Why do the good guys always seem to end up on the losing end of the writers’ pens, while the bad guys continually escape justice? Lady Justice is truly blind, and her scales tip dangerously to the wrong side in Port Charles. Let’s discuss the prison blues – and who deserves it — in an all-new General Hospital commentary for the week ending November 14, 2025.
I love a good villain as much as the next person – one of my all-time favorite soap characters was the Queen of Evil herself, Helena Cassadine — but I was always realistic. Eventually, Helena would go down and have to scurry away, so she could return to create mayhem another day. These days, not so much. We have a plethora of baddies walking around free as little birds. What’s the deal General Hospital?
It seems you can’t swing a dead ca…er…villain without hitting another. It’s time to clean house.
Release the Kraken Willow!
Let’s start with Willow who went from winsome to wicked in the span of a little over a year. She was recently arrested for shooting Drew. Did she do it? Probably. But it doesn’t really matter because Alexis, who recently freed herself from her own sticky wicket of wrongdoing, worked her legal magic and got Willow released from prison — pending trial.
What did Willow do with her newfound freedom? Did she go home, sign up for therapy, or pick up a self-help book? Nope. She called the Q mansion and found out from Yuri that Nina had taken Wiley to Metro Court. Without hesitation, Willow marched over to the hotel hoping to sneak in a visit with her son. Who cares about that pesky court order prohibiting Willow from having contact with the kiddies or those terms of her recent release that I’m quite sure included not getting arrested? Not Willow, that’s for sure. But the joke was on her because Michael was there too – with Jacinda. 🤭
She’s not that innocent
I know people are innocent until proven guilty, but that is not necessarily true for soap characters. In Willow’s case, we the viewers saw with our very own eyes that Willow was behind the incidents with Daisy. Willow was sneaking into the Quartermaine mansion to torment Michael and Sasha. Viewers also know that Willow was responsible for that scary incident with Daisy in the hospital. For me, it’s not a big stretch to imagine that Willow would pick up a gun and shoot Drew in the back twice. He’s been a destructive force in her life since they kissed, and I’ve seen glimmers of pure hatred flash across her face.
Willow has been unraveling for quite a while. Likely even before her affair with Drew.
Willow’s mental state
There’s no denying that Willow’s mental state has never been on solid ground. How could it be when she spent most of her life bouncing from one cult to another. I don’t blame Willow for any of that, but it damaged her in a way that I don’t think can be healed without proper therapy to address those traumas. To my knowledge, Willow never saw a therapist for that. I’ve seen quite a bit of speculation that Willow suffered a breakdown when she lost custody of the children. The revelation that Nina and Drew knocked boots when Drew and Willow were playing kissy face just exacerbated the problem. I disagree. I’ve seen troubling signs as far back as when Willow was diagnosed with cancer.
Willow chose to keep her cancer diagnosis to herself for most of her pregnancy because she worried that Michael would pressure her to terminate the pregnancy and begin treatment immediately. She based this solely on the fact that Michael loved her. It was completely irrational and based purely on conjecture. Eventually, the decision landed Willow in General Hospital at death’s door during the final trimester of her pregnancy. In the end, she put both herself and her unborn child at unnecessary risk because she didn’t want anyone dictating her choices.
Willow had a right to make medical decisions for herself, but she didn’t have a right to keep Michael in the dark about the danger his unborn child. They were in a committed relationship.
Visions of Harmony
Beyond poor decisions and self-destructive behavior, Willow went through a period where she kept having visions and dreams of Harmony trying to warn Willow of some impending doom. The visions stopped, but our General Hospital writers never really explained them. There were those who thought Dream-Harmony might have been Willow’s subconscious warning Willow that Michael was lying and keeping secrets, but I always thought there was more to it. Given Willow behavior over the past few months, the writers might want to revisit that loose end and tie it to what’s been driving her lately.
Don’t forget, Nina has a long and well-documented history of mental health struggles going as far back as her college days when she met Silas Clay. Madeline had objected to Nina and Silas’ marriage in part because of Nina’s mental health. Madeline was twisted and homicidal too, but I do believe that Nina had issues. We all know what happened when Nina woke up from the coma. Nina pretty much terrorized Silas and all those in his orbit, especially Ava.
