54 minutes ago, prefab1 said:

In theory, I get what they're trying to do with this whole Curtis-on-trial storyline. It's supposed to be raising questions about justice, especially since there's a child in the mix, and putting Curtis in prison for assault would deny that child of his father. But in practice, with the ways Curtis is written and played by Donnell Turner, I just want to see that arrogant SOB locked up. Curtis is so obnoxious and fundamentally unlikeable that it totally undermines the whole moral quandry the show has been trying to set up with this storyline. And again, I think a lot of that has to do with Turner's performance choices, since it's totally possible to play a character who's both arrogant and somewhat likeable (e.g. Rory Gibson's Michael).

I can’t really blame Donnell for the show writing Curtis as a complete dick. Curtis decided it was Isaiah who left the scene and that was that. It’s very Sonny of him and just as annoying as when Sonny acts like this too. I’m hoping Isaiah finally just admits on the stand he was taking care of Rocco.

On 8/2/2026 at 3:50 PM, carolineg said:

Really? I don't. The original boy was/is pretty badly banged up and couldn't do it. Idk, maybe James has a bigger fan base than I think lol.

I think if there was a discussion between Felicia, Mac, Cody saying how great it was Maxie/Spinelli came back to deliver the news to James and that Australia might be a great new start for him no one would care. It was always odd to me to have Cody tell him.

That's just it. When no one knew the reason for the recast (that the actor had gotten hurt) there WAS side-eye. At least from what I saw online. Then they found out about it and they next talked about why the scene couldn't wait. coughblockfilmingstrikesagaincough And given the audience just went through the similar situation with JJ's Lucky, Liz, HIS recast and the kiss not that long ago...it was another case of darn if GH did, darn if GH don't.

I personally would have bit the bullet and did a mention like how they did in dialogue about Maxie leaving (or like you mentioned above) and that's that. If not so much for the actor, as for the writing of it is where the irk pops up.

12 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

I can’t really blame Donnell for the show writing Curtis as a complete dick. Curtis decided it was Isaiah who left the scene and that was that. It’s very Sonny of him and just as annoying as when Sonny acts like this too. I’m hoping Isaiah finally just admits on the stand he was taking care of Rocco.

I agree that the writing has a big part in this. But I do think that a different actor might be able to add some layers to the performance that would enable us to sympathize with Curtis or at least view him as a misguided tragic figure.

So, Michael and Serena are finally gonna meet.

I have mixed feelings about the way that it's happening though. Everything with Lucy today seemed kinda forced and contrived. I would much rather whatever may or may not happen between them had started more naturally than this.

I was completely Team Willow today when she was going head to head with Jacinda. Idk what it is but I just don't really find the character of Jacinda to be all that likable. I never did lol. And sorry, but I don't think I would want her around my kids either.

I still think that there's going to be a twist with Brook Lynn though. After all hell breaks loose, we'll find out that she actually wasn't the driver that ran Curtis and Jordan off the road.

And speaking of Curtis, while I'm not a fan of him being so obnoxious and bitchy, I am really liking this messy quad. This really is what all four characters needed. Btw, since the secret about Rocco shooting Callum is out, can't Isaiah confess that he was with him and Lulu when the accident happened?

34 minutes ago, AbcNbc247 said:

Idk what it is but I just don't really find the character of Jacinda to be all that likable. I never did lol.

You are not alone on Jalcutta. Bring on Serena. Or some Michael/Willow hate sex.

I guess there's still time, but the Serena casting is giving me feelings of being a mistake. I don't understand why they didn't cast a younger actress, especially when the character herself is supposed to be younger, as well as is her potential love interest Michael. Unless they're going to pivot and put her with someone older, like Drew or something?

Kruger looked a lot better to me today tbh. I still am neutral on the casting but she is putting in the effort, and her hair not being pulled back helped a lot (or her face has settled). The story is very rudimentary as usual but I am glad Serena is ride or die for Lucy.

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Vee

23 minutes ago, Vee said:

Kruger looked a lot better to me today tbh. I still am neutral on the casting but she is putting In the effort, and her hair not being pulled back helped a lot (or her face has settled). The story is very rudimentary as usual but I am glad Serena is ride or die for Lucy.

