General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: A Killer Revealed, Sisters Confirmed, A Tumble Down The Stairs!
Courtesy/ABC
Monday’s episode of General Hospital offered up some major reveals and pushed stories forward, as viewers learned just who is the Derisifol Killer at GH! And if you were fans betting on someone who worked on the hospital staff, you were proved to be wrong!
It all went down in story as Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) asked Ava (Maura West) for her expertise since she has had an art gallery and knows elements of designs, when she showed her an image of the cufflink originally found by Valerie (Brytni Sarpy). Ava acknowledges it was popular in the art world awhile back. Ava goes on to relate that she feels who ever cufflink this belongs to comes from money, power, and likes to show it off. Interestingly both Ava and Jordan feel as though they’ve seen this cufflink on someone somewhere before, but originally can’t pinpoint it. However, later in a major revelation, Ava remembers it quite well!
There is another patient “death” at General Hospital, and at the time of it, Andre (Anthony Montgomery was seen giving CPR to the patient. Monica (Leslie Charleson) and Finn (Michael Easton) walked in, and it cast of shadow of doubt on Dr. Maddox, though he denies having anything to with this. Later, Monica gets the lab results that the patient died of natural causes and that Andre was not responsible. However, Finn looks to not believe that this was a “natural cause” of death.
Heather (Robin Mattson) finally comes clean with Franco (Roger Howarth), and reveals Jeff Webber was having an affair with a married woman, who got pregnant. This was when Jeff was cheating on his second wife. That woman who got preggers was Naomi Dreyfus (Robin Riker). However, Heather made sure Jeff never knew there was a third Webber girl! Franco now realizes Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) is Hayden’s (Rebecca Budig) sister, and it is confirmed by Heather in typical odd “Heather Webber fashion”. Next, Franco heads out of visiting Heather in the slammer to tell Liz the news! Meanwhile, after learning from Ava that Liz has Hayden’s diamond, Hayden heads over to GH to confront Liz and a major confrontation breaks out in which Liz takes a bitch-slap from her sister!
Courtesy/ABC
But things get worse for Liz! She walks into Monica’s office to tell her she is leaving, and finds Paul (Richard Burgi) there looking very suspiscious! After Liz leaves, Paul is seen holding a syringe! He is the hospital killer! But why? Viewers still don’t know the connection. Next Liz, heads out down the stairwell to leave for the night to go talk to Jordan about the diamonds she has in her possession when the lights go out in the hospital. Meanwhile, both Paul and Hayden are on the hunt for Liz. Next thing you know Liz takes a major tumble down the stairwell after someone pushed her! But, who did it?
So, what did you think of Paul being revealed as the hospital serial killer? Why is he murdering patients and why did he inject Lucas Jones (Ryan Carnes)? Do you think Franco will tell Liz about Hayden if he even can after Liz’ terrible fall? Who pushed Liz? Share your theories in the comment section below!
Sigh.
Jeff was cheating on his third wife, as Heather was his second after Monica. Another blooper by TIIC. Yesterday’s developments were just more nails in GH’s coffin.
C’mon now, does that REALLY matter to you that much? Does it really affect the story in any way at all?
I’m no defender of GH, but let’s not get ridiculous.
I agree with curaçaoman on his point in that sometimes I wonder how the actors and/or writers don’t know their own history ( they should have fact checkers /researchers for continuity). And there have been a few times when history was changed and I’ve wondered if anyone pointed it out or if they’re so busy saying their lines that they don’t remember their own character’s story. In this case I didn’t know or notice, but there have been times…
I do agree with you though ME that sometimes viewers get too technical or pick things apart that they should just let slide…just enjoy the story.
I think it does matter, actually. Both of the wives before Liz and Sarah’s mother are currently on the canvas. If they’re going to trash poor Jeff in his absence for the sake of a questionable plot twist, they can at least get his history right.
Might feel differently I guess if he’d been gone 25-plus years and the previous wives had similarly been gone for years. Or if it were inconsequential to the story. But Jeff DOES matter to this story, and so his history with wives is something they should get right.
More Heather please.
How do you write a murder mystery and make it up as you go along with no discernible pay off? Asking for a friend….
The who is less interesting than the WHY. Guiding Light did these so much better….
Edge Of Night was a great murder mystery soap with suspenseful twist and turns written brilliantly by the late great Henry Sleazer for over a decade…this seems to be written by kindergarten children playing a game they never played before and too lazy to read how so they make up things as they go along!!!…By the way i miss Guiding Light!!!
I wish I’d been around for that. The death of GL was the warning sign… sadly.
I can’t imagine the WHY for this character being of interest, since they made it up on the fly. Remember those stupid music box murders, or the necktie murders or whatever that mess on OLTL was with Marcie, or the Y&R serial killer who snuffed Summers husband of ten seconds? There were no payoffs in any of these. The why was ‘so and so’ is nuts. Some why.
