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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.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who is Hudson in Cahoots With After Revealing Phone Call?

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The mysterious Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) is clearly in collusion with someone as witnessed on the Tuesday, August 24 episode of General Hospital.

Since Troy Lennon Appel made his debut on the soap on July 30, we already know he “appears” to be the true biological father of baby Phoebe, and is quite the bad dude after roughing up Ethan in Norway.

Now in Port Charles, claiming he is there for JJE (Jasper Jacks Enterprises) business, and with the edict to contact Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and let her know her father named her the CEO of his company while he is “sailing” abroad, he was initially met with resistance when Josslyn refused to accept the job.

Courtesy/ABC

I’VE CHANGED MY MIND

However, after a recent turn of events, where Brennan (Chris McKenna) told Josslyn, the WSB has her next assignment, and it is to find out what’s going on with her father’s company, they demanded her to accept the CEO position. Now Josslyn is caught and has to back-petal after initially telling Hudson to bring her qualified candidates and she would pick one as her replacement.

In all-new episodes, while at the Quartermaine boathouse, Josslyn informed Hudson that she was now taking the CEO position. Josslyn cited that she realized she wanted to honor her father’s wishes and uphold his legacy.

Hudson is stunned and tries to dissuade her, and is quite suspicious over her sudden change of heart. Realizing no matter what he said Josslyn was not backing down, Hudson says he hadn’t been on board with Jax’s decision to give the company to Josslyn, but now he could see that maybe he’d  been wrong about her.

HUDSON HAS A PROBLEM

Josslyn says failing herself, or her father, isn’t an option and when she commits to something she goes all in. She tells Hudson that she would appreciate his support. Hudson says she has it, as she turns to walk away after dropping her bombshell decision on him.

Next, a very pissed off Hudson, picks up his phone and makes a call to someone and tells them that Josslyn took the job. He intimates that this is bad news and will screw up their plans. He tells the person on the other end that he is going to make her change her mind!

So, where is this leading? Who could Hudson be working with on the inside and who did he call? How do you see General Hospital weaving in Josslyn taking over JJE as their new WSB mystery story? Put your creative hats on and let us know your thoughts via the comment section. 

But first, check out the GH teaser below for today’s Wednesday, August 26 episode below, where Josslyn tells her mother, Carly to accept her decision of either taking the job at JJE or staying with the WSB!

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

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