General Hospital
General Hospital Reveals Luke's Harrowing Secret On Emotional and Compelling 52nd Anniversary Episode!
Courtesy/ABC
If you have not seen today’s episode of General Hospital best not to read any further. But, if you have, you witnessed a new instant classic GH episode that will be remembered for years and years to come.
Leading up to this afternoon’s 52nd anniversary episode, viewers saw promos promising the long-awaited reveal of what happened to Luke (Anthony Geary) that had turned him into a “splintered” personality. We also saw images and teasers of the throwback to the original April 1, 1963 episodes that would feature Jason Thompson (Patrick), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), and Ryan Carnes (Lucas) take on the role of Dr. Hardy, Nurse Jessie Brewer, and intern Phil Brewer, respectively. But what we didn’t know was how these stories would intersect, and in the creative minds of General Hospital head writer Ron Carlivati, and executive producer Frank Valentini, what we saw was an unexpected and unique way of storytelling.
Courtesy/ABC
As today’s episode unfolded, Luke went back to the Spencer home to try to recall what caused his psychotic break. The scenes transfer from color to black and white, and Luke sees himself as young teenager interacting with his mother, played by Laura Wright (Carly) and his older sister, Patricia and younger sister, Bobbie. When Luke’s father Tim comes home for dinner, everyone soon realizes as expected that Tim is a monster, a drunk, abusive to his wife and his children. Luke tries to protect his mother and sisters from him. Tim is also played by Tony Geary. Certain parts of the story are left out as the viewers take the journey with Luke to figure out what happened on one fateful night that would change Luke’s life forever.
Against the stark black and white scenes, Luke’s mother is struck in the head and taken urgently to General Hospital by Patricia, while Luke stays behind to deal with his father. Enter “General Hospital” and Dr. Hardy, as he and the team tend to Luke’s mom. Everyone assumed Tim hit his wife. Luke’s mother died, and Steve Hardy wants to call the Eckerts from Luke’s mother’s side of the family. That’s where we first learn of Bill Eckert, and Bill comes to the hospital to help Patricia. How all these stories and history were woven together to explain Luke’s harrowing past was an emotional hour of television viewing giving all of the actors a wonderful canvas to work with from the directing, the writing, and the production.
Courtesy/ABC
Back in present time, Patricia (Dee Wallace), Bobbie (Jackie Zeman) and Tracy (Jane Elliot) figure out that Luke has gone to the Spencer home. While we learned that Patricia has multiple sclerosis and not doing well, she informed Bobbie and Tracy off camera just what was the secret she never told anyone of their childhood past.
When it all came out, in the final moments of the episode, viewers learned that Luke accidentently struck his mother in the head with his baseball bat and killed her. His father went on a rampage of words maligning and repeating over and over again that Luke killed his mother! Luke couldn’t take it one more second, so he hit his father with the same baseball bat and killed him. Patricia and Bill Eckert helped cover up the crime by putting Tim’s body in the basement downstairs. Flashback to Bill Eckert’s death scene on GH, where he had informed Luke he knew that Luke killed his mother!
Courtesy/ABC
When Luke remembered it was gut-wrenching moment, played to perfection by Anthony Geary. In fact, Geary watching his childhood play out and the dynamics in the Spencer home were equally powerful. Major kudos to the brilliant casting of a young Luke and young Patricia played so movingly by Joey Luthman and Chloe Lanier. Jane Elliot (Tracy), Laura Wright and Dee Wallace (Patricia) were also riveting, and Anthony Geary once again proves he is in a league of his own.
Watch the final moments from today’s 52nd anniversary episode below! Then share your thoughts: What did you think of the performances? What did you think of the reveal? Were you moved by the episode and how it was crafted? Comment below!
How wonderful that this story finally revealed is. I have been waiting for it since October. Now we can focus on much more interesting stories.
Wow, this wasnt interesting?
The ending and payoff was worth the time invested. Ron did an outstanding job this time!
kalle, easy for you to adage,”now we can focus on more interesting stories.”
i take it you’re a new viewer,who adore and love whiny brat-facemaxie,who still act and sound 19 … THIS IS exactly how soaps should be,
and i am loving it so much i m on my 5th time,watchin’it today,
tonight.
I love how patricia,stood up to him.
Bobbie and Luke went thru it all
I wish we had patricia on longer…
Such a REALISTIC STORYLINE.
WELL DONE AGAIN RON CARLIVATI
1 OF GH BEST EPISODE’S 2016 Emmy worth for sure, as it should be.
adios
HUH? Firstly an adage is a noun. It means, a saying; a cliche’; a proverb or platitude.
I am not sure I understand what you mean? What Kalle I wrote, is not an adage.
Kalle is right….now we can focus on Jake, and follow a straight line, this time…..which should prove much more interesting that Fluke’s many faces and cohorts, yes?
as the old adage goes… “Can’t please everyone…”
Glad most here and all over net LOVE this story.
“The Majority matter.Not haters..”
LOVE THIS STORYLINE!
adios….~
#GottaLoveHaters
Everything about this story has become clear, not through this episode, but because of Tony Geary’s recent interview in which he admitted that Fluke was Bill Eckert and that’s who he was playing up until he left for his surgery. He said that he found out it changed when he returned and it was because RC felt too many people figured out that it was Bill E. First, how could TPTB not think that Bill Eckert, Luke’s look alike cousin, would not be a suspect? And so what? Write a story. The problem again is that it wasn’t about telling a story, it was about constantly fooling the audience and when RC realized he wasn’t able to do that, he changed the rules and switched the story. Then we got a story that made no sense no matter how people tried to tell us it did, basically writing the story themselves, trying to make square pegs fit into round holes.
When we asked how could Luke have been in business with Julian for the last 15 yrs, we were told Luke disappears on vacations. Except those of us who have watched for years know that TG didn’t take these long vacations that far back.
When we said it couldn’t actually be Luke because Julian met him “in witness protection” we had people telling us, Julian was in witness protection it doesn’t mean Fluke was, they just met at that time and how when you’re in WP it’s not like your all in the same house and would know other people in WP. Except we know what was meant at the time and obviously it meant that Bill E was somehow in Witness Protection. And on and on.
Tony said that he thought he was picking up the Bill reveal especially since they had filmed the scenes with the empty grave. That means those scenes were filmed in advance, before he went to have his surgery. So when Helena told Fluke in the graveyard, “we both know there’s no one in that grave” it was because he was Bill and didn’t die.
For me, I found nothing emotional or sympathetic or gripping in today’s episode because of the story I watched over the course of 14 months leading up to it, one that for the first 6 months had nothing to do with this one. Watching a crazy, sadistic, power hungry, coke sniffing, ass grabbing killer; watching the lecherous behavior and watching RC tweet bits of crude and silly dialogue like “he grabbed my ass”—Kiki Jerome, or whatever it was.
To look back on all that nonsense and then to be expected to feel sympathy and to get emotional is not possible for me. The episode we saw today, the reveal that we got warranted a much different story, obviously because the one we sat through for the first half was not the intent, it had nothing to do with it and it renders the end result a total mess. Nothing we saw for months adds up to this no matter how they try to fix it. It was Bill Eckert who came out of Miscavige, who met Julian in witness protection, grabbed kiki’s ass, tried to have Lucas killed. It was Bill talking to Fluke in Miscavige in May, not Luke hallucinating.
It amazes me that RC would change the story because people “figured it out.” He didn’t think that Luke’s look a like cousin would be a suspect? He was more interested in fooling the audience and showing he could outsmart us instead of writing a good story and letting us go along for the ride. Only he didn’t outsmart us did he? In order to do that he basically changed the rules. So when he gave the interview to Michael Fairman and laughed that some in the audience said he didn’t know who Fluke was or when he had Luke proclaim everyone a bunch of fools for thinking he was Bill Eckert, that was a fleeting victory until TG spilled the beans.