Then there’s Nelle
Willow’s twin sister was a serial killer with a massive victim complex. It’s how Nelle justified doing all the horrible things she did. Like Nelle, Willow sees the world through a prism of victimhood. Their poor choices are never really their fault; others drove them to it. In Willow’s case, the heart wanted what the heart wanted. Willow slept with her husband’s uncle on the nursery floor where her children played because she and Drew fell in love.
The difference between Nelle and Willow is that Willow can still be saved. It’s not too late. Yes, she shot Drew (I firmly believe this) but a stint in Shadybrook under intensive therapy will atone for that sin. As much as I dislike Willow, I do hope for Wiley and Amelia’s sakes that she gets help. That’s the great thing about soaps. In most cases — and with good writing — redemption is possible.
Chasing the wicked truth
Folks, I can’t wait for the day when Chase realizes just how wrong he is about Willow. He is going to owe everyone an apology, starting with his wife. Was I surprised that Brook Lynn didn’t put her foot down and demanded that Chase not risk his career to clear Willow’s name? No. Brook Lynn loves Chase, and he’s forgiven her for a slew of poor choices and lies. She’s been there and done that. However, I don’t think she’s happy with Willow’s sway over her husband.
Let’s face it. Chase is a terrible judge of character. It’s why Nelle was able to pull the wool over his eyes for as long as she did. Now, her twin is doing the same. My hope is that Chase’s investigation will ultimately lead him to the truth about Willow, but I don’t trust the writers. The motto at General Hospital these days seems to be: Bad is good, and good is bad.
Drew’s cane
That brings me to Drew. You have no idea how much I wish someone would snatch that cane away from him and whack him over the head with it until it snaps in two. He has transitioned from soap villain to cartoon villain, and it’s not entertaining.
Everything about Drew is over the top from the way he limps around town like a drunk crane with a bad hip to the way he tosses out threats like dollar bills at a strip club. Why has no one bothered to record Drew during one of his crazy tirades? I just don’t get it.
Drew’s greatest sin is how he doesn’t hesitate to use his own grieving daughter as a bargaining chip. It’s just awful. I hate how General Hospital has been using the kids. I don’t expect them to have perfect childhoods but at least let them become legal adults before they are traumatized for life.
Not only is Scout being kept from her beloved brother out of pure spite and cruelty, but now Rocco has landed in legal trouble and was carted off to jail. Rocco. Sweet, gentle, Rocco.
Between Rocco and a hard place
While Scout is stuck living a lonely life with the cold nanny that Drew hired to guard her, Scout’s brothers are staying busy trying to save innocent animals from an evil scientist.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Danny and Charlotte, but it should have been one of them that Dalton found. Danny and Charlotte are older, and both are a little more worldly in a way that only soap opera children can be. Rocco is such a pure soul that juvenile detention will be much harder on him. This should not have happened though. What gives General Hospital? Why would a judge toss a teen in juvie when that kid’s father is the acting police commissioner, his grandmother is the mayor, and it’s his first offense?
It feels a bit heavy handed.
I’m also perplexed by how Justine Turner can proceed with the charges. Dalton’s lab is on the campus of Port Charles University. He is not the owner of the lab or that research. All of that belongs to PCU. How can Dalton file charges without PCU backing him? Heck, the police haven’t even investigated the claims or the lab yet. Did Dalton not hear Sidwell’s warning that pursuing the charges would invite unwanted police scrutiny to their illegal research?
Oh, brother!
In an interesting twist, Ric approached Sonny with an offer. Ric knows of a way for Sonny to thwart Sidwell’s efforts and keep the piers out of Sidwell’s hands. Sonny wanted to trust his brother, but there’s all that ugly history and burned bridges between them. Hey Sonny, that goes two ways. You did some bad stuff to Ric too.
