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GH Script Writer Scott Sickles On Penning Final Scenes Between Luke and Helena: "Writing Helena Has Been One Of My Greatest Joys Over The Past Few Years."

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

On Thursday’s episode of General Hospital, viewers witnessed the final scenes between long-time nemesis’ Luke Spencer and Helena Cassadine.  And as we previously reviewed and reported on the episode, it was quite a memorable swan song between long time scene partners Tony Geary and Constance Towers.

After the episode aired, GH script writer Scott Sickles took to his facebook page and related his thoughts on penning the final scenes between these iconic soap adversaries, and getting the opportunity in the last few years to script the scenes for the character of Helena, Luke and to work in collaboration with the General Hospital writing team.

Sickles shared:  “On July 9, 2015, GH aired the final scenes I ever personally scripted between Luke Spencer and his lifelong arch-nemesis Helena Cassadine.  Writing Helena has been one of my greatest joys over the past few years. I have no idea if she’ll ever be back (or do I? Because if I did, well… there’s no way I would tell you… 🙂 We’re in the home stretch with Tony Geary and it’s been an honor and a pleasure. This is a highlight for me.”

Scott went on to say to the many fans that commented on his post: “Credit where it’s due: it was truly a collaborative effort. Most of the magic came from Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, and Elizabeth Korte. I’m just glad I got to add some touches.  Those scenes were a team effort.”

So GH fans, do you think if this was the last time we will see Helena Cassadine? Do you think she will return sooner than later?  What did you think of the scenes between Constance Towers and Tony Geary that ultimately led to the reveal of little Jake Spencer (James Nigbor) being alive, and Sickles touching post on the creation of them?   Share your thoughts below!

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The last two days have been outstanding. JJ made me shed a tear today.

I hope that we will see Constance appear again on General Hospital. The scenes were touching for her goodbye to her arch enemy Luke.

In a way it is time for her to go but I think she will be around when Nick goes over the top or takes a dive? Plus, I love Helena’s scenes with Spencer.

I really loved the last scenes between Luke and Helena. It made me think of all of the “delicious” stories these two have brought to GH. Hope Helena appears again. Maybe as Jake’s adopted Grammy? I’m sure they developed a bond of sorts with each other the last few years.

NOOOO!
I won’t allow Helena Cassadine to be gone!!

The Cassadines are a cornerstone of GH !!
Helena/Constance Towers is a great joy to me, I luvs her!
The Cassadines can vanish, never!

If Helena/Constance goes it will be a very sad thing..

I was very touched, heartfelt, Luke and Helena’s scene..
It was a moment that will always be with me..
Such an eloquent goodbye, so little said, no more needed to be said I could feel it..

I’m sure Helena/Constance Towers has shed tears saying goodbye to Tony..
They were indeed a diabolical dule..
Nemesis at their best !

Well, we only know this was the last scene between Helena and Luke.
Helena, much like yourself, has harbored a long and simmering hatred of Laura.
Therefore, if Laura stays on we have a greater chance that Helena will not leave forever because her work is not yet done.
Pray that Laura stick around, Suoo.

I recently read, Helena will be making another appearance later this
summer. It will involve Nik, ELQ, and Rosalie’s deep, dark secret..

yeah, Helena’s not done, she’s got Nick and Spencer to attend to, meddle with, etc. She’s got further story to tell. Just because Luke is departing, is by no means the same for our beloved Helena/Constance Towers. Luke was Helena’s toy! She’s probably mourning his loss, maybe her character is shifting gears a bit, maybe she’s been doing a lot of yoga and mediation in seclusion, 🙂

LOL, Harry….again, with that undeniable wit of yours.

The acting was the best part…little Jake’s appearance was a little creepy…i expected to hear the soundtrack from ‘The Omen’…imo…time for Helene’s exit story too…i love Constance Towers but its time for another villian to bring havoc to PC…Jennifer Smith wouldve been perfect—even without Luke…she couldve become obsessed with Nicolaus or Jullian!!!

I would love to see Jennifer Smith return, too. And, go after Magic Milo, the show is already majorly campy, so why not? koo-koo Jennifer goes after Ephipany’s man! oh the fun to be had with Jennifer.

nope love Helena cassindine

Doesn’t Helena have to come back at some point because isn’t she holding Robin captive?

Yes she is… TPTB are thinking of recasting Robin…..

