News

Jul 21, 2023

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Laura Recalls Formula to Stop Mikkos Cassadine’s Weather Machine In Nod to 80’s ‘Ice Princess’ Storyline

Last time, someone saved Port Charles from a deep freeze, it was Luke Spencer (Tony Geary). This time it was the love of his life, Laura Collins (Genie Francis) who did the trick and saved the day!

Last time, someone saved Port Charles from a deep freeze, it was Luke Spencer (Tony Geary). This time it was the love of his life, Laura Collins (Genie Francis) who did the trick and saved the day! But that was just one heart-stopping moment among others on Friday’s suspenseful episode of General Hospital.

As had been teased by GH head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, along with GH EP, Frank Valentini, the 60th anniversary of the show would feature a throwback to the original iconic ‘Ice Princess’ storyline, featuring many beloved vets, while bringing in the next gen.

In Greenland, Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Laura have infiltrated Victor Cassadine’s (Charles Shaughnessy) bunker which was the retreat his father, Mikkos Cassadine would hide in while trying to take over the world. Laura comes upon an old-style computer where she recognizes the weather machine program on it. Shocked, she explains to Curtis how the original weather machine used carbonic snow to create blizzards, but it was destroyed years ago. Laura realizes that this computer is running the same program. When Curtis questions her, it dawns on them that there must be a second weather machine out there that the computer connects to. Laura firmly says Mikkos never did anything without a reason.

Now in 2023, Curtis realizes there are two weapons at play here, the pathogen and the weather machine, when Laura figures out the target of the weather machine is Port Charles. When we cut to Port Charles, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), Portia (Brook Kerr) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) are looking out a window at ‘General Hospital’ and watching snow fall. They are curious as to why there would be snow in May, although they brush it off.

Meanwhile, Laura recalls to Curtis that she is the one who saw the formula for the weather machine. She had buried in her brain when she burned the paper with the code on it. However, she memorized it. In a throwback clip, Laura remembers Robert (Tristan Rogers) telling her he always feared someone would come after her because of it. Asking Curtis if he trusts her, she then enters the formula with the one-shot to terminate the program. Her attempt is successful, one problem solved, but more danger looms.

Courtesy/ABC

Elsewhere, Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), who was given the pathogen, thinks he is hallucinating seeing Anna (Finola Hughes), because previously he saw Helena (Constance Towers) talking to him. Anna, who is talking to Valentin through a window from outside his isolation room, promises it is really her. She wants to get a hazmat suit for him, but Valentin says it’s too late for that. Somehow, Anna gets into the room, and is now exposed to the pathogen. ‘Vanna’ talks about their connection and love for one another knowing their fates may be sealed. But hold on! Holly Sutton (Emma Samms) has arrived after her showdown with Victor and has the antidote! Great performances here from James Patrick Stuart and Finola Hughes.

After Liesl (Kathleen Gati) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) are OK following their confrontation with Victor, they call Carly (Laura Wright) and then tell Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that Liesl will be back to give her the bone marrow she needs to survive.

Courtesy/ABC

Victor, who has escaped, yet again, winds up back on the Haunted Star along with his pathogen-carrying canister. He is furious at learning from Holly that she rendered him impotent when she slipped something back in his drink a few months back. Victor learns Spencer (Nick Chavez) took off with Ace and Trina (Tabyana Ali). He intends to leave without his family. Victor pours himself a drink and says he need to get the pathogen and antidote someplace safe. When he opens up the canister, he screams “No!” Next, Spencer shows up. He demands his uncle hand over the pathogen. Victor says he’ll have to rip it out of his cold dead fingers. Spencer says “fine” and then proceeds to slam his head into the bar.

Courtesy/ABC

On the island, Trina with baby Ace in tow meets up with Curtis and Laura. She warns them of the airstrike, but they tell her its been called off from its original destination and now the WSB is sending a drone strike directly targeted at the Haunted Star. Trina panics realizing Spencer is on the boat. As bomb sounds go off, Spencer is stunned.

