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GH's Head Scribe Ron Carlivati Speaks On The Stunning Faison and Duke Reveal & How He Decided To Craft The Story!

By Michael Fairman

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© Steven Bergman

© Steven Bergman

The mastermind behind the fantastic story that is being weaved at General Hospital concerning Faison, Duke, Anna, Robin and soon Robert, is General Hospital’s head writer, Ron Carlivati, who delivered to viewers on Friday and on today’s episode so much excitement!  Carlivati spoke with Soap Opera Digest exclusively about how he pulled off this incredibly dramatic story, and how the decisions came about to have it turn out to be Faison who took Robin away from her loved ones, and how the character of Duke was instrumental in pulling the story off.  Here are a few excerpts below!

Carlivati on if Faison was always the end game as the captor of Robin, and how he utilized the character of Duke to pull off the key elements of the story:  “My thought even before you saw Ian with Kimberly (the first time) was that it had to be Faison that was behind the whole thing and that’s who took Robin. I think it’s the one that makes the most sense, but because it’s the one who makes the most sense, I think the audience was right there with us and they figured that it was Faison. Frank Valentini (executive producer) and I talked about, “What can we do in that reveal that will be a little different and not make it so obvious?” And then we came up with the idea of showing Ian, knowing that he was about to be free after leaving Days of our Lives.  So, then it just became the trick of, at what point are we going to go for it and reveal it? And I felt it couldn’t go on so long because I knew people were angry at the way Duke was behaving and I felt that relatively quickly, we had to reward them with this reveal that it was in fact Faison and not Duke.

Carlivati on the decision to reveal on today’s episode that the real Duke was alive and how it factors into the story:  “I thought it was important to show him alive the same time we were showing that this wasn’t the real Duke because I knew there was going to be a lot of disappointment from fans who felt, “Oh, you dangled the return of Duke Lavery under our nose and then you snatched it back.” I didn’t want people to be upset and angry. I wanted them to enjoy the story! So we made the decision to do a double whammy and show Real Duke at the end of the day. And you will see in the ensuing days how he was able to appropriate Duke’s fingerprints, his memories, etc. Essentially, what you find out is that the backstory Faison told everyone about how Duke was not really Jonathan Paget and he’s been in Turkish prison, all of that was a true story. However, Faison intercepted Duke and took on his identity and the reason is because of Anna Devane. Faison felt that the only way to make this woman love him was to have the face of someone that she could love in return, which only leaves a few options, such as Robert Scorpio or Duke Lavery. And Duke was the one who was accessible, so that’s what he went with. ”

Carlivati on what is going to happen next:  “It’s exciting (that the truth is finally out there) and we really run with it. It’s a story you won’t have to wait for months and months to see unfold. It just goes like gangbusters from today on.”

What do you think of how Ron Carlivati has planned out this clever and spellbinding story?  Are you excited to see what’s next?  Let us know your thoughts!

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GH got me hooked, I’m on board, I’m pretty happy with the way the storylines are playing out only disappointment is the Jason storyline where the laison fans got shafted, Elisabeth/ Rebecca Hebrts deserved better. Give her a storyline ASAP .

LOVING my GH !!! Ron & Frank & all the other writers are doing BRILLIANT Work !! GH is on FIRE !!! Thank you for bringing GH back to LIFE !!!

I totally agree with you!!!

Can’t wait to see what happens next……Great storyline!!! I like you don’t have to wait months to find out. I like how the story is unfolding quickly!!!!!!!!

Awesome.

i usually only watch general hospital when genie francis appears..but when i heard robin matison was back i had to tune in,,god i hope they keep her on this show some how,,i have to say i am totally hooked on this show now,,though i dont know any back story of dukeand anna and fiasion the story keeps me interested,,,

Bring back Joe Scully. Would love to see more Joe and Connie!! Talk about fireworks!!!!

I am loving GH now!!! So very happy it is not the Sonny show anymore!

