Coming clean

The last couple of weeks of General Hospital has brought some important storylines to a climax.  What has surprised me are the people who seem to be coming clean about what they knew.

I found Franco's reveal delightful.  Carly has used Michael as a reason for every selfish thing she has ever done.  She reminds me of Maura West's character on ATWT also called Carly.  She is supposed to be considered a good mother but I think she is far from it.  Today she said, she 'just cared about her kids.'  If that were the case, she wouldn't have covered up what Sonny did.  She puts herself in jeopardy of going to jail and where does that leave Josslyn - who is already one step from juvie anyway.

Kiki confessed and with her, Morgan had no choice but to come clean to that they had known Sonny killed AJ for about a month.  Finally, Rosalie admits why she was hanging around Michael so much.  And Rosalie is the one Michael chooses to forgive.  Is it because she didn't go as far as she was being blackmailed to do or was she just convenient?  It was a cliche I could have done with out - getting drunk and sleeping with someone to ease the pain.  A poor end to an otherwise well done story.

Franco really didn't commit a crime as far as I can tell unless it is a crime to tape someone without their knowledge and I guess that depends on the state.  We are back to bad Franco and I enjoy him more this way.  He's helping Nina for now.

Watching Michelle Stafford, Donna Mills, and Maura West has been the biggest treat of all. There scenes were amazing.  GH has done some great casting.

Speaking of, I think the new Jason is a treat to watch as well.  I'm suspecting we will have two new/old Quartermaines soon.  I predict that Michael will take the Q name and Jason's memories will return of some of his early life.  I don't see them fitting Jason into Sonny's world as Sonny has plenty of other problems right now.

Disappointed to learn than Felix is now dropped to recurring.  I love his character and he deserves so much more than being Sabrina's sidekick. Mercifully Sabrina has been absent for days.  She can return to Puerto Rico anytime she likes and I'll just forget she ever returned and tried to make Ava miscarry. Really, no one would really notice.

The Luke reveal seems to be stalled in a slow detour with Ned's father who I really care nothing about.  Why do we keep revisiting these characters apparently long time viewers barely remember?  I've heard nothing of when Anthony Geary will return.  I hope he is alright. His 6 months should be up and putting him back on set.  Perhaps there was a delay and this is part of that delay.  Personally, I'd rather Tracy just think he has disappeared and get her pulled into another storyline until Luke can return.

While GH has such a wonderful cast, I do wish they would use just a tiny bit of money for the set.  That hotel style room was supposed to be Monica's?  It wasn't the least bit feminine or personal.  The office sets are obviously from decades ago.  A few upgrades should not be that expensive.

As March ends...

April and General Hospital's 50th Anniversary begins.

I'm looking forward to the Nurses Ball.  I think it will be enjoyable and I am expecting it to have the complex storylines associated with most GH events.  The ball will no doubt be a 2 week event by the time it unfolds.

I'm also looking forward to the end of the Nurses's Ball and the Anniversary as a time to get rid of some characters and silliness that has endured in the spirit of honoring history.  Characters I'm hoping will go away asap are Scotty, Lucy, Frisco, Felicia and Duke.  I hope to never hear the word 'vampire' again.

Scotty and Lucy are virtually the same characters the same actors played on ATWT years ago.  They were beyond annoying then and have not improved.  Frisco and Felicia might have been must see in their day but they are beyond boring now. Same with Duke. Actually it is hard to believe this character was ever interesting.  Anna definitely deserves better.  Laura could stay around and she is one of the most appealing female characters I've seen on GH.

Sabrina has surprised me.  There is a lot more to her than first met the eye.  It's still a Cinderella story yet Patrick has already fallen for her even without a pending makeover.

I've most loved the conversations between characters you wouldn't expect to advise one another:  Carly and Sam; AJ and Spinelli; Tracy and Ellie; Shawn and Rafe.  I'm also delighted that Milo finally has a storyline though the idea that he has so much trouble finding a woman is surprising.

Sabrina was wrong to go out with him without at least talking to Felix about it.  While Felix is dreaming, Milo is not gay.  Felix and Sabrina are friends, good friends and she just brushed aside Felix's feelings and went on.

Of course, everyone wonders if Robin will come back for the ball.  The biggest surprise of the year was the reveal that Britt is the Swiss doctor's daughter.  What does Britt know about Robin's situation? Does she know Dr. Scorpio-Drake is still alive?

The biggest question is what the writers are going to do with the actors formally playing John McBain, Todd Manning and Starr Manning.

Jason is a jerk!

I'm so disgusted with Jason.  His only redeeming quality right now is that he has figured out Kate's dual personality.  I swear I thought someone was going to have to draw Carly a map.  She reads a medical file with a term she doesn't understand and she rushes over to Johnny's.  She doesn't at least Google it?

