It was a bittersweet week as Sasha and Daisy bid farewell to Port Charles and reunited with Robert. Will Jason’s chance sighting of a familiar face lead to a shocking return from the dead? Is Drew and Willow’s wedding doomed now that Dr. O had returned? What will Portia do? Let’s dive in with an exciting General Hospital commentary for the week ending July 18, 2025.
Dearest readers and fellow General Hospital fans, I love quirky soap characters. Give me your Damien Spinellis, your Delia Ryans, your LeAnne Loves, your Gloria Abbotts—and especially give me Dr. Liesl Obrecht.
Dr. O is comic relief mixed with menace, family loyalty mixed with femme fatale; she can be your most faithful friend or your most lethal enemy. But most of all, she is funny. Kathleen Gati makes me laugh so hard. In the Friday episode, after a brief visit with Willow, Liesl slammed Nina’s office door and proclaimed, “Nina! There is something very wrong with your daughter!” A sentiment we have all been feeling for so long. It was great to hear Liesl say it so convincingly!
Weeping Willow to wicked Willow
Liesl immediately picked up on Willow’s change of character. She saw Willow’s wicked smirk when Nina shared that Sasha and baby Daisy were leaving town for good. And with Liesl in town, action will be taken. Dr. Obrecht is not one to wait for someone to solve her problems; she takes things into her own hands, and she has already declared that the spell Drew has over Willow will be broken.
I loved Aunt Liesl reminding Willow of Michael sitting by her side night and day while Willow battled cancer. It drives me nuts when Willow keeps telling everyone that Michael drove her to all of her evil behavior. How? By being a doting husband? I have such an intense dislike for the character of Willow now. Can Dr O set her straight or take Drew out? Here’s hoping.
Blackmail in a modern age
Drew is blackmailing half the town now, and I find it odd that, in an age of Ring cameras, cell phones, iPads, smart watches, etc., no one has video or audio recordings of Drew blackmailing them. If I were Portia, and Drew had made an appointment to come and see me, I would have Anna watching him blackmail me and bust in as soon as he began to issue threats Or at least set up your device to get an audio recording.
I am so ready for Drew to get his comeuppance.
Jason catches a glimpse of the past
But let’s talk about Drew’s unfortunate brother, Jason.
When Jason spotted the woman who looked like Britt in the airport at the end of Friday’s episode, I wondered if Liesl knew Britt was alive. It didn’t seem like it. Or is this a bait and switch? Is this woman Britt, or did Liesl give birth to twins? I’m so curious to find out where this is all heading.
New beginnings
General Hospital | PHOTO: Disney/Christine Bartolucci
Have I mentioned my absolute giddiness over Kelly Thiebaud coming back to General Hospital? She had such amazing chemistry with Steve Burton on her last run, so I hope the plan is to pair those two crazy kids up. Jason has had a dry spell since his return to Port Charles, and Sasha just reminded him that it’s okay to live his own life and find love and happiness again.
I am glad Kelly is back, and I look forward to what’s next. Next week’s previews showed Jason telling a gate agent in Paris that he really needed to talk to someone on board. Assuming that his hit man reputation hasn’t made it all the way to Paris, I doubt the gate agent will let him on the plane.
But it’s General Hospital, so anything could happen. “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Unfortunately, our departure will be delayed today because some dude named Jason from New York really wanted to talk to a chick he saw walk by in the terminal.”
General Hospital’s next generation
Hats off to Rocco (played by the charming Finn Carr) for reaching out to Dr. O to bring home the woman who once believed she was his grandmother. I love Rocco’s curious nature and willingness to hear all sides of his birth story with an open heart. He is willing to listen to the good and bad about Britt Westbourne and make up his own mind about the woman who gave birth to him.
Let me shout out all the superb next-generation General Hospital stars!
