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.
Absolute perfection. The writing was compelling and the acting left me riveted at every turn. GH is at the best in the game.
Why is General Hospital always talked about in the form of SCENES instead of stories? I think that is part of the problem with the show.
Every scene is a show every show has scenes
What a great, intriguing question, Irene. Why, indeed! We should be pressing the story; not any particular scene to carry said story. Obviously, the story itself is lacking something. The actor is not delivering? The plot is not gripping enough? Thus, all we are left with are solitary scenes, frozen in the moment. Again, I just have to commend both Maurice and Bryan. I guess it is because I as taken by surprise by the realism; their inspiring dialogue ….words which seemed to dance and have a life of their own. The fear in Sonny’s eyes, the paleness in the… Read more »
Irene, please elaborate. I don’t understand what it is you are saying here. And I want to understand.
Along the same lines: why do I lack the sense that long term, any of this, as dramatic and even as emotionally resonant as it is, makes any difference for any of these characters? That any of them will lead their lives differently, or make different decisions, or go in a different direction because of what has happened? “Character-driven” writing implies (to me, at least) that characters change and evolve in response to what they live through. Raise your hand if you think Sonny and Carly will be playing out some version of this same melodrama within the next couple… Read more »
Excellent observation Michael (not Fairman) – I long for characters to grow… and learn!!
I have a simple answer. Because MOST stories dont have ALL good actors in them so we tend to pick out a scene with a good acting performance instead of singling out the whole story.
Exactly, Timmm. You said it much more clearly and succinctly than I have. But, that is what I meant…to the letter.
“Why is General Hospital always talked about in the form of SCENES instead of stories? I think that is part of the problem with the show.” Irene, such a simple yet astute point and it is the main problem with the show. GH is now written and produced for the chatter of Twitter and social media posts where a group of viewers and superfans of certain actors can pretend to be knowledgeable about acting and production and to prop their favorites. It has nothing to do with good storytelling, the kind that would appeal to a larger audience who are… Read more »
Thank you Irene and AJQ, I concur. GH for me is on the same level as “The Bachelor” .. “this is going to be the most shocking moment yet!’ .. that’s all they do is try to shock us now and get us talking about the show. Yes, they behave badly, yes they’re entertaining, but do we actually really CARE about any of these characters? Not when GH’s main priority is giving its “pets” Emmy reels and using hyperbole to get us to tune in.
Bryan is very good… ALL the acting has been phenomenal..
However-
It’s much like being in one of those help groups or in a rehab center, watching it roll on everyday..
I can’t take much more of these bipolar physiotherapy session.. ..
( Dr. Freud and Dr. Seuss have certified me as being quite sane. )
your comment made me smile 🙂
Well I thought the episode was ok. Maura West and her scenes were fabulous. As for Sonny getting up on the ledge and saving Morgan – just more silly unrealistic writing. For me personally, a waste of my energy yelling “jump” at the tv every time Morgan and Sonny were on screen. How I wish GH could get rid of most of the Corinthos clan…but just more disappointment from the writers.
Agreed that the most effective scene was the last with Maura West’s beautiful singing to her adult daughter and flashes of other mothers and their children. Otherwise I think the praise for the episode is overstated.
Yes, exactly what, I think, Irene has suggested. Some scenes, such as Ava’s singing, bits and pieces of the episodes and of the storylines even, are appreciated versus the big picture.
rolling ; on the floor laughing “… a waste of my energy yelling “jump” at the tv every time Morgan and Sonny were on screen. ” the end result… in all that is GH Sonny And Carly are always brought on to two sucker punch us… and leave us ??? barren ? wasted … suck the life right out of any and all scenes and put their stamp and kibosh on interest There’s Sonny… up and at em… long forgotten the wheelchair … as his machismo took hold and Sonny amped up the whole church; therein; at the hospital… ready… Read more »
not once… under water… did Lulu put up a fight and or struggle… she just sank came up for air… about 5 times.. and sank right back down thank goodness she was wearing red it was a lame reunion… Emme Rylan going make- up less… wow she is a wisp of a thing… or is it? what ??? ever happened to Valerie? wasn’t she pregnant? or was it just played she thought she might be? I’m so disappointed and STILL WAITING FOR A LAURA STORYLINE, where she’s NOT trotting out .. angst filled for what Nicholas , Liz, and Lulu… Read more »
Yes, I agree that Friday’s episode of General Hospital was excellent and it was definitely filled with Knockout Performances from the cast!
