Actually Romantic… General Hospital Commentary

It was a softer, gentler time. Back when Willow was a sweet school teacher. Back when the heads of international organizations did not discuss investigations in front of known mobsters. And yes, back before Joss killed a man and lost two loves. Okay, that wasn’t all that long ago. But can’t we yearn for the the simpler times? Not in Port Charles — and that might not be a bad thing.

My dear readers: You are not hallucinating. This is supposed to be Liz’s week to share her thoughts on General Hospital, but Liz is on assignment. She is off somewhere getting lei-ed. No, not like that. She’s on vacation and enjoying a bit of relaxation.

Rather than relax, I am thinking about a time gone by. Do you remember when Willow was a sweet, slightly damaged elementary school teacher? She was being tormented by sicko cult leader Shiloh, and she was a sympathetic character. She had a terrible upbringing; her mom joined a cult and let Shiloh take advantage of her. I liked that version of Willow. I felt compassion for her, and I rooted for her to overcome her troubled past. 

But perhaps I was deluding myself, because when I go and look at a list of Willow’s crimes and misdeeds in the past eight years, it’s clear that she’s been a budding criminal all along. Ha. 

She cheated on her husband Chase with Michael. She cheated on Michael with his Uncle Drew, and she will probably cheat on Drew with Chase. Honestly, I don’t think Chase ever got over Willow. She was his ideal woman, and he still refuses to see that she’s not the wide-eyed innocent we once thought her to be.

This week when she tried to strong arm Sidwell, I laughed out loud. As Taylor said, “And I know you think it comes off as vicious, but it’s precious, adorable, like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse. That’s how much it hurts.”

Sidwell immediately put the hammer down and reminded Willow that he gives the orders, not her, and as soon as Drew is no longer being drugged, she is done for. Which probably means she will be refilling the syringe with a dose of the paralytic drug to jab Jenz with next.

Nina and Willow are both insane. I know some of you love Nina. I love Cynthia Watros, she is a remarkable actress, and I have loved her since Lost. But I don’t love Nina. I think she’s truly terrible and Nelle and Willow had no hope of being sane because they carry her DNA in their veins.

Think about the fact that Nina fully intended to jab Valentin with that needle. Last week I got it so wrong, I thought she jabbed Jack to save Valentin, but no, she fully intended to paralyze the man who loved her so well for so long- ugh I hate her so much. Instead, due to some fancy footwork, poor Jack took the needle to the shoulder and is paralyzed in GH. How is Willow going to keep him from coming out of it? With Drew she could say she wanted to take him home and care for him but certainly she can’t take Jack home. Will Nina step in?

Supporting your child doesn’t mean helping them commit crimes. If Nina truly loved Willow and she realized that Willow tried to murder Drew and paralyzed him, she would instead be having her committed to a mental health facility to get help. Instead, Nina is helping Willow commit crimes and committing new crimes all in the name of supporting her daughter.

Yes, I know Willow is blackmailing her own mother, and after Jack’s mysterious stroke right after Drew’s mysterious stroke, Nina is probably going to take the fall for it. Willow can act stunned when the evidence is found that has Nina’s fingerprints on all the syringes.

I loved Carly throwing that in Nina’s face. Of course, Carly knows about Valentin being in town, but I love the way she twisted it back onto Nina insinuating that she had been the one hiding him all along. I can hardly wait to see the episode when Nina learns that Carly and Val are lovers and that Carly has been the one helping her ex-Valentin hide in plain sight! 

It’s A Sweep… But It’s Not Over Yet!

This sweeps period has been so much fun and it’s not over yet! After Drew’s missed dose, he got his hand working well enough to almost dial 911- and I predict his paralysis will end soon. Both Carly and Elizabeth are suspicious of Drew’s stroke now, and Liz might actually report it and have an official check on Drew since he blinked SOS at her, and Nina and Willow were so hesitant to get help for him. 

