Tag Archives: Ron Carlivati

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: Can this Franco thing work?

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Can this Franco thing work? Maybe. After watching two days knowing for sure that Roger Howarth is playing Franco, I’m still torn but optimistic. My first reaction of being mildly disappointed that they didn’t come up with a more creative solution has been tempered by the many attempts to explain on social media how Franco’s character can push the stories of so many of my other favorite characters further. I’m seeing a small but definitely present opening to being able to connect with Roger Howarth and still think Franco’s wacked out, and I’m trying to stay really positive because I believe there’s a plan. (And if that plan let’s me keep RH and maybe gives me some scenes between him and Laura Wright then I’ll be OK.)

Franco’s presence can give Sam someone to hate more than Dr. Silas, can make Michael question his future relationship with Kiki (Is she his cousin? Is Franco really Jason’s twin and Alan’s son?), and gives Sonny a new person in Port Charles to hate. He also gives AJ the chance at another brother. How will AJ respond to the fact that Franco asked for Michael to be protected, while Sonny and Carly were the reason he was in prison? Is it the enemy of my enemy is my friend scenario? And if Franco is connected to Ava Jerome and AJ and Ava cross paths (still hoping for romance there…), can we see a quadrangle with AJ, Carly, Franco, Ava? There are really lots of possibilities.

The thing I was most worried about was that there wasn’t anything about Franco that made you connect with him in the past. Sure, he was supposed to be rejected by Jason but mostly viewers just found him reprehensible. Yesterday and today, there were flashes (very small) where I actually thought, well maybe he’ll be OK. You see, there’s no way not to at least like Roger Howarth a little bit, so if he’s playing a character with nothing you can connect to, it makes you feel all wigged out on the inside. If it’s all been illusion stuff to hurt Jason then maybe…And there was a moment between him and Michael where I thought it looked like Michael wanted to find a way to forgive him – I could have been imagining it, but RH played that remorse really well.

It’s still just a wait and see game. We won’t be able to judge until we see the stories Ron and Frank have in mind and I’m cool with that. As I said before, I’m not going to quit watching – the fact that my soap is still on the air is an everyday gift. The fact that I can still watch talent like Roger’s on my television is enough. But, I am hoping for it to turn into more than enough…Come on GH – step it up and really make this good!

General Hospital Thoughts on Silas Clay, Kiki Jerome and ???

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So, if you’re a General Hospital fan you’ve no doubt been giving some thought to this crazy situation with the three characters brought over from One Life to Live. I don’t want to re-hash the reasons behind the decision to give the actors completely new characters…it was a legality issue and I support them keeping the talent any way they can. And if anyone can pull off bringing three actors back as three completely new characters it would be the team of Ron Carlivati and Frank Valenti. What I do want to weigh in on is the new characters themselves.

Let’s start with Michael Easton (because I confess to having been in love with ME since his “Days” stint as Tanner.) RC and FV were in a tricky situation. ME had already played the double role as the crazed Stephen Clay (vampire Caleb from Port Charles days). They couldn’t bring a potential romantic lead back as a crazed serial killer, so they went with the brother of said killer Dr. Silas Clay. So far so good. He’s an intelligent character with a reason to be in town (getting custody of his nephew Rafe), and he has already clashed in that “Oh yeah they’re gonna do it one day” way with Sam! Woo hoo! Unless they mess it up by making his identity questionable and hinting he could actually be Stephen, I’d consider ME a successful transition.

Then there’s Kristen Alderson. I have to admit to never really liking Starr. Even on OLTL, and I may have unfairly blamed the actress. I like this character Kiki – although the name is annoying. Her acting is as different as her hair color, and making her the lost Quartermaine heir is genius connection! One caveat – something’s gotta be up with that. There’s obviously a potential triangle brewing with Morgan, Kiki, and Michael, and she’s got great chemistry with both. BUT wouldn’t she be Michael’s cousin if she is really Franco’s daughter? Ick!

And Franco leads us to Roger Howarth, by far one of the best actors on daytime. I’ve loved him as Paul Ryan (ATWT), Todd Manning (OLTL,GH) and now as…well, I don’t know who. However, all signs point to Franco, another evil serial killer character. This is the only situation where I find myself praying that Ron and Frank have something up their sleeves. I want and need to like Roger and I can’t see how you ever redeem the character of Franco. As the show ended today (5/28), the characters assembled at the Haunted Star obviously recognized him and not in a good way. The previews showed Sam yelling, “Is my husband alive?” So, obviously not Jason. I’m still hoping against hope he could be Jerry, because for some strange reason I think he could be redeemed somehow, but Franco? Ick! Again.

It would have been brilliant to bring him back as Jason Quartermaine as opposed to Morgan…erase all memories from the past years since the wreck – put him in the hospital with Dr. Silas Clay, Patrick, and Elizabeth…but alas, it doesn’t seem to have gone that way this time. I still hope they go there one day with a recast.

So, two out of three isn’t bad – and I’m still hopeful that RH will be anyone but Franco. If he’s not I won’t give up. I think Ron can pull something off and I’m committed to GH no matter what. If I made it through Marlena’s possession story on Days of Our Lives I can get through anything – and so can most soap fans. We just love our stories!

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!