On Monday, in honor of Maurice Benard’s 25th anniversary as Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s General Hospital, the daytime drama took a look at what life would have been like if Sonny had not fallen in to a life of crime and in the mob. The standalone episode featured the return of Dominic Zamprogna as Sonny’s eldest son, Dante.

But in the twist on ‘soap-reality’, Dante was now the ascending mobster in Port Charles, and Sonny was a sergeant in the police department in Brooklyn married to Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero).  It all beings when Sonny remembers being 18-years-old and that fatal day when he shot Vincent Marino.  The young Sonny is played by Maurice’s real-life son.   Sonny then dreams of what would have happened to him if he never pulled that trigger.

Sonny is now a by-the-book cop, who visits his son Dante along with Olivia.  When they get there, Dante is now married to Sam (Kelly Monaco), who is his trophy wife.  Dante is working for the Jerome family – enter Julian (William deVry) and Ava (Maura WestO – and we quickly learn that “Jason Smith” is the hit man who works for them.  And, wouldn’t you know?  Seems like Ava and Jason have a “thing” going on … sealed with a kiss.

Now disturbed by his son’s life of crime, Sonny goes to the PCPD to talk to the police commissioner, who is now Anna Devane (Finola Hughes).  In the story, Anna is very inward, depressed, and more.  We find out that her daughter, Robin died of complications from AIDS in the 90’s, in which Anna has never recovered from.   We also learn at the PCPD that Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is the current District Attorney.

Courtesy/ABC

Carly (Laura Wright) enters the scene, and she is still married to A. J. Quartermaine.  Sonny takes a liking to her and vice-versa.  We later learn that Jordan (Briana Nicole Henry) is back working for the DEA and Dante has gone undercover to bring down the Jeromes; so the entire territory is under his control.

Dante and Sam have a major falling out, as he is excited by the power he will have once he rids the Jeromes out of his business.  Sam has had it. She doesn’t want to dress like this, be his trophy wife, or have this kind of life. When Dante walks out, an upset Sam is alone with Jason, and the two connect.

In the conclusion of the episode, Dante shoots Jason on the pier, a scene which Sonny walks in on.  Sonny and his son struggle for the gun, and once again Dante is shot, just like in the original version of the story years ago, but with the twist of the struggle.  Olivia comes running onto the pier and sees Dante shot, and yells at Sonny the signature line, “You shot your own son!”

CourtesyABC

At the end of the dream, Sony goes back to the mark in time where he decides whether or not to pull the trigger on Marino with Mike (Max Gail) and him looking on at the young version of himself.  In the end, Sonny still pulls the trigger.

The episode featured stand-out performances by: Dominic Zamprogna (how great was it to see him again, and to see him play Dante’s dark side), Maurice Benard (who illustrated the other side of Sonny, more reserved, and delivered a heartbreaking speech as Sonny to Dante about his life being abused, and the choices he made), Kelly Monaco (who showed a woman unhappy with the outward shell she had created and been a part of), and Finola Hughes,who gave us a different look  at what life would have been like for Anna had Robin been taken from her years ago.  Additionally, it was nice to see the entire cast deliver in support of making this episode work in the ‘flip the switch’ sequence of events.

So, what did you think of the Sonny-centric episode? Who was your favorite in it?  Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

The torrid love story between Sonny Corinthos and Carly has been going strong for over two decades.  Now the ABC app and ABC.com are offering up a collection of memorable episodes and pivotal moments between the duo.

However, this collection features three powerhouse actresses who have played the role of Carly: Sarah Joy Brown, Tamara Braun, and the current Carly, Laura Wright.

GH and ABC have released these episodes for viewing to coincide with Maurice Benard’s 25th year on the daytime drama series and a very special anniversary episode airing today on Monday, November 12th.

With the Sonny & Carly Collection, fans will be able to access 20 episodes from Sonny and Carly’s explosive and tumultuous 20-year relationship, chronologically.  Some of the episodes include: Jason is shot in an ambush. Sonny and Carly remarry, even though she is involved with Jax, Sonny confesses to Carly that he shot AJ, Sonny and Carly admit their feelings, and more

The Sonn and Carly collection is available now through February 12th and all 20 episodes are available for viewers with no sign in required at abc.com/sonnyandcarly  and on the ABC app.

The ABC app is available in the App Store, ABC.com, Amazon Appstore, Google Play and on most connected TV devices.

Check out the Sonny & Carly Collection, and then let us know which was your favorite episode of the bunch via the comment section below!

As fans of director and actress Kimberly McCullough know, earlier this week she announced that she would be directing an episode of the the re=branded and renamed ‘Rosanne-less’ series, The Conners.  She originally shared the news of getting the nod to direct the hit comedy sitcom with a photo of the famous Conner kitchen with the words “Yup”.

However on Saturday, Kimberly shared some more behind the scenes photos from tape night, or show night, as they call it in the biz.   She is pictured above with cast members Michael Fishman and Maya Lynne Robinson.

ABC executive Nathan Varni tweeted to McCullough: “Thanks for a great week ⁦@whitewatercrew⁩ directing ⁦@TheConnersABC⁩ #107! See you soon for your next episode”

No airdate has been released as to when Kimberly’s ‘The Conners” directorial debut will air, but MF TV will keep you posted.

McCullough was also busy directing an episode of the new FOX sitcom, The Cool Kids just the other week.

How fabulous that the woman who has brought General Hospital’s Robin Scorpio Drake to life is finding just as much success now behind the camera as in front of it.

Will you be checking out Kimberly’s episode of The Conners when it airs?  Do you hope that between all of these directing gigs, she might fit in a visit back to GH? Share your thoughts below.