I am not sure why the show doesn't recast Maxie even temporarily. KS clearly needs to focus on her health and stalling the Nathan story hoping she will be back soon makes no sense. I know the Jen Lilley thing was a fiasco, but the show can't wait for KS forever. Kirsten herself said she was expecting to be let go so I don't think a temp recast should upset her too much if she is unable to meet her commitments.

12 hours ago, janea4old said:

Braedyn Bruner and Giovanni Mazza talk about Emma and Gio's first time. Fascinating read -- they talk about their acting choices and unscripted handholding that they brought to their characters over the past year or more.
https://www.swooon.com/1257302/general-hospital-gio-emma-first-time-giovanni-mazza-braedyn-bruner-interview/

Much like Trina and Spencer, the actual romance is being imbued by the performers. And they also were shelved for months at a time. The fact that they read the room well enough to lean into a sweetness for their characters obviously paid off.

2 hours ago, carolineg said:

I am not sure why the show doesn't recast Maxie even temporarily. KS clearly needs to focus on her health and stalling the Nathan story hoping she will be back soon makes no sense. I know the Jen Lilley thing was a fiasco, but the show can't wait for KS forever. Kirsten herself said she was expecting to be let go so I don't think a temp recast should upset her too much if she is unable to meet her commitments.

The entire story should have been scrapped. Compare this to Britt’s return- the Five Poppies, built in angst with Jason and her family. Brad. Tying her into the Laura/Sonny plot. Her issues at GH and getting her medical license back. Rocco. I haven’t seen so much story flung at a returning actor since Vanessa Marcil in 2002.

Nathan is just there. Just like Lucky was. If he didn’t fit the Valentini mold so well I would wonder if ABC forced him on them instead of Frank wanting him back.

They aren’t even using Obrect and I assume that is also part of the story stalling, because it was set up to include her more by having her so upset with Britt and then here’s Nathan back too.

I also got the impression when they were interviewing him about coming back that this return was for a specific story, not necessarily a return meant to last beyond said story. So the question now is how long until they fully revamp the whole thing?

I like Storms, and Maxie was another character that got her mojo back when Mulcahey was handling the scripts. But they need to work on transitioning her fully to supporting if they get this story told, because she cannot be counted on as a lead anymore.

2 hours ago, titan1978 said:

The entire story should have been scrapped. Compare this to Britt’s return- the Five Poppies, built in angst with Jason and her family. Brad. Tying her into the Laura/Sonny plot. Her issues at GH and getting her medical license back. Rocco. I haven’t seen so much story flung at a returning actor since Vanessa Marcil in 2002.

Nathan is just there. Just like Lucky was. If he didn’t fit the Valentini mold so well I would wonder if ABC forced him on them instead of Frank wanting him back.

They aren’t even using Obrect and I assume that is also part of the story stalling, because it was set up to include her more by having her so upset with Britt and then here’s Nathan back too.

I also got the impression when they were interviewing him about coming back that this return was for a specific story, not necessarily a return meant to last beyond said story. So the question now is how long until they fully revamp the whole thing?

I like Storms, and Maxie was another character that got her mojo back when Mulcahey was handling the scripts. But they need to work on transitioning her fully to supporting if they get this story told, because she cannot be counted on as a lead anymore.

It's one thing to throw everything at a proven actress and character like Brenda/Marcil. It was a lot but she was capable. KT looks vaguely nauseated on her best day of acting. Neither she nor Britt are strong enough to carry such a load.

It did seem like Nathan/RP were brought back for a specific story especially with his interviews. I agree KS/Maxie were revitalized in the last year or so, but I am not sure how long is appropriate to wait for her, especially considering it seems story is hinging on her return here. I am not even advocating firing Storms. Recast or change the story course if there is no return date in sight.

17 minutes ago, carolineg said:

It's one thing to throw everything at a proven actress and character like Brenda/Marcil. It was a lot but she was capable. KT looks vaguely nauseated on her best day of acting. Neither she nor Britt are strong enough to carry such a load.

And an actual fan favorite the audience wanted to see return, with a real story to back it up!

18 minutes ago, carolineg said:

I am not even advocating firing Storms. Recast or change the story course if there is no return date in sight.

Same. I just think if she does return, wants to stay, and they finish this story it would be best to put Maxie fully in supporting to avoid this. And the story is clearly on hold and they need to do something about that. A half assed chemistry test with Lulu isn’t it either.

They should have Nathan just stay the clueless good guy. I don't think the actor can play much more than that.

With Nathan being back, I guess that makes Chase expendable? Maybe go darker with him then? I think the actor could handle it better.

I expect Chase to eventually be killed off by Willow, once he finds out how evil she is. The show can't do nuance, so I bet they'll make Willow a full on killer once she gets off.

Credits for Friday, January 16, 2026:

Created by: Frank & Doris Hursley
Executive producer: Frank Valentini
Head writers: Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten
Writers: Emily Culliton; Scott Sickles and Cathy Lepard
Director: Gary Tomlin

Of course not guilty.

I don't like this Anna story.