General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: The Ryan and Esme Connection Revealed
Putting the ‘creep’ into some scenes with a big revelation had soap fans chatting on the Twitterverse yesterday and today. On Wednesday’s episode of General Hospital, viewers learned what some had suspected that it appears that evil Esme (Avery Pohl) is actually evil Ryan’s (Jon Lindstrom) daughter.
It call came out when Esme, while at Spring Ridge, sneaks into Ryan’s room and sort of admonishes him for speaking out loud where people could hear him, when for months he has been feigning locked-in syndrome, unable to talk, and blew all their months of plotting,
Then, Ryan says, “Actually, I was thinking about you and how you’ve failed me.” Ryan reveals the plot was about breaking up Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) and Ava (Maura West), and she’s been wasting time on Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and the teen scene drama. Esme drops to her knees and begs ‘daddy’ to believe in her and she adds, “that he likes it when she calls him ‘daddy”. Ryan responds, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Esme goes on the offensive and threatens to tell Ryan’s twin, Kevin, that he’s been able to talk for months. Next, Ryan grabs Esme arms and reminds her that he is the one in control here and calling the shots … not her.
Ryan insists it’s time for them to go back to the objective, Ava. He tells Esme she needs to get on the good side of Spencer’s parents, especially Spencer’s dad, Nikolas.
“You know what they say, like father like son,” Ryan gloats. Esme is at first not sure where this is going, but then seems to smirk.
In the end, Ryan tells Esme she will get everything her heart desires. Next, Ryan stands up out of his wheelchair and tells her that what’s his is hers … and then adds, “My beautiful, gifted daughter.” We fade to black.
So, if Esme is Ryan’s bio-daughter who is Esme’s mother … or is Ryan lying to Esme to get her to do more of his dirty work? Share your thoughts on the scenes via the comment section below.
I wasn’t one bit surprised by this “revelation” other than that it seemed to be dropped in order to bring us the play-once-a-week teens going to the cabin and sex tape story that’s taken forever to come to light.
Something about the exposition sounded like the writers changed their minds on some of the details. I’d be interested in finding out.
GH seems to have a history of writing story for 13-week cycles and then dropping them for another 13 weeks, much like “Port Charles” used to do. I hope this doesn’t continue to happen, as I want to invest for the long term.
Now, let’s see where Esme and Ryan’s relationship goes.
Rodd, I felt the same way about the shortening of the sex tape tale and I’m happy for it. Trina is one of the best defined characters; only a complete idiot would believe she’d betray a friend like that.
I predict there will be quite a few complete idiots running around.
I think Esme will turn out to be Kevin and Lucy’s daughter, somehow.
You don’t think Kevin would recognize his own daughter, especially since she’s been living in his house for months now. I’m actually surprised he hasn’t noticed the family resemblance enough to realize she’s his niece. Or that Laura hasn’t figured it out, for that matter… though she seems a little more focused on the Cassadines lately.
I don’t know about what Kevin would recognize, but after yesterday’s show with Lucy on talking to Brando’s mom about not meddling in her son’s life, I realized Esme reminds me of a young Lucy Coe. She looks like her and acts like her.
Esme was never a mousy librarian, but the resemblance is definitely there.
Lucy was a rascal back in the day, but I don’t recall her killing anyone, which I suspect Esme did regarding her adoptive parents.
Don’t recall Lucy killing anyone, but she’s covered up a crime or two. She and Alan did hide Victor Jerome’s body after he choked on the necklace after she rejected him.
I believe Kevin knows more than he admits too. I never trusted Kevin because he covers up for his bro
If what I read on another site is true of who Esme’s mother is, we may have to temper our hate and disgust for this girl with a lot of pity.
I like spoilers but do not like revealing them to others who don’t,and sometimes they aren’t true as I sure hope this one isnt.
The Devil called this one months ago, of course. Now they just have to reveal who her mother is. And I’m still saying it’s Harmony… though I’ll be eternally damned if I can imagine a plausible story to explain how she would have known Ryan some 20 years ago when Esme would have been conceived
I’m wondering if they’ll play with timelines somehow and make Felicia Esme’s bio mom.
There was some pretty funky chemistry between Ryan and Esme, so I’m not 100% convinced she’s his daughter.
Regardless, glad to see this storyline moving along and Lindstrom will be getting major screen time again.
Steve
You said “funky chemestry”, well I felt that way about Esme and Nicolas today after he saved her from Carly grabbing her arm. Gosh Esme “acted” like she was getting killed. Do you think that was a self inflicted bruise? Anyway, knowing how devoted Nicolas is to Ava, something was off today as he acted (maybe the right word?) too solicitous of her feelings.
Esme’s bruise likely came from Ryan grabbing her in their cell scene at Spring Ridge the other day.
The implication of attraction between Nikolas and Esme furthers the dumbing down of his character. Call it a flirtation, attraction or whatever, this seems more plot point drivers than true to character.
Under Tyler Christopher, Nik always seemed to be one step ahead of everyone (whether he was doing good or bad things). Marcus Coloma (with the writings taking some responsibility) plays Nik as more reactionary and never appears to really see what’s going on.
Ryan did give her that bruise and she barely flinched while getting it.
It doesn’t matter who plays Nic, the character won’t see it coming. This s/l is purely plot driven.
No, Violet, Miss Esme would never hurt herself. Ryan roughed her up the day before (?) when he was railing at her for disappointing him. Talk about dysfunctional. These two make the Jerome and Cassadine clans seem normal.
The bruise was either self inflicted (we have seen Esme digging her nails into her hands as a “coping mechanism”) or might have been from Daddy Ryan grabbing her, as he suddenly seemed to show a lot of strength for a guy who had been a vegetable for several months. Either way, the bruises were obviously there before Carly grabbed her, and that whole crying performance was obviously staged by Esme to get sympathy from Nikolas.
