General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nelle and Carly Showdown, Anna Learns Olivia Jerome May Be Alive, Sam Wakes Up!
Courtesy/ABC
‘Bitch-slap’ was the name of the game on Friday’s episode of General Hospital! Finally, Nelle (Chloe Lanier) disclosed her true identify and just what her deep-rooted issue is with Carly (Laura Wright)! As Nelle is cornered by Carly, Sonny (Maurice Benard), and Michael (Chad Duell), and the Corinthos clan believes that she and Sonny slept together, she says that she is Frank Benson’s daughter and claims Frank came to Carly for money, but Carly refused to help him.
Carly calls Frank a deadbeat who walked out on her and Virginia, and left them with a ton of debt. She wonders if that’s what he did to Nelle and her mother. Nelle expresses that Frank was good to them, but he wasn’t so good with money. Nelle cries that Frank loved Carly and tried to ask her for help, but she wouldn’t answer any of his letters. Carly fires back he wanted a handout and she didn’t owe him a dime.
Courtesy/ABC
Nelle goes on to say that Carly called Frank to ask for Nelle’s kidney to save Josslyn. Carly denies it and says Frank is lying. A vindictive Nelle tells Carly: “What goes around comes around .. bitch!” In return, Carly hauls off and bitch-slaps Nelle! Sonny says Frank is the one who has manipulated Nelle, not Carlly. But Nelle believes Carly is a selfish person who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Carly tells Nelle that it is dispicable how she used the grief her family was in over Morgan’s death to her advantage to wreaked havoc on her marriage. Sonny tells Nelle she made two wrong enemies in him and Carly, who now vows payback. Outside of Nelle’s, Carly tells Sonny she can’t even look at him for sleeping with Nelle! Meanwhile, Michael lets Nelle have a piece of his mind and walks out on her.
Meanwhile as Robin (Kimberly McCullough) sits at Anna’s bedside at General Hospital, and the two discuss the children Anna has lost including her and Duke’s child thanks to Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker) rigging the elevator she was in years ago, Olivia is in the GH parking lot bumping into Griffin (Matt Cohen), while stowing away a gagged Julian (William deVry) in the trunk of her car.
Courtesy/ABC
Inside GH, Sam (Kelly Monaco) finally wakes up after being in a coma and is reunited with her newborn baby girl, Scout as Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and Jason (Billy Miller) look on and the tears flow.
Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) has a jailed Ava (Maura West) taken to her office to ask about her sister, Olivia, and learns Liv had a vendetta against Anna. Next thing you know, Jordan comes to see Anna to tell her Olivia Jerome might be alive! And as that goes down, Robin runs into Olivia in the parking garage and blurts out: “Oh, my God! It’s you!” We fade to black.
So, what did you think of Friday’s cliffhanger GH? Were you excited or disappointed in the Nelle reveal? Do you think Griffin could actually be Anna and Duke’s bio-son? What will happen to Robin now that she is run into the insane Olivia Jerome? Are you thrilled that JaSam have a baby girl … do you think all will be OK with the baby and Sam moving forward? Share your thoughts and theories in the comment section below!
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It’s just eerie how much Scout looks like Sam.
I’m really tired of every single character having angst, heartache, illness, betrayal and misery every single day but, I’m sure the doom and gloom squad of one trick ponies will not allow Jasam to just be happy for a week.
Speaking of Scout and other babies on soaps. She’s adorable, and I’m sure all are well looked after, but as a parent I wouldn’t want my infant that young as part of a story on tv. Just my personal feelings.
You’re not alone, Rose. I noticed how little this baby was….which tells us it is a newborn. I could never consent to that. But, it is California weather and not every mother thinks as we do, Rose.
This ‘birthing’ scene could never have been carried out outdoorsi if GH had, indeed, been filmed in NY state, northern or southern.
But, God forbid we notice ‘little’ things like that? ….oh, let’s say, how did the blanket materialize? How come such delicate baby skin did not suffer frost bite in freezing northern weather?….( not northeast, but northwest, and definitely not the Midwest)…same temperature as Ontario…COLD!! Why was the water not frozen but the ground was, as per Jason? No newborn would have survived, given the circumstances. It’s a doap, granted….but, I would love for some realism, once in a while.
Jason did mention something about the snow and freezing cold. Sooo….
I agree, Rose. Amazes me that parents let their babies be handled and exposed to who-knows-what…germs, props, etc. Yes I’m sure the utmost precautions are taken but I’d still be nervous. In the other hab
You would be surprised the lengths parents will go out here in LA to get their kid into show business. I would rather have them discovered as opposed to shoving them in a casting director’s face.
Great points Rose and Celia!
While I kept focus on how Sam was able to deliver with her pants on and how Jason cut the cord, I never thought about where that blanket came from.
While I appreciate the literary “Scout” reference to “To Kill a Mockingbird”, I doubt Sam or Jason ever read. It might be in the well-hidden memory of Jason Q, but definitely not Mr. Morgan. Scout should be the nickname for the baby named Emily Davis Morgan.
Oh, and agree Steve…Jason should have thought to name his little girl after Emily. I didn’t even think about it until you mentioned it but that would have been nice…
Steve /Rebecca1…Emily would have been perfect!
@Steve…I’ve never understood the overly maudlin attachment to/affection for Emily….she was a boring, saccharin-sweet character (not unlike Georgie….and even my much-maligned Sabs….) who I was quite frankly delighted to see departing Port Charles in a state of assumed room temperature. The way people still go on about her today like she was some sort of saint truly astounds me….especially since she wasn’t even a real Quartermaine, for Pete’s sake!
Last week was all kinds of awesome. JASAM drama was an awesome roller coaster ride and the actors “brought it”, The Morgans will triumph as alwasy. The build up and eruption to the Nelle reveal was great, but the reason behind it has Yuge holes in it. Nelle appears to be a naive but vindictive idiot putting the blame of what her POS father did onto Carly. She tortured Sonny while he was suffering through worst thing a parent could experience because of her boo-boo. Griffin being Anna and Duke’s son; Wellllll GH has done other mpossible and improbable things: Helena Cassadine; Nuff Said. I cannot wait to see when Anna finds out that fruit bar Olivia is still kicking.
Haha…nice post. Agree with all you said.
I’m totally excited about everything that is happening with Carly/Sonny/Michael and Belle, but she needs to tell them there was no affair and that Belle drugged Sonny
I mean nelle
I give it mixed reviews…Sam should had croaked leading Jason to give up on his true love Sonny and turned to the medical field to help others…Nelle is Carly’s stepsister???…i wish Nelle would had been the daughter of a man Carly once slept with causing Nelle’s mother to have a breakdown and eventually she committed suicide…the man could had asked Carly for money to pay for his wife’s funeral expense but she turns him down and claims she didnt even know he was married…it felt like a great moment but it just kind of bored me!!!
Love the way you think, Jimmy. LOL.
@Steve.
Thanks, Steve….we do seem to think alike. I said exactly that….the pants part, and did Jason cut the cord.
And, yes, there is a lot of literary power in the name ‘Scout’. But, had I made that observstion, Inwould have been accused of showing off.
@Celia (and Steve) Perhaps the “Scout” moniker was a shoutout to Demi Moore (aka, GH’s former “Jackie Templeton….) I recall she and Bruce Willis chose that name for one of their daughters, too, and people were just as “mocking” (no “fictional” pun intended, CeeCeeGirl….) toward their choice…Of course, after they called their firstborn, “Rumer,”—-another literary gem—-they had a tough act to follow.
I’ve been loving GH these past few weeks. Stories have kept me interested and entertained…love seeing Olivia Jerome who REALLY cracks me up. I know she’s supposed to be evil but she just has this “dastardly deed” vibe about her that I love watching. She’s colorful…
Love Anna and Robin. Their mother/daughter relationship is just so palpable…so authentic…and I like how they’ve portrayed Robin in this story. Believable, loyal, loving, strong.
I DO think Griffin is going to wind up being Duke and Anna’s daughter. I never saw the fall or the loss of the baby so I’m not sure if they actually showed the death or it was off-screen, but I’m thinking the baby (Griffin) survived and he was put up for adoption. I would think it was Olivia but she would have kept him…
Confused! If Carly and Nell are half-sisters…was Benson Carly’s biological father?…then even in the midst of her angst/anger/hatred I would think she would have reacted to Nell being her sister. And, where does that lead Michael? He’d be Nell’s nephew! Yet, it seemed like she wanted to move forward with him romantically….
