General Hospital Commentary: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

With one innocent phone call to Willow, Wiley solved the case of who shot Drew. What happens next? Will Willow go to jail or earn herself double jeopardy? Things are heating up between Portia and Isaiah, but do they have what it takes to go the distance? Let’s discuss that and more in an all-new General Hospital commentary for the week ending January 9, 2026.

Happy 2026! I hope everyone has a blessed and wonderful year ahead. I can’t tell you how excited I am to write about General Hospital this week. After months of speculation, deciphering the few clues the writers stingily doled out, and suffering through several attempts at misdirection, we finally got our answer. To everyone who deduced that it was Willow who fired the shots, pat yourselves on the back. You were right!

Unsolved mystery

Before I revel in my victory of correctly predicting that Willow was the shooter, I have a bone to pick with our General Hospital writers.

Months ago, when Kai and Trina first discussed hearing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” playing after the shooting, Kai told Trina that it was Drew’s ringtone for Scout. Kai went on to suggest that Scout might have saved her father’s life with that phone call. All of us armchair sleuths immediately wondered if Scout had called Willow, and it was Willow’s – not Drew’s – phone that we heard. Afterall, it would make sense that both Drew and Willow used the same ringtone for Scout.

A few weeks ago, we learned that Drew’s call log didn’t show any phone calls in the hour leading to the shooting. It reinforced the suspicion that it was Willow’s phone that Kai and Trina heard. 

Michael’s special ringtone for Wiley

Fast-forward to this week when Michael testified that he had changed his mind about talking to Drew when Wiley called the night of the shooting and Michael heard Wiley’s special ringtone. Kai and Trina immediately wondered if they’d heard Michael’s phone the night of the shooting. It made no sense. Why would Michael and Drew have the same ringtone for their children? Not once did Kai or Trina mention Drew’s ringtone for Scout. Instead, both were suddenly certain that it was likely Michael’s phone that they heard.

Trina decided it was best to drop the matter because she had no desire to send Josslyn’s brother to jail. But Kai objected. He insisted that he couldn’t let an innocent woman go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit. Kai was adamant that they help Willow for Wiley and Amelia’s sake. That lasted all of a day. Once it was clear that Willow was the shooter, and she might get away with the crime, Kai had a change of heart. He insisted that he and Trina shouldn’t come forward and reveal that Willow was the shooter because they would put themselves in the house at the time of the shooting and possibly incriminate themselves. I guess it’s okay for Michael to possibly go down for a crime he didn’t commit.

What a child really needs

I really hate how people on this show act like a mother’s role is somehow more important than a fathers to a child’s well-being. A child needs both parents, but more than that they need parents who consistently put their child’s welfare first. Willow hasn’t done that. She loves her kids, but she puts her own happiness first. She seems to be of the mind that if she’s happy, her kids will be happy.

Willow is now a proven repeat criminal who is willing to use children to hurt their parents, so I don’t want to see her anywhere near Wiley and Amelia — or Scout for that matter. More on that later.

Trina deserves better

I had really hoped that Trina would stand her ground and go to Justine and ask for immunity. Justine would have given it simply because it would have strengthened her case against Willow. Instead, Trina listened to Kai, and they ended up at Alexis’ office. The one person whose job it is to bury incriminating evidence against her client. Trina is smarter than this, but the writers have to continually dumb her down to make Kai interesting. The dude was wrong about Drew, and he was wrong about Willow. When in the world is he going to listen to Trina? I couldn’t help but think, “Spencer would have trusted Trina’s instincts.” Spencer always put Trina first. Kai puts himself first.

Maybe I’m wrong, but it feels a bit like the General Hospital writers seem to have created this bland romance with Kai to keep Trina on a backburner for when they bring Spencer back. There’s no real character development with Kai. He’s been around for a little over a year, yet we’ve never seen his parents, we know next to nothing about his life before he met Trina, and his only friend has vanished. The few things we do know about him aren’t all that great. He’s a terrible judge of character, he has learned nothing from his breakup with Trina, and he’s boring. Worse, his character has dragged Trina down. These days, she’s pretty much relegated to propping Kai in the hopes of making Kai a thing.

I’m delighted that the mystery of who shot Drew was solved, but I really wish the writers hadn’t made Trina the supporting role in the story.

Twinkle, twinkle little star

Not surprisingly, it was Willow’s phone that rang during the time of the shooting. What was a bit startling was just how diabolical Willow has been since the shooting. Remember when she first heard that Drew had been shot? She “fainted” in Chase’s arms as if the shock of hearing the horrible news had been more than her tender heart could handle. Turns out, it was all an act. Willow didn’t snap, it wasn’t dissociative identity disorder (as some had suspected), or even a crime of passion. She knew exactly what she was doing and she has zero regrets.

