General Hospital Watching General Hospital

[Emelee]

so it's not a Jake recast. Too bad, because he's needed.

Is he, though? I don't miss Liz's kids. Likely because she's such a supporting character these days.
Jason isn't exactly good father material to Danny. And since Jake's mom is alive, Jake most certainly doesn't need Jason.

Maybe if GH will focus on a summer story involving most teens (Danny, Charlotte, Rocco, Scout, Jake...).

However, I think GH should focus more on the 20-something group with Joss, Trina, Gio, Emma & Kai. Joss could certainly use something new to do.

 

[Daniel Avery]

I keep reading that Frank Valentini wants to beef up the WSB-related stories to supplant the "Sonny's Mob Friends" stories. He's obviously trying to move Sonny into a less prominent role. They claim that Jason will return and join the WSB somehow, allowing him to continue his AARP Action Hero role on the show without having to be Sonny's lapdog. It's said that this was the plotline offered to Steve Burton to lure him back but the show changed it at the last minute; maybe they're offering it to him now because he threatened to make his "vacation" permanent.

I had earlier assumed that once her time in the WSB was over that Josslyn would become a PCPD officer, but now I think they plan to keep her in the WSB. They're positioning Jack Brennan to be Nina's new love interest, and they're probably moving heaven and Earth behind the scenes to get James Patrick Stuart (Valentin) to stick around for a full-blown Val/Carly/Anna story. If she resumes her job as Police Commissioner, Dante will have more time to spend with Liz.

 

[Emelee]

Valentin is off to see "Z", the actual head of WSB. First we were told Jack was secretly the head of WSB. Cullum is the head of "the European division", and came to Port Charles because part of Faison's project happened in Europe.

So is "Z" new to the position since Jack can't work now, or is there a "super-head" of the WSB? A boss over all bosses?

I am thinking one of the new cast members is this "Z". Not Scout of course. But Serena, Tristan or Hudson. Of those, the name Serena sounds most like a Z.

 

[Emelee]

With several new actors coming, and Jason and Anna returning, GH must be getting rid of some characters. Who?

Kristina is already gone. And it seems like Sidwell and Cullum can't possibly survive much longer. If Sidwell goes, I am 100% sure that Turner goes too. I also have a feeling that Cassius is on his way out. However, I think GH will keep him alive if they want him to return one day.

Ezra, will he be needed? And what about Brennan if a new boss of WSB is introduced?

My bet:
GH will kill off Cullum, Sidwell, Turner and Ezra. Cassius will leave town. Brennan feels 50/50.

 

[Daniel Avery]

Kate Mansi was almost certainly an expensive actress to have on payroll, so I think her departure would more than pay for three newbies. I'm 99% sure Andrew Hawkes (Cullum) will be gone within two or three weeks, though Carlo Rota (Jens) might get that "recurring villain" treatment where he gets written out but keeps being brought back every time they need to stir up trouble. As I said earlier I would be okay if they used the cold-fusion device to wipe Wyndemere and Spoon Island off the map in an epic explosion, and having Sidwell "presumed dead" in such a big boom would be a means of having him come back when they want. I don't think they have much use for Daniel Cosgrove's Ezra once Sidwell is gone, but he was always used sparingly because the actor lives outside of California. I'd also not be surprised if Nazneen Contractor (Justine) left, likely if they appointed someone else to be the permanent District Attorney and Justine quit in a huff; I'm also noticing the show is featuring Jacinda (Paige Herschell) a lot less than they used to. so maybe they're planning her exit.

We also need to address two/three key characters who ought to be waiting in the wings also. Without Sidwell as a threat, it would be logical for Kevin and Ace to return from Ireland to reunite with Laura. Similarly, Sidwell wanted to isolate Laura so he made sure Martin was offered a job in Reno. So in theory those three characters would be primed for a return. I'd love for them to recast Kevin with a strong, veteran soap actor who could match Genie's energy, but that would be expensive.

 

[Monzo]

I’ve noticed that a lot of fans aren't happy with Kristina's (unrealistic) career path, but I actually find it kind of funny because her character would fit perfectly into Grey's Anatomy; maybe the writers saw it the same way and chose this exit for that reason. Kristina has exactly the kind of wokeness required for Grey's Anatomy. Imagine how impressed the core characters would be if they found out Kristina had been a surrogate for her sister and that the baby died in an accident—plus having a mobster father who might one day need treatment at Grey Sloan. Kristina is totally Grey's Anatomy material.

What surprises me is that Ethan can simply claim to be Phoebe's father for the closed adoption and that's that. Wouldn't there have to be a DNA test?

In a thread here about "actors who deserve a better career", I came across an old post of mine; Chris McKenna was among the many actors I listed back then. I was actually surprised myself, remembering how I really liked him for a while and hoped he’d get more opportunities, though I’m not a huge fan of his version of Brennan. His acting impressed me when he found out about Carly's affair, but in the long run, I could do without Brennan if they needed to cut costs.

As for potential budget cuts: Jordan could disappear for treatment and never return. Jacinda could vanish, too. I’d find it more interesting if her relationship with Michael developed the way everyone expects, since Michael feels so different from his old self anyway. Where is Carly in his life, actually? Tracy has more of a presence than his own mother; that makes no sense. I wouldn't need to see much more of Lucas, but I think that, as the last queer character on the show, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Somehow, I’m already over Carly and Valentin as a couple. The journey to get there was nice, but I don't really need anything more from it. I’d love to see Jax’s reaction when he finds out Josselyn is a WSB agent, but that probably won't happen unless a Jax recast is in the works.