General Hospital
GH’s Wally Kurth and Lisa LoCicero Talk Ned’s Return and Clearing his Name, Filming the Under Water Rescue, And What Comes Next with ELQ
In the last few episodes of General Hospital, viewers have witnessed the return of Ned (Ashton) Quartermaine (Wally Kurth), after Ned suffered from a form of amnesia and took on the persona of his former rock star self, Eddie Maine.
The moment that precipitated Ned’s return had “Eddie” jumping into the water, believing if he did, it would help him finish the song and find the ‘siren’ within it. However, things went awry when “Eddie’s” leg got tangled in the netting. Leave it to Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) to be Johnny-on-the-spot and dive into the water and save her husband.
Once the two were back on land, Ned returned and he and Olivia had a memorable reunion. Next, they headed to the bedroom and then Ned was headed to the boardroom freshly-shaved and in a suit – a far cry from “Eddie.” In addition, Ned recalled that right before he fell in the pool at the Metro Court, he overheard that Nina (Cynthia Watros) was the person who pointed the finger at Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) with the SEC, while everyone was believing Ned was the culprit. Olivia has convinced Ned to table coming forward and rocking Sonny’s (Maurice Be new marriage to Nina. But, in the end will Ned set the record straight?
Photo: ABC
On Monday, Wally Kurth and Lisa LoCicero participated in a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, where they talked about the water rescue scenes, their enduring on-screen relationship, teased what’s to come now that Ned is back and more. Here are some of the key excerpts from the discussion.
Wally revealed if there was pressure for him to get the big moment right when “Eddie” becomes Ned. He shared: “My biggest fear was landing this amnesia storyline. And after watching it back, and being in the water and all of that, I feel like we landed it. You know, it was really sweet and magical. I think we succeeded. So, I’m happy about how it turned out. You know on the soaps it’s onward and upward. You just keep moving, and so now I’m back in the suit and tie and back to being Ned. I’ll always miss Eddie. Eddie’s probably the most like Wally than anybody.”
Courtesy/ABC
Lisa gave her thoughts on playing the story where Olivia was trying to deal with this “Eddie version” of her husband: “I keep saying it was so much fun to watch Wally and how he was enjoying this and to play a different dynamic with a different person. Sometimes there is a little bit of hand-wringing that goes a long way sometimes. And you have to add different levels of worry as the story progresses, If you don’t have any drama on a soap opera, you don’t have a story. So you gotta be, like a shark. Not to keep up the sea analogy. You gotta keep swimming forward. I love just having drama to play and watching Wally playing a different character was really delightful. I enjoyed all of it.”
Making sure the dialog was on point, while filming the underwater scenes, was something Kurth wanted to make sure he delivered properly for the sake of the storyline, sharing, ” I don’t normally like to demand a second or a third take, but I was like, I got to get this right. I kept screwing up the words and I knew that the way it was written with using the song. It was very clear and very specific. With all the emotion that I was feeling, I had a hard time just uploading that dialogue. I wanted to make sure we got it right. I feel like we did when I watched it back. I felt like it made emotional sense, which is what was most important … but, I also needed to say those words.”
Photo: ABC
In categorizing what actually happened to Ned to turn into “Eddie” in the first place, Wally weighed-in: “I would say it was PTSD and in sort of a hypnotic state. He definitely flipped. He just chose to go into a place that’s a happy place instead of the place that he was at. I think with all the stuff that was happening at ELQ, and I think he just kind of went off and went, ‘Well, this is a lot better place. I like it. I like it better here than my real life.’ That’s how I kind of looked at it, you know? Almost like a midlife crisis.”
Knowing she may get some flack from fans for Olivia telling Ned not to rock the boat for Sonny and Nina, when Ned was blamed for turning Drew and Carly into the SEC, when it was Nina who did the deed, LoCicero clarified, “Carly’s happy, she’s getting along with Nina, and she doesn’t want Sonny to get his heart broken. Let’s make that very clear.”