They, should I love kmc but Elizabeth Hendrickson wld be awesome while also offering sex appeal

This can’t be the Last we see of Helena… She’s an
equal opportunity hater. She’s still holding onto Robin,
one or more of her son’s is on ice.. Nik and Spencer
still reside in PC.

It better not of been the last time! I love Constance Towers (Helena) she’s an asset to General Hospital!! I would be very very mad if they don’t have her back! She needs to be on GH full time, IMO. Plus, she has Robin, and Lulu’s/Stavro’s Embryo.

Remember though, Constance is in her 80’s…maybe she doesn’t WANT full time work. I hope we haven’t seen the end of her with the unresolved issue with Robin and Lulu and Stavros embryo, but I doubt it will be a full time role.

I totally want Constance Towers to return in the fall as Helena. She’s a gem, and like you said an asset to GH. FOR SURE. She’s stunning at her young age, and she knocks it out of the park in her scenes. She’ll be back, she always has more to do in Port Charles.
Maybe, she’ll take a short rest, but she’s always got an angle to work, with or without Luke.

i sure do hope Helena will be back, after all the character is connected to more characters on the show then just lule, i’m sure she would still love to get back at Laura and theres Nikolas, and the two jakes and elizabeth i’m sure will have something to say to the queen of evil, so yeah, Helena got more people to make miserable.

We all know it wasn’t the last time we’ll be seeing Helena. No reason to kill off the character as long as the divine Constance Towers is still going strong. Helena will never die, just like Faison will never die, Jerry Jacks, Heather Webber, the great villains never die.

As for the scenes between Tony Geary and Constance, loved them! With the reveal of Jake being alive, the return of Jonathan Jackson, I thought this was a great week overall for GH.

I think it was good…but, again…flashbacks would have added so much more. Their love to hate each other relationship throughout the years, the teasinfpg, flirting as they threatened to kill each other…and the many times each one tried, coupled epwith a respect for the others wit, the way they challenged each other…all that and the many adventures they took us on.

Yes, I think and hope Helena will make other appearances…but I doubt that chemistry could be duplicated. Sad…just another ending. C’est la vie…

Rebecca, I am craving flashbacks as much as I am craving a hamburger.
I will gladly pay you on Friday for a flashback on Thursday.

Regards,

Weezy

Harry, That entire response just FLEW over my head. Lol…and I pride myself on my superlative quick wit!

So I’ll de deuce, knowing you like Helena, that you DO crave hamburgers and would like to see flashbacks, too. Since I’m a vegetarian, lol, I’m actually craving an avocado roll…

Weezy. Hmph. Jefferson? Okaaaaaayyyyy. She’s cool….

Harry, are you allergic to hamburgers or Helena? Is that why you’re sneezing? LOL.

I love Helena always have always will….she will be back!

Geary was obviously not into it…

Truly I’M So Tired Of Helena…Really!! Love the final scene with Luke but it’s time to rest her. Going to miss Luke….

While Constance Towers continues to be a consummate actress in the soap field, I find the whole storyline — from Luke’s exit to the overly-unacceptable resurrection of Jake — to be quite underwhelming, horribly executed and not written in strong context. This is not a story that should be told, but since it [unfortunately] is, it is not one that should be rushed in a limited-run of appearances by Jonathan Jackson’s Lucky and the soon-to-be exit of Anthony Geary’s Luke, an exit mind you that is long over-due. The past few years of Mr. Carlivati’s reign of terror on General Hospital has been a rocky and boring one; he is not the strong head-writer that everyone kisses is ass to be. He’s subpar, at best, and is very much into recycling storylines and ignoring the history of a show, history mind you, that he had a part in writing and ultimately destroying. It is high time that ABC executives let Ron out of his contract and hire someone with the talents acceptable to bringing this soap back to its prime.

My most favorite reveal about bring Jake back was to have the return of James Nigbor to the canvas. It had such impact to me! I don’t know what will happen in the future, but that moment was the best!

LOVED seeing Constance and hope they find good, ingenious ways to use Helena in the future.

The scenes between Luke and Helena have always been fun to watch, this last one brought tears to my eyes.

Luke and Helena !!!
what an extraordinary diabolical couple..
I loved every second of Luke and Helena, none better..

I am looking forward to seeing the great Constance/Heena at Windermere!
There is still havok for her to create 🙂

I hope Helena is gone for good.

