General Hospital Watching General Hospital

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Lucy is...Lucy, but seriously, she thinks that Sidwell is a good guy who is unaware of Ava's stuff?

 

[Emelee]

Maxie's back!
The hospital in Boston really thinks she just had a heart attack? Did they not check her blood for toxins?

I am so much looking forward to the first episode with Maxie and Nathan.

If Nathan is really Nathan, why isn't he more concerned for Maxie's health?

If Nathan is Nathan but is no longer in love with Maxie, then he can't have been in a coma for 7 years. He must have been awake and slowly come to terms with a new reality without Maxie.

But still, no thanks to Lulu/Nathan.

 

[Daniel Avery]

The hospital in Boston really thinks she just had a heart attack? Did they not check her blood for toxins?

When Lucas recommended that facility to the Scorpios, he said it was a long-term care facility for coma patients. They likely aren't a hospital, per se---not tasked with discovering why she ended up comatose but simply trying to keep her healthy and (hopefully) aid in her recovering. I'm going to hand-wave Maxie's ability to walk/move so easily as part of her "care" (physical therapy to keep her muscles strong, etc.) though I doubt they will work that in (given how Lulu did a similar recovery). But back to Maxie's situation. The GH docs (Lucas, Isaiah I think) made a vague reference to a "strange enzyme" in a blood sample they took at the time of her heart attack, so it will be up to the GH folks to follow up on that, especially if Maxie remembers some sort of strange feeling/sensation from putting that tainted face cream on her face. But even then, I can't imagine them tracing it back to Sidwell using the bare minimum of clues available right now. The writers could obviously add in some "new findings" anytime they want.

I'm so happy she's back. I know Maxie isn't front-burner and can come across as flaky sometimes (ahem...) but it's getting harder and harder to find characters you want to root for. I left about ten minutes early from work today and was secretly hoping someone would ask me why just so I could say something like:

"I have to get home. Maxie woke up from her coma! She doesn't know her late husband came back from the dead a few months ago. Or at least maybe it's him. I mean, it might be an evil lookalike, but hopefully Maxie will know the difference. Or maybe not...you know how these things can happen. Anyway, see ya later!"

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

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It looks like Josh Wickard may be leaving
The writing has really ruined the character

 

[Daniel Avery]

Chase has about 75% ruined his career (demoted, no longer trusted by most of his colleagues) and is quickly alienating everyone in his wife's family. Since he has no family of his own in town, Chase's prospects are pretty dim if he and BLQ break up. Chase's effort at proving Willow innocent is no longer viewed as a "noble crusade" now that the viewers know she actually did it--he just looks really stupid blowing up his career and likely his marriage. The longer he is made to look foolish, the easier it would be to write him out by blaming "poor viewer feedback".

To be fair, they seem to be writing his situation to allow it to play out in several ways. If Wiley tells everyone he saw Chase tampering with Michael's keychain, Nathan might decide to investigate a new angle: that Chase shot Drew and is trying to frame Michael. The same show that allowed a guilty woman to go free might just allow an innocent man to go to jail if they wanted a shocking twist. He could just leave town when BLQ dumps him, maybe join Finn and Violet in Seattle to start over. On the other hand, Chase could discover Willow's guilt and be conflicted: keep her secret or expose her? That could go any number of ways, including her killing him to shut him up.

I've also read rumors that Kate Mansi (Kristina) might be leaving, which would not surprise me since they haven't given her much to do in recent months, and the actress has to be pretty expensive to keep around. And though his story has picked up recently I've been expecting Adrian Anchondo (Marco) not to survive this whole "Faison's final project" storyline.

 

[Monzo]

I've also read rumors that Kate Mansi (Kristina) might be leaving, which would not surprise me since they haven't given her much to do in recent months, and the actress has to be pretty expensive to keep around. And though his story has picked up recently I've been expecting Adrian Anchondo (Marco) not to survive this whole "Faison's final project" storyline.

I wouldn't mind if Kristina left the show. She's been through a lot and hasn't learned anything from it, so as far as I'm concerned, she could reconcile with Blaze when she comes to Marco's funeral and go on a world tour with her. Marco should enjoy his remaining time. It's astonishing that the writers just like that abandoned the idea of Lucas and Marco becoming a supercouple and turned them into a boring pair. I think Adrian Anchondo actually has exactly the kind of camp as an actor that would suit Days of our Lives; maybe he'll get another daytime opportunity there someday.