Wow. You certainly got a lot off your chest. Hope it was cathartic for you. Yes, the whole Fluke story was convoluted and way too long in the making with TG out for surgery. But today’s episode was a masterpiece all on its own. The story, the acting, the blending from present to past, the glimpse of the original GH. Kudos to all involved! This is what we watch daily television for. It was a fabulous show.
Totally agree with you KADY,on all fronts.
The show was Brilliant.
Absolutely, Katy. But, that is not the point AJQ and myself with many others are making. There is no denying the episode was superb; well delivered…amazing, really. It was no big reveal. We already knew. I, personally, wanted the satisfaction of seeing a tumultuous ending which tied the storyline together. It did not do it for me, albeit the spectacular performances.
This ending to Luke’s repressed trauma and horror could have been revealed in a timely, organized manner, minus Fluke, Helena, and all those other players who brought nothing to reflect anything of Luke’s past except hard-to-follow , ridiculous, unending and multiple storylines. As impressive as the climax was, how did it tie in with Faison? Helena? All the shenanigans going on at the Q mansion? The end did not justify the means.
The point is, there was no reason to do all that shuffling and maneuvering.
I, too, immensely enjoyed yesterday’s episode. Wasn’t it memorable, Kady? The nostalgia must have deeply touched and delved into many of the fan’s essence and, albeit I am not of that era, I am sensitive enough to appreciate the longing it must have ‘exhumed’.
Kady, I totally agree with you; an awesome show!
Kady – I agree. The show was a masterpiece. Can’t say I liked Carly playing Luke’s mother, and the established actors playing Steve, etc. didn’t really work for me. But the show itself was a masterpiece!
Yes it was a masterpiece!
Well said, AJQ. I have said this, not in so many words, ad nauseam. Moreover, I have said what I am about to say, for the millionth time, that the story kept taking different twists and turns because the writers kept changing the plot. One poster said this was impossible because the plots are created six months in advance. Apparently, not so….anything goes, I guess.
However, as yourself, I trusted my own feelings. The story was just too off-the-wall to follow a straight line for me.
Yes, it is amazing that RC does not give credit to the fans’s intelligence in figuring things out….elementary, m’dear, Watson….we are a brainy bunch….LOL.
Ron C. is like a little immature kid—he thinks he found a game to play that only he can win at but as soon as he learns the others know how to play he decides to look for a different game to outsmart us, but he cant so he keeps trying—however, Luke not Bill did not come as a suprise to me—we’ve discussed it long ago that he WAS Luke all this time—someone guessed he killed his mother—i myself said he killed his father and the body was buried in the basement—many of us already knew the outcome—maybe if Bill turned out to be Luke’s twin(they gave one up because they couldnt afford twins at the time) and Bill killed the Spenser’s parents and framed Luke for it and Luke actually believed he did it, might have made a better ending to this convulted mess but in the end whatever game RC thought he was playing he ended up loosing and us fans are the winners no matter how each fan looks at it—im a sucker for anything retro and i did like the episode—if you watch it without thinking how we wanted it to end, its really not that bad!!!
I bet you there are rewrites all the time. Social media has forced every show to amend their stories. I liked all the twists and loved the pay-off. Aside from that I love Tony Geary but it is secondary to his performance in which I thought was great. I was watching the black and whit flashbacks thinking you dont even get this good of a performance in prime time!
I thought most of it was really good but the fact of the house be unaffected by the explosion that almost killed Dante. memory lane with Luke should have been by a blown up shell not a fully intact house.
@ AJQ – right on! you nailed every little detail. I hear you, and agree, though for me…I found this episode creative in the unfolding of the story, yet on a whole, I wasn’t impressed. Looking forward to the focus shifting, hopefully soon to other veterans of the show who deserve to be highlighted just as much. Thanks for your great detailed post!
AJQ, excellent commentary. The way this entire thing played out attests more to the fact that RC is a talentless, hack writer than any other nonsense he has written since he took over and dismantled GH. It is very telling and completely unacceptable that this story had to be explained via interview with Tony Geary instead of ot being written properly onscreen. Also, changing story mid-course because viewers figured it out, once again show cases Carlivati’s many weaknesses and is just more proof he should stay off social media and concentrate more on his writing. Also, to see the soap press fawning over this slop is mystifying. As long as subpar, plot point writing passes for brilliance, there will never be any incentive to generate actual real story telling. This was just overplayed and another one of Carlivati’s feeble attempts to re-write GH history. This mess cannot hold a candle to what was written after Luke accidentally killed Jake and the backstory that was told as part of that story. This is pale and shallow in comparison, it doesn’t even deserve to be compared. Utter garbage.
As I recall Luke didn’t get a back story after killing Jake. TG had a lot of flashback scenes before skipping town.
Bellyache much..
step back,, you need a burnout rest 🙂
I’m with you on this, and I’ve done my share of bellyaching. Fluke ha been tedious for many of us, but I think what Frons orchestrated was worse. And a no-more General Hospital, or Y&R, Bold & Beautiful or Days would be just too awful. So lets give credit where much is due, especially to all the actors involved, and move on. it’s been a long, hard winter. Springs here! New stories coming. I’d do a smily face, but I’m not set up for it.
P.S. ABC News just interrupted GH to broadcast the President saying a deal has been reached with Iran. Don’t want to get into politics, but hope this is a good sign as well.
I’m with AJQ as well. I suspect the fact that Fluke shot and killed a man in cold blood will be forgotten along with so many of the other details from the first half. If they had just come up with the Luke is crazy because he killed his parents from the beginning, the reveal episode would have had so much more impact.
So what if they changed the story. If they wouldnt have then you would have bitched that we knew the reveal all along? Its entertainment. In the WWE which is sports entertainment, if Vince McMahon knows what the fans have figured out he will often change the story and have the other guy win a match or completely rewrite it. Be entertained and quit nitpicking!
Exactly.
Good grief people… if they had kept the story as Bill all along you would’ve complained “I saw that coming a mile away, why don’t they do something different.” Some people are never happy.
Here here Michael, the actors playing Young Luke and Young Patricia were astonishingly good, in particular Chloe Lanier. They should SORAS Josslyn again so she can play Laura Wright’s daughter again, lol
Oh, I agree that it is fine to change the story once, when done cohesively, Timmm. It is a whole different ball game if the story keeps on changing without digestible ends……the stories then become glued together , not making much sense. The plot is supposed to have one main ingredient…that being Luke. Now, I can accept sub-plots, where other characters help support the sub-plots, but they need to have a connection with one another. ….not starting another plot without methodically and not making sure there was fluidity, is not good writing.
Luke was amazing. As I said I am not too fond of either the actor, or the character, but he was in his element. He deserves every accolade, every award, every cheer for one of the best actors on a soap. It seems Anthony has not lost his touch, even with his malady. Good for him. If he is leaving, he is certainly leaving with a bang!! Later
Timmm!
and a BRAVO! to you lol
Why some have need to piss on a great GH moment, well I feel sorry for them they seem so disgustingly unhappy, grouchy people..
I would not invite any of them to my party ..
Hi, Timmm.
I just finished watching today’s episode. Guess what? Lo and Behold….something happened which I thought would never ,in a million years, happen. I actually cried. I felt pity for Luke…for all of them. But, the part that squeezed my heart was the little interaction between Tracy and Luke…those few little words they exchanged said it all. I was so moved.
I never saw them as husband and wife… Never had a feeling for ‘how’ they were with each other because I started watching when Luke was Fluke. But, now, I know…I felt as if I were right there in the room with them. The scene with all the family together was so sweet, it really drew me in….then Dante showed up…LOL.
Oh, how remiss of me. Is Patricia really dead? So sad.
Also, Britney really showed her stuff…her acting was awesome!! I am impressed by everyone.
I suppose you know what you’re talking about….you too, Su. Your loyalty and patience paid off. I think I love Anthony/Luke…LOL.
Oh look, another excruciatingly long, negative post from AJQ bashing GH, what else is new! Some things never change.
