General Hospital Commentary: Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows

Things are heating up in Port Charles as secrets are exposed, and the tables are turned on Cullum and Sidwell. Will Brook Lynn get caught up in her own scheme to take down Willow? Let’s discuss all the soapy drama in a new General Hospital commentary for the week ending June 12, 2026.

Dearest readers, General Hospital was sooo good this week. I hardly know where to begin. Jenz is on the run, Kristina is off to med school, and Liesl shed some light on the birth of her twins. Things are seldom sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows on soaps, but all that soapy drama is everything that’s wonderful for viewers.

Twisted Sister

To no one’s surprise, I’m sure, Cullum kidnapped Liesl so she could complete Faison’s final project. But Liesl was in for another shock when Cassius appeared in her catacomb prison and shared his true identity. We quickly learned that Liesl’s twisted sister Madeline was present at the birth of her nephews, and that Liesl woke up from an emergency caesarean to learn that one of her identical twin sons had been stillborn. In truth, Madeline had handed infant Cassius off to Faison.

Somehow, Faison managed to raise Cassius without Liesl being any the wiser. Meanwhile, Madeline managed to raise Nathan without Faison being any the wiser.

Liesl’s Origin Story

When Liesl first darkened the halls of General Hospital, she was quite the evil doer and in cahoots with her beloved obsession, Faison. I couldn’t stand her back in those days because she was a truly awful person who had raised another awful person – Britt. Some of Liesl’s greatest crime hits include kidnapping and holding both Robin Scorpio and Duke Lavery hostage, nearly killing Robin with an injection of a deadly toxin, conspiracy when she implanted Britt with Dante and Lulu’s stolen embryo, poisoning Duke during an attempt to kill Anna Devane, helping Faison escape from jail and shoving Brad Cooper off of Wyndemere’s parapet. The list goes on…and on. 

The woman was a menace. But there’s no denying talent, and General Hospital’s powers that be knew they had an incredibly versatile actor in Kathleen Gati who could take such a flawed character like Liesl on a redemption journey. It took time, good deeds, lots of heartache, and several laughs to get Liesl to a place where many of us adore her. Like I said, Liesl is flawed, deeply so, but she strives to do the right thing for the sake of her grandson James, whom she loves like only an Oma can.

The Evil Seed  

Now, in hindsight, I can’t help but wonder what role Madeline played in shaping who Liesl grew up to be. Madeline was older than Liesl, and the two sisters had a very acrimonious relationship. I always got the distinct impression that Liesl was a little afraid of Madeline. Did Magda bully Liesl during their childhood? It wouldn’t surprise me if she did. Learning all the horrible things that Madeline had done, I suspect that Madeline and Faison were two sides of the same coin. Liesl never stood a chance.

Madeline (portrayed by the incomparable Donna Mills) was born Magda Westbourne in Zurich, Switzerland. But she left that life behind and found herself a wealthy and powerful husband in New York. However, there was a very dark side to Madeline during those years too. She not only drugged Nina hoping to induce a miscarriage, which nearly killed Nina and left Nina in a coma for 20 long years, but she threw those grandbabies away once they were born. Madeline handed the newborns over to Frank Benson and Harmony Miller. Nelle and Willow would have been better off being raised by wolves.

Madeline also murdered Silas Clay, the father of her twin granddaughters, and pharmacist Henry Nakamura. She was instrumental in Nina’s crazy plot to steal Ava’s unborn child too. Madeline helped Nina drug Ava with a paralytic and induce Ava’s labor. After Nina took off with Avery, Ava was left to die. Those are just the highlights of Madeline’s crimes. There were many more, which ultimately landed her behind bars where she eventually died of a heart attack.

Liesl’s Evolution 

I’m not trying to excuse the terrible things that Liesl has done, but I feel like the writers gave me another glimpse into Liesl’s early life — and Madeline’s. It really makes me wonder what their parents were like.

Both Nelle and Willow grew up in dysfunctional and abusive homes, but many people do and they don’t become villains and murders. Yet, Liesl and Madeline’s children and grandchildren have struggled with dark urges. It suggests that there’s a genetic component at play that drove not just Madeline, Liesl, Nelle, and Willow’s destructive tendencies, but even Nina and Britt to a lesser degree. Heck, we can now add Cassius to the list.

Liesl is a better person these days, but that propensity for evil isn’t completely gone. She just has a very tight leash on it.

