General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Anna and Alex Showdown, Carly Gets an Eyeful, Will A Smug Ava Get Her Comeuppance?
Courtesy/ABC
Friday’s episode of General Hospital is setting the stage for the drama to unravel at the Nurses’ Ball, when the daytime drama Emmy-winning series, begins its annual event next week.
Finally viewers were treated to some answers as to the mystery of twins Anna and Alex Devane (Finola Hughes), the Chimera and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), while bringing back up the late Morgan’s battle with bipolar disorder, and Ava (Maura West) sticking it to Carly (Laura Wright), because Carly is out of Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) life. But will the Nurses’ Ball episodes reveal to Sonny and Carly that Ava switched Morgan’s meds with placebos which led to his demise? Will Ava’s deceit come to light? Fans have waited for this moment for a long time, which will put Maura West at center stage.
Meanwhile in story, Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Emma (Brooklyn Rae Silzer) have arrived in Port Charles for the Nurses’ Ball and are at the airport. They run into Alex, posing as Anna, but quickly figure out something is off. Enter Anna off of her plane back to Port Charles, setting the stage for her family to know that Alex was posing as her.
Once Nathan (Ryan Paevey) handcuffs Alex and takes her to the PCPD and they go to a private interrogation room. Anna begins questioning her sis! Alex says years ago she was being recruited by the DBX to seduce Valentin, as Anna. She botched the job and somehow he took off with the Chimera after she convinced him to steal it. Alex claims she cared for Valentin and tipped him him off about the “kill” order. Anna demands to know who she is working for since the Chimera is a deadly “weapon”. Alex tells her she’ll have to be the one to get the Chimera back, and that she wants Anna to get Valentin to tell her who he sold it to.
Courtesy/ABC
Carly comes upon Ava with Avery in the park and is puzzled how Ava has seemingly extra visitation rights. Ava says it’s none of her business and that Carly’s time with Avery is over.
She then accuses Carly of using Avery to compensate for losing Morgan. Carly says she still has the tape of Ava and Paul having sex. and will turn into the cops. Carly surmises that Ava must have something on Sonny, and intends to find out what it is.
Martine is in bed with Sonny before she is supposed to leave town. Later the two talk where Sonny admits to her that Morgan was bipolar and recounts the last several tragic months of his life including: the decision to put Morgan in an institution to get help. Martine comforts him and the two hit the sheets, yet again. Only this time, Carly walks in on two glasses of wine in the Cortinthos home, a dinner for two, and heads up the stairs where she catches Martine and Sonny in bed together.
So, what did you think of the Alex and Anna scenes performed by Finola Hughes? What will the Chimera do to all who attend the Nurses’ Ball if its unleashed? Do you hope the ball spells trouble for Ava, and that the Corinthos family will finally understand why Morgan was acting so erratic before his untimely death? What should Carly do to Martine? Comment below!
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“Will Ava’s deceit come to light? Fans have waited for this for a long time.” I UNDERSTAND fans bemoan these facts I had hoped that when… Olivia messed with “Olivia” baby meds.. that this would be the answer to Ava switching Morgans meds WHICH after all this time… I just do not care … the outcome any more.. but I do when it comes to high brow talent.. like Maura west… constantly playing 2nd fiddle to the lame embarrassment the Sonny and Carly show.. GH is. it just galls me.. that more people do not get this… I certainly see… Read more »
hey Patrick ..
Sonny and Carly’s crap baggage would sink the Titanic ((if it hadn’t already sunk))
I’m tired of the defunct couple of Sonny and Carly.. They truly are zeroed out.
Their entire relationship has been nothing but a blame bitch whine and moan fest.
I can live happly not having to see their love gone wrong woes.
Michael and Nelle are like stale moldy bread. Worthy of FF .
Truth…
the couples of GH are horrible, absolutely horrible godawful horrible.
with the exception of valentin and Nina
— and the only story I’m into is the Valentin story.
Hey su0000, we agree, the couples suck! I remember when Luke and Laura fizzled and Frisco and Felicia grabbed the wand, then Sonny and Brenda, Stone and Robin and to a degree Alexis and Julian. [JELLY mucked that up!] But now on the show, who do you turn to? I like Ned an Liv but either are on FT. ANY women with Michael is a disaster! Kiki and Dylan are okay and I dont mind Sonny and Martina but thats it, any other possibilities are ignored! Kevin and Laura were interesting but dropped and my pick that would be great… Read more »
Love the way you write, Patrick.
I like Sonny with this new lady. He suddenly goes back to lighting up the screen when he’s with her. Carly also seems to thrive when away from Sonny.
I say that they are each other’s ball and chain in more ways than one.
It is time to end this un Super Couple once and for all. If there ever was a thrill, it’s gone now….baby.
Patrick, I love ya Buddy, but I couldn’t make heads or tails out of what you wrote.
Like me, Patrick, you have a great deal to say – and you’ve said it well. I will simply agree that I detest the holier-than-thou Sonny/Carly characters and the fact that they headline so much story. I’d gladly see them gone. As for Maura West and her Ava character… magnificent… stunning… worthy of top billing and top storyline on GH. I hate that she is always used as a punch line for Sonny/Carly. The writers need to get slapped around a little and maybe put together some intriguing stories.
yeah… eeeww… the one time I start talking at the tv… is when either or start dissing Ava.
LOL.
all in good fun… yeah… bitch slap… 2 year contract…. 2 year contact… 2 year hitch
what’s it all about; Frank / Jean / Shelley
the stink starts here. mine does too
soap god channel … are you their
they were last renewed , September, 2016
that gives this trio… 3-4 months tops to channel
You said it, Anthony. This childish back-and-forth posturing between Sonny and Carly has been going on, as I understand, for decades………It has been beaten to death.
