Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. The good people of Port Charles sure do a lot of deceiving, so let’s get busy untangling it all. A General Hospital commentary for the week ending September 25, 2026.

Yikes, there sure are a lot of liars on General Hospital these days. It seems people are either scheming or being schemed against. Ava is plotting Sonny’s downfall, Charlotte tried to stir up a scandal that would free Scout from Drew’s tight yoke, and trouble abounds at the Quartermaine mansion. Let’s kick things off with Ava and Sonny.

Ava’s Wicked Ways

Folks, I love Ava. Maura West is one of my favorite actors in all of soapdom. As a soap character, Ava is perfect. She can be as good as she can be bad, she always brings the drama, and she’s both shrewd and cunning. So why in tarnation has she thrown her lot in with Drew? I don’t understand her sudden desire to take down Sonny. Don’t get me wrong, Sonny is no saint, but last I checked, Sonny and Ava had reached a tentative peace and were making things work. Then Sonny began sniping at Ava, and Ava decided to team up with Drew to plot Sonny’s destruction.

Clear As Mud

I could have sworn that Sonny has had primary custody of Avery since Morgan was killed in a car bomb, and it was revealed that Ava had tampered with Morgan’s medication, which sent Morgan spiraling into bipolar mania. Ava regained custody of Avery when Sonny was believed to have been killed in 2021, but they agreed to share custody when he returned from Nixon Falls, with Avery’s primary residence being with Sonny. However, after Sonny found out that Ava had repeated history and tampered with his medication — at Valentin’s behest — I thought Sonny used that to gain the upper hand in the custody issue. It’s why he’s been quick to remind Ava to tread with caution since she only gets to see Avery at his pleasure. Am I wrong?

I asked this question on my various social media platforms this week, and it seems I’m not the only one confused about where things stand. Ava did mention taking Sonny back to court to reinforce the visitation, so I guess the custody arrangement is whatever the writers decide it is to fit their narrative. Still, some continuity on the issue would be nice.

Again, I don’t know why Ava is going down this road at this time or why anyone — let alone Ava — would team up with Drew. I’ve seen this plotline enough times to know that it always ends badly for Ava. Always.

War of the Parents

What frustrates me most about this custody issue is that Ava isn’t putting Avery first. She’s putting herself first. It’s such disappointing writing. Technically, Avery is three years older than Scout — who is now a teen and crushing on her first boyfriend. Avery was born in 2014, and Scout came along in 2017. Even if we go by the real timeline, Avery is certainly old enough to make her feelings clear on visitations, living arrangements and trips to the ballet. If Avery loves the ballet as much as Sonny and Ava say, she would be delighted at the prospect of going to the city twice. It makes no sense that Ava would be upset that Sonny is indulging their daughter in something that Avery loves. It sounds so selfish, and Ava has never been that way with Avery.

This battle that Ava has picked with Sonny is for all the wrong reasons. It’s not like Sonny restricted access to Avery. Does Sonny treat Ava like crap? Yup, he does. He hates Ava. Ava got away with Kate/Connie’s murder, she tampered with Morgan’s meds, Sonny’s meds, and he blames Ava for Kristina falling out the window and losing her baby. But Ava hates Sonny just as much for just as many reasons, including the death of her beloved brother Julian. The hate is very much mutual and likely never to change.

But again, I thought both Ava and Sonny had made peace and decided to put Avery first.

The Sins of the Parents

There’s no denying that Sonny is antagonistic and hostile with Ava. He might believe that Avery doesn’t see how much he loathes Ava, but he’s wrong. Kids always pick up on these things. There will be a day when that will come back to bite Sonny. All Ava had to do is bide her time, and she will reap the rewards of her patience. Instead, she’s giving Sonny one more piece of ammunition to use against her.

Sadly, it will be Avery who will suffer the most if her parents continue down this path. If Ava and Drew actually do manage to take Sonny down, it will be an empty victory for Ava. Good or bad, Avery loves her dad just like she loves her mom. I really wish Sonny and Ava would stop this toxic cycle. I thought Ava was there — until that snake Drew slithered into the Metro Court’s gardens.