I think Billy Miller and Kelly Monaco have been reading this and other sites. They both enunciated beautifully, clearly, on Friday’s episode! LOL. Guess someone should have directed them to open their mouths and speak up sooner! I do love them, though. I feel their bond; I think they convey it well. I would, however, like to see Jason bond more with Alexis and Monica…and Michael! He was so close to Michael and yet the relationship between the two seems non-existent.
Obviously from the coming attractions Olivia kidnaps Robin; perhaps she’ll be rescued by “her brother” Griffin who might be lured to where she’s holding Robin. But, Robin’s old hat at being kidnapped; this time should be a breeze!
Griffen as Duke and Anna’s daughter? That would be a daytime first-lol
LOLOLOLOL!!!! Guess I was still thinking the word from mother/daughter regarding Robin and Anna. Too funny! Good catch!
Hmmmmm…it WOULD be a good twist though… 😉
Actually, I like that idea. Griffin was a daughter first….sex change? Great plotline. Too funny.
Faux pas happens to the best of us.
Hey CeeCee…Griffin being, LOL, their daughter and having had a sex change would be a first for GH. Haha…but, naaa…I’m thinking he was just born a beautiful boy.
It sure would be a good twist…i did originally thought Griffen was going to be a transgender when he first appeared and i think i once even commented on it!!!
Nathan is a hunk…mainly his seductive blue eyes….but, Griffin’s face is just perfect…..so perfect, in fact, that it looks painted by a masterful hand.
He doesn’t look real; if that makes any sense. Normally, soft features on a guy, do not appeal to me…but Matt’s looks are an enigma. Exquisite!!
I did notice Patrick being MIA…..for a long while, now. Hope he’s well.
Griffin is about to ‘donate’ his DNA to reproduce Duke?
How ‘funny’ would it be if this crazy idea of Olivia were scientifically possible, but Griffin is not really Duke’s son? Who would emerge?
Liv’s “Build-a-Duke” plan is a riot, I love it. Just watched today’s 3/7 show and when Griffin broke out of the straps, stepped around the corner to Liv and Anna, his poise and tone was just like Duke’s! I think this plot is finally picking up speed and will be a fun ride!
Nelle and Carly are not biologically related. John Durant is Carly’s real father, Frank Benson was her adoptive father. So that makes Nelle and Carly adoptive siblings, meaning there is no relation between Nelle and Michael.
Thanks, Jimmy. Wasn’t sure about it. Well, that leaves the field open for an eventual Michael/Nell relationship.
Ok, thank you, Jimmy. Yet, I still do not see what monumental wrong-doing on Carly’s part, warranted such behavior from Nelle?
I think they should have come up with something mind-blowing. I still don’t know what she did?….because she left?
Perhaps, TPTB should invent something …gee, I don’t…this Benson person making moves on Carly? That could be the reason Carly left.
CeeCee…I think that Nell is bitter about giving up a kidney; she feels like Carly got everything…has the perfect life…and she was “put up for sale” at what she THINKS is because Carly demanded (bribed?) Nell’s father to take Nell’s kidney. I think Jax found out that Nell was connected to Carly and somehow (maybe) used that info…and a big fat check…to get the kidney. I think Jax knows who Nell is (in relation to Carly.)
One more thought…since Carly and Nell are not biological sisters…it’s just a coincidence that she was a match for Jocelyn? Thought it made more sense for them to be mother/daughter or biological sisters which would explain how Nell was a match.
The Jasam scenes this week were amazing. I keep rewatching them over and over again with tears streaming down my face. Kelly and Billy were absolutely brilliant. I loved that Jasam finally got their little girl. That baby is darling and Billy was such a natural with her. I can’t wait for more. I’m so glad the writers really honored their history by mentioning the Phoenix, the stars, and everything else they been through as a couple. Jason truly loves his wife and would be lost without her.
I completely agree, Trista!
0ooh goodlawrd..
That horrible character Sam needs to die!
DIE SAM DIE !
The only Sam I want to see is a DEAD SAM !!
I/we , have all kinds of way to kill Sam…
I just need to write one episode. ((I can kill her in 14 different ways in 36 minutes!!))
And– no one would FF through all 14 deaths!! It would be awesome!
Mean, mean, mean. Funny, but…mean! 😉
Nothing from Carly or Nelle is not important to me .Jasam was,the story!!!
Am I right to assume because GH was preempted many times that these episodes were supposed to air during Feb sweeps– because these are the type of episodes that one expects in Feb, not March– that said— it took forever to get there, but the Carly Nelle reveal was well done– poor Nelle she went after the wrong parent– it was Jax’s who bought Joss a kidney– whoops. So does this mean Nelle Carly’s sister– not familiar with the Frank Benson back story
As for Olivia– it is so obvious she has a bomb in that bag of hers– and of course that means Sam and baby will be in danger if the hospital goes akboom– as well as Anna. I guess the only question will be does Jason stop the bomb before it explodes or has to rescue everyone after it does. Part of me hopes it goes off, just so the sets can have a remake
Feel sorry for Micheal can’t find a woman who won’t lie to him about something–
All in all, a solid episode–
There are surely more layers to this reveal. We must not forget that Jax looked mighty nervous around Nelle. I’d bet that there is more to come…
This episode was dynamite! Brilliantly acted by all. 🙂
Absolutely, Jason. You are right, I’m sure.
I think we all noticed how jumpy and on pins and needles Jax was around Nelle. And, I did ask if there were more to come?? You reenforced that question to a ‘definitely’.
I am finally getting into the story, now that some of the cards are on the table.
Some good points raised about Jax – he and Nelle exchanged some glances across the room as if they’d met up before. I’m sure we’ll find out Jax is the one who bought the kidney for Joslyn and he kept Carly in the dark about it. Is the story Nelle is giving now about poor papa her real beef? So far, the pieces don’t fit.
Sonny and Carly will go their separate ways at least for a while due to his coverup of what didn’t happen. Perhaps Jax will pop in again and they will reconnect,… But, I am tired of the fast comings and goings of old regulars…
@Max Daddee.
That’s why I am so confused, Max. I am not very familiar with Carly’s backstory. I know her mother Bobbi was a “lady of the night”. Is Carly a product of an unknown bio father?
I think having Nelle and Carly share the same bio father would have sewn the holes Greg (below) mentioned , beautifully. The plot would have come alive.
As Greg says, there are so many discrepancies to the Nelle story. A last minute grasping at straws, sort of forced the PTB’s hand to bring Michael and Nelle together romantically.
A blood relationship with Carly would have been so much more compelling…or, as AJ’s daughter, as many of us suggested in the past.
Nelle’s vendetta against Carly and Sonny would have held so much more water, if the story had veered in that direction.
I hope Jax does not return ( do not like him, contrary to his many adoring fans)….but, if this story is not done, he will have to make an appearance, as I, agree that he is up to his proverbial eyeballs in the kindney-transplant-Nelle travesty.
Carly has another bio dad from a one night stand…Attoney John Durante, not Frank Benson. I had to hunt that up because I didn’t go back that far either. But her attitude sure started there.
Where is Patrick…hadnt read comments from him in some time!!!
@Rose.
Thanks, Rose….that helps.
So, to me, Nelle has no justification for her stupid actions ( or the lame actions of the writers).
Obviously, there was no love lost, as far as Carly was concerned. This makes me believe that something about Frank Benson was not very palatable…unsavory??
I just want a deeper explanation as to Nelle’s drastic lengths. I could understand if she had been left alone and helpless as a very young girl. But, so far, there is no sound or sane reason for her to hold so much rancor for Carly.
I think Nelle is probably a little off kilter. The girl has issues, and, considering the trauma in her young life, I would not be surprised.
Perhaps, there could be a story there to be explored.
The only problem is Ingo is not on the show right now!
And, I doubt he would come back if it were for a character assasination plot that makes Jax the bad guy.
BTW, Carly’s bio-dad was established as John Durant, a law enforcement agent, played by Corbin Bernsen. John died in a shootout at Carly’s house.
I am still a little confused over Nelle’s ‘beef’ with Carly. What exactly did Carly do to her that was so bad to precipitate all the nefarious machinations and lengths Nelle took to hurt Carly ?
You are not the only one confused, so are the writers-lol
They must be, Jimmy, because this story is just floating in air for me. Not satisfied!!
Rebecca’s reasoning makes the most sense…..Nelle feels she has been cheated in life…giving up a kidney….while Carly has it all.