Asher Antonyzyn
General Hospital | Photo: Disney/Christine Bartolucci
The casting director has done an excellent job of filling the roles for the children of General Hospital. From Baby Daisy up to Joss and Trina, the upcoming generation of General Hospital is in good hands. Danny Morgan, played by Asher Antonyzyn, is an outstanding young actor with a strong onscreen presence and can hold his own in scenes with soap vet Steve Burton. Their father/son scenes always leave me feeling warm inside because their relationship feels authentic. Gio, played by Giovanni Maza, is eating up his powerhouse scenes with BLQ, Dante, Lulu, Sonny, and soap goddess Tracy Q, the divine Jane Elliot.
Even the little kids — adorable Donna (Scarlett Spears), precious Wiley (Viron Weaver), angelic Amelia, and ornery James (Gary James Fuller) — always liven things up when they are onscreen. I never fast-forward their scenes. Right now, baby Ace, Avery, Scout, Aiden, Jake, Cameron, and Charlotte are all missing in action. Hopefully, now that Lucky has left, Liz’s kids will show up in her house again someday.
General Hospital’s Angels
And in the college set, Joss, Emma, and Trina are a trio of firecrackers. All three of these women have riveting storylines.
I was so proud of Trina for not letting Kai off the hook when he betrayed her parents. I am all for having integrity and holding yourself to standards, but for Kai to go to Drew without even talking to Trina first just rubbed me the wrong way. Trina went from Spencer, who would have died rather than betray her, to a boy-child who betrayed her without blinking. No, my Trina does not deserve a downgrade.
Spy games
We know that Joss is a WSB agent, but part of me thinks Emma may be an agent as well. Maybe not for the WSB but for another agency? Maybe a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) operative or something? I am intrigued by the storyline with Professor Dalton because I can’t figure out what animal testing has to do with some device that Sidwell wants. Animal testing sounds like a shady shampoo manufacturer, but Sidwell deals in arms and such. I mean, is Dalton testing on Krypto? How does this all tie together?
Anna has picked up the scent that Vaughn is an agent, but Dante saw Josslyn helping Vaughn, so will Anna tell Carly that Josslyn is in danger and blow her cover?
By the way, Anna is also in need of a love interest. If we have lost Valentin, it’s time to bring on a new worthy guy for Anna so she doesn’t become just a meddling grandma. That is not superspy Anna Devane’s fate!
Farewell to Natalia
So, there was a funeral for Natalia, but no one came and nothing was said. Sidwell and Lucy. Sidwell and Sonny? No pastor? No speakers? Did I miss a big chunk of that episode?
Okay, we know why Marco wasn’t here. Sonny has him on a meat hook somewhere. Oh, wait, that was AJ. Marco is just chilling in an empty room. Where was Blaze? She couldn’t leave the Toledo, Ohio show of her concert tour to attend her mom’s funeral? No Maxie or even fake Maxie. It was weird that they even set up a funeral set and blew up that photo to have no funeral.
Or perhaps it is still going on, and next week, when Lucas busts Marco out of Sonny-jail, they will still have a funeral. But I hope not. Zzzzz. I love Marco and Lucas together, but I genuinely hope Lucas doesn’t get dragged into a mob war. That’s the exact reason he kept Julian and Ava at arm’s length. It’s the reason he made Brad promise to stay away from Ms. Wu, so it would make no sense for him to cozy up to Sidwell now, even for Marcus.
The Daytime Emmy nominations
The Daytime Emmy nominations came out, and some people were overlooked, like Jane Elliott, who has been the most compelling person on my TV since she came back. Others I don’t feel deserved it, but whose names I will not mention because I want you to think I am nice. [Editor’s Note: Jane Elliott has said in interviews that she does not submit herself for contention.]
When I saw Avery Pohl’s name, I thought about how wonderful it would be to have Esme as a catalyst to bring Spencer back. Imagine if Esme showed up in Port Charles to tell Trina that Spencer is still alive, and she needs Trina’s help to save him. Can you imagine Trina and Esme on a quest to find Spencer and claw him back from whichever villain has kept him away from us? I’m so invested in my own loopy idea. Please tell me you can see it.
We might get a glimpse of Baby Ace, but it’s been so long he’s probably 8 in soap years by now.