Why couldnt Morgan take Sonny’s hand and force Sonny to jump with him…lol…but seriously, im a long time bipolor sufferer…i have brief outburst over silly stuff, especially when i dont like something on GH but in that case bipolor disorder has nothing to do with it-just the sometimes spotty horrible writing…lol…trying hard to retain my sense of humor…horrible week-not GH-my life…my sister was in hospital with heart problem and as things were looking good she had a relapse and had ‘died’ for four minutes, but an on duty nurse just happened into her room and revived her… her adult son… Read more »
Jim, I am so sorry to hear all of this. I am happy, however, to learn that your sister came back to you.
Your cat? My cat one time bit into my hand as I stupidly tried to break up a cat fight in the back yard. My hand became as large as a baseball mitt and I had to go to the ER for antibiotics.
Yes, Morgan’s bipolar story is really unrealistic and is not serving those who really do suffer from this devastating disorder.
My cat attack was like that scene in The Birds when Tippi Hendren enters that bedroom and was viciously attacked-my arm was so bloody i thought i would need a blood transfusion…i’ve become ill days later and now i must go back to be checked again.
Ah…Harry. They always say never try to break up a cat fight…between cats…or women! Ahem. 😉 But seriously…if you currently have a cat or are getting one in the future…paleeeez don’t let him or her out. So dangerous for them. Fights wuth other animals, hit by cars, fleas, etc. Statistically, outdoor cats only live about five years..indoor cats can live 20 and beyond.
Take care, Jim. I am thinking good thoughts for you.
Thank you…
The performance by all the actor was greatest Emmy worthy . I enjoyed every minute of the show the best. Keep it up.
I really enjoyed Fridays episode. It seems we are finally gaining some real traction in story. I can’t wait until Anna and Robert find out they have a son the never knew about with this new doctor. Anna must have been pregnant e hen presumed dead in that explosion all those years ago.
I do not believe he is Robert’s son. Anna’s son, yes. But not Robert’s. Hmmm.
Well maybe he’s Anna’s and the ever fertile Sonny’s, since absolutely every road in Port Charles must lead somehow to Sonny.
Except that Anna and Sonny have never slept together, of course, and the writers would never completely rewrite history for some off-screen liaison that we had no idea had taken place.
Oh, wait. . . .
Oooooo….I love that, Allen! Dr. Munro; meet your parents: Anna Devane and Robert Scorpio!!!!!!!
That would be cool. He could pass as Robin’s brother.
Ooh! I never thought of that! My first inclination was that he’s Stones’s brother. I still think that but this could be a nice twist…if he was Anna and Duke’s son! That would mean the world to Anna…
The show is overloaded with primo performers and it is about time the writing was up to their level.
Well they certainly do these emotional scenes a lot better than the action scenes. Although I am sure there were some viewers yelling at the set for Sonny and Morgan to jump– in reality they did a honest portrayal of the kind of hopelessness one feels when they are about to end it all and how distorted one’s thinking can get. Although having Saint Sonny be the one the save the day instead of the shrink was bit predictable it was a well written scene and performed with heart and honesty. And Carly’s bloody hands were very Lady Macbeth– it… Read more »
REALLY, Mary?????? You too?????? I have been saying this for so long, I got laryngitis from it. LOL.
I also repeatedly said, Kiki will need blood and Nina is a match.
But, Mary….perhaps we should give up. Shay makes sense in saying that it’s a bit too late.
Besides, I think Ava referred to Kiki as her firstborn. I still hope, though. I’m glad you’re there, alongside with me, Mary. Later.
