General Hospital
Power Performance of the Week: The cast of General Hospital!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
While there is no doubt that the umbrella performance of last week’s episodes of General Hospital was the Emmy-worthy and stunningly riveting performances of Chad Duell (Michael) in which Michael finally remembers and then reveals he was raped in prison, (make sure to hear what Chad had to say about the playing those big emotional moments in his interview on the new On-Air On-Soaps Podcast) there were also many other performances that stood out, made us grab for the hankies, and reminded us why the cast of GH is highly acclaimed. Let’s take look at the rest below.
From Steve Burton (Jason) playing the pure devastation and helplessness at learning the boy he first raised was sexually violated, the actor showed us with little words and through his tears how Jason Morgan tries to come to grips with his part in this disaster, and his feeling of failure of not being able to protect Michael.
Then, once again, Laura Wright (Carly) showed viewers why this actress is at the top of the game. From playing mama bear upon learning Michael was raped, to pulling a gun on Dante and reaming and laying guilt onto the cop for putting Michael in prison in the first place, to the scenes of her dissolution of her marriage to Jax (once finding out about his lie to help protect her arch-nemesis, Brenda), Wright was pure perfection.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Three other men turned in moments worth noting. First, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) broke our hearts as he tries to just get a moment with Lulu after the harrowing night of Abby’s near rape, his run-in with Brenda, and the revelation that Michael was raped. But, she isn’t having it, sort of. Julie Marie Berman playing Lulu’s conflicting emotions of can she trust her man, is also an example of why Berman has won Daytime Emmys. In addition, Zamprogna’s guilt-ridden Dante, in the Carly/Dante showdown scenes, almost begged Carly to shoot him! Dante could barely look at Michael, and then later decides to turn in his police badge. All powerful moments from Dom Z. Next, Ingo Rademacher (Jax). Truly this stalwart leading man does not often get the credit he deserves, but his scenes with both Laura Wright and Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda) were subtlety well-played. Jax does the best he can as the “white knight” to the women he cares about and can never get a break, or do the right thing. Later, when he tells a young Morgan that he and his mother have broken up, both Ingo and talented young actor, Aaron Sanders (Morgan) with tears streaming down his face, delivered a very real and emotional moment.
And in the middle of this, you can’t forget about the outstanding performances of Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) who starts the week feeling betrayed by the woman he is coming to love, Siobhan, only to realize she is being blackmailed by The Balkan over her kidnapped sister. Then later in the week, Lucky is setting out to arrest her! Betrayal is like a raw nerve to Lucky after Elizabeth’s affair with Nikolas was revealed, and to see his viewpoint of betrayal, yet again, from someone he has come to care about showed us the depth and layers of Jackson’s performances. This week, JJ was ably well-supported in performances by newcomer Erin Chambers (Siobhan) who in twist and turns conveyed high emotional stakes for Jackson to play off of.
And finally, while we learn that Michael agreed to work through his sexual abuse through counseling, he has found a soul-mate and possible romantic interest in Abby, portrayed by the very talented Andrea Bogart. Bogart also knocked-it out-of-the-park this week from her character’s near rape, to supporting Michael through his not-so-shocking revelation. So with all of that and many other numerous moments and performances throughout the week, On-Air On-Soaps names the cast of General Hospital, this week’s Power Performance of the Week!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
Friday’s episode of General Hospital brought the highly-anticipated story around the apparent death of Port Charles iconic, Luke Spencer (Tony Geary), although many fans, and even some of the cast of the show, are not sold that Luke is “dead” dead.
During the show, characters spoke of some of the history of Luke in Port Charles, most especially Luke’s sister, Bobbie played by Jackie Zeman. Throughout the years, Zeman is at her best when she is given material through the writing of the show to connect to the history of Luke and Bobbie. She did so when Bobbie was remembering how Luke came to Port Charles to help her break up Scotty and Laura, in a discussion with her daughter, Carly (Laura Wright).
Photo: ABC
As everyone is gathering at the Haunted Star to pay their respects to Luke, Curtis (Donnell Turner) arrives to support Laura (Genie Francis), Felicia (Kristina Wagner) and Anna (Finola Hughes) arrive together, Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) and Ava (Maura West), as well as Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez also show up. It is through Nikolas’ conversation with Laura that we learn why Luke’s sons, Ethan and Lucky, can’t make the funeral and, of course, we know why Luke’s daughter Lulu can’t make it because she is in a coma!
Victor (Charles Shaughnessy) shows up and snipes at everyone and then leaves. Tracy (Jane Elliot), who has arranged the memorial, is with an urn supposedly filled with Luke’s ashes and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finds her on the deck of the Haunted Star and talks her into giving her planned eulogy.
Courtesy/ABC
Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) finds his dad, Sonny (Maurice Benard) drinking at Charlie’s, and later Scott (Kin Shriner) and Robert (Tristan Rogers) stop in and heated words are exchanged between Sonny and Scott. Victor shows up and instead of Scott and Sonny pummeling each other, they get into a fight against Victor.
Courtesy/ABC
As Scott and Robert are about to be on their way to the Haunted Star, Scott stays behind because of his past with Luke. Then, Sonny tried to patch things up with Carly before they head to the memorial.