Willow sneaked into the Quartermaine mansion, retrieved Edward’s gun from the case, and drove to Drew’s house. Once there, she slid on a pair of gloves, picked up the gun, and slipped into Drew’s house to shoot him. It was calculated and premeditated. She planned everything. Willow justifies all of it in the name of getting her kids back. She has no qualms about falsely accusing Michael of the crime and framing her, and she hates Drew with a burning passion if that smirk at the end of Friday’s show — when Carly shoved Drew — was any indication.

Soon, everyone will know

I take great pleasure in knowing that soon everyone will know the truth. I don’t care what happens to Willow – I’ve long believed she could greatly benefit from therapy, so a stint in Shadybrook would serve her well – but I do care about Michael. Everyone from Sonny, Dante, and all the Qs will owe him an apology. They all believe that he was capable of cold-blooded murder and framing the mother of his children when he was innocent. All he has done is try to protect his children from a woman who used his medical proxy to punish his parents at a time when he was fighting for his life. A woman who made no effort to keep him connected to his children while he was undergoing burn treatment, and who used his newborn daughter to torment him and Sasha.

This narrative that Willow is a good mother because she loves her children is ridiculous. She failed to protect both Wiley and Amelia from Drew’s lies and machinations. It was quite telling when Wiley panicked at the thought of having to move in with Drew. That was enough to prove to me that Willow had failed to protect her children from Drew’s harm.

Chase owes the biggest apology

More than anyone, Chase has actively tried to pin the shooting on Michael because he’s convinced that Willow is innocent. He told anyone who would listen that Michael was guilty, and Chase twisted the facts to fit his narrative. As a detective, that is troubling. Worse, Chase did all of that despite catching Willow sneaking onto the estate several times, once with the intention of violating a court order by seeing her children. He completely disregarded the evidence – footage of Willow driving on Drew’s street around the time of the shooting – and continued to insist that the shooter was Michael. Probably the worst moment was when Chase weaponized a traumatic event in Michael’s past to suggest it proved that Michael was a killer.

Let me be clear. Michael did not kill Claudia in cold blood. He was a teenager who had been worried about his mother because she was heavily pregnant and he’d found her wrecked car. A completely unhinged Claudia was in the process of kidnapping newborn Josslyn when Michael walked in. Had he not stopped Claudia who knows what she would have done with Josslyn. It was violent and horrific, but it was not murder. Michael was haunted by what he’d done, and he paid a price for it. Not only did he go to jail, but he was violently raped while locked up. To take that nightmare and use it against Michael the way that Chase did was offensive. Doubly so because Chase was so very wrong about everything.

Dante needs to take stock too

Dante is another one who needs to look deep inside himself. Like Chase, he’s been reading people all wrong. He has painted both Gio and Michael in an unfair light. I appreciate that Dante is somewhat aware of his rotten instincts, but as usual he’s got it twisted. He thinks the problem is that he sees the best in people when he shouldn’t. He’s going to soon learn the opposite is true.

Gio is a great young man, but Dante blames him for Rocco’s choices because he sees Rocco’s poor choices as a reflection of himself as a father. Dante refuses to recognize that Rocco is no longer a child. He’s a young man and soon will be old enough to leave the nest. Don’t get me wrong. I love Rocco too and I don’t think he’s done anything horrible. Rocco has a big heart, and I love that he’s willing to sacrifice himself to help others. It says a lot about his character. He’s selfless and kind – a lot like Gio. Rocco is a normal — well, for a soap — teenager. Dante is lucky to have two such wonderful sons.

My hope is that Dante will realize that he was wrong about Michael, which will lead to an epiphany about Gio. Let the apology tour begin.

A match made in General Hospital heaven

Meanwhile, Valentin is moving on. He realizes that Charlotte will continue to visit him as long as he’s at Carly’s place. Smart. Charlotte has already broken the golden rule about secrets by sharing that she’s seen her father. She even let Danny know where her father was hiding. Danny is definitely trustworthy – to a point. We’ve seen with both Danny and Rocco that they will reach out for help if they think there’s danger.

Charlotte visiting her wanted father is fraught with danger, so it was only a matter of time before Danny told Jason. Especially since Valentin was holed up at Carly’s house. 

Folks, I don’t hate Jack. I think he’s an interesting character with shades of gray, and I’m probably one of the few people who actually thinks Josslyn working for Jack is a good fit. But I want Valentin back on General Hospital’s canvas fulltime. So, if it takes Valentin clearing his name by taking down Jack, I’m okay with that. Jack is the kind of character who can find his own way out of a legal sticky wicket. It might take a bit, but the writers could find a way to keep Jack around if they wanted.

