Will Lois or Nina Tell Sonny the Truth on General Hospital?
Credit: ABC
As we close out the year, I’m doing things a bit differently with my weekly General Hospital column. I’m looking back at the highs and lows, the bests and worsts of 2023. By no means is this an exhaustive list, I’m centering on some of the big stories. I’ll also take a look forward to what I’d like to see in 2024!
More: General Hospital’s 2023 Year in Review
The Nurses Ball 2023 – Hit!
I am one of those viewers who loves The Nurses Ball. I find the performances fun, and it usually brings the entire cast together for one big event. The return of Milo and the Magic Wands was a treat, and Chase and Blaze were great, as was Brook Lynn taking down that slime Linc. The tribute to Epiphany was moving as was the celebration of Bobbie’s 40 years on the show. Lucy obsessing over the fact she wasn’t involved was the only downer, but her crashing her own memorial tribute was fun, as was her argument on stage with Bobbie.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Obviously, 2024’s ball will be dedicated to Bobbie as it should. Himbo Dex should carry on the Magic Wands tradition, and Blaze should use her performance to officially come out.
Adventure in Greenland – Best Story of the Year
Even though it took forever to reveal what Victor’s plan was, the fallout of it and the adventure in Greenland were some of the best episodes of the year. The action, the sets, the blowing up of The Haunted Star, it was just a fun throwback to the adventure storylines from the eighties/nineties and before, when soaps had huge budgets to go to actual locations. Having Laura front and center in taking Victor down, much as she did decades ago with Mikos, was also what made the storyline special. The second weather machine was also a fun surprise and throwback, and Holly also coming back was a great treat. The story was also one of the high points of the year for ‘Sprina’ fans, if there are any left!
Pikeman – Massive Bust!
This storyline was just one big hot mess. It started as a way for Michael, with Dex’s help, to bust Sonny. But that never happened. Then it got tied into the WSB and the shooting at The Metro Court that targeted Sonny or Anna, but now they’ve decided, “Nope, that shooting had nothing to do with this story either.” Then we got Anna being terrorized by a former WSB agent, but he only set fire to her house and everything else was Charlotte the Bad Seed, aka Helena 2.0. And then in two episodes, they wrapped the whole giant mess up. The worst part of this storyline is that it in part is what destroyed ‘Vanna.’ And now all we have is evil Charlotte. Charles Mesure playing John Brennan for a few episodes was the one bright spot, as he was phenomenal and had mad chemistry with Carly.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Someone needs to find that “destroyed” flash drive with the footage of Sonny and expose it, only so that Michael gets knocked down several pegs. Given this storyline and Victor’s interference has led us into Mini-Helena with Charlotte, if we had to lose ‘Vanna’ they could at least bring Lulu back to help un-brainwash her devil child. I’d like to see Brennan back, if only for a storyline that involves kidnapping Carly.
The Big Bad Boss – Biggest Lost Opportunity
Austin’s character was a complete mess from the beginning, and the fact that they killed Franco and gave us him was a hard pillow to swallow. His character also saddled us with his lollipop-licking cousin Mason, both whom were being controlled by a big baddie who was made out to be the most ruthless being since perhaps Helena. They also told us over and over it was a female, and viewers were excited at the idea of a new villainess and had us speculating who it could be. So when the storyline seemed to be completely rethought and they introduced Cyrus of all people as the big bad, it was a major letdown and a big missed opportunity. And what was Cyrus’ motivation to bring Sonny down, the center of the rewrite? He was jealous of his relationship with Laura and that he was a criminal and was accepted by Port Charles. Cry my a river!
Looking Forward to 2024 – The one fun part of the entire Gatlin gang mess was the surprise return of a very healthy, very alive Nikolas. Nikolas needs to return next year. As for Austin’s killer? This needs to be a big surprise, not just Nikolas torturing Ava as she currently suspects. Wouldn’t it be a shock if it was Julian, back from the dead, and protecting his sister?
Gladys Fleeces Sasha – Pure Torture!
Sasha seems to have become the writers’ favorite punching bag for some reason. As if watching her lose Liam and Brando, along with spiraling out of control and getting mixed up in drugs wasn’t heartbreaking enough, they decided to have Gladys steal from her and gaslight her. Sofia Mattson truly made our hearts ache for Sasha, and hopefully, this storyline will at least get her a Daytime Emmy. And Bonnie Burroughs made us hate Gladys so much that she deserves one too! However, waiting for this storyline to finally come to an end was torture for the viewers. On the flip side, this story helped redeem Cody’s character in the eyes of many viewers, some of whom nicknamed “truck nuts.”
Looking Forward to 2024 – For the love of all that is good, let Sasha just be happy! Having Cody and Sasha as the faces of Deception could somehow set them up not just as the couple we want to see them become, but an on-location shoot for the brand could be the catalyst to get them mixed up in some type of mystery or adventure.