This might not be a popular opinion, but I love the idea of Sonny and Ric making peace. Do I trust the General Hospital writers to follow through on the promise of a brotherly reconciliation? No. Absolutely not. But I’m going to dream while there’s still hope that the possibility might become reality. Unfortunately, things are not off to a good start because Sonny offered Ric an opportunity to prove himself by helping Rocco.
Justine was open to a plea deal until Dalton slithered into the interrogation room. Another evil doer getting away with his crimes, but something tells me that Dalton’s days are numbered. As Friday’s episode drew to a close, Marco called his father to report that things did not go as planned in court with Rocco.
Doctor, doctor
General Hospital is in trouble. One co-chief-of-staff is missing (Terry) and the other (Portia) might end up in prison for criminal misconduct. Meanwhile, there’s lying Britt — who keeps asking to be reinstated as a doctor even though she doesn’t actually have a medical license — and Lucas who is blinded by love. Isaiah too.
Pregnant and in hot water
Portia doesn’t know it yet, but soon she will be knee deep in hot water because I think Alexis is going to be successful in painting Portia as a viable alternative suspect in Drew’s shooting. It looks bad for Portia because she had oodles of motive to want him dead — chief of which was that Drew had been blackmailing her with a secret so explosive that it could blow up her career and her marriage. Now, her alibi fell apart. Did Portia forget that they have timeclocks at General Hospital?
Trina and Kai were able to get rid of the altered test results, but Portia’s crimes didn’t end there. She illegally obtained ketamine (will Brad soon return?) and along with her co-conspirator (Nina) paid an escort (Jacinda) to spike Drew’s drink. What’s the saying? Two can keep a secret if one is dead. At least a half dozen people know about Portia’s role in Drew’s ketamine-fueled night on the town. Coupled with her pregnancy and baby-daddy secret, it’s the perfect setup for some good soapy drama.
The truth hurts
I love Trina, but I really wish she hadn’t had that little exchange with Jordan. I understand that Trina has no idea that her mother is sleeping with Isaiah or possibly pregnant with his child, but she will soon. When that bombshell drops, Trina is going to look back and be horrified.
Jordan isn’t innocent. She would love nothing more than a second – or is it now third? – chance with Curtis, but Portia and Curtis’ marriage fell apart because of Portia’s lies and secrets. The interference in the marriage was Portia’s budding romance with Isaiah. That had been building for a while, which is why Portia ended up sleeping with Isaiah five minutes after Curtis walked out. Literally.
Port Charles Potpourri
Some quick thoughts about other things going on in and around Port Charles.
Family drama
Has no one told Yuri that Willow is bad news? I would think Michael would have clued the former bodyguard in to the likelihood that Willow had been sneaking around and messing with baby Daisy. I found it odd that Yuri would just volunteer Wiley’s whereabouts given his loyalty to Monica – and the rest of the Qs.
Nina’s determination to help Willow at any cost is not love. It’s desperation, and I was so happy that Michael turned the tables on her at Metro Court. I also found her and Drew conspiring together a bit revolting. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Nina and Drew ended up sleeping together again.
I really wish someone besides Jacinda had a smidgen of faith in Michael’s innocence. It’s sad how everyone around him thinks he’s a killer, proving that none of them know Michael. At. All. Michael is not a cold-blooded killer. If he hadn’t grabbed that axe to protect himself and used it to stop a completely unhinged Claudia, she would have disappeared with newborn Josslyn. He saved his sister.
Revenge ain’t so sweet
Martin’s redemption tour begins. I love Michael E. Knight, and his alter ego Martin, which was why I was so baffled and disappointed by Martin’s stunt with Ronnie. Now Erika Slezak has departed General Hospital, the storyline has concluded, and Martin is left trying to salvage his relationships. I’m madder at the writers for doing this to Martin than I am at Martin for what he’s done.
Is he, or isn’t he?
I can’t decide if Nathan is the real deal or an imposter of some sort. When Dante reinstated Nathan as a detective, Nathan seemed to be genuinely grateful for the second chance. He was also quite kind and compassionate during Rocco’s arrest, and his conversations with Britt seemed from the heart. She talks to him like he truly is Nathan. But this is General Hospital where things are seldom as they seem.