Back to Jason.  Your wife is pregnant after being raped by a maniac and all you can worry about are her conversations with another guy - a guy who has been supportive.  Jason is just a jerk in this entire scenario.  I get that this affects him too.  I can see why he wonders if he can raise this baby as his own.  But he has done that before with Michael.  He saw Lucky do that with Jake.  The least he can do is support Sam until he figures out what he is going to do.

I see a lot of criticism of Starr Manning's character. I have no prior history with this character.  It is easy to see why she can't let the death of her child and boyfriend go.  It is easy to see why she thinks Sonny is really guilty.  He's skated by before. Everything really pointed to him.  So I get her anger and can put up with her ranting for awhile.  However, if they pulled the character tomorrow, I wouldn't miss her.

The OLTL crossover I do love is John McBain.  He and Alexis are the only people in town who make any sense.  I wish he were unattached so he could hook up with Alexis and then there is all that chemistry with Sam.  But they keep going to great lengths to talk about his family, for him to have conversations albeit brief with his wife.  Surely at some point he will be free romantically or he will cheat.  I'd hate to see him cheat. He really does seem like a good guy for a change.

And speaking of 'good guys' and change.  Johnny who was always trying to escape his upbringing then swung over to the dark side is trying to swing back.  I hope he makes it.  It's hard to root for Johnny with all he is into.

Will Tracy knock off her hubby?  I doubt it, but the scenes with her, Luke and Anthony were predictably priceless.  I mean if you tell me those three are going to be in a scene together, I know I'm going to laugh and love it.  But Tracy, dear, Luke is not smitten enough to try to kill Anthony.  First of all, Anthony has more lives than a cat and he has a gangster son or grandson who no matter how much he protests is still blood.  You don't mess with these people and Luke knows it.  Then there are the instructions Anthony supposedly left with his attorney to expose Tracy should he die.  No, Tracy you are stuck for the time being.   What a treat for us.

Two things I predicted are coming true and I'm happy about both. Ronnie is the abuser and is surely going down.  Not a minute too soon.  I've been wanting rid of this annoying character for months.  Matt is Lisa's killer. It explains Maxie's behavior to a point.  I still can't believe she would go to these lengths to cover for her.  If Max wanted to change Maxie's mind, he should have had her sent to prison prior to sentencing to see what it was really like.  I think that might have done more to persuade her that she was taking her guilt over Robin's death too far.

Back to Kate, again I'm riveted everytime this story is on the screen.  The writing and acting are fantastic. I certainly understand the recast.  I just can't see Megan Ward with her hair down like Connie - even if she had long hair.

The only dark spot for me storywise is Heather. I still hate this character.  The idea that Maggie would fall for her act is silly.  Is this a way to write out Maggie?  I'm not crazy about the character but we didn't need to kill her off.  Although if it gets Heather off my screen sooner, I'll take it.

Jealousy

The green-eye monster has camped out in Port Charles.  Sonny and Carly certainly have reason.  Johnny didn't have to actually sleep with Kate to make Sonny jealous and break them up.  Olivia is right; Johnny has turned into someone we don't even know.  It is a shame because I love the original Johnny.

Sonny and Carly couldn't be more predictable.  Of course, Kate is going to walk in on them.  Kate is the only one I feel sorry for in this situation.

Jason has some reason to be jealous.  Sam thinks she is innocently confiding in John McBain but anyone can see the chemistry and where this is going.  I'm not letting Jason off the hook.  He was completely oblivious to Sam's predicament when she found out about the baby and Franco.  It isn't that she didn't tell him, she just waited a few days to know the full story.

The new writing team does a good job they are just sometimes a bit too obvious.  Dante racing off to Memphis is clearly to keep him out of town so Lulu can be Ronnie's next victim.  Finally!  Maybe we will get rid of Ronnie for good.

Loved watching Spinelli in front of the Avengers poster trying to figure out who actually killed Lisa. No one else really cares.  We just want Maxie out of jail and back to displaying her fashion sense.  Someone has to run the magazine.

So many references to Kristina.  Is she returning?

Heather

I love blogging.  I'm having a lousy day.  I've spent all morning on a project and truly have to start over from scratch.  I'll do that but first I need a break, a vent at someone besides myself.  So I think I'll take my frustrations out on whoever decided it was a good idea to bring Heather Webber back.

I never knew this character before and what I know of her now, I'd just as soon forget.  She is completely, totally unlikeable and utterly unsympathetic.  I'm with Olivia - send her back to Ferncliff.  The only thing I do like is the expression on Luke's face when she is around. It does make me laugh - which I could use right now.

Another part of the issue with having Heather is the larger issue of too many stories and too many characters.  There is so much going on it is hard to know what to focus on.  It isn't boring, that is for sure. But I could use a little breathing room.