I do wish folks would not take it personally if someone offers a viewpoint which is runs contrary your own.
AJQ offered us his/her opinion and thoughtfully explained why he/she felt that way. If you enjoyed it then someone’s negative reaction should not have the power to rain on your parade. If you disagree with AJQ, then say so and then explain why you feel the way you do.
I’m really enjoying the replies to my post; talking about what a great episode it was. EPISODE. Only it wasn’t just an EPISODE, it was the culmination of a year plus long story that was completely incoherent and disjointed leading up to the episode. A story that we know was changed in a way that created a complete mess.
For months people, like me, posted our thoughts and explained why this story just didn’t make sense, that the story was all over the place and that what we were told about and what we saw of Fluke did not wash with Luke’s history. We said that it seemed like the writers were changing direction and therefore creating a mess. Many of the same posters who are defending the show now, defended the show then and told us that we were wrong, that we were just being negative.
But now, from TG’s interview, we know that we were right. We know that TG was playing a different person as Fluke, we know that Fluke was Bill Eckert until recently. Now we know that we weren’t just being negative when we said it made no sense that Fluke was actually Luke because he met Julian in Witness protection. When Helena told Fluke at the graveyard that they both knew there was no one in that grave and we scratched our heads to what she was talking about. What did she mean? Did that mean she had something to do with removing the corpse? Why would she? Does that mean she had something to do with what was going on in the basement? Well we know now, thanks to TG, that was shot when Fluke was still Bill E. Then her comment would make sense. You see, story and dialogue matter.
If people want to forget about the previous year of story and just pick it up from here, fine, there’s really nothing else to do. But I can’t forget what I saw for an entire year. And I can’t forget Fluke in the jail cell telling the audience that we were a bunch of morons for thinking he was Bill Eckert when we were right. For those of you talking about rewrites happening all the time, well, Cee Cee hit it on the head. Nothing wrong with rewrites if they are done correctly and if the story still makes sense. The story leading to the EPISODE that many of you loved, made absolutely no sense and made no sense for the reason that we suspected and the reason that the writer denied, until TG set the record straight.
Many are working overtime to run interference and defend the show, here and on other boards, it’s commendable, but it doesn’t change the facts.
There does seem to be some damage control at play here.
One question–was it ever explained why Fluke acted like a dirty old perv? Remember when he made the moves on Kiki?
At the time I do believe he was suppose to be Bill Eckert which doesn’t quite jive with my memory of that character. Sure, Bill was a flawed character and he liked the ladies but he wasn’t hitting on young girls.
AJQ….Thank you for your two well-expressed posts….you (and then CeeCee) said it all so capably, that I didn’t have to. (I actually took a few days to sit back, digest the April 1st episode, and see what sorts of reaction both the show and your comments provoked here….) At any rate, you really hit the nail on the head…no matter how compelling and interesting the April 1st denouement may have been, it was the nagging inconsistencies and revisionist changes to the Fluke storyline that made it the completely insulting disaster to fans—especially the long-term ones that really took to heart all the clues referenced from Port Charles’ history and tried to make sense of them, no matter how illogical and irrational— that it was. Those seemingly endless months spent trying to figure out who and what the purportedly fake Luke was (all about) were totally squandered in the end, and the only thing we received in return for the time and thought expended was one undeniably finely-executed and acted episode that was long on emotion and talent, but still unforgivably short on plausibility and factual payoffs. Having said that, did I enjoy this single-day event? Yes! Absolutely and immensely….one could see all the effort that was put into the production, and it was appreciated by this viewer…it were as if for once the unique GH of old had been resurrected, and that in and of itself was a victory. The care and detail put into recreating the inaugural look and feel of the show, not to mention, the retro aspects of Luke’s backstory, were impressive. As a stand-alone episode, it was excellent. However, that doesn’t excuse the utterly confusing mess we were repeatedly served up prior to that glorious, once-in-a-lifetime 52nd anniversary salute. We still deserve answers to the many huge holes left in this woven tapestry of a travesty. While I am not necessarily holding out hope that we shall ever get those which we seek—other than TG’s candid admission of the show runners’ duplicity—-I am looking forward to seeing how Luke’s “treatment” will be presented and if any further explanations will be offered up not only for his grotesque behavior, but the manner and methods in which he carried out his multi-year, twisted campaign of deception that he perpetrated upon his friends and family. For that to be successful, I should expect nothing less than a parade of Spencer’s nearest-and-dearests from his many years on the canvas to confront him, meaning Scorpio, Holly, Ethan, Lucky, and yes, even eventually, Laura, not to mention current vets like Anna, Tracy, Bobbie, Lulu, Monica, Scotty, Sonny, Liz, Patrick, Nik, Ned and perhaps Helena. Encountering such an illustrious cavalcade of characters could provide at least a semblance of closure, as well as an olive branch, to the still-miffed long-time GH loyalists who stuck with what was the most baffling, then exasperating, chapter from this show’s long and storied annals. It should also offer up another opportunity for Geary to continue his streak of superb performances, though hopefully only in the now-integrated form of the original Lucas Lorenzo Spencer….no more alter-personalities, please!
well said. Today was interesting, but why would Luke be such a pervert etc. I don’t remember much about BE so I don’t know if he was like that.
Exactly why I keep saying there is no cohesiveness between the characters or the story-changing mid-stream. Sadly, AJQ and I are suffering the brunt of some of the fans’s disagreement. It is our opinion. Nonetheless, the acting was so good, I was overwhelmed.
Thank you, Harry, for bringing this issue to light.
Although I stopped watching GH over a year ago I recorded this episode because I wanted to see what “stunning” reveal was going to be made. I have read the synopsis about the show a few times in SOD so I was sort of familiar with what was being told during this long, drawn out saga.
First, I agree with AJQ that there were so many ridiculous holes in this tale, switching facts and just plain rewriting details was sloppy.
I have to say I was not impressed. I think they would have been better off leaving it alone with Luke’s accidental killing of his mother. Having him also kill his father went overboard. So, now Tracy, Bobbie and Pat (who will disappear in another episode or so) will have to cover up Luke’s deliberate murder of his father considering that there is no statute of limitations on murder. I assume that’s why Lulu wasn’t present so she would not have to keep the murder from her cop husband.
Overall, I think faithful viewer should feel hoodwinked. I know this wasn’t anything that will bring me back to the show as a viewer. Ron got carried away and thought he could not only rewrite history but do it with such glaring disregard for the audience.
Once more, sayonara, GH.
I don’t think history was rewritten at all (well, not as much as people are saying on here; Bill’s death was rewritten, true, but considering how we saw it happen from Luke’s perspective then it could make sense). I think it explains quite a lot about Luke, actually. Tony Geary thinks so too, and he knows Luke better than anybody. His rape of Laura… his anarchist persona and repeated denials that he’s any sort of good father, that anything Lucky and Lulu had that was good came from their mother.
Do you have a link to the article you are talking about in your post, where Tony Geary said he was playing Fluke? Now THAT makes sense! I didn’t know they switched up the story. Would Henry Slesar ever “switch” who the killer was on The Edge of Night? Absolutely not. If someone guessed it they guessed it but the beauty with The Edge of Night is that no one could ever guess it. And when the reveal came, it all made beautiful sense because they would show all the clues they dropped in flashbacks. That is poor storytelling if they switched it out halfway through.
*Bill. Obviously I meant Bill in that first sentence, not Fluke.
No, Henry S. wouldnt change anything but back then you didnt have social media with facebook, twitter ect., like now where RC could easily check out fans guesses early enough to change plotlines— he’s like some immature child whose opinions are the only one that matters and you got to play his way or you dont play at all…but i still enjoyed the anniversary episode regardless…jmo
And yet he continually slips over his own shoelaces…but the double murder and throwing in the throwback so you don’t whine too loud..LOL..you could see him for a minute pondering how to appease millions of fans..DING DING DING…go retro and use current players to portray the true vision of what this show was really meant to be…gotta props to the party pooper …LOL
Wow. What a deafening response to what I guess was supposed to be a huge episode.