That’s good to hear. I think some of it was the incredible amount of makeup she had on in her first scenes. At that table with Lucy and Felicia it looked like Serena had more on than both of them combined.

I would be even marginally invested in a good creepy stalker storyline if they didn’t film that Trina wall in the same bright ass lighting they do everything else. Give me some fantasy Frank! Set the mood a little.

2 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

I would be even marginally invested in a good creepy stalker storyline if they didn’t film that Trina wall in the same bright ass lighting they do everything else. Give me some fantasy Frank! Set the mood a little.

He used to do much more atmospheric lighting at OLTL too, at least in the first 5+ years (and arguably close to the end as well, when Mitch Laurence returned again in '09 around Halloween). I don't get it.

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Vee

46 minutes ago, Vee said:

He used to do much more atmospheric lighting at OLTL too, at least in the first 5+ years (and arguably close to the end as well, when Mitch Laurence returned again in '09 around Halloween). I don't get it.

You can’t tell me that’s the budget either. It’s one scene without performers with a camera panning across the photos. They could have done several takes in one setup from multiple cameras to get different effects and used the footage over and over again. I mean it’s one banana Frank, what could it cost? Ten dollars?

3 hours ago, Vee said:

Kruger looked a lot better to me today tbh. I still am neutral on the casting but she is putting In the effort, and her hair not being pulled back helped a lot (or her face has settled). The story is very rudimentary as usual but I am glad Serena is ride or die for Lucy.

Yeah, having her be all in on Lucy and be her mini me (for lack of a better term) was the way to go. I'm glad they went there.

These Deception stories are always so dumb and just always seem like a way to give people like Lucy and Tracy something to keep busy and because they all like working together. But I think Lucy and Serena doing some old school low stakes scheming opposite the Quartermaines could be fun for a while.

2 hours ago, AdelaideCate007 said:

Yeah, having her be all in on Lucy and be her mini me (for lack of a better term) was the way to go. I'm glad they went there.

These Deception stories are always so dumb and just always seem like a way to give people like Lucy and Tracy something to keep busy and because they all like working together. But I think Lucy and Serena doing some old school low stakes scheming opposite the Quartermaines could be fun for a while.

I think it really helps that they've started writing Lucy better recently. Her scenes today--where she's scheming about getting her shares back, but then also worrying to Felicia that she might be pimping out her daughter--felt very in-character, showing the different dimension of Lucy.

8 hours ago, AdelaideCate007 said:

Yeah, having her be all in on Lucy and be her mini me (for lack of a better term) was the way to go. I'm glad they went there.

These Deception stories are always so dumb and just always seem like a way to give people like Lucy and Tracy something to keep busy and because they all like working together. But I think Lucy and Serena doing some old school low stakes scheming opposite the Quartermaines could be fun for a while.

GH doesn’t do business intrigue stories well. In the Bell heyday I feel like I understood Newman and Jabot, got the stakes, understood the players and what they do. ELQ has almost always been a plot point, and the same with Deception. I remember the era when Laura and Carly were in charge, dubious at best!

17 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

GH doesn’t do business intrigue stories well. In the Bell heyday I feel like I understood Newman and Jabot, got the stakes, understood the players and what they do. ELQ has almost always been a plot point, and the same with Deception. I remember the era when Laura and Carly were in charge, dubious at best!

I agree although I did like the Katherine/Lucy era of Deception when they were battling for it. The Lucy/Katherine rivalry was probably the best Katherine pairing lol. I have never taken this reboot of Deception very seriously since it makes Deception seem cheap and almost on the edge of bankruptcy everyday. I won't get into the QVC shilling of it all.

I also agree with everyone that said KK looked better today. The hair is still way too bright, but it was better than the ponytail. I am a bit disappointed Lucy didn't pry into why Serena lost all her inheritance and instead had her immediately go after Michael.

I have to ask why we really need a whole trial about Isaiah's hand? It's so boring and it makes them all look bad.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1279497/general-hospital-ethan-lovett-exit-return/
tvinsider now says Tues Aug 4 scene in Norway was the final scene for the character Ethan. (door remains open for character return in the future.)

"set-side sources tell TV Insider that this was always intended to be the conclusion of Ethan’s latest story and was not shortened to accommodate the recast."