I'm curious to see what happens to Jacinda. Does she just have a short-term purpose on the show, or has she convinced the producers so much that she'll stay permanently and perhaps become a kind of new Sasha?

What's the point of Suzanne, anyway? Is she a cheaper alternative to Diane as a talk-to for Alexis, or are there plans for her?

 

[Daniel Avery]

Marco should enjoy his remaining time. It's astonishing that the writers just like that abandoned the idea of Lucas and Marco becoming a supercouple and turned them into a boring pair. I think Adrian Anchondo actually has exactly the kind of camp as an actor that would suit Days of our Lives; maybe he'll get another daytime opportunity there someday.

It's only my guess, but I think someone (either the producers or maybe AA himself) saw him struggling with the pace and the amount of material when he arrived and it was decided to cut their losses by reducing his airtime and writing him out earlier than they had planned. He was on a lot at first, but around the time Marco was kidnapped, they retconned his knowledge/involvement in Sidwell's work and he spent weeks offscreen at a time.

It was unintentionally telling when the show commissioned their twice-yearly cast photos several months ago, where virtually all the new cast additions were photographed (even short-term re-hire Ryan Paevey) and Anchondo was notably absent. That leads me to believe he's already aware that "Marco" won't be sticking around long-term.

Curiously, AA posted a bunch of vacation photos online featuring him with his new boyfriend, who apparently is an actor on Days. Those kinds of things are typically done by actors trying to publicize themselves and drum up positive fan feedback. It made me wonder if he's trying to go the PR route to save his job at GH....but from what you just said, perhaps he's trying to market himself to the casting agents at Days, where he could work with his new boyfriend. I have no opinion one way or the other about his acting--I typically don't notice the acting onscreen unless it's exceptionally good or exceptionally bad---but it is easy to spot when someone is being written into a corner.

What's the point of Suzanne, anyway? Is she a cheaper alternative to Diane as a talk-to for Alexis, or are there plans for her?

Suzanne, to me, is a throwback to the old days on soaps where there were lots of 'talk-to' characters who served no real purpose other than to draw out the inner thoughts of the main characters. Every rich woman seemed to have a maid/housekeeper who was her closest confidante (Kay and Esther on Y&R; Iris and Vivien on AW; Tracy and Alice on GH, etc.). Every soap hospital had a gossipy nurse with no social life. Every rich businessman had the busybody secretary who carried a torch for the boss. All these characters did was provide additional "color" to the show, making it feel more like a real town/place. Unfortunately these tertiary characters were the first to disappear as budgets were cut. The rich characters' maids, butlers, nannies, etc. mostly moved "into the next room" and characters had to cope without a secretary or bodyguard. It's likely that the show opted to create Suzanne as a sort of "repository" for scenes and dialogue that were originally written for Diane prior to Carolyn Hennessy's broken leg saga, but obviously they've expanded her and given her a point of view. I don't think the show will do much more with her but it's nice to have someone on hand who exists outside the main circle of characters who can point out foolishness when she sees it.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

The tribute episode to Luke was OK, but it centered on Lulu grieving, and I just can't like the character anymore.
In a recent episode, Brook Lyn was right to call her out
on how Lulu treated her, and then Lulu goes into the self-important, know better than everyone mode.
Chase deserves so much better
AH is a good actress, but it just isn't working

 

[Daniel Avery]

As an old-school Nathan/Maxie fan I've been watching all this recent stuff involving them and Lulu, Spinelli, the kids, etc. and it's hard to believe this is all going according to a (writing) plan. It's all so sloppy; disorganized (as in poorly paced/planned) and so many storyline beats are being ignored. Nathan is acting weird, of course, but I don't recall Drama Queen Maxie ever being the type to make such a huge life decision so quickly and with so little deliberation. Their cemetery reunion fell flat and they both acted like they couldn't wait to be somewhere else.