I’m expecting this to be of a similar quality.
You’re right! I LOVED Edge of Night!
Uh, they haven’t told you WHY yet. You’re supposed to watch to find out. That’s the whole point.
Lol, me. Took the words outta my mouth!
The story has been nonexistent until now, when it has taken a turn for the dismal. Nonsense plot line with no impact other than irretrievably ruining one of the better actors on the canvas who could and should have a far more coherent history developed. But that is passe in this genre.
I swear, these days they must have absolutely zero expectations that the head writers work with any sense of story structure whatsoever. And looking at the ratings, I can only expect they won’t be hiring anyone better as the show sinks.
I always love Jimh’s, Tomas’s and Su0000’s comments although I don’t always agree with them. I know Su particularly doesn’t care for Jean and Shelley’s writing. However, I think they’ve done an incredible job. GH is the most well written and complex of all the soaps currently on air. I think we will find an interesting reason why Paul is the serial killer and in general, I think the story has been interesting certainly compared to the other soaps on air now. Y&R has the highest paid head writer in the history of daytime, a man they paid so much they had to give him an executive producer title and in return we have the most juvenile, poorly written stories in the history of daytime. That show could be written better by kindergarden students.
Look what an incredible job Jean and Shelley have done. They’ve told complicated romantic stories, they took a ridiculous story, Jake’s return from the dead and told an poignant story about organ donation. In that story we saw Joss’s true to life for a teenager reaction to the attention in the media of her story, a real struggle about this between a daughter and mother. We saw Nina once again growing as a person and helping Carly because of her love for children. Nina has grown so much in confidence and her road of discovery about who she is as a person now that’s she’s back from her coma has been believable and moving.
They’ve tried creative new pairings romantically and in terms of friendship. Who would have ever seen Nicolas and Ava or Hayden and Finn working. These writers showed patience bringing the couples and friendships together rather than pairing people over night ala Chuck Pratt Jr (I don’t like to use his name since nowadays any publicity is good publicity). J&S as Su0000 calls them took their time bringing them together. Who would have ever imagined Genie Francis would ever get a story worthy of her acting abilities. Her romance with Kevin has been exciting, fresh and real. Look how these vets rose to the material and hit the ball out of the park now that the writing has improved.
The scenes a few days ago when Liz came to Franco about the diamonds and they opened up to each other made me cry and I never cry. Look how far those 2 have come. Finally Liz has stepped into new material and fresh territory beyond the pairings and repairings of the past. FINALLY, they have taken their time and gone slow with the material and achieved redemption for Franco. He’s no saint still, but the maturity, self concern and concern he showed for Liz telling her she couldn’t come anymore when she wanted to, telling her she could trust him and meaning it. These two were incredible and so was the writing. I’ve watched the remaining 4 soaps on and off the past few years and none of the writing has been so wonderful, mature, and elegantly crafted as the recent stories on GH.
Could we say that decades ago soaps were better written and there was better material than this? Yes. But right now those two are doing awesome work and they deserve the kudos for it. They are leaps and bounds ahead of the writing on the other 3 soaps.
I know Su0000 will disagree as is her right and thank god we can have different opinions, but Tomas and Jimh, do you guys see what I’m getting at?
Lol Iraqi Guy…you should read my posts or reread them. Almost everything you’ve just written I’ve expressed on many of my posts. I Also enjoy exchanging/hearing everyone’s opinions …when we participate in a friendly way. But from the actual people who post here your view and my similar one, is in the minority.
I agree with the unusual pairings as a good thing. And as I’m no fan Elizabeth in general I’ve warned to her for her less than holier than though ways with Jason s return. Her pairing with Franco has given her character extra depth and the actress seems to tear in to those scenes with genuine enthusiasm.
I hope you’re right about Paul. But that story line feels undisciplined. And if Cassadine island was any indication of how they deliver a payoff…
Thanks for your kind words. Civility seems to be in short supply. All my best. T
I love GH – it is my soap. I hate to have to say anything that isn’t positive, but this reveal is a contrivance and a let down. I read an article where the writers basically said that they changed the outcome of this story while already down the road. That is not good writing. A story should be planned and written in advance so that it is coherent and all of the beats can be played. You can’t make it up as you go along. That is why so many GH stories have major inconsistencies and so much back story needs to be explained via exposition. And those are just the stories that have an actual resolution. In any case, I’m thinking this will have some nonsense motivation having to do with Paul’s daughter, about whom he is so volatile and emotional, regardless of the fact that she has never existed on screen. If that turns out to be the case I call B.S. This has been a lackluster story from the start and I will be glad to see it wrapped up. The bottom line here is that when you have an incoherent mystery like this with no long term vision, the culprit can turn out to be anybody and it will all be explained and resolved after the fact. There was never anything for viewers to invest in here. Long live GH!
