General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Hits The Sheets With Valentin, Laura Laments Leaving Nikolas Behind!
Courtesy/ABC
Strange bedfellows? That may have been the case on Tuesday’s episode of General Hospital, after Nina (Michelle Stafford) meets and ends up in the throes of passion with none other than the villainess Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart)!
After Nina has a very bad evening where she learns her ex Franco (Roger Howarth) is hanging out with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), she heads to her hotel room where she drops her key and the stranger who happens to be there at the correct time is revealed to be Valentin. After the two have an immediate attraction and play a game of seduction, the two hit the sheets. But, what will be the fallout of their tryst?
Later, Valentin gets out of bed and reveals he has Nikolas’ cell phone. On it are several calls from Spencer (Nicolas Bechel) trying to reach his father while away at summer acting camp. Valentin listens to the messages and gleefully and obviously has more plans in store. What will happen when little Spencer learns his father is “dead”?
Courtesy/ABC
Elsewhere, Jason (Billy Miller) returns to the Cassadine stowaway crew alive and well following the plane crash. The group spots a naval patrol boat and are going to be saved. Lulu (Emme Rylan) has told Laura (Genie Francis) she found what she believes could be Luke’s bracelet on a skeleton on the Island. Laura does not know if this is a trick by Helena, or it could be the truth.
However, when it’s time for Laura to get on the boat to leave Cassadine Island, she breaks down in her daughter’s arm trying to cope with leaving her beloved son Nikolas behind and to have to say goodbye to him forever. She also takes a moment to thank Jason and apologize for what Nikolas did to him, and say that her son was not the same man the last year, but he was a good man at heart. Will Laura continue in her sorrow over the loss of Nikolas, and will her once fragile sanity begin to crack?
Share your thoughs on Nina with Valentin, Laura’s leaving Nikolas behind, and how you think Spencer will find out about his father in the comment section below!
Nina done lost her marbles and her drawers to a complete stranger. This chick is a real flake. lol
No Nina! You and Franco belong together!
wow…amazing chemistry right off the bat.
This is just stupid. Can’t think of a better word, other than, STUPID.
RIGHT ON….STUPID……FAST FORWARD TIME!!!!!!!
Nina with someone who picks up her keys? Clearly she has been horny, but this was ridiculous. Hopefully the storylines improve as summer ends because we need ratings to avoid the end.
Horny and corny–a “lethal” combination, eh?
Stupid predictable writing…she probably will get pregnant by Valentin who is the father of her brother Nathan…dumb and irresponsible showing someone hoping in bed with someone they just meet…he could be and most likely is a killer-stories ive seen for real in the news and in my own hometown-the woman ended up dead-its a soap and it wont happen to Nina getting killed-dont care much for this overplayed character and the writers just made it worse….pair Nina with Sonny for the Sonny and Nina hour-end of rant!!!!…ok, im having a ‘Morgan ‘moment-lol
Valentin is Nathan’s father?
mary, we do not know if Valentin is, in fact, Nathan’s father, for certain. It was a thought I had thrown in, way back when, due to Liesl’s cryptic words.
Then, Shay schooled me in all things Cassadine, with Valentin as the scariest, most evil of the bunch.
Well, two years ago his Dr. lisel mummy told him his father is far worse than Victor Cassidine and Valentin is supposed to be far worse…
amen Jim! overplayed character indeed.
Valentin doesn’t appear to be as old as Victor did. That’s the only problem I’d have with Valentin being Nathan’s father. He doesn’t even look as old as Liesl.
I feel the same way when I see Scott and Franco in the same scene. There is at least a 10 Year age difference between Scott and Franco .
@Rodd.
You may be right, Rodd.
But, if we are to fixate on age….TPTB disregard this fact left and right. Look at Alexis and Julian. There are almost ten years separating them, in real life.
Nancy looks great….lovely skin, yet, William looks younger because he is.
I do believe the same amount of years separate Stuart and Gati.
As far as Valentin not looking as old as Victor? Why would or should he? As I mentioned previously, Mikko (sp) had Valentin out of wedlock, as he did Alexis, so Valentin could have been born much much later.
@Rodd….In the case of Valentin, age never played into his heretofore imagined impregnation of Liesl, because I believe it was the result of a brutal sexual assault, not a relationship between two consenting adults. Hence Dr. O.’s status as an “older woman” hardly makes a great deal of difference….this act was based upon revenge, not romance!!!! She was the inamorata of Victor, and that’s why Valentin imposed himself upon her person!
I was in the grocery store the other day, a girl dropped her phone, I picked it up, she thanked me, I said nice melons, [We were in the produce section] she called me a creep and stormed away. No sugar for me! Valentin is lucky, lucky, lucky!
Shame on her but my dear friend that’s the kind of world we’re living in. We walk on egg shells not to offend anyone. Gotta read Camryn Grimes & Lindsey Godfrey twitter. Those ladies say it better. later my friend!
So sorry Tim I meant to say Linsey Godfrey & Sarah McBride. I always thought Sarah looks so much like Camryn that I get them confused.
Oh, Timmmy. You did not!!!! LOL. That’s an old one….but, I can guarantee it’s not something a naturally, well-endowed woman wants to hear!!!!!
You are too much of a gentleman……nice try!! Love you, anyway.
Valentin and Nina : I haven’t seen that much real passionistas ooh la la
not since Nichols and Britta
Valentin I like
I wouldn’t have minded so much, my dearest Patrick, if it were anyone other than Valentin. He is vile…..a murderer. Nina was finally getting to know herself…now, as Lou intimated, she is back to being a flake?
Franco is so mean to her. I hope he gets a bad case of acne….everywhere.
Why couldn’t TPTB listen to me and give Nina to Curtis and vice versa? Bah!!!!!
Speaking of STI’s . . . .
Because, dear Celia, that would mean listening to the fans and trying to make us happy. Can’t have that.
@Celia….If only Valentin had pulled the trigger on a postcoital Nina…all of this ongoing debate about her would now be moot….she’d already be gone! PTL!
I Valenin as well. He is definitely one very angry psychopath.
Yup, mary. Valentin has no qualms whatsoever about aiming and pulling the trigger at anyone. Why, oh why, have TPTB decided to put Nina in his line of vision?
Another psycho? Claudette. She is trying to play with Nathan and Griffin. How best to use these guys? Trying to tamper with their ‘affections’. I hope they are strong-willed…..Sick, sick, Calamitous Claudette!!
Okay Ophelia…I mean Cecelia! 🙂
What if Nina got pregnant with Valintin’s baby? She’d have the baby she wanted albeit being a Cassadine. This could be the birth of the devil’s spawn. As for Laura, I had to wonder if the skeleton was found, can’t they have it taken back to Port Charles to have DNA run on the bones? At least we’d know if it was Luke that Lulu stumbled upon or not.
I feel badly for Laura. Her hear is crying. Imagine leaving her son’s body behind.
She will see Nik soon….there’s that, at least.
See Nikolas, yes–Luke? PLEESE NO!
And, btw, Laura will NOT break–she’s already been broken–and will be stronger for it, yes?
I’d like to see her pregnant. She gets her baby and the next generation of the CassadInes starts to arrive.
The flow of the episode was spectacular. I think the chemistry between Nina and Valentin was strong but Nina is pretty savvy to stranger people and she seemed to cast that aside a little too easy. Exactly how “horny” was she? I mean geez. The sparks flying between Curtis and Nina is way stronger and nothing has happened there. Makes me wonder. I truly love how they are showing Laura’s breakdown with all the problems with Kevin, Lulu, the possible passing of her son Nikolas, the understanding of the search Helena sent her on and now the possibility of Luke being dead. Laura (Genie Francis) is just knocking it out of the ballpark lately. Ava has great chemistry with Nikolas but for some odd reason she didn’t fit in with all the other actors on Cassadine Island. It’s odd because there were some power actors in those scenes. I hope Ava gets more story because Maura West should never be under utilized. She is soap opera GOLD. I am really seeing some stories come together on GH but there are some duds here too. Get rid of the kidney donor story. It is not doing a thing for me personally and that nurse Amy is just rubbing me the wrong way. She is stretching at acting. I guess she has to because she really has no story other than trying to be a hospital correspondent for TMZ. The Claudette story is not interesting at all. Let Maxie and Nathan marry in peace. I don’t think the actress who plays Claudette is all that spectacular. I don’t know why everyone was so excited about her joining GH because she is way below their usual scale of strong talent. She may fit in better with DAYS because she has that over dramatic style that all the cast of DAYS seems to put on display daily (minus a select few). Overall great job GH on yesterday’s episode.
Contrast Nina and Valentin’s scene with Laura’s and Kevin–no comparison.
Love the dialogue between Laura and Kevin–and the UNDERSTATED chemistry.
Nancy, it was so good to see a man appreciate Laura without making it all about himself. Luke had been engaging in hysterical and angry naval gazing for the last ten years and Scotty always looked at her as some kind of prize .
But Kevin was able to stand back and appreciate her beauty, her courage and her intelligence. Loved it when he told her he had been sleep walking through life until he met up with her.
Then they stow Kevin in a cave because he’s on reoccurring status and they need to save money so we get to see Nina act all slithery and icky.
This is GH, not the LAURA show. I looove Genie Francis, and she should and will ( I am confident) have a smashing, gripping and romantic storyline.
Nonetheless, as you indicate, there are other characters.
You’re right, CeeCee…This is NOT the Laura show…..and it never was! Even during GH’s heyday, the always gracious and generous Genie Francis didn’t eat up the whole darn soap despite her star status….how I wish the same could be said for some of the female characters we see today whose capacity for chewing the scenery and hogging the limelight seems to know no limit, and I don’t suppose I need to name names!!!!!!
Nina and Valentin make an attractive couple but this came out of nowhere. The writing lately seems really off. Even the usually impeccable production seems a bit diminished. GH has the absolute best cast in all of daytime – a real dream team. However they are not being served well by the current writersl. I feel as if I’m in a traffic jam watching this – too many cars and nothing moving. Short-term, day to day fake-outs do not constitute drama. If it were not for the actors on the show I might be tuning out right now. Long Live GH!
You’re so right, Mister M. And why do they make characters so predictably clueless? I said three weeks ago that Miss Idiot Jordan would arrest Jason even though Nikolas is really alive and Jason saved everyone, including Dante for the second time! Shouldn’t she be apologizing for continuing harassment? If I were Jason, or Franco for that matter, I’d have Diane sue her PERSONALLY, get her fired, and then offer Anna a big raise to take the job back. That might wipe that smug snark off Jordan’s face.
I miss Mac… 🙁
I love the direction your writing takes, Mister M. I basically said the same thing.
This out-of-nowhere sexual ‘incident’ between Nina and Valentin DID come out of nowhere.
So how is Nina to be scorned? If that were not enough, so is the actress who represents her.
I am guilty of saying things about characters…..but, I am able to separate character from actor.
Most storylines are pathetic…Nina’s with Valentin, one of the worst. But the venom spewed by mature men is disgusting.
We women are known to be catty, by nature ( well, many of us); but, coming from a grown man? Unless it’s done with humor, I consider it immature and girlie.
I found this to be extremely unbelievable. One minute Valentin and cohorts are on the island fighting off Jason, and within the blink of an eye we see Valentin all cleaned up and in PC. How would that even be possible even with the GH time machine. How does he even know about Nina and Crimson let alone get her into bed within three minutes of meeting in the MC hallway. I feel this is just too much of a stretch even for a soap.
why is luke being brought up at all, can’t we get a break from even hearing about the character? i need a luke vacation and wish i didn’t have to hear about him for a good couple of years, we all know he’s not coming back, so why mention him at all?
GREAT post
that’s the answer : “why mention him at all? ”
what was the point of seeing yesterday ep’ end with Laura holding his wrist bangle?
so what…
he’s dead now
if GH even goes their… with AG
Laura Spencer IS – finally – moving
let’s not drag this show down
He was there for 37 years. Love him or hate him he is GH history with major ties to current characters.
Love it! “Luke vacation”–yes, let’s make that “permanent.”
I remember going to what turned out to be the first of the Who’s “last” concert together in NYC. And we all know how that turned out. So a part of me has mellowed with Tony/Luke since Fluke, which I really disliked. Wouldn’t mind if he now made a Cassadine story cameo, but only for a few days, much like Jax just did.
I wouldn’t mind Luke coming back Rose… I actually wouldn’t mind if he was seen more regularly I’d be curious where he’d fit in now…lol…he could date Hayden’s (Liz’s?) mother. They’d make a devious duo!
What you said, Rose.
I would not mind seeing Tony/Luke… As long as he does not morph into Fluke.
I know it’s a fallacy, but I’d love to see a Luke and Laura revival, as I was not a witness to their first-time-around romance.
I agree with you, aria. It seemed a cheap ploy to bring up the character again in that situation. Does ANYONE really believe he’s that skeleton?
@Soaphound….Perhaps the better question would be does ANYONE really care if he’s that skeleton??? Maybe this was just a ploy to float a trial balloon for a brief Luke return, and the showrunners are looking for viewer reaction? (Not that they necessarily care what we want, or a whole lot of current characters would be already gone, forgotten and then some!)
That was horrible writing..
Too overly lame to even be watchable..
GH has become ridiculously lame, stupid and weak, very weak.
GH is empty of everything GH .. it is awful.
Horrible scene–it was utterly revolting. Nina seemed to morph into Super Phyllis on Steroids.
Also, Valentin tells Nina that Crimson magazine inspired him?
A woman’s fashion magazine had that big of an impact on this guy?
Excellent points, Harry, particularly that last one….if such were truly the case, I don’t think Valentin would be giving Nina the time of day, let alone climbing into her bed!
Yes, su0000, empty of everything but Laura and Kevin!
Another awesome acting job from Genie Francis. I’ve always marveled at actresses like Marsha Mason, Meryl Streep, Sally Field, all who seem to summon tears miraculously at will. I guess it comes from being so immersed in their characters. Again, Genie was their equal yesterday. The episode also proved how utterly useless Dante is compared to Jason, or even Laura. Nina’s conduct, on the other hand, was appalling and sends yet another bad message to women, especially. Going to bed with a total stranger? In a town known for weirdos? Not the best move, though I enjoyed Michelle’s performance. Sorry, fans, but I already DO NOT like this Valentin character. Just creeps me out and not in a sexy, Franco way. BTW, is Valentin wearing a toupee? Just wondering.
Agree–“awesome acting job from Genie Francis.” More, please.
I agree Soaphound and Nancy.
Laura and Kevin gave us a taste of Romanticism while Nina and Valenin gave us a taste of sleaze.
Oh please…this isn’t Little House On The Prairie and no one said Nina is Laura or Valentin is Kevin. Different characters, different stories. It’s a soap…not a guide to true love….
Harry, as you are a scholar, ……as you led me to believe….you confuse Romanticism with romance….the two are independent of each other, with a completely different meaning and connotation. I am sure that was a slip.
I agree, Nina and Valentin played ‘dirty’ …….revolting. I was appalled.
This completely supports what I was saying…..Nina is written as a multi-faceted woman-child with many different issues/problems, which all stem from her dark upbringing and a looney-tune , clawing and cloying mother. Nina feels inferior and needy….thus, she will get ‘it’ wherever she can to fulfill whatever void overtakes her being.
These are real-life issues, and Michelle is giving a stunning performance….she follows direction.
I do hope that this is a temporary setback for Nina. I do not like her this way. Perhaps this is putting her on the road to sanity. She needs help. So, for anyone bashing a mental disorder goes against the grain. As i said; we are getting a glimpse into the machinations of the human mind and its complexities. ‘Tis a real shame, Harry. I do realize that the one-line parroting will continue. How innovative!!
As it was already said….one cannot compare couples, relationships and attitudes.
You have the freedom to say anything you please…therefore, allow me and others to do the same without bashing.
FV and NV better not force Genie into another catatonic story. Neither one (as far as I know) even offered congrats on her stand out scenes in the last 2 weeks. I guess only their pets are worthy of comments.
Right? I can’t take another catatonia story line. If the writers want to have Kevin help Laura through a temporary health crisis, then ok. IF for the sake of growing them closer. But for heaven’s sake, don’t write her into a long-term mental health story again. Enough.
@Marie and Ellen…I’m with you on the no-catatonia storyline for Laura, but it would be a very welcome relief if they set up Nina to be next in line for such a mental relapse….it would provide an excellent exit for this misfit character, indeed!
Would that that weren’t true–but I agree with you. They still are giving Genie meager scenes–but, boy, does she make the most of them.
Shay!! What a fantastic idea–let us send Nina back to Coma Land. She gave us her best performances while in that state.
ABC and GH handled Tyler Christopher’s exit and return all wrong. Where is the drama in the show being written that Nikolas is dead when we never saw the body and we know Christopher is coming back? There’s nothing for the viewer to feel or invest in.
mfarris70, you are so right on the money..All the wasted powerhouse acting by Genie, and for what?/ We all know Tyler comes back as Nick..Nothing to invest, like you wrote!!
These writers need to go, like last month!!
Genie Francis is GH best performer the last month, albeit, she is not on full time..This legend needs to be treated as such and sign for a long term contract to be feature front and center, much like Finola’s Anna gets.
Gh needs to hire as head writer Gary Tomlin..Would be awesome to have him work under Frank Valentine..When Gary was in charge and Frank was under him, OLTL was awesome and won their sole emmy for best daytime drama! Gary also did some great work in DOOL, before they hire a co head writer.
Agree Genie is the standout–and she said she had a 3-year contract; they’ve used her precious little. As you say, “This legend needs to be treated as such.” Amen and amen.
Genie Francis was wonderful. But I still after all this time couldn’t care less about Nina. It’s not a slight on Michelle Stafford, but Nina could disappear tomorrow and I wouldn’t bat an eye!
Nor would I–she is a caricature. Can’t invest in one of those.
And yet Nina is on so frequently getting into everyone’s businesses and stories.
TPTB seem all too determined to make her work on GH.
And I hate to break it to them–she ain’t working!
That seduction scene was odd and borderline creepy.
She’s not working for you…she’s working for me. As usual, fan opinions differ. It’s not accurate to give a definitive about what all fans think.
Cannot stand Nina.
Agreed. Nina sucks! No need for her on GH. UGH
So now she’s the town slut? This is so contrived and so lame. GH just keeps trying to find a *spot* for Nina but she hasn’t/doesn’t fit into the canvas at ALL. Why does Nina talk all seductive to every man that she has a scene with? First Dillon, Julian, Curtis and now Valentin. It’s actually quite uncomfortable to watch when she starts talking in her low voice.
Please make it stop GH and cut your losses.
OMG!!! i agree with you 100% – her character is so exasperating!!!
Ha! Glad someone else agrees!!
Thank you, Ces!!!!! How long have we been subjected to this failed experiment in character development???? Two years now??? Nina is a total dud! Just deal with it already and send her on a one-way ticket outta town!
Lmao on the character development!! True!! FVs pet probably wont be leaving anytime soon but she is ffwd material. I’m glad they got RH out of her storyline; not that I’m Franco’s biggest fan either! The two together were TOO much chaos!!
Ces…you are so RIGHT ON!!!!! Thank You. I’ve never cared for Nina all that much. More and more, I find Nina to be BEYOND ANNOYING!!!!! And, Shay is RIGHT…Nina I-S a total dud!!!!!
Have a good one, Ces.
I’ve followed some of these characters (or at least familiies) since my mom watched them 50 years ago. And as much as I like genie francis the thought of wading through the rest of the characters and plotlines is more than I can bear so I read a few recaps a week and continue to find nothing or no one to care about. Maybe when Anna returns (what if Laura and Anna had an adventure that had nothing to do with pining over a man or man rescuing them). Maybe they could get Liz in on the act (getting deadbeat dad lucky to get over himself and come take care of his kid). But there isn’t a single male character remotely written in a way that I would care if a seriel kliller took them down and even formerly interesting characters have either been written into corners of other stupidity (Liz, Tracy, and even the idea of Anna working with Sonny); have pretty much always been reprehensible (sonny and carly except with her first two portrayers with whom you could see her anguish and why she lashed out) or have been embalmed, literally and figuritevely (Monica and Bobbie). These people can act–the 50th anniveresary episode proved that. But most of them have so many murders and so much stupid sex notched on their belts that they make Donald Trump look like Mother Thersa. Maybe Prospect Park did us a favor so ABC has not been allowed to assasinate the integrity of One Life to Live and All My Children’s characters (although AMC was pretty much on life support its last couple of years.) Seriously would you really want to have dinner with any of these characters (maybe Heather if she would promise to only eat the scenery instead of her guests.)
I totally agree with you I like so many other people I’m sure was hugr fan during the peak 8f the Luke and Laura craze. Stopped around the late eighties, and came back for the 50th anniversary show, and got attached to the Patrick and Sabrina storyline. It was, to me on a pretty good roll for a bit and was getting hooked all ovef again, but now I can take it or leave it. The glory days are definitely gone
How true, west virginia fan. In my opinion it was to be expected since TPTB never aged Erica Kane. She must have had infinite amounts of bottled water from the Fountain of Youth.
Susan Lucci was forever given youthful storylines. Not conductive to credible entertainment.
To make matters worse, ‘they’ hooked her up with one of the most boring characters ever on a soap; Cameron Mathison, who played her son-in-law. One word: Gross!!
Conducive, not conductive.
PS. I really like your idea of Anna, Laura and Liz doing something constructive together ……without the burden of, as you say, “pining over a man…..”.
Laura and Anna on an adventure (kicking butt and having a high old time)–how simply GREAT would that be! Yes!
They just can’t write a good story for Nina. So much potential with her taking over Crimson, then they let her get “vulnerable” again by Franco and new Cassadine. I am ho-hum about many…too many… storylines. And bringing on possible interesting characters with hype only to let their stories go nowhere…no excitement. Or bringing back a favorite like Jax for just a couple of days. Tired of Morgan and Christine’s “dramas. And Claudette, etc. again, what has this to do with anything remotely GH. Hope they don’t let Alexis slide backwards re Julian. Then there’s Ava and Laura. Great scenes on Cassadine island and now Ava is background again, and they may be setting Laura up for another breakdown instead of having her and Kevin try to unravel the Helena mystery and pursue a sweet, adult relationship. Could care less about Franco and Liz. Can’t see this match at all.
Employed actors often times dont bitch while they are currently employed but when Michelle leaves GH she will tell all of us how much Nina sucked!
Hey, folks, one-night stands do happen. I like the chemistry between Nina and Valentin. And Genie Francis gave a good performance in a so-so storyline.
Genie is a GREAT performer–held back for the lack of material.
Nina is a complex character who’s beautiful on the outside but broken inside. Comatose for twenty years ( her own mother responsible), her husband moved on, her new love Franco left her, her fierce desire to be a mother seemingly impossible. Though she’s evolved into a savvy businesswoman Her sense of emotional devastation is great…her desire to be loved all encompassing. Her wild abandon, her falling into bed with a stranger is more indicative to me of her emotional state. To me she emanates vulnerability…someone who needs, yearns, for human connection. Her character is actually interesting to me…knowing her background. So much hurt and loss…she needs therapy, friends, more attention from her brother. Till then her hunger for love and security propels her…
Lol…that sounded like a promo! Be that as it may…that’s my take on Nina and given her history, she works for me. They’re either going to keep her a flawed character and send her off to interesting predicaments because of it…or eventually have her adjust emotionally to her past and grow from there. Either way, I like her.
Rebecca…I started to like Nina after the Ava/baby snatch/her own mom/Rick things. She seemed to have turned a corner with Franco and especially Crimson. Now it seems two steps forward, one step back…or should I say one step forward, two steps back. Give her a break! And as much as I’d rather see Roger anyone but Franco, the writers didn’t do much with him either. Really don’t like him and Liz. And while I’m not a big Liz fan feel bad that she is always femme fatale’ with guys. Here “boys” must get confused with the parade.
Hi Rose…I hear what you’re saying about Nina moving forward and then back…but did she really? People don’t just get over what she’s been through. Actually, considering it all I think she’s STILL doing great! Her impulse to lash out at others seems to be gone, though hurt and dejected she didn’t hint at doing anything near the violence she committed toward Ava or Silas. Her untapped intellect, creativity, innate business savvy was allowed to blossom at Crimson while her honesty about the hurt she feels and the love she wants out for all to see.
I actually think the writers are doing a great job with Nina. Strong but vulnerable. Sure of herself at the magazine, drowning her sorrows at the bar. Hurt washed over her face when rejected, hope washed over her face when someone shows interest in her.
Soap fans need to decide what they want. If the character is happy and stable with no drama some deem him or her boring. And then we get a character who’s not seemingly completely “out there” like Heather or completely sweet like Sabrina and still some don’t take to her ( which of course is their right and their own perception, reaction etc). But I think It’s more interesting to look beyond her actions and see the “why” she does them. Yes, on the surface it seems like she just wants sex….I think she’s looking for the intimacy, the connection, the validation…you could see the initial disappointment in her eyes when Valentin said he doesn’t want anything serious. A flicker of disappointment over her face then she regrouped and agreed. I think Michelle is playing her with just the right amount of over-the-top and down-to-earth…
This is exactly how I would describe Nina’s psyche, emotions, frustrations and all the darkness that has overtaken her essence. great post.
‘Tis sad and disheartening how others cannot read into that, Rebecca. I am starting to think that the writers are purposely exhibiting Nina’s persona as one who makes bad choices due to her insecurities as a woman, as a friend, as a lover…..to a certain extend instilling doubts about her, as a mother, as well.
I, also, believe that she does recognize her weaknesses in a small way. Her obsession with a baby proves how much she wants someone of her own to love. Plus, her maternal instincts overwhelm her.
Unfortunately, even Franco, whom she thought was her soulmate, could not get into her heart’s desire.
So, it hurts me to no end how easily this character is dismissed as a waste of time and space. I see so much potential in Nina….she fell off the wagon with Valentin, but, I truly think this will be a lesson well learned….beneficial to what Nina can become.
Hurry up Curtis….go get her….LOL.
Hey CeeCee. I’m glad we agree. It frustrates me when I read a lot of the negative Nina comments because I don’t want to lose the character. It really is difficult “to please all the people all the time” as they say. If yo’ve read my feelings on Sonny…I can’t STAND so much of what he’s done…my NUMBER ONE disgust is what he did to AJ on every level throughout the years. I literally would feel heartbroken and frustrated each time he mistreated him. (I know you missed those years…) it was beyond difficult to take…and I make no excuses for Sonny. And don’t even get me strafed on the smugness between him and Carly together . Maddening!
And yet there are actually times I like Sonny. I like hiow he went to check on Spencer yesterday, I like how he comforted Lulu, I like how loves his children, I loved how he took care of Stine (way back before your time). I hate Sonny for AJ more than anything…and yet if that part of his history magically disappeared I’d actually like him! My point so guess is I like the richness, the different sides of a lot of the characters. They’re what keep me watching…and considering this is a daily show it’s pretty impressive to keep these characters “alive” in our minds for so long.
By the way, Curtis would have his hands full with Nina, lol, but there definitely is an undercurrent…even if they don’t pair them together I like their friendship. (but he does like to play the hero ala Hayden too).
Celia and Rebecca, all of your explanations of Nina make perfect sense when written down on paper. However, how it’s been played out has not worked and has struck a discordant note with most viewers. I do take umbrage with both of you saying or implying that we viewers don’t get the character. I assure you that most of us are well read, well educated and intelligent viewers. Just read the comments here if you doubt what I say.
When viewers or readers are blamed for “not getting it” then something is inherently wrong with the writing and in this case, something is also inherently wrong with the acting. Simply put, Nina is just not working and what you call complexity I call confusion.
@Harry.
Sorry that you take’umbrage’, Harry. Frankly, I take umbrage to your condescending remarks. I know, Harry…..you make it very clear ecach and every time that your word is gospel. Please forgive my impertinence for it is I who takes umbrage ……you completely misconstrued what I wrote……and perhaps as to what Rebecca or anyone else who happens to LOVE Nina has written.
I did not say anything about intelligence. That sing-song has been sung waaaay too many times by all of us.
‘Tis yourself who needs to reread, my darling Harry. I said it hurts me that some can’t see, feel or get what I and others see, or feel. Nothing to do with intelligence but emotion and simpatia.
“Different strokes for different folk”.
Thus, if your comment is meant to berate, demorilize or making me feel less than….then, sweet man; you have failed miserably because I ” ain’t” bruised.
I could go on, but the reception here in a Torontonian Hotel is “iffy”.
TaTa, Harry….enjoy writing.
Harry, no one said anything about intelligence; neither myself nor CeeCee criticized. You interpreted that we did. See how people interpret each other and characters differently?
With that said, Nina IS a complex character and DOES do lot of the things she does because of her painful history and current disappointments. She went from 20 years- old to 43 in the blink of an eye, she suffered emotional trauma and is still finding her way. She’s lonely. Seeking validation, acceptance…family. If you look at “why” instead of imposing judgment…I’m reading comments like “slut”, viewers judging her actions like she’s just some loose chick without perhaps seeing the hurt in her eyes, the disappointment in her voice, the desperate search for connection be it friendship or romance. The whole reason Nina and Franco were so good together is because they were two lost souls who found each other…didn’t judge each other…understood each other.
I found Nina way over the top when she first appeared but I understood ‘why’. (And I don’t mean you or others didn’t, what i mean is because I did, I also thought it realistic how she acted out and still does…to a much lesser lethal extent. ButI didn’t like Nina. She’s very likeable now (to me)…I feel for her. I love how she’s evolved…slowly…which is much more realistic than instant fix. After sleeping with Valentin? She woke up confused…questioning herself. And then she fell back into his arms. And then she questioned her own judgement (which many of these characters do…)
When you say she’s not working for others…do you have an estimate number of others? If ten people on this site don’t like her but two people do…is that indicative of the millions of fans? Those who don’t post?
If I can go back to Alexis…there were a handful who didn’t like her paired with Julian, there were, (you included), a handful who thought they ruined the once-smart lawyer by making her so love-stricken. I didn’t agree. To me, Alexis never lost her edge. She was still brilliant, witty, maternal, loyal, good in the courtroom…AND she was head over heels for Julian. You think that doesn’t happen in real life? If I know the history of the character, as with Nina or Franco, I see them as multi-dimensional. Alexis had always fallen for “bad guys” with good hearts. She always tried to change them…she left them when she couldn’t. Julian was the only one who DID (try) to change for her. Shawn wouldn’t get out of the mob, Sonny (though Carly won out) wouldn’t get out, Jerry Jax was a psycho, Rick was trouble…nothing’s changed about Alexis… She always, in the midst of her brilliance…fell for the wrong guy. If we went by fan reaction here, you could say Julian and Alexis wasn’t working and something to be mocked. Yet Nancy and Willams’s thousands of followers on FB and Twitter had a different opinion. They LOVED this couple and were upset the writers destroyed them. I bet there are people who read this site whe loved them too but don’t post.
I think Stafford’s acting is great in this role. I’d never seen her as Phyllis so she was a blank slate to me. The “over-acting” became part of who Nina is and It works for me…a woman-child expressing great love, disappointment, excitement, hurt…it’s all there on her face if you just look…
And I kinda find it interesting that you post the occasional snarky comment when you don’t agree with someone, yet you’re never called out for it. You’re STILL a “groovy” dude Harry but perhaps while you’re taking “umbrage” you can take a look at the snark thing too. Group hug…
Lol Harry…I was trying to make a point about your occasional snarky ways…at the say time you are rather amusing so I wouldn’t want you to lose your edge…hmmm. Dilemma.
“Complex character”? Not played that way!
Hey Nancy…this isn’t Shakespeare or Dostoyevsky. She is complex to me, CeeCee and hopefully many others. What I wrote is how I interpret and feel for the character. Apparently she’s not working for you…
Nancy, not played that way or written that way.
Rebecca, what you and Cee Cee see as complexity, most of us see it as her being confusing, irritating even. To me, Nina is the equivalent of long fingernails going down the chalkboard. In other words, she is wince inducing.
However, I am happy to see you two playing nice. Remember what I told the both of you a few months ago? Your mutual love of Nina will be the glue that bonds and this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
You’re welcome.
From your very annoying and highly obnoxious friend, Harry.
And, nancy? I would appreciate it if once in a while you would stop putting a sarcastic spin on your every answer. If you do not agree with my statements, it is not the end of the world. State your case in a polite manner and do not use irony as a weapon. Be nice.
Rebecca, Celia, Harry…I’m finally playing catchup on some comments. I like Nina now, especially since Crimson, and can over look a misstep like the one-nighters with Theo. Like we’ve never made embarrassing mistakes? Also like that Michelle has tried to make lemonade out of a convoluted storyline. And Harry it may be irritating for you, and that’s fair, but you can’t go from years long coma to “normal” without a lot of growing pains. Thus “complex” as she makes up for years lost.
Yay Rose! Welcome to the Nina support group! 🙂
Fire these writers already! I’ve watched since the 70s and have never been this bored with the show
So funny how viewers differ. I’m not bored with it at all…
Nina is such an awful character. She needs to go.
Genie Francis continues to amaze. No surprise there. I hope those bones were Luke’s. Let him be dead and let us all get over it. Tired of him.
I agee–“tired of him.”
Of course, you are.
Although I like the character and really like the actress, if Nina was off the canvas it would not affect anything at this point. And I think they could give Lucy Coe more to do. Lucy could take over Crimson. Her and Maxi would be great together! Nina is part of a handful of characters for me that just don’t feel like they belong on GH. I blame the writing more than the actors though! The acting company on GH overall is the best!
I understand what you’re saying Dan S. I like a LOT of the new characters and when I watch these actors and their characters/stories I get into them. Bit it doesn’t take away from the fact that for those of us who have been watching GH for years it makes no sense to fill the screen with new characters when there is such a a wealth of vets. I’d love Scottie, Mac, Scorpio, Frisco, Ned, Jax, Bobbie, Lucy, Monica…so many of them who are still around to either be on contract or frequently recurring.
The only thing I can think of is the people at these “think tank” meetings see a dying genre, millions of disappointed fans who lost their shows and think they’re offering the best of both worlds by attempting to make a “super” soap with microcosms within microcosms. Bringing on beloved actors from shows that went off satisfies thousands of fans and angers thousands of others…
Perhaps instead of trying one reality show after another they should have found a way to keep these soaps on the air either by reducing the hour or perhaps running OLTL and AMC every other day…
Regardless, Frank needs to not just read and promote on social media but realize that many GH fans want their old characters back…and that’s where the juggling act comes in because newer viewers could care less about the vets and are invested in the newer characters. Not easy…
I understand what you are saying. The show is just really disconnected and doesn’t feel like GH most of the time. The writing is all over the place and the storytelling is very fragmented. Yes, there needs to be a balancing act between the new characters and the vets but there also needs to be consistency in the writing. So many stories are on for two days in a row then you don’t see the character for two weeks. Again, the acting is always top notch!
The sad thing is they dangle a carrot and then take it away. Frisco, Scorpio, Jax, Bobbie, Lucy, Scott…I’m so glad when they appear but then disappointed when they disappear. Lol, we need to start thinking of them like relatives or friends we only see a few times a year…and feel just as close when we get together!
General Hospital
General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
If you caught the end of the Monday, November 27th Thanksgiving episode of General Hospital, the ABC daytime drama ended the show with a special dedication to Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas Cassadine), who passed away on October 31st at the age of 50.
With a very touching title card, and a photo of Tyler from his younger days as the dark prince of the Cassadine clan, it read, “In Loving Memory of Tyler Christopher.”
On Tuesday, November 28th, ABC Current Series executive, Nathan Varni, who oversees Grey’s Anatomy, The Conners, Station 19 and General Hospital for the network, shared on X some additional thoughts on Tyler’s contributions to the GH family.
Photo: JPI
Varni expressed: “This lovely tribute card was shown at the end of yesterday’s episode of GH In loving memory of Tyler Christopher. Thanks for bringing Nikolas Cassadine to life on our screens, you’ll always be in our hearts. RIP.”
Tyler played the role of GH’s Nikolas from 1996–1999, 2003–2011, and lastly from 2013–2016. He also took on the role of Connor Bishop from 2004–2005. The late actor took home the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 for his work as Nikolas.
Share your thoughts on GH honoring Tyler at the end of their Thanksgiving episode via the comment section below.
This lovely tribute card was shown at the end of yesterday’s episode of #GH. In loving memory of @Tyler2929 thanks for bringing #NikolasCassadine to life on our screens, you’ll always be in our hearts. RIP pic.twitter.com/FZo0RWl3YE
— Nathan Varni (@nathanvarni) November 28, 2023
General Hospital
GH’s Scarlett Fernandez on Charlotte’s Mindset: “She Completely Believes That Anna is Out to Get Her”
Once returning to General Hospital, Scarlett Fernandez (Charlotte) has been involved in a juicy storyline, where an impressionable young Charlotte Cassadine has been persuaded almost brain-washed, if you will, via a letter from Victor Cassadine from the grave.
In it, he implores Charlotte to keep Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) away from her father, Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). So, taking that to heart, Charlotte burned Anna’s house down and much more. When she gets shot by Anna after intruding into the super spy’s apartment, the stakes get even higher.
Valenin had figured out that Charlotte was stalking Anna and trying to do her harm, but did not inform Anna. That has caused a major rift in their relationship. Meanwhile, Laura (Genie Francis) and Valentin confronted Charlotte after she returned home from the hospital.
Photo: ABC
In her latest interview with Soap Opera Digest, Fernandez shared on getting to play this kind of story: “It’s definitely an honor because when I was little, I was getting storylines, but this is just crazy! I kind of feel like I’m treated like an adult on the show now, almost, and it’s just been great. I’ve been given great stuff and the fact that Frank (Valentini, EP, GH) and all of his co-workers have trusted me has just been an amazing feeling.”
With everyone confronting Charlotte on her dirty deeds against Anna, and her denying it, Fernandez weighs-in on just where Charlotte is at this point in her mind: “I think that she definitely realizes that the people around her don’t believe her and don’t trust her and I think that really frustrates her because she completely believes that Anna is out to get her. So that (the adults in her life don’t believe her) is hard for her.”
Photo: ABC
There is also burgeoning chemistry between Jake (Hudson West) and Charlotte! So what does Fernandez think of that? Is she using him, or could be the beginning of young love? She expressed: “I think it’s definitely a little bit of both. I think that maybe she and Jake are partners-in-crime, but I also think that Jake has or will have a good influence on her. She just really needs someone to be there for her and for her to be able to confide in and I think that he has been that.”
So, have you been enjoying Scarlett’s performances as a troubled Charlotte? Would you like to see Jake and Charlotte have a ‘date’? Do you think Charlotte needs deprogramming to help her out of the grip that Victor has on her; as she believes Anna is the cause of all the trouble that will come her father’s way, if she doesn’t find a way to get rid of her? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Soap Stars and Notables Participate in the 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (Photos)
Sunday night in tinseltown, it was time for the 91st anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which has become an annual tradition featuring soap stars and other celebrities from primetime, movies, music, and sports as thy drive down famed Hollywood Boulevard amongst floats and musical performances.
While many attended the live event, viewers around the country will be able to see the taped version of the parade on Friday, December 15th when it has its first airing on The CW in a two-hour special starting at 8 pm ET/PT.
Taking part in the festivities were: General Hospital’s Tajh Bellow (TJ), The Bold and the Beautiful’s Kimberlin Brown (Sheila), Ashley Jones (Bridget), Denise Richards (ex-Shauna), and Naomi Matsuda (Li), Days of our Lives stars, then and now, including: Deidre Hall (Marlena), A Martinez (ex-Eduardo), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Brant Daughtery (ex-Brian), and Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa), The Young and the Restless’ Kate Linder (Esther) and former star Tatyana Ali (ex-Roxanne), The Bay’s Kristos Andrews (Peter/Adam) and Maxwell Caufield (Sir Thomas Kenway), plus As the World Turns Ming Na Wen (ex-Lien) and more.
In addition, iconic dancer/singer and choreographer, Paula Abdul was the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year, while Dean Cain, Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Montel Williams along with guest host, Elizabeth Stanton, called the Sunday-after-Thanksgiving tradition from different locations around the parade route.
Now below, check out some of the snaps from the 91st annual Hollywood Christmas Parade featuring some of your soap favorites.
Photo: JPI
Wow! Marlena and Sheila together for the first time! Imagine if Marlena as the MarDevil met up with Sheila Carter and caused all sorts of havoc from Salem to Los Angeles? Crossover? Here’s Deidre Hall and Kimberlin Brown getting into the holiday spirit.
Photo: JPI
Reunited and it feels so good? Remember when Daytime Emmy-winner, A Martinez came to Salem to play Eduardo Hernandez, father to Gabi, Rafe and Dario? Now, A can be seen in The Bay. Meanwhile, Stephen Nichols continues to keep on keepin’ on as Salem’s “Patchman”.
Photo: JPI
GH’s Tajh Bellow with his lady love actress Lauren Speights.
Photo: JPI
Giving us some Christmas wrapping vibes, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Naomi Matsuda (Li).
Photo: JPI
Always ready for the holidays is former Days of our Lives star, Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa).
Photo: JPI
Former ‘Bold and Beautiful’ star, Denise Richards (ex- Shauna) dressed in the holiday spirit.
Photo: JPI
There is no doubt! Our pick for ‘Best Dressed’ has to go to General Hospital’s Josh Kelly (Cody). I mean, how can you top that for being in the ‘Christmas Spirit’?
Photo: JPI
Humanitarian of the Year recipient, Paula Abdul.
Photo: JPI
Former As the World Turns Star Ming-Na Wen (ex-Lien Hughes) ready for the holiday season.
Photo: JPI
Brant Daughtery brought along his young son, and wife Kimberly, who is expecting their second child.
Photo: JPI
Maxwell Caufield who will soon appear in the latest season of The Bay, looking ‘Christmas’ dapper.
Photo: JPI
Ready for winter, and dressed in holiday white, Y&R’s Kate Linder.
So, who’s holiday outfit from their appearance in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, did you think was the best? Let us know via the comment section.
The Cast of ‘The Bay’ to Preview Upcoming 8th Season in Live Chat
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Semi-Finals Conclude with A Shocking Twist
Win a Private Game Night with Soap Stars and Help Children in Need for the Holidays
THIS FRIDAY: The Young and the Restless’ Hayley Erin to Chat Live
General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
Josh Swickard, Eileen Davidson & Annika Noelle Star in Netflix’s ‘Holiday in the Vineyards’
The Men of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Tell All: Their On-Screen Romances and Love Scene Secrets During Their Visit to ‘The Talk’
General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
THIS WEEK ON Y&R: Aunt Jordan Ramps Up Her ‘Attack of the Newmans’ (Preview)
GH Alum William deVry and ‘Desperate Housewives’ Alum Teri Hatcher Star in Lifetime’s ‘Christmas at the Chalet’
The Cast of ‘The Bay’ to Preview Upcoming 8th Season in Live Chat
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Semi-Finals Conclude with A Shocking Twist
THIS FRIDAY: The Young and the Restless’ Hayley Erin to Chat Live
CM Punk Returns to ‘Monday Night Raw’ For First Time In Nearly 10 Years: “I’m Not Here to Make Friends, I’m Here to Make Money”
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General HospitalNovember 25, 2023Josh Swickard, Eileen Davidson & Annika Noelle Star in Netflix’s ‘Holiday in the Vineyards’
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General HospitalNovember 20, 2023Roger Howarth Exits General Hospital
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NewsNovember 27, 2023The Men of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Tell All: Their On-Screen Romances and Love Scene Secrets During Their Visit to ‘The Talk’
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NewsNovember 20, 2023ATWT Favorite Colleen Zenk on Being Cast as Y&R’s Aunt Jordan: “Josh (Griffith) Was Around During the Evil Barbara Days So He Knew What I Was Capable Of”
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General HospitalNovember 28, 2023General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
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