General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Mike’s Funeral Brings The Alzheimer’s Storyline Full Circle to Its Heart-Tugging Conclusion
When a soap opera allows a full episode to stay in the story they are telling, it can often make for a riveting hour of television. This was the case and then some on Thursday’s emotional ending to General Hospital’s Alzheimer’s storyline; when the character of Mike Corbin (Max Gail) was given a proper send-off – a funeral – and being eulogized by those who loved and cared for him.
When GH is at its best through the years has been when it tackles social issues of our time, and this story will stand among the iconic soap’s best. The backdrop of the story was that of father and son, grappling with and coming to terms with the past, finding love, forgiveness and redemption against this most horrific of diseases that has afflicted so many.
In the episode, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright) go to church and prepare themselves for the emotional day as mourners come through and share their grief and condolensces and love for Mike. Those included: Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth – back for this one), Stella (Vernee Watson), Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) and a touching moment between Diane (Carolyn Hennesy) and Carly where the legal eagle says to Carly that if she ever needs to drink and vent let her know.
As the funeral begins, one by one Mike’s family and friends say beautiful words of what he meant to them,. Michael reflects about how his grandfather loved to party and how he’d like them all to raise a glass for him. . Olivia, speaks on behalf of Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), and how close Mike and Dante were. Ava (Maura West) talks about the love and kindness and joy he brought to little Avery.
Courtesy/ABC
When Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) got up to speak, things became even more heartbreaking when she flashes back to a scene where she was having a terrible time and Mike was there for – always a great listener- but he tells he eventually, he will not remember her.
GH did a outstanding job of selecting scenes throughout the eulogies that punctuated who Mike was … and how he tied in to all of the characters lives. Jason (Steve Burton) shared how he knew it wasn’t easy for Mike to come back and try to make amends with Sonny, but that no matter what, Mike kept trying to get through to Sonny to make things right between them.
Courtesy/ABC
Stella’s moment was also heartbreaking recalling the man who became her friend. Carly, who was the glue that held Sonny and the family together during Mike’s illness, shared her doubt if the family could handle Mike, and what was to come, but how Sonny helped his father find inner-peace..
When Sonny gets up to talk he reveals he had a lot of anger towards his father, and how the illness made him truly see the man his dad was inside. Sonny tells his dad he is proud of him and how grateful he was that he came back into his life. Next, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) sings as the mourners reflect back on Mike in a touching series of juxtaposed clips against the characters in the moment at the funeral.
Courtesy/ABC
After the service had concluded Sonny and Carly talk how Morgan and Mike are together now, but Sonny asks for some time alone in the church. It is then Mike appears and tells his son it’s time he forgave himself, since Sonny forgave Mike. He tells Sonny that he has made him very proud. As he gets up to leave he kisses Sonny on the forehead and goes towards the light and to heaven. Just after that, Dante appears at the front of the church, shocking Sonny in a beautiful analogy that now this father and son must deal with what’s ahead in their relationship, just as Sonny and Mike had done.
Courtesy/ABC
This episode featured beautiful work by Maurice Benard, and Max Gail and everyone in the supporting cast who had their moments. It was an ensemble piece but led by Benard and Gail, who should both be receiving Emmys in 2021 for their work..
What did you think of Mike’s funeral episode? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
It was so beautiful! GH has done such a wonderful job with this storyline from start to this stellar finish. More than just Emmy-worthy, it was so cathartic for those of us who have had to go through this with our loved ones and enlightening to those who have not. Bravo, GH! And Thank You to ALL involved!!!
The writers screwed up when they had Olivia speaking on behalf of Dante. She claimed that Dante only got to know his grandfather after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers, but that’s not true.
In fact, Dante rented a room at Kelly’s when he first came to Port Charles, and OG Mike was running Kelly’s at the time. He didn’t know Dante was his grandson for a while, but they certainly got to know each other.
Also seems a little ridiculous that Dante didn’t get there until after the service. He must be the first person in Port Charles history that actually took a realistic amount of time to travel from overseas. Usually they get there so fast you would think they had the transport beam from the Starship Enterprise.