What’s worse is their ‘oh, so touching’ ( not!!) shared flashbacks. I was not moved….plus, are Martina’s words to Sonny, ” ….she still loves you….” a baaaad omen? Do they signify a reconciliation between Carly and Sonny? I want to barf!!!! Who, in Hades, cares? Will this book ever be finished? All the chapters are consistently the same; with varying characters; but, the same old substance.
I just love Maura West, since the day she walked on the canvas I have loved Ava. I could not imagine her without her flaws and heart. She plays the hell out of the character…even with some of the lamest writing. I hope that TPTB will wake up and give her a great leading lady story that this excellent actor should be driving.
I’m glad that we are seeing Ava and Scotty, together. she looks like she just delights in sharing scenes . whew !
I’m just over the beating Ava “takes” from Sonny and Carly. so one note.
as I’ve posted prior… THANKFULLY … Kiki is OUT of the Corinthos’ orbit
I LOVE Avery.. and surprise surprise Sonny is actually good
I need to just grin and bear it… that Ava is stuck… I wonder if Seth Baker could have been a love interest
MW is a fabulous actress and captivating to watch. However, how many deaths can one character be responsible for before having to “pay the piper” ? Connie (directly murdered), AJ (egged Sonny to pull trigger) and Morgan (withheld meds). And don’t forget Jordan never revealed it was Ava who caused the Jason’s disfiguring accident.
Many will correctly point out Sonny and Jason have done their fair share of misdeeds. At least both of them were convicted & spent time in Pentonville (albeit briefly).
Very well put, Patrick. ….As far as Ava, I think everyone gets it. Maura is spectacular, but her talent is held back for one reason—-to bolster Sonny’s and Carly’s predominance. They are kept supreme by lessening other characters’ relevance; in this case, Ava. I am not a long-time watcher, but it does not take a rocket scientist to figure it out. TPTB will keep Carly and Sonny on a perpetual pedestal…..indefinitely. Perhaps, I am outnumbered, but I love Hayden and Finn….and, I adore Nina and Valentin. I would love for Nina to have a baby with Valentin. I, also, like… Read more »
“TPTB will keep Carly and Sonny on a perpetual pedestal…..indefinitely” thank you… I’ve long thought this you know… for all the love lorn… that Sonny and Carly are the end all and be all. ( it didn’t work ) that Carly was that able to bed, another man… Jax that… from what I’ve read.. has already… easily bedded Martine, again… were you watching GH when Dahlia Salem was on? that is the one and only time.. I’ve ever seen a connection – for, Sonny – yes I can go their. she needs to return. she could be his private lawyer.… Read more »
Maura West is a fabulous actress but GH has not given her very good material.
If you saw her Carly on As The World Turns, you know she’s an amazing talent.
Give her real emotions built on real stories and she will deliver.
I am so impressrd with the writing on this show lately!! Jean and Shelley have taken a lot of flack for a very thankless task…being the duo who had to clean up the disastrous mess left behind by Ron C! I think, finally, some of their vision is being allowed to play out.
You’re too easily impressed. BTW, Jelly didn’t inherit a mess, they created one. But, with rumors swirling that they may be on their way out if their numbers don’t improve, that mess may be getting cleaned up soon.
Is the show perfect now? Of course not, but to say they didn’t inherit a mess is to ignore the aftermath of Fluke, the Denise Demuccio debacle and Silas’ murder.
Jean and Shelley are the Queens of Snooze ..
No one should step on your opinion. I wasnt a huge fan of Ron. I thought JELLY would bring more romance? My biggest gripe with them is mismanaging GH history and leaving too many stories unfinished.
Well said….yeees! Go Timmm, go su!!
A while back I had suggested to explore Ava and Scotty as a couple, but, that suggestion was met with some resistance, LOL.
I’m glad you and Patrick, also, see the potential, T.
I love Ava; she rocks any and every scene as nobody else. And, she can rock with any male counterpart thrown her way!! Even Nathan…yeah!! Now, THAT would be HOT!!
It is really time to reveal that Avery is actually Morgan’s. If we recall…Carly was left alone with the blood tests. It would make sense that Morgan’s swimmers knocked up Ava, not Sonny’s 60 year old dried up batch. This show needs to find Ava a viable storyline and love interest or just cut her loose. You dont keep an Emmy winning actress around to play the same mundane scenes for a year. As a glorified day player, Maura is not really bringing anytthing to the show. Its a shame….because she does romance so well. Why not have her and… Read more »
Hmmmm….I had forgotten all about that, Jenny; Morgan as Avery’s Daddy? What a legacy that would be, if Morgan were really dead and never to return!! Also, stick it to quick-as-a-rooster, Sonny, at the same time. How regrttablevwould it be if Sonny-a-go-go’s “dried up batch” impregnated this latest fling?
Perhaps, this is why Carly feels so drawn to Avery. She’s the girl’s grandmother. Makes sense.
And, Carly would have much more of a chance, if it came to battling it in court.
Oh, CeeCee! Your non-stop “Sonny” observations are tooooooo much fun! LOL. Just when one thinks they’ve exhausted all creative means of describing the “Corinthos Crown Jewels” and their frequent pursuant activities, aftermaths and other related matters, well, you come up with at least six new ways from Sunday to do so! My compliments, mia amica!!!!!
@Shay… I hope you read this
but yes… if I have to find balance… for my bat
@Celia… PLUS help me see the light.
it’s just an odd feel… when Sonny mob man and rote.. mix.. with men folk.. he’s not forefront.. but with the women.. he comes off as all he man.. and Ava looks like she just wants to punch him in the face
his physicality .. is not there. and when you add in the budget.. it’s not HBO Soprano
c’est la vie
Oh wow. Interesting. Because that would also make Bobbie Spencer (Jacklydn Zeman) Avery’s GREAT-Grandmother…. !