Memo to GH team…
1) Don’t try it on April Fool’s Day even if the joke was that GH’s for real premiere date for GH was 4/1/63.
2) Don’t even of think putting current cast members in absurd 60s stunt flashjback scenes where the theatrics of big hair and makeup totally upstages the actual point of the story
3) What actual is the point of the story?
Such a total miss on every level and I think I better shut up now:)
yes, shut up, lol, your post is most annoying !
I know, I’m getting pissed BUT I realize everyone does have an opinion and they are entitled to it.
Haven’t seen the episode in question yet, so I will shut up. However, I am finding the comments here to be quite interesting, if not amusing.
No worries, KM. I understand your inference perfectly. You have the right to air your opinion. I, for one, will read it and will not be annoyed.
the fluke storyline was a victim of time, to much time, this storyline should of been over months ago, but with tony geary having surgery this gave RC to much time to switch the storyline to keep viewers from guessing. I did enjoy todays episode, but it doesn’t explain so many other things. like why does fluke hate sonny? how has fluke know julian for so long? was fluke a drug dealer? love patricia by the way, both across playing the young vesion and the older are great, GH should do something to keep the young one maybe pat has another daughter.
Exactly, Aria. The storyline might have been so compelling, if only it came to an end at a reasonable and acceptable timeline.
I totally agree with Aria and CeeCee
Good points but Tony isnt retiring tomorrow so we may get more answers to your questions.
I don’t see how the recent twists and reveals actually contradict anything that was established earlier, when the story was allegedly leading to Bill Eckert, instead of Luke’s alter ego split personality.
The story isn’t the story until it airs on TV. Editing happens in all forms, in the writing, in the way it’s acted by the performer bringing the scripted word to life, and in the actual post-production of the footage as it becomes the final product that hits the screen. Dismissing a story because you heard or believe the original intent was different seems rather silly to me because, whatever original intent was… it didn’t turn out to be the story. If you would have preferred Bill and are mad that it wasn’t, I understand, cause you wanted it a certain way. Unfortunately you don’t write for GH. None of us do.
I do think all the twists do still line up with what was firmly established before. Luke and Fluke were never observed in the same place at the same time by any third party, so that’s all I think could be argued about the story. All shows constantly go back and reveal little things that happened “off-screen” before that we never saw in real time, which could explain Bill revealing on his deathbed that Luke killed his parents, could explain that Luke was out of town for these rendezvous with Julian, etc. The same timeline tampering resulted in the relatively popular Ethan being Luke’s son with Holly from an affair we never saw happen while he was supposedly happily married to Laura. Y&R is doing a whole lot of recent off-screen reveals around this Austin murder storyline and now Nick’s sudden involvement with some girl’s broken neck back in high school or college or whatever.
The difference is that these off-screen moments with Luke happened intermittently over the last 22 years (assuming the mental break kicked in upon Bill’s death in 1993), during the MANY times Luke was out of town traveling. And there were many. So this argument about original intent of story ruining what the actual story was seems like a pretty weak gripe to me. This is the story. And it’s been a rather involved, twisty, emotional story that touched a lot of different characters across the entire canvas. I don’t need it to have been Bill Eckert for the story to have been better. It actually streamlines the story and doesn’t leave us with a dual role that Tony Geary probably doesn’t want to be playing all over again after they mercifully killed Bill off all those years ago. At least this leaves Luke with some actual issues to work through and new redemption to find, and healing to do. Instead of his usual drinking, get-rich-quick schemes and random disappearing that usually only served to fluster or infuriate Tracy. This story linked Luke to a large part of the current canvas (which he hasn’t had much relevant connection to in probably a decade) AND added many new flawed layers to Luke’s character. Rejuvenated him, in my opinion.
Great commentary, davidevsnsmith. GH is not Anna Karenina and Ron is not Tolstoy. Soaps seem to always have gaps, lapses, unbelievable twists, ludicrous plots, fantasy, resurrections, friends who become lovers who sleep with each other’s parents who have their siblings babies then get stabbed 450 times in an act of revenge and same person shows up at the tennis club. Lol…it’s a SOAP! It’s on five days a week for most of the year and comprises several stories simultaneously. That doesn’t mean they should turn out crap or we should watch crap. But even in the most beloved prime time shows, LOST and The Sopranos come to mind…there has been disappointment in how a story pans out.
I don’t know if I like Ron C., but I can understand why he’d want to change a story that many viewers figured out. (if that’s what he did). It’s the same rationale directors don’t want too much leaked of a film that’s being written…
Maybe they’ll go back now and try to fill in the gaps…the questions we have and be able to give plausible explanations so that the continuity of the story holds up better. I have a few additional questions in addition to what I read here.
For me it was a satisfying “reveal.” I mean, unless Luke turned out to be Norma Jean who was really Luke and they kidnapped Patricia who wasn’t really their sister but Bill’s…who then killed Luke and stole his identity taking his place….how much of a shocker could there have been?
Anthony Geary played all of his roles exceptionally well…best acting of his GH career…though his most hated. Loved the nostalgic feel of the episode..really offered a realistic peek into a Luke/Bobby childhood we’d only heard about (wonder if Ruby ever knew the truth) young Luke and Bobby were excellent ( should try to snap them up for more work)…I thought it was a poignant episode…and I loved how Rebecca, Ryan and Jason recreated the past. Wonderful episode…if not shocking…beautifully done.
I might also add I think this actually WAS well thought out. As a boy, Luke was kind and loving to him mother and sisters. Protective. But the family was dysfunctional, the father, abusive.
This explains why Luke always rejected family life, why he always needed to be on an adventure..why he convinced Laura to constantly pick up roots. She wanted hearth and home…it made him uneasy. Between being the victim of abuse and killing both his parents, it’s understandable why psychologically he ran away from “family.” Why he was a distant father…even as he did bond with Lucky/cowboy.
In Fluke, he took on the persona of his father…he incorporated the evil, abusive man who told him “we are the same.” As Luke, there was still the remnants of the boy and the man he grew up to be…all the while harboring the atrocities of his past. From an emotional/psychological standpoint…I think they did a great job decoding and the inner turmoil that created Luke/Fluke…
This is a great post!
Rebecca, great points, except I never felt Luke had to explained until he turned into Fluke. He and Bobbi were orphaned and sent to be raised in Aunt Ruby’s whorehouse. Luke pimped out his own little sister when she was only sixteen.
They had a horrible, very dark childhood and of course Luke had messed up feelings about women as a result. He especially harbored resentment for the haves after growing up as a have not. Laura, a young beautiful woman who seemed out of his league and she was elevated to goddess like status in Luke’s eyes. The end result was he loved her but hated the idea of her at the same time because he felt she was the unattainable dream he could never have.
Yes, I do think in their efforts to conduct big time damage control they have rewritten and slightly sullied GH’s history.
I really don’t like that Luke killed his parents. In short, I find it depressing and this comes from someone who is normally drawn to dark themes in literature, music and yes, entertainment.
For me to complain that a story has become depressing is akin to Eeyore complaining the the forest is too gloomy.
Luke never need explaining until the Fluke debacle.
Hey, Harry. Thanks…but i think the background we now have on Luke, even if it wasn’t planned and despite discrepancies in the beginning of his saga…fit nicely into his personal history. Because of the dark period of his life, it now makes sense why he couldn’t be happy with family life, why he always had to escape, why he pushed himself on Laura. As for your theory, “Laura, the unattainable dream he could never have,” again, that would fit in with feeling unworthy. I think it all fits great with his history…doesn’t change a thing. In real life, there are plenty of people with “stories” we don’t know about that make them the way they are. Doesn’t change how they acted, how we knew them, or what they told us. But sometimes, (I don’t believe always) the truth comes out. Whatever the road that got the writers to Luke’s dark place, I think they were able to weave it along a path that makes sense.
