General Hospital Commentary: Sometimes Giving Up is the Strongest Thing

It was momentous week as both Jason and Sonny each decided to retire from the mob. Is this the end of an era and the beginning of something new? Let’s discuss in a new General Hospital commentary for the week ending August 7, 2026.

Dear readers, I never thought Jason would find the strength to quit Sonny. “I just can’t quit you” has been Jason’s mantra for years. Jason quit Sam. And he quit Liz. Jason quit Courtney. And he even quit Carly when Sonny came home on their wedding day. Soon, I predict he will quit, Britt, too. General Hospital has finally decided to explore what happens after Jason and Sonny leave the mob, so let’s start there.

The End of an Era on General Hospital

This breakup with Sonny was heart wrenching to watch. Steve Burton and Maurice Benard both played two tough men, being gutted like a fish, with absolute perfection. Jason could barely choke out the words, and Sonny’s single tear escaped his eyes despite all attempts to control himself from sobbing.

Sonny has never been able to count on anyone in his life the way he has counted on Jason. And Jason thanked Sonny for taking him in and keeping him safe after Jason’s life-changing accident. I remember when that all went down and perfect preppy Jason became wild uncontrollable leather jacket Jason. It was such a stark contrast, it took my breath away.

At Last

I had hoped for this sort of moment for years, but so much time had passed I didn’t think it would ever arrive.

But I am proud of General Hospital’s writers for allowing this character to grow. I am proud that they made Jason the hero he was always on the verge of being. This last stint in a WSB black site left him battered and bruised both inside and out, and it flipped a switch inside his soul. The look in Danny’s eyes when Jason was arrested, the anger that Danny unleashed on him when Jason came home, it all took a toll.

I am thrilled that Jason realized what his life choices cost Alan and Monica, and that his aunt Tracy was there with a warm smile and pride in her eyes to receive his confession. Jane Elliot absolutely mesmerizes me. I never fast forward a scene with her in it, and I hang on Tracy’s every word. Jason and Tracy as a team is one of the most magnificent developments in the Q household in ages. 

The beauty of this storyline carried through the Tracy/Jason scenes and also the Sonny/Dante scenes. Best line came from Jane Elliott. “What am I in for? Good, bad or pack a bag and hide a body,” Tracy asked when Jason told her that he had to talk to her about something important. Lol.

A Nod To General Hospital’s Past

What I loved most was that General Hospital history was valued, quoted and brought into the present. The way Jason hurt Alan and Monica by rejecting the family after his accident. The way Tracy was always combative and harsh with her family but admitting that she had softened along the way and encouraged Jason with her faith in him to do the same.

How Dante remembered what it took for him to accept Sonny as his dad, and Dante admitting he was only able to sleep at night because he knew Jason would take a bullet for Sonny. When Dante asked, “How will I sleep now?” I didn’t expect another bombshell, but we got one anyway – Sonny said he was quitting the mob, too! 

I think Dominic Zaprogna is so underrated. How is his name not on the Daytime Emmy Supporting Actor category? In my humble opinion, there is only one name on this year’s nominee list that I feel is on the same level as Dom, but somehow, Dom didn’t make the cut.

The Next Chapter

But I digress. Maurice Benard and Dom had some very tender scenes together, too. I wonder where they go from here. Dante has realized he is capable of bending the rules and breaking the law to protect those he loves, and Sonny has realized he has to stop breaking the law to live the life he wants to have with his kids and grandkids, and maybe even Justine.

Oh readers, can you imagine? Sonny running Charlie’s Pub like he was Mike again, Jason getting a job with Michael at ELQ and finally learning the family business. Is it possible these two men who were in the mob for so many decades can just walk away? Unlikely, but I am rooting for them.

A New Mob Boss

And if Sonny and Jason do walk away, what new mob boss can take over? My vote is Selena Wu. We already know and fear her. She has a relationship with Sonny, and he could offer her his territory for the promise of protection. That would also bring Brad back into the mix for Britt to have a pal.

