this week’s GH? Share your theories in the comment section.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Kristina is Rocked By Sonny’s Behavior, Finn Teeters on the Edge as Gregory’s Condition Worsens
‘Tracker’ Season Finale Scores 7.4 Million Viewers, Making It Most-Watched Sunday Night Broadcast Show
General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Remarries Sanford Bookstaver
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Alexis , Finn, and Kristina Face Life-Altering Moments
AMERICAN IDOL: Abi Carter Crowned the Winner, Katy Perry Sheds Tears In Her Final Episode
General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Defends Sonny Going Postal, “It Could Definitely Happen”
Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
Giovanni Mazza On Contract at General Hospital: What Are Your First Impressions?
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Alexis , Finn, and Kristina Face Life-Altering Moments
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Alexis , Finn, and Kristina Face Life-Altering Moments
AMERICAN IDOL: Abi Carter Crowned the Winner, Katy Perry Sheds Tears In Her Final Episode
Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
Kim Zimmer Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis
The Young and the Restless Eileen Davidson to Chat Live on Ashley’s Alters Storyline
-
General HospitalMay 19, 2024General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Defends Sonny Going Postal, “It Could Definitely Happen”
-
General HospitalMay 18, 2024Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
-
General HospitalMay 18, 2024Giovanni Mazza On Contract at General Hospital: What Are Your First Impressions?
-
General HospitalMay 11, 2024GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
-
General HospitalMay 20, 2024GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Alexis , Finn, and Kristina Face Life-Altering Moments
-
General HospitalMay 13, 2024GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?