A Message in Pentonville

Ava and Drew aren’t the only ones stirring up trouble for Sonny. He has many enemies, and he can’t seem to keep his nose clean. Sonny made arrangements for Sidwell to be given a message. We saw Sonny make the call, but we weren’t privy to the details.

That message seemingly became clearer when a prisoner advised Curtis to make himself scarce while Sidwell received visitors in their cell. Curtis warned Sidwell and advised Sidwell to go to the warden for Sidwell’s own safety. Sidwell refused, which surprised me. Sidwell is a self-acknowledged hypochondriac, so he’s not the type to risk harm to himself when it can be avoided. Afterall, messages in prison generally don’t come with chocolates and flowers.

Sure enough, three prisoners strolled in and proceeded to whoop Sidwell’s behind. When Curtis showed up, one of them pulled out a knife. Curtis immediately stepped in. Rather than walk away, the guys jumped Curtis. Afterwards, one of them made it clear that “Sonny Corinthos” had sent his regards.

Our Lying Eyes

And that’s when I realized that something seemed off. It was all too neat. Too obvious. It’s like the General Hospital writers went above and beyond to make Sonny look guilty, starting with the confession to Justine that he was finally able to be fully honest with someone he cared about. Does he not think that’s going to come back on him when Justine gets wind of Sidwell’s beatdown? Then there was the conversation between Sidwell and Alexis when he warned her that Sonny was coming for him. Yet, weeks ago, it was stated that Sidwell had a lot of enemies in Pentonville who wanted him dead, which is why he was put in the high security wing. Why is Sidwell only afraid of Sonny?

If Sonny had made it clear that Curtis was not to be touched, even going so far as to have his minion warn Curtis to skedaddle, why beat Curtis to a pulp when there was an opportunity to walk away without touching Curtis? Also, why would Sonny be stupid enough to have his name dropped when it could easily be used against him in court? It was all too easy, too damning.

Did Sidwell set this up for Curtis’ benefit? Did one of Sidwell’s enemies use an opportunity to kill two birds — Sidwell and Sonny — with one stone? An enemy like Drew who is on a mission to destroy Sonny?

A Tentative Truce

Lady Justice turned a blind eye several times this week. The WSB gave Anna a free pass on nearly killing Britt — provided Anna keeps seeing General Hospital’s new resident psychiatrist, Dr. Nichols (Kearra Giovanni). I expect to see much more of the good doctor in the coming months since the whole town is a hot mess and could use some therapy.

Britt and Anna made peace — kind of. Britt showed real growth when she acknowledged that perhaps Jason did have a point about Britt not doing all that she could have to help Anna during Anna’s captivity on Spoon Island. Still, Britt had every right to expect Jason to stand by her side. If you love someone, you support them. More importantly, you fight for them. Jason let Britt walk away without a peep.

Blind Loyalty

Now, let’s talk about Emma. I love that Emma is fiercely loyal to Anna, but I really hate how she minimizes what Britt experienced. Would Anna have killed Britt if Jason hadn’t intervened? I would like to believe that she wouldn’t have, but we will never know because that’s not how it played out. What matters here is not what we — viewers like me and Emma — believe or even what Anna believes. It’s what Britt believes. Britt is certain that Anna would have pulled the trigger and it has left her traumatized.

I really wish Emma would show Britt a smidgen of compassion. It would go much further toward helping everyone heal than the vitriol that Emma spews whenever she sees Britt. I’m all for defending a loved one, but Emma goes beyond that. She’s dismissive and cruel. It’s not a good look.

I Can Buy Myself Flowers

Do you know what else isn’t a good look? A simpering Brook Lynn crying over Chase. She sounds pathetic. Me, I would be furious. If my husband walked out on our marriage because I had kept a secret from him that might have jeopardized the adoption of our baby, I would be livid. For the umpteenth time, Brook Lynn did not break any laws, which is why she was only charged with failure to report damaging a guardrail. I’m still gobsmacked that someone could be held liable for that when they were swerving to avoid a head-on collision with someone going left of center, but that’s the way things roll on soaps. Laws are plot devices, nothing more. Many are not grounded in reality.