Poor girl needs therapy, if that is the case. I am no fan of Carly’s……and, as far as I’m concerned, Carly needs therapy, as well. Reason number one: Sonny!!
I also think that Nell’s father brainwashed her and twisted more facts than just the kidney “request”…I think he somehow painted Carly as having ruined his life…or hurt him (and Nell) in some way. It goes deeper… (I think.)
The whole Nelle reveal was a resounding thud.With plot holes galore.
a) When Nelle came to town she knew that Carly was searching for Josslyn’s kidney donor and wasn’t sure if Nelle was the donor. Surely Nelle would have observed this and realized her father’s story was a lie
b) Why would Carly think that someone with no blood relation to her would be a match. The chances that Nelle would be a compatible donor are minute.
c)When Carly hired Nelle as her assistant and called the school where Nelle worked wouldn’t they have told her that Nelle’s last name was Benson and not Hayes?
d) Wouldn”t the name discrepency cause hiring and tax issues for Carly?
e)Why would Nelle’s father give her Carly’s baby rattle? Wouldn’t Virginia have figured out that Frank stole it and try to get it back?
It is obvious that this story was re-written at the last minute or just made up as it went along.It would have had far more of an impact if she had been Carly’s daughter or better yet A.J’s.It seems as though they want the character to be paired with Michael so there could be no blood ties in the way.There is zero chemistry between Chad Duell and Chloe Lanier.They killed off beloved Sabrina for the sake of this appallingly badly written, ill conceived storyline which rival’s Paul being the hospital serial killer!
The only good thing about the reveal episodes were Laura Wright’s performances throughout the three days it took to get to the bottom of this mess. Laura is one of the most amazing actresses out there, not just in daytime drama but in the entire entertainment industry and she managed to shine through all of this.
Chloe Lanier also did a good job and held her own against Laura.
On the other hand Maurice Bernard and Chad Duell just stood there as if they didn’t know what they were doing.Maurice Bernard’s acting just gets worse and worse. It appears as if he isn’t bothering to learn his scripts the way he mumbles and fumbles and stutters and falters over his lines.How the higher ups let him get away with his awful “acting” style is beyond me!
Amazing post, Greg. Most of your obsevations are always there, on the surface, for myself, as well. Thank you for bringing them to light….even the minutest little things that are soooo unrealistic and without order bother me. But, I have been put in my place, more oft than not, and chided because it is a soap, perhaps making me sound petulant. Does that mean they do not have to make sense? There are a few high and ‘mighties’ who always know better.
Thus, I am glad your shoulder is steady, and there to support what I am beginning to hold silently.
Nonetheless, even with all the holes, the story is finally moving forward and I agree that Laura is ALWAYS spectacular with Chloe close behind, for someone so green. So, here’s to hoping that the climaxing plot will not fall flat on its face with another “resounding thud”.
Carly could had pretended not to know who the donor was as an act so Sonny and the others wouldnt know she already knew Nelle was the donor,,,she could had pretended to befriend Nelle as an act to keep her close in case Nelle found out, unaware Nelle already knew what Carly had done,,,Carly could had payed Benson for Nelle’s kidney and denies it because she doesnt want anybody to know she is just as horrible as the man she had married-Sonny!!!
Saying that plot holes are allowed because “it’s just a soap” and they produce so many episodes a year is ridiculous. Henry Slesar used to plot intricate mysteries on THE EDGE OF NIGHT and Doug Marland would build years of story based on a show’s history that didn’t contradict what had come before. I don’t understand viewers’ acceptance of this lowering of the bar at a time when the soaps have dwindled to four and quality writing is more important than ever if they want to stay on the air.
Greg, thank you; I thought about all of your comments while watching and agree with you. Was the storyline rewritten at the last minute? I didn’t remember the kidney coming from Jake, either. Nelle supposedly knew about the kidney search from the Crimson article, I thought? Why would viewers care if Nelle was the long lost adoptive sister of Carly’s? There is no real legacy element to the story. Viewers really didn’t know Virginia or Frank. It’s a lazy attempt at a rewrite because the writers want to pair Michael and Nelle together and they have zero chemistry.
My sentiments exactly. More holes than Swiss cheese.
And, they never did run DNA tests to see if the kidney was Nelle’s. Monica was ready to do them when Carly said she didn’t need them.
Nelle as AJ’s daughter? Now, THAT I love! That would be a lot of fun.
@Greg Lynch….You had me at every word…well, almost! Calling the blessedly-departed Sabs “beloved” really killed it for me, but other than that one fine point, right on!
What a great couple of weeks of GH? An injection of Olivia Jerome made GH exciting again. Her storyline can rewrite some of the biggest blunders this past week like Paul killing spree, Carlos and Sabrina being killed. We could easily turn this around with Julian. Julian isn’t as bad as everyone thinks. Like he protected Alexis, he could have done the same for Carlos and Sabrina. By the way, those two must come back. And I know there will be more to the Nell story than what we just learned. Congrats GH? What a eat ride. Now get Steve Burton back and have Billie Miller turn out to be AJ.
I like GH, But I find it hard to believe that two women are the writers great actors horrible writer’s and producer Sam had her baby with her pants on, And Nell secret please,
BWAHAHA LMAO
Too funny, luisa. That was the first thing I noticed, and I shouted, ” take her pants off”….they didn’t hesr me, LOL. A couple of other female posters mentioned the same thing….must be a woman thing.
@CeeCee….I think the GH writers need to watch “Call the Midwife!” Talk about realism…..
Exactly. I chuckled at the miracle.
I know I’m going to get a bunch of “this show is so great these days — why do you have to be so negative?” replies but why would Carly go to Frank Benson and ask for Nelle’s kidney since they weren’t blood relatives? And if Carly actually had gone to Frank Benson for the kidney why would she then have Nina run that story in CRIMSON looking for the donor of said kidney? And if Nelle is so cunning why didn’t she think of that?
Jason and Sam — ugh. Jean and Shelly really dropped the ball with this one. Ron had set up a classic soap triangle with Jason/Liz/Sam. Jason loved both women and each had given him a son — this could’ve played out for years but instead these writers abandoned that for a chemistry free pairing with Sam. For two characters who supposedly live their lives flirting with danger they are the most boring couple in daytime. And again with that name — Scout. Seriously? The only way it could be worse is if they come up with a “creative” way of spelling it.
And does anybody else smell a retcon where Anna and Duke’s miscarried child is concerned? I have the feeling that the whole point of this Olivia Jerome return (besides absolving Julian of all guilt in trying to kill Alexis since the writers realize they wrote the character into a corner) is to reveal that Anna’s baby didn’t really die but was born alive and spirited away by Sister Camilla who had always loved Duke (despite the fact she thought he was her brother for years). Since she knew that she would never have his love, Sister Camilla took his son instead.
Everything you said is true, true, true, Alan….as usual I agree with you. I can’t thing of any one thing where I actually disagreed.
Furthermore, you will not hear any words of discontent in whatever you say from moi. I am always outnumbered and ostracized, anyway,…..add this to the obvious and odorous criticism, as well.
You never disappoint, as far as I’m concerned.
GH has THIRD tier writers from Y&R and they are doing NOTHING about it!
Those third tier writers just won a writers guild award !
Amen, Alan!!! I’m glad that I’m not alone in my disdain for the always illogical, and frankly, disappointing, denouements that GH writers have the absolutely uncanny knack for concocting…None of them ever makes any sense from the points of historical backstories, biological reality or especially clever, original twists and turns that one never saw coming. It’s always the same old letdown feeling when after months of anticipation and endless speculation the “answer to the question” is one that neither satisfies nor excites, not to mention, epically fails to add up!
I answered you, Shay. Nothing mean or rude, just a simple, short post. But, I do not see it.
Thank you for your solicitousness. I fractured my patella skating.
I think you hit the nail on the head. There are no clever revelations. The anticipation is there, but it dissipates when it takes so long for the plot to climax. We tend to lose interest. As you say, no excitement.
However, Olivia Jerome’s return and ‘short’ story moved at a fair pace. I thought cutting Griffin in thinking thst Duke’s spirit would inhabit his body was a bit much. The only good scene was the physical fight between her and Anna.
I, absolutely, loved it……looked so real!!!! Good show. Anna being so slight, gave it her all. A woman’s most powerful strength is in the legs while down ( from my self-defense class)……Anna proved that. Loved it!!
OUCH, indeed!!!!, Shaybelle. Jude was there!! My sisters and I took the kids to the rink and I got carried aways with certain moves. Not as spry as I used to be. LOL. I have about two more weeks to go. Going nuts!!