Not necessarily…rumor has it that Paul McCartney wrote “Yesterday” in just minutes.
In other words, sometimes something could just come to you, or you get an idea and change the whole direction of a story. There is no rule that you can’t change your mind.
I respectfully disagree. Records and books are only released for public consumption when they are deemed complete. McCartney didn’t release Yesterday under its original title, Scrambled Eggs, and then change his mind once the public had begun to consume the recording. The serial format is the only one where changes can be made on the fly, as the product is in the process of being consumed. You’re right – there’s no rule that you can’t change your mind. That would be fine if the story turned out to be consistent and logical. In this case, the story will be told after all the events have already unfolded and I personally find that unsatisfying. But I’m glad we’re both loyal viewers. Long live GH!
GAVEL: “… I’m thinking this will have some nonsense motivation having to do with Paul’s daughter, about whom he is so volatile and emotional, regardless of the fact that she has never existed on screen ”
IE: Paul
which to me is disappointing… as he’s an intriguing character… AND
a strong MALE lead
to be fair : now that Kevin is back… he certainly fits in to the strong male lead stat
either the writing for the menfolk… is just not happening…
Sonny
Dante
Nathan
Andre
Franco
Jason
Michael
just not cutting it… etc
Lucas should be featured much more
Joe… who hasn’t been featured enough… certainly has the acting chops to go big
I am mixed on Julian… if he wasn’t in the “mob” would be right up their
Scotty Baldwin is always formidable
Nicholas ( Tyler Christopher ) needs to return pronto along with Valentin
with Paul as the serial killer… doesn’t bode well for GH “losing” a solid actor who screen presence is magnetic
his screen time… what little we see of him with Tracy and Dillon… had so much start potential… that went downhill
so it seems GH sees him as expendable
all the while… we are force fed… Sonny and Jason… big whoop
I forgot to add: in comparison… to the strongest female casts in this current realm of daytime… plus all those RIP.
thankfully.. GH has strong women on which to cull
GH : I say
Paul
Kevin
Lucas
Joe
Julian
Scotty… yeah yeah yeah… his comedic timing gives him a big let
Nicholas
Valentin
I miss Brad.. he’s an honorable mention
I think as tired as Morgan can be… when it’s always about his bi-polar
I give Morgan and Dillan as the younger men upstarts
I agree the actor who plays Paul is terrific. If this is his time to leave, I only hope it’s because he has been offered another job and would have to leave anyway. GH would be foolish to push out someone who can actually act. Maybe they can find a way to keep him like they have with Carlos/Jose and Dr. Finn/Dr. Clay.
Burgi had great chemistry from day one…. another wasted opportunity.
I read the same article and was really struck at how the writers all but admitted that they just recently decided who the killer would be. There really was no mystery per se because the killings and attacks just appeared to be random after awhile, so it was impossible to gauge a motive and therefore guess at who the killer could be. I think somehow this will lead to Ava blackmailing Paul to release Julian, which will just add insult to injury.
Nina the Psycho pushed her.
Liz and Hayden are sisters what a shocker-NOT!…many of us already knew this…Paul really the killer-maybe its somehow connected to his often mention daughter Susan?….really no suspense here since day players were the only ones knocked off…also, i know its a soap but no person can just walk into the medical staff’s locker room when doors have electronic locks on the doors and staff have to punch it security numbers to get in…plus there are security cameras in all hospital-security guard would see someone tampering with the power outlets which would also be locked!!!!
I have been away for a while dealing with a sickness and death in the family
( mother passed at the age of 92)– so I missed a lot of soap watching, been trying to catch up– but I find it a bit of a leap to make Paul the killer– this is another prime example of a character that keeps getting changed to suit plot points, instead of writing plots to fit the characters. Unless Paul has an evil twin brother named Raul this is lamest murder mystery to hit GH since who shot Connie fiasco — and you are right about hospitals, but look at the number of times Maxi, Nina and others have just wandered into that locker room to see a doctor half naked in there– it has never made sense in the real world, but in the soap world, who needs locks.
“…who needs locks. ”
yeah, right ?
!. Windemear… I can’t stand it…. I know Nicholas has “money” problems… he’s never afforded a security system… bodyguards… we never see the help. just saying… WHEN HE RETURNS… GH … up the ante… Nicholas as the 2nd banana to Jason… never
2. the PCPD … LOL… I love the mystery .. when people come and go to and from the interrogation “rooms” wich must speak volumes… at least we see them cuffed… and the jail scenes are fun at best… never mind how bumbling the officers of the law themselves… save for Anna… an easy let
3. you know… Carly sure has an easy hand… with her “room” key.. masterfully just barges in on guests…. REALLY?