This is the best GH has been in a long time. I’m so glad FV and RC have brought GH back to it’s excellent staff!

Loved the last two episodes. But please do right by Robert. Trying to stay optimistic but they seemto forget how to write for Robert whenever they ask him back!

That’s true J.R. No one seems to know how to write for Robert anymore. That man was the most appealing in his time, and the way he played that character.

Well ladies and gents, it looks like they may have gotten it right this time. It’s only day one but it looks like our beloved Robert Scorpio is back for the first time since 1992. Loving it!

GH is smokin hot. Wish the rattings were reflecting that wonderful show we love………..Keep it up and we all will continue to watch…….Its hard to do great writing constantly but the storytelling is so much better on GH than it is on the other three soaps….

DITTO!!! GH is SMOKIN!!!

I am LOVING GH! RC/FV are doing right by the fans and the history of the show! And the best part…our vets are back front and center! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

Tracy is funny & serious at the same time. I like her a lot!!!!

GH is kicking ass these days! With all the intrigue, drama, humor, romance, and, best of all, veteran characters and storylines, I could not be happier! With Faison AND Duke back, Robert returning, the Nurse’s Ball poised to be the must-see event of the season, AJ’s reappearance (along with the entire Quartermaine clan!), and everything else, tuning is to GH is no longer a habit- it’s a need! I also love that ratings keep rising higher and higher! 🙂

Plus, bonus points go out to Ron and Frank for being able to be work with Kimberly M so that we get to see Robin, yet she gets to do what she left GH originally to do!

I was dumfounded at the end to find out Duke was really alive after the Faison reveal. Bravo Ron, you pulled off a great one. I am loving this roller coaster journey of this story and the twists and turns. GH is must see TV for me again after 10 (mostly) dreadful years.

I hadn’t watched GH in years. Lost interest when it became all about Sonny, Jason and the mob. I started watching again recently when I heard about all the comebacks and am happy to see Robin, Anna, Robert, Duke and AJ. Hopefully this will be enough to keep GH on the air. Great job!

Loving GH so much as of late ,memories of watching as a small child till now GH needs more Kassie DePiava,Tea Delgado an McBain an ABC needs to get their head outta their ass or the sand an realise soaps matter an appeal to all viewers an bring back AMC an OLTL we lifers want our soaps they matter

GH is the best it has been in years. I love that they are getting back to the old GH and away from the mob.

Now if Connie could just go away, and make way for a couple more OLTLers–this would be a great show.

Connie go away, and make way for more of GH’s finest!

Ron is this generation’s master of soap writers. He makes an excellant team with Frank. They totally rule!

yea rodd .i see it the way your seeing it.my ITALIAN WRITER BOYS are doing it up
ova at ABC. and i pray sam and john get together i really do.sam is starting to b a bore now,just around cute danny! i want more sam and john already but i am thinking CARLIVATI /VALENTINI are going to get to them soon in winter of 2013!
i love MONICA sooooooo much again front line story all around,and HEATHER even!
lol love todd crazy hot self,funny as always,and love him around carly jacks.

sure we did like some MOB jason morgan stuff but i m happy the OLD gh wit a new gh feel to it,and old feel all roll up in one is forever,best!

Despite the fact that I wasn’t watching GH when this Anna/Duke/Faison story began in the late 80s (although I am familiar with much of the history), I’m still finding it absolutely spellbinding. GH has been red-hot of late, and this s/l and AJ’s return are the main reasons. Bravo to the cast, crew and Cartini!

I wasn’t watching GH back then either…I hadn’t even seen an occasional glimpse of Faison…so I had no pre-conceived notion about him. I look forward to his return, but hope it’s not like Robin Mattson’s return where I eventually wanted her gone again.

You guys should watch the Fasion s/l from early 90’s on youtube. Its all on there and very entertaining, not to mention what better way to get a history lesson on Fasion.