So many times, Shay, I wish I were around to have had the grest opportunity of watching those defunct soaps. You make them seem sooo glorious. Lucky you and everyone else to have those memories.
As I said, I grew up watching soaps with Gran, but I started watching avidly, probably 15, 16 years ago, when I could grasp the plotlines and understand human emotion.
My first was Y&R; it is, to this day, my favorite.
But, even then, the stories had a different air….the quality of the writing and execution of drama, humor, irony, sarcasm had life. Yes, there was a sprinkle of unreality to accomodate the direction of a story ( as you say, convenience), but the manipulation was done in such an orderly manner, one ‘bought’ the illusion. And, I was never left wanting.
Agreed, Shay. Anna is invincible. I am glad Finola/Anna is not drifting and vacillating.
I loved it when she caught Olivia, as she held her stance, gun in hand, with a fixed stare….the true non-pareil cop; spy!!
I meant to say, J was NOT there. Skating is not his thing.
Surgeons always worry about their hands. I’m not kidding!! LOL.
Also, I forgot to ask what the deal between Anna and Olivia is. Do they have lots of history together? Did Duke love Olivia once upon a time? Or, is this another recently concocted story?
Although I am not familiar with ” Edge Of Night” and the names you mentioned, Alan, I definitely can relate to your point. I want to derive satifaction from a plotline, not some wishy-washy, tepid story with a last minute concocted ending……or a drifting ending, not making any sense. I still ask; “what was the Fluke thing all about”?
I am, by nature, like a dog with a bone…..So, “it’s a soap” cannot always work.
Hey, those quads and triples will kill you everytime, CeeCeeGirl!…OUCH! And such a shame….skating is one of the great joys of the winter season…Once again, hope you heal quickly…How long do you expect for your recuperation???? By the copious nature of your postings, it would appear you are going a bit stir crazy??? No problem….I fondly recall we first “met” whilst you were recovering from your daughter’s birth and it was a rare and delightful opportunity to get to know you. At any rate, “Edge of Night” was a mystery-based soapy with a long history of fabulous writing and sophisticated plot twists….I only caught it in its last few years on ABC (it was cancelled in the mid-80’s….) and quite admittedly, I was drawn to it primarily by the presence of one “Preacher Emerson,” played by the drop-dead gorgeous Charles Flohe (aka, Grant….) But the storylines and acting were none too shabby either! LOL….(That’s also where I first encountered the elegantly cool Larkin Malloy, another great daytime treasure who we sadly lost far too soon.) But I digress…..you and I, along with Alan, are by nature not malleable creatures who accept plot-contrived conveniences in our dramas…we desire tantalizing, tautly-written tales that engage both the mind and the emotions when it comes to delivering that final punch of a well-crafted brain-twisting puzzler…I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….I’m totally spoiled by the razor-sharp intelligent plots and ploys utilized in my favorite genteel British crime shows….Because of them, I’m always looking beneath the surface for some hidden motive, miscreant or m.o. when it comes to pondering such mysterious matters, so the inevitable letdown I experience from today’s too-often lame and illogical GH dramatic developments would seem to be an unavoidable consequence of binge-watching one of my most favorite genres of international entertainment. At least our fabulously-fierce alpha-female, the “Divine Devane” didn’t disappoint! Yes, Anna is ALWAYS awesome….that’s one mainstay to the Port Charles canvas that is thankfully still present! Take care, mia amica! Later….
P.S. That’s what you—and Dr. Jude—-get for trying to emulate “Torvill and Dean’s” legendary “Bolero” routine!
I think you’re right Alan regarding the loopholes with the Nell/Carly story. There were too many reasons that you cite that Nell should have been aware of.
Where I disagree, again (LOL) is that I LIKE some of the roads soaps take even if they are implausible.
Example: If Griffin turns out to be Anna and Duke’s son…I’ll gladly, once again, suspend my disbelief because I’d LOVE for him to be their son!
If Alexis and the rest of the family understands that Julian was controlled by his Olivia..would never really have killed Alexis but was just putting on a show in case he was being watched…I’ll believe it and like it for the same reason…I LIKE Julian, I want him to be forgiven and I don’t want to lose him from the show.
When a dead-as-a-doornaill character is alive…again…I’m good with that, too! (IF I love the character…like…if AJ made a third/fourth…who can keep count…back-to-life appearance.)
Thing is, I watch soaps for the escapism, the fun, the continuity of characters…the familiarity…the fact that they’re completely a world unto themselves. So, a lot of times they don’t have to make sense to me.
Okay; let me clarify. The “real” things have to make sense…common sense. The points you make about Nell and Carly’s behavior which should have tipped Nell off that she was mistaken…those “bloopers” are inexcusable. But the other crazy things that GH has always been known for…the over-the-top…(Casey the Alien, Ice Princess, masks, back-from-the-dead, psychos, etc) they’re what makes GH fun for me.
I like the crazy, ridiculous ride!
I don’t mind an outlandish plot as long as it’s well written. My problem is when it retcons a show’s history (ALL MY CHILDREN’s Erica’s aborted fetus showing up alive and well in Pine Valley is a prime example) or undercuts the emotional connection the viewers have with the characters (GH’s continuous back from the dead stories).
I also like Julian but I don’t need a quick fix to absolve him of all guilt so that the show can reset his romance with Alexis. I’d much rather see a villainous character who retains his shades of gray while trying to win back a woman’s love through his deeds such as AMC’s Adam Chandler with Brooke English or GL’s Alan Spaulding with Hope Bauer.
The back from the dead storylines can be effective…if they don’t occur three to four times a year. When a writer brings back a character for absolutely no valid reason it tells me that they don’t respect me as a viewer. In the case of Olivia Jerome it’s not the return itself that I object to, it’s the reason for her return: the writers are using the character to absolve Sonny of his guilt in Morgan’s death and Julian of his guilt in trying to kill Alexis. Using Olivia as a reset button is a cheap ploy: the show wanted to play Sonny’s guilt and remorse over his son’s death for sweeps but once that was over it was easier to just say Saint Sonny didn’t do it than to deal with the repurcussions of his being responsible.
Too many people think GH reached its popularity because of crazy plots like the Ice Princess and miss that the real reason that the story worked is because at its heart it was a love story (Luke and Laura). The sci-fi stuff was new to viewers but it was really just a heightened set of roadblocks for a popular coupling to overcome. All the over the top stuff in the world won’t draw viewers in if they don’t care about and root for the characters in the first place (James E. Reilly’s DOOL is a great example of viewers buying into crazy plots like Carly being buried alive and Marlena being possessed by the devil because they were invested in those characters). Well told, carefully plotted story is and always will be the reason for a show’s success or failure.
Once again…I agree…and disagree. People DO care about Sonny, Julian, Alexis, Anna. Of course the fans, as always, are divided on which characters they care about and are rooting for, but, as we can see from today’s political climate, that happens in real life, too. Yes, people loved Luke and Laura. But they also loved Casey…and all the adventures Scorpio, Sean, Tiffany, Holly, Anna, etc went on. I LOVED that Olivia was brought back and I loved that they were able to incorporate the zany into making Julian innocent. They can’t do that in primetime…because…it’s ridiculous! But with GH, where people are masquerading as each other, or LITERALLY look like each other (Silas/McBain/Finn) and those around them barely blink an eye…LOL.. (it IS absurd) but I do go with the flow, .whereas I wouldn’t in a show with more “realism”. I wouldn’t accept in on B&B (though I only started watching that this year it seems to me they dont have that type of history). There really was no way they could redeem Julian unless they went with a “she made me do it” route. Julian and Alexis…or Julian unto himself…was a popular character. A man with a past who did wrong but WANTED to change for the woman he loved and his newfound family. He DID change. And, all of a sudden, he was maniacal. Though disappointing, for me and others (not all, but many) it was exciting, soapy stuff, awash with action and angst. But disappointment in the ruiining of character and a relationship. So, in GH form, they found a solution. It does stretch the imatination once again to wonder how Olivia could overpower Julian…how she could have such control over him…but, she did. Again, I don’t know all of the history there but she’s crazy, she’s driven and apparently has some far-reaching power. That’s all I got. LOL…but…I enjoyed the cray-cray! It sort of like on The Walking Dead, if anybody out here watches it…but Negan, who has killed more viciously and randomly…controls so many people…they follow him…sort of like Hitler…HOW and WHY do people follow EVIL???? Unfortunately, a lot do. The downfall of the human race… But, in TWD…there seems to have been soooo many opportunities to just blow Negan away, yet, the “heros” are still scheming on how to do it. I’m still watching. The show has its loopholes but I keep coming back for more. I’ve said this on many posts but for me, common sense holds a lot more weight with me than these implausible situations. Meaning, I have less patience when the characters “don’t make sense” or react in such a way that’s not realistic. I look for love, empathy, compassion, intelligence, humor, friendship, loyalty…depth…I can’t stand that Jason or Michael went back to Sonny. I don’t “get” why Jason…the supposed ‘new’ Jason…hasn’t reached out more to Monica, to Tracy, Michael, Ned. THAT bothers me more because that’s based on reality…emotions…family…connection. I don’t get how Jason talked about leaving town with… Read more »
@Alan….When you’re right, you’re right! It’s one thing to expect GH viewers to “suspend disbelief” at the downright sloppy details of practically each and every storyline to which we’ve been “treated” over the past few years, but it’s quite another matter to rely upon and expect us to literally “check our brains at the door” in order to digest this disjointed junk that has become the norm.