As for some questions that are still out there…will be interesting to see if they can come up with some backstory to make sense of Julian, Helena etc that occured in the earlier version…Either way, I can move on and not harp on those elements. The picture I now have of Luke doesn’t change who he is for me, other than I now know he was a great son to his mom who finally cracked amidst the violence/dysfunction, which led to the fracture he experienced as an adult.
As for Eeyore…I can top that! I used to know a guy who looked like Prince, danced like James Brown but sounded EXACTLY like Christopher Robin! Very unsettling…
I totally agree with said post above…. : It’s been a “long” winter… spring is here… and it’s on to new direction
AG: his being thee kingpin of GH…. laud much : “in a league of his own”
Tom foolery in my opinion : AG does not want to rekindle Luke and Laura
AG Luke : w/Tracy has been the norm for YEARS
dang! it’s SO NICE to see , at the very least brother and sister, Luke and Bobbi
which is fine by me
to see Anthony Geary ??? humbled, “average” , apologizing to every one. reaching for humanity like
is his canvas across the board that broad?
GH production has to move on… anthony geary has leverage and will jettison off to Amsterdam
the fun shyster boozing live it up… it’s my way or the highway… and his coming down to earth to acknowledge his ladyloves… was fine… ie: Lulu, Traci, and Bobbi
to lose that part of Luke of ole
ehhh : dim lacking exciting, no?
Anthony Geary should parlay what’s left of his everlasting tenure as ole (sigh) beloved Luke the gallavanting out and about
as posted… I think after all this is said and done… he’ll have a real reunion with and only cared about reunion with his lady loves… Lulu and his grandson… Traci, Bobbi, Pat… and now Valerie
and they in turn … who need to know their pillar is theirs… and he’s with… and thereby, let him be
hasta la vista
Great posts David Evan Smith and Rebecca, I agree 100%!
David, again, well done. You disagree, you state your case and explain why. See, folks? This is how it’s done.
Seriously davidevansmith, what are you talking about? No one is dismissing a story because we heard or believe the original intent was different, it was different according to the actor. The problem with your very well stated account of the story/production process is that the story WAS aired on TV. It was acted by the performer bringing the scripted word to life. The story was that Fluke was a different person was the story for months, it was written that way, it was acted that way and it aired.
To also say that criticism stems from people being “mad” that it wasn’t Bill E is a red herring of your’s, that goes off topic and assigns an illogical motive to diminish the position. This has nothing to do with what someone wanted. The story, of Fluke being a different person, was written, acted, produced, directed and aired for months.
As for Luke and Fluke never being observed at the same time by a third party, I disagree, the third party was the audience. The scenes in Miscavige were shot and directed as two people. It was shot from the audience’s point of view. We were outside the room with Fluke as he grabbed the door handle as Luke tried to escape. Just like we were outside the room with orderly previously and entered with him. The same POV. Direction and POV are important. Either those scenes were filmed when it was still two different people or they were filmed in a way that was dishonest.
If you want to say that the story now makes sense for Fluke to have been Luke; that him being in business with Julian for 15 years and being a pervy horn dog makes sense because he was his father, then you have that right. But don’t write a whole post about scripted words being brought to life and not counting until it is acted and aired on screen, because it was.
Happy EASTER/PASSOVER, AJQ, and, everyone)
What can I say? Never have I read a post this well -written and explained (other than Shay).
You have said what has been circulating in my head forever about Fluke/Luke. I have written a word or two expressing my sentiments, similar to yours, but not in that magnitude. I never know if I put my point across or not. You just did it for me. I bow to you.
Thank you .
This storyline, written not for the adult’s viewer-discretion, but for mindless, gullible children ( then again, even said children may have questioned the fluidity of the plot) is laughable.
However, be that as it may, the acting was excecuted to perfection, in my opinion. I especially loved the last two scenes….my heart was open to all the protagonists. Every actor/actress delivered his/her part/scene with all the skill he/she could have mustered, as directed by TPTB.
…….In a rush. Later. Excuse any typos, please.
Wow. Hardly was this episode met with universal derision except on this thread. Everywhere else, on this site and on others, fans & viewers are saying what a great episode this was.
Of course you’ll all entitled to your opinions, but if you hated this episode, I’m not sure why you bother to watch the show at all. A lot of people speculated that Luke killed his dad. No one I’m aware of thought he’d also killed his mother. It was a surprise, and explained a lot about Luke’s behavior.
And truthfully this is a TV show–a soap opera at that. As long as I’m entertained, why do I care that originally the story was going to go one way, and then it went another? It’s a universal truism that to succeed you have to be flexible and ready to pivot. Maybe Ron didn’t like the direction the story was going. Maybe he thought if the fans guessed it already, the story wasn’t as good as he thought it would be. Maybe he got a brilliant idea later in the process.
I read Geary’s interview–but I certainly didn’t need it to explain anything to me.
And the likely truth is if it was supposed to be Bill and it ended up being Bill you all would be groaning about what a dumb, apparent story it was.
I loved the episode, Lucy D. It is the storyline with which many of us have a problem accepting as storytelling-worthy. The actors/actresses performance was impeccable…the writing, however? ……left a lot to be desired, in my humble opinion.
@Lucy D.
Thank you, Lucy, for taking the time…you humble me. You are very kind.
I do appreciate the fact that Luke killing his mother was the story. You are very insightful. But, the writers did not know this when this TALE OF TWO , THREE LUKES started. And, that’s fine…scenarios change, stuff happens etc.
I have said my peace. I will no longer carp. I am so happy with the outcome. ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. ..Later.
Amen Lucy D!
Exactly Lucy, the same people complaining today would be complaining about how lame and predictable it was, and how Frank and Ron are trying to ruin GH’s history, and yada yada yada, if it had turned out that Luke was Bill Eckert. They would have complained no matter which direction the story went in, because it’s what they do.
At least a poster like CeeCee, you have your valid complaints, but you’re at least fair and honest, and give the show credit, and the acting credit, when it’s good. I respect you for that. Some others that post here, not so much.
Thanks Dan & Timm. I get you CeeCee, your posts are thoughtful. But I think the storytelling here is what made the episode and gave the actors the material to be brilliant. Luke’s killing his mother WAS the story.
Thank you, Dan. I do not even know who Bill Eckert is. I am more or less new to GH, so I come with a clean slate…no baggage. I, for one, would never be able to say that the present writers are trying to ruin GH. I would not know with whom to compare them. I can only give my opinion on what I see and feel.
These are fairly new writers, right? So, the stories come from a different author, a different frame of mind.
Sadly, Anthony became very ill. The writers dealt with this unexpected situation by creating a monster that kept growing and refused to go away.
In retrospect, I can see TPTB tried their hand at this and that……it just took too long. This has been the problem….its length. And, it was this exorbitant length that introduced the crazies and the unnatural behaviors. Was it done to prolong the storyline for Anthony’s return? I definitely think so……the wait produced unrealistic and laughable scenarios for me. I know I became bored…but, true to form, I diligently watched. ( I am just as loyal as you, su…lol.).
I am glad I kept watching….these last two episodes were the biggest pay-off for me. I devoured every second. BRAVI, tutti!! GOOD, everyone ( literal translation).
Now, it is time to give Jake his due without Hayden. Hey, PTB , give her to Silas…better yet, let’s create a little upheaval between Sam and Patrick. Give Hayden to Patrick. Just don!’t forget to keep Jake’s story flowing rapidly and true…straight to Liz’s threshold.
You’re so right.
I thought it was a wonderful show. Was it payoff for waiting an inordinate amount of time to getting to this point — probably not, but with Tony Geary leading the way it’s easy to forgive and love the individual episode.
The acting was wonderful, and for those of us who started watching GH decades ago (for me it was the mid-1970’s), the hospital scene was a bonus treat.
