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General Hospital New Year Check-In…Just “eh”

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So I haven’t written about General Hospital in quite a while. To be honest, it’s because other than being psyched that Robin is back, I’m pretty ambivalent about what’s going on. There are pairings I like and stories with potential but I’m feeling kind of lukewarm when I want to be boiling over.

First, what’s right? Well, Anna, Duke, and Robin – Thank you God! Robin, Patrick and Emma – Double thanks! Everything else? Just makes me say, “eh.”

I love Michael Easton, but Silas Clay with Sam Morgan = paint drying. I loooove Roger Howarth but I’d be lying if I said I’m really into Franco. I absolutely freak over Maura West and actually love the character of Ava, but come on…as hot as Morgan is it’s beneath her. Where’s her leading man?

All of that pales in comparison to my devastation at the disappearance of Elizabeth Webber. Where is she?

I understand that when new writers come in they bring their own ideas and characters. I went with Britt and Sabrina and it was fairly entertaining for a time. The thing is – they aren’t the reason I watch. I don’t want to watch Britt’s love story with Nikolas or Sabrina dealing with Patrick’s rejection and what to do with his baby. I DO want to watch Nikolas and Patrick. And if I’m watching Nikolas and Patrick I feel like I should see Liz more than Britt, Sabrina, or even SAM. What’s up with all this Sam is everyone’s best friend now?

I like Silas, Ava, Derek/Julien, and Sonny. It’s a decent story. I like the way Morgan, Molly, TJ and Rafe have been drawn in as well, but I want more than a mob story.

Here’s hoping that as we move into 2014 we get a seriously juicy secret between Ava and Silas. Here’s hoping that newbie Nathan West instigates a love quadrangle with Maxie, Dante, and Lulu and doesn’t just relegate Dante to the background as Lulu moves on. Here’s hoping that they actually have a plan for Elizabeth. That she sees some romance with Nikolas, or Dante, or Nathan, anyone but AJ who just seems like a dead-end for her.

The fact that I wrote this whole reflection without AJ even coming to mind shows how this rotation of stories makes me forget about characters off-screen. Does GH have too many characters? I know, I know – ratings are at their highest in years – and despite the tone of this review I understand why. Carlivati and Valentini know soaps. They get them in a way that no one has since the 1980’s…so. I guess I’ll just shut up, keep watching, and stay lukewarm while I hope for some couples with real chemistry.

General Hospital’s on Fire!

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What can I say? It looks like all the waiting is finally paying off. It took a while for Carlivati and Valenti to move the pieces around following the unfortunate shift of three integral characters into new (Franco is kind of new now – admit it) personalities, but they did it and it was well worth the wait. Kiki has come between brothers and fathers and sons, Franco has reinvigorated the Quartermaines and given Carly a possible love story. Silas has loosened up a bit and seems to be a possibility for Sam but, hold the presses (the ones that Derek Wells just bought), he’s smoking hot with Ava.

That’s story number two in this rise from chaos. After bringing in newbies we could’ve cared less about, in the past few months we’ve seen the return of Nikolas, and the introduction of Ava and Julian Jerome – new characters that connect to the past. They tie in with Duke and Anna! They tie in with Alexis! They tie into Sonny and the murder mystery around Connie’s death (although who doesn’t think the AJ has to be Ava Jerome).

The only thing that still needs work is Elizabeth! I don’t want to be ungrateful – she’s on more than she’s been on in years, but the AJ story doesn’t have any chemistry. I can’t help but hope they’re growing Britt and Nik so they can give Elizabeth something to break up. So we can see Nik trying to stay good and be loyal to Britt while throwing longing glances at Elizabeth.

Still, it would be easier to connect Elizabeth and Nikolas in to the stories with Maxie, Spinelli, Patrick, Sabrina, and Felix….especially when Robin returns!

One more compliment for the day (Friday, Sept. 19th). Maurice Bernard kicked ass in his portrayal of a manic episode today at the party. Using the mania as the excuse for revealing that Morgan knew about Michael not being related to Kiki was genius. And saving it for the last moment before the weekend made me howl out loud for the first time in a long time. General Hospital is must watch stuff right now.

***But please, still hoping for a more balanced airing of stories – haven’t seen quite a few characters in days and it messes with momentum.

General Hospital July 15-19: Franco’s Brain Tumor and Daddy Reveals (Sam and Kiki!)

