On 4/11/2026 at 11:58 PM, Franko said:

Things could have been even stranger -- suppose Lynn also read for Terry.

That one is new to me! Obviously the GH casting director of the time liked her to keep bringing her back. Monty too.

On 4/12/2026 at 12:03 AM, DRW50 said:

I wish they'd done more with Sean and Monica in later years.

For years I thought Sean could have been used better had they gone back to his less virtuous era. Beyond the affair story we got that was really there just to put Tiffany through hell. Although I loved Sean and Tiffany I did think breaking them up for a bit should have been a good idea. Instead it was so tragic and Tiffany got way too dark.

I thought Sean would have been much more believable as the reveal behind the virus storyline than Holly for example.

1 hour ago, titan1978 said:

That one is new to me! Obviously the GH casting director of the time liked her to keep bringing her back. Monty too.

Oh, just to clarify, I don't think Lynn did read for Terry. Or at least, we haven't confirmed it. It's just a possibility, considering we know she did read for Felicia. I just was struck by how strange it would be for Lynn and Jackie Zeman to play family scenes considering how they'd get years of antagonistic scenes.

1 hour ago, Franko said:

Oh, just to clarify, I don't think Lynn did read for Terry. Or at least, we haven't confirmed it. It's just a possibility, considering we know she did read for Felicia. I just was struck by how strange it would be for Lynn and Jackie Zeman to play family scenes considering how they'd get years of antagonistic scenes.

Got it! It would have been strange. They found the perfect part for her. If you watch her earlier years she is almost a proto Sarah Brown Carly. Just with more humor because the show had a lighter touch.

Both of them went after Tony. Lucy was insecure, desperate for attention and was a social climber which are traits she shares with OG Carly. Both wanted the security of a wealthier existence. Lucy is neurotic though where Carly is desperately lacking in self esteem and angry.

General Hospital April 10 1985 Finola Hughes first episode - YouTube

8 hours ago, titan1978 said:

Got it! It would have been strange. They found the perfect part for her. If you watch her earlier years she is almost a proto Sarah Brown Carly. Just with more humor because the show had a lighter touch.

Both of them went after Tony. Lucy was insecure, desperate for attention and was a social climber which are traits she shares with OG Carly. Both wanted the security of a wealthier existence. Lucy is neurotic though where Carly is desperately lacking in self esteem and angry.

It's a shame that Lucy was walled off and the writing was slipping enough to where I'm not sure she got to have much of a reaction to Carly/Tony.

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

General Hospital April 10 1985 Finola Hughes first episode - YouTube

Thanks!

Anna really does look like Emma.

The scene with Felicia and Mariah is sweet too. And all the spy intrigue with Sean, Robert and Holly.

The only drag was the stuff with Jimmy Lee and Celia as he doesn't do much for me as a character. Celia has a unique presence - I liked her cool reaction to Lorena when Lorena walked out.

2 hours ago, DRW50 said:

It's a shame that Lucy was walled off and the writing was slipping enough to where I'm not sure she got to have much of a reaction to Carly/Tony.

Especially with the hostility between Lucy and Bobbie that would still come through at times, and Lucy should have had something to play during dark Tony. But a lot of that happened after PC began. IIRC when Guza came back in 1997, he was credited as a story consultant at PC before his GH credit stated airing, but it didn’t amount to much as far as I could tell.

I love characters like Scotty, Lucy, Nadine on Guiding Light. Schemers and social climbers, but not truly evil people at their core. Always their own worst enemy.

Just now, titan1978 said:

Lucy should have had something to play during dark Tony.

That would have been wonderful, and very important.

5 minutes ago, Vee said:

That would have been wonderful, and very important.

There may have been a couple of insignificant moments during that Nurse’s Ball when Tony was unhinged. But nothing as good as it could have been. @DRW50 pointed it out, the show was really fragmented and started to lose that large community feel as the 90’s went on. We went from Stone’s dying really connecting every character to a year later the characters were really split up into hubs and it kind of stayed that way during the rest of Riche’s tenure.

Out of curiosity, I looked up how far back thesoapcentral recaps go, and they so just happened to start with Miranda Jameson's debut week. This prompted me to look up something of the character on YouTube because I had never seen her, which leads me to question: Was she supposed to be American or Australian cause I know from her IMDb that Leslie Horan is American, but wouldn't it make more sense that the character is Australian? I am confused.

15 hours ago, Bright Eyes said:

Out of curiosity, I looked up how far back thesoapcentral recaps go, and they so just happened to start with Miranda Jameson's debut week. This prompted me to look up something of the character on YouTube because I had never seen her, which leads me to question: Was she supposed to be American or Australian cause I know from her IMDb that Leslie Horan is American, but wouldn't it make more sense that the character is Australian? I am confused.

That's actually a good question. I have watched that time period a million times and never gave it a thought lol. I don't think the show specified. All we were told was that she and Jax met in Australia as teens and married quickly. She also knew Mac from that time period. Horan never attempted to sound Australian, so I suppose you were to assume she was born elsewhere? Miranda also had extensive plastic surgery and recovery, so maybe she somehow lost her accent? Lol.

