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.
ok..
Little Jake would be referred to a child therapist or physiatrist..
I doubt Dr. Kevin Collins is qualified to work with children which is whole different thing..
Since Kevin is not a child therapist or physiatrist I will say he is there for Morgan or perhaps Kiki..
Considering all doctors on GH act as jack of all trades with little distinction between specialties (for example, I remember brain surgeon Patrick acting as a pediatrician when Britt brought Ben/Rocco back from his kidnapping), I wouldn’t bat an eye at Kevin counseling Lil’ Jake.
I highly doubt his qualifications as a child psychiatrist would come into play. If the story line involves Jake, I’m just happy they are bringing back a legacy character instead of using a random actor to play a child psychiatrist.
Yes, is it not refreshing that they are not introducing yet another brand new character to the overly saturated canvas with no acting experience?
@su000… I read he may be back to help Anna…
Yes, Fanny. Poor Anna is a mess. Paul is making me seethe over his subtle torture of Anna.
Also, let’s not forget that Patrick recommended Hayden see Dr. Kevin. The good Doc will be quite busy.
hhi Fanny..
0oohh I never thought about it being Anna..
Yes! it could be for Anna..
Kevin is needed in Port Charles, Kiki, Morgan, are just 2 in need of his services lol ..
@CeeCee…Hello Sweets…
There are numerous candidates on canvas that would benefit greatly from
a psych consultation with Kevin. Let’s hope he stays on long enough to help
them all.
They could have a spin-off called General Asylum. Kevin could be the doctor. Milo and Alice could be the bouncers. The patients would include Sonny, Carly, Morgan, Valerie, Nina, Franco, Ric, Alexis, Jake (big and little), Nikolas, Hayden, Olivia, Spencer, Ava, Paul, and others to be confirmed. Or committed.
That LSD trip that Heather sent Olivia on is still packing one helluva punch!! The most notable symptom is Olivia running around in EXTREMELY public places talking to others or just to herself saying things LOUDLY…such as “No one must ever know that the biological father of my child is really mob kingpin Julian Jerome. Did you hear me??? No one can find out that JULIAN JEROME is my baby’s father!!”
Hello, my Fanny. You always make me feel so good, with your endearment.
I, too, love the Doc. Sadly I really did not get to know him as Dr. Collins too well. But I enjoyed watching him with Lucy. He seems to be well-received by the audience. I do hope he has a longer run this time around. A’ bientot.
“oh, lordy” are they dumbing down Olivia
just like, Sonny, w/ Avery
just like, Victor, w/ Christian
just like, Julian, w/ Leo
any thing… to get Julian out of Alexis clutches
would work for me
th lesser of two evils… as Olivia … granted I like her work…. doesn’t reel that much.. but the sex appeal is that much… better with Julian
Totally grateful for Jon’s return as Dr. Kevin….but, what about Lucy, where is Lucy? What about Kevin and Lucy scenes? Has ANYTHING transpired with Kevin and Lucy’s relationship? Did they end up divorcing? Are they together? We’ve been left with no answers. I do hope we see Lucy reappear, too. Otherwise, it’s a big disservice to these legacy characters, so Kevin now after a long absence just pops back into action to counsel Little Jake? Come GH, give us some updates with Kevin and Lucy. I hope we hear and see them.
I’d like to know that, as well, Jeremy. I love this couple together….I would love to see more of their interaction myself.
Kevin needs a new love. Lucy is too over the top for Doc. Kevin and Laura?
Lucy and Kevin’s relationship is just another story line they’ve let slip by. Hope they can give it some air time now.
what an opportune time to reel with Genie Francis
there is love here
there is intrigue
there is interesting
there is veteran stat
this is a couple who can act and the camera loves them
i’m so glad they are going back to Liz and Jake…. bestill my heart
he’s so danged handsome
Patrick, I like the way you think!
Speaking of Liz. I know she’s the most ‘persona non grata’ on stage, right now; but, Patrick wasn’t her acting as calamitous as it gets? She was impressive, as she circled Hayden like a bird of prey, ready to swoop and feast on the spoils. And, her eyes, the cataclysmic change in her face….I really saw evil. Rebecca really worked that scene today.
i’m still so involved in the ; is it Liz or Sam ? I’m awstruck at how vocal… the Sam and Jason fans are…. Liz made a mistake…( ONE ) by all accounts, of all that I’ve read and learned… why is she burned at the stake ? ! and yes… it is out of character… for her to have “given” in to her needs… ???? it’s indescribable… selfish? what? thought of her ownself, first ? is evil incarnate? I adore this woman… all these posts… ie: that Liz can’t seem to not live without a man… in her life…… Read more Ā»
@Patrick. ….thing is, Patrick. Liz did not just make one mistake. She continues making the same mistake every day, every hour, every second she holds the truth from Jason. That’s what is unforgivable. As I said a few times before, her only redemption is if she’s diagnosed as nuts. There’s another patient for our good doctor Kevin. Lol. I am very disappointed in her, but I still think Rebecca has found her niche. She’s so good at playing the bad girl. Kelly is not even in the running. She is not adept at either. She goes through her scenes like… Read more Ā»
Very few people do “bitch face” like Mizz Becky. LOL. And it’s extra funny and cool because her character is not one you could categorize as a bitch. Its almost like her back arches and her feathers get all ruffled.
