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.
Nancy was amazing like always
Nancy Lee Grahn gave an outstanding performance. Expect even more as she makes her way in prison. Should be plenty of material there from a great directing and writing team! Shame on ABC for not renewing GH yet! Happy 25th Nancy! Love your dedication to the show.
Every time someone mentions about General Hospital not being renewed, I feel the need to remind that “renewal” is not applicable to GH. The show is owned, produced and airs on the same division of one company, the ABC network. It is in perpetual production (like the evening news) and does not have a renewal cycle like the other 3 soaps. CBS has to renew contracts for Y&R and B&B to let Sony plan ahead. Similarly, NBC with DAYS and Sony/Corday. ABC does not sign a contract with itself for GH, thus there’s nothing to renew.
I just wish they would stop preempting the show for silly reasons. It’s a good thing this “Natashapalooza” episode yesterday, because they are probably going to interrupt Friday’s GH to tell you that an old man died somewhere across the pond. Bet your soul on it….
Satan…For a great many people that “old man” meant something special to them. Please a little more respect.
Thanks for the explanation on GH renewal. But ABC gives very little assurance to its over 2.5M viewers of how long GH will be on the canvas. Since they own the show, cancellation will be swift and we may be blindsided like we have with other daytime shows.
If they cancel, they’ll give ample time to end a show that’s almost 60 years old. They gave notice to AMC, OLTL, Port Charles, etc.
ABC has stated in the past that they do not officially renew GH the way CBS & NBC renew their soaps. ABC 100% owns GH, unlike CBS & NBC. Thus they don’t have to renew it the way the other soaps get renewed. It’s sort of like how ABC doesn’t renew Good Morning America.
GH runs its fiscal year autumn to autumn and if the show’s budgeted for the next year, then it’s “renewed”.
Personally I do not like her politics but I think she is a wonderful actress and good luck to her ! I just got the word today I have breast cancer so it really puts things in perspective so I pray that everybody just cuts the crap and quits the hate against each other ! Until it hits you we all just attack each other what a bunch of crap ! We are all gods children no matter what color our skin is! Please leave politics out the door
Kay…I’m sure this is a tough time for you. Hoping the best for you. Agree, hate does not belong in our lives. It just brings us all down.
I wish you the best with your battle. As for politics – we are permanently past the leaving it at the door. The internet and social media have forever changed that.
My heart goes out to you, Kay. I can only imagine what you’re feeling now. All the cliches about keeping a positive attitude may be true but are often hard to swallow. Please keep us posted..maybe dishing about the soaps can at least brighten your days (it does mine). Praying for you.
Kay, Iam sure we have traded comments from time to time, and this is a hard reply to make. I just want to remind you of Alexis and her thing about being a fighter and something else I found helpful during my two bouts with breast cancer, keep your sense of humor. Believe me it helps and being a little crazy doesn’t hurt either. From what I’ve read Nancy Lee is having to support her fiancie who is suffering from cancer. Kay, many prayers and best wishes to you. They have come so much further with medical science than years ago when I went through it. You hang in there and keep up with the soaps, I swear they got me through just watching others and their problems.Keep us posted. We are right here with you.
Violet, that was a beautifully written and thoughtful response.
Yes, Alexis is a fighter we can all emulate.
Kay, all the best to you! I have an aunt, cousin and good friend that all beat breast cancer, and I know you will too. They beat theirs many years ago, and the advances made in cancer treatments have come so far since then, so I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Kudos to everyone involved for a wonderful look into Alexis’s life, past, present and looking forward. Nancy Lee was the consumate star and outdid herself. She never disappoints. I also felt that Diane, her best friend should have been there.
Oh Violet, call me Scrooge, but I didn’t enjoy the show at all. I’ve had too much experience in dreading the passing of hours before something terrible happens. Nancy’s performance is always excellent, that’s not the problem. The only thing that I looked forward to was seeing Diane, and that didn’t happen. Just not my day, I guess.
Soaphound
Funny you saying Scrooge. I did not enjoy nor totally watch the Christmas thing with Finn as Scrooge, or the Women election thing. These things I usually can’t stand, but for some particular reason, maybe just Nancy Lee’s gripping performance held my interest, but kept waiting for Diane to show up. I guess I’d never realized, she doesn’t have any other women friends does she? Of course Julian was missing as well as her other two baby daddys, Rick and Sonny, and her last paramour, Neal. Sorry, you didn’t enjoy the episode.