Of course, all of this is nuts. That Willow, a congresswoman, can sit at home most days to give paralytic shots to her husband, and that no one is around, or no one notices. Most congressional leaders have more than one college intern like Kai on their staffs. In fact, I Googled it and each congressional leader has a staff of 18 permanent staff and 4 part time staff – so more than 20 people. If Willow had a staff of 20 people, what are the odds that one of them would not be with her day and night as her assistant? 

But, dear readers, here is where the concept of suspension of disbelief kicks in.

If you are a soap fan, you have willfully engaged in suspension of disbelief. 

By definition, “Suspension of disbelief is the voluntary, temporary decision by a viewer or reader to ignore logical, scientific, or realistic flaws in a work of fiction, art, or performance to fully enjoy the story. Coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1817, it enables audiences to engage with fantastical, impossible, or implausible narratives.”

And I have seen your comments, and I know that #GH is asking a lot of us. We are being asked to ignore all matters of rhyme and reason. @TOCFAN said “(It) gets crazier by the day, they are pushing the limit asking us to suspend belief with these goofy scenarios, fast making it UNWILLING suspension.” 

I took a poll on X – which horrible person are you rooting for? Team Drew or Team Willow? The overwhelming response was “Neither.” Because they are both so awful. But I am leaning toward Drew, because I think there is hope of redemption. First off, I love Cameron Matheson and I want him to keep his job and be able to rebuild his house! But secondly, I remember the good, kind, Navy seal hero version of Drew and I want him to come back, make amends with his family and realize that something horrible happened to him that made him lose his way. @Beverly48459863 said, “very tough choice – neither is what I’d like to say. But hopefully Drew has been exposed to enough to the point where he won’t be in a position to return to his antagonizing and blackmailing ways, so now it’s time for Willow to face some consequences.

Filled to the Brim With Them

Moving on… Readers, I have had my fill of Curtis and Jordan. The fact that they want to blame someone else for their own bad driving and reckless behavior infuriates me. And the fact that Curtis is bound and determined to pin it on Isaiah just because he’s jealous that Isaish is touching Portia’s belly makes me ill. 

The writers are making them both so unlikable. It seems like Jordan is pretty much healed except for the big maxi pad on her cheek. To be honest, I don’t think she looks as hideous as she thinks she looks. I think having a scar on your cheek is getting off easy when you could have died or killed someone else from being so careless behind the wheel. 

I hope when they find the other driver, (BLQ) I hope she counter sues them for all the damage to her car and for nearly running her off the road. And I swear, I hope Jordan has a dash cam that recorded the two of them having front seat foreplay instead of paying attention to the road. 

I am praying to the soap gods that Portia follows her pattern and that she lied and the baby is actually Isaiah’s! I honestly think she switched the results because Trina was mad at her and she wanted to draw her daughter back to her. If I’m being honest, I hope that Portia’s baby has zero Curtis DNA. Dr. Gannon is much nicer. Well, except when Curtis attacked him and forced him to go all Dark Isaiah and yell, “BACK OFF!” in the most aggressive scene he’s been in thus far. Confession, I kind of liked it.

I am really growing fond of Portia and Isaiah, and I credit Jordan and Curtis for being so unlikable that I took a second look at Dr. G and Portia. LOL. If Curtis pushes this, all he will do is expose Rocco as Isaiah’s patient.

Applause! Applause! The GH Moments of the Week

Speaking of Rocco, that brings me to my favorite moments of the week. My vote for performer of the week is Dominic Zamprogna. Dante’s scenes with Lulu, Not-Nathan, and Rocco this week were extremely compelling and absolutely heartbreaking. I was thrilled to hear Alexa Havens say that Lulu and Dante were endgame – I really want to see Lante reunite and if this situation with Rocco is the thing that brings that to fruition, then so be it. 