Spy Games

I’ve read some really interesting theories about Cassius and where things might go once Cullum and Sidwell are ushered off the canvas. Some would love to see Cassius join the WSB and maybe spark up a romance with Josslyn. I can definitely see him joining the WSB, but I’m not sure about Cassius and Josslyn.

While I actually found myself enjoying Josslyn and Liesl’s interaction in their catacomb jail, I’m not sure I’m ready for them to bond over their love for Cassius. Cassius needs to prove himself first. He’s definitely scored points when he tried to protect Britt, and more recently Josslyn from Cullum’s deadly intentions. But I can’t forget that Cassius is the reason that Josslyn is there in the first place.

Undercover Agent

Admittedly, I’m also trying to get used to Josslyn going from wanting to study medicine to becoming a WSB agent in less time than it takes me to soft boil an egg. It would help if our writers would stop making Josslyn look so inept. Why didn’t Josslyn do a better job of studying Wyndemere in the months she’s had to surveil the place? How did she miss Britt’s comment about Faison’s “three children?” More importantly, how can she drop out of sight and contact with everyone in her life for weeks on end and no one question where she is?

Then there’s Cassius. He comes off as so much more experienced and worldly than Josslyn. It makes their age gap that much more noticeable. With Cody and Molly, it’s less apparent because Cody is immature — and they gave Molly a mean case of SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome) when they cast Kristen Vaganos. Molly was born in 2005. I know Haley Pullos is only a few years younger than Kristen, but Kristen brought a maturity to the role that Haley’s version lacked.

Back to Cassius, he needs to shed his evil ways and make some amends first. There will be plenty of time for romance later. Plus, I hear there will soon be a couple of new faces on General Hospital, so I’d like to keep everyone’s options open to see where things go.

Killow’s Crimes

Speaking of evil, just when I thought Willow couldn’t get any more detestable, she accuses Tracy of assault. Chase is such a fool. Willow is decades younger than Tracy, in far better shape, and she was on the premises without permission. As Tracy pointed out, that text from Wiley’s phone didn’t invite Willow over. It simply stated that Wiley was fishing down at the boathouse. I really hope this little stunt costs Chase his job – and that Brook Lynn kicks him to the curb.

As a police officer, Chase should know that you need actual evidence of assault before you arrest someone. All he saw was Tracy gripping Willow’s wrist. How does he know that Tracy wasn’t defending herself against Willow striking Tracy? He doesn’t because he never gave Tracy the opportunity to tell her side of things before putting her in handcuffs. Shame on him.

Trouble Brews Elsewhere

I’m not worried about Tracy because she has tangled with far worse than the likes of Willow. But I am concerned about Jack and if he’ll keep covering for that vicious viper. Jack offered Willow dirt on Drew in exchange for her not injecting him with that serum that keeps Drew locked in. Jack went a step further and invited both Willow and Nina to help him take down Sidwell and Cullum. Wait until they learn that Sidwell is on the run. Who will supply Willow with the serum if Sidwell and his lackey Pascal are not around?

I don’t want Willow earning herself a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card by playing a role in ridding Port Charles of Sidwell and Cullum. Willow needs to go to jail when this is all over. She needs to face repercussions for trying to murder Drew – twice – drugging both Drew and Jack with a potentially deadly serum, trying to frame Michael, and exposing her children to Drew’s vile manipulations. She needs the help of a mental health professional. And punishment. I won’t accept anything less than Willow’s world burning down around her as she’s carted off to jail.

Tracy Was Right 

I loved the scenes during Friday’s episode when Tracy read Willow for the deceitful schemer that Willow is. Willow hated that Tracy saw her for who she really is. That’s why Willow spewed that ridiculous nonsense about Tracy’s children not loving Tracy. Willow — and Chase — are about to find out just how wrong Willow is. Ned adores his mother. So do Olivia, Leo, Michael, Wiley, and Amelia. Then there’s Brook Lynn. She is definitely going to be furious when she learns what Chase has done.

Also, that is no longer Monica’s house – it’s Tracy’s. Monica gave it to her. And last I checked, Monica’s family was Tracy’s family too. If that was Willow’s worst, Tracy is going to make mincemeat of Killow. I can’t wait. 🍿

A Boomerang Scandal

Unfortunately, Brook Lynn’s plan to expose Wicked Willow’s true nature is doomed. Brook Lynn lost the plot the moment she aligned herself with Looney Lucy. I really wish BLQ had run things past her grandmother before agreeing to frame Willow for something that BLQ did. It is bound to boomerang on Brook Lynn.