There’s room enough for both Valentin and Jack

General Hospital needs characters like Valentin and Jack because they keep things interesting. I love their dynamic. Best friends, decades of collaborations, and enemies. Even better if sparks fly between Carly and Valentin. A fling between the two would add another layer of interesting to Valentin and Jack’s complicated relationship.

Also, it would make both Sonny and Nina’s heads explode. Jason’s too.

More than anything, I want someone to vanquish Sidwell. Nothing would make me happier than for Valentin and Jack to reluctantly team up to help rescue Anna, stop Faison’s project from developing, and take down Sidwell and his duplicitous son Marco. Oh, and whoever Sidwell’s mystery partner is.

A chink in the armor

Maybe it was my imagination, but I think Lucas had the first inkling that Marco might not be as trustworthy as he presents himself to be. Lucas was quick to ask Marco not to play his lying games with him. Too late Lucas. That horse galloped out barn long ago. I enjoy Lucas, but he’s been a bit insufferable with his defense of Marco. It really bothered me how quick Lucas was to cut anyone out who expressed even a bit of concern about how fast Lucas and Marco had moved. Doubly so given Marco’s belligerent reaction to Natalia’s death. I guess Marco forgot about all those times he complained what a drunk his mother was.

Viewers saw that Natalia’s death was her own fault. She kept popping those pills and knocking back those drinks like they were Tic Tacs and water.

Lucas is going to be another one on the apology tour especially with Carly. I don’t need him to grovel, but I do want Lucas to learn from this and stop ignoring red flags. Carly loves her brother and only ever had his best interests at heart. Unfortunately, Lucas was blinded by lust.

Baby, baby

Folks, I want to like Isaiah, but it’s been a struggle since he got involved with Portia. He had so much promise when he first joined the staff of General Hospital. A handsome single doctor with a mysterious past – those of us who watched One Life To Live wondered if he might be related to Hank and R.J. Gannon – and oodles good guy vibes. A part of me even hoped he and Elizabeth might spark up a romance. Instead, Isaiah seemed to find himself sucked into Portia’s toxic orbit. Before I knew it, Isaiah was listening to Portia whine about the end of her marriage and blaming it all on homewrecking Jordan.

Portia left out the part about the months of her lying and keeping secrets from Curtis, during which she manipulated her husband to satisfy her blackmailer. His enemy. She didn’t say squat about conspiring to hire an escort and providing her with ketamine to drug a sitting congressman or the tests that she illegally altered to keep a woman locked up behind bars. I don’t blame Portia too much for the latter, but it was still illegal, and Curtis was blindsided by all of it as it trickled out. Every time Portia promised Curtis no more secrets, she ended up keeping more secrets and lied to keep them buried.

Curtis is no saint. As his marriage crumbled, he began to lean on his ex-wife. Also, Curtis has a habit of having impossibly high standards for others, but not for himself. Once Curtis mounts his high horse, there’s no stopping him. Portia is particularly sensitive to having Curtis list her numerous faults because he knows what to say to hurt her most.

A bad romance

Now, Portia finds herself pregnant, fighting for her career, hoping not to land in legal hot water, and in the middle of a divorce. She hopes that Curtis will turn out to be the father of her unborn child because it would mean Trina and the baby are full siblings.

Isaiah is not a bad guy, but his behavior around Portia is starting to raise red flags. From the beginning he’s been openly hostile and confrontational with Curtis, believing Portia’s lies about Jordan despite knowing for himself that Jordan ended things with him because she wanted to take down Sidwell – not because she wanted Curtis. I also get the sense that he’s way more into Portia than she is in him. That isn’t bad, but it feels unhealthy. She’s not even divorced from Curtis, and they don’t know the paternity of the baby, yet he’s planning forever with her. Isaiah seems to be moving at lightning speed. Faster than is wise, especially given his history of a bad romance that drove him out of the country when it fell apart.

We are family

I’m no fan of Portia’s, but there’s no denying that Trina is her everything. This baby will be too. Portia is a Mama Bear to the core and she will do whatever it takes to protect them.  Unfortunately for Isaiah, Portia also has a very loose relationship with the truth and a history of tampering with tests. That doesn’t bode well for the upcoming paternity test. I have no doubt that those paternity tests will be changed if they don’t go the way that Portia hopes, especially if she believes it’s best for both of her children.

It’s a soap, so the writers are going to take full advantage of this situation. It wouldn’t be General Hospital if they didn’t. I don’t know how things will play out, but I have a feeling it’s not going to end well for Isaiah. I find myself not feeling the least bit sorry for him though because he’s acting like a bit of a jerk. Isaiah sees a happily-ever-after with Portia, but I see a relationship with all the earmarks of a classic rebound. Isaiah doesn’t even know the real Portia. But we do.