I have an unholy suspicion here that they’re going to recycle some old Psycho Nelle scripts here and Esme’s going to try to get Nikolas into bed (we already know she likes drugging people) as a way to either blackmail him, or to piss off Ava, or both. And when Spencer finds out about it, she’ll play innocent and claim Nikolas forced her or something. Because (like her daddy) she’s that twisted.
STEVE,SOAPHOUND and SATAN
Thank you all for setting me straight with my very senior moments. I did read elsewhere that Ryan sent Esme to PC with the very purpose of breaking up Nik and Ava, even as far as seducing Nickolas if need be. I just thought dummy Nic was falling for her touchy,feely act but I now think he knew what was really going on. I had totally forgotten about Ryan grabbing her arm the day before. Thanks, guys.
I don’t think she (or Willow) could be Nina’s. Nina’s kid was stolen by her mother more than 20 years ago and Nina’s been on GH for years now. Both girls are just too young.
Nina would have been a complete vegetable at the time Esme was born. I’m a Devil, not a doctor, but I’d be surprised if a woman in that state could even conceive a child… not to mention the borderline necrophilia that would be required to make such a thing possible. That’s a line even Ryan probably wouldn’t cross!
It’s true that Nina gave birth to Psycho Nelle while she was in veggie land, but she was already well into that pregnancy when her mama drugged her, so it was more a matter of things being on “auto pilot” for the last trimester or so.
You’re right, Satan. Though I would also contend that Nina’s current lust for Sonny requalifies her for “vegetable” status. I still think Willow is somehow Nelle’s fraternal twin, like Mariah and Cassie on Y&R.. some kind of delivery room shenanigans.
Fraternal twins really wouldn’t make sense because Phyllis was supposedly present when Nina had her coma baby. And certainly would have known if there were two of them.
I don’t think Willow had anything to do with Nina. The revelation that Harmony isn’t Willow’s real mother probably has less to do with Willow and more to do with who Harmony’s biological child actually is…. and that would be a child born several years later, named Esme.
Willow’s mother can be the anonymous hippie commune member named “Joan”. It’s really not relevant either way. Psycho Nina doesn’t need any more kids. Past or future (Hell help us if the “Sonny Super Sperm” have already got to her)
No, Phyllis was not present when Nina had her baby (or babies). That point has been make specifically on air — likely for the very reason that it opens up the possibility she unknowingly had twins.
Yes, I kinda figured it out with Esme being Ryan‘s supposed daughter. Her mother? Maybe Heather Weber… Or maybe Olivia Jerome, if Ryan and Olivia J. had ever crossed paths.
On a separate note, has anybody done the math about Courtney Matthews death? She passed away in 2006, so wouldn’t that make Nicolas too young to be around the college age?
Interesting thoughts on Heather and Olivia.
Timeline wise, Ryan and Heather could’ve crossed paths. Kevin had Ryan locked away (presumed dead to everyone else) by the late 90s. Heather was institutionalized until shortly before returning to PC with her sudden Luke obsession and “romancing” of Jed Allan’s Edward. Robin Mattson does not appear to be acting anymore so we are unlikely to get any Heather spottings.
Olivia Jerome was presumed dead after Julian shot her around 1990. Not sure where she was in hiding, but connecting her to Ryan might be tough. Esme’s animosity towards Ava could be further explained with an Olivia connection, but it might be a stretch.
Lastly, the pure mention of Courtney this past week was painful enough. Prior to Peter, her pointless character was the last one to long overstay her purpose on the canvas (other examples being anyone Eckerdt and Dawn Winthrop). The props department failed by not updating the grave marker to March 2003 (19 years ago). Courtney died shortly after giving birth to Spencer. This revisionist history of her and Nikolas being meant for each other doesn’t fly as his true love was always Emily (and now Ava). Courtney moved from AJ to Jason to Jax to Nikolas until she bored each of them.
Courtney was always a bore, imo. As far as Esme and Ava, I think Esme’s mad because Daddy One Hand doesn’t want her.
I thought the same thing. Spencer would be 16. And what happened to the month of February? All these dates of birthdays and death dates and Valentine’s day–happening in March??? The show hasn’t been pre-empted that much.
I think that GH shut down production for a few weeks during the Omicron spike.
They delayed the start of taping at the beginning of the year by a week. That doesn’t impact air dates. They should be up-to-date with calendar timing.
Courtney’s gravestone apparently hasn’t been updated since the last SORASing of Spencer.
On the other horn, Joss is now pushing 20 (she was old enough to vote in the 2020 election) even though Jake is 14…. but when Jake allegedly died he was 4 years old, and his kidney was given to Joss who was still in diapers at the time. The fact that they rewrote all of that later so they could make an excuse for Psycho Nelle’s existence doesn’t change the fact that the ages of the kids are way off the track.
We’ve been thinking for months ever since Ryan and Esme’s first encounter that they were possibly related, especially with both being Sociopaths. When she calls him “daddy” it’s almost dirty and their whole conversation gave me the creeps. I need to see more before I can believe Ryan is her “bio daddy”.It’s too sick for me to believe yet.
I’m not at all entertained by this storyline. Especially now. There is already enough bad things happening in the real world beside covid because of another creepy man. Fast forward time for me.
rose
Another creepy man? You are too nice.
Violet…Ohhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!…I have other words for him/it. But I would rather try to rise above him/it with the language I put into the universe.
I really would like Esmae off the show. Period I hate what she is doing to Trista. She does not belong in jail. Esmae is a real creepy person
Not surprised, but Im thinking it’s not his daughter, but his grand niece, being that she’s Kevin granddaughter. Mother being Kevin’s daughter Livvie Locke-Clay, and father being crazy Stephen (Caleb) Clay. Many people say Esme is like a Nelle 2.0, so in my version of her family tree, she is indeed related to Nelle! Stephen Clay’s brother was Silas Clay who was Kiki Jerome’s father (with Ava), and father of Nina’s twins, Willow and Nelle.
Breaking News
John Oliver Lands Roles on ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’