What I want to focus on is Sonny's trial.  There are conversations at Kelly's over a cup of coffee that take 3 days to tell and yet in half an episode the prosecution has trotted out almost all its witnesses.

Now that I have my grievances aired, I'll say that the TV will be on promptly at 3 so I can see what Connie Falconeri is going to do next. I've been riveted to this story from the beginning.  We are getting close to everyone knowing that Kate has another personality.  Spinelli is anxiously awaiting records to be delivered which will tell him what is happening.  Jason is about to go the court house.  And there is Kate on the stand saying she is someone else.  Will she come back to Kate in time or has Connie really broken free?

Hopefully we will also see Tracy bust in on Anna and Luke today.  So far they just have a friendship but I love seeing Tracy all worked up.  I wonder when she testified if she was reluctant to tell the truth about Sonny because she wants him to stay out of jail so he can finish of Anthony.  More Tracy, Monica and Alice and less Heather is all I'm saying.

Great news!

Yeah!  Yippee!  General Hospital is being renewed and the Revulsion - ah, I mean, the Revolution - is being cancelled. This wasn't a huge surprise if you looked at the numbers. Yet, ABC has made such awful choices regarding its daytime, and nighttime, line-ups that it is always hard to guess.  Yes, they have had some winners in the evening - Revenge, for example - the losers are outnumbering them.  Amongst the losers, I count shows that are doing well in ratings just because of their time slot.  Suburgatory is a good example.

Anyway, I'm delighted that ABC saw the benefit of keeping General Hospital on air and I do appreciate the importance of viewership.  It is an expensive show to produce and they can't keep it around just for a few fans.  So keep the TV on at 3:00 or whatever time GH comes on.  Let's show them that we do want daytime drama to survive and thrive!

What will Sam do?

What a dilema to find yourself in.  Your husband had a twin brother who was a pshyopath who terrorized you and may have impregnated you without your knowledge or consent.  Your husband has already killed the brother he never new existed.  And you the wife have to decide whether to tell him and what to do about the baby now quite a bit further along.

Only on a daytime drama.  No, they would do this on Criminal Minds in a heartbeat if they were smart enough to think it up.

It's pretty obvious Sam isn't going to run to Jason and tell him.  He wasn't home so now she has time to think, time for John McBain to get into her head and time to put off the inevitable truth coming out.  I'm delighted to see Sam have more of her own story even if it is creepy.

What I'm not delighted about is finding out Robin is alive.  I thought she would be eventually but I'd have rather not known now.  I haven't read any spoilers so I don't know if Kimberly McCullough had a change of heart or just wants to leave the door open.  If it is the latter, we really didn't need to know now.

I'm loving the Kate/Connie story more by the day.  I don't think it will stay a secret much longer what with Connie coming out more and more.  I laughed at the completely puzzled Jason today.  Connie gets to tell everyone off and they are so stunned they don't know what to do.  Give her a scene with Olivia, please.  The only question here is who is going to figure it out first:  Sonny, Alexis, Olivia, Steve, Jason, John, or Anna.  Now I can see why Maxie had to be in jail.  No way could Connie fool Maxie.

Steve is making a big mistake taking in his mother.  I know nothing about Heather other than the recent dialogue but it is easy to see she will use him and she probably has some master plan she wants to carry out.  Olivia, run, now!

Issues

Mostly, I'm enjoying the show as always, but I have a few issues with how things are going.

Where is Shawn?  Has his character been written out?

Finally Ewan finds out that Cassandra is dead and he feels terrible.  I don't buy it.  He drops her or lets her drop him and he never gave her a backwards glance until he gets a call from Alexis weeks after her murder.  Now he is sorry.  Ewan is just a convenient character for the Kate/Connie storyline.  I'm not worried about Elizabeth getting too attached though, she has so many other men in waiting.

Why would anyone put a man and woman opposite each other in jail - aren't the sexes kept separate?  And putting Maxie and the man she fingered together.  If she is lying, he's going to lean on her.  If she isn't, they are going to conspire to cover up their crimes.  It is just plain dumb and lazy writing.

The return of Ronnie.  Let's just make him the stalker and kill two birds with one stone - an unnecessary storyline and Ronnie who has grated on my nerves since day one.  I hear the Padilla is getting an on screen husband which means they are going to drag this out.  I'm not happy.  Not only do we not need another new character, but we don't need this story at all.  Wrap it up and move on.

Wednesdays are always a hoot and this week was no exception.  The fight at the police station between Spinelli and Matt was hysterical.  However, if I were Mac, I'd fire that statue of an officer who just stood there and let them brawl all over Dante's desk.

Loved Tracy's jealousy over Anna moving in with Luke.

