A Critic’s Review of General Hospital: A Cop Down and a Reunion Interrupted

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. This included armor-piercing bullets, awkwardly timed conversations, interrupted reunions, and so much more.

What I Am Feeling This Week: Jason’s Back and Dante’s Hurt

I don’t know if this was intended, but I cared as much about the fate of Detective Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna, how fans really feel about Dante being shot) as I did about Jason Morgan’s return. First, his shooting was unexpected while everything about Jason’s return was completely expected. It wasn’t Steve Burton’s fault, but the show’s been forecasting his return for a long time.

Second, I honestly don’t know if Dante’s done for — I still don’t know. I’m going on faith and hope here. I trust the show knows what it’s doing and they’ll keep Dominic Zamprogna around. In Zamprogna, they have a solid and capable actor who isn’t flashy but can do anything they ask of him. Hopefully, they know that.

Anyway, with Jason’s return, they have yet to explain how in the world he’s back. So, for now, I’m going to presume that he’s a superhuman specimen who can withstand a bullet and a collapsed building. When his sniper sidekick shot Dante twice in the chest of his bulletproof vest, it was great how Jason instantly retaliated. It was also interesting how he knew exactly who Dante was, which ruled out any sort of brainwashing, amnesia, or anything of that sort. Is he working undercover for the WSB or some other organization? He helped Dante before leaving, ultimately letting Joss and Dex take over.

But a lot of the fun of the whole week didn’t even have to do with Dante or Jason. But there was that conversation that went down between Jagger (I’m not calling him John Cates [Adam J. Harrington] for this part), Anna (Finola Hughes), Ava (Maura West), and Sonny (Maurice Benard). Some of the chat was hella frustrating, but the airing of Sonny’s mobster dirty laundry circa the early to mid-’90s was messy. I did have an issue with it all going on right then and there at the waterfront. It felt like a conversation best left for a more private time and place. Alas, we got what we got when we got it. And everybody, including viewers, got a crash course in early Sonny Corinthos and learned how he treated Karen Wexler (then Cari Shayne). And let’s just say he didn’t treat her so well.

I really adore the fact that Jagger doesn’t step down from Sonny. And sure, Corinthos will give as good as he gets — or try to anyway — but Jagger never really lets him. Sonny tried to whitewash the story a bit and retcon it a little bit, and I hope that won’t stand, especially since Ava said she believed his story. UGH. That part was maddening along with the softer perspective.

As the week continued, more and more of the town found out about Jason, which was well done, including the Jason and Carly reunion at her place. They didn’t have much time to get reacquainted, but Carly (Laura Wright) told Jason that Bobbie (the late Jacklyn Zeman) died. Plus, she had time to get a first-aid kit. This is the first of many million Jason and Carly scenes we’ll see, of course. But Anna and Jagger interrupted it with their hunt for Jason Morgan.

Random Comments and Burning GH Questions

-I loved the Brook Lynn and Tracy scenes from Monday’s episode. Amanda Setton and Jane Elliot work really well together.

-I wish I could buy those Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava bonding scenes from Friday. But Ava and Sonny just had those close scenes where they hugged. Nina also mentioned how she was afraid Sonny’s feelings for her would either fade or he would find someone else. She knows him too well.

-I think it’s funny when Jagger told the story of Karen Wexler he sounded as if it was still 30 years ago, instead of 2024. Why hasn’t he let any of the pain go? Karen was a troubled girl, but she got her stuff together and before she died in 2003, she went on to become a doctor, and then fell in love with a man who could time travel and became an avatar (It’s a Port Charles thing).

-Okay does Nina act a little bit like a bulldozer when she gets a good idea in her head? Yes. But if it’s a good idea should Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) recognize and give in to it especially if it’s not her good idea? Yes.

-With Jason returning I like the playing up of his sons.

-Burton sports a gunshot wound on GH and Days of Our Lives, simultaneously. Both Jason Morgan and Harris Michaels are hurt. Go figure.

-Joss (Eden McCoy) is mad at Sonny while Dante’s in the hospital, which is maddening. just wait until after this is all over, mmmkay?

-I wonder when Sam (Kelly Monaco) will find out about Jason.

-Sam is really trying to stay strong for Dante and for everyone. Too strong.

-I really enjoyed seeing Rocco (Finn Francis Carr) for a change! More, please!

-I also enjoyed Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) facing Jagger and almost getting arrested. It is much better than them talking about saving Maxie financially.

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