As to what Ned might do with the intel against Nina, “He might use that information for his own good over at the corporate headquarters. I mean, he did just come back from thinking he was Eddie Maine, the rock star for the last six or seven months. So when it comes to defending his reputation it isn’t high on his list right now.” Wally added, “Ned is Tracy’s son and he is Lord Ashton’s son who was a grifter. I’m glad they’re finally giving me some stuff where Ned is capable of not thinking twice to blackmail somebody or to do something duplicitous. I like it when I’m doing something that’s a little more mischievous. I think that’s who Ned is.”
Photo: ABC
The storyline gave Lisa and Rena Sofer (Lois) a chance to work together again. However, does Lisa see Olivia being worried when it comes to Lois, and her ex-Ned? LoCicero expressed, “Tracy keeps trying to tell her to be, but Olivia of her own volition, she’s not. She’s genuinely happy to have her friend back and they love each other. It is true. It’s a weird thing that we have, as hypothetically, best friends, having never discussed it. Like, ‘Oh, right, my best friend, you married my ex-husband’ is a weird thing. So, we are gonna get to a place where that gets dealt with, which it would. It’s both dramatic and realistic. It’s always nice when something is both dramatic and realistic. They have dramatized it beautifully in some of the scenes that we have not yet shot. It’s so much fun to work with Rena.”
Would there be anything coming down the pike that would break-up Ned and Olivia? Lisa weighed-in, “The only thing that would really drive her away from him would be some sort of emotional betrayal, I would think.”
Watch below Wally and Lisa’s livestream conversation. Then let us know, are you glad Ned is back? Will you miss Eddie Maine? Are you upset with Olivia for convincing Ned, for now, to not turn in Nina? Do you think Ned will pull some machinations to get control of ELQ from Michael and Drew? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
His name was Ned Ashton when I watched GH. When and why did they start calling him Ned Quatermaine?
Plus.. the underwater scene just went on far too long… way too long.
Finn’s upcoming malpractice suit is more realistic and relevant
I don’t remember when, but Ned chose to legally change his last name to remove any association with his father.
It happened during Tracy’s exit story when Jane originally retired (long haired Luke met her in Amsterdam).
Larry Ashton (played by awful recast) was revealed to be behind some sceme that involved a painting of Tracy. After that, Ned disavowed his father and took the Q name (not long before his wedding to Olivia).
When Brook Lynn returned, she changed her name after being in town for a few weeks.
He changed his last name to Quartermaine in 2017 because he didn’t want to be associated with his biological father Lord Larry Ashton, after his father was working with Cesar Faison, Jerry Jacks and other various unsavory GH villains in the “Fluke” (Fake Luke) storyline.
Terrible story from start to finish. Underwater scenes went on too long. Move Olivia and Ned to the backburner. Fans are tired of The Carly favoritism. Stop throwing Nina under the bus for her. She deserves a break and to have a life with Sonny, Willow, Wiley. Her husband. Her daughter. Her grandson.
We had to wait all those months for Eddie to get back to Ned and now you want us to wait longer for Nina’s spiraling downfall? It mught be time to take up jogging, this is getting old.
I like Wally on Days but he isn’t much to be proud of on GH, always trying to best someone and getting the best of someone even if they are family. Don’t know how someone like Olivia could see anything in him.
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Remain No #1 and # 2, ‘General Hospital’ Only Soap to Lose Viewers
The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.
Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.
In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.
Photo: JPI
FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS
Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.
General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.
Photo: ABC
PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL
In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.
Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.
It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.
So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.
On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.
It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.
Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.
Courtesy/ABC
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.
THE WRONG SUSPECT
Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!
Courtesy/ABC
DINING WITH RIC
At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.
Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.
Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.
Courtesy/ABC
FATHER AND SON
Rocco explained how he followed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.
Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.
Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.
A SHOCKING CALL
Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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