Sonny and Morgan love each other so I dont mind that Super Sonny talked him down. I agree with you about the shirtless doctor. It was a cheap way to give someone a thrill!
i thought the episode was a standout too, what really stood out for me though was Griffin looking at Anna at the end of the episode, what is his connection to her? i can’t wait to find out, I really like this character and the actor, and if he ends up being related to Anna that will be awesome, he could be Robins twin brother? hence the connection everyone was talking about when they were guessing he was related to Stone since he talked to sonny in his first episode about loosing someone to Hiv? i guessing here, i hope… Read more »
Awesome Episode!!!
Very well done by all. Loved Ava singing the lullaby. If I have any suggestion it is that they lock the door to the hospital roof.
Thats funny Rose. Maybe Nina can hire a guard to watch the roof, as well?
**********NEWSFLASH**********
Heather Weber fell off the roof of the hospital a few years ago and survived, so no need to worry…
She landed on a bag of BLT’s!
i actually enjoyed Bryan Craig’s performance. Especially since he refrained from licking his lips as he frequently does. I thought he was believable and heartfelt. Maurice was just playing himself and though not much of a stretch, his scene with Bryan was touching and sad. It got to me, and I did get teary. Very unrealistic that a nurse or aide on any floor but especially a psych ward would un-tether a patient who is in restraints under Dr’s orders without consulting with the Doctor or Head Nurse. I have grown to like Maura West a bit more than I… Read more »
What a great post, ABC Vet. I agree with almost every point you made.
This will shock you Harry, I agree with everything Vet said too. Which means…you and I agree again! What’s happening?????
Lunatic banshee…lol!
Been watching Laura Wright since her days on “Loving.” She’s a treasure. The main reason I wish they would use Jackie Zeman more on “GH” is because it’s great to see them play off each other.
Its funny/sad, GH refuses to use their vets or I’d say most of them. I could agree if there was no purpose but both Monica and Bobbi have a lot of family on the show. It sucks. Another point, Maxie is a chatter box, you mean to tell me she doesnt EVER talk to her mom? DUMB!
Wonderful story telling. I empathize with Morgan. Bryan Craig has been outstanding. All of the cast is great.
The Corinthos family is a core and veteran family on GH. They’re here to stay. The episode was excellent. And it’s a daytime drama; it’s going to be over the top sometimes– it’s fun.
As a newer viewer I’m thinking how was i not watching this amazing show ages ago? Imo this is by far the best story lines and acting of any daytime soap. This episode was fantastic. Now I’m hoping for some honeymoon scenes with Julexis.
Oh you can count on a bubble bath or 10!
Oh, I so hope not, Timmmbo!!!!!
LOL …Yea!! Bring it on. 🙂
Best full week of GH in a very long time. I didn’t think anything could top the great episodes on Tues/Wed with the action/drama but Friday’s was even more amazing with so much heart. The show truly had a little bit of everything this week and it’s very rare these days in daytime soaps that you can have a complete week like GH just pulled off. Bravo to the writers, actors and directors.
I agree 100%, great week of shows from Monday through Friday. If anyone watched and you’re still complaining, then I really question why you bother watching. We got action, drama (including the hospital drama everyone always says they want to see), emotion, great acting. Bryan Craig was tremendous, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Richard Burgi, Finola Hughes, Emme Rylan, Dominic Zamprogna, Nancy Lee Grahn, so many great performances.
Hi Jay.. Wow! lol I do not understand who some can see this doom and gloom as entertaining lol So far; We have lil’ Jake a messed up in head kid hit by a car near dead and fighting to walk again . We have Kiki fighting for her life . We have Nathan in the hospital gunshot wound We have Carly scrubbing the skin off her hands We have/had Sonny paralyzed We have Morgan going through bipolar attacks We have Tracy going into brain tumor or stroke We have Lulu near dead from drowning GH has become- saddening, cheerless,… Read more »
Well with everyone in the hospital at least the hospital is more of a focus for the show! Maybe ME is coming on as another doctor. Lord knows Port Charles needs them!
I couldn’t agree more, by far the BEST week for GH in a long time. It had me in tears multiple times. Kudos to the new writing regime and the fantastic team of actors.