Another goodbye
We are losing another of our favorites. ABC has confirmed that Sofia Mattsson is leaving General Hospital. Whether it was her idea or theirs, I do not know. It’s sad to see her exit because Sasha had so many excellent connections on the show, but if she had to be written off, I am happy she was delivered into the arms of her newly found father, Robert.
I was saddened to hear about Tristan Rogers’ cancer battle. I have been watching General Hospital for nearly 50 years, and I was there the day he first appeared onscreen and stole our hearts. It’s weird to even think I have been watching the show that long, but I did the math (with a calculator, of course) and landed on 48.
Portia is ready to take her power back
Dear readers, I have been railing at Portia for months, but she is back in my good graces today. She will finally come clean, own up to her actions, and take the consequences.
Portia informed Curtis that she would go to the New York medical board, confess to switching Heather Webber’s test results, and take whatever the consequences are, including any criminal charges. Portia is entirely unwilling to be part of Drew’s scheme to paint Michael as an opioid addict. When she told Curtis, “I’m not Drew’s puppet. I am not his minion. I’m taking my power back.” I cheered! I’m thrilled to see Portia become the best version of herself; a version I can root for. She is right, while Trina may be initially shocked, she will be proud of her mother for doing the right thing.
What will happen tomorrow, dear readers?
Will the Mini-Moss grow and double in size before we see it again? Will Emma’s pet beagle eat any more of Anna’s designer shoes? Is Professor Dalton going to try to get Danny and Rocco fired again when he doesn’t get his new towel fast enough? (What a tool! I hope Snoopy pees on him.)
Will Laura and Kevin divorce, since he moved to another soap — so she can be open for business again? Will Jason have to splash water on his face to recover from the fact that Robert thanked him for caring for his two daughters? Can Laura Wright find a way to keep that dress Carly had on during Friday’s episode? She looked terrific in it.
Will anyone ever remember that Prince Nikolas Cassadine is in prison and go visit him? Will Carly and Sonny remarry before or after Christmas?
Will you also check out Dan J Kroll’s latest Beyond the Gates commentary, To a hammer everything looks like a nail?
Only tomorrow knows, dear readers, and I will tune in as long as there are tomorrows.
Tamilu
Liesl is back and after just two episodes the show ia a whole lot better!! Spot on description of Dr. O , Tamilu.
…..
Portia is finally ready to do the sensible and right thing by going to the medical board and confessing that she altered Heather’s blood test , but instead of offering his support, Curtis tries to talk her out of it. What a stand up guy! I doubt that she will lose her medical license and the idea that she would go to prison is ridiculous. The next thing Portia should do is record Drew the next time he tries to blackmail her. Then she can hold that over his head or release it to the press.
….
Willow’s lack of self awareness is astonishing. Michael didn’t take “HER” children away from her, the judge did. Willow and Drew accused Michael of abandoning their children when he was fighting for his life in a burn unit but it was Michael that didn’t play fair.
Tracy, talking about Sonny, says to Nina, “do you know what he does for a living?” Actually, none of us really know, going on thirty years now.
…..
They keep talking about Sonny’s piers. Does Sonny own the only two piers on the Great lakes? Why does Sidwell need two freaking piers? He owns a private island, equiped with under ground tunnels.
Could it be more obvious that there was a baby switch on the plane? Sasha noticed when Daisy was in a different position in her bed, when Daisy had on a differnt “onesie”, but didn’t notice that she had grown a foot and grew hair after a few hours on the plane.
Tamilu, your nailed the characterization of Liesel, but she was not just spot on in her assessment of Willow, her fierce proclamation that this will end, at this point in this awful story we all hate, was cathartic and brought hope that Drew’s reign of terror will come to an end because nothing he has done could put a dent in Liesel’s past and she can leverage all that now that she is using her power for good.
JDF, yes, this was definitely a different baby, but that might be because of Tristan Rogers availability. Sofia Mattson said in an interview they filmed that scene before all the others, so if it was back before he left, obviously the current Daisy was not yet born and the baby we saw was a stand in and not Willow finding a way to stop Daisy from leaving town since she did not learn what was happening until after they left. We were just not supposed to notice.
