‘General Hospital’: 8 Best Moments of 2018 So Far (PHOTOS)
Franco confronts his abusive past
Actor Roger Howarth’s recent work has been a performance to behold. After months of fighting off his repressed memories, Franco remembers he was sexually abused as a child. The story opened Franco up and softened his relationships with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Drew (Billy Miller). And as devastating as this revelation was, it’s Franco’s attempt to heal from the ordeal that resonates the most.
Kiki faces workplace harassment
GH is tackling its own #Me,Too story through Kiki Jerome (Hayley Erin), who has been sexually harassed by her superior, Dr. Bensch (James DePaiva), at the hospital. What make the story work — other than its timeliness — is that it conveys the frustrations and helplessness of women who are subjected to abusive behavior from men they trusted. As Kiki tries to take Bensch down by reporting him, she finds support in other women, a nice touch to the narrative.
Mike’s battle with Alzheimer’s
Week after week, Max Gail delivers a gutting performance as Mike, Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) deteriorating father. As Mike loses his memory, Sonny, who has a murky relationship with the father who once abandoned him, has to make the most of the time they have left together. This heartbreaking story has showcased the talents of both stars beautifully.
Peter August is Henrik Faison
It’s a classic soap tale: Mysterious figure arrives in town with a secret identity, gets exposed, and then faces the wrath of the whole town. But what makes this revelation — that Peter is actual Henrik, Anna’s long-lost son — really compelling is Wes Ramsey’s nuanced portrayal. As a man haunted by his upbringing and desperate for redemption, Peter has emerged as a complex character worth noticing.
Valentin Cassadine as his own worst enemy
Easily one of the most fascinating elements of the show is Valentin Cassadine, played with perfection by James Patrick Stuart. Over the last several months, Valentin’s been keeping his involvement with Peter a secret, which has jeopardized all his close relationships — including his fraught relationship with Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), the woman from whom he can’t seem to untangle. His ambiguous motives and friendship with Peter shows us that there’s still an appeal to the antihero after all.
The additions of Kim and Oscar Nero
This mother-son relationship was introduced less than a year ago and it’s one of the most refreshing pairings to watch on screen. Kim (Tamara Braun) and Oscar (Garren Stitt) have an honest and believable chemistry. Add in Drew, who found out he was Oscar’s dad a few months ago, and we’ve got a family dynamic that just works. It’s a reminder that, at their best, soaps are about families and the love shared by everyday people.
The charming Curtis Ashford
This endlessly charismatic private investigator, played by Donnell Turner, brings some much-needed personality to the show. Curtis’ chemistry and rapport with characters like Jordan (Vinessa Antoine), Nina (Michelle Stafford), and Drew make him an essential part of the Port Charles community. Simply put: It’s a pure delight to see this actor on screen. Now, if only we can get him a meaty storyline, we’ll be thrilled.
Alexis faces her self-destructive tendencies
One of the most interesting scenes this year involved Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) baring her soul in an impromptu therapy session with Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom). She asks herself a question fans have been wondering for years – why is she always drawn to criminal and amoral men? Now, she’s on quest to fill in the gaps of her past to figure herself out. It’s promising to see this level of introspection from a character who has repeatedly sought out disastrous relationships for decades.
Daytime dramas are known for going over the top, but ABC’s General Hospital is showing us that a little bit of restraint goes a long way.
Over the last several months, the soap has been more grounded, exploring stories about redemption, trauma, and abuse in emotionally truthful ways.
While it’s not entirely clear what prompted this shift, a change in the writer’s room may have something to do with it. After Jean Passanante retired last summer, Chris Van Etten was promoted to co-head writer, a credit he shares with Shelly Altman.
Click through the gallery above for some of the best GH moments of 2018 so far!
General Hospital, Weekdays, Check Your Local Listings, ABC
