General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brando Gets the Hook
Wednesday’s episode of General Hospital featured the continuation of the frightening scene in the alley at Charlie’s where in the middle of a thunderstorm (makes things creepier, right?), a figure steps out of the dark and attacks Brando (Johnny Wactor) with the large fish hook – the same one that was used on Ava Jerome (Maura West).
Immediately, Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) comes on to the scene screaming and wailing at the top of her lungs for help as Brando lies on the ground bleeding out from being ‘hooked’. Sonny (Maurice Benard) hears the screams and runs outside and finds his daughter and Brando. Sasha (Sofia Mattsson) and Gladys (Bonnie Burroughs) are not far behind and are horrified by what they see.
After the paramedics arrive, Kristina gives details on how she was walking through the alley when she saw someone with a hook, literally, attack Brando.
Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) arrive and Jordan is confused why Brando was the subject in the attack and the two realize they have to figure out who is ‘hooking’ people before the person strikes again.
Back at GH and inside Ava’s hospital room, Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) admits to his wife that he knows he is a cad for sleeping with Esme and his from his previous life transgressions, which almost makes Ava relent and forgive her husband. Just then, Sonny shows up and tells the two of them that he knows Nikolas did not try to kill Ava.
As Brando is brought to the hospital, TJ (Tajh Bellow) and Portia (Brook Kerr) work on him, but he needs to be taken to surgery. An hysterical Sasha and Gladys watch on as they know Brando may not make it; which would be devastating for his wife and his mother.
In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands everywhere tomorrow, GH co-head writer Chris Van Etten previews that someone will die next week on GH via the person using the hook.
Van Etten expressed: “The Hook’s first kill will be someone close to Sonny. The loss will rock him to the core, compel him to circle the wagons, and narrow a list of potential suspects.”
So, do you think Brando will die, or someone else? Who do you think is the person using the hook to seek revenge? With Halloween next month, it would also seem like a perfect time for something terrifying to go down at a masquerade party, wouldn’t it? Hook and all? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Too bad this didn’t happen on the pier/dock set. We’d then say Brando got attacked On the Waterfront.
While nice, Brando never seemed an essential character. His romance with Sasha was good C level storyline material. The mother-son dynamic with Gladys was kind of special as other than Carly & Michael, we don’t get lots of that on GH.
Does this mean Gladys will be Sasha’s guardian? Do those characters even stick around? Gladys suddenly having power at Deception could be interesting. How much more tragedy can they throw at Sasha?
How much grief can be put on a character! She is an excellent actress!
Brando—Waterfront!! HaHa—-perfect !!
Agree 100%!!!
So, who’s the PC “hooker”? Oops, you know what I mean–LOL.
Is it Esme? Or Rory? But why Brando? Were Esme and Rory a team?
Bobbie Spencer was the “hooker”
Hi, brian—yeah, LOL…I know–Bobbie got around. What a legacy for poor Joss!
I see what you did there. Actually I kinda wish Bobbie had gone with Carly on the ill-fated “Aruba” trip, because I would have loved to see her response to that stick-up-her-ass self appointed leader of the “Jacksonville Moral Majority” (or whatever it was) pontificating about Aunt Ruby & her famous “house”.
Honestly, Celia, I’m more intrigued by your guesses than the actual story. Though I’ll admit the Brando attack was well filmed and Christina’s acting was excellent. Wasn’t that old Jennifer Love Hewitt movie I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER also based around a hook killer? Maybe my memory is failing but that’s what I remember.
Hey, Soaphound—-yeeesss!! It was a fish hook which Ben Willis ( came back from the dead, just like Esme) used in his killing spree.
Aside—I so enjoyed the Jacksonville airport scene with Carly and Ms Purl (love her). She’s on many “Matlock” reruns.
I love anyone dragging holier-than-thou Carly down. I hadn’t even kissed a boy yet, at 16!! Like mother like daughter??
Her so boring kissy-poo, infantile interludes with fake Drew are enough to make my stomach revolt!!
Another storyline for the infamous Carly. Always front and center. The same can be said about Sonny. Since when does he care about Ava so much? Because she’s Avery’s mother?—-wasn’t too long ago when he wanted to pulverize Ava!!
Oh CELIA, even the nicknames for these two sound stupid: Carew? Darly? Yecch! They banned saccharine and let this coupling happen? My FF button is really getting a workout. And of course Christina had to witness the Brando attack so Sonny can be front and center in this story, too. My mom says it best: “He just doesn’t look well. Why is he on so much?”
Your mom knows best, my friend. And, since we both have Scottish nannas, I cannot repeat what comes out of my Gran’d mouth.LOL—
Sonny looks worn out and Carly’s dress was not so favorable to her body-type.
Love Nina’s and Anna’s wardrobe style—classy!!
And, yes—I’m with you with the FF.