The soap opera Gods haves smiled down upon late night talk show and Emmy winner, John Oliver. The Last Week Tonight host revealed on Sunday’s June 28 episode of his HBO Max series, that he booked two roles on two different soap operas, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives and his long-fueled desire to appear in a role on the genre had been fully realized, twice over!
Previously, Oliver let it be known back in the March 8 episode of this late night show, that after realizing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (Brick) had a recurring role on a soap opera, that he was tinged with jealously and wanted to do the same sharing, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.” Oliver also had some mandates he wanted a character with a “ridiculous” name, and he wanted,” something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something.”
So, who came a calling? First up, General Hospital! Oliver will be playing a “significant” character to a major storyline (and i think you know who it will be!) in episodes that begin this week for a three-episode arc starting on Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and wrapping Monday, July 6.

Photo: JPI
JOHN OLIVER COMES TO PORT CHARLES
In a statement, GH executive producer, Frank Valentini told Variety, “When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second. He was everything you’d hope he’d be: prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set. He plays an integral character in the story, and I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths within Port Charles.”
John Oliver added: General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”
On the Sunday, June 28 episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver shared, “General Hospital had genuinely picked me for a role and given me the chance to hang out in Port Charles, the home of Luke and Laura, the Corinthos family and Brick, and given me the chance to join the ranks of guest stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr, and of course the great Colonel Sanders.”
Oliver explained, “I’ll be on General Hospital next week and while I’m not going to spoil anything. I will show you this picture of my character. Yes, that is me surrounded by men with guns. And yes, my hair has been dipped in an ink well (see lead photo of this article), and if you can tell from my face, I’m acting my hardest.”
As the story broke, GH’s Chris McKenna (Brennan) took to X and said “Go to ‘Z’ with the hashtags #GH and @HBO, meaning Oliver has to be playing the never-before-seen boss of Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), who Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are trying to get to.
JOHN OLIVER COMES TO SALEM
Following, his stint on General Hospital and as first reported by Oliver himself, he will next be seen in episodes streaming on Peacock of Days of Our Lives, August 11, 12 and 14. Given DAYS usually tapes ten-months in advance of streaming, it’s clear they worked in some new scenes featuring Oliver just the other week.
On Last Week Tonight, Oliver explained, “I’m thrilled to announce I have an update, because I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of little show called Days of Our Lives. The show that gave us unforgettable moments like the Devil possessing Marlena, Sami Brady trying to rescue Phillip from Iraq by going in full soldier drag and Bo Brady discovering a mysterious woman in a bayou that everyone called Swamp Girl until learning she was actually a princess. Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives!”