@Dylan.
Hi, Dylan.
You said it, when you mention Liz seemingly arching her back, I have this vision of a virago in the guise of a helpless little kitten who hides very sharp claws. Appearances are deceiving, are they not?
I found it tres amusing when Liz questioned Hayden’ s sincerity…..” Every word that comes out of your mouth is a lie.” That’s rich….Those words are fraught with irony. Say WHAT?!?!?!?!
Actually, I do believe that Ms Lizzie is stepping in caca; digging her own grave in the process.
Maybe he’s coming back to counsel Emma, Nicholas and Cam when they realize that Josselyn suddenly out aged them by about 5 years.
good one.
Little Jake, Big Jake, Morgan, Kiki, Liz–the list of people who need help on this show is endless.
that should keep him busy and employ for along time.
Great post. So true.
Love JL as Kevin. So glad to see him return.
Kevin is clearly going to treat Morgan and/or Lil’ Jake, but I really hope he has scenes with Lucy too. I love them together and this might be the last chance for the show to fix them.
Great news! I hope they dont weigh him down with Lucy! I would NEVER take that bimbo back! Although Moran, I mean Morgan is beyond help, I’m sure this is why Kevin is returning.
Lucy is not a bimbo, You seem unstable. lol. Heather Webber needs a roomate. You should join her, and make Heather s BLT. Lucy is a wonderful character and Lynn Herring is a terrific actress. Dont bash and diss Lucy, I will find you and crush you like a bug. Lol.
I’ll beg GH to recast Michael Easton as Caleb and sick him on Lucy and then I’ll send him to see Geena! Ha ha ha!
Timm, He should be on 24/7 The citizens of Port Charles are all bat shit crazy. I blame the Quarterrmaines. They must have dumped some chemicals into the Port Charles reservoir.
I blame Sonny! Besides Morgan I think Kevin will play a role in helping little Jake. Even though Liz thinks he is fine!
Awwww, Timmm. I love Lucy. Lol.
I Love Lucy but only with Ricky, Fred and Ethel..lol
Port Charles harbors crazy people, fulla crazies!..
If you go to Port Charles;
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER !!
It always had problems with its’ water..
@jimh.
Lol, Jimmy. You forgot Little Ricky. …..Babalu’!
I’m with you, Timmm! I cannot stand that hyperactive hussy, and never could…even back in the day when she debuted as the supposedly meek librarian with the secretly uninhibited social life. My antipathy for “Floocy” has only grown though the years….watching her now is simply unbearable. “Doc” deserves soooo much better!
“…āDocā deserves soooo much … ”
complete dream
without question
superlative quest
i’d resign myself taken
loft
Shes a cartoon character. Its like Spinelli, he is good in small doses but to have him on everyday would warrant a FF! Bring Lucy on for the NB and thats that!
Lets see… Little Jake, Morgan, and Haden are all in need of a counselor since they keep mentioning him around them.
I believe Doc Kevin is called in for Kiki ..
On today’s show Hayden was referred by Patrick to the good shrink Dr. Collins.
The bigger ??. Why wasn’t little Jake taken for counseling immediately–poor writing obviously! Kidnapped by a madwoman, kept however kindly on a Mediterranean island with a nanny, no socialization, then taken to America to a family he barely remembers. Sure, he can just join his brothers at the breakfast table, no sweat, and lead a regular life.
People are right–there’s no shortage of patients for Kevin!
Hi, Anne. You have just summed up little Jake’s probable state of mind in a nutshell. Additionally, you have subtly depicted Miss Lizzie lost in her own little ‘netherworld’, looking at her crazy-fantastic life with Jason through rose-colored glasses….her favorite color. She needs as much psychoanalysis as her son, if not more. This whole scenario only reinforces my belief that the writers, in general, do not think ahead; ( I have noticed GH adopting this practice more than any other soap) they do make stuff up as they go along. Otherwise, taking little Jake to check his mental state, as… Read more Ā»
“…as soon as he arrived back home, should have been at the top of the list. ”
why didn’t RC/FV hasten ?
kudos to the new head writing team ( s)
for going their
I don’t know… i’m giving the actor… who , as the original Jake.. has come back… that much more creative… for such a young person… to share his craft
i’m still in tears and angst over what little we’ve seen Liz.. and the danged GH production… missed the beat… and heart beat of audience pull…
hopefully Morgan.
omgawd, can we stop calling Jake Little Jake? Kid is going to get a complex.
I don’t care whose he is treating, just glad to see him back even for a short time.
if they raally want to do a “fun storyline” at least for me. Why not do a VeT triangle. I’d love to see Felicia and Kevin ..they had great chemistry but it was too weird in the beginning due to Ryan. but with the friendship of Lucy, Felicia ,Mac and Kevin..what if ? what if trying to “help” Kevin and Lucy…Felicia and Kevin get involved. That would really make things complicated and give all these vets something to do..Then maybe they could get Laura involved with Mac, throwing in Lucy/Scott. A real VET love mess which would shake up PC.… Read more Ā»