Considering the original Miranda story was supposed to reveal her as a long lost Cassadine, I think the show intentionally kept it vague.

The Decline and Fall of the Monty Empire

Week 16 (April 14-18, 1986) -- Part I

Jessie: "Carrie, we all know how upset and how shocked you are at the loss of your aunt. Particularly since, uh, you were so sure of her recovery. All I can tell you is that there's one thing we've learned, I've certainly learned, and that is never ever to let another reporter near a patient. We know that our words won't bring your aunt back to you, but please know that our love is with you."

Hospital Happenings: What, like I wasn't going to shout from the rooftops about Jessie showing up?

Mrs. McCormick never gets the dignity of a first name, or being known other than as the too easily excited aunt of a student nurse. Dan literally refers to her, in front of everybody at her own memorial service, as "Carrie McCormick's aunt." Give the gal a name ... Hortense, Bertha, Maisy, Esmeralda, June, something. I didn't feel like double-checking, but I'm sure Carrie was the nurse who suggested her friend write a tell-all about Patrick back when it looked like he was the Laurelton-Brownstone killer. Mrs. M was the first patient Patrick lost, and her death has at least some impact.

In varying degrees of importance:

• GH decides to sue the reporter-photographer who scared Mrs. M to her eventual death.

• Buzz and Rick are also mindful of how awkward things may get with personnel not wanting to work with Kevin, acquitted or not, in addition to the likely scandal coming from Alan and Monica's imminent "unfriendly" divorce.

• Patrick is forced to accept that he'll lose patients, but he also impresses Rick and Buzz with his dedication. (Oh, if only any or all of these three were around for the Labine era, even Port Charles!)

• Jade and Yank talk about how it's the first time she's had to deal with the death of someone she's cared about since Kim. Jade also reassures Yank that she doesn't blame him for Kim's death and declares that she needs Yank "now more than ever."

• Amy makes amends with her ex-roommate Bill, whom she had hooked up with, and there's a chance they might become a genuine couple.

• Monica remembers that life is short, and decides to be with Sean. She's still plans to divorce Alan, but pumps the brakes on being out and about with Sean after Buzz says to watch her step. (More on this one in the next post.)

Steve: "There are two events which, more than anything else, tend to pull a hospital staff closer together. One is when we save a patient's life. The other is when a patient dies. The death of Mrs. McCormick causes a different kind of grief. It pulls us together in a different way. This is the first time in the history of this hospital that we've lost a patient because of circumstances that had nothing to do with the practice of medicine. The press release, the press involved, is an unforgivable thing. The administration of this hospital is determined to see that nothing like that ever happens again. I can promise you that, Carrie. But for now, our very deepest sympathy on your great loss. Please know that your loss is our loss."

You just can't beat the gravitas when a longtime soap character responds to tragedy. While it's a shame that Emily McLaughlin and Rachel Ames didn't get to say more substantial things, their and John Beradino's presence almost elevates this mini-storyline to something other than a device to further Laurelton and more importantly, Sean Swindles the Quartermaines.

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by Franko

Week 16, Part II

Monica, to Sean: "If I lost my son, it would change our relationship completely. And I don't want to risk losing you. I've never loved anybody ... No, I take that back. I never thought I could love anybody again as much as I love you."

Sean Swindles the Quartermaines: Leslie Charleson wins the acting crown for this week. At first glance, it looks like Monica spends the week ping-ponging. She tells Sean on Monday that she's ready to divorce Alan, take A.J., and have their new life together. On Tuesday, Monica tells Alan she wants a divorce, that their relationship and marriage is over ("I cannot resucitate something that is dead."), and she wants him and his family out of her house. On Wednesday, Monica makes it clear to Alan, Edward, and Rick that she's going to go through with the divorce.

Alan: "How do you think it's going to sound in court when we start airing all the dirty linen again, Rick?!"

On Thursday, Monica's parade is rained on after she and Buzz discuss how the gossip from an unfriendly divorce could ruin her career. She responds by telling Sean they've got to cool down, and they spend Friday's episode trying to keep up appearances as a doctor and her patient who just happen to keep running into one another. I guess I'm just moved by Monica flailing as she navigates outside of her life as a Quartermaine, trying on different personas and attitudes and having most of them quickly taken away.

Monica: "I'm sure in all your travels you must, at one time or another probably ... um ... hid from a jealous husband or something, you know."

Sean, looking right at her: "Probably."

Monica: "Well, what does that mean?"

Sean: "If you're asking me whether or not I've ever been involved with a married woman before ..."

Monica: "No, I'm not." (Uh, YES, YOU WERE.) "No, I'm not. I take it back. I take it back. Uh ... I don't really want to know." Exaggerated smile.

Sean: "Would you believe me if I said no?"

Monica: "... Yeah, I would."

Sean: "Good."

Monica: "Fact, I probably would believe anything you had to tell me."