I can't help but think that perhaps Kirsten Storms and Ryan Paevey don't really get along and that the show has done everything they can to have both actors around (to please fans) but also doing all they can to have their characters not interact any more than absolutely necessary. When RP was giving those interviews surrounding his return he spoke of coming back because Frank V waved a "great story" under his nose, but this can't be it. Maybe the reason he agreed to come back was because KS was going on leave and he thought maybe she would not come back at all? He didn't mention KS (as in looking forward to working with her again) in any of those interviews, either. If KS is going to commute to TN then Maxie might be seen much less, and until RP's short-term contract ends Nathan might just be interacting with everyone but Maxie....and I wonder if this is just how the two actors wanted it.

I'm reminded of how Steve Burton and Kelly Monaco didn't get along and how the show had to push Jason and Sam out of one another's stories while still attempting to placate the JaSam fan base. If there is a similar rift between RP and KS, it would explain a lot of the strange progression of this story.

 

[xab]

The tribute episode to Luke was OK, but it centered on Lulu grieving, and I just can't like the character anymore.
In a recent episode, Brook Lyn was right to call her out
on how Lulu treated her, and then Lulu goes into the self-important, know better than everyone mode.
Chase deserves so much better
AH is a good actress, but it just isn't working

The tribute to Tony Geary was nice. Maurice Benard, Genie Francis, and Jane Elliot were touching—you could feel genuine emotion. They shared a lifetime with Tony Geary, on and off screen. Obviously, the actors' real emotions fed those of the characters. It was hardly acting. Reality and fiction became one.
But Alexa Havins never worked with Tony Geary—she's a recast. Even though she's a good actress, I couldn't care less about her tears. Making her the center of the episode felt forced.

 

[Daniel Avery]

I felt that it had to be Lulu that opened up the topic of grieving Luke, since she's the only character that never grieved onscreen. They were so intent on reintroducing the character that they never really allowed Lulu to deal with both Luke and Bobbie's deaths. That said, if this had been a real-life situation, she would have also talked about missing Bobbie, who was barely mentioned in the episode. If not for Bobbie, there never would have BEEN a Luke Spencer, since he was introduced as "Bobbie's shady brother" who was supposed to be killed off after 13 weeks.

I thought Havins did fine with the material given to her, and I appreciated the show keeping the participants to a minimum. Keeping the mourners list short allowed their individual remembrances to have more impact and to keep the attention on Geary/Luke.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I felt that it had to be Lulu that opened up the topic of grieving Luke, since she's the only character that never grieved onscreen. They were so intent on reintroducing the character that they never really allowed Lulu to deal with both Luke and Bobbie's deaths. That said, if this had been a real-life situation, she would have also talked about missing Bobbie, who was barely mentioned in the episode. If not for Bobbie, there never would have BEEN a Luke Spencer, since he was introduced as "Bobbie's shady brother" who was supposed to be killed off after 13 weeks.

I thought Havins did fine with the material given to her, and I appreciated the show keeping the participants to a minimum. Keeping the mourners list short allowed their individual remembrances to have more impact and to keep the attention on Geary/Luke.

I wondered about Bobby, too.

 

[Monzo]

How come there was no discussion about the confirmed paternity of Portia's baby? Perhaps because it doesn't matter who the father is? In that quadrangle, Isaiah is the weakest link anyway, because he's boring; even Brick would be a more interesting partner for Porita than Isaiah.

The idea of Elizabeth and Dante as a couple doesn't particularly appeal to me. It would probably be the same kind of adult reasonable relationship Dante had with Sam. I'd rather see Elizabeth with Rick; that seems more fitting to me, because I see sparks there. As for Dante's lovelife, it's difficult because I don't see anyone who's ideal for him right now, maybe Nina someday. Anything could work with some effort by the writers like right now happening with Carly and Valentin.

What I'm not thrilled about is the whole Cullum plot. It feels like the easiest way out that the head of the WSB is working with Sidwell. The fact that someone we don't know is responsible for Michael's burns isn't exactly exciting, but then again, I wouldn't have wanted Faison (or Peter) back either.

 

[Daniel Avery]

How come there was no discussion about the confirmed paternity of Portia's baby? Perhaps because it doesn't matter who the father is? In that quadrangle, Isaiah is the weakest link anyway, because he's boring; even Brick would be a more interesting partner for Porita than Isaiah.