OK my two cents. Helena is a wonderful character. Let her go. But I enjoyed the goodbye scenes but. Why and exactly how did she end up with little Jake ?he looks like the next brainwashed character from the Cassidines. Sure some fans wanted him back, and LUCKY was great in the scenes. Luke has gone fine. TG can take Ron with him also. The show even the goodbye to Luke is a trashed joke. Nothing explained. Nothing for the fans to be happy about. No answers. Guess Ron will tell everyone to go to twitter to get the answers. Karma’s coming Liz. Nick and Jake they have all taken kids that were NOT theirs. payback time. How can anyone be happy Liz will be getting her son, Danny needs his father also. Does Nick know about this, is it payback for Aiden and Spencer .As for Constance Towers her stick is getting old. As was Tony’s drinking. Luke’s drinking. He still ran the kid over and didn’t care so no. forgiveness for him. Dui

I’m really not sure of much of what you said except your wrong recollection of Luke “not caring” that he ran over Jake. He was devastated.

I love general hospital have been watching it for forty years I don’t like this bringing people back from the dead some of the plots are to far fetched

I love her, but I hate when she is real bad..I like her soft side.
She could be a wonderful grandmother , to all her grandkids.
Hate to see Luke go but ,,,,,, we know he wants to.
Give Laura some good story lines.
Her and Danta, fighting, her helping LuLu go on with her life.
Paul is hot , put him and Laura together, Tracy too.
Good cat fight.

I loved the scenes with Helena and Luke,I do have 1 hope and that is that this one time she had a shred of decency and there are no games with little Jake,that she “saved” him because of her respect for Lucky and Luke.no brainwashing or other games.just this 1 time let it be human compassion.

I absolutely love Helena Cassadine/Constance Towers!!

the little Jake story line good but I have a question why did she choose to tell him now

I am going to miss Tony as he is truly an exceptional actor… Helena I can take ONLY in SMALL DOSES. As for bringing Jake back, I do NOT like any one coming back that is truly dead ( i.e. run over, shot, disease ridden, etc) now if they go into a coma or leave town for a little while than bringing them back is quite all right…but from the dead…..a definite NO. I am not pleased with the way the general storyline for GH is going ( not including the exit of Tony in this). The actors/actresses seem to be trying to play a role that we are not used to them playing. So sad….I do not relish the olden days of GH but I do respect HISTORY and do not want it re-written for any reason. JMO.

Nope Helena will be back later this summer, she is part of the “big” secret Rosalie is hiding.

All the things Helena has done to the residents of Port Charles, how is she not dead yet?

@mike.
Yes, yes, yes….Elizabeth H would characterize Robin to the letter. From what I have read about Robin, Elizabeth is a perfect match….petite and smarting ( as in sharply witty). She, also, lends a resemblance to Anna, in mannerisms.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Recalls Emotional Moment After His Final Scenes with Michael Easton, and Favorite ‘Chase’ Storyline

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Josh Swickard

Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase, General Hospital) is the special guest on this week’s all-new episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart. The GH fan favorite and leading men opened up about his life pre and post GH, his marriage to actress and producer, Lauren Swickard, and some of his toughest and most memorable moments during his eight-plus years as officer Chase of the PCPD.

One of the most heartbreaking moments came when Josh had to say farewell to his on-screen brother Finn played by soap veteran, Michael Easton. It was back on the Thursday, June 27, 2024 episode of General Hospital.

In it, Chase drives Finn to a rehab facility and the two brothers share a heartfelt talk in the car. Finn thanks Chase for allowing him to say goodbye to his daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love). Chase promises to take good care of her. However, Chase warns Finn to not to take any shortcuts on his way to sobriety and to always think of Violet’s wellbeing. It is apparent, the brothers don’t want to say goodbye, but on the count of three, Finn leaves Chase’s car and walks through the door of the rehab facility, while Chase in tears beats the steering wheel before drives away.

Photo: ABC

MISSING HIS TV BROTHER

Josh spoke to the “Soapy” podcast hosts about it and recalled, “In our last scenes together, and it was like his last day. Michael was like, ‘It’s okay.’ And I was like, ‘No, it’s not.’ I was supposed to be crying in the scene, I think. I was like a little glassy-eyed, a little glazed over. And then they were like, “And cut.”  I was like, “Great.” I just like went behind the car and wept.”

Speaking of his professional and personal relationship with Easton, Josh expressed, “Michael is an awesome guy. He’s such a sweetheart. We’ve done fan events together in New York and he would show me things, like, ‘This where I used to live  …’ He’s like an older brother to me.”