Since I'm onto things I love, let me get those out, too.  Jason telling Carly she can't see Johnny any more and her defying him.  Kate's - ah, I mean, Connie's session with Ewan.  Lulu is working an not moping about her life anymore.  Alexis has two clients with one heading to court very soon.  I've not really seen Alexis much in the courtroom and I'm looking forward to it.  Michael is attending college and he is getting a new love interest with lots of potential drama for the young couple.

Now Sam is off to see another returning character who I don't know:  Heather Webber.  I'm guessing Steve and Elizabeth's Mother isn't a very nice person since she is never mentioned.  I've seen this woman in previews and she doesn't look old enough to be Steve's mother.  Apparently she has a link to the past.

I noticed a preview this evening that shows Katie Couric getting her feet wet at ABC by hosting the morning show.  Well that puts her back where she belongs.  If only she would stay there and they would drop this whole idea of yet another talk show.  Then again if it takes her talking ABC into keeping GH, I'll deal with the time change.  Anything to keep GH and get rid of the Revulsion.

Loving John McBain

I'm loving the new character (for GH) of John McBain.  I want to know more about him.   What is his history with Sonny?  Is he really in love with his wife or is there a chance he will come to Port Charles looking for love?

I love the fact that Jason will have a new rival.  It also looks like Dante will as well.  We haven't seen the annoying Ronnie in forever so anything to keep him off the canvas as well.

Luke just gets better and better. This week he explained to Anna - and to those of us who had been wondering - why Robin never called for her Mother's expert help in dealing with Lisa.  I don't get the Jake's name change.  Oh, I can see why, I just don't understand the new name. I like references to the show's history as this is a nod to longtime viewers.  But explain them to the rest of us, please!

This morning I read where OWN - Oprah's network - is struggling.  I didn't watch Oprah but I've certainly seen one of her regular shows or two and I certainly admire her.  I don't wish her ill will.  However, I do think this is a sign the ABC daytime folks need to pay attention to.  If Oprah Winfrey can only get 800,000 people to watch her interview Lady Gaga, they need to realize that talk is way, way overdone.  It isn't what viewers want.

Robin's Funeral

Just a few quick thoughts on the last week or so...

Carly is ridiculously obsessed and Sam should turn in her PI license.  If Sam wants to protect her husband, she should stay in his room!  Leaving him alone for long periods of time is just inviting Carly or any of the hospital staff who knew Robin in to tell him.  Her conversation with Epiphany and her confession to the naked Ewen was sloppy writing.  Carly doesn't care one way or the other about Jason she just wants to get back at Sam. Period.

Jason Thompson has been magnificent in portraying the grieving spouse.

I continue to love seeing this new side of Luke continuing to help out one friend after another without even the tiniest sip of alcohol.  He does it in Luke style.

Many people have tired of DID storylines but I only remember one and that was about 30 years ago on ATWT.  It was magnificently done.  This one with Kate/Connie is also well done by all parties and I'm hanging on her every word.  I particularly love how Johnny and Anthony have been drawn in.

Finally, on Robin's funeral, my only gripe is Emma being present for the entire thing.  I know she doesn't really understand but still wouldn't a child be upset.  This just seems unrealistic.

Maxie storming in in her fashion faux pas red dress is classic.  Will this make Maxie change her obscenely selfish ways and get back to a person I can love to watch?  I hope so.

So sad to see Robin go.  I know the actress wanted out, just hate to see this made permanent. But then in daytime drama, nothing is permanent.

They're listening!

I love it when people listen to our suggestions!  Oh, I don't know if my rants and e-mails made any difference but I hope they or someone's did.  Maybe the producers at ABC just figured this all out for themselves.  Nevertheless, it is all good.

First, Miss Snowflake is gone.  I fear it was all a staged ruse and she isn't really dead but whatever, just as long as she is off my screen. The rest of this trite little tale (to use Helena language) can go by the wayside, too.  It is too predictable and there are so many more interesting stories already in the works.

Second, Michael is back on the side of good and front and center in a new storyline.  Just put him back to work at ELQ interacting regularly with Edward and Tracy and we can all be happy.

Third, Monica is in Jason's life again.

Fourth, Sam is pregnant with Jason's baby - as far as we know. We can be happy for awhile about that.

Fifth, the fallout from Robin's death is bringing about wonderful performances, no surprise there but today we even got a flashback!

Sixth, more familiar faces are apparently headed back to town such as Dr. Noah Drake.  It always amazed me that a character could be killed off and their closest family not even be mentioned at a funeral.  Having Patrick's father return just makes sense.

Seventh, OLTL stars are going to pop up.  Now this certainly wasn't a suggestion of mine as I never watched the show but I thought it was a good idea from the start.  So to whoever asked for this, bravo.  Of course, this all starts of tragically - the death of another child.  Yet, tragedy gives us the best drama.