In his own way, Alan matches Monica when it comes to irrational behavior. He declares on Tuesday that he doesn't need Monica or her house. He's going to use the money made from the Brazil deal to buy a palace. Alan decides on a house that's a "steal" at $3.2 million ($9.64 million in 2026).

The week also includes some good moments for Lorena and Jimmy Lee. Lorena blackmails Monica on Tuesday. She gets to stay in the mansion, because otherwise she'll reveal all she knows about Monica and Sean, which would make for a messy divorce. Lorena affirms that she's bitter about Monica having turned her back on her by being the maid of honor when Celia and Jimmy Lee married. It's disappointing how that was what split the long-lost cousins up for good, but maybe they just never were going to really have a lasting bond.

As for Jimmy Lee, he's triggered by all the divorce talk, but does something good by rekindling his friendship with Buzz. Their catch-up conversation includes Buzz saying Jimmy Lee put Celia on too high of a pedestal, Jimmy Lee saying that his pre-marriage promiscuity was part of wanting to be a Quartermaine and having the good life, and Buzz reminding his friend that he's really not cut out for the rich guy lifestyle before telling Jimmy Lee to stop beating himself up over the divorce. The table's set for Jimmy Lee's chemistry tests with Lucy and Sandy Stryker ...

Edward: "To Lila, my darling. Without whose constant advice, to stick to the straight and narrow, I never would have survived."

Alan: "Without Mother, you'd probably be in jail."

Lila: "Here here!"

After the Qs have bought their new house, a "scaled-down Versailles" according to Alan, and Lila nixes the idea of Stella staying with Monica as a revenge offering, the other shoe finally drops on Friday. Alan, Monica, Edward, and Lila all know now that Dimitri's fled to Brazil, the Donely-Cassadine stock is worthless, and the Qs are wiped out, "completely wiped out."

Lila: "Nonsense. This couldn't happen to a brilliant businessman like your father."

Edward, hoarse with shock: "Well, it just has."

Monica's furious. The table's set for Ruby to get some new boarders ...

Week 16, Part III

Frisco: "You don't seem like you trust men very much."

Lucy: "Oh, well, I'm, I'm afraid of most men, but I, I trust you. You're the first man I've ever trusted."

-- the thing is, there might be some truth there

Laurelton: Almost immediately after she arrives, Lucy tells Jake, Brett, and Anna that Kevin wasn't in the library on March 17. The pro-Kevin team spend the rest of the week seeking to undermine the credibility of not only Lucy, but Red Flynn and John Hudson (the student who signed in Kevin for a lecture that he allegedly did attend, not the future Bay City doctor). It's often quite tedious. By the end of the week, Lucy Frances Coe has taken the stand four times.

I said earlier that Leslie Charleson wins the acting crown for this week. Lynn Herring is not close behind her, and earns the title of April's MVP. Most of Lucy's non-court scenes are spent with Frisco, whom she recognizes from TV. (Again, this might actually be true.) Lucy stays in character as the "frigid old maid," and it's fun to watch her subtly play Frisco like a fiddle. Score one for the writers.

Lucy: "... I've got to get going. I'm running late and I've, I've got to fix my hair. ..."

To his credit, Frisco's not totally taken in by Lucy. He senses that something's off about her, but can't quite figure out exactly what.

Over the last few weeks, I've been thinking about how modern technology would help pick up this story's pace. It's things like security cameras being at the airport and the university library, or using John's card information to prove he was paying for breakfast and not actually at the lecture that Kevin belatedly attended. That particular thought led me on another tangent, wondering if Kelly's only accepted cash in 1986 and if it didn't take card payments until after Ruby's death.

Wednesday's episode includes Kathleen O'Connor, Patrick, and Sheriff Broder testifying on Kevin's behalf. We can all thank our lucky stars that Terry doesn't take the stand. The episode also includes Ruby and Dan testifying that John was at Kelly's on St. Patrick's Day. He had wanted a second helping of corned beef hash. (I went back to verify that this actually happened.)

It's at this point in my viewing that I actually got kinda mad about GH having so many characters working to prove Kevin's innocence. On the one hand, I have a little bit of respect for the show ultimately being so brazen, that the campaign in Kevin's defense is so exhaustive and ultimately unnecessary. On the other hand, I also feel like the show's kind of betraying its viewers' trust. I dunno, am I making too much of this?

Side note: It's also interesting how Ruby's characterized as a waterfront matriarch, someone who knows all her customers, etc. She's only been running Kelly's for a year-and-a-half at this point.

Other thoughts:

-- Robin claims a peanut butter and corn chip sandwich is delicious. I dunno, I think it would be kind of bland. Maybe the chips need to be flavored.

-- They really need to move on from Anna continuing to miss events at Robin's school. We get it, Anna's dealing with the difficulties of being a working mother. I'm curious when GH will actually allow Anna (and/or Robert) to be there for Robin.

I'll wrap things up tomorrow. We've got just the rest of my thoughts on Laurelton and some quick stuff about Jeff's family situation and Claudia/Bryan/Debbie.