The SEC Story – The One Nobody Asked For
The only point this storyline served was to continue the Carly and Nina feud, which I don’t think anyone is enjoying any longer. One of the top comments I read is to make it end! That Carly and Drew came off as the victims, even though they committed a crime, was ridiculous. The only thing they were the victim of was their own stupidity in not knowing what they were doing was insider trading. Also, everyone thinking Ned turning them in was worse than the crime they committed just reinforces one of my biggest pet peeves, no matter what Carly does, she will be forgiven by pretty much everyone. Then there is Nina, who is her own worst enemy, and is going to be the town pariah again and lose everything.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Nina and Carly need to be thrown into a life-or-death situation where they have to rely on each other to survive, and maybe end this feud. Okay, that’s just wishful thinking, I know. But as the last episode of the year ended with Nina saying it should be her that tells Sonny the truth, that is what should happen. Let her tell Sonny the truth, so she can have just a little bit of redemption. Also, Sonny needs to extend any anger to all the other people who have been hiding this secret from him and Carly. Oh yeah, and Drew… who can forget Drew…
More: Michael Corinthos’ General Hospital anniversary
The Decepting Deceptor – Worst Use of Stunt Casting
I wrote in past columns that the return of Tracy, and her working with a mysterious partner to take down Deception, was one of my favorite new storylines. They brought in Walt Willey as Jackson Montgomery, her attorney, and Kassie DePaiva as Blair Cramer, Tracy’s partner and Martin’s ex-wife. But the whole storyline just fizzled. Tracy took control of Deception, and Blair got… nothing? She was blackmailing Martin to divorce her and marry Lucy to end his alimony, but that went nowhere! Plus, Blair was only on for an episode and a half. What a waste! Now we are stuck listening to Lucy constantly whine and complain, to the point I don’t feel sorry for her and want Brook Lynn to give the whole company to Maxie and Sasha.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Bring Blair back to finish what she started. Lucy and Martin’s romance seems to have fallen off the face of the earth, but they were fun together and could use a storyline that doesn’t involve her feud with Tracy.
More: Why Lucy’s plan is bound to fail
The Return of Esme – Biggest Surprise, Best Future Potential
The fact that I went from hating Esme with a passion to enjoying amnesiac Esme, is a testament to Avery Pohl as an actress. Plus, the bond she and Laura forged was really fantastic and loving. However, I think we all knew at some point, the good times would end. Having Esme’s memories come back for Christmas was a big surprise, and one that wasn’t spoiled ahead of time, which made it all that much better. I wrote in last week’s column that I hoped to see Esme struggle with her conscience and her identity now that she remembers. However, based on how the year ended, with Esme visiting her mom and fuming at the site of Spencer and Trina, it doesn’t look like Esme’s going to be a good girl at all. This storyline has a lot of potential, as long as they make Esme a vixen, and not the devil incarnate as she was. Leave that for Charlotte.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Heather Webber and Ryan Chamberlain were crazy good fun in 2023, so I’d like to see more of Heather and Esme and how their relationship evolves. And as someone who’s fallen out of love with ‘Sprina,’ I’m all for Esme causing problems for them, just not torturing them like the old Esme would.
Best Return – Lois!
Hey, I love Tracy, and am thrilled she’s back, but the return of Lois has been one of the highlights of 2023 for me. Her and Olivia’s friendship is downright fun to watch, as is the constant snarkfest between Lois and Tracy. Gloria’s return for Thanksgiving, and that silly Russian mob storyline with her dog, was a bit of a bust though. I’ve also enjoyed Lois and Brook Lynn’s relationship, and their scheming to take back Deception for Maxie. Lois also helped bring an end to the Eddie Maine madness, but I have to admit, I liked Eddie better than Ned, who has become the worst of the Quartermaines.
Looking Forward to 2024 – I want to see Lois stick around for good and help BLQ succeed in beating Tracy. Maybe she can take over the nail salon in town?
More: Will Nina confess to Sonny?
Biggest Snooze – ‘Fizzle’
There is no doubt about it, Finn and Elizabeth are a downright boring couple. Their trip to Maine to tap maple trees was like a bad Hallmark movie. Even this lawsuit Finn’s wrapped up in isn’t making them interesting. They are best when they are interacting with their kids. Finn lights up when he’s with Violet, and Aiden coming out to Liz was absolutely touching.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Seeing as Alexis and Gregory ended the year kissing, it feels sadistic to kill off yet another one of Alexis’ lovers. I propose Gregory collapses at Chase and BLQ’s wedding reception, is rushed to the hospital, and they learn he does not have ALS, but was misdiagnosed and has something that actually is treatable. Also, bring back Hayden! There is no reason she should still be in hiding!
Surrogacy Sorrows – A Big Nope!
At the very beginning of this storyline I called it a tough sell because they had just recast both Kristina and Molly. Not only that, we went through multiple Molly recasts, and it became a bit of a joke to fans, who wondered when we’d get the next new Molly. Plus, this storyline just isn’t working, and given Alexis fears it’s going to tear the family apart, it probably will. There also was the weeks to months spent on Molly and TJ finding the perfect surrogate, only to end up having to go back to Kristina in the end, which we all knew was coming the minute this storyline began.
Looking Forward to 2024 – Nip this one in the bud! Make something happen so that Kristina doesn’t get pregnant, and just let TJ and Molly adopt. Kristina’s storyline focus needs to be on her romance with Blaze, and opening the youth center.
As always these are just my opinions. Let me know in the comments what your bests and worst were, and what you want to see in 2024. Happy New Year!
Before you go, check out our gallery that gazes into the proverbial crystal ball for a sneak peek at what 2024 may hold in store for General Hospital and all the soaps.
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