And right there with Dom, standing toe to toe in all of his scenes, is Finn Carr. He is a shining star. He’s one of those young actors on GH that makes me say “Uh oh” – because like Nicholas Alexander Chavez before him, he’s so superb that someone else is bound to try and poach him from GH. But I have a bone to pick. There Rocco was screaming about how he shot WSB director Cullum in the Q backyard. Do you know who else lives there? Chase. And Chase jumps to conclusions when he is eavesdropping, so maybe Dante should tell Rocco to use his inside voice.

My husband who pretends he doesn’t watch GH said this week, “Why is everyone on this show always screaming everything at the top of their lungs?” And to be fair, he walked in when Britt and Lulu were screaming at each other, and he walked in when Nina was screaming at Valentin, etc. He’s not wrong. For people who have a lot of secrets, they sure do yell them in public places a lot. But back to business…

In Rocco’s scenes with Britt, in particular, his emotions were so raw and real. Sad Rocco activated my Nana senses, and I wanted to bake him cookies, crochet him a scarf, and hug him. Kelly Thibeaud is at her best as Britt when she is mothering this child, she gave birth to, right or wrong. This poor sweet young man is dealing with so many heavy burdens and I am thankful that he now has Dante to lean on, too, because he definitely needs his dad. 

Frankly, I can see how this could be a turning point for Dante. If push comes to shove, don’t doubt that Dante will turn to Sonny to disappear Rocco to his private island to escape prosecution or Cullum’s wrath. And if he does, can he still be the police commissioner?

I’m so invested in seeing how this all unfolds! 

Before You Stick Ric

Sonny almost did something crazy and took out his brother, but Justine talked sense to him and caused him to have a conversation with Ric. It’s sweet that Ric was buying art for Elizabeth, but it nearly got him killed. Readers, I know it can’t work, but I really love Justine and Sonny together. Nazneen Contractor and Maurice Benard have a wonderful rapport, and I enjoy their scenes immensely. But he’s a mob boss and she’s the Assistant District Attorney, so how long can this last?

I posed this question on X: In what world would the assistant district attorney and the Director of the WSB be having a conversation about an ongoing case in front of a mob boss? It’s another instance where we have to shake our heads and shrug. So, Cullum is demanding that the PCPD turn over evidence to the WSB about his shooting where Sonny’s right hand man Jason was the suspect and he has this conversation in front of Sonny?

Of course, Cullum knows Jason didn’t shoot him, because he was looking him in the face when he was shot from behind. Listen, if Sonny had wanted Cullum dead, he would have disappeared to the Pine Barrens by now. But for Cullum to have that conversation with Justine in public and in front of Sonny was inconceivable. (With respect to the Princess Bride.) @3dogsplus1cat said, “Wait! He isn’t a lawful coffee importer?” which made me laugh and laugh.

Who Is She And What Is She to You?

A new mystery is brewing. Ethan knew Delilah. He is interested in baby Phoebe. Was he the father or just a friend of the mother? As yet, it’s uncertain. Add in that Kristina told Ethan about losing her baby and 8add in that Chase and BLQ’s marriage is about to implode because Michael hired Elaine the PI and her adorable little dog Mavis to snap photos of Chase and Willow in compromising positions.

When Chase and BLQ fall apart, there is a rumor that Ethan and Kristina will either A) enter into a marriage of convenience to get custody of Phoebe, or B) kidnap the baby and go on the run with her. I don’t know if either is true, but they both hold promise. 

Another scene I really loved on Friday is Joss and Cassius. Don’t hate me, but these two have such lovely chemistry. I know he’s 40 and she’s 20 and blah blah blah, I don’t want to hear your judgment. They are excellent scene partners and whether they end up friends, partners, or lovers, I don’t care, I just want more scenes with them. 

Josslyn gave Cassius the nest advice to date. And sure, I know she was working him to try to get out, but she wasn’t wrong. If Cassius plays this right, and takes down Sidwell and Cullum, Nathan’s loved ones WILL see Cassius as family and will forgive his deception and will take him into their circle when they know he did what he did to save Britt’s life. The way Cassius has fallen for James is so sweet. I loved what he said about no one ever looking at him the way Nathan’s loved ones look at him now, and I felt sad for the horrible childhood he must have had and never knowing true family before.