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Three reveals happened on General Hospital this past week (July 15 – 19) that should prove to drive story for the forseeable future and I think I’m happy about them all. Let’s talk Franco first.

I was unsure of bringing Franco back and I still think there would have been better ways to use Roger Howarth, but I’ve come around to being open to the cool possibilities that his presence enables. When Franco woke up after that seizure, people were freaking out about him saying he was Jason. Too many jumped to the literal interpretation that he “was” Jason, which I agree would have been horrible! But as Jason’s twin brother, the idea that he would also have a brain tumor that could cause such a huge personality shift (like Jason Q to M) is brilliant and the perfect way to legitimately change the character’s place in Port Charles society. When Patrick saves Franco by removing the tumor, what kind of man will we get? Taking some of the “crazy” out of Franco doesn’t mean he’s going to be suddenly moral, just not psychotic any longer!

Then there was the bombshell that I was surprised Carlivati dropped so soon. Kiki belongs to Silas! That leads me to believe this particular story must have a much farther reach than just Ava, Kiki, and Silas in the long run. I have already gone on record about the brilliant chemistry between Maura West with Michael Easton. I’m thrilled by the fact that they have a past and now share a daughter. I love that she’s kept it from him all these years and I keep going back to the things she said about why she never told Kiki about her dad before. We all thought her dad was Franco and it was easy to interpret those statements that she was protecting her daughter as protecting her from a psycho…but if her dad is Silas – what do they mean now?

I love that Silas being her dad makes her unrelated to Michael and that Ava has managed to manipulate Morgan in to keeping her secret out of self-preservation. It would have been too obvious to go the bone marrow test way…this is better.

Finally there was the scene with Alexis and Sam where Alexis came clean and said she had no idea what’s Sam’s dad name was. That to me was believable. Why wouldn’t a woman like Alexis tell her daughter who her father was if she knew. Molly and Rafe on the Ouija board coming up with the letter J was a little hokey, but it gives us a clue that matches rumors and spoilers that her dad’s a Jerome.

On a separate note: There were some Liz/AJ/Nik/Britt scenes this week! Thank you RC and FV. I love that Liz is getting jealous but not admitting it to herself yet. I love that Nik has legitimate chemistry with Britt and shared scenes with Alexis, Sam and Molly. I love that I have seen Elizabeth on my screen this week and that she’s in the previews. Having her talk with Patrick about Franco’s brain tumor made total sense. The fact that it looks like she’ll be the one to save Danny by confronting Franco on the bridge and pretending he’s Jason? So excited! Can’t wait. More Rebecca Herbst no matter what please!

General Hospital: Glimmers of Hope?

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Glimmers of hope…I will admit that many of the things I was down on in my last post about General Hospital may have been by-products of the transitioning of stories from May sweeps and the conclusion of the Nurses Ball, not to mention the cast changes and additions. Now that we’re almost done with June and a few weeks past the comeback of the OLTL 3, I’m definitely seeing glimmers of hope. I just want the rotation of characters and storylines to continue so we don’t forget about characters we love and get bored.

First glimmer of hope: Elizabeth! I am partial to Elizabeth. Even when she got almost no airtime and was used to prop Lucky, she was a main reason I tuned in. The past two days GH has gone back to the AJ/Nik story and the cell phone recording of AJ and Tracy talking about when AJ slept with Carly. Finally! (Seriously – how long ago did that happen? The wait was too too long…) We saw Elizabeth confront AJ and Carly at the Metro Court while also being given the gift of Nik/Alexis scenes.

I think Tyler Christopher being on contract means great stuff ahead for Liz and if it means more Alexis, too? Speaking of Alexis, I’m in heaven with her having story with Nik, Shawn, Molly AND Sam! So many good ways to see her on screen. I love the possibilities with Sam and Silas, and Molly and Rafe have the makings of a longer storyline. What more could we ask for?

Well, I could ask for people like Lucy and Laura to be on more regularly. I don’t want to see them take over the show (please don’t let them take over!) but it’s weird to all of a sudden see them having a conversation about a make-up company called Deception with Scotty. I mean, it makes sense and the possible story itself fits my glimmer of hope theme, but when are they gonna pick it up again? I worry I won’t hear anymore about it for another week or two?? Or three??? Or maybe four????