ok, heres how i feel about the current storylines, the nell storyline isn’t great or bad its just blah, it has its moments but what killed it was how long it took to play out, and its not very original. also are we suppose to feel sympathy for nell, cause she’s kind of creepy, theres nothing really endearing about her, plus no chemistry with michael, and its hard to feel sorry for any of the corinthos including michael considering Sabrina hasn’t been dead that long. now i read the question post if Griffin could be anna and dukes bio son, first of how? when Griffin was first introduced and was following anna around i started hoping he would end up being “her” son w/ Robert wish to me makes more sense but Dukes and Anna? i don’t know mainly because this is to much reversing the shows history like Olivia being alive. I hate it when shows make decisions to rewrite a prior writers work, even if the writers work was bad, or not a popular decision. Now as far as sam and her baby drama, her story was the most boring and predictable one playing out on the air, i didn’t cry once cause i knew the baby and sam were not going to die, it all looked so fake and what was worse was Jason crying fake tears, and sam as this great mother makes me want to laugh, time and time again sam has put jason first before her children, i mean danny should just move in w/the quatermaines. whatever curse Helena put on the center of GH universe Sam, damn Helena, because all its done is make Sam the center of every GH storyline.. seriously, she’s a jerome,a cassadine, a quatermaine by marriage, the corinthos bff, i’m surprise she didn’t save the hospital, or did she? hmmm!! ok and another thing that really is bugging me, we all know olivia is going to kidnap the kidnap queen, Robin, lol, why does Robing keep getting Kidnapped? why? this is so ridiculous already, I love the scorpios, but Robert and Anna need to have Robin go to the training farm they went to and learn some serious self defense, Robin is to passive, how is she Roberts and annas daughter? and last and least, Julian, the character i’ve called a weasel time after time is truly living to my name, this guy got no balls, i mean he could of ended all this drama by simply re killing Olivia, thats why this whole thing makes no sense, unless theres someone more ruthless behind all this, then i’m sorry, but Olivia as this “big” threat to PC is a total joke, i think she’s a great villain, she’s just not this super villain, ala helena cassadine , so somebody explain julian lack of heroism because so far he’s the weasel i’ve called him since day one…
I’ve always said that Julian is a weak mob boss.
Even though I was beginning to get bored with the Whole Nelle story, the last week when she finally got hers was awesome! Now I’m ready for more fall out. This story is finally getting interesting.
I think Nell held her own against; they write the characters as weak when they’re confronting Carlie and Sonny; however, Nell held up well.
Another way to look at it…If anything Carly should take a deep breath and remember the revenge havoc she caused when she came to Port Charles (and the list of “enemies” she’s made since being there over the years). For Carly perceived abandment and grief…for Nelle carefully planted misinformation and sense of loyalty. Maybe after a cool-down time, they could get to the truth re: Frank Benson and Jax’s probable involvement in buying Josslyn’s kidney. That would still leave room for Nelle and Michael, even though I thought they were going through the motions, and I never saw sparks between them. And not put Josslyn in a position to feel any guilt in all of this mess since it seems centered around her.
Cary, doesn’t seem capable of longstanding empathy. She never acknowledged all the horrific things she did to AJ…dousing him with alcohol so he would appear drunk, etc. She NEVER equates her wrongdoings with others…unless…LOL…the writers want her to! (ummm…you know what I mean; I hope). IF Nell and Carly are to eventually have a friendship she’ll forgive. If she’s to remain an enemy and a reason to keep Nell and Michael apart, she won’t.
I seem to be in the minority, at least on this board (or from those that voice an opinon) regarding Michael and Nell. I think they have great chemistry! They look great together, they’re natural and relaxed around each other and let’s not forget, she held him at a distance. I said this recently but Michael has to become more sexual. He’s the only male on the show that isn’t shown in a love scene. Dante, Nathan, our dearly-departed Morgan, Dillon, Nick, Franco…Sonny, Julian, Andre…etc, etc…
Spice him up and give the guy a chance! He’s a good-looking guy with a range of talent if they’d let him use it!
I think Laura is great in playing Carly, but no matter who has played her over the years I have never warmed up to her and her attitude. Always wonder what Jason and Jax saw in her.
On the other hand, as much as I like Jax, he is after all a corporate raider. Just a charming one. And it seems he is the one responsible for buying Nelle’s kidney.
And the there is Sonny, AJ, and Michael triangle, and how that eventually played out over the years. Especially Michael’s decision to seemingly forget Sonny killed AJ, and then give Sonny baby AJ/Avery.
I haven’t seen the chemistry with Michael and Nelle. Wouldn’t surprise me if they still leave the door open for that relationship. But then, IMO, he has never, as you put it, been “sexual” with any of his love interests. So I agree, if he could add a little “spice” to his acting chops, I think it would add a whole new dimension to his character. And it’s way past time for him to get some backbone, especially when it comes to Sonny.
Michael, if you recall, was understandably traumatized after he was assaulted in jail. But then, if you also recall, Abby came along and he eventually was able to have a relationship complete with physical intimacy. And then, nutthin’!
Chad Duell should get some backbone and fight for Michael’s…it’s absurd…and unnatural how they desexualized this character….
The Nelle story makes little sense. And even if Sonny had sex with Nelle (which he didn’t), he and Carly were broken up and he was drunk. Why would she be so upset? Ugh.
General Hospital is on fire right now!
The overall entertainment factor has greatly improved and it’s been helped by a much faster crisper pace to the scenes. The last two weeks have been dramatic compelling soap. I have really missed that good old “can’t wait till the next day” type of exciting feeling as a soap viewer. We seem to be getting a legit cliffhanger every single day over the two weeks. I kinda like feeling exciting about the next day again.
I agree that G.H. is semi-hot ; I usually watch the Soaps from least to best ; G.H. at the moment is best.
Woah and Wow!
Laura Wright and Chloe Lanier both gave outstanding performances in these past two episodes and might have saved what was such an anticlimactic predictable reveal. So much intensity in these scenes and it was truly riveting to watch. The acting and writing for these scenes (not the overall story) was high quality soap opera at it’s finest.
Carly and Nelle went at each other so hard. Loved that slap across the face! Loved the way they were pushing and grabbing each other on both days! Loved the back and forth insults and threats. Holy cow! I really saw a red hot fire between Carly and Nelle in their great soapy showdown and it might have exploded further if not for Sonny and Michael. The animosity that both showed to each other was so palpable to the point we might get a bigger catfight down the road. You could cut the tension with a knife! I happened to love the way they both didn’t back down, verbally or physically, and just kept going back and forth with guns blazing. I have really missed the foul mouthed and street savvy version of my Carly, but she certainly has been back in full force the last three episodes in dealing with Sonny and Nelle, hasn’t she? She was breaking out one derogatory term after the other to describe Nelle to Sonny and won’t call it anything but screwed concerning the fake drugged one night stand. That’s my Carly. Doesn’t mince words. I really thought that Carly would chew Nelle up and spit her out, with her likely running off in tears to the nearest bus station, but I have to admit she held her own on both days.
Laura Wright and Jackie Zeman have taken Chloe Lanier under their wing, with the three of them having done two out of state fan events together, and no telling how much extra time they had to rehearse on the plane and at the studio. I think that is part of the reason the scenes have been so good. Bobbie and Nelle’s two big extended confrontations (once in the MC dining room and the other in Carly’s office earlier this week) were perfectly executed scenes by the actresses and the script writer. Carly and Nelle’s showdown was equally great and twice as fiery with the added physicality. Laura, Jackie, and Chloe have saved the story with their acting chops and some clever lines in the script. I think these snarky battles have been great stuff between Nelle/Bobbie and Nelle/Carly.