4. yeah that GH locker room… latest blunder.. and that’s putting it mildly… priest/doctor Griffin … I really liked that locked in kiss… he shared with Claudette… LOVED it when Maxie and Nathan walked in on that. as a post already shared… it’s the first time Griffin has fired
ps: it’s a treat to have you with… deep regard to you and yours
I was wondering where you have been…always love your comments…sorry about your loss…i am dealing with much the same…my 88 year old father in early stages of dementia, my sister been ill off and on for months with heart problems and actually died in hospital for four minutes but nurses revived her…last Christmas her son had heart surgery when she became ill…months later both she and her husband had heart surgeries. and their beloved dog died..ive been ill off and on but stayed on the message boards-also im battling depression and stress because of everything been going on with my family…iv’e contemplated leaving the message board but it sometimes helps keep me occupied and my mind off things…hearing from you perked me up…trying to stay positive!!!…best wishes and hope you are doing well!!!
Condolences Mary SF…
Sorry for your loss.
Mary – so sorry for your loss of your dear mother!
I cannot even find the cafeteria, how does everyone find the locker room!
I don’t think that Paul is really the killer. There has to be a twist. This is just stupid!
.. Paul is not the killer .. no way lol
It is just a very lame attempt of a breathtaking twist&turn by J&S ahaa!
It’s going to be a nonsense confusing fail !
SMH!!!
dmr…I’m with you on this…I don’t think Paul is the murderer. I think the two “clues (cufflink and syringe in Monica’s office) are just too obvious to throw us off and make everyone jump to conclusions. But who is the real one? I have an idea but not ready to give it up yet.
If you like Richard Burgi…Watching a rerun of Castle last week…episode called “Heartbreak Hotel.” Fun Elvis impersonator episode. Guest stars were Richard and Jeffrey Vincent Parise/Carlos, and they both played bad guys. Love how Castle brought in a lot of current and not-so-current soap actors.
I guess Paul is on his way out — how could they ever redeem him.
Why does everyone keep neglecting to remember that Monica (then played by Patsy Rahn) was Jeff’s first wife. They were Mr. And Mrs. Intern at General Hospital in 1976. Certainly Heather of all people should know that since Jeff cheated on Monica with her. So, it should say, and the show should’ve also mentioned, that Naomi cheated with Jeff on his third wife. Heather would’ve been Jeff’s second wife.
As someone on another site said, Heather tends to twist the truth so it’s HER truth!
What Monica not Quartermaine right? I remember way back in the day her having an affair with Rick Weber, Jeff’s brother I think. Well anyway Leslie’s husband Laura’s father!!!
I think it’s a giant leap to make Paul the killer. A good mystery or whodunit requires clues BEFORE the murders, not “fillers” and “reveals” AFTER the murders. And, besides, Paul is really a big part of the Q’s history–bad to make him a murderer. Badly plotted, to say the least. And anticlimactic. “The center does not hold.” Disappointing in so many ways.
An important question: Paul has already gotten away with one murder; does this latest development mean that he will get away with these murders also? Then, in turn, does that mean that Julian will blackmail him and that Julian will walk free? HORRORS! 🙁
Yep…I predicted it and I love it! Win-win for me. Don’t want to lose Julian or Paul…but it can’t last because it seems Hayden will take the fall. We know with her story now tying her to Elizabeth, making her a Weber and starting a romance with Dr. Finn she won’t be gone either. I say they should all pin it on Amy! No loss there… LOL
I was actually quite surprised with this reveal, but also disappointed. If they are trying to turn Paul into a full-out villain as opposed to just a shady guy whose actions are questionable (at best) then they’re doing a good job. But I really like Richard Burgi, and Paul is a character I’d like the show to spend more time developing. But it doesn’t seem like that will happen once he’s found out.
I have a feeling his actions have something to do with his daughter, Susan. A couple weeks ago, during a scene with Tracy, she brought up how Paul was an absent father to all of his children, and when she mentioned Susan’s name, Paul got furious. It happened again when Dillon did the same thing. I think she’s sick, and Paul is testing out “cures” on patients at the hospital, that end up killing them instead.
Also, the reveal that Liz and Hayden are sisters was obvious, right from the moment that Naomi took a strong interest in Liz. The question is now, who is Liz and Sarah’s mother? Heather said Jeff was having an affair with Naomi behind her back, but she never mentioned any names. I’ve only been a viewer since 2011 so maybe one of you can answer this, but does Liz have a relationship with her mother? Does she know who her mother is, and is she in contact with her often?
I dont recall Liz ever mentioning her mother.
She did initially on the show (what was that, 1997?)
It is a feeble attempt to have me believe Paul is the murder..
It is the weakest murder story in soap history, it is totally empty of mystery, intruge, intense drama and a plot.
