Babies are born to parents but welcomed into entire families. That’s what Gladys Corbin reminded us of this week as she fretted over the life of little Liam. For her emotionally powerful performance, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors on Bonnie Burroughs, AKA Gladys, Liam’s grandmother.
Bonnie Burroughs — Performer of the Week
Normally, Carly (Laura Wright) has no use for meddlesome Gladys but when she came upon her crying outside the room where Liam’s fighting for his life, she embraced the woman, putting aside any feelings she has for the bothersome relative. Gladys confided in Carly that she wasn’t prepared for how helpless little Liam was going to be, the infant being hooked up to tubes.
Carly lent an ear and a shoulder to Gladys even though the two women aren’t close. “Liam” wasn’t a rugged name like “Brando,” Gladys pointed out. “‘Liam’ — it’s such a lackluster name. Eh, must be a millennial thing. Probably Sasha’s idea.” Carly was speechless that this is what Gladys chose to focus on but she gave her the benefit of the doubt, believing that this was just Gladys’s emotions talking.
Bonnie Burroughs shines as Gladys in moments that prompt other scene partners to temper their reactions. Gladys brought up Nina’s (Cynthia Watros) name up to Carly but instead of taking the inadvertent bait, Carly simply said that she’s glad Wiley has lots of people who love him. Carly didn’t try to throw reality in Gladys’s face or call her out on her selfishness. She let Gladys talk — and do her usual blathering.
Burroughs is fascinating to watch because sometimes she plays Gladys totally unaware and, at others, she’ll share realizations — like not always making the right choices when raising Brando (Johnny Wactor). As heartbreaking as baby Liam’s story has been, it motivated Sasha (Sofia Mattsson) to bond with Gladys as a fellow mother. Thanks to Bonnie Burroughs’s performance, we imagine that Gladys’s relationship with those around her will never be the same because of the love she’s showing Liam aka “Mikey.”
Honorable Mention: Genie Francis
Honorable Mention: In addition to Bonnie Burroughs performance, we have to commend Genie Francis (Laura) and Michael E. Knight (Martin) who are back and better than ever as Port Charles’ favorite half-siblings. The two characters have bonded while being in protective custody and it shows on-screen. We felt Martin’s pain as Knight played the attack on his character so convincingly. (Martin spilling his popcorn when he was accosted from behind was a nice visual touch). And GH viewers love seeing Laura fight for her loved ones as she did when she swung the toilet plunger at her half-brother’s would-be-assassin. “Batter up!”
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.
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