What General Hospital Viewers Are Saying
We love reading what other fans have to say about the show, so please scroll down to the Comments section and share your thoughts. It’s at the bottom of this (and every) column.
The usual suspect
“I do not think Michael shot Drew. But I am not sure he didn’t put the gun in Willow’s room. I think there’s a very good possibility Willow stole the gun, shot Drew then returned the gun to the Qs. Michael could have seen her at Drew’s, realized what happened after the first attempted search warrant at the Qs and moved the gun to Liz’s house before the second warrant. If Willow is guilty, good for him. Ha, I would love that. But Michael has been a bit shifty, and maybe that’s what his family is reacting to.” — Kathie
“It’s so frustrating when Sonny has talks with Michael and others showing his lack of confidence in Michael’s innocence. Not too long ago, he [Sonny] was convinced that Carly was breaking down while she was going through the hell of Nelle gaslighting her with Morgan’s cologne. Sonny is no prize as a father.” — WebberHardryLover
Farewell, Ronnie
Monica leaves the Quartermaine mansion to Tracy
Before you check out
If you are a fan of more than just General Hospital, don’t forget to check out Dan J Kroll’s latest Beyond The Gates commentary. This week it’s called Apples and Eggplant, Zebra and Hippos. That sounds like Thanksgiving at my house!
Liz
Liz, I’ve just come to realize that Michael is always wrong and everyone else is always right. It doesn’t matter that Sonny killed AJ. It matters that Michael responded by taking custody of Avery. Because of him doing that, Morgan and Kiki drugged him and Lucy decided to be a self righteous shrew who wrongly believed that Michael didn’t deserve ELQ because of something that was none of her business. It didn’t matter that Sonny chose Nina over and over again. It matters that Michael responded by wanting to take Sonny down. And now, it doesn’t matter that Willow and Drew have treated Michael horribly. It matters that Michael is mad about it.
I know you’re being tongue in cheek here. But whatever sneakiness Michael may or may not be doing with Willow, I don’t think his primary motivation is anger. I think it’s about protecting his kids. Including Daisy.
I agree with that.
Enough with the all and powerful Drew. He is a freshman Congressman. Freshman Congressmen do not have power and influence and if you follow the news, some even get sent to jail for committing crimes. Drew stole Quartermain property when he bribed the movers to deliver it to him. That is grand larceny, and the moving company is complicit as well. I guess all of this was done to set up Ned’s heart attack, but even that begs the question , why?
Since Drew has been hobbling around with that cane , he reminds me of Barnaby, the villain from the Laurel & Hardy movie ” March Of The Wooden Soldiers”.
Willow is obviously using Chases’ feeling towards her to manipulate him into being her “hero”. It makes me wonder how Drew is going to react when he sees that Willow has another hero.
Willow gets out on bail and immediately violates the court order to stay away from her kids.
I remain stunned at the lack of curiosity over the reappearance of the dead and buried Nathan. At least Jason investigated Britts’ “death” and found irregularities.
So, what is Dalton up to? We know that the lab was not “trashed”. Laura was right, Dalton would have said as much when he turned Rocco over to the police. As far as we know, the police did not secure the lab so Dalton had a day to trash the lab himself and Turner should have known this and investigated before changing the charges against Rocco. Her case is very weak, plenty of reasonable doubt.
We know that Dalton wants to sell his research to the highest bidder and has already suggested that to Britt. What better way to do that than by saying his research was destroyed? That would allow him to walk away from Sidwell and he obviously does not know how dangerous Sidwell is so he is unaware of the risk. But, Britt knows that Dalton wants to sell Sidwell out for more money so this could be Britt’s redemption arc.
Spot on…so many “baddies” and it never ends. Drew is the worst, he’s taken over Peter’s mustache-twirling persona! He never gets any comeuppance and it’s tiring. Meanwhile, this whole “Jason sees the REAL Britt” nonsense is just as dumb. No, Jason…she ISN’T kind. Britt works best as “The Britch,” (a nickname I can’t stand but I’ll use it here). At least in the past, she has had comeuppance, back when the writers had a clue how to write and how to give people at least a little bit of what they wanted. I really didn’t want Nathan back, but I actually hope he is really Nathan. But I think him being good-Nathan is reliant on both Britt and their mother as being not so good. He was the good one of the bunch, and I think his character Works best when the family around him isn’t so squeaky clean.