First moment of respect I’ve had for Portia in….ever. Hope that they have her follow through! I suppose it’s too much to hope that Nina will also grow a spine and finally tell Willow the truth.
Dear Tamilu –
i love the photo to you column – yes, Indeed, let’s get this show on the road and wrap up someof the nonsense that has been living in PC.
And Dr. Liesl Olbrecht is just the personal to ignite the flame that Curtis and Portia are going to prepare the kindling.
Portia needs to confess in order to take away Drew’s power.
Curtis needs to betray a friend.
NIna needs to confess her part in the triangle.
Liesl is just he person to uncover the missing pieces: Germany, Wiley and all the lies.
The transformation of Dr. Liesl Obrecht is right up there with the transformation of Jason Quartermain to Jason Morgan. From villain to fan favorite and absolutely the best comic relief in soapdom. Have to give all the credit in the world to Kathleen Gati for being able to pull this off. From the moment she barked at Nelle to “spread those scrwany legs and push” she has been a pure delight.
I agree that Trina, Joss and Emma are firecrackers, but their stories lack substance.
The Spy story is not only absurd but also disrespectful to law enforcement. I hope Anna and Dante emerge victorious, and the show doesn’t portray them as incompetent to sell this mediocre content. While I love Trina’s decision to kick Kai out, I fear the show will quickly reunite them. Trina deserves better and shouldn’t be stuck in a juvenile relationship.
Also, a resounding NO to Esme’s return. Avery is a talented actress, but that’s no reason to bring her back. Esme’s character was proven to be unnecessary and her storylines were only meaningful when she was connected to Trina and Spencer. We don’t need a repeat of that storyline. Esme drugged and framed Trina for a crime she didn’t commit, and then she attacked her and attempted to drug her again. Trina never received justice for any of Esme’s crimes against her. While I’d like Spencer back, I kindly request that Esme be kept far away from his return and Trina.
I’m glad Portia is stepping up. I was tired of disliking her, too. Going to miss Sasha. She had a good story line with Michael and Daisy.
Sending out good thoughts for Tristan Rodgers. He’s been an important part of the show for decades.
Greetings and Salutations!
I don’t know about Y’All, but I pretty much slept through Monday’s Episode.
So.
OutBack likes Left Shoes.
And Anna’s going to do a Background Check on NotJagger Jingelheimer II, I mean Ken, I mean Vaughn, using just an Initial.
“S”.
Yea, sure, that works.
Where IS Spinelli these days?
Has HE been Sent to The Cornfield as well?
And what was that Whole Stupid Scene with Gannon and Lucas and Willow at GH?
Did I miss something??
Did I doze off again?
~~~
Well, as of Tuesday, ShrewLu *still* hasn’t graced the Opening Credits.
Neither has the Anti-Emma or OutBack the Beagle.
I’m rooting for the Doggo.
~~~
Boy Oh Boy I’m really liking NuMikey.
When he Ripped Willow a New One at GH, it was Delightful.
Now, I’m really hoping he stays in touch with Sasha, even if it is Offscreen (for Now).
And, not that it will do any good, but I hope Tracy does tell Brillo about Ninny and EwDrew and the Carpet at Crimson.
Or did they have the Rug Rash Reggae Sessions at Aurora?
Or Both?
~~
Boy, that Thug guarding Marco sure was STUPID!!
No WONDER Sonny’s always in Hot Water.
He hires IDIOTS for Security.
Oh, good, he still has Marco.
I was actually concerned he got out, and THEN wouldn’t Sonny look Stupid??
Too bad, that could have been Quite Entertaining.
~~~
Speaking of Idiots, just what was the Point of EwDrew knocking on Carly’s Door, and then standing there, Bugging his Rat Eyes at her, Waving his Giant Thin Hands around, and Randomly Clutching his Chest? Or was the “Hand Over Heart Sincerity” Dance Move?
