General Hospital Watching General Hospital

[Daniel Avery]

It sounds superficial, but I think Natalia is fine with gay people....as long as they're not her daughter. It's similar to that old chestnut "I'm okay with gay people...as long as they're not being gay right in front of me". This is playing like a script from 2001 so far, but then this is the same show that talks about Blaze "releasing albums" and has characters still publishing successful monthly magazines.

Where the H-E-L-L is Monica ??

Unfortunately we are at the mercy of Leslie Charleson's mobility issues. She tripped over her dog about two years ago and hurt herself. She has not fully recovered. To insert Monica into the show when possible they have had her on the other end of phone calls, and she appeared in a few episodes in November and December. In both cases she was seated for the appearances; they made the best of it and of course it was great to have her in ANY capacity. I think the limited appearances are sufficient for her to keep her medical insurance and benefits, so at least there's that. I'd love to have her around to spar with Tracy again, but alas I don't think LC is up to it.

I have this whole plotline in my head that would require Monica's involvement so it'll just have to sit on the back burner. Monica's absences from holidays, family events, etc. the past two years have been explained away as Monica being "away at a medical conference" or "away on hospital business". In fact, she has been away for a different reason: she's been attending to the needs of her son Jason, who is recovering from that building collapse where he was assumed dead. Just as Monica managed to smuggle "dead" AJ out of the hospital in 2003 (a retcon) to Dr. Obrecht's European clinic to be worked on and cured of his injuries by the mid-2010s when he returned, Monica similarly enlisted Dr. Obrecht to help Jason recover. This would also explain why Liesl Obrecht has been in and out of town for over a year, since she's back to practicing medicine in her old "clinic for the not quite dead". So now Jason's back in one piece and ready to return to town, and she will beg him to give up that whole life with Sonny and the mob, but with someone out to kill Sonny, he might not be able to ignore the threat. But the real fun is how Monica and Dr. Obrecht are now acting like "pals" and have let bygones be bygones, causing Tracy to become strangely jealous of Dr. O.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

What interests me most about the story about Sonny and Jason is whether Julian returns and whether it's a recast, otherwise I'll be surprised because it seems to me as if with every new episode there's a new plan of what should happen.

The story about Blaze's homosexuality is different than expected, especially since I don't understand the meaning. It is claimed that the mother has many gay friends and colleagues, but if she is a strict Catholic that doesn't work because she condones sin, which is also a sin. It seems to me as if GH wants to tell a socially critical story without really getting into it.

I think a return of Julian Jerome is a great idea. No word from William DeVry, that I have heard.
I think WDV would be happy to return to the role, and to be written as a more capable adversary

 

[Daniel Avery]

There was a lot of 'bad blood' between William DeVry and the folks in charge at GH near the end of his run on the show. Conventional wisdom (if you can call it that) was that DeVry became upset at how they made Julian into the whipping boy for Sonny, always humiliating Julian to make Sonny look good. The writing soon became even more "uncomplimentary" toward Julian and it felt as if the writers were taking out their personal dislike of DeVry out on him by destroying the character on DeVry's way out. They'd done the same thing to Sean Kanan's AJ years earlier, so it wasn't out of left field. You are correct that Julian was intended to be a worthy adversary for Sonny as well as co-conspirator with Ava, but they obviously don't want a "real" adversary for Sonny--just someone for him to chew on. Ava also lost a lot of her "teeth" over the decade she's been around, but losing those teeth is what has kept her around and a viable character in general.

 

[Emelee]

Read today that the new head writers (Patrick Mulcahey & Elizabeth Korte) scratched the previous writers' plan for Jason's return storyline, and wrote something completely different.

The new writers' stuff just started airing, so it's likely they made the decision to have Carly suddenly quit the Crimson job.

Will be interesting to see what other storyline changes will come.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Yes, I advised a lot of people not to pay any attention to plot points for the last few weeks for that very reason: the new head writers might very easily walk in and rewrite/redirect those very points, so there's no reason to get very upset about anything.

Chatter online is saying that when the network saw what Dan and Chris had written and projected for Jason's return, they hated it and opted to fire them rather than have them revise or re-approach the plotline. This tells me it wasn't the first difference of opinion on how the stories were going. In cases such as these in the past, I've seen networks ask other writers for submissions and then hire the writer(s) whose ideas they like the most. I guess Patrick Mulcahey's ideas "won," and Liz Korte was made a co-HW simply because she can provide continuity as a current writer.

I watched today's episode where we saw Jason back for the first time. He looks as stoic and robotic as ever, but I'm sure part of that is the writers keeping the mystery to themselves as long as possible. Dante managed to get two "blasts from the past" in one episode, though.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

The writing does seem to be improving.
Seeing the exchanges between Sonny, Ava, Anna and Jagger...John.
Tracy and Brrok Lyn - a genuine positive relationship.
Alley Mills is doing a great job as Heather

 

[Emelee]

Loved how Jason's first episode went down. He's not a brainwashed Sonny hater as many speculated. Maybe that was the original plan?? It was the real Jason, saving Sonny & Dante... even though Dante looks seriously injured.