Isn't it peculiar how they've watered down the character of Isaiah? When we met him (in the Lucky/Sidwell/Holly plot in Africa) he was charismatic and adventurous, risking his life daily in a war zone. Just the sort of character that would work well with Jordan, the ex-DEA agent, police commissioner and then-Vice Mayor. Now he just holds Portia's purse (metaphorically) and acts like a well-behaved lap dog, a far cry from his "ladies man" behavior when he arrived in PC. Isaiah has not once remarked about (let alone reacted to) Sidwell seemingly following him from Africa to PC and worming his way into the power structure. I also think they gave him the last name "Gannon," the name of a prominent AA family on One Life to Live, with the intention of tying him to characters in that soap but it has yet to be explored.

What I'm not thrilled about is the whole Cullum plot. It feels like the easiest way out that the head of the WSB is working with Sidwell. The fact that someone we don't know is responsible for Michael's burns isn't exactly exciting, but then again, I wouldn't have wanted Faison (or Peter) back either.

It's an old soap tradition to "reform" a villain or otherwise neutralize him/her by bringing in a bigger, badder villain to turn the villain into a victim. A good actor can use the opportunity to curry some sympathy from the audience and the show can (if done well) keep the villain on the show because he/she has been "humbled" sufficiently. I first saw this technique in action on Dark Shadows, when evil vampire Barnabas was turned into a sympathetic character when Angelique (the witch who cursed him) showed up and made him miserable in a thousand ways. She was seen as so much worse/evil than Barnabas---until Nicholas Blair, the demon who could destroy Angelique, showed up and victimized HER until she also began looking sympathetic in her own way.

There was an extended period of time when it looked like Jack Brennan was on his way out (likely in a pine box). He had "seduced" Josslyn into the WSB and was responsible for the infamous "Pikeman Industries" that no one really understood. But just as Carly and Valentin joined forces to destroy Brennan, Cullum shows up like Nicholas Blair, the "evillest of the evils" who can burn it all down and have everyone killed off when he wishes. So Brennan might just end up like Angelique, the "bad guy but a victim too" in the story and stick around despite all he's done.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

The idea of Elizabeth and Dante as a couple doesn't particularly appeal to me. It would probably be the same kind of adult reasonable relationship Dante had with Sam. I'd rather see Elizabeth with Rick; that seems more fitting to me, because I see sparks there. As for Dante's lovelife, it's difficult because I don't see anyone who's ideal for him right now, maybe Nina someday.

Dante/Liz - No real chemistry IMHO. Ric/Liz is much better

Dante/Nina - too creepy. Maybe recast Valerie Spenser?

 

[Emelee]

What I'm not thrilled about is the whole Cullum plot. It feels like the easiest way out that the head of the WSB is working with Sidwell.

Cullum is not the head of WSB. It was first stated that he was the head of WSB. Audience was like "what? Wasn't Brennan secretly the head of WSB?!"

But it was later clarified. Cullum is "only" the head of the European branch of WSB.

Isaiah has not once remarked about (let alone reacted to) Sidwell seemingly following him from Africa to PC and worming his way into the power structure.

I still wait for a scene with Isaiah and Sidwell. Why has he not talked to anyone about Sidwell and what he suffered through? At least Laura. Lucky's mom knows. Why not talk to her? Why not discuss it with Dante?

Considering the boring status of the Jordan/Curtis/baby/Portia/Isaiah story, I wasn't surprised at all when Jordan realized she might be pregnant. At least now there is an expected baby switch storyline on the horizon.

 

[Emelee]

What annoys me most right now is that GH is ruining my favorite couples.

BLQ and Chase have been through the gutter with his obsession with Willow and Michael. But MAYBE they can be saved with this new baby. If Delilah's family can't be found and no father is found, the baby needs new parents. And naturally, BLQ and Chase are there, ready to step in. And they will name the baby Lila, right?

However, GH made sure everyone saw Delilah's tattoo. Some guess the Dawn-cult, but the tattoo didn't match. I think someone will recognize it. My best guess right now is that it's Nathan's baby. He can't remember the missing 7 years. But I'm sure he wasn't just in a 7 year coma. I'm thinking he and Delilah had sex before he crashed the car.