I can’t wait till Valerie’s back on my screen. I wish Anna was the one that saved the day.
In an episode full of knock out performances it was Laura Wright’s and Maura West’s performances that stood out to me!
Yes the acting was good but there were no big surprises. There was no way Morgan was going to jump. I cannot stand him and had hoped that Heather would burst through the door and push him off the ledge! Kiki was great and Haley has grown before our eyes. Michael was smart enough to go get his dad.
Carly washing her hands was very good.
Anna and Jordan. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!
Maxie, Nathan, Nina, Franco and Mudah wrecked a decent show! No purpose for their scenes whatsoever!
Thank God we have Tracy to look forward to on Monday!
I thought Laura Wright was perfection….so credible, Timmm.
I was so confused by Hayden’s and Tracy’s cryptic conversation….were they talking about the same thing? Is it possible for the elder Quartermaine to be Hayden’s father? Wow…SISTERS!!
Tracey had her first big seizure….after her few TIA’s….poor Tracy.
Where are TPTB going with this?
As usual, Bryan Craig was outstanding. Heartbreaking.
Brilliant!!!
I’m actually wondering if the new doctor is Anna and Duke’s child that she “lost” back in the day?!
Maybe Faison and Helena had something to do with this and as Griffin grew up, he discovered he has a half sister (Robin) who has HIV, which gave him inspiration to be a doctor???
I wonder if they will put him with Liz , Kiki, or even Valerie…also, don’t forget Sabrina will be back in a few months, so she’s also a possibility for him.
Hi Kim…yes…that was my second guess; first was Stone’s brother. I posted above that I thoughtI he might be Duke and Anna’s son as well. Still inclined toward the Stone theory but being Duke’s son would be beautiful for Anna. I just dont remember if Anna miscarried…not sure I was watching back then…or if it’s plausible in the sense that their baby was thought dead but kidnapped.
I would like Griffin to be Duke and Anna’s ONLY if Duke were alive!
Loved the episode. My only reservation is the ease with which Sonny, who was paralyzed a couple of weeks ago, climbed nimbly onto the ledge with little or no effort. I thought he was recovering but not fully recovered enough to execute a stunt like that. The drama would have been heightened if he had struggled somewhat and if his risky behavior had been noted in the scene. Otherwise, good stuff! Long Live GH!!
Yes, Sonny went from 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds! Shouldn’t he at least be struggling a little bit to walk?!
Another awful episode. Carly walked around with Kiki’s blood on her hands all night? That’s sanitary. And then she goes into the doctors’ quarters to wash her hands because how else is she going to run into a shirtless Griffin. Can you say plot driven? (And the hand washing scene felt forced to me — if Carly was ever going to go all Lady MacBeth, it should’ve been for her part in covering up A.J.’s murder and lying to her son about it.) Also, Carly is married to a mobster who murdered A.J. and has committed countless crimes but the… Read more »
Good one, Allen. Griffin could be Alex’s, Anna’s and yet another sister Lindsey’s ( deceased) son. If he is Lindsey’s, then he is Aiden Devane’s ( Turner) brother.
My grandmother told me that Charlotte, the sisters’s evil aunt took many secrets with her when she died. GH can do anything it wants with this history. It’s a can of worms waiting to be opened. Griffin could be related to anybody, at this point.
Nonetheless, I think you’re on to something, Alan.
Sorry; ALAN
No offense, I respect Shriner’s hospital, but I am tired of GH becoming an infomercial for the hospital. If I have to hear did you know there are 20 Shriner’s hospitals across the country one more time…
I understand, Phil. It’s too staged; too contrived; too obvious. But, I do feel for those kids whose family has zero money. This is done to incite us, the viewers to donate. We can’t really hold it against them.
As I said days ago, everyone should walk the halls of any children’s hospital and check out the suffering by the kids and family members. It is devastating.
Boston Children’s, St. Jude’s etc. hold marathons every so-often. I do not think Shriner’s has marathons. I could be wrong. Their funding is all donations….so it needs all the exposure it can get.