Nancy, beautifully done. We had always heard snippets of your past life over the years, but seeing it.acted out so heartfelt was another story. This was the first time I was brought to tears on GH and that is saying something.
Rose
This is wierd, but what finally made me cry was when her daughter came walking down the stairs in her cap and gown.
Violet Lemm…Yes! To see the support of her daughters and vice versa (even though there are times when any one of them can frustrate me). And after everything to see the results of how much they care for each other…tears.
Most bizarre moment of yesterday’s episode…
This is the moment they choose to tell us that Nick & Ava took over Julian’s bar??
That was peculiar as they showed it being shut down after Julian’s death. At the very least, they should give it to Felicia, since Julian blew up her bar.
What I think is bizarre is the other new restaurant they were going to a few weeks ago, now Ava & Nick’s joint, not to mention Curtis’s new Nightclub AND the Italian Restaurant today where Petey so quickly found the very willing waiter to poisen Finn’s coffee. Who knew they would be playing Russian Roulette of sorts with the damn coffee cups. I have read a spoiler that I think is true, but do not want to spoil it for anyone, but we know it won’t be Finn, one of your favorites, ha,ha.
I just have to say when the Sr. Harrison walked in I thought it was Sonny, am I crazy or what?
Now that Sonny’s going gray, they do resemble each other a little.
We all know Mike got around in his younger days. Maybe Courtney wasn’t the only kid he had with somebody other than Sonny’s mom, Adela.
Nah…. writing Finn & Chase into the Corinthos family… that’s probably not something a Devil should put out into the universe. Because it’s exactly the type of thing Frank Valentini would do.
Not sure if today’s restaurant is permanent set, as it’s a one table room. When Heinrich was giving the waiter the vile in the alley, they flashed the sign with the restaurant name “Beradino’s” a nice homage to John Beradino who played Steve Hardy.
I like the new Port Charles Grill set as it’s nice to have a break from everyone eating at the Metro Court. Curtis’ club set seems a bit small. Sad that the Floating Rob set is gone (the rear entry was a problem like the Q foyer before remodel).
And the lazy Susan scene was a nice throwback to Heather’s attempted LSD poisoning of Diana Taylor. Little PJ (Steven Lars) had the last laugh on that one.
I am so glad you thought that too ! I also had that “what?” moment.
Beside a great performance by Nancy, I wonder where the phrase “I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate” came from. That’s worth a gold star!!!
rose
I know a lot of people don’t agree with her ideas and political views, but I feel that not only Alexis Davis, but that is exactly what Nancy Lee Grahn stands for.
That was some great writing,Rose. I also love how Ryan incorporated the fighter, advocate and idealist into his description of her three daughters. Dr. Collins is a brilliant psychiatrist!
Nancy has always been my favorite actress on the show…because even when she showed apparent weakness, her strength was never not there. That’s how she’s always played her and the realness of that resonates with me.
Outstanding performance by Nancy, she is truly a fantastic actress!, hope she never leaves GH! My favorite show for 30 plus years! Love everyone on the show, they are so real they seem like family!
Nancy Lee Grahn was spectacular (as always). But the standout of this episode was the writing and the direction. This is a slam dunk for an Emmy in both categories. One of the best I have ever seen, and I have been watching soaps since 1965.
The writers did an amazing job in the short paragraphs of monologue they could squeeze into one episode to really give a message of strength of resiliency to others who have suffered or witnessed trauma and have translated that into not being permitted to live a happy adult life. It gave a glimpse of taking the trauma, breaking it down, and giving yourself permission to heal. I felt it deeply. Thank you! Wonderful acting as well. Outstanding.
Sure think that Nancy has a chance to win best actress and Genie best supporting actress at the Emmys this year
This episode was one of the very best ever. My God. What a performance by Nancy Lee Grahn. I loved her first on Santa Barbara & oh I love Alexis.
I was glad to see the ongoing story of Alexis at Pentonville and her new life in prison. Her biggest obstacle was another prisoner today, marking her territory and apparently threatening Alexis. As smart as she is I don’t know if she can physically ward off or protect herself against this massive woman.
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
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