But Sonny has super sperm! He’s the male equivalent of a “Fertile Myrtle.” He impregnates everyone–Carly, Olivia, Alexis and most recently Ava. Plus, it’s one of the primary laws of soap opera: The more random, inappropriate and unlikely a sexual coupling is, the greater the likelihood that pregnancy will result.
I’ve often wondered if Maurice’s contract stipulates the character of Sonny must impregnate at least one character per given time period…..it has seemed to work out that way!!!!!
OH JENNY I just – roared – with laughter Sonny’ – old batch. WOW just read all your post. I would LOVE it found out.. that Avery is Morgans’. YES – Wallah – end of story; OUT of the Corinthos orbit. thereby your idea that Carly and Ava could bound with Avery about Morgan. Bam ! end of this tired threesome… and a new beginning.. to see if Carly has it in her to have a BFF. and truly enjoys being a grandmother… and shucks the best yet… I so LOVE Jacklyn Zeman ( Bobbie).. that’d make her a great… Read more »
Duly noted, Patrick!…Portraying Sonny as the dashing ladykiller—aka, Port Charles’ version of Valentino—whilst still maintaining his signature wiseguy mafioso muscle, is more than a bit ridiculous, not to mention, incongruous…he is at his best–and most credible—when he is a ruthless powerbroker dealing with the underworld, not racking up numerous notches on his seriously worn out bedpost! Moreover, making this character the nearly universally-beloved centerpiece of Port Charles society really does beggar belief….it’s quite one thing to have him mingling with the “menfolk” in his own gangster milieu and perhaps, even beyond, but to buy into this notion that he’s every… Read more »
Carly could reveal this if Ava gets full custody.
Oh my God!!! Oh my Lord have mercy!!! I haven’t seen the episode yet but it sure sounds like an episode I am going to get adrenalized for. Just reading this got my heart pumping faster!!!
This Martine…a lame plot driven device just to give Ava a way to blackmail Sonny…GH knows no such word as comeuppance so Ava will continue to run free just like most of this shows villains!!!
You are right, Jimmy. I find myself torn between Carly and Ava. I like them both….on one hand, Carly has no rights to Avery….on the other Ava survives through manipulation. Carly is not a better mother than Ava….nor is Sonny. They have all proven, time and again, their ‘needs’ and wants come before their children. Who is trapped here, and suffers the most? Avery……being thrown around like a football does not a happy child make. In a twisted way ( LOL), I did derive a certain satisfaction when Ava told a presumptuous Carly to, more or less, ‘stuff it’. Will… Read more »
Oops… I meant Sonny not a better parent, not mother.
As for Anna and Alex-im just glad its not a mask story…as for Avery…take the child away from Ava, Sonny and Carly and give sole custody to Kiki…
If there was a drinking game with the word “Chimera” and or “Morgan”, AA would be turning people away!
I hope she does…only to spite Carly.
i hope Kiki ends up with sole custody of Avery. and so Ava, Sonny and Carly get what they all deserve!!!
hi Jimh .. how you be? I want Ava to come out this a winner! Carly has turned into a bitter old hag bitchin about everything and for that she has to die by fire ant death! WHOA!! Sonny got himself some sexy hot strange ((and a bottle of Viagra) good for him! If I were Sonny I’d stay with hot sex Martine and put snaggy sherw Carly to the curb. life is too short to put up with Carly’s crap.. ((sex isn’t complicated love is)) live free, Sonny! It would be good for Ava to have an upper hand… Read more »
By now you would think Sonny would have worn it off…lol
You called it, su…it must be some magic potion-Viagra. I hear it has a longevity of four hours? HaHa.
No way could any normal guy, even a young one, could go at it, several times, consecutively…..little swimmers need to regroup.
Sonny sexy? Nah!! Keep it going? Oh, su…please!!…it hurts my eyes. LOL.
She is a good actress and brings Sonny to life! Carly is old news!
Also, with Alex on the scene, so many possibilies arise. As I said, Auntie Charlotte had a lot of influence with the Devane siblings, mentally–so far as to brainwash them– so, Griffin may be Valentin’s or Duke’s, where Alex impersonated Anna.
Yeah, Jimmy. You’d think Sonny’s pride and joy would be exhausted by now, after a life-long exercise in debauchery. He needs to be exorcized. LOL…… but, the malandrino that is Sonny, will raise hell in hell. Skirts will be eternally a’lifting as he eye-balls his new domain…..no pun intended. Ha!
Oh, CeeCeeGirl! You have perfectly encapsulated the eternally roaming sexual beast that is Sonny C.!!!! Applause, applause! LOL.
Well, CeeCee, even though she’s now quite a bit older, I do recall Alexis in her younger days as another lawyer called Julia (on SB) and there is more than a passing resemblance to Martina…I noticed it right away…not that I’m necessarily impressed with this newest legal eagle either. The fact she hopped right into the kip with the slimy Sonny hardly ingratiates her to me, but as I said, I did see some similarities with Ms. Davis–right down to the apparently loose morals! Hah! (Albeit there is a marked difference in their respective choices of “professional apparel!”) As for… Read more »
Anyone else think Martina comes off as a taller, younger, sober and far less neurotic version of Alexis? Wonder if she could be the product of another one of her anonymous “backseat liaisons?” Perhaps that hit-it-and-run pregnancy thing was a regular m.o. of Ms. Davis.