Irish eyes are crying

It seems that Jon Lindstrom returned to Port Charles to explain his ongoing absence from General Hospital as his role on Beyond The Gates takes up more of his time. He also ushered Ace off canvas along with Kevin. I just wish the writers had done a better job of it.

How safe is Ace in Ireland if everyone knows where he is? Does Laura think Ace is out of Sidwell’s reach in Dublin? If so, she’s a fool. She would have been better off talking to Sonny about sending Kevin and Ace into hiding until they can deal with Sidwell.

Speaking of family comings and goings

Can we please bring Nikolas home? He should be raising his son, and he should be doing it on Spoon Island in the home where Spencer grew up and was happiest. I love Laura, but she needs to make things right with Nikolas. She always held him to a higher standard than she did Lucky, and now with Lulu home, it’s like she’s forgotten her eldest child exists.

It burns my bacon that Nikolas is sitting in jail for a crime against the woman who went on to murder his son. It feels like a complete injustice. Nikolas had every right to be worried about his unborn child because Esme was a danger to everyone including that baby. She was literally in league with her homicidal parents. No one was safe around Esme, especially Spencer.

Port Charles Potpourri

Some quick thoughts about other things going on in and around Port Charles.

A deal with Nina

It really bugs me that Jack made that video of Willow on Drew’s street go away to gain Nina’s cooperation even though Nina hasn’t held up her end of the bargain. Carly better go scorched earth on Jack when she finds out what he did, and how that might have endangered two innocent children by setting their would-be killer mother free. Hopefully, the jury sees through Willow’s too sweet innocent act and finds her guilty.

Drew’s true colors 

Drew’s testimony on the stand was everything I had hoped. I loved Justine pushing his buttons and asking all the right questions. More of that please! Also, you’d think a congressman’s wife’s attempted murder trial would garner more media attention. It says a lot about Drew that the courtroom was practically empty. 🤣

Is he, or isn’t he?

Did anyone else find Nathan’s reaction a bit strange when Dante pointed out that Nathan had broken the chain of custody with a piece of evidence? Nathan blamed it on “cobwebs,” but it seemed to me that he genuinely didn’t realize that he had done anything wrong until Dante reminded him that leaving a piece of evidence in a car – unattended – was problematic. I so want Nathan to be Nathan, but I just can’t shake this feeling that he’s not.

A soapy possibility

I know Elizabeth is older than Michael, but Rory and Becky sure look nice together. Imagine Carly’s reaction if Michael should show an interest in Liz? Goodness that would be deliciously soapy.

Stolen goods

Why is Tracy not going to the police and suing the moving company that illegally gave Drew her possessions? She was the one who contracted and paid them to move her things back to the Quartermaine mansion. Drew is in possession of stolen goods. Monica left nothing to him in the will; it all went to Tracy and other family members.

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.

1000% percent with both of you on the need for CONSEQUENCES for the several characters getting away with so much for so long and who have zero redeeming qualities; they are just cardboard cutouts on our screen at this point, and our beloved show needs to let us ESCAPE from reality a bit, not depress us more. — CeeGee

I know that I am in the minority, but I don’t see any couple on this show worth rooting for and that includes Gio/Emma and Cody/Molly. I get when romance is lacking even mediocre looks great. If the show wants to showcase these couples, then please give them interesting storylines right now everything feels lackluster because cute and adorable isn’t where it’s at. — Rita 2025

Will Willow get away with attempted murder?

Wow and no DID , she did this on purpose to set up Michael…she needs to go to jail, not the loony bin.

— Ramoana Stone (@Ramoana) January 8, 2026

So who cares, the GH writers let Sonny murder a FBI agent and Sidwell a judge with no consequences. Let Willow get away with attempted murder.

— (((Susan))) 🇺🇸 🏳️‍🌈 😷 📎 🟦 (@SusanMills158) January 9, 2026

Isaiah blames Curtis for the breakdown of Portia and Curtis’ marriage

It was that line specifically that bothered me. Isaiah said that for the sole purpose of pissing off and hurting Curtis. That line was very juvenile no matter how over the top Curtis was. Jmo! #GH

— Leslie B (@Leslie_B68) January 6, 2026

That’s not how I saw it. Someone needed to tell Curtis to stand down. Isaiah’s comment wasn’t entirely wrong, but it wasn’t completely unjustified either.

— Steve Holley (@BySteveHolley) January 6, 2026

Before You Check Out

Be sure to check out Dan Kroll’s latest Beyond The Gates commentary: Don’t Disturb This Wa! Are Anita’s days numbered? Will Joey and Leslie working together end in catastrophe?

In case you missed it, here are mine and Tamilu’s The Best of GH 2025 and The Worst of GH 2025.

Happy viewing!

Liz