Brick is good, but Willow is a congresswoman. The FBI, Homeland Security, and likely a dozen more alphabet agencies will be pulled into this mess. No good can come of it, especially between BLQ and Chase. He’s going to use this as an excuse to run straight into Willow’s welcoming arms. Mark my words. 

Free Brook Lynn

I want nothing more than for Brook Lynn to be free of Chase. I don’t even mind if Chase and Willow have an affair because it will make his downfall — and Willow’s — that much sweeter to watch.

What I worry about is that Brook Lynn ends up paying a higher price than Chase and Willow. That had better not happen. When this is all over, I want Brook Lynn to be raising Phoebe as a single mother and for Chase to have no role in either of their lives.

Sidwell’s Reign of Terror

This week, Sidwell’s reign of terror came to an abrupt end when he confronted Lucas about taking the false evidence against Laura and Sonny from his safe. Question: If you have important documents in a safe that you are using to blackmail a mob boss and a mayor with, wouldn’t you put a camera or two in the room to monitor who gets in and out of that safe?

Sidwell arrogantly thought he could stand there in broad daylight at a construction site and shoot Lucas dead without consequences. Why not? He got away with Dalton’s murder, and all those crimes he committed against Jason, Anna, Lucky, Holly, and Isaiah in Africa. Imagine my surprise when Dante and his police officers suddenly popped up out of nowhere with their guns drawn. I whooped with delight. What a fantastic scene. I didn’t even mind that much when Cassius let Sidwell go a few scenes later. From this point on, Sidwell is a wanted man and when the police catch up with him, he will be carted off to jail. Finally.

Time Is Running Out

Tick-tock Cullum. Liesl is going to delay the project as long as she can and maybe make sure the weapon — or whatever Britt was working on — doesn’t work, but time is quickly running out. Carly and Valentin know Josslyn is at Wyndemere, and they will soon figure out Liesl is there too. Meanwhile, Jack is growing stronger and will soon make his own move against Cullum. Then there’s Cassius, who is protective of both Liesl and Josslyn.

Ideally, Sidwell returns long enough to learn that Cullum killed Marco and he takes out Cullum before the police arrive.

Baby Blues

Now, let’s discuss Portia’s baby shower. The Jerk of The Week Award goes to Curtis. But Isaiah too. I can’t stand either man these days. I know each has their defenders, but this week I wanted nothing more than to reach through my television screen and slap both of them. They are both in the wrong

Let’s clarify something first. The accident was Jordan’s fault. She was distracted by Curtis being all handsy and kissy face while driving. She went left of center, swerved to avoid a head-on collision and crashed. Jordan was in the wrong, and so was Curtis. She was trapped inside the car for as long as she was because Bonehead kept trying to get her out of the driver’s side door even though the door was jammed. Not once did he try to drag her out the passenger side, which was the way he got out.

Isaiah had nothing to do with the accident and the case against him is completely circumstantial.

Cheating Cheaters

But Isaiah isn’t innocent. For months, he was crushing on Portia and playing her protector as her marriage to Curtis fell apart. Isaiah was doing exactly what Portia accused Jordan of doing. Isaiah was always there to lend a sympathetic ear and to tell Portia that Curtis was in the wrong. Curtis did have double standards, and ridiculous expectations of Portia, but it was Portia’s crimes and the lies she told to cover them up that ended her marriage.

To this day, Isaiah only knows Portia’s side of things. Isaiah doesn’t want to know Curtis’ side. It’s easier to vilify Curtis than to admit that he and Portia were well on their way to having an affair with before her marriage to Curtis ended.

The Goose and the Gander

From the minute Portia revealed that she was pregnant, Isaiah has been actively trying to usurp Curtis’ role as the baby’s father. That’s not cool. If Jordan had said the things to Portia that Isaiah said to Curtis about the baby – that she would be a better mother to the baby than Portia, and that the baby would be calling Jordan “Mama” – it definitely would have led to heated confrontations. Rightfully so because Portia, not Jordan, is that child’s mother. 

I see Isaiah crossing lines that Portia would never be okay with Jordan crossing.

