A Critic’s Review of General Hospital: Tears and Tributes

When it comes to General Hospital, every fan has their own opinion — and Soap Hub is no different. For five days, we sat and watched the good, the bad, and everything in between. Here we lead with optimism. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want. So here’s a review of GH’s week that was.

What I’m Feeling This Week: Bobbie’s Tribute

Kudos to GH for the way they bid goodbye to Bobbie Spencer and the iconic actress who played her, Jacklyn Zeman. I thought I would remain stoic through it all, but there was no way that was happening. All the actors did a great job making me feel their characters’ sadness and so I may have teared up a few times. Here’s when:

• When Carly (Laura Wright) hugged Lucas. Seeing Ryan Carnes again was everything. Can he stick around, please?
• The GH Open ending on Jackie Zeman. Instant tears.
• Jane Elliot has the power to make me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Going all the way back to her days playing Carrie on Guiding Light. When Tracy talked to Carly, I lost it.
• Anything and everything BJ (Brighton Hertford). Knowing that the actress who played BJ during that incredibly powerful storyline back in the day, was that reporter, I couldn’t hold it in.
• Laura’s (Genie Francis) eulogy.
• Felix (Marc Anthony Samuel) talking to Lucas about Bobbie and the Nurses Ball.
• Anytime I looked at or glimpsed Kristina Wagner, I turned into a puddle.
• Felicia’s flashback to the hospital when Maxie got BJ’s heart.
• And just seeing BJ and Maxie (Kirsten Storms) standing side by side.
• Finding out that the reporter was truly BJ. Wow.

That’s the way to honor an actor who meant so much to a soap and a fandom. I teared up just writing out that list.

Other Soap Thoughts

Best Cliffhanger: Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) figuring out Old Esme (Avery Kristen Pohl) is back followed by the return of his father. A one-two punch. Looking forward to seeing it all play out next week.

Bring Them Back, Please: Seeing Lucas and Felix made me question why they’re no longer on the canvas in the first place. I want them to have a presence in Port Charles especially since Aiden (Enzo De Angelis) just came out to his mom.

Thank You, Soap Gods: I feel like Gregory (Gregory Harrison) and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) deciding they should be friends and nothing more is a good move.

Great Soap Conversation: The Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly scenes at Kelly’s (now Bobbie’s), were really good. It was nice hearing them reflect on their relationship with Bobbie. And, since I’m a Sonny and Nina (Cynthia Watros) fan, I’ll skip over any time they mentioned her name.

Nice Balance:  I really liked the fact that Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) set aside her conflict with Michael (Chad Duell) to support him while he mourned Bobbie. But you know, underneath it all, she’s still upset with him.

Favorite Line: This one comes courtesy of Ava Jerome (Maura West). “Laura, you have a generous heart. But trust me, a leopard does not change her spots. And neither does that Esme.”

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.

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