My last glimmer of hope regards the Franco story. Wow, Roger Howarth has won me over and I love his interaction with Maura West’s Ava and the rest of the Quartermaine clan. I love how it ties in with Michael/Morgan/Kiki as well. There’s got to be more to this than meets the eye. Kiki and Michael can’t be related. Please find a way to really bring in Duke and Anna, and AJ and Tracy.

Now here’s a big question. Is there too much going on? Maybe. At least right now. If some of these stories connect then it could get better, but I haven’t even written about Sonny/Olivia/Connie, or Sabrina/Patrick/Britt/Felix/ his sister and TJ…oh and throw in Spinelli and Elli, and Duke and Anna? I say sorry, but ditch Sabrina and put Patrick with the Silas/Sam romance. Keep the Britch and make her part of the Duke/Anna story being that she’s Faison’s daughter, and…I don’t know what to do to keep Felix, but I want to.

I believe Ron C. has a plan and it’s all connected and I believe Frank V. CAN and WILL make good things happen. They’re good and the show is so much better than the past few years. BUT there are just so many stories up in the air right now and it’s hard to follow. The glimmer of hope is that I’m interested in them all (except Sabrina – who I DO like as an actress).

General Hospital: Elizabeth Webber gets a life!

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Oh, Elizabeth Webber!

The character of Elizabeth Webber, played by the fabulous Rebecca Herbst, has quickly become one of my top two favorite soap characters of all time. (Tied with Maura West, ATWT, Carly Tenney Snyder) When I started watching General Hospital a few years ago, I had to piece together a picture of who Elizabeth was by reading online recaps and Wikipedia. It was apparent that she wasn’t being used often and it seemed the writers didn’t particularly like her. To be honest, some of this opinion came from the strong fan base she has on Twitter that was very vocal around the time the powers that be tried to fire her. Still, She was the reason I kept tuning in, even when she wasn’t on.

I don’t want to waste time on something that’s never going to happen so there will be no Lucky/Jason debate in this tribute. What I want to focus on is how excited I am that Ron Carlivati and Frank Valenti seem to recognize exactly what they have with Liz! They’ve given her character new friends and it looks like they’re giving her a viable love life as well!

I love the friendships that Liz has built with Sabrina and Felix, as well as the time she spends talking with Epiphany and Patrick! She’s a nurse. She should be found in the hospital and she should have friends there. People come to her for advice and counsel, including AJ Quartermaine. Who could have imagined that three years ago?

Obviously, AJ is prospect #1 for Liz’s romantic future. Their couple name seems to be Quiz and they have their share of fans online. Since the writers brought the handsome Sean Kanan back into the Quartermaine fold, they’ve been laying careful groundwork to test the chemistry between the two. In my opinion, the test has been a success. Liz and AJ have the makings of a great soap couple. They have plenty of shared history to create storyline for years, the least of which is her undying love for his dead brother Jason with whom she shared the cutest soap child (besides Emma Drake) ever – Jake.

I’ve invested in their tentative flirtation. The acceptance they show for each other as people who have both really messed up and moved on is compelling. I enjoy how Monica, who never thought Liz was good enough for Jason, is all for Liz with AJ. Their friendship evolved into a kiss to build a dream on and now they’re “seeing” each other, or maybe they’re “talking”? Who knows what it would be called these days. What’s obvious is that they’re into each other.

As a Liz fan this would have been enough to make me happy, but then Ron and Frank gave me a gift that made it feel like Christmas! Nikolas Cassadine returned to Port Charles.

Now, I was around towards the end of the affair between Nik and Liz when she was married to Lucky. I remember feeling cheated that I hadn’t gotten to see more of their story before I realized that other fans weren’t happy with them being together. The consensus seems to be this was because of the writers, the rabid Lucky/Liz – Jason/Liz fan bases, and the history between Emily, Elizabeth, Lucky and Nik. What I saw when I watched without knowing the history was fabulous chemistry and great actors.

Fast foward to Port Charles 2013. Nikolas, last seen leaving to give Liz and Lucky a chance to reunite and focus on each other, returns and is shot! Oh what a coincidence that this throws him immediately into the path of Liz.

When Liz sat at Nikolas’s bedside and recounted what had happened between them, it definitely softened and explained where they had been coming from. It made something that was badly written the first time around seem like a storyline that made some sense. Then, when Nikolas woke up and the gorgeous Tyler Christopher unleashed that smoking hot stare towards her? I needed a fan. The way he holds her, the way he hugs her…chemistry defined. There’s definitely a part of me that wants a “Niz” relationship done right.