Wow…to read some of these comments is like listening to spoiled children gripe about not getting all the candy the want. This episode was insanely brilliant with weaving today into the past, especially with the very first episode. I watched the very first episode and it’s obvious that it was painstaking similar with the set, costumes and even the very first patient on GH (bandaged face and all). The whole storyline was in danger from TG’s surgery so it went a little long…big deal. FV and the writers did a great job in my opinion with what they had to work with and if you want escapism and drama it will not be a romp in the park with GH. Now, I have said my peace. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Seems GH viewers are of two minds on the first part of the “big reveal” when you compare comments on this page (harsh) to the Congrats 52 Anniversary page (complementary). I think the whole Fluke story has been way too long and convoluted. What I would call an “ugly” story. But I do think Ron & Co. have at least redeemed themselves a little bit in how they have framed this part of the Fluke thing. B/W flashback has been very effective…don’t know how many of us dream or remember in color, and the acting has been excellent all around. Really liked the young Luke and Patricia. Loved seeming Laura play the victim mom very effectively. This is when you wish you could time-warp Sonny in to take care of business since he’s always talking about taking care of his family, and because he and his mom had the same experience when he was growing up. And throughout, there has been the solid performances of Barbara/Jackie, Tracy/Jane, Lulu and now Dee/Patricia. Also really like nurse Liz really looking like a nurse. She looked great in white. Finally, Is there anyone who can play a more swarthy character than Tony? Tim is almost just as creepy as Fluke. Well done, especially when contrasted by the confused Luke looking on. All that said, ready to get back to “regular” GH stories and the upcoming Nurses Ball.
You said it, Rose. Great post.
Absolutely spellbinding!
the boards and twitter are full of praise for a great 52nd..
Anthony was phenomenal, all were outstanding in acting..
I was shocked and surprised, I love that..
Luke was Tim Spencer, his father.. awesome unexpected twist!
RC, FV, Writers, Directors, Sets and Crew… BRAVO!!!!!
This is by far the best GH story and performances!!
a great legacy for Anthony ..
I agree, everyone involved deserves a gold watch with the number 52 inscribed!
I hope all the Fluke naysayers are taking their foot out of their mouth right about now? Yes it did drag a little BUT the payoff was so worth it and Tony Geary as Tim was mind blowing and then himself breaking down inside his house he grew up in after he realized what he did all those years ago sealed his legendary status!
I liked the episode—sure i complain myself but im learning not everything about this show is going to be perfect—nothing is—its like going to a diner—i might like some things on the menu and other things i might not but that doesnt mean i’ll stop going there—i like GH half of the time and sometimes i dont but as long as i enjoy it on occasion im still going to tune in—its better to have GH around than no GH at all—jmo
Jim, thats a great analogy, dinner and GH. Take care buddy.
I’m surprised at all the negative comments. I personally thought today’s episode was creatively brilliant and my hat’s off to Ron and Frank. It was riveting.
Tony proved yet again that he is the absolute master. Jason, Becky and Ryan nailed their roles.
Thanks to all involved for a beautiful episode.
Anthony Geary is loyal to GH fans . He always delivers to us fans! SO happy for him. Bravo to the best. I am intrgued though for whats ahead.
Well, I am a long time soap watcher, seen more stories than I can remember, but the ones I do are usually outstanding in some way. I will remember this Fluke story. Yes, the story is filled with more holes than Swiss cheese–it was way over the top campy in spots, it had too many red herrings to count, — but so was the prime time show Lost, and I think at least this Fluke story had an ending that made more sense than the ending of Lost.
If in deed as another poster stated the story was change mid way then of course there will be no way to seamless connected the two plots, there will be details from one that simply will not mesh with the new story, but as a soap fan if the overall story is entertaining and moves me then I will overlook those details. There was enough good things in this story for me to forgive the stupid things like that baseball bat that was in the basement when the it explodes and should have been sawdust, somehow magically appeared on the floor just when Luke was about to remember or the gals turning on the lights when they came in to confront Luke– the hydro would have been shut off in a house after a explosion or how the house was even standing almost intact after the bomb.
However it is part of the business of daytime that there is little room for rewrites and new drafts to get the bugs out like a movie would have or a book. I think for the medium they are working in, they did a decent job and if they had time and budget they might have fixed some of those glaring mistakes in details and plot that distract. But overall I was impressed, by the acting, and moments of dialogue that were perfection. I cried at the end of yesterday’s show and it takes a lot to get this seasoned soap watcher to shed tears, so for me, if tears came out of me, they did their job.
Your right Mary, EVERY story will ask that we discount some of the details and realism. Its the business. I talked to a friend and she watches Y&R and she wishes her husband would be half a s romantic as some of the men on that show are to their wives and girlfriends! Its an escape and if you crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s of every story it would have to be on five hours a day to tell each story from beginning to end.
every person who posted on this storyLINES
is laden with opinion
whew! I’m so glad it’s over… where’s the bat ( I do not think AG did a good job … and with the writing…. after coming back from his respite)
it was superlative mind numbing feature marquee before AG left… when we all last saw him at miscaviage… in his orange drugged out padded cell straitjacket (this is when I was in tears)
should this not give rise to fan outcry… and “now” it’s all nicely woven bow tied with yesterday ep… that they tie in the black and white scenes to help along convoluted
I can only hope that the road for: Jake Doe, Franco and Nina, and Ava… fare
ante up again
bravo and applause for this genre that is farther along, still
Oh my God! What a bunch of whining!!! It was entertaining and well done. This isn’t the first time a HW has changed the course of a story. I don’t know what wild hair many of you have, but have it surgically removed. Yes, I realize I am now whining too, but with much fewer words then AJQ.
Hilarious! And spot-on accurate.
I skimmed through their whining, I did not want to ruin a beautiful GH moment, the episode was more than great..
Jake, sorry you read the longer than War and Peace complaint, when the posts are very long they are very sourpussy and depressing, remember that LOL 🙂
also..
the thought and preparations the amount of time and work and the excitement of the crew and cast that went into the episode..
I loved the original opening..
The two children were a genius casting they were stunning
I like the Black and White, it gave old time atmosphere..
the trip back in time to Dr’s and old hospital, were awesome
the acting was phenomenal! outstanding!
So much went into the episode and the Spenser children all together, again..
and some found need to trash the moment and the work of everyone who put their heart and souls into the episode and gave us the outstanding episode and some had need to piss on their parade…
Now Sue, no one has the power to, as you so eloquently phrased it, “pissed on their (your) parade.”
Maybe they peed on your Cheerios judging by the petulant reaction I see coming from you and some of the others.
Most people loved it, and some did not. Now lighten up and pour yourself another bowl of Cheerios.
LOL. I do not hear anyone whining, Jake.
I am just reading everyone’s intelligent and valid opinions. The writers proved one thing….here we are, discussing their handiwork….whether we agree or not, the flood-gates of conversation are open. Isn’t THAT the point?
I love the episode so much that I downloaded on Amazon video, this morning. It was beautiful,dramatic and gut wrenching! All the actors was on top of their game, the young actors who portrayed Patricia and Luke was outstanding! I do have two questions, if Luke looks like his father ,then why do Luke’s cousin Bill look identical to Luke? If Carlyle looks like her maternal grandmother, why have that not be mentioned on the show before?
The lookalike cousin thing is probably the most unrealistic part of the story for me, but that was established back in… 1991? And that’s not to say it COULDN’T be explained. What if Bill was Luke’s twin, but Lena gave him to her brother Fred and his wife Angela to raise to try to keep one child safe from Tim? Who knows what her thinking could have been. But honestly at this point, with Bill so long-dead, it’s hardly worth exploring cause it wouldn’t have much impact on today.
I can understand the frustrations of many viewers considering the holes in the story DUE TO the story changing.