I cannot remember if Bobbi slapped Carly that hard but I loved what Carly had for Nelle. EVERYONE in that room was really good, including Michael. The story ended like we all thought it would. The only loose end is Sonny really didnt sleep with Nelle and Nelle will admit that is a lie when she falls for Michael.
Billy Miller did pretty good in the hospital with Sam. Where are her sisters?
Olivia seems to be out and about with no one recognizing her. Oh wait, thats because Jordan is the all time most incompetent police official EVER! I wish that would give Griff a story. He is a good actor and a charming guy!
Franco needs one of those Carly slaps across the face from Jason. Freako is scum and he is unwanted! Leave Liz and Jake ALONE!
Julian is a wimp!
GH, you did good this past week. Keep it up!
Great post, Timmmy. Chad/Michael woke up for a split second, but Sonny? He is always in a stupor. …..just nodding here and there, parroting whatever Carly said with half a mumbled word..free of sin….as if he were an earthly angel. Gotta laugh.
Carly was great…little hypocrytical in her pathetic ( but splendidly displayed by Laura) righteous indignation.
Chloe’s disdainful characterization of Nelle is almost as en par with Laura’s of Carly.
Yeah wheere is her sisters at?
Boy I could wring RC’s neck for opening Pandora’s box with having Jake be alive so that these two writers could waste a year of time not having any idea where this story was going to end. The fact these two get paid and paid well for this is well in a word CRIMINAL!
Succinctly put, kay.
Ron didn’t tell them to fire him!
Oh how I’d wish Nelle was Carly’s daughter instead of her step-sister.
There was no reason for Michael over achieving to receiving answers like he’s the answer to a question that was never asked in the first place.
Chloe went toe to toe with Laura and I loved every second of it, but somehow I envisioned Sarah Brown’s version of Carly of doing that scene.
I must continue to say that Nelle is a dead ringer of Tamara Braun’s version of Carly and I believe that had the story played with Tamara, it could’ve been magical, but I’ll suffice with Ms. Wright.
I know there is more that meets with Belle but I hope a relationship with Michael is NOT! in the works. There is no chemistry and he makes Belle boring instead of interesting.
I’m here for the Nelle Action!
I don’t care about Michael; I was done with him when he forgot that Sonny killed A.J. I won’t forget the person who killed my father, intentionally and continue life as if it never happened.
I love Michael and wish they’d give him a love/sex life…LOL….but I TOTALLY agree that he should not have forgiven Sonny killing AJ. At least, he shouldn’t have returned to the fold but instead stayed a Q. He never mentions AJ…nor does Monica. Sad. AJ always got stepped on, right to the tragic (unnecessary) end.
Boo & Rebecca
Michael Corinthos is dull as dishwater. Chad won his Emmy for Michael Quartermaine, who had a backbone and was the worthy heir of Edward.
It’s rather sad how AJ rarely is mentioned. We never saw Jason talk to Sonny about what happened. Meanwhile, “Justice for Duke”, “SaintlyMorgan” and even crazy Connie get more references. AJ, Sabrina and Silas are gone and mostly forgotten by their loved ones.
Yeah. What bothers me the most is how he refers to Sonny as ” my dad”. AJ has been completrly erased from memory and conversation….as if he has never existed.
That’s the writers fault. Not even Monica brings him up. How does one not talk about her dead child?
Someone mentioned how Duke’s, Connie’s etc. memory is kept alive, but not AJ’s ….or that Jason ( I assume the brothers grew up together, in the same household) never asks questions of Sonny or anyone , the circumstances of his death. Is that something that happened behind the scenes? It also bothers me the role Carly played in the ‘destruction’ of AJ.
I do like Michael’s easy going manner, per se, but he needs direction. He is a man ‘clothed’ in the forever teen-ager, in the sidelines, waiting for crumbs, at this point.
There was a great opportunity waiting to be had with the Nelle imbroglio, as AJ’s daughter. So much could have developed from that. But, romance needed to be chased, at the cost of losing what could have been a potentially loaded story.
Both Nelle and Michael at the helm of ELQ Enterprises.
As many problems that a lot of us have with the Nelle reveal story, I’m going to give a little credit to the writers for the Olivia Jerome return. So far, nothing has gone exactly as some of us could have predicted. If RC were still writing, Duke’s frozen body would have been in the underground lab, or Olivia would have done an invitro transfer of the “elevator fetus” to Griffin’s mom. Tonja Walker is playing BSCrazy to the nines! GH also gets credit for effective use of flashbacks.
Do I want scenes with TW and MW? Of course! But how about the potential scenes down the road if Olivia is sent to the same facility as Heather?
Ooooh….I like the way you think, Steve!!! Heather + Olivia=Utter Hilarity!!!!
Jasam was absoluely wnderful great acting
Kudos to Billy and Kelly
Kelly, yes….She did better than well…surprisingly!!!
Billy? I got zilch out of Jason. He is just there. If it were not for giving birth with her pants on and not knowing what Jason used to cut the cord, and…did he?, if he would have enunciated his words, the scene would have been almost perfect. But, I’m no writer!!
He probably bit it off .You know what they say about desperate times!
@Violet.
HaHaHa…too funny!!!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lucas Gives Wiley To Michael; While Willow Learns the Devastating Truth
Friday’s episode of General Hospital, brought the highly-emotional moments viewers had been waiting for all-week long; following the year and a half reveal that Nelle (Chloe Lanier) and Brad (Parry Shen) engineered a baby switch with Willow’s (Katelyn MacMullen) dead baby, Wiley being passed off as Michael (Chad Duell) and Nelle’s newborn, Jonah, and Jonah being raised by Brad and Lucas (Ryan Carnes) as Wiley. Now with the truth out, it was time for two of the heaviest beats of the story to be played out.
When Willow comes to at the hospital with Chase (Josh Swickard) by her side, needless to say she is dazed and freaking out that Nelle took Wiley. Chase tells her he has some things to tell her and it’s not going to be easy to hear. Willow braces herself and then Chase tells her the story of the baby switch and how her baby died a SIDS death while at Brad and Lucas’ and then how the babies were switched.
Photo: ABC
In a heartbreaking and powerful performance from Katelyn MacMullen (yes, she is our pick for “Power Performance of the Week”), Willow struggles to come to grips with the truth and starts to realize all of Brad’s machinations, as she thinks back to herself how could she do that to her son … to trust him with Brad, only to have the little infant die. The devastation played by MacMullen, whose Willow, now must realize her baby never lived the full and happy young life she thought, was gut-wrenching.
Meanwhile, in yet another top-notch performance, William deVry (Julian) showed the pain and the need to unburden himself as Julian talks to his sister. Ava (Maura West) and spills what happened. He goes so far to admit to Ava that he knew what Brad had done. Ava cannot believe he did not go to Sonny (Maurice Benard) right away with this Intel, but Julian just could not do this to his son, Lucas and rip the baby from his arms. Julian says he will face-off with Sonny and not leave town, if it comes to that. Ava says they have to come up with a way to silence Brad … before Brad gives up Julian’s part in the whole baby cover-up.
Photo: JPI
And in yet another masterful performance, we have to give it up to Chloe Lanier. Who can play Nelle and spin stories and the tears so well, that if you did not know this pathological liar you would think she is telling the truth. When in opposing holding cells at the PCPD, Nelle lays it on about Brad so that the guard can hear them. She blames Brad for being the instigator in the baby switch and taking advantage of her – a distraught new mother, confused and dazed on the route where the baby switch happened. It works! Brad is moved to a different cell and thinks look very grim for him. Nelle smiles through her crocodile tears!
Photo: JPI
Then, in what we all knew had to happen, and even so, was still as heartbreaking as ever; Lucas spends his final moments with Wiley as his father in the kitchen at the Corinthos’ along with Bobbie (Jackie Zeman) and Carly (Laura Wright). Lucas starts to tell his mother and sister, all the things Wiley needs and likes, such as having a story read to him. All of this brings the tears as they know Lucas has to give the child back to Michael; who has been robbed of a year and half as the baby’s rightful father.
