We all love “General Hospital.” I watch it every day in real time and I don’t accept phone calls or let anyone bother during that important hour. “GH” is a show that has delivered us wonderful entertainment over the years—for me personally, since Luke and Laura’s glorious and first romantic summers in the early Eighties. That’s why I’m so shocked at how unbelievable this year’s “GH” summer has been. I couldn’t even wait until Labor Day to write this column.
So many elements go into making a good soap. Most important are plots and characters that must make sense to you and I, the loyal viewers who look forward to this daily treat. If what we’re seeing is illogical, it’s not viable soap opera. To show that “GH” has failed mightily this season, I’m not pointing fingers. Instead, I’d like to examine what has happened to characters we tune into see every day.
Donnell Turner is Curtis
Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner)—A proud and very intelligent man who is head of security for Aurora Media, he literally lost his cool when he brutally attacked surgeon Dr. Isiah (Sawandi Wilson), who had been sleeping with Curtis’ wife Portia. The injury was so severe, Dr. Isiah lost the use of his operating hand. Curtis was convicted of this crime and sent off to Pentonville Prison for ten years.
Certainly, “GH”’s writers know that black fans comprise a substantial portion of daytime soap’s audience, (Witness the success of CBS’ “Beyond the Gates.”) To have Curtis act in such an uncivilized manner is just plain insulting to black fans and everyone else, too. I literally don’t believe a guy as smart as Curtis could commit this brutal crime.
Cameron Mathison is Drew
Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) — As you know, Drew was shot in the back by his wife Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen). Paralyzed and rendered mute early in the year, he spent long months immobilized in a wheelchair, communicating only with eye movements (played deftly by Mathison, a real trouper). Then one day his mother in-law Nina (Cynthia Watros) flung him and his wheelchair into a lake. Drew emerged not only fully talkative, but with Cameron Mathison’s fabled musculature more developed than ever. Huh? Somehow, he had become unparalyzed, his old self back in action. But of course he was damned mad! And why not? His wife was never convicted of any crime.
Katelyn MacMullen is Willow
Willow, ridiculously acquitted of the shooting, spent the summer not only in her husband’s Congressional seat, but crying to everyone who will listen that she deserved custody of her children with Michael. In recent memory, has there ever been a more annoying, shrill soap character? She’s taken up residence at the Quartermaine gatehouse, where nearly every day she flirts with the unexplainedly shirtless cop and married man Chase. Finally, this week we viewers got some satisfaction out of the fact that her one-time lawyer Alexis called her out as a monster. Please, “GH,” relieve us of the daily headache called Willow ASAP.
Maurice Benard is Sonny
Anna Devane (Finola Hughes)— After a long absence from the show, this once very strong, very smart and very beloved character returned to the show a meek woman mysteriously haunted by a dead man named Peter (Wes Ramsey). Our Finola looked just as mystified as we longtime viewers were to watch her character practically lose her brain. Still haunted by this brute, how is she supposed to make an effective police commissioner again?
Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard)– He’s been in the mob for decades. Suddenly this summer—for no given reason—our Sonny announced he is leaving the organization. Huh? His mob ties have been central to “GH” for decades. On top of that, his Number One henchman Jason (Steve Burton) is also leaving the criminal life, too. Why? On top of these developments, after a leave of absence from the show, Burton has been playing Jason as if he is chronically depressed. Why? Why?
As the summer progressed, two other “GH” characters were suddenly and inexplicably written off. When last seen this week, the WUSB’s Jack Brennan (Chris L. McKenna) was, slipped a mickey by Ava (Maura West) and drowned in a pool soon thereafter. Why? Wait a minute. Wasn’t it Mckenna we all watched grow up on “One Life to Live” as Joey, a very good leading man who had serious romances with two leads, Carly and Nina? What happened?
Also written off suddenly this summer was the alluring sex worker Jacinda (Paige Herschell) who had been having a romance with Michael (Rory Gibson). Again, no stated reason was given for her sudden exit.
So, mon chers, it has certainly been a curious summer on “General Hospital” and as a longtime viewer, I’m stumped that a show with such quizzical and inconsistent plot contortions is the same show I’ve watched for decades The fact that something as flawed as this can be presented by a major network during the summer eludes me. This is traditionally primetime for soaps, trying to lure new young viewers who are on summer vacation.
Will these young viewers cotton to the inferior drama presented this summer on “GH”? There are so many questions about the inconstancies in “GH,” storylines this summer, any longtime viewer will feel like something very wrong is going on here. Holy Gloria Monty—how was this ever permitted to happen?