Loved the new direction in the BLQ/Tracy story, where BLQ trashed her plot to take Deception from Tracy, and instead played with open cards. And suggested Tracy tell Gregory how she feels.

Will Heather escape and kidnap Ace, now that both are at the hospital? Or maybe Cyrus stops her and becomes the hero?

 

[Daniel Avery]

Will Heather escape and kidnap Ace, now that both are at the hospital? Or maybe Cyrus stops her and becomes the hero?

This situation opened all sorts of plot ideas in my mind all at once. I thought Cyrus might plant the kidnapping/escape idea in Heather's head, then thwart her effort to make himself into the hero. But then I also thought he might help her for real (and she would succeed) but no one else would know--allowing the viewers to see that his "reformation" is all a lie. And what if the new writers decide to cut their losses by having Ace actually die from pneumonia or whatever he has? With no Esme, no Spencer, and no Nikolas, Ace no longer generates story like he used to. Laura and Kevn ought not be tied down with an infant at their age.

I hope Dante was wearing a bulletproof vest. He'd feel like he was hit with a sledgehammer, but at least he won't bleed to death.

 

[Emelee]

This situation opened all sorts of plot ideas in my mind all at once. I thought Cyrus might plant the kidnapping/escape idea in Heather's head, then thwart her effort to make himself into the hero. But then I also thought he might help her for real (and she would succeed) but no one else would know--allowing the viewers to see that his "reformation" is all a lie. And what if the new writers decide to cut their losses by having Ace actually die from pneumonia or whatever he has? With no Esme, no Spencer, and no Nikolas, Ace no longer generates story like he used to. Laura and Kevn ought not be tied down with an infant at their age.

I hope Dante was wearing a bulletproof vest. He'd feel like he was hit with a sledgehammer, but at least he won't bleed to death.

Ace will probably bring on stories again when Spencer returns and Nikolas gets out of jail. Until then, he can be off-screen mostly.

I think the reason Dante was shot is because he's the only one who saw Jason alive. If Dante is in a coma for a while, no one else will learn that Jason is alive. For now. He can continue to lurk around.

 

[Monzo]

I like that Jason was brought back without any major experiment (amnesia, brainwashing or new character). The story between Tracy and Brook Lynn also goes in a nice direction thanks to Brook Lynn's openness. I'm unsure about Laura's relationship with Cyrus. Should she even give him a chance? While it seems like Laura just wants to let Cyrus get closer to her so she can better assess him, she also seems gullible towards him at the same time.

I was hoping the new writers would improve the handling of John/Jagger, but I think it's even worse than before. I remember when Taggert came back with the original actor and yet the feud with Sonny was barely mentioned, as was Taggert's sister. With nuJagger, on the other hand, the past is constantly mentioned instead of simply moving forward in the writing. How great GH could have been if first Antonio Sabàto Jr and then Steve Burton had returned within a few weeks!

 

[Daniel Avery]

So not only did they dredge up Sonny's treatment of Karen back in the day, but they dusted off the old clip to flash back when Sonny "He loves his kids so much" Corinthos shot Dante point-blank in the chest. I can honestly say I don't think the previous writing staff* would have dared to allow such heresy to be spoken about Saint Sonny---and certainly not twice in one week!---so I am mystified as to who allowed this to occur. I mean, we still have Laura and Anna carrying his water as if they were Honorary Baby-Mamas but it's not since the Ron Carlivati days that I've seen the show spit some ugly truths about The Dimpled Don that way. I'm intrigued as to where this is going, because these are the sorts of things they've studiously avoided saying out loud for so long.

* The new Head Writing Team was supposed to start working last week, but a certain amount of the previous writers' work was already completed/filmed, so it's all very questionable as to who is responsible for what. Many people assumed that since the new writers started last week, there would be some big change onscreen....but of course the stuff we are watching was taped almost a month ago. Union regulations forbid the producers from doing any major "surgery" on the previous writers' completed scripts, also (or so I've heard). When the union writers returned from the strike, it felt like they had taken a hatchet to the scab writers' scripts due to the quick changes of tone and the rapid ending of stories...but they could do that because the scab writers did not have union protections.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Though you could see it coming from a mile away, I'm surprised at how quickly they scuttled Drew/Carly. Five minutes ago the show was insisting they were The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

Even more surprising was how neither one found a way to blame it all on Nina.

 

[xab]

Anybody kind enough to let Mama Monica know that Jason is back from the dead zone (again) ? She might be used to this old habit of his, I think she would be grateful to be informed.

I know Leslie Charleson was injured, but the lady being nowhere to be seen while drama is happening doesn't make sense.