What did you think of the action-adventure, escapades, villainy and heroism and the nod back to the 80’s ‘Ice Princess’ storyline during this episode and this storyline? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

(WATCH) ‘Villains of Valley View’ Season 2 Trailer Featuring General Hospital’s James Patrick Stuart

Lexi Ainsworth Addresses Her Exit from General Hospital: “I Know That This Has Ultimately Freed Me For What I’m Meant to be Pursuing”

Δ

Δ

I remember it well….when Laura found the code and memorized it. I remember Robert showing concern. That part of the original story was always kinda sitting there, unaddressed. I imagine Gloria Monty might have intended to revisit it one day had Genie not left GH. I like that these writers used it for the 60th anniversary.

I’d say the odds are probably against Laura remembering a chemical formula some 40 years later, especially since she was a vegetable for a good chunk of that time, and one would think that might wipe some stored memories.

But she got to save the day at least. Might have been better if she got to throw Victor into the freeze chamber, like Luke did to Mikkos back in the day, rather than him getting blown up by a drone strike.

Didn’t they already replay the freeze chamber thing with Stavros when they made the switch from JLB to ER as Lulu?

“Especially since she was a vegetable” gave me a good chuckle.

With Faison, Helena and Victor all gone, it’s time to bring back another classic villain. Frank should be on the phone to Brian Patrick Clarke to reprise Grant Putnam (and of course you’d want his dog back, too). Maybe Heather and Grant run into each other at Darkham?

Yes this is Exciting that now Victor will be STOP Once and for All, The Team came Though and Yes they all put up a Fight. I CONGRATULATIONS them All. The Writer’s Did an Great Job on this One. So Now get them all Home Safely to Port Charles with there Family.Much LoVe GH.

Tina Greene,I think you are jumping the gun here. There is more coming before they can get back including Valentin’s fate and another beloved character dies I think. Unless they show Victor’s dead body, I’ll never believe he’s dead.

While I appreciated the homage to the original storyline, there’s quite a bit to comment on:

Why was the second weather machine introduced and wrapped up all in the same episode? It would’ve had more meaning if Robert (or Bobbie) saw the snow and said “oh, no this can’t be happening again.” Or even if Elizabeth mentioned her grandmother telling her about the time it froze in August.

All the story about how the antidote was untested and Liesl trusts Holly (who has no medical training) to administer it to Valentin?

Farewell to Charles Shaughnessy. It took a while to accept him as Victor, but he brought his all. Had to shake my head a few weeks back when they asked Alexis what she remembered of Victor growing up. After all, CS is only a year older than NLG (Thaao 11).

Elsewhere in PC…Looks like they’re writing Nina into a corner. Don’t the writers know the audience doesn’t want to see Carly win all the time?

For a show that takes place in a hospital, Willow looked the best stage 4 cancer patient ever. If her body was in the state that TJ described, it would be too late for the bone marrow transplant. And, where is Terry? Second to Leslie Charleson, Cassandra James absence is very noticeable.

Oh, and Michael, a correction – the love of Luke Spencer’s life was himself.

Ah, good one OG Steve, true that RE: Luke Spencer

And incidentally where is Taggart? Has no one informed him about Trina? He raised her yet Curtis is the only “dad” worthy of knowing she’s missing.

GH’s Maura West on ‘Jolt’ Pairing: “There’s Something Irresistible About That Roger Howarth That Comes Through Into Austin”

General Hospital’s Late Sonya Eddy Appears in Trailer for ‘Dicks: The Musical’ Starring Megan Thee Stallion and Bowen Yang

Jason Gerhardt Steps In for Greg Vaughan on Days of our Lives

Lauren Swickard Joins General Hospital

General Hospital Spotlight Channel Streams New Episodes From Mike’s Alzheimer’s Storyline and More

General Hospital Fan Club Weekend 2023 (Photos)

Currently on ABC’s General Hospital, Ava Jerome (Maura West) finds herself drawn into a relationship with Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt (Roger Howarth). What first started out as the two friends covering up the ‘disappearance’ of Ava’s ex-husband, Nikolas Cassadine has turned into the two hitting the sheets.

Now, Ava has landed in a very complicated situation, not only with Austin, but his cousin Mason (Nathanyael Grey) and company, who are threatening La Jerome, her daughter, Avery and more. GH fans are calling the pairing ‘Jolt’, and it teams up two of daytime’s all-time best and all-time favorites, Maura West and Roger Howarth in scenes together. The two previously worked together on As the World Turns where West was Carly and Howarth was Paul.