Never liked CM—since AMC—-his voice is like a knife going through my brain.
Oh, wait– Was the hook-man after Joss where Brando was caught in the middle? Well, then–it’s Esme!!
Esme seems the likely suspect. Who else would target both Ava and Joss?? And be mentally unstable enough to panic and attack Brando, because she thought he might have seen her stalking Joss.
Of course this means that Kristina will now be her next target, because she started screaming right away, so obviously the killer would know she witnessed everything.
Agreed, Satan—makes the most sense. Brando was in the way, therefore he had to be eliminated. I realized that soon after I had sent my first reply–
And, I hadn’t thought of it, but you are right about Kristina, as well. ‘All roads lead to Rome'( Esme).
I really like Johnny Wactor and am sorry if he goes.
There were a couple of things about the episode that confused me though.
One was when Brando was attacked it was gushing rain. He was soaked as as was Kristina and the water was just gushing over the set floor. In the pickup scene which would have been seconds later both Brando and Kristina were completely dry as well as the set floor.
The other being the hook. When Ava was hooked we clearly saw the killer enter the stable tack room and select a bale hook which he used to do the deed. Yesterday when Jordan and Dante were speaking about the hook used in Ava’s attack they claimed that it was a fish hook taken from the boat house?? Really confusing. I know she was attacked by the boat house but as I said we saw the killer select the hook in the stables. Did I misunderstand something?
The hook was definitely taken from the boathouse, though it looked more like a baling hook to me.
Don’t quote me on that though, because I’m in Hell, and we don’t have such hooks down here, as neither hay nor fish are present, so it’s been a while since I’ve seen either a baling hook or a gaffing hook in person.
Greg
No, you didn’t misunderstood anything, it was the actors lines that were screwed up. First of all it wasn’t a fish hook unless the Q’s anticipated catching a giant fish in the small lake they would most likely have and secondly , it was a hay bailing hook from their stables.
I really liked Johnny Wactor too, but it is what it is and the story above just about spells it out, he’ll be gone next week.
Thanks for backing me up Violet. I didn’t think I was wrong here. This begs the question of how could the writers have screwed up on such a crucial plot point? Do they no longer have a continuity person on staff?
Greg
You’re welcome, some of the stuff is so confusing and the thing that bugs me the most is why did Brando go outside in the first place? He couldn’t have thought Dex was following Joss because he left first and she followed after with the sunglasses.
The hook definitely came from the boathouse, because the camera panned up to the hook during the whole scene where Drew & Carly were starting to “get busy” in the boathouse…. until they almost burned it down by leaving an unattended gas grill outside.
Now, being somewhat of a fire expert myself, I’ve never seen a gas grill suddenly turn into a 666 alarm fire spontaneously, unless you put some really fatty meat on the grill and it drips down into the elements, catching fire. Or if you do something really dumb like squirt charcoal lighter fluid on it… which of course you would never need with a gas grill.
So what if the killer messed with the grill (while Drew & Carly were otherwise occupied) and then used the distraction of the fire to slip into the boathouse and steal the hook, and get out without being seen… which would have otherwise been difficult, given pretty much every mortal in Port Charles was walking around the Q estate that night.
It did look more like a baling hook to me though, which means it either should have been in the stables, or whomever runs the prop department at GH doesn’t have a clue as to what sort of hooks SHOULD be in a boat house.
Satin
I too remember seeing the attacker take the hook that was hanging outside the boathouse but when you called it a hay baling hook I immediately thought of where that hook would be used, the stables, right? Who works in the stables, Cody Bell, but what reason or motive for him to be a Serial killer?
I think Dante & Britch are both misunderstanding the PCPD’s supposed interest in Cody. They don’t know why Mac is actually interested in Cody… and that it has nothing to do with the hookings or any other recent crimes. And Mac isn’t likely to let it slip that his questions about Cody are of a more “personal” nature… though Maxie will probably slip up and say something about it to one of them eventually.
Yes, Greg—It was confusing . It is still a complete blur to me. I guess my attention was on my noisy kids.
What happened so suddenly? Why did Brando die? Too bad—I really liked both the actor and the character. I bet the “hooker” managed to slip by the staff in order to finish what he/she started—-or there is an accomplice among the employees.
Is Johnny Wactor leaving GH? This is a rather interesting storyline kind of spooky. I wonder who it is? Everyone saying it’s Rory or Dex? It’s going to be someone who is least expected is my prediction but what do I know LOL
Obviously it wasn’t Dex because Joss was following him outside of Charlie’s to give him his sunglasses, when the “hooker” went after her… and then switched to Brando when they realized they had been seen.
Rory also seems unlikely, since he showed up at the Metro Court pool with Trina, dressed in appropriate “poolside” clothing – shorts/sandals/t-shirt – which is not what the killer was wearing, and though time is often distorted in Port Charles, it doesn’t seem plausible that he would have had time to run home and change his clothes before showing up at the pool. I do believe Rory has some dark secrets, but carrying a hook around probably isn’t one of them.