Too funny, Shaybelle. I don’t know….for one thing, Martina dresses professionaly, albeit I do not like her. Her acting is not all that; compared to Nancy. Martina’s irrational anger with Carly does not make sense….she barely knows either her or Sonny, yet here she is insinuating herself in their life and issues. …not a very endearing character. And, Martina ‘s face is not very becoming when she scrunches it up to make her pointless point. Nope, do not like her. I hope she soon goes away. I’ll take Alexis over her any day. LOL, Shay. Nontheless, I will admit that… Read more »
The truth of the matter – be it lame or not – is that I will watch Maura West do ANYTHING. She is that good. I agree that Ava has not had a solid story line in a minute but every time she is on screen I pay attention. Her scenes with Lucy Coe were spectacular. Ava needs to run into Nina again and throw some terror her way. Ava is a villain but a villain with heart. Her scenes when Morgan died were out of the world. She portrayed the pain and humiliation at her role in it so… Read more »
I never saw Billy Miller on Y&R but whatever he did or didn’t do there has no bearing on his role as Jason. Flirty, funny, crying…however well he depicted those emotions, whatever charm he exuded…isn’t the character Jason Morgan. And though Jason is supposed to be different to some extent…one would have hoped he would have reverted back to Quartermaine to pick up the slack…he’s still “stone cold” to some extent and he’s taken that direction with his acting. In that sense I think he plays it well. Still doesn’t seem like Jason to me…they had him as “Jake” for… Read more »
Your take on Billy Miller’s version of Jason is exactly what I’ve been thinking. Burton thought Jason Quartermaine was dull and embraced Jason Morgan. With Miller in the role, Jason Q would be a lot more interesting – and fun to watch – than Jason M.
If Sonny gets away with his crimes, Why can’t Ava get away with her crimes. I loved that Ava put Carly in her place. I wish the name Morgan would go away. Morgan’s has been dead seven months, So why are we still hearing about him. I wish the show was still mentioning Nikolas like they mention Morgan a lot.
“thank you” on the … bygones be bygones… Sonny vs Ava. FLATLINE . i’m so done in.
” I won’t rest” till Ava has her daughter back… i’m just no longer interested in listening to Sonny or Carly dissing Ava about – Avery –
I miss Tyler Christopher ( Nikolas )
They will both get away with their crimes as long as they are under contract!
GAWD, I wish that we could just forget the on-slaught of Morgan Corinthos. What a useless character. Like nails on a chalkboard. A narcissistic, spoiled character who just whined and whined.
Amen, dmr. The latter-day Morgan was just one majorly pointless, perpetual screw-up of a character…it was always something wrong in life with that dude. Hence I certainly I don’t miss him and have no desire to see him return. And to think he was such a cute, nice little kiddo way back when…really sweet!
LOL.
Anna/Alix story ;
Their story has no core their story is empty of sense.
The story is meaningless there just isn’t a whole lot of anything meaningful. ..
It’s not even exciting or intriguing.
Not to mention it doesn’t even have a bit of awareness of the sisters history they are Twin sisters and there is not even an emotional connection shown.
— The only awesome thing about the Anna/Alix story is— Finola Hughes !!!
yeah, i’m barely keeping any thing in…. upchuck at “Anna” wanting to picnic with Valentin. LOL that same eppi… Curtis is telling Nina about the “microphone chip” or whatever that “Anna” has been using Valentin all this time. this banter on feelings … I agree with Celia… Anna wouldn’t do that. overboard. I was getting the heebie jeebies… OK FINALLY with the REAL ANNA back from London… NOW we will see the real Anna combust and reel everyone in. which may again .. include the chemistry every one is talking about… with the real anna and valentin…. and then… i’d… Read more »
Agreed, su0000. As much as I love Finola, this ridiculous storyline of characters (Franco/Jason) chasing a scarecrow in the woods and doodling figures on a roll of paper is DUMB! I think the entire storyline is STUPID!
Oh, yeah, su. The writers ran around in circles with this Chimera stupidity….but, as I intimated to you, personally; the end result would be Helena. Any off-the-wall, cryptic, down-the-river-Styx, always involves Helena….dead or alive!!
Thus, the circle is now closed for me. As soon as Valentin disclosed to whom he sold the illogical “Chimera Project”—- the ultimate destroyer of humanity, at the Nurses’ Ball, no less–I was done with this schoolroom game.
No matter what happens from here-on-in, personally?…. my interest is now nonexistent.
It’s time to let Morgan Rest In Peace instead of dragging this tiresome storyline on and on.
FH was golden this past week. April belonged to Jane Elliott, May to Finola Hughes. Keep hope alive for a glorious June for Genie Francis.
BTW, it’s the DVX – not dbx.
I don’t think he’s resting in peace because I don’t think he’s dead. Bryan Craig has expressed an interest in coming back…so he probably will be…alive or in flashback. As for “dragging the storyline on”…I find a lot of fans complain when characters grieve too long. Some felt Anna did. Personally, I find it realistic. Not many get over the deaths of those they love so quickly. If the show JUST centered on loss I’d agree. But these are just parts of a revolving number of characters and their stories. Losing a love, losing a child, parent, etc…one goes through… Read more »
From what I’ve read, V&V have turned down BC’s offer stating they want Morgan to remain dead. Of course, this being a soap, as soon as we hear Dillon & Kiki are getting married, Morgan will start his journey back to PC.
I’m fine with showing characters grieve, but be fair about it. I’d love to see GF knock it out of the park mourning Nikolas or LC lamenting AJ’s demise rather than painting a saintly picture of Morgan, who was far from it.