Back on the yacht, Anna and Felicia find a note and a flash drive, after hearing a commotion on the yacht. When the note says “play me”, none other than Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) addresses Luke’s friends and family from apparently the great beyond. As Helena spews her venom against Luke, Laura has enough and pulls the plug on Helena’s video speech. Tracy looks concerned, like she may want to hear whatever else Helena had to say.
Photo: ABC
Next, Tracy does her best in short order to eulogize Luke. That is juxtaposed with Scott trashing Luke. Later, by herself on the deck, Tracy spreads Luke’s ashes over the waters of Port Charles. Back on the pier, Scott relishes Luke being gone, and that he is still standing saying, “You lose you son of a bitch!” Just then Luke’s ashes blow in into his face. When Bobbie arrives, and see Scott full of ashes, she asks what happened. Scott says, “I caught the bouquet,” an obvious nod to the Luke and Laura wedding of the past, where Scott returned at their wedding and caught the wedding bouquet.
Courtesy/ABC
Back on the Haunted Star, Tracy then has a gift in hand for Laura, but she tells Tracy if that’s the Ice Princess she does not want anything to do with it, and tells Tracy to keep it. Spencer sees this go down and his interest on the diamond is instantly piqued.
Back at Charlie’s bar, Victor has an ominous toast to Luke saying, “The good people of your fair city are in for a big surprise!”
At the Haunted Star, dressed in black with black veil, Jennifer Smith reveals herself to a shocked Laura.
So, what did you think of Luke’s memorial episode? Favorite parts of it? Least favorite? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out Helena’s videotaped speech and Tracy’s eulogy to Luke below.
General Hospital
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
General Hospital
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
THIS IS US: Milo Ventimiglia Delivers Heartbreaking Performance As Jack Grieves His Mother’s Death
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Lisa Brown to be Honored In Virtual Interview With ’42nd Street’ Co-Star Lee Roy Reams
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GH’s Kristina Wagner On Felicia’s Concern Over Maxie’s Emotional State
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
Remembering One Life to Live on the 10th Anniversary of its Final Episode on ABC
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Michael at a Crossroads; What Did You Think of Christian LeBlanc’s 30th Anniversary Episode?
‘Soapdish’ Series Adaptation in the Works for Paramount +; Whoopi Goldberg to Reprise Her Role
Y&R’s Christian LeBlanc and Michelle Stafford Talk On Their Enduring Friendship, Sharing Scenes & Preview Special Episode
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: A Shocked Brooke Exclaims: “Oh, My God! I Was Drinking Last Night!”
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General HospitalJanuary 19, 2022FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 24, 2022Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
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All My ChildrenJanuary 18, 2022TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
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General HospitalJanuary 21, 2022(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 19, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
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General HospitalJanuary 18, 2022ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 22, 2022All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
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NewsJanuary 24, 2022B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
I’m sorry it was good but NOT as good as Y&R Canes’ death.
It was good but Tristian Rogers kicked ass on Y&R
I think you should have added Vanessa from GH, she did a wonderful job while recanting to Dante about what happened to her baby. I also agree everyone involved in Y&R Cane death did a wonderful job acting. I also thought Maurice should have been added too.
AGREE. Michael, what do you have against Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo? She’s been knocking it out of the park since her Wire Scene in 1996. She justly deserved her Daytime Emmy nominations in 1997 and 1998, as well as her win in 2003. Her scene recanting what happened during her miscarriage was raw and powerful. Why you left her out of a mention of GH’s powerful cast is beyond me! Also, you gave Maurice Benard credit for their wedding scene, but not Vanessa! Brenda had few words in those scenes but she portrayed her strong, conflicting emotions beautifully in every scene,… Read more »
I agree with everything except for the Carly thing. She has yet to accept the fact that she is the one along with Sonny and Jason that put Michael in prison and that they are responsible for his rape. Dante did his duty and did right by telling the court that Michael killed Claudia and not Sonny. We have yet and probably never, see Carly, Sonny and Jason being held responsible for their actions during the trial. Sonny and Carly(twice) both prejuryed themselves. They could at any time ask Diane to set up a meeting with Claire to tell her… Read more »
No soap deserves it more than GH, Y&R included. The rape reveal done by Chad Duell is so Emmy-worthy. I am still affected, one week later, by the events of last week. It was that good.
Excellent analysis of a great week in soaps – probably the best we have seen on any show in a very long time. My only quibble is when you said Michael remembered about being raped. I dont think he ever forgot – not for a second – which is one of the ways that Chad Duell has been doing excellent work almost since the day he started. I think he could be considered for an Emmy for 2010 ( the confession was very good, as were many of the scenes in prison and after his release. I suspect however its… Read more »
GH blew me away with Michael’s sl very well done. And all the actors involved in the reveal had me in tears especially Michael, Abbey and Dante. Everything GH delivered this week was top notch.
GH moved me to tears. This reveal was pitch perfect and reinforced to me why GH, even with its faults, is my favorite soap opera. The actors have so much heart and should and they really bring their scenes to life and make me feel something. I only wish that the writing would always be as carefully crafted as this reveal was. But I did think the episodes for this week were all top notch. I’m always hoping for the best for this show because the actors give so much to those of us lucky to witness their brilliant work.