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GH’s Kathleen Gati and Michelle Stafford Deliver The Power Performance of The Week!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

A grieving mother and sister found themselves stuck in a revenge plot gone haywire, that provided the backdrop in which two accomplished actresses; Kathleen Gati (Liesl) and Michelle Stafford (Nina) were able to shine on episodes of General Hospital.

Although Peter’s kidnapping went on far too long, and fans on social media have their own viewpoints as to what they think of Mr. August aka Henrik Faison (Wes Ramsey), the final week of taking Peter hostage to torment him as payback for his part in Nathan’s death; gave Gati and Stafford scenes from the comedic, to the emotional, to the cray-cray, and more..

Courtesy/ABC

On Thursday’s episode, Nina is trying to talk down Liesl from torching the place, but Liesl is becoming more unhinged and more grief-stricken.  She says to Nina, “I lost my son.  I gave Nathan up to protect him.  I spent my life not even daring to gaze in his direction for fear that Cesar would take him.  I never wanted my son to be like him, and now my beautiful boy is buried in the ground, while the other son is still breathing!  So, I must finish this my way, Nina  …  with or without you!”

Pleading, an emotional Nina responds: “Aunt Liesl, you are not the only one who lost time with Nathan.  I did, too.  I missed him growing up.  I missed his childhood, and seeing the incredible man he turned into.  I feel his absence and I feel the loss every second of every day.  I hate Faison, and I will for the rest of my life, and I hate Anna (Finola Hughes) just like you did, but that does not justify what I have done… being an accomplice in this crazy revenge.  None of that is going to bring my brother back.”   Nina goes on to say:  “I knew J would not want his mother grieving alone. This isn’t grief anymore … this is madness.”

Obrecht with rage and sadness in her eyes says, “The brightest souls like my Nathan are extinguished.”  And from there, as viewers know by now, Liesl sets the fire, which sets the stage for Nina’s rescue, and the Friday cliffhanger of Finn (Michael Easton) having to decide whether to go in the burning building and get Peter out, or not.

Courtesy/ABC

Later on the pier, a stoic, but grief-stricken Liesl is arrested.  She spitefully tells Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Jordan (Vinessa Antoine), “Tell Anna something for me: ‘Now we are even!”‘

Earlier in the week, we saw how Kathleen Gati navigated the comedic yet dramatic moments as she had to knock Franco (Roger Howarth) out, while she was trying to get back to Spoon Island, as he realized Obrecht was the guilty party who took Peter.

Gati has made Obrecht, this one-of-a-kind character, come to life, no matter what the circumstances the writers put her in.  And as for Michelle Stafford, when Nina spoke of her brother and the loss she continues to feel, it was one of the most on-the-money moments for anyone who has lost a sibling that they looked to.

So, even through some of the absurdity of the circumstances, and as they were portraying two women trying to figure their way out of the mess they created,  Gati and Stafford never faltered as they committed to the material, and delivered this week’s Power Performance of the Week.

Share your thoughts on the performances of Kathleen and Michelle and what stood out to you via the comment section below.

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Love Kathleen Gati…some might find her cartoonish-well that makes her my current favorite cartoon!!!

You better believe it, Jimmy!!….Kathleen is unsurpassed. She can play any part and give it her all…..I finally caught up. What a great performance. OMG….I am only sorry to lose her; yet, I know she will not go far.
I may be wrong, but, I don’t think Peter will give anything away.
Perhaps he has more heart and soul for which I have given him credit.
We shall see how far he will go with finger-pointing.
Also, as James R points out, Michelle Stafford is bringing it. I know you’re not into her, Jimmy, LOL…. you’re not the only one. Many don’t see what I, James and others see, I guess.
I love her! My favorite actress on soaps.

Im ok with MS-but anyway as Nelle comes to an end there is nothing left to keep me interested in GH…the show is mostly boring…i may tune in when Dr. L is in a scene if i am home at the time!!!

Oh, I’m sorry, Jimmy….I must have confused you with Harry!!!! Is it you, Harry? Do you like or dislike Nina? LOL….
Anyway, Jimmy….I know what you mean….once Nelle is gone we are left with what exactly?
I do like the Billy + Elizabeth whatever-comes-out-of-it thingy….other than that, it’s blah, blah, blah….same old, same old—-regurgitated plots ; recycled storylines….marginally re-modified. The Dr. Bansch/Kiki story will be hanging over our heads until the cows come home….soooo….
Even Maxie, who was once one of my favorite players, has lost her sheen….I liked her better without Lulu’s friendship!!!!
These two together have the power to cure my insomnia.
I will await Liesl with you, my friend.