It’s ironic that Chase is mad that Brook Lynn didn’t trust him enough to confide in when he’s been nothing but delusional and untrustworthy about Willow. Trust is a two-way street. Ultimately, he’s latching onto this excuse to end his marriage because it will free him to be with Willow. That dirty dog has been lusting after Willow for months, and now he sees a path where he can do something about it and be the victim in his little story.

Cheating Adultery

Monet (Blythe Howard) told Chase that once he files for a legal separation, he will be free to date without any consequences. You hear that Portia and Isaiah? You need the legal separation first!

Of course that’s poppycock. This affair started long ago. Chase’s interest in Willow predates all of this. He’s been putting Willow first for the better part of the year. It’s why Brook Lynn was insecure in the first place, and why she took desperate measures to paint Willow in a bad light, especially in Chase’s eyes. He’s already an adulterer.

Willow’s Web of Deceit

It’s no longer a matter of if Willow and Chase will hit the sheets but rather when they will. Not only is Chase racing for the exit door on his marriage, but Willow is now indulging in fantasies of Chase choosing Willow over Brook Lynn. Ick Everyone — except Brook Lynn — can see that Willow and Chase are drawn to each other like magnets. You’d have to be blind not to see it. Or in denial like Brook Lynn.

Prisoner of Elba Steinmauer

While Willow has visions of infidelity dancing in her head, Nina is rotting away in Steinmauer. Willow tried to use her power as a congresswoman to spring her mother, but the WSB wasn’t having it. Valentin advised Willow to find a way to make friends with the WSB and give them something that would make releasing Nina worthwhile to spy agency. Little does Willow know, things are going to get a lot worse for Nina because Outback is doing her very best to dig Brennan up. Hopefully, that happens sooner rather than later because I need some answers.

Who Killed Brennan?

An autopsy is going to tell us a lot. Was it the drugs in his system? Did he stumble into the pool and accidentally drown? Did someone kill him? Was there a struggle? Don’t forget, Charlotte’s bracelet is at the gravesite, which means that it will likely be found when the police dig up Brennan’s body.

I don’t think it will condemn Charlotte, but it will help narrow down the timeline of when exactly Brennan ended up in the pool. Was it five minutes after he left Ava — suggesting that the drugs played a role in his death — or 30 minutes later — pointing to someone with nefarious intentions?

Unravelling Willow’s Secrets

Once the investigation into Brennan’s death steps up, I anticipate Agent Baines finding the missing tape of Willow at Drew’s house on the night of the shooting. Once the first secret drops, the rest will follow like dominos. I realize that Willow can’t be tried for shooting Drew, but she could certainly be charged with evidence tampering. Willow won’t go down without a fight though, so she will claim that Nina had cut a deal with Brennan to get rid of the incriminating evidence without Willow’s knowledge. Brennan was right; Willow will throw her mother under the bus without a second thought.

I’ve been waiting for so long to see Willow and Nina get exactly what they deserve, so I’m going to relish every second when it finally happens.

Song Sung Blue

On another note, Trina decided to continue her singing career. I knew it was too good to be true. I have no idea what the writers are thinking because, based on feedback and what I’ve seen around social media, not many are happy with this direction for Trina. It’s just so out of character for her.

I love Tabyana Ali, and I so wanted her to get a storyline that was centered around her, not Kai. I hated how she had become a supporting character to a character that has absolutely zero ties to Port Charles other than Trina. Trina has been used to prop Kai, and I will die on that hill. I find that so incredibly disrespectful because Trina has been around for years. Trina is a fully developed character, yet she was made smaller to make Kai bigger.

I realize that General Hospital is a soap, so people move on much faster from the loss of a soul mate than they would in real life. But her relationship with Kai felt rushed not organic, and he became the driving force in their relationship. I hated seeing Trina constantly defer to Kai in all things. He never understood her love art, and now it’s a distant memory.

A Star is Born

Trina’s newfound desire for musical stardom has come completely out of left field. It’s painfully predictable, and it’s inauthentic to her character. Trina’s love was always art. That art book that Spencer gave her was special because art was special to Trina. It was a gift from the heart that spoke to her soul. Kai has never come close to knowing Trina the way that Spencer knew her, and now Trina has been transformed into a completely different person.