For all the things my soap has done right in the past few months, they’ve done so many wrong. And Chase? Chase has always been like a puppy dog that goes this way and that and never really sees what’s in front of him. Did he not remember seeing Willow sneak back into the house to “get Scout’s cup“ after the first day of school? She’s sneaky, but he doesn’t see it. He didn’t see it in now, he didn’t see it in Brooklyn, he just never sees things!
Greetings, Citizens of Earth!
My Thoughts, in No Particular Order.
Next, on “Rotten People Doing Rotten Things!”
Can the writers possibly make Congressman Snidely Whiplash any worse?
Stealing the Q’s Valuable Tchotchkes, giving Ned a “Widowmaker”, and leaving him there on the ground.
What a Guy.
What’s he going to do next, tie Olivia to the Railroad Tracks?
So why is ShrewLu wearing a Puritan Frock?
Is she channeling her Inner Pilgrim?
Maybe Gio will Shoot Drew and Do It Right.
Somebody’s got to do it.
Where’s Wile E. Coyote with his Giant Acme Anvil to Drop on Drew’s Giant Head?
Aww… Gio called Ned Grandpa! I don’t think he’s ever called him that before.
Too bad Grandpa is currently circling the drain due to a Congressman Jazz Hands inflicted Heart Attack.
Good thing Brit was there.
Too bad she doesn’t know how to do CPR.
Neither do the folks at General Hospital, either.
I see they still haven’t gotten their Stethoscope Supply from the Warehouse yet.
That’s okay, nobody at GH knows how to use a Stethoscope anyway.
Sounds to me like Ned needs to get to the Cath Lab, STAT.
We should be hearing them announce a Code Stemi overhead, and Ned should be in the Cath Lab within Ten Minutes.
The first Balloon should be inflated within 90 Minutes or Less.
Preferably Less,
No, they’re not having a Party, that’s how they clear the Blockage.
And…
Where’s Terry???
Porthole is really Ticking Me Off.
Britt is 100% Correct, they need to act fast.
Next, on “Free Willow”…
Chase is an Absolute Idiot.
He didn’t used to be so stupid (oh maybe he did, he always was a bit of a moron).
Yeah he’s defending Willow just like he defended her wackadoodle sister.
And you see where that got everybody.
So now Dante is the PC Commish, and he’s recruiting Nathan to babysit his Idiot Partner, Barney Fife.
I’m really digging Rory as Michael.
I sure wouldn’t Kick him Outta Bed for Eating Crackers .
How did Wallow get out of Pentonville so fast?
I’m worried about Danny.
There’s been Rumors that the Actor is leaving, and folks are Speculating…
I swear to The Deity Of Your Choice if hey kill off Jason’s Son (again!) I’ll stop watching.
They already killed off Jake (then Inexplicably brought him back blaming Helena).
While I despise Politics, Smarty had some good lines re: Slimeball Bannon.
“…And on the other hand, there’ll be this Twerp who’s not All That Bright basically Slinging Mud like a Deranged Monkey at the Zoo…
He’s just a Damaged Little Man who has to Bully People to get what he wants….!”
Now why does that sound Familiar?
Gio is Pure Gold.
That Kid can Act, he can Emote, and he Plays Music!
And he’s Gorgeous.
Can we keep him? Please??
Ruh Roh.
Looks like the Scooby-Doo Gang is in Trouble!!
Rocco is, anyway.
Dastardly Dalton is Slimey Bannon’s New Bestie.
He needs to get under that Falling Acme Anvil along with EwDrew and Slimey Bannon.
Slic Ric cleans up nicely.
I’m glad Alexis mentioned OutKast when she and Molly were talking about Ric’s “Rescue”.
