When you combine superb direction, writing, production, and acting in a special episode of a daytime drama, viewers can see and understand the thought and care that went into it.
This was more than on display during Thursday’s highly-anticipated ‘Alexis-Centric’ episode honoring the 25th anniversary of Alexis’ portrayer, two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Nancy Lee Grahn, on General Hospital.

Courtesy/ABC
In the story, symbolism was apparent and used for dramatic impact and it worked beautifully throughout, and best of all, Nancy received a script worthy of her immeasurable talents, and showed us once again why she remains one of the gold standards of our genre.Ā If you have not seen the episode DO NOT read any further as it contains spoilers.
It begins with an emotional Alexis looking at her mother’s watch which was still frozen from the time of her death.Ā While playing one of her mother’s records very loudly, she recalls Mikkos Cassadine kissing and dancing with her mom as a young Alexis (Natasha) looked on from the staircase.Ā When Sam asks her about it, Alexis shares that she sees the watch as sort of a representation for her own life being frozen over the last three years; which has included Alexis’ battle with booze taking over her life and her being disbarred, when being a lawyer was the way she identified herself and what gave her purpose.
Overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden, Alexis hightails it to Kevin’s office for a therapy session knowing she is going to Pentonville in the morning to serve her sentence.Ā She says she does not know who she is anymore.Ā Then, Kevin asks her how she spent her day thus far.Ā She flashes back to lunch with the good men in her life, Finn, Valentin, Jax and Ned.Ā Valentin tells Alexis she is proud of her for honing up to her mistakes.
Back at the therapy session, Alexis she was an attorney who stood for something and her life has derailed, and that she was a fighter, an idealist, and an advocate.Ā She knows she has to find a purpose in prison to make it through the three-year term and asks Kevin to help her find one.
Kevin wants to go back to when she was a little girl and her memories that are flooding back to her of Mikkos and her mother.Ā Just then, the younger version of Alexis is huddled in the corner of Kevin’s office, an image of her from the past.Ā Alexis tries to come to terms with her father and the choice of dangerous men and relationships that have marred her own happinessĀ … recalling Julian holding a knife to her throat like Mikkos did to her mother. She says he was one of the toxic men in her life, but Kevin reminds her all of the men in her life were not toxic.
Alexis starts with Ned as one who was good for her saying he was always stable, but she ruined that by recently sleeping with him and putting a wedge in his marriage to her long-time friend, Olivia.
We then flashback to earlier in the day, where Alexis ends up in an almost confrontation with Olivia.Ā However, Olivia tells her she misses the Alexis Davis she used to be and to get her back.
Now back with Kevin, a guilt-ridden Alexis relays she feels responsible for Neil’s death.Ā Kevin interjects she is not, nor what happened with Julian.Ā When Kevin attempts to bring up Mikkos again, Alexis rejects it and is angry that he is making her problem about daddy issues; like so many other women.Ā She vehemently shouts that the men in her life do not define who she is.
Then, Alexis flashes back to hurtful memories she has buried of a young Natasha witnessing Mikkos calling her mother a “greedy little bitch”.Ā She recalls it was on Christmas Eve and that Mikkos stopped by to give them gifts. That is when he presented her mother with the watch.Ā However, things took an ugly turn when he tried to leave, and she threatened to tell Helena all about her and Natasha. Next, Mikkos slapped her and that is when the watch shattered. As all this was going down, a young Natasha watched from the stairs and was horrified that she couldnāt stop her father from beating her mother and remembers how helpless she felt.
However, Alexis reveals to Kevin she thought this would be the last of Mikkos coming by, but he returned on New Year’s Eve and her mother took him back into their lives.Ā Alexis is beside herself that she could not protect her mother, but Kevin reassures her to remember she was just a child.