Eighth, Matt is remembering things that might make him Lisa Niles murderer.  Everyone has probably long lost interest in this one but if it gets the egotistical Dr. Hunter off my screen, I'll all for it.  I wanted him to be the killer all along.

Ninth and perhaps most importantly, I saw the new GH promo today and I'm delighted.  Delighted that there is a promo at all.  I hope this will be popping up all over the place.  My e-mail to ABC was to run the promo at night during shows like Revenge that could have the same audience as General Hospital.  I understand the ratings for the Revolution are terrible so this may be an indication that ABC wants to save GH for another season.  Hopefully they are getting the message that people don't want their so called lifestyle shows and do want our daytime dramas.

So with every day full of drama, 3:00 on ABC is definitely the place to be.

Riveting

Friday's episode had so much action that it was impossible to turn away.  I was riveted on every word out of Kate's mouth waiting for her to confess to being Sonny's shooter.  I'm guessing here but I agree with Anthony, she was suspicious.  If she shot him after the benefit was she also the amateur who shot him in his office.?  She would have had to be in some sort of altered state as she was very upset then, too, when she found out he had been shot.  It is hard not to hang onto every word of a woman wearing a sleeveless, blood soaked wedding gown on a pier in February.

At the hospital the drama over whether or really when Patrick would agree to help Jason continued.  Anna got through to him thankfully.  He would have regretted it if he'd let Jason die.  Of course, we know Jason isn't going anywhere. In this age of casting spoilers, there are no secrets.

Which is why if someone has to die at Wyndemere it will be Ethan.  I hope that isn't the case. I hope they just write him out with a way to return.  I could not care less what happens to Cassandra.  Her story is so cliche.  It isn't even good enough to make me want to see more of Helena. Normally I love to watch Helena but there is so much else going on right now, I'd as soon they wrap this up quickly and send the lot of them packing - well, except for Luke.

I've missed Luke and surely he will have something to do now that his 'dear niece' is falling into bed with another member of the mob, Tracy's is still buried in her marriage to the marked Anthony and Lulu is well, happy, but that can't last.

No, let's give Cassandra, Ewen and Helena a ticket back to wherever and focus on the newcomers.  I'm already intrigued by the couple and child in the car who are about to be part of Anthony's accident.  Since they come form OLTL, they have a good backstory yet I know nothing about it.  So there is a lot here to share with GH viewers.  I already like both of them.  I wonder if Sonny will take them under his wing seeing them as young lovers the way Robin and Stone once were.

Dante had quite a change of heart in a few hours.  Will it stick or will he go back to hating his father in a few days?

Of course the scene to really hang onto happened at the Quartermaines.  You could see the wheels turning in Tracy's head as Sonny was offering her a way out of her marriage. Yet, she couldn't do it.  And she wasn't seriously worried about stains on the carpet, either.  She is coming to care a bit for Anthony. I know he is fun and charming, Tracy.  Don't forget, he is a killer.

So much is set up to happen next week.  I don't think we will get to the bottom of Kate's problems soon. Yet there is the accident, Jason's upcoming surgery, and the grief over Robin's death.  Maxie and Robert don't even know yet along with most of the town.

Sadness and Beautiful performances

The terrible truth is that a soap opera death of a much loved character brings about the best performances.  Losing Robin - Kimberly McCulough is a great blow for General Hospital.  Not only is she a wonderful actor, her character has tremendous story potential yet to show and a connection to almost everyone in town.  I've always liked Robin.  She gets a lot of criticism for putting her nose where it doesn't belong and for always having to be right but I don't mind that.  I like her and I identify with her to some degree.

With the loss of her character we do get some fantastic scenes that pull the best out of her family and friends.  It is hard to know where to start.  Patrick is struggling with his loss and wanting to take it out on Jason who he doesn't believe should get to live if Robin can't live also.  I can see his twisted logic.  I know he will do the right thing eventually.  We get to see Sam beg for her husband's life.  She desperately wants to save Jason for herself and her child.  I imagine Monica will be in on this soon, too.  Perhaps even Elizabeth will talk Patrick into doing what Robin wanted.  She has yet to learn of her friend's death.

Mac and Anna have lost a child.  It's heartbreaking to watch.  And it is certainly understandable to see Mac lash out at Sonny.  The passion in Mac is something I haven't gotten to witness as he has mostly been in the background in the years I've watched.  Sonny is angry and devastated.  Cheers to makeup for making Sonny look so pale following his shooting and the shock of losing Robin.

There is so much left here to tell.  Maxie will be pivotal as she takes another loss.  Maxie, who has never gotten over Georgie's death, has to lose Robin who was also like a sister to her.  Will Maxie realize she is the one who turned on the gas in the lab?  I hope they do this right and someone does.