Oh…I agree, Steve, with your opinion about the lack of grief displayed by Monica and Laura regarding their sons. That’s exactly what I mean. Completely unrealistic (which is why I appreciate the more realistic reactions of Anna for Duke and Sonny/Carly for Morgan). The fact that neither displayed anything other than what amounted to a momentary sniffle is completely unrealistic and breaks the fourth wall of realism. For that matter, Alexis, too. She and Nicolas were incredibly close and yet the writers completely removed her from reacting to his “death.” Alexis and Nic had been each other’s confidantes from the… Read more »
Yes, I was SMH about that, too…
Finola Hughes has been wonderful in this dual role. As an actor she is clearly enjoying this challenge, and as a viewer I am enjoying it along with her. Glad to see that Alex still has layers and is being written not as good or evil, but as more complex and “sisterly.” Fun scenes with the twins , and I look forward to more. Over thirty years later, FH still is — to me — GH’s best leading lady. And, as far as GH”S leading ladies go, it is a status she shares — for me — only with Genie Francis.… Read more »
Finola got ripped off at the Emmys and they wasted GF AGAIN!
We are on the same page. FH is just so stellar. And Genie IS GH!!!! They both should be driving story, as they are the hearts and souls of GH
Exactly, Tristan! Now that Tracy has departed Port Charles for “greener pastures” in parts unknown, it would behoove GH to place Genie and Finola’s characters as the featured centers of the show. Nobody else remaining on the canvas possesses the gravitas and historical perspective of these two ladies—save for maybe the now-relegated to minor status, Monica—not to mention the fact that these highly-regarded, seasoned actresses know the difference between delivering subtle, effective performances that stir the “heart and soul,” as opposed to the OTT scenery-chewing antics we too often witness from other so-called GH female leads. Enough already with the… Read more »
Perfect post, Shaybelle….as usual, we are in sync. ( well, excrpt gor Nina and Ava, lol). I love Finola and Genie and the characters they play, but, to me, soaps are a revolving door. New blood is always needed…, not necessarily fresh blood, lol……but, Ava and Nina have brough a distinct style and purpose to main storylines. I love Rebecca/Hayden, as well, but, at this point, I see no story……not unless her bio dad ( and Lizzie’s) shows up. Meeting Dr Weber would be a treat for me, and Hayden, LOL. Oh, yeah…the pregnancy. But, as it is a standard… Read more »
Oops…except; for Nina—always in a rush….later!!
I think one of the biggest flaws most soap writers have these days is not thinking long term. Yeah, it was a dramatic twist that Ava changed Morgan’s pills– and that indirectly lead to his death– but long term– if the characters are to be true to who they are– the minute Sonny finds out he should kill Ava– they stopped him after she killed Connie with the whole I am carrying your child or grandchild stunt– but this time– honestly if Sonny doesn’t kill Ava for what she did, then they basically make this mob boss — laughable– and… Read more »
I am loving GH these days. I still think writing for a daily soap is an impossible feat and yet…they somehow manage to keep us coming back for more. As far as soaps go GH, for better or worse, always manages to interject several stories and characters simultaneously and though some might be dropped for a while they’re usually picked back up at some point. Yes, I miss many of the vets. I think for a lot of us that’s a given. But I really appreciate how quickly Valentin fit into the canvas, how natural the relationship between him and… Read more »
I don’t think writing for a soap is impossible — Agnes Nixon, Bill Bell, Douglas Marland, Bridget and Jerome Dobson, Gordon Russell, Peggy O’Shea, Claire Labine, and Pat Falken Smith are examples of writers who understood the genre, how to plot long-term intertwining stories, and deliver emotional pay-offs that resonated and propelled the characters forward for years. No doubt writing a successful soap is hard work but clearly there are decades of proof it can be done (and done brilliantly) so I don’t buy into the notion of giving a pass on lackluster material because a job is hard. As… Read more »
LOL…I don’t think the chimera will be cut short after the nurses ball. I think it will have repercussions…I think perhaps Charlotte and lil Jake (both subjected to Helena’s machinations…are perhaps part of the “project.” Perhaps they’re “twins” in some way. I think we’ll see a teaming up between Anna and Valentin…I don’t think their relationship will suddenly falter after the story. Whether it be friends, lovers, enemies… Nicolas? Will he be a part of it? I think just the fact that I’m wondering makes it an engaging story. As for the list of soap writers and soap’s history…it was… Read more »
I loved Claire Labine and Agnes Nixon. Claire, loved her work on General Hospital in the 90’s. Agnes, loved her work on AMC in the 80’s.
Women always think that men will change or they can change them. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! Carly needs to find herself a young stud and be done with Sonny! He is a powerful loser! I like him and Martina together. The women is beautiful and can act! Ava needs to lay low and hook up with Scott. Finola is great! I am impressed and surprised the writers flushed out the twins as quick as they did. Kudos to Emma! Can we please kill off Finn, Franco and Lisel and have Nathan move to wherever Maxie is and have them off… Read more »
Be still my heart!!!! Timmmy….you cannot wish to take my Adonis (other than my husband, lol …Nathan) , off my screen. Long live Nathan West!!!… and, oh, yeah; Griffin, as well. Forever perfect male specimen!!
Nathan is handsome, Griffin took his shirt off last week and looked like a Dollar Store male plastic “Ken” doll!
Tyler Christopher was not worth Franks time he will put GH in the ground because he is nuts about let’s hire everybody I see at the gym? Ugh
Agreed. The on-slaught of characters is ridiculous, and this has been a problem for a while now. Many viewers forget storylines because they are dropped, only to be reintroduced weeks to months later. Other storylines are rushed and don’t have a chance to grow, and viewers do not have a chance to feel a connection to a character, couple, or storyline. The stupid, fake storylines (chimera) need to stop. Why can’t the writers focus on what viewers can relate to-friendships, couples, rivalries, etc.
I wanted Carly to date Griffin, haha.
Oh, my Lordy, Lord!!!! I am on the floor, kicking my legs, with laughter, LOL.
