Soap Hub Performer of the Week for General Hospital: Kelly Thiebaud

Last year, Dr. Britt Westbourne showed more vulnerable sides to her personality but the General Hospital chief of staff clearly hasn’t lost her strength. For Britt telling her hospitalized half-brother Peter August off in no uncertain terms, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors for GH on Kelly Thiebaud, who brings Britt to life.

Kelly Thiebaud – Performer of the Week

Rank hath its privileges, as the saying goes, so, GH’s top doc was able to gain access to the hospital’s No. 1 patient — Peter (Wes Ramsey), who’d been hospitalized after being poisoned while in prison. Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) was determined to tell Peter exactly what she thought of him and how his evil actions caused the death of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), the man Britt loved.

Prior to entering Peter’s room, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt (Roger Howarth) dryly pointed out to Britt that it wouldn’t be a good look for the co-chief of staff to be caught killing one of the hospital’s patients. Britt, taking a page from her “mutter” (Dr. Liesl Obrecht, played by Kathleen Gati), told Austin with a knowing smile that she wouldn’t get caught. Making one last observation in an effort to help Britt, Austin added that she hadn’t said she wouldn’t hurt Peter. “Very observant, doctor,” Britt shot back as she entered Peter’s guarded room.

“Don’t call me that,” Britt cut Peter off after he referred to her as his sister. “We’re not family. We never will be.” Peter’s manipulated many over the years but Britt wasn’t interested in listening to him play any games. “Jason is dead because of you,” she solemnly said.

Peter tried to claim that Jason’s death wasn’t his fault as he didn’t cause the cave-in that (presumably) took his life. “What about the shoot-out? Was that in your control because that’s what caused the cave-in — you dumbass!” said Britt, talking to him as if he thought she was not very bright.

Calling Peter names may have made Britt (and everyone else!) feel better but insults weren’t going to get under Peter’s skin. The doctor switched scalpels to cut into Peter going after someone whom he actually cares. She pointed out to Peter that he essentially ruined Maxie’s (Kirsten Storms) life and, thanks to Peter, “her” (note Britt didn’t say “their”) daughter is possibly crying, injured, scared, or alone — if she’s even alive. (Britt’s unaware that baby Louise is, in reality, living in the lap of luxury as Bailey in Monica’s mansion.)

Peter asked Britt to stop. “Awww…did that hurt?” Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) responded in faux sympathy, thrilled to pieces that Peter was starting to feel pain. “Is it hard to hear? Good.” Peter fired back he’d let the police know Britt despises him as they are still looking for the person who poisoned him. “Please,” Britt grimly said after giving out a slight chuckle. “If I had poisoned you, I’d have gotten the dosage right.”

One thing Peter doesn’t have to worry about is Britt attempting to inject anything lethal into his body while he’s at General Hospital. She told him that she prefers it if he were to spend the rest of his miserable life rotting away in prison. “Knowing that you will never lay eyes on your daughter,” Thiebaud’s Britt grimly stated. “I want you alone, Peter. Until you join our father in hell.”

Later, Austin asked Britt how she felt about confronting Peter. Rather than get all teary-eyed and bemoan she lowered herself to Peter’s level, she told Austin that she could tell her words really hurt him and that felt good. This doesn’t make Britt a terrible person. It makes her human.

Initially, Kelly Thiebaud played Britt as a foil to the Jason/Sabrina romance and all-around troublemaker. Over the years, especially in recent months, the talented actress has added different levels and layers to her character. We’ve gone from “loving to hate” the Britch to “loving to love” Britt.

General Hospital (GH) 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 that’s been posted on GH spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.