Will Carly feel guilty for barging into the lab and distracting Robin earlier. It had no bearing really, but she and Robin didn't get along, still there is another connection.

There has been much done wrong in terms of logic in the last few days.  Why didn't Dante call an abulance and backup when Sonny was shot.  Why on earth would he go several stories back up into the hotel to get Steve to come down there with a first aide kit when help could have already been there.  And wouldn't someone have come running to the lab area when the alarms went off.  Dante couldn't get an ambulance to a hotel and Patrick could get the fire department to arrive before any one in the hospital showed up from a floor up or down.  It makes no sense.

Still, minor things in otherwise fabulous storytelling.  In tragedy we get some of our best scenes, we just have to look through the tears to find them.

Seriously underestimated

Sonny has seriously underestimated Johnny.  It isn't Johnny's business powers that are the problem for Sonny.  It is how much every woman in town adores Johnny.  It certainly isn't Johnny's fault how he came into the world.  Johnny has befriended very one of those women and they are not going to easily forgive Sonny for humiliating Johnny.  Many of them thought Sonny went to far with Claudia who certainly had it coming.  No, Sonny has made a bad miscalculation.

This party was just such a waste.  They have turned generous donations and opportunities to get the entire cast together into predictable scenes that carry little value.

Can Maxie be saved?   I do blame Robin for not throwing her out, but she shouldn't have to.  For some reason, Maxie thought her love life or lack thereof was more important than saving Jason's life.  Of the two, I think I'll forgive Sonny before I forgive Maxie for her pettiness that has now caused a fire in the lab and possibly the loss of this magic medicine to save Jason.

I did have one good laugh today amid the tragedies unfolding and that was seeing Matt with his mouth hanging open in disbelief after Elizabeth said she hadn't been going after him.  What a blow to his ego.  A very much needed blow.  Though it would take a cannon to pierce his ego and bring it down to a reasonable size.  Maybe he and Maxie do need to get back together and move somewhere else.  Poor Spinelli for being tied to this story.

Where is Michael?  Shouldn't he have been at his father's party?  Maybe he is on TJ's guest list.  I have a feeling the party at the lake house is going to come to an abrupt halt.  Alexis surely won't be staying out late since the Metrocourt bash is collapsing.  Oh, and I guess there was one other good moment of humor when Alexis' blue dress nearly clashed with her green skin.  She is so jealous of Diane and Mac who I think are putting on an act for her benefit.

Emma is adorable and I like her scenes with her grandmother.  I do think that Grandma needs to be interacting with the adults soon though.  I understand Anna has a lot of history with many people in town and I'd like to see that.

Maybe next week.

Seriously annoying day!

Ok, Robin, here is what you do.  Physically push Maxie out the door of the lab and lock it behind her.  Then call Monica, the chief of staff and mother of your dying patient, and tell her to station someone outside the lab door letting no one except maybe, and I do mean maybe, Patrick inside.  Really!  Having the almost insufferable Matt and Maxie ranting about the dissolution of their relationship that was nothing more than a few dates and tons of fighting was just too much to watch.  I understand Carly's point and why she was upset but she sure wasn't helping either.

Sonny is right, Carly. If Jason wanted you to know, he would have called you.  Jason is married now and even before it was Sam he was confiding in, not you.  Heaven help anyone who confides in Carly anyway.

Carly already has her hands full as yet another of her parties is about to turn into a shouting match.  Why does anyone want to have an event at the Metrocourt.  Are the appetizers that good?

Olivia, go back to dressing yourself.  That designer gown Kate so generously gave you is hideous.  Now I see why you weren't so gracious in receiving her gift in the first place.  Also, if a designer made this for magazine publication it would have probably been fitted for someone considerably taller than Olivia so hemming it should be perfectly fine, Kate.  Geez, does no one know anything anymore?

Dante, decide whether you are going to see Sonny as a father or a gangster and stick to it.  I'm tired of you vacillating.

Finally, in the real world, apparently some fans have been sending Maxie's current portrayer, Jen Lilley, hateful messages. (per an article on SoapCentral) That is just awful thing to do. I've been critical of her work, I admit but I certainly have never sent her a message of any kind.  I've also said that the issue with Maxie these days is all three-  writing, acting and directing.  No one could have made me like Maxie today with her written to storm into the lab and rant about her love life at this time.  No one can make that work.  It certainly isn't Lilley's fault that Kristin Storms hasn't returned.  Personally, I'd rather see Maxie scaled back some until Kristin Storms can return.  I think we have been on Maxie overload lately and there are tons of other stories and characters that could take the stage. I was starting to like Lilley in the role until her character went back to being a mad woman.  So writers and directors, tone her down or write her out a bit for awhile but fans should not be hateful to her for playing the part she was hired to play.

Not much love in the air

Was Dante the only romantic today?  And he wasn't very original with his roses and candy.

