Once again, as she has many times previously, General Hospital’s Finola Hughes (Anna) is our pick for the Power Performance of the Week. This time, Hughes, brought the emotional heartbreak, guilt, the steely resolve of super spy Anna Devane, all rolled into one as Anna helped end the life of super villain, Peter August (Wes Ramsey) aka Henrik Faison.
It seemed fitting that in the end, as Peter is near his last breaths (after being clubbed over the head by Felicia and taking a fall), that it was Anna who was by his side, but not how you might expect. Feigning that she called for an ambulance and the paramedics to help Peter, when she in fact didn’t, proved once again Anna can be as tough as they come as she was going to take care of Peter once and for all, by simply preventing anyone from coming to save him.

Photo: ABC
Peter, knowing the end is near calls Anna a killer, and she responds, “Depends on your perspective.” What Hughes does so well is give Anna the appearance that she often has it all under control, when we, the audience, know she’s conflicted and she is breaking inside. After all, Anna had believed for quite some time that Peter was her son with Faison, only to find out later it was her twin sister, Alex, who was his bio-mom.

Photo: ABC
When Anna showed Peter some understanding as he is dying, she expressed, “No one deserves to die alone, not even you.” Anna did take Peter’s hand in his final moments. Later, walking away from his dead body, and in tears, and she says goodbye to him in a full-circle moment. Finally, the bad guy had been apprehended and he can’t hurt anymore people that Anna loves or feels responsible for.

Courtesy/ABC
Next, a guilt-ridden Anna returned to Port Charles, and Robert (Tristan Rogers) was there to catch her in her emotional time of need. In wonderfully played scenes between Finola and Tristan Rogers, Robert says to Anna, “I see him (Peter) sitting on your shoulder, dripping doubt into your ear.” Anna responds, “Will you answer me something honestly? Do you not think that I bear some responsibility for the way that he turned out, and all the blood he spilled?” Robert tells Anna that no, she does not, and she nearly got herself killed for it. The emotional high point occurred when Robert tells Anna that the “next time she gives her heart to someone, give it to some guy that deserves her love.” Hughes’ reactions as Anna listens to Robert intensely, and is overcome with tears, was beautifully played.
In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, GH’s co head-writer, Chris Van Etten shared on Peter’s demise, “We always knew that the final moment had to be between Anna and Peter. There was no other consideration. The story started with Anna, and it has to end with Anna.”
So, what do you think of our pick for Finola Hughes as the Power Performance of the Week? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I think GH is starting to come around now that some of the new headwriters material is being introduced. I’m just hoping they wrap up that silly story line with Spinelli real soon. Please give Maxi some good material, her character is so freakin annoying I can’t help but fast forward as soon as I see her. Please find Ethan a Woman, don’t pair him with this girl who looks weird. Abby and Ethan have Chemistry!!! Pair them with each other Please!!! I hope Liz and Lucky get back together because Siobhan is turning into a pyscho -itch!