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, West shares her thoughts on the Ava and Austin relationship especially after they found themselves in an awkward moment when heated passion overcame them. Maura expressed: “She’s not ready for that relationship; she’s not sure she wants that relationship! But. you know, there’s something irresistible about that Roger Howarth that comes through into Austin.”

Photo: ABC

West also weighed-in on how not only is Ava drawn to Austin, but she is kind of stuck with him, due to the circumstances they find themselves. “When somebody knows a dark secret, in her words, you either have to kill them or you’re sort of at their mercy,” Maura shared. “She’s sort of at his mercy. And at the cousin’s too; she’s at Mason’s mercy,”

So, are you rooting for ‘Jolt’ to survive all the backstabbing, blackmail, and deceit? Do you think Ava eventually will find herself ‘torn between two lovers’ … Austin and a revived Nikolas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

A 24 is going into the musicals, too! The film distribution and production company responsible for some of the most dramatic and Oscar-winning films, released today the trailer for their first foray into a movie musical.

Starring Megan Thee Stallion, Dicks: The Musical is a rift on ‘Parent Trap’ type plot. The outlandish comedy stars Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp as antagonistic businessmen and long-lost twins who come up with a plan to trick their separated parents, played by Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally, into getting back together.

However, there is a special surprise for General Hospital fans. In the trailer, can be seen none other than the beloved Sonya Eddy (ex-Epiphany), who passed away suddenly back at the end of 2022, and who received her first Daytime Emmy nomination in 2023 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. If Sonya wins, it will be a touching moment as she would receive it, posthumously (Currently, NATAS and CBS have put the ceremony on hold until resolution of the writers and actors strikes).

In the trailer, Sonya dances in clips from a musical number. Clearly, this was filmed prior to her passing in 2022. GH fans always loved seeing Sonya sing and dance as part of the Nurses’ Ball episodes on the ABC daytime drama series.

In Dicks: The Musical, rapper, Megan Thee Stallion star as the twins boss, and Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang plays none other than God. Larry Charles, who previously directed Borat, and was a staff writer on Seinfeld creates the action in the new musical.

Courtesy/A24

The naughty, campy movie is set to open in theatres everywhere on September 29th. Check out the trailer below.

Let us know if you were thrilled and touched to see Sonya Eddy in the teaser for “Dicks: The Musical” via the comment section.

Here’s an intriguing bit of casting news! General Hospital will welcome Lauren Swickard, the actress/wife of Josh Swickard when she debuts next week on the ABC daytime drama in the role of Janice, a nurse at Ferncliff.

According to Soap Opera Digest, who spoke with both Lauren and Josh about her fun part, the couple couldn’t be happier to share a workplace. Lauren expressed: “I love the producers and some of the cast members are actually my best friends. So it’s just been so special to be a part of this.”

While Josh added, “I was more nervous than Lauren was, just because I know what a weird beast it is (to shoot a soap opera). Most of her work lately has been feature film stuff, which is just a completely different flow. But I was blown away by how calm and composed she was.”

Lauren has previously appeared with Josh in two Netflix original movies, A California Christmas and its sequel A California Christmas: City Lights. She also wrote both of those films.

Just what will Nurse Janice be like at Ferncliff? Stay tuned.

So, what do you think about Lauren coming to Josh’s stomping grounds at GH? Comment below.

GH’s Donnell Turner Shares Message From Curtis to Fans: “He Wants Them To Root For Him Like You Would Your Favorite Athlete”

Lauren Swickard Joins General Hospital

GH’s Maura West on ‘Jolt’ Pairing: “There’s Something Irresistible About That Roger Howarth That Comes Through Into Austin”

General Hospital Alum Ryan Paevey Tackles Romance in Hallmark Channel’s ‘Fourth Down and Love’

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dante and Charlotte Visit Comatose Lulu: Isn’t it Time to Wake Her Up Already?

Donna Mills Spotlighted On CBS Sunday Morning Talks: ‘Knots Landing’, ‘General Hospital’, ‘V.C. Andrews’: Dawn’ and Motherhood