Elizabeth The Dancing Queen

If you are a Swiftie, you will recognize my title this week as a line from Taylor’s song “It’s Time To Go.” The lyrics continue with, “Sometimes walking out is the one thing that will find you the right thing.”

I hope that prophecy comes true for Jason. I hope walking out gives him the life he’s never been able to have. Elizabeth’s dance card is pretty full right now with Dante and Ric both circling her, but don’t we deserve “Liason” after all these years? Not to make the waters too muddy, but rumors are buzzing that Greg Vaughn will come back as Lucky since Jonathan Jackson ditched us. But seriously, Liz deserves to have four men fighting over her. She’s the best.

Bad Habits

Unlike Willow. Willow is the worst, and she keeps getting more horrible by the day and seemingly without any consequences which I hate. While I love the General Hospital writers, they have had a terrible habit of writing characters into unlikeable and unwatchable villains and never giving them their comeuppance. 

We wait. We watch. And we anticipate. “Oh boy! Drew can move his fingers! Someday soon Willow is going to pay!” Or “Oh boy! After all this time being locked in and tortured, Drew is going to change and try to be a better man and make amends with his family. It’s a redemption storyline.  But nope. He’s back to using Scout as a weapon, threatening the Q’s and hasn’t learned a thing. 

Mind you, that is not to say that Cameron Mathison and Katelyn MacMullen did not absolutely crush every scene the two vipers they play were in. Their acting was sublime. The crazed look in Drew’s eyes when he burst into the home he bought for Willow was sheer fire. Which brings me to another point… I went online and said what a fantastic job they did. One lady was quick to jump in and tell me that she quit watching General Hospital because she thought Cameron Mathison was a bad actor. 

Bad Actors

I said to her, in a much more genteel way than I responded in my head, that it’s okay for you to say you don’t prefer an actor. There are lots of times someone comes on, and I think they are a bad recast in a certain role, or they just aren’t my cup of tea. But if you really stopped watching General Hospital because you think one person is a bad actor, why are you following General Hospital columnists and arguing with them about their posts?

I am part of a local foodie community in my town where people try restaurants and write reviews of them. The moderator has a couple of firm rules. 1) You have to post photos of the food you are reviewing. 2) You aren’t allowed to comment on another person’s post and contradict their experience. 

Like if someone writes a review and says, “We went to Joe’s Pizza last night and got a wonderful pepperoni pie and the service was friendly.” You can’t go on and say, “Well I think their pizza sucks.” His rule is if you have a different opinion, write your own review, post photos proving your point. Show us a burnt pizza with no cheese instead of just being a jerk.

It’s All Subjective

So, to this person, I noted Cameron’s decades long soap career, his plethora of Hallmark movies and other indicators that many people seem to enjoy his acting because he keeps getting paid to act. But I understand personal preference. Many people find Mr. Bean hilarious, but he’s not my cup of tea. Even so, he has occasionally made me laugh (Rat Race) and I can respect that his work brings joy to many other people.

Dastardly Drew

But I can admit that even though I am fond of Cameron, the character he is playing is a horrible human being. Drew did go on the stand and lie under oath for Curtis, but he will probably use that to blackmail Curtis later. Meanwhile, Drew is working on a new alliance with Ava, which could be really interesting. Every now and then a villain-on-villain romance is good soapy fun.

Wicked Willow

Willow, who used to be a character I rooted for, is now someone I loathe. Does she really think her kids are in danger from Jacinda, or is she just being a “treacherous bitch” like the words Drew spit at Willow when he escaped from the magical lake that cures locked in syndrome? I think it’s the latter. I think Jacinda’s assessment was accurate. Willow must think Jacinda is quite something if Willow is so threatened by Jacinda that Willow put a restraining order on Jacinda rather than just let Wiley splash in the hotel pool with Jacinda. 

