It’s been déjà vu all over again for Emma Samms on General Hospital. When her character was first introduced, we learned that Holly Sutton was a con artist. And now, Holly’s been conning her pals once again. For her portrayal of a tortured mother, doing everything she can to save her son’s life, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week for GH honors upon Samms.
Emma Samms – Performer of the Week
Holly’s return to the canvas was shrouded in mystery but fans were so happy to see her back in Port Charles that they didn’t care why or how she got away from her captors. Then, nagging questions began to surface. What were the reasons she was having clandestine meetings with Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy)? Why was she being secretive? Did she really have no memory of the last few years?
We saw a secretive Holly desperately wanting to tell Robert the truth, to take him into her confidence. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us,” she told him over a meal at the Metro Court. “Enough talking,” she added before going in for a kiss, reminding viewers why these two were one of GH’s most successful romantic duos ever. The pair reminisced about their early years together. Holly lamented that while that time felt full, it went by way too quickly. (She was correct. Robert and Holly’s had a short happy life together in Port Charles before Samms left daytime to join the cast of prime time soap opera Dynasty as Fallon Carrington Colby. She returned for a stay in 1992, ironically, just as Tristan was on his way out the door.)
A suspicious Robert tricked Holly into thinking that he had the location of the safehouse where Anna DeVane (Finola Hughes) was staying after going on the lam for her alleged role in shooting Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring). Holly snuck a peak at the safe house address and later, she called the info into the police. The location was fake, giving Robert confirmation that Holly was fighting against the bad guys.
Robert confronted Holly at the docks, informing her that she had some explaining to do after the cops raided the fake locale. Holly’s ex-husband demanded to know just how long she’d been working with Victor! Just as Holly had been busted years earlier over fake oil wells, she was caught again.
“Yes, I’m doing by Victor’s bidding but not by choice,” a frustrated and tortured Holly exclaimed. “Not by choice!!” Holly explained to Robert that she had been investigating Winston Rudge (David S. Lee) a few years ago only her cover had been blown and she was taken captive by Victor. She tearfully recounted how Victor had murdered her half-sister Paloma (a role Sutton played in the 1990s) in front of her eyes. We saw Holly in flashbacks fighting like a demon for her freedom; those moments were played in contrast as Samms solemnly recalled the events of Holly’s life from the last few years. Holly had some good news to share — while yes, she shot Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), Holly didn’t kill her!
Holly confessed to Robert that she wore an Anna mask similar to the one Cesar Faison (Anders Hove) wore to make people think he was Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan). She implored Robert not to tell anyone that Lucy was alive — if Victor finds out that she’s betrayed him with this knowledge, he’ll kill her son Ethan Lovett (Nathan Parsons).
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“Victor’s holding him to secure my cooperation,” Holly explained to her former husband. “I’m trying my best to save everyone!” Later, Holly once again was faced with someone accusing her of lying when Victor questioned her truthfulness. “For God’s sake Victor, you’re the only person I’m not lying to,” a lying Holly convincingly told Victor. The Cassadine villain taunted Holly that she’s always played second fiddle to Anna. (Huh? Has this man watched Emma Samms on General Hospital?)
Holly pushed back against Victor a bit, pointing out that he’ll end up alone once he creates the world he’s so desperate to bring to life. “Oh, I’m very sorry,” Holly said without a hint of apology when Victor advised her to tread carefully. “I take it back. You know how loved you are. As I know how much Robert loves me.“
Samms and Shaughnessy’s characters continued to banter back and forth with one another as Holly assured the Cassadine clad that he’d have to continue to trust her. She proved that he could by drugging Robert during a round of tequila shots and managing to steal his briefcase. Still, we can’t help but think that the con artist is now somehow conning Victor — the man who’s forcing her to con her pals. While the Cassadine villain appears to be holding all the cards (and Ethan), our money is on Holly, played by the delightful Emma Samms, to emerge victorious.
Honorable mention: Daytime Emmy-winner Kelly Thiebaud (Dr. Britt Westbourne) and Kathleen Gati (Dr. Leisl Obrecht) are breaking our hearts as the reality of Britt’s Huntington’s disease continues to play out.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.
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