So, will Ric be Rocco’s Lawyer?
Danny may need a Good Lawyer, cuz you know Uncle Snidely would like to tie HIM to the Railroad Tracks as well.
There sure are a lot of Lawyers in Port Chuck!!!
And most are related to each other in one way or another.
Now all they need are a few more Doctors (who know how to use a Stethoscope!) at GH.
Why are people who’ve been off screen for over a week in the Opening Montage, (I’m talking to YOU Anna!), and Actors who are On Screen almost Daily STILL not there!
I mean OutBack.
Oh, yeah, and ShrewLu, too.
I see the Anti-Emma has a new Pix, as well.
Hmmmmm.
~~~~
Everybody is saying that Rocco will “Probably get Community Service.”
The more they say that, the more I think the Kid’s gonna end up in Solitary at Steinmaur.
Or at least Pentonville.
Of course, Dastardly Dalton falsified Evidence to Frame Rocco.
And Turner just Buys it??
I see Anti-Stella is back to her old NosyBody Tricks.
She needs to Get a Life.
That goes for Trina as well.
When was the last time she talked to the Man Who Raised Her, Taggert????
Lousy Rotten Hypocrites everywhere you go!!
I don’t know about Y’All, but my Blood is Boiling!!!!
For me the brightest spots of the week were the possibility of a real truce between Sonny and Ric (and Alexis!) and seeing the “real” Marty back again. Totally agree that peace between Sonny and Ric is waaaaay more interesting than the endless and repetitive sniping.
The idea of these increased charges against Rocco sticking is ludicrous. There’s no chain of evidence, the police didn’t even visit the supposed scene of the crime after it was reported (with no claim of damage by Dalton) which would make anything they find a day later irrelevant. Sigh. I hate it when the writers treat us (and the many attorney characters who are supposed to be brilliant at their jobs) like we’re idiots.
Liz, I don’t know if Nathan is the real deal or not, but the writers certainly have not done anything to convince me that he is the real deal. It’s almost like they don’t want to deal with it.
While I understand that the legal system in Port Charles has only a tenuous connection to that of the real world, Portia does not seem like a credible alternative suspect. While she had reason to want Drew dead, the logistics of using Edward’s gun are implausible. She would have to know where the gun was, come up with a ruse to visit Monica or whatever so she could steal it, and get enough free access to Elizabeth’s house to plant it in Willow’s room–which is especially unlikely because whatever Portia’s flaws, she would not want an innocent person sent to jail for something she did. Not when Drew already has so many enemies that Portia can just blend into the group.
Then there’s the effort Portia put into saving Drew’s life in surgery. Maybe Turner will be so unprepared that she won’t effectively rebut the Portia-as-an-alternate suspect at trial. Otherwise, if I were a juror and this was the best the defense could come up with, I’d see that as so desperate I’d think Willow was guilty.
The best approach, of course, is to go all in on Michael. Since I understand why Alexis does not want to do that, maybe just expand beyond Portia to the long list of Drew haters. Which includes Alexis herself, a clear conflict of interest so I’m not sure why she’s Willow’s lawyer. Or rather, I’m not sure why Willow trusts her to be her lawyer. Side note: Remember when Justus Ward defended Laura for killing Damian Smith when Justus was in fact the guilty party?
Rocco’s father being the acting police commissioner and his grandmother being the mayor should not affect what he is charged with. Only that would be looked at as favoritism or bias. However, the fact that it is his first defense should have been taken into account.
The other thing that should have been taken into account is the fact that this new evidence that Dalton provided the DA doesn’t fall under the chain of evidence. As Rick pointed out to the judge, the DA’s office and the cops failed to investigate Dalton’s lab before bringing charges. What Justine should have done is say that new evidence has come to light that they need to investigate before deciding on the official charges they will be placing, and ask for a delay or continuance in the sentencing. If Dalton refuses to have the police investigate his lab, which he likely would, this would definitely prevent them from using that evidence he provided so if it cannot be validated as true. Evidence that the injured party provided A DAY AFTER the incident, without the department first validating this evidence, realistically would not be admissible in court.