However, I feel like Jacinda may be on her way out. Not only that, but it appears that Serena is waiting in a line of greens and blues just to be the next to be with Michael. (You had better be singing this song in your head right now.)

Jacinda’s Soapy Move 

When Jacinda scored drugs from Ezra, I knew we were heading into the “Bye-Bye to Jacinda” era. I posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Hey Jacinda, I would just like to say that more than once I have gone to Starbucks and accidentally picked up somebody else’s drink. You better wait until Nina takes her coffee before you drop that pill in.” When Wiley picked up the coffee, I gasped.

I have been at Starbucks on my way to work, the barista yells Tamilu and I grab a drink, then I get to the office and see it says “Charles” and it’s not my drink at all. Then I go on social media and apologize to Charles and wish him luck with my venti ½ caf americano.

Michael’s Next Move

Michael wants to keep custody of his kids, but I don’t think he’d be okay with Jacinda drugging Willow — or one of his kids. If he finds out what Jacinda did, that will be the end of her and their relationship. 

Rumor has it that Katelyn MacMullen asked for extended time off, so Willow might be getting sent off to Shadybrook Sanitarium for a while. But that will be a letdown, because there is a difference between crazy and evil. Willow is not unaware of what she is doing. Every move is very well thought out and premeditated. It will be interesting to see if these rumors pan out and if Willow gets away with all of her many, many crimes by pleading insanity.

War of the Ashfords

Readers, since it’s my job to talk about all things General Hospital, I have to force myself to write about Curtis’ trial. It pains me. I have loathed this storyline from the get-go. Jordan and Curtis, two grown adults, were making out in a car on a backroad at high speed, and they want so badly to blame their poor choices on someone else. 

Even if Isaiah was the driver, and even if he did call 911, there is no guarantee that Jordan wouldn’t have scars on her face. Jordan and Curtis caused the accident, and every time Curtis hurls accusations at Isaiah, it makes me nuts. I wish Lulu would just come to court and say, “Look, Isaiah came to my house to treat my son that night because Isaiah is a friend of my brother’s, and Isaiah was just being an honorable doctor by keeping my son’s privacy.” Seriously, half the town knows Rocco shot Cullum at this point, and Cullum is dead now, and Jack already knows.

The Altercation at General Hospital

Curtis punched Isaiah because Curtis is jealous. Curtis punched Isaiah because Curtis can’t believe that Portia moved on and isn’t pining for her ex-husband. He punched Isaiah because Curtis knows there is some truth to the notion that Isaiah will be a better dad than him. You know who was a good Dad to Trina? Taggert. Curtis is already proclaiming to Aunt Stella that when he is acquitted, he is going to make sure Isaiah can never be near his baby again. I want him to lose so bad.

On the upside, Kristen Vaganos as Molly is bringing the Davis girls courtroom fire just like Alexis, and Martin is giving southern gentleman rascal vibes and that part was fun. But the entire storyline of Jordan and Curtis trying to blame someone else for the accident they caused makes me nauseous.

Trouble For Trina

I know it’s a red herring to have Simon be the obvious stalker for Trina. But he got so enraged when Kai came in and Simon found out that Trina was dating Kai. Then they cut to the crazy murder wall of photos. Despite how it looks, I don’t think it’s Simon. It could be Quinn, Kai’s pal who suddenly showed up all apologetic and congenial. But that seems weird, too. Like Quinn has been fueled with rage for an entire year hating Trina for dating Kai? 

I suppose it could be, but I am hoping for someone like Esme back from the dead who secretly has Spencer all tied up somewhere, and Trina finds and rescues him. I know I am dreaming.

Ava In The Crosshairs

I loved that Ava offered Trina a pathway to partnership in the art gallery, but I hate that General Hospital’s writers had Trina completely drop that dream. A dream that Trina has had for years. Art was her passion… until it wasn’t.