C’mon! 5? people murdered and the story is horribly bland of everything a multi murder mystery should be.. BLAH ..
There is nothing in the story to even resemble a serial killer mystery plot.. LOL
It’s simply lame..
I don’t care who the killer is, just end it..oh geez lol
Well, butter my biscuits, su0000, we agree again! 🙂
ahaa!, nancy..
Glad I could butter your biscuits! and! with real butter ! LOL 🙂
(( we have been agreeing;
the sun must circling the seventh planet while the moon is in eclipse and Mars is in the 5th house with Jupiter in on the cuff of the planet Radion.
Jean Passanante was the head writer of As the World Turns and hammered the last few nails in that show’s coffin before it was cancelled in 2010. She went on to join GH for a few years and then moved to Y&R in 2013, replacing Josh Griffith, as co-head writer along with Shelly Altman. Shelly was also previously part of the GH writing team and joined Y&R prior to Jean, working under Griffith until his firing.
When they co-wrote Y&R, the show became a major snooze fest. There are very few memorable things that happened during their 2 year tenure with the show, and 2013 & 2014 were two of the laziest years in terms of the show’s storytelling. It seems like they brought it to GH, and have failed to deliver anything truly outstanding since they took over. It’s been a year now and so far, there has been very little, if any, improvement over Ron Carlivati’s disastrous final year as head writer.
Oh and dumb and dumber are recycling a Y&R story when Sharon pushed Phyllis down the steps!
This is so silly.
They brought Paul back as a bad guy, they then undid that (even after he crippled Sonny, where’s the payback on that?), now he’s the serial killer, why?
He also killed Sloane in cold blood and used Ava sexually…we just forgot he was so bad because he seemed so good! Still, don’t want to lose the character or the actor.
NOOOOOOOOOO!! Paul is one of my favorite characters on the show! Maybe it will turn out to be some baddie wearing a mask and the ‘real’ Paul stashed away somewhere. That hasn’t be done before, LOLOLOL! Evil twin, brain tumor, hypnotized by some evil baddie, I’m OK with these or any other scenario that keeps Paul around!
If it turns out is indeed all-Paul and no faux Paul thing, then he can save the life of the governor’s daughter and be pardoned?
Touche!
Just when you think this show can’t get any worse. It’s almost like GH is actively campaigning to be cancelled.
The most handsome man on daytime wasted I am ready to kick some serious butt! This man makes my toes curl he is so awesome looking! He has aged like fine wine!
How exactly is Paul getting the drugs ?
This storyline had golden potential to kill off roughly half of the cast…so many need to go, where to begin?…and it was all squandered with this nonsense?
I’m fast losing faith in the current writing regime. I was feeling fairly confident that nothing could be worse than Carlivati and Co. but the past few weeks have left me feeling very unhappy with a program that I love dearly.
Finally, much like its bizarre obsession with babies, why does this show’s writing team rely so heavily on “what if…” storytelling? This constant reliance on this method of writing is a huge turnoff. I’m at a breaking point listening to this uninspired and irritating way of having characters think and talk.
News flash for ABC… General Hospital is in trouble. I refuse to believe that there aren’t better storytellers out there. Find them and hire them. Pronto! WHAT IF (!) this actually happened??? The mind wanders with the possibilities! *smile*
Who are these writers ? I don’t recognize their names . They suck and so do these stories.
Jean Passanante was the head writer of As the World Turns and hammered the last few nails in that show’s coffin before it was cancelled in 2010. She went on to join GH for a few years and then moved to Y&R in 2013, replacing Josh Griffith, as co-head writer along with Shelly Altman. Shelly was also previously part of the GH writing team and joined Y&R prior to Jean, working under Griffith until his firing.
When they co-wrote Y&R, the show became a major snooze fest. There are very few memorable things that happened during their 2 year tenure with the show, and 2013 & 2014 were two of the laziest years in terms of the show’s storytelling. It seems like they’ve brought it to GH, and have failed to deliver anything truly outstanding since they took over. It’s been a year now and so far, there has been very little, if any, improvement over Ron Carlivati’s disastrous final year as head writer.
Jordan, Andre, Hayden, Griffin, Claudette, Nathan, Valerie, Curtis, Sabrina, Joe, Nina, Franco, Darby, Amy and Kiki could all be killed off and I wouldn’t bat an eye. They are all useless characters with no ties to the canvas and do nothing for this show except drain the energy. Sure, some of these characters are portrayed by great actors, like Roger Howarth, Michelle Stafford, Rebecca Budig and Bree Williamson, and it’s such a shame that they got saddled with terrible characters. But that’s what has to be looked at here – the characters they play. If they’re all a wash, what’s the point in keeping them around?
Good list but I like Hayden and her and Liz are going to be great as fighting sisters!
Even if they started with roughly half your list Jimmy……..
