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. That is until she's advised by Buzz 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.
By
Franko ·
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