That is sooo funny… Griffin a plastic Ken? HaHaHaHaHa!!
Do you know that my son took all the Ken’s heads off my niece’s dolls and put them on all her Barbies’ bodies? He switched heads!! The little rascal. I think he may be a comedian, as you, Timmmy!!
Seriously, Griffin’s face is so gorgeous —almost unreal and too good to be true.
I watched him on CRIMINAL MINDS:BEYOND BORDERS, last week….he killed it!!
Sounds more like your brilliant boy may have a future in the medical field as a doctor who performs transgender surgeries, CeeCee! Given the current growth potential of this particular specialty, I should think the demand will grow at least ten-fold by the time your son is of career-age!
@Timmm that was classic line
fan applause
“Nathan is handsome, Griffin took his shirt off last week and looked like a Dollar Store male plastic “Ken” doll! ”
truth be told… Nathan is doing more than Griffin… hey… I stand by that
Griffin (granted) has yet to be given a story line.. outside of being Duke son.
Nathan… after 3 years.. is still affecting.
so… both handsome.. both NEEDED and value. each turn
i’d give Nathan prop and first in line.
YES YES YES.. I want Ellie Trout to return. Nathan loved her.
Male/female friendships are an important, enjoyable part of soaps. Griffin and Anna, Scott and Ava, heck sometimes even Jason and Carly are more fun to watch than some of the romantic pairings.
Yes, Griffin needs a romantic interest, as does Ava — but do they really “work” together? When Maxie returns, it will be interesting to see the dynamic between KS & RP. And while the chemistry between FH & JPS is apparent, both are phenomenal performers who would work well with almost anyone.
Yes, Steve, agreed. Your opinion also applies to the women and men on these soap sites.
We have some very close and friendly male-female friendships, right here. All platonic, LOL.
So, could Anna and Alex sing a duet at the Nurse’s Ball? Please???
Very interestingly weird, but entertaining, I’m sure , Mister Media. I’d love to see that, myself.
I’ll leave the technical details to the professionals, CeeCeeGirl, but it would have been a real kick to see Finola do a “Doublemint Twins” twist on the dancefloor!
@CeeCee…I was referring to the iconic chewing gum and their longtime incorporation of female twins in their adverts…I don’t know if that song had anything to do with the actual product and their “spokes-twins,” as I’ve never heard of it…before my time, too!!! Hmmm….
Given that Finola’s forte’ is dance, I think a pas de deux would be a more fitting choice! And a fabulous one, too!!!!
How can ‘they’ make that two-step happen, Shay? It’ll take the magical hand of a Chimera to work the optical, elusive-illusion of/with the camera. LOL.
HaHa, Shaybelle….had to google ” Doublemint Twist”….released in 1962. Well, the tune would certainly warrant some intricate steps a’ pas de deux.
Friday’s episode, was one, that actually made me look forward to Monday’s episode, a “Cliff-Hanger Friday” type of episode. I watched a little of Monday’s episode while home for lunch. As usual, Sonny takes absolutely no responsibility for the demise of his marriage and the implosion of his life. I had to laugh, while watching last week’s episodes-the “Dimpled Don” at work again with the wine, the pasta, etc. The only thing missing was the dress in the box (perfect fit, too) on the bed and the jet to the private island, lol.
The chimera story is a project. Ok….so, what exactly does the name imply? That the project has many faces? ….as in spies? Double agents? Was it devised by Valentin? It seems that way; the reason why Alex was on its trail. Calling 007……Sean Connery where are you? When I think of a chimera, a maelstrom of images come to mind……that of evil witches and femme fatales in the guise of damsels in distress in golden tresses, adorned with crowns of flowers, dressed in flimsy, airy, white shifts blowing in the wind. Helena just doesn’t fit that visual; unless she is… Read more »
No, make that Sir Roger Moore-RIP, CeeCeeGirl! His witty, urbane and sophisticated Bond was always my favorite! So sad to see him go. He was quite the gent! Same for the lovely and gracious Dina Merrill…..a coolly elegant blonde in the same vein as our dear, classy Helena and one of Mar-a-Lago’s original dwellers! Oh, and Mr. Powers Boothe, too…a real American, rugged individualist of an actor….they don’t make enough men like that anymore. I shall miss them all….the world will be a much lesser place without them in it!
o
The entire Anna/Alex plot is a total waste of Finola’s talents. The evil twin story is one of my three favorites soap opera tropes (baby switches and multiple personalities being the other two) and Jean and Shelly managed to make it about as boring as it could get. With the exception of not knowing Nathan’s name, there were basically no errors on Alex’s part to nearly trip her up and barely an episode after Anna was revealed to be in a London hospital, she escapes and confronts Alex in an airport. Seriously? I can’t believe the writers threw away the… Read more »
B – E – A – U – T – I – F – U – L
” she escapes and confronts Alex in an airport. Seriously? I can’t believe the writers threw away the opportunity to have two Anna’s running around Port Charles confusing the hell out of people and leading to a real confrontation with them dressed alike to confuse everyone. ”
so many posts slay.
WITH good writing… sigh ( the trio of F / J / S ) have lost steam… no muster
Finola Hughes is the best
PS. Patrick…It’s called ‘kindred spirits’. Yes?
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! You did it, again, Alan. Love your succinct post. Firstly, the word, or idea of a Chimera is not new to me. Being married to an Italo-American, whose parents and cohorts are from Italy, the culture in enmeshed in “Chimera” ( Key-meh-ra——not, ky-meera, as is pronounced by the characters) folklore. There are a myriad of Italian and Neopolitan songs dedicated to Chimeras, LOL. So, its definition in Italian is: Desiderio irrealizzabile—translating to: irrealizable desire. Very elusive, is how I tranlate it……our minds’ creation, where websee what we want to see. So, if we are to incorporate this… Read more »
hollah
is this not the F / J / S recipe
” I hope I will be able to embrace a decent and understandable outcome—satisfying my skepticism…..or are we to simply accept the nonsense?”
billboard
Correction:
Since the word chimera is feminine; its plural form would be chimere; not chimeras, as in the English pluralization.