The Biggest Loser

Curtis is the baby’s father. Not Isaiah. Isaiah isn’t even Portia’s husband.

The bottom line is that the baby will be the biggest loser if the adults don’t get their messiness in check. It has to start with Portia. She needs to focus on what’s best for her child, not for herself. She can start by setting some boundaries for Isaiah. Not for Curtis’ sake, but for their child’s. A baby deserves to have the same opportunity to bond with their father as they do their mother.

High Horse Curtis

As for Curtis, that man needs to get off his high horse and take a long hard look in a mirror. That wreck happened because of him and Jordan. It’s awful that Jordan was hurt, but she should be grateful that she didn’t kill anyone that night. She could have. Very easily. 

The writers aren’t doing Curtis any favors. Curtis’ “case” against Isaiah is pure speculation fueled mostly by personal animosity. It’s what makes Curtis’ behavior and self-righteousness even more annoying. Every time Curtis opens his mouth about Isaiah, he sounds more and more unhinged.

Port Charles Potpourri

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

Freaky Friday

I realized as I watched Kai give Trina a pep talk about following her passion for music (I guess her love for art died with Spencer) that the writers have managed to switch their roles. To make Kai work, they have basically turned Kai into Trina, and Trina into Kai. It’s so incredibly disappointing, and frankly it doesn’t endear him – or their relationship — to me. Instead of Trina and Kai working together to expose Willow and maybe figure out what’s really going on with Drew, the writers are wasting our time on this silly storyline. Just give Gio back his violin already!

The Road to Laredo

So, are Molly and Cody exiting the show too? How does Molly, an up-and-coming prosecutor, take an extended leave to promote her new romance novel without losing her job? Aren’t there cases set for trial, plea deals to work out, and charges to review?

Also, I hate that Cody disappointed sweet James. That poor kid is going to need all the love and support he can get when the truth about Cassius comes out.

Kristina’s New Career

And just like that Kristina is off to med school in California and shadowing a doctor for the summer. It’s beyond laughable. She claims she had this epiphany about a career in medicine when she lost the baby because she wanted to know what had happened. Was that before or after she decided to kill Ava by tampering with Ava’s brakes? Or was it when Kristina realized that she nearly killed Ric and Elizabeth? Perhaps when she helped hold Ric hostage in Alexis’ basement? And when exactly was Kristina doing all this studying? Was it during all the work she put in re-opening Charlie’s Pub? Between drugging Ric?

General Hospital missed a golden opportunity for a real exit storyline that could have had ripple effects. It would have been much more interesting if Kristina had grown a conscience, decided to confess to her crimes, and insisted on facing the consequences of her actions. Imagine how that would have impacted Alexis, and her relationship with Molly. Heck, even Sonny. 

Kristina taking MCATS on a whim, scoring high grades, and getting offers from prestigious schools is about as believable as me being crowned Queen of America next week. 

On A Personal Note

Grr! Direct TV is currently not carrying my local ABC station, which means I have to use my antenna to watch the show or wait until it’s uploaded on Hulu at 8:00pm ET. I can’t record it because I got rid of my recording devices years ago. On the plus side, I love not having commercials during the show when I stream it, and seeing that General Hospital is consistently the number one or two most viewed show on Hulu!

Get your act together Direct TV or I just might drop you and invest in a new DVR. 

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.

Everyone is tired of Curtis

As for Curtis, the man is truly insane and full of himself. Isaiah “has to pay” for what he did to Jordan. Isaiah “left us on the road to die”. What is worse is that people actually listen to him instead of telling him that he is nuts.  — JDF

I hope Curtis rots in jail. That self-centered tool. Curtis going on about how Jordan was “Trapped in that car” and Jordan saying, “Thanks to you…You saved me!” Never mind it was Valentin who appeared in the mist and rescued BOTH of them. Curtis doesn’t seem to remember Val being there at all. Or he’s pretending he doesn’t? What a Turd. That kid Derek’s family should sue Curtis into oblivion. — Missez Premise

Liesl learns about Cassius — and Madeline’s betrayal

Josslyn escapes from the catacombs only to be captured at the front door

Before You Check Out

You do not want to miss The Winds of Change: A Beyond the Gates commentary by Soap Central founder Dan J Kroll for the week ending June 12, 2026. Don’t have time to read? Dan has got you covered with a podcast version of his commentary. All the details are in the column.

Happy viewing,

Liz