Daytime Performer of the Week: ‘General Hospital’s Maura West Finds a Way to Make Ava Jerome Rich, Rich, Rich
It’s a little unappetizing watching glorious Ava Jerome, played by the glorious Maura West, be down and out with no money on General Hospital. However, it’s fabulously delicious watching Ava rise to the top of the heap again by taking advantage of a criminal situation.
If Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and Diane (Carolyn Hennesy) ever need an investigator for their law firm, they might want to contact Ava. She’s a smart cookie. While visiting Ric (Rick Hearst) in the hospital following his auto “accident,” Ava figured out that the person responsible was Kristina (Kate Mansi) — and that she, Ava, was the intended target.
Rather than seeing red and wanting justice, Ava opted for another color: green. As she’d fallen on hard times money-wise, Ava realized she had a golden opportunity to leverage Kristina’s crimes against her mother, who just so happens to have access to the Cassadine millions. When Ava realizes she’s got the upper hand, she’s almost giddy with excitement and anticipation as to what her next move will be. To Ric’s credit, he felt that Kristina should pay for her crimes by facing the courts. Ava’s reaction to that was “meh!” That’s not going to put money in her pocket.
What makes West so entertaining to watch is that she will have Ava turn on anyone in a heartbeat. Ric’s her attorney and her partner-in-crime, and he wanted to do the right thing — until Ava threatened him by pointing out that his relationship with his daughter Molly (Kristen Vaganos) would suffer if Ric sent her only remaining sister to prison! When Ric put into words what Ava’s unethical plan was, she joyfully quipped, “It’s just inspired, isn’t it?”
Wasting no time, Ava traipsed over to Alexis’s office to get her money. Alexis tried to dismiss her, but the savvy attorney could tell Ava had a bombshell based on her body language, devious smile, and wicked confidence. “Oh, I love it,” Ava said after teasing Alexis with her going to the police with something Kristina had done. “Clearly, you know your daughter and exactly what she’s capable of. You’re not even bothering to defend her.”
Alexis has faced many tough opponents in court, but Ava is right up there with them. The art gallery owner had all her facts ready to go. The most damning evidence was video of Kristina in the parking area of where her and Ric’s cars were. “What to do? What to do?” Ava asked rhetorically after showing the video to Alexis. “Should I do my civic duty and give this evidence to the police — or should you and I come to an understanding?”
Alexis might have put on a better poker face in court, but she wasn’t responding as a lawyer in this confrontation. She’s a mother, desperate to not only keep Kristina out of jail but also to see that the renewed relationship between Kristina and Molly remains intact.
And what exactly does Ava want? “Millions, possibly,” a greedy Ava suggested. When Alexis said she didn’t have that kind of money, Ava joyfully pointed out, “It’s a good thing you’re the administrator of the Cassadine estate then!”
Alexis made a valiant effort to scare Ava into backing off, pointing out that her evidence was circumstantial.
“What do you think the wire cutters were for, a manicure?” Ava smirked.
“So, what do you think Alexis?” Ava queried, knowing she was winning this fight. “How do you think Molly will react when she learns that Kristina nearly killed her father?”
Alexis called Ava’s bluff about going to the police. Ava appeared to give in by saying maybe she wouldn’t go to the police — she’d go straight to Molly instead. She sweetly told Alexis that she wasn’t an unreasonable person and that Alexis would have until the next morning to decide. She confidently exited the legal eagle’s office knowing that Alexis does not want discord between her two daughters.
Ava’s latest power played, brilliantly executed by her portrayer, is a reminder that while Ms. Jerome may be in the red (for now), West delivers performances that are simply priceless.
General Hospital, Weekdays, ABC
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G
Maura West is one of the best on GH...she's an incredible actress and plays Ava to the max. Kristina needs major consequences for her actions.
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B
I'm rooting for Ava! I can't stand Kristina. She's a spoiled and entitled brat. Also Alexis and Laura conspired against Ava to keep her from getting the money. I'm not currently watching the show because I can't stand the storylines right now.
20 6
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P
Valentin arranged for Ava to lose that money, not Laura or Alexis. Watching the show helps you know what is happening.
12 2
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B
Exactly! It was Ava money.
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O
I love Maura West, but I hate Ava. She is loathsome.
15 4
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B
How is that people can hate Ava more than they hate Sonny? He shot a man in cold blood, In fact, he has killed so many people just for crossing him.
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B
It’s just different with Sonny!! Ave is just evil and she has proved that with killing Connie. What she did with Morgan rates right up there as despicable and she will always be as rotten as she needs to be in any situation! The “dimpled Don” has so many redeemable qualities he rates above someone like Ava. Love that man and as much love Jason. Many of us dream of having someone who will always take care of everything involving you and that is so very attractable
in dreams.
2 4
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O
Ava needs to go she's just a money hungry women and she is willing to use Avery to get it
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G
Ava is my girl, my favorite on GH for sure. I love her style, her attitude, confident, her beauty, she knows how to bring it on. I mean she delivers a 100% on GH every single second she is on set. I loved her from the days of As the Word Turn. That’s my girl.
10
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O
Im big time fan of Sonny family but yes Kristina does need help.. she to out of control an others are getting hurt because of her rage against Ava!!!
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O
Maura is a great actress. She was Good on young and restless as well . Yes she plays Ava well
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O
Ava is a survivor, she’s cunning and sometimes ruthless but she’s ever the bit likable most of ever character on GH has been and are capable of everything Ava has ever done so lets not get it twisted, especially Sonny, Alexis and their whole family not to mention Tracy and her family. They stole Ava’s money it was rightfully hers and so she’s doing a lot of not so nice things to get it back but the one she’s working against are just as rotten, Ava has a good heart with the right kind of people.
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O
If she is truly as broke as they are making her out to be, where did she get the money to bribe the guy at the Impound Lot? This storyline gets dumber and dumber!
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B
Alexis will not give in to Ava, not with Diane being the brilliant lawyer and friend she is to Alexis. Kristina will go off to shadybrook where she belongs and Ava will suffer yet another blow from Alexis
5 1
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G
Kristina needs to be put away for her own good and Ava has killed before and never paid for it
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R
I'm sure anyone could have figured that out. Especially since Ava got video from parking garage. I hope they get Kristina help but don't let Alexis fold to Ava's blackmail.
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B
The problem with that is no one wants to know who did with the exception of Ave and Rick. They don’t want have admit Kristina needs help.
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G
The point you clearly missed is—Ava figured out most of it BEFORE even seeing the video.
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B
I hate ava she's cunning and evil hope someone really stop her next time
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