Ryan Paevey is one of those actors I just love and when he’s in Hallmark movies I watch them, and when he is on GH, I drink him in- he’s a loveable guy and that comes through in all of the roles he plays. I am rooting that when the truth comes out that Cassius will stay in Port Charles long term, as himself. 

Also, Eden McCoy has really grown into this role as a WSB agent. When they first made this career transition for her and she was training with Vaughn, I was chuckling at the absurdity of it. But I can’t imagine Joss going back to college and playing volleyball anymore, she has been through so much. Joss is tougher and harder than she once was, but that’s good for the story. She lost Oscar. She lost Dex. Vaughn has vanished. She killed Cyrus Renault. She’s had her ass kicked. She’s been taken captive. I mean, a frat party seems so tame now, doesn’t it?

This change of career gives the character of Joss longevity. Who knows, maybe someday she will decide she wants to be a doctor again. Heaven knows GH needs some, but she’s Carly’s daughter and she has more fight in her than the average medical student.

Soap Ophthalmologist: Better Like This or Better Like This?

Okay. Ric Lansing. I can’t decide. Help me choose. Ric with Liz or Ric with Alexis. I liked both couplings back in the day. Liz is his dream, his fantasy, his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. With Liz, he’s always on his best behavior. But Alexis? She is a sparring partner, someone who keeps him humble and knows all of his BS and still manages to see the good in him sometimes. I can’t decide who he is better suited for. What do you think? Not to make it more complicated, but I also liked his fling with Ava.

Another growing bond I am loving is Lucas and Britt. The two former enemies are now unlikely drinking buddies, and I can hardly wait until the day Brad shows up at Britt’s door and finds Lucas there. I really enjoyed Ryan Carnes when he played Lucas, and I was skeptical when they recast, but I will say that Van Hansis is now my favorite Lucas. He has made the role his own and he has wonderful on-screen presence with everyone he interacts with. Lucas and Marco were wonderful (may he R.I.P.)- I like his scenes with Carly, with Britt, with Joss, even with Sidwell. I hope Lucas is the one to go in and tell Sidwell that it was Cullum who shot his son. I want to see that swift and brutal take down. 

As villains go, I like Sidwell. I hope he escapes rather than gets killed off so he can come back and wreak havoc another day like Heather, Jerry Jacks, Helena, Faison and other villains who pop up every now and then and make things interesting.

What will happen tomorrow dear readers?

What will happen tomorrow dear readers? Will Molly’s next gift to Jordan be a signed copy of her book about dumping TJ for a hot cowboy? Will Fizz and Mavis fall in puppy love? Could Trina’s showcase lead to a tour with L and B records and then will she disappear forever like Miguel Morez did thirty years ago? Will Rocco make good on his threat and turn Danny and Charlotte in for trying to break into Wyndemere, and if so, will they forgive him by prom? And Will Nina and Willow get to be cellmates when their many, many crimes are exposed, or will Willow skate because Detective Chase is so naïve? Will Britt continue to berate poor locked in Brennan for not being able to help her now that he’s paralyzed?

Will Jacinda take over Crimson when Nina goes to jail? (I mean, her boyfriend is her boss, so why not? Experience and expertise don’t matter anymore, just look at our government.) Will Tracy go back to complaining about the helipad when Jenz’ chopper spooks her horse, Hades? Will Cullum flick Jack on the head three more times, or will Jack wake up and sock him? Will Carly have her cousin Lulu write an article called, “Why does everyone have strokes at Willow’s house?” Will Dante be smart enough to burn the evidence and not just hide it in his desk with a cheap lock? Will Isaiah keep touching Portia’s belly anytime he wants just to irritate Curtis?

Only tomorrow knows dear readers and I will tune in tomorrow as long as there are tomorrows. Tamilu