Courtesy/ABC
It is then we come to the crux of the story.Ā Alexis looks over in the corner and sees her younger self crying. She goes to her younger self and tells her nothing that happened was her fault, and that their father was damaged and cruel. She tells the young Natasha this shouldnāt have been her burden to carry alone, and that she deserves to be happy. Then in the moment of strength and coming full circle, Alexis introduces herself to the young Natasha, “I’m Alexis Davis, a fighter, an advocate, and an idealist … and I will take care of everything from her on out.”Ā In that moment, Alexis embraced herself, and forgave herself, so she could move on with her life.
Alexis then flashes back to earlier that night, as the Davis girls gather for a faux graduation ceremony so Alexis could see Molly in her cap and gown and they hug. Back in her session, Kevin remarks that Alexis has repeatedly defined herself as a fighter, an idealist, and an advocate, and reminds her she has three daughters who have those qualities, and that all she needs to be is Alexis Davis.
Then, we get a heart-warming montage of Alexis though the years in honor of Nancy’s 25th anniversary with GH.

Courtesy/ABC
As the episode concludes, it is the next morning, and Alexis enters Pentonville and enters her jail cell. There she meets her fellow inmate, who is studying law books to prep for her upcoming parole hearing. Alexis introduces herself as “Alexis Davis” and as someone who can help her.Ā We then go back to her mother’s watch which now begins ticking at Alexis’ home.Ā The show fades to black.
Kudos to Daytime Emmy winner, Phideaux Xavier for his outstanding direction, head writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and script writer, Scott Sickles for the thoughtful episode, EP Frank Valentini and his production crew for putting it all together, and the one and only Nancy Lee Grahn for a performance that will be remembered as a classic.
Share your thoughts on today’s on Nancy’s ‘Alexis-Centric’ episode via the comment section below.
What do I think of the outpouring of love? It was totally deserved. I met him a couple of times FCW. He was sweet funny and everything you could hope for. A true classy man. Something a lot of others should emulate
He was clearly loved by those that knew him. Fans will also miss him dearly. General Hospital will not be the same without him. RIP Mr. Ingle.
John Ingle brought such class to the character of Edward. Regardless of what Edward did, you still loved him. The viewer could also tell that Mr. Ingle himself was a class act, and a very lovable, loving person. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends, and his grieving GH friends. I wish I could have known him.
I am sorry for the loss of Mr. John Ingle. The GH cast and crew have lost a great friend, idol and mentor. My heart goes out to all of them. Write down your fondest memories to keep them with you forever. GH must do some shows dedicated to him. Not with a million other story lines, but one dedicated to people talking about Edward and one of with that tied to flashbacks. If the idiots in charge before had not killed off Alan, we could have Alan talking about his father and at lest the Qs would have a… Read more Ā»
He was a great actor loved seeing him on GH. Last week brought tears to me as i watched his final show. But he is at peace now. To all his family, friends , and his GH family please know his fans loved him. And our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Peace and love John thank you and ENJOY YOUR REWARDS.
Can somebody get in touch with Robin Christopher (Skye) – i’d love to read a statement from her about her beloved colleague. She’s the Greta Garbo of daytime and doesn’t do any publicity or have a twitter, but right now she and Jane Elliot are the ones I’m thinking must be most distraught to lose their adored John. I feel that Robin shared a really special connection with John Ingle that was magical on screen. Loved their scenes together.
GH has an angel looking out for them now! Please do a nice episode memorializing John/Edward! He will be missed by many and many thanks for being a part of our lives and enjoy John! Thank you… John!
Beautiful. Thank you again, Michael, for bringing this to us.
Here are a few more I saw from those I follow on Twitter: Dominic Zamprogna: “U were one of the 1st to welcome me to GH good sir. You were Respected and loved by all. May you rest in peace my friend. #RIPJohnIngle” Tristan Rogers: “So sorry to hear of the passing of John Ingle. Always a gracious gentleman.” Michelle Stafford: “RIP John Ingle.A class act to the end ” Jason Thompson: “RT @goodgirlbad: He’d give me a hug and kiss and say “How’s my boy?” Every time I saw him. #JohnIngle” Rebecca Herbst: “Thinking about how happy John Ingle… Read more Ā»
When co-workers leave such high praise you just have to know what a great person Mr. Ingle had to have been. Touching. He will be missed.
thoughts and prayers go out to his family, he will be missed, but never forgotten.