Having said that, I’ve come to realize in others and in myself that we longtime GH viewers have been dragged through the mud on several occasions throughout the years and have endured regimes who did not give any consideration to the history of the show. As a result, we tend to be very critical of the show and I have noticed this in myself when I believe that I can come up with better scenarios and storylines than what I see play out on television.
Now, I am going to say that I was very satisfied with yesterday’s episode. I’ve always said (after being subjected to GH ignoring its history and vets for years) that a story should have a beginning, middle, and eventual ending and that the stories in-between should be tied somehow into the history of the show. Yesterday’s show did just that…not only to the beginning of the GH story and the hospital, but also to the Eckert years. After all that Luke and Bobbie have experienced throughout the years, it was nice to take them back to the root of their backstory while including how their estranged sister Pat and cousin Bill fit into the storyline as well.
At this point, I really do not care whether or not the initial story changed and I’m just happy that the stories we see now still have at least something to do with the history of the show even if some plots are tweaked. When I think back on the miserable years of GH (JFP, Frons, later Guza) that ignored the history of the show and the hospital itself, I’m just happy to see the show still on the air.
I agree wholeheartedly with the points made by these able commentors. But I liked yesterday’s show mainly something significant happened to bring the plot to fruition. It was like a play that could stand on its own. Loved the characters in the flashbacks, loved the actors playing young Luke (Bill, whoever) and Pat and the hair and costumes. Admittedly, the big reveal did not live up to its billing, but let’s move on.
While I think the episode itself was very very well done, I have to agree that its not a satisfying conclusion to a convoluted and WAY too long story.
I do agree Laura Wright’s performance was great.
Rob, it is not concluded, not yet..
there is more to come for closure..
Laura was awesome, I didn’t even recognize her at first and when I did I went ”wow” !
My sister said the same thing…she did not know that was her playing the Spenser momma!!!
Regardless of any switches or long, drawn out tales, I thought the anniversary show was very powerful and well acted by all those involved. The kids who played the young Spencers were outstanding; especially the young lady who played Patricia. I first saw Laura Wright as Cassie on GL and then Carly on GH. Her portrayal of Momma Spencer showed me her acting chops, as it was much different than the other two roles from which I knew her. I enjoyed seeing the actors in the flashbacks taking on the iconic stars of the show’s early years. I think they did an admirable job. Those in the present-day story were good, too. Overall, I thought it was a great show.
It was a favorite episode of mine—could it been better and more satisfying—yes—did i gripe—dont i usually—lol—but it was still good enough for me!!!
Mine, too, Jim. I just wrote that below-one of the best episodes in a very long time!
It was a real powerful performance by all. Tony Geary pulled all the stops out and did a wonderful job as well as the other actors. Raw emotion was running wild. Good Job to all.
This episode is an example of the GH I know and love. Attention to history, use of legacy characters and veteran actors who are part of our television family, excellent acting and technical work. Well done!
Did I like all the Fluke storytelling leading up to this day? Not so much. But I relished this payoff.
Humanity, emotion, tragedy… no crazy resurrections and suspended animation in the freezer… these kind of stories resonate and make us really feel.
More please?
I am eager to see the fallout of this powerful revelation, be it a surprise to viewers or not. Please do not drop the ball, GH. Let us see some redemption, some healing, some repair to the Spencer family. Make them a solid core, not for sci fi fancy, but for som reality based stories. Bring Luke home.
I wish GH could strike a balance between the silly and what we had Wednesday, perhaps the scales tipping to Wednesday. I engage better in stories that are not so heightened and crazy. Maybe I am a minority anymore, but just saying.
Again, a great and memorable hour of television. GH has had some strong actors. Geary leads the pack.
As I calm down and realize, shockingly, not everyone liked the 52nd Anniversary show and thats their right as “Fans” I have to wonder why people waste their time watching? Its not because I like the story and you didnt but I read all the time people griping about stories. I’m glad GH made it to 52 years. Do I have issues with the show? Yes. I watched as Luke fell to his knees after he realized what he had done and asked myself, how are Laura and Lucky not on this show right now? BUT, they are not. Their choice? ABC’s choice? I dont know but it didnt ruin Tony’s performance and I am happy with the end. There are still questions to be answered and people will probably still moan because it has to do with Luke but what the hell else do you really care about now on that show that is more important that involves top notch legacy characters? One other thing, Jonathan Jackson works for ABC, he couldnt pull double duty and tape some scenes as Lucky? Doesnt make sense. Happy Easter.
Exactly Timmm
I remember watching GH back in the black and white days with Dr Hardy, Nurse Jessie and Phil Brewer.
I was pleased that the old stationary camera techniques and black and white was used to make it believeable. even the old opening….Ahh for the good old days…..
Personal note – my family had the exact same drinking glasses that the Spensers had on their dinner table. Kudos……
Pure Magic!
I thought the episode was wonderfully thought out and written. I loved how Laura Wright played Lena. She did a wonderful job. Anthony Geary, what can I say? Emmy material. I cried and cried at the emotional scenes unfolding during the entire episode. I liked how the writers kept the backstory somewhat “simple” and it not being too campy. I thought the casting of Patricia Spencer was on-target, too. I loved seeing the Spencer siblings and their bond-from beginning up until now, even after all of this time and years of not seeing one another. It was just one of the best episodes in a long time. I also enjoyed the show paying history to the recreation of the old hospital set and seeing Dr. Brewer, Hardy, and Nurse Brewer again. Absolutely outstanding job!
I wanted it to be great but it wasn’t. I enjoyed the hospitl scenes, interjecting moments from episode #1, but the Spencer family, circa 1963, was too Politically Correct for me. Teenage daughter calling her father a …drunk, and mother standng up for the child…no way. As a 50-something….that would not have happened…children respected their elders, and Patricia’s mother would have put her in her place, not supported her. And…uh…what was the reason she talked to her father that way….he said Luke batted like a girl???? and she shouldn’t wear pants??? I hate to tell you 20-somethings, but most sober Dads would have said the same…rubbish
Eric.. so sad for you..
you missed the whole point of the extraordinary story..
you could not grasp the entirety of the episode, and that is sad you missed what was actually happening.. It was AWESOME!!
Su, why must you feel compelled to tell everyone how sad you feel about him/her? I believe everyone grasped the episode. Luke killed his parents and repressed the memory. Everyone appreciated the awesome performance of the last two episodes. It is over, whether you believe it or not. We had to jump through hoops to get to this conclusion. It seems to me that you are missing the point of what many of us are trying to impart. How did we get here? How did Luke get here? Why were there so many weird phenomena thrown left and right during Luke’s journey?
What I loved about this ending? I found Luke….I found the incredible love between the siblings. I loved everything about the episode…..Clearly another storyline is in the works, however, this one is over.
Lol, you know us so well, right? Sorry to disappoint you, but, I am a happy-go-lucky young woman, mother and wife living my life ….and I love soaps. I like these chats, I love these sites…and, I definitely like you, no matter what. We agree to disagree.
It has LONG been said on GH that Tim beat his wife and kids. That was NEVER typical behavior–no matter what decade you’re in.
Brutal, bullying, behavior is as you said Lucy, NEVER,NEVER ACCEPTABLE!!!
Something told me I’d come here and there would be the usual complainers doing just hat complaining. If Ron C. had gone with Bill Eckert those same people would have been groaning about how bad that was.
The Fluke story was dragged out much in apart due to Anthony Geary’s surgery last year that caused him to be gone for an extended time from the show. However the payoff in the end was great. If this was a change of story I for one am glad as i thought this was much more satisfying then it turning out to be Bill Eckert.
Now there can be some great story going forward with Luke dealing with finding this out.
Happy 52nd GH and keep up the great work.
Personally, I’m glad they re-wrote the story. Luke being Bill Eckert was predictable and boring. The story would have almost certainly ended with Luke killing Bill, and then where do you go from there? I like the way it ended up, and there are a lot of possibilities coming out of this revelation, and where Luke goes from here, and the very real story of how a person recovers from a complete mental breakdown.