I was so busy watching his little EwDrew Wavy Man Dance there, I have NO idea what the Dialog was.
Something about Weeping Willow, Mikey, and The Kids.
Yada Yada Ya.
~~~
Speaking of which, I still can’t believe that Mikey and Sasha have NO CLUE that Weeping Willow is behind all the Daisy Shenanigans.
Yeah, so take The Giant Preemie Daisy Out Of The Country so she and Her Mama can be Lost in a Plane Crash.
That’s not a Spoiler (at least I hope not), I just have Air Disasters on Speed Dial.
~~~~
I must say I rather enjoyed Portia Reading the Riot Act to Kai.
But then, EwDrew had to spoil it by barging in and demanding that Portia break Every Hospital Policy Known to Man by demanding she set Mikey up to look like a Drug Addict.
Where is the Bolt of Lightning we all want to Strike EwDrew and send him to the Ninth Circle of Hell?
But, since We Can’t Have Nice Things…
And Where the Hell is Terry?
So, what is that little bottle sitting on the ledge below the window next to Jason on Sonny’s Jet?
It was there last time Jason was on the plane without Sasha or any Babies so what is it?
Inquiring Minds…
Omg omg omg I LOVE Liesel!!!
Boy is Kathleen Gati a Sight for Sore Eyes or what???
And Look!! Rocco combed his Hair!!
They keep talking about “The Fire at Charlie’s that Almost Killed Kristina!”
She had like, TWO First Degree Burns on her hand and arm.
And if she’d just walked out the Back door instead of diving into the Fire with that Barbie Sized Fire Extinguisher she wouldn’t even have those!
ShrewLu is a Tool.
Dante is right.
She insists on holding on to her misplaced anger and she’s making everyone else Miserable.
But, that’s our ShrewLu!
Professor Dalton needs to leave his shirt on.
He’s rather pasty.
And that Broad in the Bikini who was Stalking him was Rather Creepy.
So, what were Anna and Fleas talking about?
Fleas Voice is so annoying I had to turn the sound off.
I must say I really enjoyed Friday’s Show.
No ShrewLu Whining, No EwDrew Bugging his Beady Eyes Out and Waving his Hands Around, No Sonny…
Wow it’s great to see Robert!
(OT-I hope TR is going to be OK, I read that he, too, has Cancer.
::Sigh::
We Really Can’t Have Nice Things.)
And, Wow!! What happened on that Plane Trip??
Giant Preemie Daisy suddenly has a Full Head of Hair!
Well Fiddle-Dee-Dee!
Porthole Actually went to Curtis with the TRUTH!!!
So, of course, Curtis being All About Curtis, tries to talk her out of it.
(Curtis? Shaddaaap!!!)
Still, Where Is Terry????
So, Agents Barbie and Ken Swap Spit at the World’s Smallest Airport that goes Everywhere,
Dante Observes Remotely.
Whoopee.
Have I mentioned recently how much I ADORE Frau Blücher?
Liesel to Ninny:
“Nina! There is Something Very Wrong with Your Daughter!!”
Ya Think??
So, will Liesel be part, or all, of EwDrew’s Downfall??
I sure hope so!!
More Liesel!!
Meanwhile, at Another Tiny International Airport…
Britta!
Or a Doppelganger?
I hope Jason follows her.
The best scenes of the week were the ones with Liesl, Willow and Nina. The looks that Nina, and especially Liesl gave Willow were hilarious. I’m glad Liesl finally told Nina the hard, cold truth regarding her daughter. But I do wish Willow would stop saying that Michael is keeping the kids from her because he isn’t. She is keeping herself away from the kids by not dropping Drew. I also can’t wait until it comes out that she indirectly started a mob war because I don’t think Sonny would have taken Marco hostage if it wasn’t for Michael telling him and Carly about someone messing with Daisy. That was probably the final straw for Sonny to go after Sidwell.
I think Rocco’s next step in learning more about Britt and Liesl needs to be Elizabeth so she can explain how she took a bullet after Liesl took him and Elizabeth hostage in her own home.