I have to agree it was so beautifully done I’m so mad because for some reason iTunes stopped selling GH episodes. the last episode available was sept 11, and nothing after that has been available to purchase, I had a season pass for the show and I’m getting nothing. still back to the Alzheimer storyline concluding, it was sad, but poignant and my fave part was at the end when Dante showed up and Sonny was just so surprised, can you imagine if Morgan had shown up? Sonny would of dropped dead right there of the shock. Great episode that I’m mad I can’t have for keeps.
aria
I know nothing of techs or whatever, but I can usually find anything on Utube which I get on my device. Sometimes I’ll watch a couple of hours of an old show or Soap from years back or something I’ve recently missed.
This story was simply amazing from start to finish and the actors hit it out of the park. The ending with Mike appearing to Sonny and telling him to forgive himself was perfection as was the kiss on Sonny’s head and Mike going toward the light. Bravo GH Emmys all around.
Thank the effin heaven. this is so revered… the stench wafts that much thicker. praise be to the light , that is Maurice Benard. NOW that this bible chapter has been logged stamped Carly and Sonny hour. Move us Frank Valentini
I can’t say enough about how well that episode was done. From top down it was flawless. Writing team should be applauded because this was a well written story from start to finish. In my opinion, the great acting paired with writing made it one of best stories in daytime in a very long time!
I will miss Max Gail/Mike..
He is pure gold/a treasure.
It’s a shame to have brought him in to die 🙁
he would have been an all-time awesome character.
I didn’t watch the funeral..
I scrolled the bar to see if anything other would be, but not.
I scrolled/zipped through the funeral.
I didn’t need the sadness and tears, not a good thing.
I’m not an emotional masochist … lol
Su000, well, I’m an emotional masochist so I watched. Brilliant performances. Speaking of emotional masochists, do you watch What We Do In the Shadows? It’s a mockumentary about vampires, and it’s hilarious. There is an emotional vampire on that show who is not only incredibly funny, he’s incredibly realistic. We all have an emotional vampire in our lives. I hope you and your family are doing well.
The storyline was amazing. Max and Maurice were outstanding. Shout out to all the other actors in the storyline. I’ll miss Max Gail. Good luck to him in his future endeavors. He’s a Rockstar.
Kudos to Max Gail for completing his run as Mike. His portrayal of a man in a devastating condition was quite special.
That said, I’m not saddened by his departure. As soon as Gail was recast in the role, the character was revealed to have Alzheimer’s. The writers didn’t allow time to reintroduce a character that had been off the canvas and barely mentioned for 8 years to build up some authenticity. Gail, who again did a great job, could have been playing any Alzheimer’s patient.
I know Ron Hale retired from acting, so it was not possible to bring him back. Sadly, that ruled out any flashbacks which would’ve added to the drama. Imagine seeing a scene from 15-20 years ago that any character vividly remembers, that Mike could no longer.
A few other points:
Hopefully now we can have a break from the Sonny propping for a while.
The show has no idea what to do with Kristina. Time to send her back to college somewhere until there’s a compelling reason for her to be on the canvas.
Overall, the show has a lot more hits than misses these days.
Beautifully done
GH gets an A+! It will be interesting to see how Y&R wraps up Dina’s story. The show is terrible right now but her an the Abbotts are all good actors and have treated the story with care. I cannot see them outdoing GH but we shall see soon. Mike and Sonny were just above and beyond daytime’s #1 actors this year.
What’s up with Jason and Sam? He’s kind of leaving her in the dark about everything going on, almost giving her the cold shoulder.
How about that bitch Gladys? Today she was her usual greedy self, but Brando seemed overly anxious to spy for Sonny. I am glad that Dante is back, but what does that mean for Luluhoop and “Darius”? Dante couldn’t get whatsizname’s right. He will probably end up with Brook Lynn.
When it comes to social issue storylines, no other soap can top General Hospital. Period.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.
Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
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