A Critic’s Review of General Hospital: Hello, Judas, Goodbye Dex?

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, which included Sonny figuring out Michael hired Dex and the fallout of this betrayal.

What I Am Feeling This Week: Sonny Corinthos, Party of One

I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for this Michael (Chad Duell)/Dex (Evan Hofer) secret to see the light of day. And, sure, the reveal didn’t happen in any way I thought it would. But I’m happy that it’s out, and we can move on. Before we do, however, here are my two favorite moments from this storyline for the week.

• Moment #1: When Sonny (Maurice Benard) guessed Michael was Dex’s benefactor after quickly deducing Carly (Laura Wright) didn’t have the money to cover such hefty payments. And, of course, this is after Carly tried to protect her son by claiming she was the one who hired Dex.
• Moment #2: Michael walked into Sonny’s office and the first thing Sonny said was: “Hello, Judas.” I may or may not have replayed that moment a few times.

Now I’m wondering how long it’ll take for the bad blood and resentments to go away. Because I don’t care how these characters spin everything. At the end of the day, Michael hired Dex with the express purpose of getting enough evidence on Sonny to send him to prison. Plus, both Carly and Joss (Eden McCoy) knew about this dangerous liaison. Are these grudges going to hold up?

Sure, the players changed their minds…down the road. But it still happened. And then they all kept the secret to themselves. That part is almost as bad as digging up incriminating evidence on Sonny and then, ultimately, deciding to destroy it. It’s what Sonny’s hell-bent on ignoring Nina (Cynthia Watros) over. Well, that, and she targeted his ex-wife.

Anyway, this week, my head hurt with the half-truths and lies of omission and revisionist history uttered to Sonny. Dex said he was hired to protect Sonny, and that’s what he did. What? In what world? Sure, that’s some of what happened. That’s not all that happened.

Subsequently, Sonny didn’t kill Dex. He lets the guy disappear and even set him up in another place. Because an alive Dex is a liability to him. This disappearance doesn’t come without consequences, however. He can’t tell Joss where he is, so Dex and Joss are ready for a proper soap opera separation. All soap couples go through this. Sorry, Joss.

I did love Sonny’s reaction to Joss telling him she hates him. It was like no skin off his back, and then he walked out the door. Yikes. The problem is Sonny’s world is shrinking by the second. It’s basically him, Avery (Ava and Grace Scarola), Ava (Maura West), and Donna (Scarlett Spears). Does anybody want to take bets on Sonny starting to seriously drink again? It was a bad habit that disappeared when he and Nina were together. Without his core support…his village, what will happen to him?

And, more importantly, who will snap him out of it? After all, he’s a target.

Other GH Thoughts

Most Frustrating Interaction: Dark!Drew (Cameron Mathison) thinking that Nina has never suffered indignity because she’s never been to prison. It annoys me when certain characters aren’t allowed to bring up their pasts. Not only has Drew done a prison stint, but he was held captive courtesy of Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy), not to mention all the other indignities that he’s suffered. There’s no doubt about that. But doesn’t he know about how Nina suffered at the hands of her own mother? Stolen babies and 20 years in a coma? What’s he talking about? Come up with different ways to insult Nina.

Danny Morgan: I ended up liking the scenes with Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) getting in trouble and having to face Sam (Kelly Monaco) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna). First, it’s been a while since we’ve actually seen him. And, sure, it’s happening because Jason (Steve Burton) is on his way back. Jason’s shadow is already looming.

Ace’s New World: I also liked the fact that Laura (Genie Francis) and Kevin (Jon Lindstrom, author of Hollywood Hustle) are legally adopting Ace in the wake of Spencer’s absence and Nikolas going to prison. Jay and Joey Clay are freakin’ adorable, and I need them to have a major storyline so we can see more of them.

Mob Hits: Whoa, even hearing the name “Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker)” this week brought up crazy memories. However, this time around, her death played into the reason John!Jagger (Adam J. Harrington) is back…the mysterious person targeting mobsters all around the country. It’s too bad Sonny’s support system seems to be crumbling around him. Cause he could use a shield or two.

Super Scene Partners: This week, we got Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Ava — which were wonderful scenes and a bit emotional because of Trina’s circumstances. The two clearly have a connection, they are family. Also, Laura and Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). With Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) out of the picture, they don’t always get to touch base. But Elizabeth bringing diapers over for Ace turned into a nice conversation (well, most of it anyway, not all of it).

Next, Anna (Finola Hughes), Dante, and Jordan (Tanisha Harper). They can collaborate on investigations all they want. They are a powerhouse trio, as far as I’m concerned. Finally, Nina and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). I like them being friends that actively help each other out.

Random Comments:
-Gregory (Gregory Harrison) lived at the MetroCourt Hotel this whole time? He’s that well-off to do that? And why did I not realize that’s where he lived?

-Tracy (Jane Elliot) laughing over Lucy (Lynn Herring) sleeping with Scott (Kin Shriner) — hilarious. I approve.

-Meanwhile, Gregory tried to keep Tracy from gloating. When will this guy leave Tracy alone?

-I’m hoping this Kristina (Kate Mansi) and Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) story picks up once her mom comes to town (find out who’s playing Blaze’s mom here).

-I’m adoring Nina’s facial expressions when Dark!Drew barrels over to confront her.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Port Charles, check out all the latest GH spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.