I am soooo grateful that the GH stories move along quickly..
When soap stories go on and on and on for months and months I lose interest and the drawn out stories become yawwwn boring..
I do see the magic pill with GH is the speed of the stories..
People watch TV/media, differently in this digital decade and the soaps do need to move on at a good speed or people will move on..

Love it KEEP it coming!

I like bringing back GH’s finest for short and long stunts. People come back to town ALL THE TIME. It’s BEST to bring back some of GH’s finest, RATHER THAN…… invest in leftover’s from other show’s. We don’t need a revolving door of OLTL, what we need is a revolving door og GH’s finest, and a OCCASIONAL visit (s) from OLTL, and NOT TO FORGET: All My Children

CALLING Doctor DAVID HAYWOOD PLEASE……………………..

all i can say is that gh is on fire right now…….. 🙂

This has been like GH-80’s good! In over 30 years of GH watching it is hard to remember more simultanious exciting stroylines.

If there is anyone on the planet who didn’t see this whole story coming 3 miles down the road, then you shouldn’t be allowed to watch soaps. This is my main problem with Cartooni: everything is SO obvious.

Ok bring David Heyward

I’m terrible intrested in the story

David Heyward can be the one who an fix the problems+ he cam can play Sammatha Mcall

father,,,

Love to see SAM AND JOHN+DANIEL working together I’m very curious howxthey gonna

gel, also haveBABY LIAM IN THE MIX!!! I would love for Sam to have a blended family!!!

SAMMATHA
JOHN
DANIEL
LIAM c

CAN YOU SAY MODERN FAMILY!!!!

,,,,,,,,,until Jason comes back to the show!!! and if he

I’m more excited about GH with each passing episode. It is really fantastic and I’m loving every minute of it.

OMG! LOVING GH! Gets better & better. Keep it coming.

I agree!!!

Now just waiting for them to figure out it was Faison(look a like duke) behind all the murders and mayhem only to have the real Duke take the fall for all of it. Looking forward to a Anna/Duke reunion…someday. Anyway, my DVR is happy again. Keep the stories coming.

Ron, if you are reading these posts (and I believe you or your staff are), a huge THANK YOU! Yes Yes Yes Ron! We true soap fans so appreciate all that you are doing to bring back the essence of GH and revive soaps! Soaps are not dead, and you are proving that each day. GH is thriving under you and your writers and Frank V. But, ultimately, what I am waiting for is the return of my absolute favorite character – Laura Spencer. Luke and Laura were magic together and, given the chance, they would easily return to super couple status without a doubt. I have watched many soaps over the years, but no couple ever matched their connection. I believe that you are working on Laura’s return, and hope that you will be able to negotiate for a long-term return for this character. Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS EFFORTS and SUCCESSES WITH GH. You have made a difference!

THIS is the GH I remember from the 70s, 80s and 90s. I think I may have said that before.. but I’m so happy to get the show back to it’s normal soapy goodness! Great stories, great characters… more more more!

only thing that is odd is how fake Duke was great with Felicia! you’d think he’d be a little leacherous around here seeing how he kidnapped her (and Luke) many years ago!

all this is good tho … makes me wonder where Helena is ?!

I feel that Carlivati “gets GH” more than any head writer in many years! He KNOWS we want to see Faison be the mastermind, he KNOWS we want Robert&Anna front-and-center in this story .. past writers would have had it be all about Sonny&Jason and the mob. SO happy to have MY GH back!

Finally the return of GH. Quartermains are fighting for ELQ. Tracy is the bitchy again. The first Aussie bros are back. Scorpios. The Hardys and Webers are needed to complete the character rebuild. The Christmas story being read to sick GH kids should return like Nurses Ball. The star is the hospital. Story connects character to hospital. Mafia line doesnt connect Sonny or Johny to GH just wastes time.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

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Tajh Bellow and Loren Lott

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.

Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of  The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.

In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

The Compatibility Experiment

Photo: HOORAE

The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.

The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.

General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.

Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.

Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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