Ava was summoned to Sonny’s this week, and the way she strutted into his house like she was marching into battle cracked me up. Sonny thought Ava drove Ethan away, but we can attest it was not her. It was the new mysterious character Hudson. I am baffled by this guy. 

Hey There Delilah — What’s Up With Hudson?

Delilah was afraid of Hudson, and it seemed like Hudson and Ethan had some sort of previous history. Then Hudson met up with Joss to tell her that she was the new CEO of Jax’s company. Is Hudson a bad guy, a corporate stuffed shirt, or a WSB agent?

Only time will tell, but when he claims Phoebe and takes her away from BLQ and Chase, I fear for Brook Lynn and Chase’s marriage. 

General Hospital’s New Barbie

They need to make a Josslyn Jacks into a Barbie doll. Is she a med student, a trained spy, or a corporate raider? She can be ALL of them! Is it that General Hospital’s writers can’t decide what they want Joss to be, or will this all tie together somehow?

More Changes Ahead

I was starting to get invested in Nina and Jack but knowing that Chris McKenna is on his way out makes me realize there is no need to get invested.

It’s hard to be a fan these days. I am a lifelong Cleveland Guardians fan, and they took away my Kyle Manzardo, and now General Hospital is taking Jack Brennan. My poor heart has had a tough week.

Anna Sees Dead People Peter

When Willow gets sent to Shadybrook, she may be rooming with Anna Devane who is still having full blown conversations with Ghost Peter. When Anna saw Carly and Valentin making out, Ghost Peter taunted her that Valentin didn’t have time to ride to Anna’s rescue anymore. Anna did a good job of being polite and sympathizing with Carly over the WSB getting its claws into Joss, but the voices in her head are saying other things.

What’s next? Ghost Peter tells Anna to kill Britt and Carly and who else? Maybe Gio for keeping Emma away from Anna? Next thing we know, Anna will be the new Heather Webber serial killer. Ugh.

Give Them A Follow

Speaking of Gio and Emma, I urge you to follow them on social media because they are dating in real life and their couples summer vacation photos are the most adorable, happy thing you will see this summer. I am a fan of soap stars falling in love in real life. It always makes me giddy, and it’s nice when you see that onscreen chemistry and think, “No way their acting is that good. They have to really love each other.” And you are right! Precious.

Shakey Ground

But other couples on General Hospital are a little shaky. When Ric came to the park and saw Dante coaching Liz on how to hit a baseball, Ric did not look happy at all. And then Liz blew Ric off and said she had to get back to work but then lingered in the park with Dante for a long time. He saw that she was still there and again, looked jealous and frustrated.

I wonder if this is how the big truce between Ric and Sonny ends. If Ric overhears Dante confessing to hiding evidence to save Rocco and turns Dante in, Sonny would never, ever forgive Ric. But I also keep hearing a rumor that Ric is about to have a medical crisis, a terminal illness, and I wonder if that is real, or if he fakes one to keep Liz by his side?

What Will Happen Tomorrow, Dear Readers?

Will Agent Jacks have some really valuable input on that important Cairo call despite the fact that she’s only been in the WSB for one mission? Will Gio and Trina pretend to be a couple for their music marketing and accidentally fall in love for real? Is Jack going to dump Nina for Serena since Serena fell into his lap in her sexiest swimsuit?

Will Willow’s constituents ever wonder why she’s always at the hotel pool in her bikini instead of being in Washington, DC voting on things? Will Lucy’s plan to pimp out her daughter backfire when Serena really falls for Michael? Is Laura going to be able to save Ezra from himself?

Will Ace come back and be 11? Will Willow get hooked on the happy pills Jacinda slipped in her latte? Is baby Desmond going to keep getting cuter every day? Will Ava and Drew’s newfound partnership turn into something more?

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

Before You Check Out

Soap Central Founder, Dan J Kroll is back with an all-new Beyond The Gates Commentary

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