Courtesy/HBO
He acknowledged being part of the iconic series and its legendary stars: “This is clearly a huge honor to come to the home of some of the more renowned soap actors like Deidre Hall (Marlena), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), and the late John Aniston (ex-Victor).”
Oliver then showed a photo of himself in a scene with EJ DiMera played by Dan Feuerriegel and wearing a rather humorous hair piece. No word yet on what role he will play on DAYS.
So, what do you think of John Oliver being given two soap roles from two shows, who quickly picked up on the the late night talk show host’s desire to appear on a soap and wrote roles and booked him? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the promo from this week’s General Hospital featuring Oliver below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Britt and Rocco Say Their Goodbyes, Then She Gets Arrested; Anna Reveals “Nathan West” is an Imposter

On the Friday, June 26 episode of General Hospital, emotional moments, a new duo on the run, the end of the line for Britt and an eye-opening moment between Anna and Felicia were the order of the day. Let’s take a look at what went down, but first let’s give a round of applause for Kelly Thiebaud (Britt) and Finn Carr (Rocco) on their goodbye scenes.
In the story, Rocco insists to his parents, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (Alexa Havins) that he wouldn’t leave Tortola without Britt. Dante is getting impatient because Britt brought all the trouble in recent months to his son. They need to protect him and they can’t if he stays with Britt. Lulu tells Britt she is the only one who can do the right thing, right now.
Britt explained it is too dangerous for Rocco to stay with her. She was very selfish and made a lot of terrible decisions along the way and Cullum is tracking her down because she did not finish the project he enlisted her for. She convinces Rocco to go with his parents and gives him a little token of something that reminded her of when he was a baby which is a bottle to blow bubbles with.

Courtesy/ABC
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Rocco makes Britt promise to take her medication to ward off her Huntington’s disease symptoms and to keep changing locations so she is not caught. The two share a final hug as both are in tears. Dante makes a call. While in the car ready to leave Britt behind, Rocco says he will never forgive himself is something happened to Britt.
Back inside, Britt is ready to inject herself with her medication but is unaware that Cullum has now tainted it with poison! But she is saved from that, when two police officers burst through the door to arrest her for kidnapping charges! Did Dante call the local police? Is he doing this to keep her safe or to pay her back?
In Port Charles, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) arrives at Crimson, completely unaware that the man in the elevator is following her. Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Charlotte have an argument about Willow (Katelyn MacMullen). Suddenly, Willow calls her mother that she is being questioned by the PCPD, and Nina learns, it is as a suspect for being the other driver that left Jordan and Curtis injured by the side of the road on Route 91.
ARRIVALS AND DESTINATIONS IN QUESTION
Chase (Josh Swickard) comes to Willow’s rescue much to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Justine’s (Nazneen Contractor) chagrin. Willow learns Lucy and Drew are the supposed witnesses against her. Chase figures out when Joe (Jonathan Bennett) was alone with Drew, he got him to blink in a way that implicated her. However, in a shocking moment, Justine reveals that the trip log from Willow’s BMW SUV placed her at the scene of the accident just second before it occurred.
Meanwhile, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) comes by Crimson to see Charlotte. He says he broke into the WSB office to get info to expose Cullum as a double agent. Charlotte blows a gasket! She can’t believe that he would do something so stupid that it could have gotten him killed. She firmly tells Danny that best thing he can do to help Jason is to stay out of things. Danny storms out, but notices the stranger in the elevator who now steps into the Crimson lobby.

Courtesy/ABC
The man tells Charlotte he is Agent Mark McKay with the WSB and he has orders to bring her in. When she resisted, he was about to chloroform her, when Danny knocked him out and took off with Charlotte.
ANNA PUTS HER TRUST IN FELICIA
In France, after having some private time with Emma (Braedyn Bruner), Anna (Finola Hughes) wants to talk to Felicia (Kristina Wagner). She tells her best friend she was trying to figure out what memories of her past with Faison, she could trust and not trust. Since Felicia knows her best she is hoping she can believe what she is about to tell her.
It is then that Anna says, “Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) is not who he says he is.” Felicia looks dumb-founded. Will she believe her friend … or think she has drummed this all up in her mind? Stay tuned.
So, what did you think about the goodbye scenes featuring Finn Carr and Kelly Thiebaud? Did you reach for the hankies? Do you believe that soon, Cassius will be caught for his duplicity and the truth about Britt’s “illness” will come to light? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below. But first check out the scenes featuring Anna on her road to recovery in France
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’

Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!
The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.
Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off. A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI
BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”
Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing. My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”
As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.
Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.
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