I am so excited for the prospects of Liz Webber under the guidance of Ron and Frank. It looks like we might actually have two men fighting for her affection because they both really want her instead of having all kinds of B.S. angst standing in their way. I think I’m slightly pulling for Nikolas, but that could change as I see more of her and AJ, or watch more of the posturing between the two men. It was so much fun to watch AJ shut the door and mark his territory, while Nik looked confident and almost bored.

I think it’s awesome that this team of writers is taking Liz’s messed up history with one set of men (Lucky and Jason) who she was always chasing and transferring it to their brothers (AJ and Nik) who seem to be all about her! Finally! Elizabeth Webber might be getting the life she deserves!

General Hospital Mid-week Recap April 15 – 17, 2013

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***I had every intention of blogging the whole week, but had so much to talk about from Monday through Wednesday that I figured the Thursday/Friday shows would turn this into a book…so here we go!

This week is Port Charles started a little slow. Patrick and Sabrina flirted and said they should talk about Britt, AJ and Carly fought about how she treats Michael like a child, and Michael showed more maturity than anyone on the show by going to Sonny and confessing his drunken hook up with Brenda. Michael’s confession was awesome, heartfelt, and downright good writing. Sonny’s reacted by forgiving Michael. He was as fatherly as he has ever been telling Michael he had nothing to feel guilty about. They did throw in a great moment when Michael first confessed and before they went to commercial where Sonny closed the doors and took out his gun, but it was just a tease. Sonny loves “Mike” as the new regime calls him.

When Michael leaves, Sonny thinks Brenda is at the door but it’s…who is it??? Connie or Kate? Sonny has to ask! Before she tells him, she wants to know who he was hoping for. He tries diplomacy saying he wants her healthy and happy. She says she’s neither. She’s both Kate and Connie; she’s integrated. She’s chosen to go by Connie, but she has to live with both of their memories and she has to live without him! He creates conflict because her opposing sides love him. He’s not getting it and won’t give up. She leaves. Later, both Carly and Olivia tell her she’s being stupid and should find a way to be with Sonny.

On Cassadine Island Luke, Laura and Dante each took their turns talking to Lulu’s dead body. While there was some brilliant acting going on, it was kind of hard to watch when you knew she’d be waking up any minute. Even if you don’t read spoilers, magazines or follow twitter you could figure out they wouldn’t recast for a dead body scene. ANYWAY…I’m thrilled with the recast. Emme Rylan has proven her acting chops on Guiding Light and Young and the Restless. Julie Marie Berman WANTED to leave, so I hope people give her a chance. When she finally wakes at the end Monday’s episode – dom dom dom (pun intended) – she has amnesia! She won’t go anywhere with them. Her husband’s name is Stavros Cassadine! Oh Lord! Luke tells Dante not to freak that Lulu will come back. The only thing she remembers is Stavros. Luke finally convinces her to let them take her home.

Sticking with the Cassadines, there was a comic relief moment with Katie Couric and Nikolas in the hospital. She plays a doctor who asks him crazy personal questions and promises discretion. Epiphany comes to his rescue as “Kelly Curtis” is a reporter in disguise. She tells her to get her “skinny ass” out of her hospital and then looks very happy about giving him his sponge bath. (Who wouldn’t? Have you seen this tweet from Ron Carlivati? “Thanks to the dedicated nurses at General Hospital, it looks like somebody will be up and around soon… #GH #GH50 pic.twitter.com/AXxIFVZNjn)”.

Spinelli visited Heather to ask for help but she’s still harping on Sam’s betrayal with the letter. Heather pretends not to know anything, but hypothetically asks how it helps her? Seeing she’s easily distracted by Luke, Spinelli tells Heather that finding Franco’s daughter can keep Luke from Tracy Quartermaine. Later when he visits AJ and Michael, he reveals that Heather did in fact give him info on Lauren Frank (who was kept from Franco by her “crazy” mother!)

Britt threatens Patrick with an abortion and tells him it’s either he helps her or else. She refuses to bring a child into the world unloved and unwanted by its father. Ellie confronts Maxie and says she and Damian know it was Britt’s secret she was hiding. Later she overhears Britt saying it was a secret about Maxie’s baby after all, so she takes the news to Spin.