Andre, Claudette, Valerie, Sabrina, Joe, Nina, Franco and Darby (and Griffin if Anna doesn’t come back – or maybe to move into Liz’ orbit)
the show would be far better off. Then use the proceeds freed up to hire a continuity supervisor and a strategic story consultant. That HAS to be a financially viable trade!
Looks like a lot of us agree; we like Paul bad move GH.
Sacrifice of a great character and a great actor for a bad story. Paul and Anna were great together.
I agree!
It is not credible to make Paul the killer. What an insult to the viewers’ intelligence!
It is credible. He shot Sonny, killed Sloane in cold blood and used Ava sexually. Now, Ava can blackmail him with what she knows, protect herself from Paul using his tape against her and probably get Paul to destroy Julian’s taped confession to Alexis.
Maybe, just maybe, annoying Amy was supplying him with the drugs…
Was it ever revealed to the viewers that Paul shot Sonny? 🙂
Yes Sandy. I think they showed his face in his own flashback…can’t remember now but he very much wants to destroy Sonny.
Thanks, Rebecca. 🙂
You’re welcome Sandy!
I’m disappointed as I posted several times that the killer is Paul. I really like the actor and like the way I THOUGHT they evolved his character to someone a bit more upstanding than we thought. On the other hand I don’t agree that it’s a ridiculous choice because barely anyone suspected him (well, at least not on this site). I only thought it a possibility when Jordan first showed him the cufflink…then tucked it in the back of my mind thinking of who else it could be.
There seems to be a lot of grumbling about story. I, for the most part am enjoying the show, albeit I have my occasional complaints as well. Michael forgiving Sonny and going back to the fold, with nary a mention of AJ is a huge gripe for me. Sonny and Carly as king and queen who do no wrong in their own minds, yet judge others constantly, drives me crazy.
But overall I think the stories are fun, or interesting…I still love seeing these familiar faces/characters/families. I, like many…love when the vets pop in and of course wish they were back or featured more. However, I’m not sure any of us realize what it must take to write a daily show with no reruns for most of the year and make it new and different each time. There’s only so many motives they can come up with…jealousy, hurt, betrayal, psychotic breakdown, rejection…I mean the motivations the writers give are the same that inspire murderers in real life. And yet some complain the motive wasn’t interesting enough and raise their virtual eyes in exasperation if it’s something soapy like a brain tumor. To the same viewers that’s ridiculous. Can’t have it both ways…reality driven or fantastical.
Then we have the characters viewers don’t want to see. Valerie? She’s not on enough to bother anyone, lol. I think it’s CONFUSiNG why they would add another Spencer and then barely write for her…but she doesn’t bother me. Franco? He IS connected to the canvas via Heather and Scotty, which I wish they would feature more. Scotty and Franco were made for each other in terms of rapport and chemistry. Fantastic pairing (if I overlook the fact Roger’s just ten or less years younger than Kin).
On the subject of Franco, some get stuck on who he was and what he did. Personally I got past that. I look at Franco as a new character. Why tptb dubbed him Franco instead of making him a Q is a good question, but they didn’t. So I’ve moved on and enjoy this new Franco. His name could still be Todd, or it could be Buddy, Bandito or Boris. LOL. I don’t care. Just like the dude. But paleeez lose the beard and mustache…
By the way, never dawned on me before and perhaps it was brought up but I didn’t see it if it was, but weird that Roger has to play a former rapist (even though we now assume he didn’t give that order which I believe) but also played one on OLTL. And the irony is he (Roger) didn’t like that Todd was so idolized by fans…he felt uncomfortable with Todd being so popular after the rape. And here he goes again…
Anyway, I have suggestions, I have complaints, but I also give applause to the writers who have to satisfy all the viewers all the time which they know will never happen. Too many cooks in the viewing kitchen.
Good job on this post! So true — not everyone can be happy with all stories; it’s just never going to happen. But let’s remember why we watch soaps and give credit to all the hard work by the entire staff–writers, producers, directors, costumers, actors–they all work extremely hard to bring us a new episode 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. The sheer volume of episodes needed dictates that not every story line will be a winner with every viewer. And not every actor cast will be a success.
I like your line “I have suggestions, I have complaints, but…” And you go on to praise the writers. That’s a perfect line regarding soap watching. Or really any television. Sometimes with all the complaints it seems viewers are forgetting why they watch a soap in the first place.
Thanks for taking the time to write this post.
Hi Kat. Thank YOU for reading, appreciating and agreeing with my sentiments!
I wouldn’t mind so much that Paul has no reason to kill these people if he were actually clearing out the canvas. I guess in Jelly’s mind, if Paul killed for revenge that makes him capable of being a serial extras killer. Should have played as though Franco thought that maybe he was the killer, maybe Kiki suspects Morgan, etc. Put some other ideas out there before the big reveal to make it more surprising. But surprises are not in the Jelly wheelhouse.