Michael tells Lucas they will work this out, so Lucas remains a constant in Wiley’s life. He also tells Sonny and Sasha (Sofia Matteson) he feels so badly for Lucas, but they tell him to be happy for this chance to have the son he grieved for. In the end, a tear-filled Lucas hands Wiley to Michael as everyone watches on in sadness for one father … and joy for the other. Ryan Carnes was poignant in the scenes; as was Chad Duell.
Courtesy/ABC
So, what did you think of the performances from Friday’s GH featuring Katelyn, Ryan, Chad, William, Chloe and Parry? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Blasts Brad As The Truth About Wiley Comes Out
FINALLY! On Wednesday’s episode of General Hospital, Lucas (Ryan Carnes) memory is jogged just enough that he clearly remembers Brad’s (Parry Shen) shocking words before their car crash; where Brad confessed that Wiley was Nelle (Chloe Lanier) and Michael’s (Chad Duell) biological son.
At the Corinthos home, Lucas stands up and announces to Michael that Wiley is actually his believed to be dead son, Jonah. Carly’s (Laura Wright) mouth drops and then she takes over getting to the root of the truth of the baby switch.
Brad is cornered and left with no choice but to fess up. He explains how Wiley died when he was no longer breathing, and how he was driving with him, when he ended up on the route where Nelle left Michael to die in the car he was driving (Michael recalls this bit of Intel in a flashback).
Then, Brad explains how Nelle appeared with her newborn baby and claimed the whole thing was engineered by Nelle … and how he was so upset and panicked, that he went along with her plan.
Michael lets Brad have it for all of his lies and machinations, and the pain it has inflicted on so many people for over a year and half. How on earth could he do that? Carly also lays into him.
Meanwhile, Sasha (Sofia Matteson) has urgently called Chase (Josh Swickard), who leaves “Wiley” and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) behind, and heads to the Corinthos’ where he hears the whole sad truth about the baby switch.
With Chase gone, Nelle goes looking for “Wiley” who is with Willow, and the two get into a major throwdown catfight. Nelle comes out the victor and goes to get her baby ready to leave town with her son.
So, what did you think of how the truth finally came out? What did you think of Michael’s tirade on Brad? What do you think will happen next? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s James Patrick Stuart Talks on Valentin’s Downfall and Potential Rise to Power
After all his bravado, machinations and lies to keep the woman he loves, and believing he was the rightful heir to the Cassadine fortune, suddenly it all came crashing down for Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) on recent episodes of General Hospital.
Payback can be a bitch, but for Valentin; who’s past has been fraught with numerous physical and emotional tribulations since his childhood, he now finds himself at the lowest point in his life; losing Nina (Cynthia Watros) who’s now taken up with Jax (Ingo Rademacher), realizing he is the biological son of the evil Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers), and not Mikkos, and having all his best laid plans and misdeeds backfire. (Remember, he shot and “killed” Nikolas, and set up the ruse that led Sasha to pretend she was Nina’s bio-daughter.) Now, enter Nelle Benson (Chloe Lanier), who could very well hold the ticket, to Valentin’s rise to wealth and power all over again.
Michael Fairman TV chatted with James Patrick Stuart to get the lowdown on: those heavy and emotional scenes opposite Constance Towers, working with Cynthia Watros as his newest Nina, if Valentin might really kill Jax the next time he thinks about it, and what about a potential relationship between Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin?
Not many can play bad as good as James in this industry. He does it so effortlessly and still brings out the humanity in the guy that has t-r-o-u-b-l-e written all over him. Here’s what James had to share about all of Valentin’s recent dramatic moments, a tease of what’s to come, and much more.
Photo: JPI
Valentin’s world has imploded at the moment. When did you initially find out that he was going to turn out to not be a true Cassadine heir?
JAMES: Well, there were some clues dropped by Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) back when we did the gallery auction where Helena’s portrait went up in flames. Frank looked at me and goes, “Hey, Jack Nicholson it up. Have some fun! You’re not going to be feeling pretty good for a while.” (Laughs) I’m like, “Oh … what are the plans?” He pulled me aside and goes, “Yeah, you’re going to lose Nina, but you’re going to try to take over ELQ. That’s when I started to go, “Wait a minute! That sounds to me like Valentin’s losing his money.” (Laughs) With the character of Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) coming back; it’s pretty great. I think the writing was on the wall there. I put it out on twitter the other day. I said, “Look what they’ve done to my boy.” Somebody chimed in, “They gave him a storyline!” (Laughs)
Who doesn’t love to see you, James Patrick Stuart, play tortured soul? They audience loves to see you get the opportunity to go to those depths in your performances.
JAMES: It’s been really interesting for me. I’ve had a lifetime of playing bad guys because the line was always shorter. (Laughs) Everybody wants to be Tom Cruise, but the Alan Rickman’s of it all, to me, were what was so interesting. Early on, you play one dimensional kind of twisting of the mustache, tying a woman to the train tracks. After a while, you start to watch the truly great actors. They start to take you on a ride. If you’re paying attention, you start to feel what it would be like to be that damaged, and that’s why you do it. Then you start to see the vulnerability. To me, I thought, “This is a great time in my life because I’m ready to do that.” A lot of people say, “I don’t understand. I feel like that makes no sense. because why would I root for a person who behaves like this?” and that to me, I feel is the greatest compliment of all.
So much happened recently to Valentin in one fell swoop; he overhears Nina telling Ava (Maura West) she kissed Jax, then he envisions shooting Jax and then he is drinking himself into oblivion and he gets a “visit” from Helena! But … the scenes between Valentin and Helena really summed up the bitter truth for him, wouldn’t you say?
JAMES: Yes. In the “Helena” scenes, it all basically is revealed. It all comes down in a moment where he “sees” her. I think he realizes with the DNA test; he’s not the person he thought he was, but he certainly had no idea that he had her blood in his veins. The truly tragic moment of the evening is when it dawns on him that he has a daughter with Helena’s blood in her veins. Now, he would kill her a thousand times over in that moment. He can’t do it. He’s fighting phantoms. That’s the bottom below the bottom, and things got worse than he ever thought they would get.
Courtesy/ABC
Does Valentin have any idea then, who his biological father could be?
JAMES: I don’t think so. I don’t believe so. I know I don’t. I think once he realizes that Helena is in fact the mother, I think he’d rather just go into oblivion. I think at that point, he’s out of answers. Enter Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) …which is wonderful because I think the world of Nancy, and she saves the day. Alexis basically talks him out of hurting himself, telling him to count his blessings that he is not a Cassadine, etc, which was a really sweet moment.
I assume, when you have this kind of material to play, it must be exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time?
JAMES: I think that’s exactly right. As an actor, I think you want to do this stuff. Maura West and I compare notes all the time. I think it can be kind of emotionally draining. You do feel it, and I felt it when I had spent a lot of time with Nina and Valentin, and when the actresses changed, and we brought Cynthia Watros in. I worked twice as hard to make sure that Cynthia’s landing was as easy as possible, and I really grew attached to the Nina and Valentin connection. So, when Jax steps in, Cynthia’s love life means nothing to me, I don’t care about that, but Nina’s love life means a lot to me! And it bums me out, and I don’t know that I’ll actually be watching any future love scenes between them as much as I love them both! I have a deep attachment to the Valentin connection to Nina. So, the lines get burred because we just play these characters so long.
Photo: JPI
What was it like sharing those tough scenes with Constance? No one can play icy, evil villainess like her … and yet in real life, she is such a gracious and kind-hearted woman.
JAMES: In real life, Constance is such a sweetheart, and she’s so grateful to be there. She was so ready to work, and rehearse, and play, and find the stuff, and she was great. I’d been in scenes with her before. Last time, we didn’t really talk to each other. I was with the hump. I was being Valentin pre-surgery. It was some sort of moment in a graveyard, but this time we actually got to interact with each other.
You look at Valentin, and he’s not had the greatest life. Do you bring his entire back-story into your performance; such as when he was deformed with the hump and how he had to literally reconstruct his life both in the physical and in emotional ways for many years?
JAMES: Absolutely. It’s the brokenness that he’s making choices from. He was never truly and authentic person to begin with which is why his love fell apart. He’s always been faking. He’s always been putting on a show. That’s not sustainable in matters of the heart. It was unbelievably easy for Jax to swoop in, because it was inevitable that things were going to fall apart. Of course, that anger and that brokenness were what lead him to want to kill Jax. There’s no question. He was prepared to do that. If you look in the eyes in the fantasy sequence in the shooting, he just wanted to watch him die. He wanted to watch the light go out in Jax’s eyes. He was so furious … and even more tragic is … that was all he could think of, and somehow, he realized in that moment that wouldn’t work, because he’d lose his daughter.