As far as acting went, needless to say, a master class from the awesome Tony Geary who should not only be collecting his 8th Emmy in a few weeks for last year’s work in this storyline, but in my view, he pretty much nailed down the 2016 Emmy as well with this tour de force performance. Such a pleasure to watch him act and perform his craft.
It actually makes me sad in a way, because Tony is getting up there in age, and there’s probably not a lot of time left before he walks into the sunset for good. And what a sad day that will be. The best and most decorated actor in soap opera history, the most iconic character, they certainly don’t make them like that anymore.
Bravo Tony, and kudos as well to Jackie Zeman, Jane Elliot, Dee Wallace, and particularly Laura Wright for what they brought to this episode!! It was drama, it was emotion, it was General Hospital at its finest.
On a side note, I truly feel sorry for those so hung up on their irrational hatred of Frank Valentini Ron Carlivati that they can’t even recognize and give props to a great episode when they see one. But I guess that’s the world of hate and negativity we live in these days.
Very good post Dan. Tony will get his eighth Emmy this month and he should get a lifetime Emmy next year. I get so frustrated when people bitch about the Fluke story. I enjoy a good story BUT I enjoy better acting more so. Tony is magical and I know his days are numbered and when he is gone it will be a huge loss to the show and to the soap community. As far as your side note, Frank and Ron SAVED GH! They may not always please everyone BUT they are responsible for all of us still being able to follow the Spencers, Corinthos, and Quartermaines, daily. I thank the both of them.
Agree Dan, 100%!!!
I loved it. Thought it was riveting. Acting was superb and it felt like classic GH! Any reference or tribute to Steve and Jesse never gets old for a long time viewer. And the Spencer saga was incredible and worth the wait.
The episode was wonderful. The performances were spot on and the writing was superb. The black and white effect added to the drama and I loved how the scenes were longer like in years past on soap operas.
TG was so great. All of the actors and actresses get a standing ovation from me.
I haven’t been so absorbed and emotionally hit by a GH episode in I don’t know how long–well over a decade, I’m sure.
Reality on soaps and reality in the real world is not the same. I am tired of everyone here complaining that things in the first half did not fit the end result. Writers do whatever they want and many times, they hope that we the viewers have forgotten what they presented months before. We accept that children go from 7 years old to 18 years old, we accept that Sonny, Nina, Franco, Carlos, and probably Ava are not in prison. It’s just the way it has to be. What about Sam and Elizabeth not recognizing Jason’s voice, body build, hands, eyes and on and on. It’s ridiculous but that’s the liberty they have. We can complain and complain but it will not change. Accept it.
Both Wednesday and Thursday episodes were riveting and emotionally charged. This is what good television is about; not the insane court shows or the endless babble of talk. ABC needs to really look at “General Hospital” and get more shows like it. Bring back new exciting episodes of ” Ryan’s Hope”,” One Life to Live” and” All my Children”.; cancel” The View” move “The Chew” to mornings and fill the afternoon back with dramas that have great writing directing and acting and you will succeed.
I agree with you. But the networks are happier with the bottom line of unscripted shows. And to be fair they probably are in a squeeze because of all of the competition for adv’t dollars and viewers, especially those in their preferred demo. Plus, I really think they don’t want to admit that, in the main, they made a mistake in some of hows and whys of their cancellations.
What if AMC and OLTL were only 1/2 hr to save money? I’ve learned to live with B&B since I had to find another soap to watch. May not extra millions of viewers like prime time, or the I want, unrealistic budgets, but their is a built in loyal audience to build from. But not 1/2 hr General Hospital, even with it’s sometimes frustrations. And I think the Fluke finale was really well done, certainly by the actors. And if everything didn’t match…well I think Linda’s previous comment said it best.
You like old soaps..
the ”Decades” channel is running Dark Shadows starting may 15th,, enjoy..
Not sure I want to see old soaps. Got too much invested in current ones, mainly GH. On the other hand don’t know how I missed Dark Shadows. Looks really interesting and what a cast!
No disappointment here .all great actors. Anthony G. is the best. He never disappoints.
I posted my eulogy to GH and the legacy character Luke Spencer in a prior post, along with a goodby to my allegiance to Tony Geary, an actor I always respected, so I will just say succintly here in this post, that the damage done in this episode to the most iconic, unique character in the history of daytime tv is irrevocable and that the episode that ostensibly paid homage to GH and its longevity simply damaged it forever.
Fanny, Outstanding…. ICAM!!!
#GottaLoveHaters
adios!
I have disliked the character of Luke Spencer since I was 14 years old. I am now 51 years old. I have loved Bobbie, Laura, Lucky, Lulu, and Nikolas and everyone around him but could never resolve or forgive the rape of Laura and abandonment of Laura.
My heart broke when I watched the reveal. I finally will be able to like the iconic character of GH, Luke Spencer.
It was an amazing episode and I was there – refusing to turn it off and wishing of course that this young man and two young women had been spared its horror.
Great writing, wished Patricia could stay on the GH scene for awhile longer, loved Carly as the mom, loved young Bobbie, young Luke and really believe that Anthony Geary deserves an award as does all the GH writers.
Excellent! Made me feel more than I have in a long time.
I have to say;
Luke’s sister Patricia (Dee Wallace
Young Luke (Joey Luthman
Young Patricia (Chloe Lanier
It would be awesome if they all won an emmy!
The 3 never acting on soap before gave performances were mesmerising..
They all deserve an emmy along with Tony..
The 2 young actors walked onto a soap set and owned it!!
I’ve been a GH fan over 30 yrs. I can’t believe I just spent the past half hour reading ALL the comments above. I don’t usually post, but I agree with ALL the positive comments.
To SOME negative comments, GH got exactly what they wanted…comments! And for you to comment, you MUST WATCH GH! Do all of you have as much vested interest in your REAL families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, politics, etc. as you do in GH ones?
This is entertainment ppl. It is a soap opera. A fantasy. A place to escape from our real lives. Give the current writers a break…they probably aren’t even as old as GH!
We watch GH only 5 hrs a week. The writers, cast & crew invest way more hrs per week. This isn’t a 2 hr movie that charges $10.00 or more to see, takes forever to make & sometimes has more discrepancies than GH.
So sit back, relax & enjoy the show. And if you can’t enjoy it for what it is, go find one to suit your liking, if you can!
General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
As previously reported, Cameron Mathison (Drew, General Hospital) will be seen doing double duty this summer when he premieres in June as the host of Game Show Network’s Beat The Bridge.
Now, while Cameron will be the host with the most, that doesn’t mean he will stop playing GH’s Drew. In fact, Mathison taped the game show in 2023, so it will now air for the first time in 2024.
Taking to his Instagram this week, Cameron shared his enthusiasm and some new hosting snaps, sharing, “Our newest game show host reporting for duty😎 Head over to the Game Show Network YouTube channel for your first look at the show and don’t miss Beat The Bridge premiering this June! I can’t wait for you guys to see this!”
Photo: GSN
In Beat The Bridge, an enormous interactive bridge dares players to cross by stepping on the right answers to challenging trivia questions. As they play, each steps forward and puts money in their team’s bank, with bonus money for each successful crossing. Here’s the catch: the team gets to keep the money only if it can “beat the bridge” by returning one of its players back across before time expires.
Photo: ABC
Meanwhile, on GH, Drew and Nina (Cynthia Watros) recently had hate-sex. Do you think its a one-time deal? Where will Drew’s story take him next under new head writers, Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte? Stay tuned.
Now below, check out the first promo for Beat The Bridge from the Game Show Network with you host, Cameron Mathison. Then, let us know, will you be checking out the game this summer? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.
In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.
Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.
Courtesy/ABC
Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work. Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her. Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.
From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy. Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.
Courtesy/ABC
Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.
The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.
Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.
General Hospital
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?
Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series. When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.
As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023. Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.
Photo: JPI
Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”
Photo: ABC
Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.
So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.
Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix
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The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
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(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
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