Not only did Josh lose his on-screen brother, but he also lost his on-screen father, Gregory, played by Gregory Harrison, when he was killed-off the show after the character battled ALS. “I think I was more just mourning friends that play family on a show, but a show that goes year after year, year round, and so they become family,” explained Swickard. “So, that part’s been hard for me of just losing friends that while, yes, you get to see each other, you get to call each other, it’s different (when they leave).”

Photo: JPI

CHASE IN A COMA IS FAVORITE OF JOSH’S

When asked, what has been his favorite storyline during his run on GH thus far, Josh took it back to when Chase became became critically ill after being poisoned by a toxic from Peter August (Wes Ramsey) meant for Finn. Eventually, Finn had to rescue his brother with the antidote for the toxin. That story played out from April to June 2021.

Josh explained, “Where I was in a coma and I was seizing and coughing and I had no blocking for like four months! It was great! It was a storyline where I was about to die and I had to say goodbye to a lot of lovely people and it was so exhausting. You get in the car and you feel like you got hit by a train every day because your body doesn’t fully know what acting is, apparently. I remember multiple days being like, ‘Oh, this is why I signed up for this.'”

Swickard also answered if there were moments in the storyline if he felt Chase was not going to survive. The GH star answered, “There were moments that I wondered.  However, I think they were pretty upfront with me. They were like, ‘This isn’t what’s going to happen.'”

Check out the full conversation with Josh on the ‘Soapy’ podcast via the comment section below.

Now let us know, what has been your favorite scenes of Josh as Chase on General Hospital during his run? Do you miss the relationship between Chase and his brother, Finn? Let us know via the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?

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General Hospital

This week, all-new episodes of General Hospital tease a long-held secret revealed, a surprise cellmate and a life on the line. On Monday August 24, ABC released their weekly promo entitled “Keep Brennan Busy,” raising eyebrows that this could the beginning of the exit of the character, after it was reported that Chris McKenna (Brennan) is leaving the soap come this fall.

In the spoilers video: First, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is telling Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that she has known the truth all along that she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison), even though she was her legal counsel and defender her during Willow’s trial of shooting the former congressman.

Willow is shocked, and her face shrinks up. What will she say in return? Will she just say, “yes” I did it and then blackmail Alexis to also keep her quiet, like she has been able to do to so many others?

Courtesy/ABC

DREW’S BACK TO HIS OLD SELF WITH A VENGEANCE

Next, Drew is suddenly on this renewed warpath to take down Sonny (Maurice Benard), but before he deals with that, he want to get the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief out of the way. He informs his partner in crime Ava Jerome (Maura West) over drinks at the Metro Court his plan for Brennan. While Drew tells Ava his agenda, we cut to: a woman’s hands pouring a packet full of powder into a drink at the Metro Court pool area.

Drew gives Ava her assignment, “I need you to keep Brennan busy while I search his hotel room.” The question becomes, who is the woman who is drugging Brennan? Is this the first attempt at taking out the guy foreshadowing the future, or could this be the demise of Brennan?

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE IN THE SLAMMER

At the end of the video, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is seen in his cell at Pentonville. He gets what appears to be his new cellmate, and utters, “You?” Is this when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) has manipulated someone from the inside to visit Curtis and begin a plan to get what he wants from Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and use her lover to do his dirty work? Stay tuned.

Take a look at the rest of the official spoilers for the week of August 24-28 below.

MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Valentin makes a pitch to Jason. Brennan confronts Willow. Josslyn has news for Hudson. Laura briefs Anna. Tracy issues a warning.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
Jason encourages Carly. Obrecht wants answers. Anna is tempted. Ric jumps to conclusions. Lulu offers relationship advice.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Nina is enraged. Jordan makes her loyalties clear. Michael seeks Sonny’s advice. Tristan opens up about his past. Felicia stonewalls Brennan.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Gio and Emma overhear an argument. Drew vows revenge. Ava feels slighted. Justine gets a shock. Alexis makes threat.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Sonny makes a promise to Laura. Carly and Valentin make a decision. Anna offers support. Ava sets a trap. Drew is waylaid.

Check out the the latest GH promo, “Keep Brennan Busy” below.

Now let us know, do you think Drew’ plot against Brennan will be the untimely end of the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief? How will Willow keep Alexis from opening her mouth about the fact that she shot Drew? Share your predictions and theories via the comment section below.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

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Dominic Zamprogna

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).

On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.

Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC

HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT

Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”

Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”

Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Dom and Liz

Photo: ABC

DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES

In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”

Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”

You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.

Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy  for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.

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