 

[Daniel Avery]

I know it is an unpopular idea, but I'd be receptive to a recast of Monica if they took time to find the right person. Obviously I'd rather have the genuine article (Leslie Charleson cracks me up with her Damn you people annoy the hell out of me snark, especially toward Tracy) but I think we've gone past the point where Monica's absence can be excused away. It would be wonderful to see Leslie and Steve play another of their "Oh, you're alive after all!" scenes (probably the last time we'll get to see it done), but I don't think she's up to it. And yet if such a scene were to be played with Steve and a recast, it would not have the same impact. If they were to recast the character, they could skip the high-end emotion around Jason's return* but they would also have her playing a role in hospital business and hopefully providing an extra voice of reason with all the Quartermaines in the house that Alan gave to her.

Back when they wrote that (now pointless) plotline where Carly went to Jacksonville, they had her interact with a snobbish woman played by former Happy Days actress Linda Purl. I thought at the time (and still think) she would be a good candidate for a Monica recast, since she was dressed/styled very much like LC and the resemblance was striking (though Purl looked about fifteen years younger than LC). Maybe her sudden youthfulness could be a source of snark from Tracy, who could frequently imply that Monica went off to have a facelift.

* The show itself seems not to be dwelling too much on the "OMG he's alive!" dialogue, which is actually something of a relief since coming back from the "dead" is as common as a trip to the market for these people. They're more focused on "What's he been up to for 2 yrs?" instead.

 

[Monzo]

I liked that Bobbie's death was directly mentioned by Carly to Jason, but does he actually know about Britt's death? A scene between Jason and Liesl in the next few weeks would be nice, but I'm not sure if we'll even see Liesl in the next few weeks (or months).

 

[Daniel Avery]

Jason did not know Michael and Willow had Amelia, either. I'm assuming he doesn't know that Epiphany died---they were very close. I wonder how he will react to hearing that Heather Webber killed Britt while trying to kill Josslyn.

I fear that Kathleen Gati is another "cost casualty" of Steve Burtons's return, so no---we probably won't get a Dr. O sighting.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Alexis getting her license back? Probably just a matter of time.
Nina is so unprofessional. Overly interfering with the Editor.
Alexis can't mention Sonny in a legitimate news story, but his lawyer (Sonny by Association) is OK?
Nina's purpose for telling Joss about Dex?
Should Jagger...John even be on the case given his history with Sonny?
Gregory Harrison is such a good actor. It is a shame that he appears to be on the verge of leaving.
Is this Marshall backstory really necessary?
Hasn't that been discussed enough?
I like the edgier Drew. Cameron Mathison deserves better material,
and given recent events, it seems appropriate.
Heather will have the operation and be ...sane?
Sounds like Franco and the brain tumor.
Liz and Finn are boring.
Liz should have been held accountable for Esme's situation.
Brook Lyn and Chase are good together.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Alexis getting her license back? Probably just a matter of time.
Nina is so unprofessional. Overly interfering with the Editor.
Alexis can't mention Sonny in a legitimate news story, but his lawyer (Sonny by Association) is OK?

They should have re-instated her a long time ago; in fact, they should have just written the original plot as her not being allowed to practice for X amount of years and have that time limit arrive. With Michael Knight/Martin basically gone, they need another lawyer in town. Not everyone can afford (or tolerate) Diane. I'm pretty sure the gossip piece that made Diane so angry was Nina retaliating for Diane being rude to her a few weeks ago, along with legitimate strategic moves as the SoNa divorce starts moving through the legal system. Valentin encouraged Nina to drag her feet (since she doesn't want the divorce) so this story in the gossip column muddies the water.
With Alexis wanting out, Gregory resigning, and virtually no one else in town caring about The Invader, I think the new writers are going to phase it out of the stories. Moving Nina into the Publisher role was one of the final acts of the old regime so the whole plot might have been tossed out, from the look of things.

Gregory Harrison is such a good actor. It is a shame that he appears to be on the verge of leaving.

I think it will be a mis-diagnosis. I can just imagine the new writers desperately searching for a (curable) disease that mimics ALS symptoms. They likely had no idea how he and Jane Elliot would sparkle onscreen when they decided to give him ALS, and now they have to undo the mistake!

 

[Emelee]

With Michael Knight/Martin basically gone, they need another lawyer in town.

He's on a break and will be back.

And John J York (Mac) is also on his way back after his successful transplant.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Alexis getting her license back
Her first case
Defending a "new" Heather after the operation?
Better yet, going up against Nina for... any number of reasons, pick one.
Not a fan of NLG and her pompous arrogant politics, but I would like to see Alexis
practice again, especially against Nina.
Will Dante be recast? Domenic Z is leaving, supposedly
If Lulu wakes up, please let it be another actress.
Sonny and Eva LaRue's character? I say let's see it!