Patrick did give Robin a wonderful gift though as he says it was not very traditional. I guess I like my Valentine somewhere between a heart shaped box of chocolates and a visiting relative.

It seems Valentine's Day was scrapped in Port Charles in favor of the upcoming party to celebrate another of Sonny's gifts.  The guy must really be loaded.  Maybe this is where the $20 mill that Spinelli had to locate is going.  Anyway, I'm sure it will be a night to remember. All of the Metrocourt functions are. I'm enjoying Kate and Carly as partners already.  Fireworks are sure to be on the menu whether planned or not.

Maxie seems to be regretting her spontaneous reporting of Elizabeth to Monica.  I had certainly hoped we would see at least a bit more of Monica in this.  Perhaps she will drop in on Jason or be at the hospital benefit.  She'll have to fight Carly for a place next to Jason's bedside.  Carly is concerned and already irked that no one called her about Jason's health. She is clearly outside his key circle these days.

Lulu needs to see an allergist.  It will come as no surprise when it is Lulu who digs up something in all those files.  And I've never understood why Deloris doesn't have access to the evidence room.  Isn't she on the same level as Dante and Ronnie?  Makes no sense.

TJ is causing trouble, no surprise there.  Well, Alexis wanted Molly to get a social life.  As usual Alexis has no idea what her kids are up to.

Inoperable is improbable

At GH?  They can't do surgery?  Isn't this unheard of?  I sure hope Robin has one of her famous drug protocols to treat Jason.

Meanwhile, Michael continues to get his life back on tract despite the examples of his parents and step-father.  He is enrolling in college and hopefully working with Shawn. It is time Michael gave Shawn a chance.  Will Carly give Shawn a chance and have two gorgeous men on a string?  What a choice?  I don't see her marrying either of them - Johnny is too young and volatile and Shawn just isn't a leading man character to me, at least not yet.  He was a teacher in his former life.  Teachers have one of the hardest jobs in the world but no one makes them the key character in a drama - not one that lasts long anyway.

Maxie, Maxie, what are we going to do with you?  I don't like Elizabeth either but I wouldn't put a single mother out of work.  Stealing drugs is hardly a pattern for Elizabeth and it sounds like the pot calling the kettle black - a point Monica made.  Best thing here is that Monica has a story that will at least keep her on the screen a couple more days.

Much as a dislike Matt's ego, he is right about Ewen.  There is something there that just doensn't add up.

Jason Thompson continues to show range in his work.  He went from giddy husband planning a surprise for his wife to straight forward surgeon in a heartbeat.  He knows Jason keeps secrets.

So lots to keep tuning in for!

Breaking Up is

not so hard to do.  Really, who couldn't see that Maxie and Matt needed to break up.  Have they even been a couple the last few months? With his ego and her accusations, schemes and jealousy, there was no room anywhere for them to connect.  I never liked this pairing mostly because I don't like Matt.  I really hated it when it turned Maxie into a shrill woman I'd just as soon see written off.

I'd love to keep Maxie if Kristen Storms were in the role. I was warming to Jen Lilly for awhile but then she became almost unbearable to watch.  I am not one to blame the writers for everything.  No one ever criticizes the actors or even acknowledges that there is a director somewhere who must be telling these people how to play a scene.  In this case, I think everyone is to blame.  The writing does make it tough to have sympathy for Maxie, but Kristin Storms always made it work no matter what they had her do. I did however, come on the scene post-Maxie/Lucky so maybe I didn't see Maxie at worst.

Maxie does get points for her appraisal of Elizabeth.  Sure she goes a little overboard.  Yet, she so has Elizabeth pegged with her comments about Elizabeth always going after unavailable men and her numerous pregnancies all with different fathers.  The last one even had two possible fathers.  And yet, Elizabeth is loved by all.  Well, not me.

What kind of psychiatrist is Dr. Keenan?  Does this man know no boundaries with his patients? Is Elizabeth is patient.  I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to date your patient no matter what your specialty and certainly no psychiatry.  He also is sort of living with 'Cassandra' and renting her a castle.  I would just as soon be rid of him and Miss Snowflake.  (Score another for Maxie for giving us that name.)

Speaking of psychiatrists, I'm pretty sure Kate isn't seeing one and definitely needs to.  I don't think they are going for multiple personalities - at least I hope not - but they are going for some sort of unhealthy behavior with Kate getting decked out in red lipstick and clubbing type clothes to go down to the lobby and write ideas on napkins. I think not.  She is finding a way to escape the rigid persona she created for herself.  This has potential as a story. One could argue that Coleman satisfied the wild child in her for a time and now she has graduated to far more risky behavior.  I can now see why Kate was recast.  I would have had a hard time seeing Megan Ward in this role though she did a fine job with the original Kate.

