Fans are in for a treat today (Friday, May 22nd) when ABC’s General Hospital airs an encore presentation of one of the finest hours of soap opera in the history of the genre, with its 52nd anniversary episode from April 1, 2015.

In the episode, viewers finally learned what turned Luke (Tony Geary) into Fluke, which has been the on-going story for months; but it all lead up to the shocking reveal, when Luke revisited his past in his broken down childhood home and the demons that haunted him.

Photo: ABC

The episode goes from black and white to color, as Geary plays two roles: Luke and his abusive father, Tim, in one of the greatest performances of his career.

It is there we finally see Luke’s mother, Lena, played to perfection by Laura Wright (Carly).  And, it is in these scenes we meet for the first time Chloe Lanier as a young Patricia Spencer, who was so good, she was later cast as Nelle.  Playing the young Luke in another powerful performance was Joey Luthman,

Throughout the twists and turns, viewers learn that Luke not only killed his father, but accidentally killed his own mother who he loved.  It was a harrowing moment of deeply repressed memories.  The ending in the present time also features the Spencer family rallying around a distraught Luke in the hankie-inducing final scenes.

From the performances, to the script, to the direction, to the writing his one had it all.

So, will  you be watching today’s 52nd anniversary episode of GH?  Do you agree it was one of the finest episodes of the series? Comment below

The next theme weeks for CBS’ The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful have been announced. So look for catfights and runway drama among other soapy delights beginning on May 11th.

The Young and the Restless will offer up legendary grudges dating back to 1993 during “Rivals Week” while The Bold and the Beautiful will roll out the prêt-à-porter and paparazzi from as far back as 1997 with high fashion and hot drama from their “Fashion Week”.

What to watch for on Y&R:

On Monday, May 11, Jill’s (Jess Walton) search for the truth leads to an epic confrontation with Katherine (Jeanne Cooper); Sharon (Sharon Case) worries about Grace’s influence on Nick (Joshua Morrow); and Michael (Christian Le Blanc) causes trouble for Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott). The episode originally aired June 30, 1998.

On Tuesday, May 12, Victor’s (Braeden) foes are rocked by his shocking return to Genoa City. The episode originally aired Oct. 1, 1993

On Wednesday, May 13, Nikki (Thomas Scott) declares war against Sharon (Case) at the Newman Ranch, and Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) and Nick (Morrow) deal with a tragedy. The episode originally aired June 15, 2012.

On Thursday, May 14, Victor (Braeden) takes on Jack (Peter Bergman) and Brad (Don Diamont) to regain control of Newman Enterprises; Ashley (Eileen Davidson) is caught in the crossfire of the Newman and Abbott rivalry; and Christine (Lauralee Bell) and Paul (Doug Davidson) prepare for parenthood. The episode originally aired June 21, 1999.

On Friday, May 15, Lily (Christel Khalil) gives Hilary (Mishael Morgan) a rude awakening; Sharon (Case) struggles with Mariah’s (Camryn Grimes) presence in Genoa City; and Nikki (Thomas Scott) and Paul (Davidson) are reminded of their past with Ian Ward (Ray Wise). The episode originally aired May 22, 2014.

What to watch for on B&B:

On Monday, May 11, in the magical setting of Villa d’Este on Lake Como, Eric (original cast member John McCook) and Stephanie (Susan Flannery) worry that the delayed Forrester Spring Collection may be their last, and Brooke (original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang) attempts to calm a distraught Ridge (then played by Ronn Moss). Also, Sally (Darlene Conley) and Lauren (Tracey Bregman) cause a scene in order to crash the runway show, hoping to witness the demise of their rivals. The episode originally aired Oct. 29, 1997.

On Tuesday, May 12, as Aspen Fashion Week gets underway, Hope (then played by Kim Matula) says goodbye to Liam (Scott Clifton) as paparazzi swarm her with questions and call her a fraud. Unaware that his father’s plan to attack Hope is in progress, Liam and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) talk about the memories they shared together in the beautiful mountainside town. The episode originally aired April 27, 2012.

Then on Wednesday, May 13, as Quinn (Rena Sofer) attempts to take the lead in final preparations for her fashion show, not everyone at Forrester Creations is on board. Wyatt (Darin Brooks) and Ivy (Ashleigh Brewer) encourage Quinn to move forward with her original plan for the show-stopper in spite of ruffling the feathers of Eric’s (original cast member John McCook) family. When Katie (Heather Tom) pays another visit to Eric’s home to thank him for his favor, he invites her to stay and watch the fashion show with him. As a sign of protest against Quinn, Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) decides to sabotage her presentation. The episode originally aired Nov. 11, 2016.

On Thursday, May 14, before walking down the aisle to become Mrs. Liam Spencer, Steffy (Wood) participates in a Forrester Creations photo shoot with her cousin Ivy (Brewer) in front of Australia’s magnificent Sydney Opera House. In spite of how difficult it will be to see Brooke (original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang) with Ridge (Kaye) at the ceremony, Bill (Don Diamont) assists his son Liam (Clifton) with some last-minute wedding preparations. The episode originally aired March 21, 2017.

Rounding out the week on Friday, May 15, stolen designs are in play as the Spectra fashion show is about to begin. Sally (Courtney Hope) feels pangs of guilt for betraying both Coco (Courtney Grosbeck) and Thomas (Pierson Fodé), while CJ (Mick Cain) arrives and reminds Sally about their deal regarding the sale of the building – if the show doesn’t go well, he will be forced to sell. Bill (Diamont) is less than pleased with the idea when Wyatt (Brooks) plays devil’s advocate, stating that the Spectra show could be a success. The episode originally aired April 14, 2017.

So, what do you think about these upcoming video vault episodes from Y&R and B&B airing during the production shutdown of both shows due to COVID-19? Comment below

This week on General Hospital, things take a turn for Nikolas Cassadine (Marcus Coloma) when his son Spencer (Nicolas Bechtel), finally communicates with him and it could force the dark prince to make a decision as to just what his relationship truly is about with Ava Jerome (Maura West).

According to a preview in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstand now, Spencer wants Nikolas to divorce Ava, in order to allow his dad to come back into his life.

Photo: JPI

But according to Coloma, it’s not so easy when Nik tells Ava about Spencer’s request. “They get into a fight that is very contentious,” Marcus shares.  Then he adds, “It’s so complicated between them. I don’t know if she actually has love for Nikolas, or if she’s just genuinely after his money and the house.   And it’s the same with Nikolas.  I think it’s kind of about the money for him, but there’s also a deeper connection between Ava and Nikolas.”

So, in this game of cat and mouse between Nikolas and Ava, it appears to be winner take all for that Cassadine fortune, no matter what the cost.  But in the process, what will happen to Spencer and Nikolas’ relationship?

Through their greed, will Ava and Nikolas be drawn romantically to each other and this becomes more of a love-match that neither of them saw coming no matter how much they protest?

Share your thoughts below. What do you think should happen in the relationship between Nikolas and Ava?