Well—could be Dex is part of a conspiracy—-if not Esme, then it’s Michael . Maybe he had Dex as the organizer, and someone else as the executioner.
Helloooo!!! I have a guess about the hook. Could it be Finn’s dad? I know it’s way out there,but for me he gave off a vibe when talking about the case with Alexis. Which would be bad for her, since she’s attracted to him and once again she chose a bad guy. Or, it could be the demented Esme.
omg why is GH starting this dumb serial killer storyline? I ‘m really disappointed the show is doing this. Hate the killing of characters, and I liked Brando, this really sucks. Stop this storyline fast please.
The killer is left handed. I can think of two related characters who are lefties…one by necessity!
NoraE
Spell it out please, I can only think of Esme off hand.
Violet – The hook- wielder uses a raised left hand. Esme wrote the letter to her nanny with her left hand and has motive for revenge. Ryan lost his right hand. Although he has a hook on that hand, he would use a different and larger hook to a attack his victims using his real left hand. He has motive to harm Ava who him spurned him. Esme has motive to harm Joss who helped find Oz, who testified that she tried to kill him. Maybe they’re a tag team!
This show is getting worse.. love to see Steve back with Sam.
Have Steve Burton back on the show please!
I just can’t get over the fact that they tried to portray the guy as some hardened combat veteran tough guy….LMAO
The question remains why Brando didn’t run away or yell. Joss seemed to be out of range when the “hooker” turned towards Brando. Did he know the hooker?
Good question. It doesn’t make a lot of sense that a trained combat veteran would just stand there and allow himself to be stabbed. Unless he knew his attacker and obviously wasn’t expecting the hook… and once he was stabbed immediately went into shock or something, and was able to respond….. though I would think combat training woudl prevent him from having that sort of reaction, since the whole point of combat training, is that you keep fighting as long as you’re physically capable. Kristina’s screams would have cut short the amount of time he would have had to respond, but he should have got at least one or two decent punches in at his assailant.
I’m glad the writers brought Kristina in to support her dad. Once again Lexi showed what a powerhouse actress she is. There are so many storylines they can weave her into in important ways. I’m hoping Kristina got to her cousin in time to save his life. If not I would love her to be there to support Sasha. Kristina has had her troubles so I think she might be able to reach Sasha in a way that no one else has been able to.
It’s Nina! She thought ava was Carly, second victim was meant to be joss. She is having psychotic break as shown in cemetery scene with Nelle. That’s my theory. We shall see. Anything is possible in soaps!
As long as this means we finally get rid of Nina, I’d be OK with that. Given the writing on this show lately, they would probably try the “brain tumor” excuse again and let her get away with it.
NOOOOOOO!! Nina stays!! Carly goes!! Sacrebleu!!LOL!!
Shelly
Yes, anything is possible but too many people want her gone and this would be too easy. Also, is she that strong?
I wonder if Lexi Ainsworth will be given more SL now. She looks good with Dex but he seems really interested in Joss, and I expect they will get together soon. I did wonder how long it would take her to outgrow Cam who is cute but immature.
I think the killer is Buster Bluth who got his hand bit off by a Loose Seal (Lucille is his mother) and had his severed hand replaced by a hook. Buster has Mommy issues.
Nah… these writers don’t have the intellectual capacity to pull off an Arrested Development story.
It’s Dex. Is it? The “jingling” sound is around his neck. We know he’s working both aisles—Michael/Sonny. Are TPTB teasing us?
But I sooo want it to be Esme.
Wasn’t sure where to put this comment, but decided to add it onto the Brando story.
Tomorrow morning I will be up at 4:30am to watch Queen Elizabeth taken to Windsor in the final hours of her funeral. I have been watching almost non-stop since the morning of the day she passed away. And have been very touched by her story. A very impressive person. A hard act to follow.
To me, for better and worse, over the years the British monarchy probably encompasses all of the elements soaps are built on, but in real life…family, their kids offspring, unforgettable personalities, traditions, history, power, legacy, longevity, etc.
May Queen Elizabeth Rest In Peace.
Chris Van Etten practically spells it out that Brando will die this week. Why are they still acting like there is any question to that? As Greg commented earlier, they are so confusing , we used to call that back in the day” talking out of both sides of your mouth” The SL is bad enough without having to decipher what the heck they are talking about.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Lami and RhonniRose Mantilla Cover Raye’s ‘Nightingale Lane’ in New Music Video
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: What Has Happened to Jill?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Adam Delivers Sally’s Baby as Billy Reels from Jill’s Health Crisis in Tearjerker Episode
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Finn Blows a Gasket After Steffy Reveals She’s Gone Ahead and Become Carter and Daphne’s Surrogate
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