The most intriguing potential story for me oddly is Molly's My Face persona.  I say, oddly, because I usually don't care much for teen stories.  Correction, I didn't care much for them on ATWT but on GH, they give these stories a lot of meat, a lot of connection to the adults.  It isn't just teens acting out with other teens around.  How long before Molly becomes 'Desdemona.'  Gee, no one is themselves these days.

Johnny clearly isn't who he thought he was.  Yet, Johnny is still there.  There is hope that this won't destroy him. Ironic that Carly is the one trying to keep him from disintegrating into a vengeful thug.  Then again I guess she has a lot of experience with this personality type.

My favorite scenes of the week were Alexis with her girls.  The Davis girls get the best lines and deliver them like no one else.  Alexis, Sam, and Molly are an example of when writing, acting and directing work beautifully.  Throw in Diane who is always perfectly played and I just love everything they say and do.  It is relatable viewing.

I'm glad we got to see a scene with Jason and Monica.  It is just too bad these are too rare. Why couldn't Monica have come back to find him lying on the floor and then accompanied him to the hospital?

We saw little of Anthony and none of Luke for days.  I miss Tracy, too.  There are so many stories in the air it is hard to know what to hope for.  My wish is that we wrap up Cassandra and company soon, permanently stick Matt in the OR, and give Elizabeth much quality time with her boys off screen so we can get back to all the other really good ones.

What's to Love

Since this is the month of love, here's what I'm loving about General Hospital right now:

the new sober Luke.  Luke is back and back in touch with everyone meaningful in his life yet he hasn't lost his naughty edge.  He is engaged with his children in relevant conversation.  He is helping Carly though I'm not sure she found it so helpful.  He cashed his info into Sonny so he is back supporting himself.  His scenes with Tracy and Anthony are fantastic. I know he and Edward are in cahoots on the Tracy situation.  I just hope they will be able to control the fallout from this marriage.  I love Luke's every scene these days.

Patrick and Robin are working together again.  After a year or so of tugging their marriage apart, they have a common goal and are fighting together.  That is a relationship I want to see.

Franco is gone - or at least dead, I hope.

Alexis' menopause story.  I love everything about this story.  OK, it is a bit unbelievable that Alexis wouldn't recognize the signs but then she has been in denial about her personal life before.  I can only ever remember one other menopause story and that was Lisa on ATWT back in the day when such things were whispered.  Well, with Diane on the case, there is no whispering.  That is for sure!  Even Coleman is getting some good stuff here by pegging what Alexis is really looking for.  We are seeing more of Mac these days, too.

Johnny is getting tons of screen time.  Sure, there are plenty of issues here and I have worries.  For now I'll just delight in seeing him practically daily.  I do love that he and Carly are growing closer. Plus it looks like he might be mixing it up with the Quatermaine's.

Michael is on a path back to ELQ I'm betting.

Ronnie may be the assailant of the dancers and now the detective.  I hope so as that might finally get him OFF MY SCREEN.

Spinelli is reeling Maxie in and it is delicious to watch.  He is no longer a cyber geek but a kingpin of a group swapping information.  I'm sure there is something illegal here but I'm not worried.  No one in Port Charles really goes to jail at least for long.  I'm enjoying the development of Spinelli from geek to Casanova way too much to worry.

Ewen doesn't seem to be falling under Elizabeth's spell.  She actually didn't trap a man in her web.

And finally, Elena is back, knife in hand. Let's hope she doesn't get interrupted.

A little too dark

I like some drama but things have gotten too dark for me lately.  The only light spots today were Ethan and Elizabeth sort of making up and Alexis hanging out the window. I hope this isn't going to end up with them together but since Ethan is leaving, I think not.  And since he is leaving, why bother?

Alexis is so much fun to watch no matter what she does.  I'm glad she knows about the baby.  Sam is going have to find a way to tell her mother if this child isn't Jason's.   Surely they won't pretend it is his.

Oh, Johnny.  I loved seeing you grin at all the women in town and now you are drowning in misery.  I suppose this Claudia is really his mother stuff is about growing the character of Johnny.  I can only seem him getting more violent and dangerous.  He won't be going in the direction I'd like to see him take.  The only good thing is more screen time with Anthony.

Actually there was one other sort of light spot.  Everyone at the Q mansion is in on something to help Tracy is my guess.  Edward and Luke have conspired in some way.  At least I hope this is the case.  I hope they let Monica in on it because she shouldn't have to put up with a mobster under her roof (unless it is her son).

While it was dark, the scenes with Sonny and Anthony were must see.  They are bitter rivals yet seldom get any screen time together and today's was very well written with great lines on both sides of the desk.  I think Michael has already been picked as Anthony's target. Setting up someone for a murder is Anthony's MO.  It has worked so well for him in the past.