Billy and Elizabeth could be great together..i may tune in once in awhile but not regular..there is nothing really happening in PC…

Or me, CeeCeeGirl! You know my less-than-generous views on Nina, chapter and verse! LOL! As far as Liesl’s recent antics go, Kathleen Gati was utterly superb and highly-entertaining….the only character worthy of my viewing attention as of late, as far as I’m concerned! But why was the incomparable Obrecht not afforded this honor solo??? She is always shortchanged when it comes to being accorded both the GH spotlight and the accolades that her consistently superb work brings to these threads… MS had her day in the sun a few weeks back with this designation and it was enough. Dr. O. deserved her own victory lap!!! (Especially since no one will ever play off this “Mutter from H#!!” as successfully as the much-missed Britt! Bring her back….)

Hey, Shaybelle,
There are so many instances—-everywhichway one looks–that are soooo incredibly off the wall and frustrating, I want to bang my head against the wall; but, I fear a big, giant headache.
On one hand, there’s Jordan, who calls Sonny Mr Corinthos….I don’t get it!?!?!? He’s a criminal, yet he’s given so much deference as one would an honest, upstanding citizen. In what real? He talks about Nelle as if he walked on water. Perhaps, I missed the part where Sonny parted the Red Sea?
I miss Britt also….I’ve seen her on TV commercials ….few movies, as well…” Love at First Glance”, to name one….
You know what else I don’t understand, Shay?
Liesl has the perfect psychological reason to remain on the show…..she was/is so fraught with pain at the loss of her son, she suffered temporary insanity?
Unless she WANTS to leave, TPTB can remedy this….as simple as getting the holy one, Sonny out of jail. Pardoned after a nano second spent there? Sure!! For murder?
I am not excusing Nelle, but she is obviously mentally ill…..since childhood and no one took the time to help her. She must have shown some ‘strange’ behavior, for lack of a better word.
And, I have had it with Michael. Those stupid, quasi-frigid puppy-eyed stares do not work…..not very good at playing the bad guy—pardon the oxymoron.
I cringe each time he refers to Sonny as, “my dad”, or when Sonny calls him, ” my son”.
Furthermore, I feel nothing for Carly….
Why, oh, why is it always Jason to the rescue? Mighty Mouse should’ve run to his beloved wife’s side to save the day. And, there you have it. LOL.
Ciao bella.

@CeeCee…I long ago abandoned all hope that Sonny would be regarded as the low-life thug he really is rather than Port Charles’ most upstanding citizen deserving of love and devotion by all in his midst. That’s the meme the show is sticking with and those of us with a whit of common sense and an abundance of high morals who care not to get with that program are left out in the cold. Just as so many other off-kilter things with GH never fail to remain the same, such is the Corinthos faithful partyline…we can debate its merit or actually, lack thereof, until the cows come home….it won’t change, period. In fact, that aptly describes so many characters currently on the GH canvas…so many are reviled whilst all we ask is the return of our old favorites, and our pleas are largely ignored. It’s akin to loathing a particular food and being forcefed it daily in double and triple doses in order to make us eventually accept the unacceptable…that method doesn’t work for me, and I suspect the same can be said for you….such efforts only make one more recalcitrant to whatever it is this soap seems to be shoveling! Having said that, Dr. O. was a fabulous character with great potential portrayed by a powerful, uber-talented actress in the form of Kathleen Gati…yet, even with all that going for her ever-fascinating Liesl, she has been unceremoniously swept aside for the most banal of cast members. Moreover, her long-awaited scene with Robert Scorpio was an afterthought played out in the middle of a crowded PCPD background…even this pivotal scene wasn’t afforded the privacy spotlight it warranted. Instead, we were treated to more of the same nauseating drivel with a Maxie-propping Nina who once again is getting off scot-free for her psycho behavior, as Obrecht is carted off to the hoosegow…disgusting!!!! The only saving grace to this scenario would be if “Mutter and her Schatzie, aka Britt,” were to be reunited in jailed captivity. Now there’s a scenario that would be a joy to behold! As for Nelle, she is one of the soapworld’s premier nutcases….superbly acted by Chloe Lanier…she could have been Port Charles’ next Heather Webber had her reign been longer…the gift that keeps on giving!…If only she were to remain on GH, I should have liked to see her institutionalized beside the psychopathic legend herself…what a team brimming with mirth and mayhem they could have made! Instead we get the monotonous “Carly Chronicles” at Ferncliff…um, no thanks!