Tracy tries to sell Pickle Lila to Sean for Kelley’s. She and AJ fight some more over ELQ. AJ comes to the realization that ELQ owns the name Pickle-Lila, so Michael suggests they make their own relish to compete with Tracy and Sean offers the kitchen. Later after Spinelli leaves Michael and AJ, Brenda shows up!

On the teen front, Molly goes to court to see if Alexis will win custody of Rafe for Doc and Lucy. I appreciate the fact that the judge said, “No way.” Since when would they give a kid to someon with Lucy’s past? Then again, it was an obvious set up for Lucy and Alexis to look at Sam and say,”You should be his guardian!” What? I’d be all for this if John McBain was coming back, but it’s widely reported Michael Easton will be a new character. I hope he’s not Caleb. Can’t see how they could redeem him enough to keep him around and I love him so! If you aren’t following Michael on FB you should. (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelEastonSoulStealer?fref=ts) TJ also shows up at the hearing to throw old water on the oh so cute chemistry of Rafe and Molly. I do love TJ as well though! Frank and Ron hit the jackpot with these three who can all ACT!

Check back in Friday evening for the exciting recap of Thursday and Friday’s shows and a link to the ratings!

General Hospital Recap April 8-12: Returns make for classic soap drama!

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General Hospital is rockin’ 50 and this past week’s episodes were prime examples of why viewers are once again tuning into Port Charles.  Executive Producer Frank Valenti and Head Writer Ron Carlivati have done what no other show has had the nerve to do, return to their roots. What amazes me is that even as a new viewer (roughly three years now), I am absolutely loving the returns of veteran actors I never knew existed their first go on GH.  Too often shows bring people back and let them wallow with nothing to do because they’re afraid of ruining the past or the character, but not Frank and Ron.   

Monday’s episode started out with the resolution of Friday’s cliffhanger where Frisco Jones proposed to Felicia at the Nurses Ball (The absolute biggest and best return of all)! Even I, as a newbie fan, know that Frisco goes with Felicia, but Felicia chose Mac! And the story worked! We didn’t have to get Frisco and Felicia to get good drama.  Frisco then turned around and left his daughter Maxie to fend for herself after she was just starting to trust him again.  Great set up for Maxie to keep growing emotionally.  She’s always been a bit one note – Ron is growing her up! 

Other great returns this week? Stavros Cassadine! Never knew Robert Kelker-Kelly was even on GH, but when he showed up in the dining room and said “Hello Laura” I about keeled over from excitement.  Carlivati gave me just enough well placed background info through the conversations of other characters to keep up. (And as someone who reads spoilers and all I can about the show, this was one surprise they kept from everyone! Still hoping they’re keeping Blackie on ice, too!) 

Another fantastic moment, although not a return, was the reveal of Emme Rylan as Lulu Spencer Falconeri. Can’t wait for her to work with Dante.  Their chemistry will be off the charts.  I like him better with her already.  What really worked for this reveal was having Nikolas (can we say, “woohoo – find a way to keep him around”) explain how everything came about to Elizabeth and Alexis.  It made absolute sense that slighly crazy Stavros would have a thing for Lulu.  They even found a way to explain Helena switching Aiden’s paternity test (to give Stavros something to live for – an heir). 

The return of Brenda with Jax and the whole breaking off of the Jax/Brenda engagement helped last week’s shows succeed.  Food fight anyone? But who could have guessed the cat fighting that would ensue when Carly found Brenda in bed with Michael? These ladies clawing each other’s eyes out is the epitome of great soap drama! It made me uncomfortable, angry, excited, and kept me glued to my TV. My one complaint about Brenda and Michael is that it’s obvious nothing really happened between them and I really wish it had. It would have added so many more dimensions  and options to the Sonny/Carly/Jax/Brenda/Michael/AJ relationships. 

Speaking of AJ (another great returnee), how classic was his reaction to Michael sleeping with Brenda.  He could hardly contain his joy.  In fact, his joy was almost equal to Monica’s joy regarding his blossoming relationship with Liz.  Before Nikolas’ return, I was totally on board with a Liz/AJ (Quiz) pairing, and I still think they’re pretty adorable, but if you watched Friday’s episode where AJ saw Liz hugging Nikolas, it’s hard to deny the “Niz” chemistry. Wow.

 That’s about all I have to say about the week of April 8 – 12, 2013 in Port Charles.  What’s so awesome is that I know I’m leaving so much good stuff out! Tell me what you thought made this week amazing and whose returns are getting you psyched to keep watching!