Sometimes in daytime when it rains it pours and viewers can be treated to a plethora of performances all in one week. Such was the case this past week which saw brilliant work from: General Hospital’s Genie Francis (Laura) and Maura West (Ava), and The Bold and the Beautiful’s Matthew Atkinson (Thomas).
However, there is something to be said when television and soap opera icon, Genie Francis, is given the ball and material worthy of her talents. It’s not every week, or every month that the character of Laura is front and center – but from the looks of the story that GH is weaving they are doing a deep-dive into Laura’s childhood and teenage years which was fraught with drama – a foreshadow that there is more exciting story to tell with Francis.
Last week’s Monday November 30th, and Tuesday December 1st episodes brought with it the emotional fallout, and farewell for the character of Lulu and her portrayer Emme Rylan who was written-off the show. The vehicle to do so was the bomb that Julian (William deVry) planted at the Floating Rib on the orders of Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober). The injuries she sustained in the blast wind up putting her in a coma and having to enter a long-term care facility away from Port Charles.
When Tracy (Jane Elliot) arrives in Port Charles to be there for Laura during Thanksgiving, the hug alone at the hospital between these two characters was enough to bring out the hankies. Tracy considers Lulu a daughter to her. Lulu’s father, Luke, is MIA, so Laura has to carry the burden, make strong impactful decisions and act fast to save her daughter’s life, and do the right thing no matter how difficult this will be for her as a mother.
Throughout the two episodes we watch Laura’s grief and her resolve. When she learns that a bomb has caused the explosion at the Floating Rib and that Cyrus may have been behind it, she is livid, a mama-bear who will get her daughter justice. But lo and behold, who should have the guts to walk up to Laura and offer his apologies and concern for Lulu … Cyrus! In the hospital, Laura wallops the drug lord right in the face vowing that no one will stop her from taking him off the earth after she gets the evidence that he was the mastermind behind the bombing,

Courtesy/ABC
Laura also had the horrific task of telling Lulu’s best friend, Maxie (Kirsten Storms), that they are going to move Lulu to a long-term care facility and that she needs to say her goodbyes. One by one people go to Lulu’s bedside including: Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), Tracy, and Nikolas (Marcus Coloma).
When it is Laura’s turn (as the care facility has come to take Lulu away), she cries by her bedside begging Lulu to come back to everyone that loves her. In a heartbreaking moment, Laura tells a despondent Lulu that she has rejoiced every day since she was born and she knows that her daughter is a fighter and will never just give up and will come through this.
As Lulu’s loved ones gather in the hospital corridor to watch as Lulu is transported to the facility, Laura watches grief-stricken. As the elevator closes she breaks down in front of Kevin (Jon Linstrom) emotionally- spent and devastated.
In all of these scenes, Genie Francis was magnificent and broke viewers’ hearts right along with Laura’s. So with that said, Michael Fairman TV names Francis’ work, The Power Performance of the Week.
What did you think of Genie’s performances? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
It’s been quite the week in Port Charles. I’m actually not sure what day it is there! Is it the day after the Metro Court party or 2 days after? How many days since Jasonr’s surgery? I’m confused!! No matter, stellar performances by all this week. Anna, Patrick, Carly, The Q’s Sonny & Kate especially Connie( and I love Kelly Sullivan) Johnny, Maxie and OMG Luke being a rock for Anna – who’d have thought? Great stuff!!!