So you are going to write off Richard Burgi who has more talent in his pinkie than Nathan, Curtis, Andre, Jordan, Sabrina and Morgan have in their whole body? That is F’d up!
Yep. Just…..bad. (Although I am a Curtis fan. Would leave him off your list.)
I’ll let Curtis stay if he loses the pimp hat!
I completely agree Timmm!
I was surprised for about ten seconds that it was Paul; not that I ever suspected him but because the writers made it up and Paul wasn’t being used. Hence, he was dispensable. I don’t think the impact will be as great to the audience as it seems to be to the writers. There has been very little connection between Paul or anyone else on the canvas for a long time now. Who cares if he’s on or off?
And that leads me to the validating point of this talented but bloated cast. Characters aren’t on often enough for us to connect to in a meaningful way. We care because of past stories, not present ones. If Paul were to start knocking off characters we know it might serve duel purposes. A reduced cast size would give the air time to show characters connecting (and thus connecting to the audience, too) and help us care when something happens to them. No one ever really dies. They bring them back as a twin relative we never heard of before. No one ever goes to jail for long. You just have to wait for an opportunity to save the governor’s daughter. Soaps just don’t have consequences so there is no peril for the audience to care about. Thus, why should I care that Paul is the serial killer of characters we never met before?
So true!
So this is how Julian is going to evade being punished for his numerous crimes. Ava has a sex tape of her and Paul showing Paul’s roman coin cuff-links, and she has his pouch of drugs proving he’s the hospital killer. She’s going to use that to blackmail him into flopping on the prosecution for Julian’s case, and he’s going to walk free. That’s what Jean meant when she said the reveal would have a ripple effect in other stories.
This is absolute garbage. First, it’s incredibly contrived. When and why did Paul and Ava start sleeping together? Why would Ava have a sex tape of them? And why on Earth would she think that by holding this over Paul’s head, he won’t turn her in for Connie’s murder? If he goes down, he’s taking Ava with him.
Second, since the reveal on Monday’s episode, Paul has targeted 2 people in the same day – Liz and Monica. Meanwhile, several days would go by between murders before he was revealed as the killer, and during those days, no one seemed really intent on finding the killer. This story has completely lacked urgency
That dovetails into my third point, which is that no one of importance has been killed off, making this story have little resonance for viewers. If Valerie was killed instead of just clobbered on the head, it would have mattered. She’s a cop, and (unfortunately) she’s a Spencer – even though she doesn’t act like it. If more of the hospital staff was being targeted – Amy, Andre, Griffin, etc. – it would have a much bigger impact. But because extras that no one has ever heard of are the victims and no major players have been in any real danger (until the last few days), there has been very little suspense in the story.
Not to mention, Julian should be locked away forever after what he did. And for him to potentially get off because the writers turned the D.A., who’s supposed to be upholding the law and going after the bad guys like Julian and Sonny, a serial killer in the midst of one of the most high-profile criminal cases Port Charles has ever seen? Ludicrous. There’s no way Paul would jeopardize this case, or taking down Sonny once and for all, by becoming a killer. Are we really supposed to believe that?
This story only serves to reinforce the point that Jean and Shelly are bad for this show and need to go. After the Silas Clay whodunit of last year, I didn’t think the show could churn out a worse murder mystery story. Clearly, I was wrong.
I think what it goes to show is what I wrote in my post above…the writers are never going to please everybody. I think GH has been great. Paul as the killer, though I wasn’t happy, makes perfect sense. He shot Sonny, killed Sloane, used Ava for sex and then blackmailed her. We don’t know yet what prompted this latest round but nonetheless it works well in terms of having Julian go free and Keeps Ava safe from prosecution regarding Connie.
I understand at the same token it doesn’t work for those who WANT Julian to pay and be gone…I’m not one of them. If this was real life and a real criminal then of course, absolutely. But it’s a soap and I’d rather have a Julian on the loose and all the soapy drama that could include: love-crazed and stalking Alexis? Breakdown? More criminal activities that up the ante between him and Sonny? And, as long as Ava keeps Paul’s secret, we get to keep Paul too. I like Paul; I like the actor. Not sure where this leaves Hayden but she’ll obviously be around as she’s in the center of two stories…her soon-to-be-discovered sisterhood with Liz and romance with Dr. Finn.
The only justice I want at this point is for Sonny to somehow pay, even at this late stage, for killing AJ. Not that I’d want to lose Sonny; I wouldn’t. But he needs to pay… Other than that, I’m a happy GH camper (with complaints as well, but still interested enough and enjoying it enough to appreciate it).
Where do you expect the writers to take Julian at this point…… clearly he can’t go back to Alexis. That is exactly the kind of writing that is driving viewers away in droves.