Does Tabyana have a beautiful voice? Yes, absolutely. But I’m not a fan of the music they give her. Plus, how much can you really love music if you were willing to give it up so easily? Yes, Brook Lynn kept secrets, but as I said in my previous column, so has Trina. I have no idea why the writers continue to make Trina look like a hypocrite, casting stones at Brook Lynn from her glass apartment over the Quartermaine garage.

Warning: Spoiler Alert!

News broke earlier this week that Alley Mills will soon be returning to General Hospital. Is Heather Webber Trina’s stalker? If so, there goes that poisoned hip excuse that exonerated Heather of all those crimes that she committed over the past few decades. I always hated that defense, so I could definitely get behind the writers correcting that mistake — and Trina exposing the truth! With Halloween just around the corner, that could be fun. Maybe Heather killed Brennan!

Port Charles Potpourri

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

The Many Faces of Drew

Drew seemed to try to make peace with Michael, but I don’t trust Drew. He hates the Quartermaines, especially Michael and Tracy. Good for Michael for not taking his eye off the ball. Drew has wormed his way back into Aurora because he intends to find a way to seize control of it again. I’m certain of it.

Sad Tidings on the Horizon

Robert Scorpio’s name has been mentioned a few times lately, which means we are getting closer to General Hospital’s farewell to Tristan Rogers. I have been both dreading and anticipating this day. He was such a big part of the show’s history and deserves a proper send off, but I really hate that it’s necessary.

Sister, Sister

So, Monet is Jordan’s baby sister. And here I thought Jordan was an orphan since she never, ever mentioned her family. I completely agree with Jordan that there is no way Monet just randomly moved to the town where Jordan has been living for years. Where she once reigned as police commissioner. I’m already invested in learning why there is bad blood between the sisters, and why Monet is really in town.

Red Flag Alert

As a mom, I would be on high alert if some single guy I barely knew developed a sudden and intense interest in my baby the way that Hudson has Phoebe. It’s downright creepy.

Troubled Waters

Does anyone else find it odd that Danny nor Charlotte have mentioned a thing about finding Brennan’s body and it vanishing from the pool? Aren’t they the least bit curious about who killed Brennan, and more importantly who moved the body? I would be freaked out worrying that the person or persons responsible for Brennan’s death/disappearance might come after me to make sure there were no loose ends. Instead, Charlotte and Danny have carried on as if finding the dead body of a top spy was nothing more than a blip in their day.

Bad Decisions with Good Intentions

I loved that Valentin took Carly’s advice to be honest with Lulu about Charlotte. But I disagree with Valentin and Lulu’s decision to ship Charlotte off to boarding school. She needs supervision not a trip abroad. Boarding schools are not prisons. While Charlotte should be transferred to a different school, she should also get some therapy. A little family counseling might help too.

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 Good, The Bad, and The In-Between

Kudos to Finola Hughes for her performances this week [Sept 7 – Sept 11]. She has been so subtle and nuanced as she changed slowly and then suddenly from delusional to sane. Her acting this week has been spectacular and Emmy-worthy. You can see every little shift in her body face and voice. — Ruthie

One thing that’s always bothered me about the accident Brook Lynn didn’t know WAS an accident, is the reason Curtis and Jordan were so determined to find the other driver. Was it to apologize for almost driving that person off the road to avoid being hit head on? No, the ONLY thought they had about the other driver was to blame the person for ‘leaving them to die’ and being responsible for the severity of Jordan’s injuries. — SFan

I thought that Jason and Britt were a great pairing, even exciting. But I guess the writers just don’t want it to happen. They have rehabilitated the worst characters on General Hospital throughout the years, but Britt who is not really a bad person in comparison to the others who have been rehabilitated can’t get a break from the writers and I don’t see what purpose this serves. — JDF

Chase decides to end his marriage — and runs to Willow

Tracy steps up for Danny and Jason

Before You Check Out

It was an exciting week on Beyond The Gates. Don’t miss Soap Central’s founder, Dan J Kroll’s latest Beyond The Gates commentary: A Full Circle Moment

Happy viewing,

Liz