First of all, despite the fact that I do not agree with your assessment, I certainly fully respect your right to hold these opinions. I believe that on this we will have to agree to disagree. I do believe it is important for characters to be relatable. Yes, stories need to be true to some kind of logic. There is not one logic that applies to all characters or stories. I believe what you are missing is whether character actions make sense. And at this time too many do not make sense to you.
I’m sorry but you are pointing fingers.
I do not believe being a black character means you cannot ever do something wrong. However, I never thought Curtis was as smart as you seem to think he should be. Many times over the years he has shown himself to be judgmental, shallow, egotistical & even hubris. In this story we are shown Curtis who is wrong & Isaiah & Portia who are right. Jordan desperately does not want it to be her fault, even though factually it is.
Drew I accept as a “Love to Hate” character & he is much more interesting this way than when he was boring but good. Willow is similar, also accept her as a “Love to Hate” character & she also is far far more interesting that boring but good Willow used to be. As for shrill, I do not hear her that way. As a matter of fact, the actress has shown me chops I had no idea she had that in her.
Peter is a link to Cesar Faison to Anna, and he is her delusion with an agenda & I find the story fascinating.
I notice you do not mention AT ALL the best & strongest elements on the show at this time. Caradine, Carly & Valentin and Gemma, Emma & Gio.
About Jason & Sonny leaving the mob, this is something soap fans & critics alike have called for GH to do for many years. In fact it has been said that if GH did not move away from “Sopranos Lite” it would be the show’s downfall. And, Jason seems odd because the character is playing major change.
I so agree with you Marlena. GH has had a terrible summer. I agree with all of your points. So many things make absolutely no sense. The actress that I feel bad for the most is Finola Hughes, one of the best in the business. Her storyline is embarrassing. Perhaps it is time for new writers over at GH.
First, I could not agree more with all you said, and would add the absurdity of the ‘they left Jordan on the side of the road to die’ storyline.
The highlight of the show for me has been the underage characters. Charlotte, Danny, Rocco, and Scout have been acting like teenagers, and I am loving it all.
I love the kids too. I always rave about casting director Mark Teschner–he knows how to pick them especially young people.
Everyone has their own opinion about the show. Even though I have talked about some negatives here there are lots of thing i like–Gio and Emma for example and Carly and Valentin. Something is always going on in Port Charles!
That right there hits the cardinal sin to me, a soap opera cannot be boring. When one has been, I am just gone. I love the fact that GH has momentum. As you said, something is always going on. I know that they chew up a lot of plot but IMO generally, they do it with a sense of style, some clever sparkling dialog & they use history & use it well. But, when it comes to that wreck out on Hwy 91, yes, it was a bold attempt at an umbrella storyline but sadly it fell far short. But,that is just one storyline, of many. If I were to name a second fail, it would be Britt. I am more than ready for her to be done, gone, whatever. Just not on my screen.
The accident on Highway 91 is a really botched storyline–another storyline on GH that makes no sense. In old days the networks used to have full-time employees in their daytime division who would check continuity. I happen to love Britt, but her Huntington’s Disease that never was is another example of botched storytelling.
Elizabeth Korte has literally done every job at GH that a writer can do. Both script editor & script doctor, when one of a script editor’s jobs is continuity, although GH because of the way they tape has many people whose job is continuity. Someone I know there, at the studio, says that their continuity people are the best in the business because they have to be again because of the way they tape, which is described as way the hell out of order, worse, much worse, than a movie shoots. Of course, I’m not sugesting that continuity is her bailiwick now, no, it would need to be someone who only had to do that one job. As co-HW she’d be busy with other things. Wardrobe, Props, Script all have continuity issues. Even hair & makeup. It’s because of continuity that we never get to see the natural curl on Laura Wright and Becky Herbst. Blowing it out straight is the only way it will match from shot to shot.
Elizabeth Korte’s rich experience with the show is a real gift to GH viewers.
Marlena, if kept in check, could Gaza help? His 1996 stint on GH was a gift. I remember your article Critical Condition saying his writing was “Clairier than Claire.” This was the highest of compliments. I believe his 2012 exit was part burnout and Mr Medler(who shall never be named again RIP OLTL) over involvement. He could tell character driven long term umbrella story. He was controversial, as many storytellers are ( the good ones anyway). GH felt like GH. I was satisfied when his pal Michelle Val Jean clarified Guza did NOT want to kill off Alan Q, it was the short sided execs. He also was not a huge fan of the stunts every sweeps period. How terrible do not have the same control as the hey day of shows. The controversial yet brilliant GH saver in 1978 helped change that!
Interesting suggestion.
This body cover up storyline is ridiculous! Korte needs to go. It’s so stupid.