Hey, Shay,
I love reading your posts…..
One thing, though….you think Maxie is propping Nina? Hmmmm…brain food, that!!
I never thought Michelle/Nina; or any character the actress plays needs propping by anyone….least of all Maxie.
It pains me to say this, but Maxie has become more of a nonentity, at this point; and, she is the one who needs ‘lifting’ to remain relevant.
But, I will grant you, ma belle amie, that we will never be of one mind when it comes to Nina….
As far as Nelle? Yes, Heather would have been the perfect precursor….they do share the same diabolical fixations.
The writing, Shay, is so sophomoric, it’s hard to affix any rationale to Nelle as a person. She is so out of touch with reality, how could she have pulled off living amongst those of “normal” ilk?
How coincidental is it for Nelle giving birth in the middle of nowhere and Dr O shows up after being involved in the same accident? Oh, yeah….it’s a soap.
Now…..do you remember when I said that Brad and Lucas adopting a baby was too much of a sudden coincidence? As I said, somehow Nelle’s baby would be instrumenal within that adoption.
I may be so wrong here, but it looks like Whiley suffered from SIDS ……I am not really into babies dying on soaps, or anywhere else….., Nelle’s baby will take its place. ….do not know how….but, I think this is where the story is going.
I still think the writers made a big mistake by not giving Liesl an insanity plea. For a little while. A short sojourn…..then, bring her back healed? I do not know how sane, but better have her kind of insanity around, than not at all. LOL.

That should read….in what realm…not real.
LOL.

This is no surprise. Kathleen Gati is a powerhouse and Michelle Stafford does handle her scenes with the right amount of emotion.

AGREE!

Don’t know how Liesl could stay on the canvas after this, but it would be a shame to lose her. Kathleen Gati is, beyond a doubt, Frank’s best non-soap hire in the 5 years he’s been at the helm. (Mark Teschner probably deserves kudos, too). Let’s hope she is not written out just to save another character that isn’t working.

Stafford gets bonus points too, as she’s at her best when playing borderline crazy.

It’s actually smart that this plot is taking place while Finola is on her summer hiatus. That element of the storyline would have distracted from Gati and Stafford’s performances.

Kathleen is THE best.

Two talented and accomplished actors doing more than justice to an improbable and contrived circumstance. Hope Liesl and Nina remain as part of the story canvas. This will give the writers the opportunity to get rid of some characters who have outdated their welcome.

I fell in love with Kathleen Gati on the Halloween show 3 years ago when she sang ” Is that all there is”! What a talented woman,! I will miss her!

How great were these two women? This is an example of how brilliant acting can overcome even the most melodramatic story. I just hope this isn’t the end for Liesl, though she definitely needs a LONG rest. Kathleen Gati has always been a favorite of mine. I still laugh when I think back to the episode when she was hunkered down at Elizabeth’s house, devouring the kids’ cereal, declaring “They taste surprisingly fruit-like”. And, of course, her classic performance of “Wilkommen”. Too bad Emmy voters can’t take the hint.

Yes, Soaphound…..I never tire watching Kathleen or listen to her speak. How can one performer have it all?
She and Michelle are incomparable, Soaphound. They work so well together…not a wasted moment. Every movement, every exchanged look, every word is precise, laden with meaning. They don’t even have to say much….it’s like being there in live audience.
Sadly, we will not enjoy such interactions between them any longer….
From your fingers ( typing, LOL) to the soap-gods’ eyes, my friend…..”….hope this isn’t the end for Liesl…”

They should send Liesle to Ferncliff to give Nurse Mary Pat a run for her money.

Extradinary!!!

Loved it! Kathleen, Michelle AND Wes did a great job! Kudos!

I love this duo, Dr. O and Nina! They are “killing it!” Now, only if they would kill #Peter, this storyline would be the best storyline of the year!

Powerful actresses! I wonder if this will mean Kathleen’s Obrecht will be sent off the canvas? I know some people think she’s over the top, but I found her to be a welcomed relief ever time Obrecht did something. And in Kathleen’s hands, Obrecht never failed to entertain me.

Since Michelle is on contract, I never feared that she wouldn’t come out of this smelling like a rose. She gave very infused performances, as always.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project

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WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.

Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!

In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?

SIDWELL VS. CULLUM

The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.

Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC

BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS

In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.

As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!

Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.

Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration

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The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.

This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.

In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI

WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?

The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.  Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.

Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.

Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones

The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III

Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz

General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen

The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’

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The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).

In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.

Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC

A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:

PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY

After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.

An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?

In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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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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