The writers don’t seem to respect their audience at all. And the audience is repaying the writers by tuning out.
Well, I don’t agree Elizabeth. Julian is still a very popular character with many viewers and if they can find a way to keep Sonny, Franco, Ava and assorted other criminals I’m sure they’ll find a place for Julian. Why would any of us want only moral, stable or uncomplicated characters on a soap? I LIKED Julian as the loving husband bent on changing for Alexis. They decided to have him, like an addict that’s fallen off the wagon, succumb to his old ways. In his delusion he thought he could live a duplicitous life and stay happily married.
The story can take many turns from here. LOL…Alexis and Julian are both hallucinating! Maybe Helena dipped the knife in crazy and it penetrated their skin and drove them both over the edge. Dr. Finn stumbles up on the cure and they reunite. Or not.
Point is, just like Sonny, if they can’t convict him and Julian walks then I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes.
And I’m not sure if you really were asking if Ava and Paul slept together. Yes, they did. Months ago. For quite a while. Then it was found out their affair was taped (I don’t remember which one of them did it) but they had a falling out and Oaul revealed that he wanted to use Ava to help him bring down Sonny. He had the tape of her confessing she killed Connie; she had the sex tape. Now, he threatened her that he’d reveal her confession if she didn’t go against Julian…she now has the leverage with her newfound evidence making him the serial killer…I say well done. LOL, I’m guessing you won’t agree.
Great comment!
Hi again Sandy! Argh! LOL. Sometimes knowing who is replying to whom is confusing with the wAy the replys land. Was your “great comment” to me or Jimmy? I’ ll let it slide if it wasn’t for me…:) 😉 but I am curious to see what other viewers think of the show!
Hi Rebecca,
I am also curious to see what other viewers think of GH and I really appreciate reading all your interesting insights!
Thanks
Sandy
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
General Hospital
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Have Their Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
On General Hospital, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) both were treated to Bachelorette and Bachelor parties to shake off any of those pre-wedding jitters. At The Savoy, the ladies have a touching and fun time with Brook Lynn.
The bride-to-be gives a speech to thank everyone for coming, while Lois lets everyone know to try the signature cocktail the “Brooklynn Chaser”, which gets everybody eventually and mostly, drunk.
When Tracy (Jane Elliot) questions Lois (Rena Sofer) as to why there is no music for the party, Lois realizes she forgot, and somehow, who does she call to the rescue? Spinelli (Bradford Anderson)! Saving the day, he winds up playing some tunes and later gets on the dance floor to ‘shake it off’ with the gals.
Photo: ABC
Lois makes a speech as the mother of the bride, and shares how proud she is of the woman Brook Lynn has become. Wedding games begin, including one of “hot potato” with a wedding bouquet.
When it’s time for the “Silly Poses” section of the party, Spinelli has now morphed from DJ to staff photographer taking memorable photos of the ladies to remember the evening by.
Photo: ABC
The best part of the event, was when Brook Lynn tries to get her grandmother Tracy out on the dance floor, which, at first, she refuses. After several of the guests bust a move, a tipsy Tracy joins the dance party after Joss mentions that if her grandmother Bobbie was here, she would dance. Tracy says “she agrees” and begins to cut a rug on the floor, much to the delight of the other women.
Photo: ABC
In the final moments, a tipsy Joss and Kristina (Kate Mansi) have a confrontation about Sonny, and Joss lets Kristina in more on Sonny’s behavior, which looks to have clued in Kristina a bit more as to how something is way off about her dad.
Photo: ABC
Across town at the Hatchett Bar, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and the men with the exception of Anna (Finola Hughes) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper), all attend Chase’s Bachelor Party where throwing hatchets into a dart board for supremacy is the order of the day. Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ned (Wally Kurth) get into some words over ELQ, while Dante makes a toast to his police partner, Chase.
Photo: ABC
Suddenly Dex (Evan Hofer) shows up. Chase thanks Dex for coming, but Dex gets some dirty looks from other cops on the force. Dante gives Chase his present, which is a signed baseball by the Boston Red Sox.
Ned (Wally Kurth) makes a speech that although no one is good enough for his daughter, Brook Lynn, Chase has come closer than anyone has, so welcome to the family. Running in at the end is Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez), who just left Brook Lynn’s party, and she toasts her singing partner, Chase, and to the great man that he is.
Photo: ABC
What did you think of Brook Lynn and Chase’s pre-wedding celebrations? What was your favorite moment? Comment below.
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
AEW Dynasty: Swerve Strickland Becomes AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Perry Returns, Will Ospreay Retires Move After Scary Finish
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General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
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NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
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Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
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General HospitalApril 22, 2024Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesApril 17, 2024DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
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Breaking NewsApril 17, 202451st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced