Thursday’s June 27th episode of General Hospital featured one of the saddest and most heartbreaking goodbye scenes in recent memory. In story, Finn (Michael Easton) comes to see his young daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love), who is now staying at the Quartermaines, to tell her why he has to leave her and head to rehab to get help for his drinking problem.

In real life, this marked Michael Easton’s final GH episode in the role of Hamilton Finn. The way the exit was positioned in story, Finn has to go away for three months to rehab. Just how the show will explain his continued absence remains to be seen.

Easton’s final scenes were extremely emotional, and we are sure that the audience at home was reduced to tears and reaching for the hankies throughout. When Finn arrives to see Violet, the two share a hug while she’s concerned about his bandaged hand. Violet tells her dad she wants to go home with him, but he explains he is sick and needs to go away on his own to get help to stop drinking.

Courtesy/ABC

With tears streaming down his face, Finn tells Violet that he doesn’t want to leave her, but he has to go and if he doesn’t he won’t get better. He can’t let what happened the other night (when she found him passed out on the floor and bleeding) ever happen again. Violet cries that he thought he was was dead like her Grandpa.

Violet says she can help Finn, as she becomes more and more desperate to not be separated from her father, whom she loves so dear. In tears, Finn tells his daughter, they can take care of each other, and when he is better he can be there for her the way a father is supposed to be.

Courtesy/ABC

As Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) look on with tears streaming down their faces. Finn and Violet hug one last time before he leaves. As he walks out with Chase to drive him to rehab, a sad Violet looks on.

At the conclusion of the episode, Easton shares his final scenes with Josh Swickard. As brothers Finn and Chase, the two are there for each other in the darkest of times. Remember, they are still grieving the loss of their father. Finn thanks Chase for allowing him to say goodbye to Violet. Chase promises to take good care of her. However, Chase warns Finn to not to take any shortcuts on his way to sobriety and to always think of Violet’s wellbeing.

Courtesy/ABC

It is apparent, the brothers don’t want to say goodbye, but on the count of three, Finn leaves Chase’s car and walks through the door of the rehab facility, while Chase in tears beats the steering wheel before drives away.

What did you think of the Michael Easton’s final GH episode? The goodbye scenes and performances by Michael and Jophielle Love? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Michael Easton is set to exit General Hospital on-air tomorrow on the Thursday, June 27th episode of the ABC soap opera. This comes on the heels of the actor’s videotaped announcement on Wednesday via his Instagram, where he revealed that he has wrapped his run as Dr. Hamilton Finn.

Since the time of the video’s posting, several of his GH co-stars have followed suit with comments on their time working with the popular actor, who has been with the show on and off since 2012, and in three different roles; John McBain, Silas Clay, and lastly, Finn.

Michael’s exit comes as Finn has fallen off the wagon, and is losing custody of his daughter, Violet due to his drinking. Previously, Finn found his father, Gregory had passed away in the middle of the night after battling ALS. The material has given Easton a chance to shine in memorable performances as he says goodbye to his time with GH.

Photo: ABC

Here’s just a sampling of what some of Michael’s pals and GH co-stars had to say to him below:

Maura West (Ava): “MEastie, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with you … you are just an exceptional person… as an actor, author, poet, friend. Your ample talent surpassed only by your humor, decency, kindness and charm. Class A1 in every way. xxo your fan and friend forever, MWestie.”

Jophielle Love (Violet): “💔😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 There are no words…”

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis): “The class, grace and elegance in which you just did that is why I will miss you every working day.”

Finola Hughes (Anna): “Michael, love you. You are a stellar person, a wonderful actor and I had the most fun and unique storyline with you and loved every moment.”

Photo: ABC

Jon Lindstrom (Kevin): “You’re a gift to any set you choose to work on, and an excellent artist no matter where or what you create. Proud to call you my friend Michael. Be seeing you soon.”

Emma Samms (Holly): “I’m SO sorry I didn’t get to work with you again..!”

Eden McCoy (Josslyn): “You are magic love you forever Michael”

Risa Dorken (Amy): “Amy will always have a crush on Dr. Finn… Rise will always love & appreciate Michael. Thank you for your warmth & professionalism every time.”

Photo: ABC

Brook Kerr (Portia): “This was gutting. You are a phenomenal actor and man…until next time.”

Marc Anthony Samuel (ex-Felix): “Congratulations Michael! It was a pleasure to work there when you were there.”

Jacqueline Grace Lopez (Blaze): “Your work was inspired. Congrats on an incredible character. Can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Lydia Look (Selina Wu): “Love to you Michael! Keep riding.”

Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this post with more reactions from the cast as they are posted across social media.

What do you think about the high regard Michael’s GH co-stars have him? Will you miss him on the ABC soap opera? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

UPDATED: Early Wednesday morning, Michael Easton revealed that he has already taped his final scenes as Hamilton Finn on General Hospital.

The popular actor, who arrived at GH after his enduring run as John McBain on One Life to Live, took to his Instagram and announced his departure from the ABC daytime drama series, following weeks of rumors that he was out at the show. Reportedly, Easton’s final airdate is Thursday, June 27th and the video Easton posted was pre-taped awhile ago.

Standing outside the entrance to the set of General Hospital in what seems to be the wee hours of the morning, Easton shared the following message to his fans: “I’ve always been partial to the Irish Wish goodbye. That’s where you leave the party without actually telling anyone you’re gone. But I thought you all deserved better.”

Photo: MEastonIG

Easton then expressed, “So, I just wanna let you know, I just filmed my final scenes here at General Hospital. I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for allowing me to share their stage this past 10 years. Most importantly, I wanna thank all of you for the kindness and love you shown me and my family. I won’t ever forget you.”

In an emotional closing, Michael ended his video message, with, “As I walk out here for the last time, and with apologies to the great Lou Gehrig, I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Ironically, the former New York Yankees baseball star in Easton’s reference, died of ALS (also known as “Lou Gehrig disease”), which was part of the storyline Michael recently played out on-screen with Finn’s dying father, Gregory, who had the same disease.

Photo: ABC

Michael punctuated his thoughts within the Instagram post with one final goodbye, “Thank you for your kindness. My heart is filled with love and gratitude.”

Currently in story, Finn has lost his sobriety after seven years, and is in the midst of a serious downfall after his father, Gregory passed away and his daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love) has been taken out of his home and has been served a restraining order to not come near her. How will Easton depart GH? Is Finn exiting the Port Charles canvas to get the help he needs?

Clearly, this marks the end of the line for Finn and Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) as they just had it out over his drinking, and with yesterday’s announced return of Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) to GH this summer.

Photo: ABC

Easton’s GH journey started when he took Llanview’s McBain to Port Charles after One Life was canceled. He debuted on the long-running soap in March 13, 2012. However, due to the legal disputes with ownership of the characters from One Life to Live, between ABC and Prospect Park, he had to leave the series. Michael’s last episode as McBain was in March of 2013. Next, General Hospital brought him back as a new character, Silas Clay, in May of 2013. Two years later in 2015, Silas was killed-off.  Easton made one more GH run, this time as Dr. Hamilton Finn which he had been playing since the spring of 2016.

Throughout Easton’s time on General Hospital, he has earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series back in 2018.  Given his recent performances, many suspect that Michael might close his time on GH with another Emmy nomination in 2025.

You can watch Easton’s emotional goodbye below.

Now let us know, what are your thoughts on Michael Easton’s exit from GH? Sad to see him go? How do you think the show will write-off Finn? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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