Just a simple guy. You had great characters in Julian and Ava, but crippled them. I am so sick of all the crimes hanging over their heads. I used to enjoy the characters, but now it’s just…now long before Sonny is “gonna kill them” again. It is so unfortunate that the new head writers believe making it the Sonny & Jason show is the key to GH’s salvation. And BTW, the day the emotionless Steve Burton returns as Jason is the day I stop watching.
I do not think the current writers are doing a great job. The Chimera story is boring. I agree with those above that Carly and Sonny are two immature people who do the same things over and over. The current writers should have sent them to marital counseling (or something) before they agreed to go back together, or while they were together. They are both sluttish. No one mentioned that on this show none of these characters use birth control- discuss birth control or practice safe sex. We’re talking right before the Nurses’ Ball which is put on for AIDS/HIV… Read more »
Can a certain, smug mobster get his comeuppance? haha
General Hospital
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
When you combine superb direction, writing, production, and acting in a special episode of a daytime drama, viewers can see and understand the thought and care that went into it.
This was more than on display during Thursday’s highly-anticipated ‘Alexis-Centric’ episode honoring the 25th anniversary of Alexis’ portrayer, two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Nancy Lee Grahn, on General Hospital.
Courtesy/ABC
In the story, symbolism was apparent and used for dramatic impact and it worked beautifully throughout, and best of all, Nancy received a script worthy of her immeasurable talents, and showed us once again why she remains one of the gold standards of our genre. If you have not seen the episode DO NOT read any further as it contains spoilers.
It begins with an emotional Alexis looking at her mother’s watch which was still frozen from the time of her death. While playing one of her mother’s records very loudly, she recalls Mikkos Cassadine kissing and dancing with her mom as a young Alexis (Natasha) looked on from the staircase. When Sam asks her about it, Alexis shares that she sees the watch as sort of a representation for her own life being frozen over the last three years; which has included Alexis’ battle with booze taking over her life and her being disbarred, when being a lawyer was the way she identified herself and what gave her purpose.
Overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden, Alexis hightails it to Kevin’s office for a therapy session knowing she is going to Pentonville in the morning to serve her sentence. She says she does not know who she is anymore. Then, Kevin asks her how she spent her day thus far. She flashes back to lunch with the good men in her life, Finn, Valentin, Jax and Ned. Valentin tells Alexis she is proud of her for honing up to her mistakes.
Back at the therapy session, Alexis she was an attorney who stood for something and her life has derailed, and that she was a fighter, an idealist, and an advocate. She knows she has to find a purpose in prison to make it through the three-year term and asks Kevin to help her find one.
Kevin wants to go back to when she was a little girl and her memories that are flooding back to her of Mikkos and her mother. Just then, the younger version of Alexis is huddled in the corner of Kevin’s office, an image of her from the past. Alexis tries to come to terms with her father and the choice of dangerous men and relationships that have marred her own happiness … recalling Julian holding a knife to her throat like Mikkos did to her mother. She says he was one of the toxic men in her life, but Kevin reminds her all of the men in her life were not toxic.
Alexis starts with Ned as one who was good for her saying he was always stable, but she ruined that by recently sleeping with him and putting a wedge in his marriage to her long-time friend, Olivia.
We then flashback to earlier in the day, where Alexis ends up in an almost confrontation with Olivia. However, Olivia tells her she misses the Alexis Davis she used to be and to get her back.
Now back with Kevin, a guilt-ridden Alexis relays she feels responsible for Neil’s death. Kevin interjects she is not, nor what happened with Julian. When Kevin attempts to bring up Mikkos again, Alexis rejects it and is angry that he is making her problem about daddy issues; like so many other women. She vehemently shouts that the men in her life do not define who she is.
Then, Alexis flashes back to hurtful memories she has buried of a young Natasha witnessing Mikkos calling her mother a “greedy little bitch”. She recalls it was on Christmas Eve and that Mikkos stopped by to give them gifts. That is when he presented her mother with the watch. However, things took an ugly turn when he tried to leave, and she threatened to tell Helena all about her and Natasha. Next, Mikkos slapped her and that is when the watch shattered. As all this was going down, a young Natasha watched from the stairs and was horrified that she couldn’t stop her father from beating her mother and remembers how helpless she felt.
However, Alexis reveals to Kevin she thought this would be the last of Mikkos coming by, but he returned on New Year’s Eve and her mother took him back into their lives. Alexis is beside herself that she could not protect her mother, but Kevin reassures her to remember she was just a child.
Courtesy/ABC
It is then we come to the crux of the story. Alexis looks over in the corner and sees her younger self crying. She goes to her younger self and tells her nothing that happened was her fault, and that their father was damaged and cruel. She tells the young Natasha this shouldn’t have been her burden to carry alone, and that she deserves to be happy. Then in the moment of strength and coming full circle, Alexis introduces herself to the young Natasha, “I’m Alexis Davis, a fighter, an advocate, and an idealist … and I will take care of everything from her on out.” In that moment, Alexis embraced herself, and forgave herself, so she could move on with her life.
Alexis then flashes back to earlier that night, as the Davis girls gather for a faux graduation ceremony so Alexis could see Molly in her cap and gown and they hug. Back in her session, Kevin remarks that Alexis has repeatedly defined herself as a fighter, an idealist, and an advocate, and reminds her she has three daughters who have those qualities, and that all she needs to be is Alexis Davis.
