GH: Classic Thread

[janea4old]

I hated that part of it.

[Contessa Donatella]

1982 Daytime Emmys GH Edit
David Lewis
Directing
Tony Geary
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIpEQ07phqf/

[j swift]

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Why didn't Steve respect Monica and Jeff's decision?  I understand that he's Jeff's father, and that's how the secret came out.

But I don't like the ethics of a stranger getting to make life or death decisions against a wife's consent?

 

I hope Monica secretly never forgave Steve's chauvinism.

Given we all have personal beliefs about end-of-life care, however, this is an egregious case; in retrospect.  Jeff tried to unalive himself.  His wife felt that her husband wished with die, so she refused life-saving surgery, which is totally within her rights.  Then, her boss, the chief of medicine, says that he is the patient's father, with no proof, and proceeds to conduct the surgery himself, without regard to his patient's concerns.

Edited Sunday at 10:11 PM by j swift

[victorlord75]

As you all know, my memories are sketchy, and at the time of this story, GH was probably at its most awful in its history.  I think Patsy Rahn was still playing Monica at this time, and her Monica was not written as a sympathetic character, so maybe that's why the viewers were able to forgive Steve, because it appears Steve was more interested in saving Jeff's life than Rick-infatuated Monica was.

[DRW50]

Wasn't it even framed as Monica wanting Jeff out of the way so she could be with Rick?

Edited Tuesday at 08:48 PM by DRW50

[j swift]

With the disclaimer that I fully understand the culture of the times versus today, I still think it stinks.

Jeff unalived himself.  Monica, regardless of motive, knew that Jeff wouldn't want to live an incapacitated life, if he survived the surgery.  She was also a doctor, and fully aware of the risk. 

Then, Steve performs surgery on a family member (which is already verboten), without their consent.  IRL, he'd totally be fired because third payment wouldn't accept billing for nonconsensual brain surgery. 

And the story, which was designed to entertain women, is basically that men are heroes, and women should not be allowed to decide what happens to their bodies, or the bodies of those they love. (note: a bit of hyperbole for humorous effect)

Edited Wednesday at 02:13 AM by j swift

[victorlord75]

That part I am not sure about, maybe Depboy might know?  The thing to remember about the show at that time was, it was so plot-driven and desperate that characters and their motivations changed virtually overnight.  There was a period of time where Diana Taylor suddenly became a bad guy and was in cahoots with Cameron Faulkner (toward the end of Valerie Starret's portrayal), which I HATED.

[DRW50]

I wonder if that's why Valerie quit. I think some of the magazines at the time implied issues with Valerie and the producer, although I may be wrong.

Painting Diana as going bad would have made more sense to me near the end of her run. 

[victorlord75]

https://sixtiescinema.com/2013/05/28/valerie-starrett-responds/

You are spot on!  See above.

[DRW50]

Thanks for finding that. I may have been thinking of this blog entry.

[janea4old]

My watching in that time period was sketchy.  After high school, I didn't have a TV.  I would watch in the dormitory common room  my first year away from home, but then after that I lived in a rental with housemates who didn't want TV.  I think I caught up on the soaps during school(univ) vacations, when visiting my sister's house.  And then many many years later on soapnet?  Not sure.

I had no idea that Jeff ever tried suicide. Reading just now is the first I ever heard of that. Interesting.

I will agree that Monica wanted Jeff out of the way so she could be with Rick, but she would have wanted him gone emotionally.  But I don't remember watching Jeff having any medical issues, so I don't know if she would have wanted him dead.

Edited Wednesday at 11:36 PM by janea4old

[Doc Lesley]

It was only recently announced that Denise Alexander passed away on March 5, 2025. She was my all time favorite actress and role model. She will be dearly missed.

 Denise Alexander, ‘General Hospital' and ‘Days of Our Lives' Actress, Dies at 85

[DRW50]

She was so wonderful. Glad your handle has been a tribute to her.