Photo: JPI
Anna and Finn (Michael Easton) just kind of busted up. Do you think Anna and Valentin will hookup? There is a connection and a history between the two of them whenever they seem to be in proximity of one another.
JAMES: Personally, I’m waiting for that. I hope so! There is a finesse and elegance to that woman, and not only that, there is an effortless to the connection between Valentin and Anna, if one can say that about one’s own coupling. I love to look at it! I think we go together like a wink and a smile. I just find that chemistry really great. I think that’s mostly Finola, though. She can probably have chemistry with most anything.
Valentin was going to leave Port Charles with Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez), after Nikolas revealed all and the fallout began. Interestingly enough, it was Anna who came to Valentin’s side and tried to talk him down from fleeing with his daughter and showed such compassion for him!
JAMES: Wasn’t that great? She was the one who got him. She was the one who was able to calm the beast. There was no one else he would have listened to. In the moment in the police station, after Charlotte had been kidnapped, and there is that moment where Anna has that bruise, I thought it was such a tender moment. I just said, “If I kiss my finger and touch your wound?” and she’s like, “Do it.” It was just this moment where we had been bitter rivals and enemies for so long, but he just adores her so much it’s undeniable that he sees her wounded and wants to make it better. It’s floating out there waiting to be done. I know that everybody knows it. It’s just a matter of what the right away to go about in the writing would be.
Photo: JPI
So, you’ve worked opposite two acting dynamos in the role of Nina – Michelle Stafford and now, Cynthia Watros. Was the transition difficult for you when Cynthia came to GH?
JAMES: It wasn’t. It was scary because Michelle Stafford wasn’t just one in a million, I mean, she is one of a kind. The last thing in the world that I would ever want to consider doing myself was recast that actress. So, my deal was (and I’ve said this to Cynthia) I said, “I have no control over this. All I can do is make the landing as easy as possible for Cynthia.” We did a lot of photoshoots together, and I had flowers waiting for her, and I did everything possible to make sure that she knew that she had a friend and that she had somebody that was going to make it as easy as possible. It was rough because a lot of the trolls on social media were just awful to her… just brutal, and she goes, “I have thick skin. I can take it,” and then a week later, she goes, “I’ve closed all my social media accounts!” (Laughs) It’s been fun to watch those guys turn around and go, “You have a really special person.” That wedding stuff was just incredible! She came so prepared and she knocked it out of the park. Cynthia has been wonderful. I love them both. I love her the reddest, and I love Michelle the bluest, and together I love them the purplest. (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
It’s interesting that all the women in his life such as Anna and Nina, all have a soft-spot for Valentin; even though they don’t necessarily want to be with him. These ladies are just drawn to this dysfunctional guy.
JAMES: Don’t you think? Is it that you want to help him, you want to fix him, you see the potential, you want to help him despite himself? I think that’s what it is.
Courtesy/ABC
Do you think Valentin’s still going to try to win Nina back, or is that done?
JAMES: I don’t know. I do know that the Valentin I know will never shake Nina, and when he loves, he loves forever. He can be simultaneously in love with Anna whenever she’s near. I don’t believe he ever truly got over Nina hearing his story and his brokenness and still loving him twice as hard. Years ago, there was a moment where he said to her the stuff that he’s never said, and Michelle beautifully kissed my tears away and said, “You’re beautiful” to me. I think in that moment his fate was sealed. I think he knew that this was his woman forever. So, I just don’t think that that goes away. I think he will always carry a torch for Nina, for sure.
Do you see Valentin becoming darker and darker now that he had found out he is Helena’s offspring?
JAMES: Well, yes and no. I remember watching these scenes and we’ve done a lot of this stuff, and you know how easy it is to sort of go, “Let’s go dark, let’s go dark, let’s go more dark,” and after a while, I go, “You know, maybe he does learn something. Maybe there’s hope for this guy after all.” Of course, more bad stuff will happen to him, and he will do more bad stuff, because that’s just who he is. A leopard can’t change his spots, and those are his survival instincts, but there are some new colors, and it’s all a direct result of all of just these horrible things that have happened to him… mostly learning that he is part Helena and he can’t undo that.
Photo: JPI
We saw that Nelle (Chloe Lanier) called and then goes to see Valentin, because she wants to sell her shares of ELQ. So, obviously he has the potential to become really rich here which is what would give him his power back. How do you think that will go over with the rest of the Quartermaines? (Laughs)
JAMES: (Laughs) A lot of the Quartermaine actors have been asking me that in the hallways of General Hospital! Isn’t that interesting how he’ll just sort of switch families? (Laughs)
Of all the people, just as Valentin’s life is in the gutter and he is at his lowest, who should show up with a sort of lifeline, Nelle! How will he go about attempting to gain control of ELQ?
JAMES: Valentin knows he has to get the majority shares to gain a control of the company, and he has to do it fast before people see that he’s doing it. So, that’s where Michael E. Knight (Martin Gray) has been. He’s gallivanting the states rapidly accumulating shares. (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
It’s been so fun seeing you and Michael Knight on-screen and on a daytime soap together again, as so many remember you as Tad Martin and Will Cortlandt on All My Children. How has it been getting the chance to work with Michael?
JAMES: My God, are you kidding me? He taught me! He’s the guy who taught me. I didn’t know how to do this. Nobody instinctively knows… this is a very unique art form. It’s more Jazz than anything else, and he showed me how to do it! Walt Willey (Ex-Jack, AMC) showed me how to do my hair, and Michael Knight taught me how to break down a script! And, what’s so funny is he is still doing it. In a scene on GH, when he threw in that line, “From now on, you pay in advance,” I just about fell on the floor! I thought, “There he is! That’s the Michael I’ve always known and loved.”
Photo: JPI
Who would have thought that you guys would get to share scenes like that again on soaps? You just never know in this life who may be wind up back in your orbit.
JAMES: It’s incredible. That’s what we say all of the time… “Who would have thought?” You could never plan something like this and that we’d still be doing it at this point.
Now with Lulu (Emme Rylan) learning that Valentin is not a Cassadine, and Nina apparently moving on to a relationship with Jax, what do you think it will mean for their relationship in raising their daughter, Charlotte?
JAMES: I think in the short-term, Valentin’s shelved any ideas of getting her out of Charlotte’s life. He’s sort of putting out the fires in his own personal life. Charlotte needs a mother in her life, and he’s quite willing to share custody as they always have been. She seems to be looking at this as an opportunity to paint him as an unfit father, and she wants full-time custody. So, we’re back to that again. It looks to me like Lulu is kicking Valentin while he’s down.
Photo: JPI
It was so nice to see you, and some of your GH co-stars such as: Steve Burton (Jason) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) show up for Y&R’s Eric Braeden’s (Victor Newman) 40th anniversary on set celebration at CBS. It was quite the event; speakers galore, and so many from our industry and beyond in attendance.
JAMES: It was pretty profound. Eric has always been kind to me. I only worked with him on one movie, a western, called The Man Who Came Back, and that was probably 12 years ago. He has been so complimentary of me in interviews and in his book. So, if he does that with me, I can only imagine how many dear, dear friendships he has. So, the fact that everybody showed up like that from the president of CBS Entertainment to local councilmen, and that they were willing to do be there for 2 hours was really proof of how much they love him. Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R), who I don’t even think was working that day, came in for it and spoke at the event. There was so much respect shown for Eric and what he has meant to this medium.
Photo: JPI
Your album The Apple Tree was so well-received, and everyone always loves seeing you get the opportunity to sing on General Hospital as well. Will you continue to put out more music in 2020?
JAMES: Yeah, that’s the plan. I have another one that I’m working on. I have a bunch of songs. I’m in no rush to get it out. Unfortunately, I lost Glen Roven, who wrote the cello part for Book of Love, passed away right after the Nurses’ Ball where I played Book of Love, which is really heartbreaking, and then, Michael Sherwood, who helped me with a number of songs on the record passed away right after The Apple Tree came out. So, I’m a little gun-shy. But, I’m planning on having something out by December for Christmas.
In closing, what would you say the fans should look forward to in the weeks ahead from Valentin?
JAMES: Look forward to that moment where Valentin is so low that there’s nowhere to go but up! The comeback is going to be one for the books.
So, what do you think of how Valentin’s life hit rock bottom? Do you think he will ever win Nina back? Do you think he will takeover ELQ? Share your thoughts on James’ recent performances and his thoughts contained in this interview via the comment section below.
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