Then there is the destruction of Maxie and Nathan. Neither one of them seems to care about the other one. What a horrible way to ruin such a popular couple!


I also really want Carly & Sonny to reunite. Maurice has said he wants to retire from acting at some point and be an acting teacher instead. Carly and Sonny are totally end-game. But GH tore them apart with that Nixon Falls storyline. They didn't choose to break up, they were manipulated apart.


Next, there is Britt and Jason. Just recently reunited and given there chance. But then comes the news that Steve Burton is taking an extended break from GH.

And then Curtis and Portia. Another couple I wanted to see survive the storm they were put through. But no. Suddenly he hasn't gotten over Jordan.

At least there is Gio and Emma going strong.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Considering the boring status of the Jordan/Curtis/baby/Portia/Isaiah story, I wasn't surprised at all when Jordan realized she might be pregnant. At least now there is an expected baby switch storyline on the horizon.

Portia is approaching or has crossed into her second trimester. Unless Jordan has been pregnant a LONG time already, I don't think the babies will arrive close enough for a baby switch. But hey, if they go that route, I could see Portia being the baby-switcher if her baby were to die like with the Jonah/Wiley switch with Nelle. None of the other three really have the acting chops to pull it off. One of the babies will likely not make it, that I'm pretty sure of.

And naturally, BLQ and Chase are there, ready to step in. And they will name the baby Lila, right?

Hitting us over the head with that one, aren't they? Giving the girl a name like Delilah reminds the viewer of the Dawn of Day cult, the home of "unconventional" names like Shiloh, Harmony, Willow....but it also allows them to use Lila's name (again---there's already Skye's daughter Lila Rae Alcazar).

What a horrible way to ruin such a popular couple!

I keep telling myself (mantra-style) that they are keeping Maxie and Nathan from reuniting because they're planning something shocking and potentially horrible for Nathan. Keeping Maxie from re-developing her feelings for him will ultimately keep her from having her heart broken again when he leaves.

I feel like this entire Nathan/Maxie/Spinelli/Lulu "thing" is a fiasco mainly because of the actors' scheduling. Everything got tossed around by KS's leave of absence and brain surgery. Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) is recurring and isn't available a lot of the time. RP signed a short-term contract but was left in limbo when KS wasn't able to return in November as planned, leading them to write the Lulu dalliance to give both of them something to do. The show saves a lot of money by allowing so many actors to have recurring status rather than signing them to traditional contracts, but it makes the writers' jobs so much harder because their stories hinge on whether the producers can get the actors to show up to act out the material.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Since the show seems intent on placing Sidwell in all the plots (much like they were placing Drew in all the plots until he got stiffed by his wife), I have this idea that would place him in the middle of this "mystery mama" Delilah and her baby dropping into BLQ and Chase's lives. It occurred to me that this pregnant woman dropping off her baby before dropping dead was a bit too convenient for the couple looking to adopt. The Chases will likely agree to care for the baby, use their Quartermaine influence to ultimately adopt, and all will seem blissful. No baby-daddy or family will be found, so the Chases think baby Lila is theirs to keep.
Meanwhile, Tracy and Maxie are exerting their authority at Deception, trying to have an internal audit of the shipments that Sidwell has been bringing in under their name. Sidwell then lays his cards on the table with Tracy: the baby Brooklyn and Chase are falling in love with and planning to adopt? He set that whole scenario up, and the baby can very easily be taken back to the girl's family (who have no idea their cult-involved daughter was pregnant and has died) and away from BLQ unless Tracy agrees to drop the Deception audit and convince Maxie to stand down, as well. Sidwell would know that Tracy's soft spot is her granddaughter and since Tracy owns a plurality of the Deception stock, she could pull rank on Maxie.

In an ideal world Maxie would have gotten herself out of that disastrous company long ago and found something more suitable. She ought to be Nina's second-in-command at Crimson or maybe work for Curtis at the corporate level at Aurora. Deception has been a basket case for years and Maxie has been the only adult in the room most of the time. Maybe when Sidwell's involvement finally tanks the company Maxie can get a job that allows her to be the mini-mogul she ought to be.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I am OK with Ethan returning, but how does he fit any story?

Working for WSB?

Some substitute for what would have been a Lucky storyline?

Something to do with a final Robert story?