Then, we get a heart-warming montage of Alexis though the years in honor of Nancy’s 25th anniversary with GH.
Courtesy/ABC
As the episode concludes, it is the next morning, and Alexis enters Pentonville and enters her jail cell. There she meets her fellow inmate, who is studying law books to prep for her upcoming parole hearing. Alexis introduces herself as “Alexis Davis” and as someone who can help her. We then go back to her mother’s watch which now begins ticking at Alexis’ home. The show fades to black.
Kudos to Daytime Emmy winner, Phideaux Xavier for his outstanding direction, head writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and script writer, Scott Sickles for the thoughtful episode, EP Frank Valentini and his production crew for putting it all together, and the one and only Nancy Lee Grahn for a performance that will be remembered as a classic.
Share your thoughts on today’s on Nancy’s ‘Alexis-Centric’ episode via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
One of the most beloved actors in the history of General Hospital, Kin Shriner, currently finds his alter-ego, Scott Baldwin, in a new budding on-screen romance with none other than Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati).
This comes on the heels of Scott learning the devastating news that his son, Franco Baldwin was shot and killed, thus writing-off the ABC daytime drama series, for now, popular actor, Roger Howarth.
Photo: JPI
Throughout his now almost 44-year-run on the ABC daytime drama series, Kin Shriner has brought his unique acting chops that helped mold the character of legal eagle Scott Baldwin into the humorous, at times cutthroat, endearing and many times heartbreaking character we have all come to love.’
In a brand new exclusive virtual sit-down interview with Michael Fairman on You Tube’s The Michael Fairman Channel, Shriner opens up about his history with GH and the times he stepped away to take on roles on Texas and As the World Turns, and then back again to the town of Port Charles and GH.
Photo: ABC
As well, Kin reveals his reaction to learning the news that Roger Howarth would be exiting the show as his TV son and how he shot the key emotional scene where Laura (Genie Francis) tells Scott that Franco had died. Shriner shares that he does not see how when Howarth returns to the show in as a yet-to-be-revealed character, that it would be a stretch if the two were some how related, but that he will miss working with the talented Howarth as a scene-partner.
Photo: JPI
As to the women in Scott’s life, Kin addresses each of them from: Lucy (Lynn Herring), Bobbie (Jackie Zeman), Dominque (Shell Danielson), Laura (Francis), Ava (Maura West) – to which the character could never get that close to – and now Liesl (Gati), and working opposite all the powerhouse actresses who portray them.
Photo: ABC
For fans of General Hospital who have watched the series for decades, Kin also shares memories of working with his late TV parents, Peter Hansen (Lee), Susan Brown (Gail) and his friend and former GH castmate John Reilly (Sean), plus backstage stories with his longtime scene partner, Genie Francis.
Watch the entire conversation with Kin below.
Now let us know, are you all for the Scott and Liesl romance? Will you miss scenes between Scott and Franco? Would you ever want to see Scott and Laura reunite romantically? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
All My Children Alum Cornelius Smith Jr. Joins the Cast of Apple TV+ Limited Series, ‘Five Days At Memorial’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Don Diamont & Scott Clifton Shine In Father/Son Scenes; As Bill Watches Liam’s Meltdown Over the Accident that Killed Vinny
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
OLTL Alum Renée Elise Goldsberry Joins Disney+ Marvel Series, ‘She-Hulk’
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Reveals Pregnancy News; She is Expecting a Baby Boy!
The Stars of Y&R and B&B Ask the Questions & Appear on Virtual Game Show ‘Soap Opera Know-It-All’
Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn to be Featured in Alexis-Centric Episode to Mark Her Upcoming 25 Years on the ABC Daytime Drama
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
Cameron Mathison Joins General Hospital
Sean Blakemore Returns to General Hospital
‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
GH’s Josh Swickard and Wife Lauren Welcome Baby Girl!
Daytime Emmy Winner and Soap Alum Hayley Erin Expecting Twins
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Reveals Pregnancy News; She is Expecting a Baby Boy!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Don Diamont & Scott Clifton Shine In Father/Son Scenes; As Bill Watches Liam’s Meltdown Over the Accident that Killed Vinny
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
The Stars of Y&R and B&B Ask the Questions & Appear on Virtual Game Show ‘Soap Opera Know-It-All’
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Takes Supporting Actress Honors for ‘7 Days to Vegas’ in Garden State Film Festival Awards
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick and Sharon Band Together to Help Faith in Crisis Reminiscent of Cassie Tragedy
Y&R’s Newman Kids Talk 48th Anniversary, Storylines, Camaraderie, and Take the Trivia Challenge
B&B Celebrates its 34th Anniversary Today
‘Days of our Lives’ Writing Team Bests ‘General Hospital’ for Daytime Drama WGA Award
TONIGHT: Lauralee Bell in V.C. Andrews’ Lifetime Movie ‘Pearl in the Mist’
GH’s Maurice Benard Welcomes Former TV Son, Bryan Craig to ‘State of Mind’
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NewsApril 7, 2021Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
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General HospitalApril 3, 2021GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn to be Featured in Alexis-Centric Episode to Mark Her Upcoming 25 Years on the ABC Daytime Drama
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General HospitalApril 8, 2021GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
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Breaking NewsApril 5, 2021Cameron Mathison Joins General Hospital
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General HospitalApril 1, 2021Sean Blakemore Returns to General Hospital
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As The World TurnsApril 8, 2021‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
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General HospitalApril 4, 2021GH’s Josh Swickard and Wife Lauren Welcome Baby Girl!
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General HospitalApril 2, 2021Daytime Emmy Winner and Soap Alum Hayley Erin Expecting Twins