Plot developments call for actors on daytime to make immediate and dramatic shifts. Case in point: General Hospital’s Michael Easton, who plays Dr. Hamilton Finn, went from loving and wanting to support Elizabeth Webber Baldwin to not being able to be in the same room with her after finding out she played a role in his wife’s death. For his portrayal of a stunned widower, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors for GH on Easton.
Michael Easton – Performer of the Week
Finn has been doing his best to help Liz (Rebecca Herbst) through this emotional ordeal she’s been grappling with for quite some time. She was pushing him away, which Finn, understandably, had trouble accepting. (Who doesn’t want to help the person they love?) Perhaps Liz was keeping Finn from getting too close because she knew deep down it was because she played a role in the death of his late wife Reiko.
At first, Finn was concerned with Liz’s welfare, gently listening to her recall the events of her teen years and the fight she had with the doctor who was sleeping with her father, Dr. Jeff Webber (William Moses), and how she tumbled down a flight of stairs. “Do you know what happened to this woman?” Finn asked, prompting Liz to share that she had died — and it was Liz’s fault.
Had Reiko not fallen, she might not have gotten the blood transfusion that led to her contracting Blackwood’s Syndrome, which proved fatal. Before being given all the information, Finn had attempted to comfort Liz, telling her that she wasn’t to blame because it sounded like an accident. Liz further explained that she suffered a greater ordeal after he parents used their medical skills to try and erase her memory. Finn was furious that Liz’s father and mother (Denise Crosby) then stayed away for 25 years.
Everything changed, however, when Liz revealed the doctor in question was Finn’s wife, Reiko (Mele Ihara). Finn was stunned, naturally. Suddenly, Liz’s champion was gone, and in his place stood a man who was face-to-face with the person who robbed him of his wife, albeit indirectly.
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Michael Easton played Finn as being in denial after Liz’s confession. He was not only facing the reality that Liz was responsible for his wife’s death but that Reiko had lied to him about what had happened after her fall. She was also being unfaithful to him with Jeff. The feelings of betrayal washed over Finn’s face. He came to Elizabeth’s home to support her only to have the rug pulled out from under him.
“My wife and I were happy,” shared a despondent Finn. Liz told Finn she was sorry. “So am I, Liz,” Finn replied as he took his hand and held her head. “So am I.” Realizing there was nothing else to say or do, Finn walked out the door and out of Liz’s life. We’re not sure the timeline properly tracks (is there that much of an age difference between Finn and Liz?) But one thing is undeniable — Michael Easton gave a powerful performance in these compelling episodes.
Honorable Mention: We love seeing Genie Francis and her character — Port Charles mayor Laura Webber Collins — back in action. It was a treat watching her the GH star spar with Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) and revisit her complex relationship with her half-brother Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober). We couldn’t help but chuckle when she put son Nikolas Cassadine (Marcus Coloma) in his place a bit after he asked how his grandmother Dr. Lesley Webber (Denise Alexander) and her beau Marcello were doing. “You have a phone, Nikolas,” Laura cheerfully pointed out to her firstborn. “You can tell them that yourself.” Ha!
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.
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