- General Hospital
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General Hospital Delivers Big Right Out of the Gate in 2022 With Tracy’s Return and News of Luke’s Tragic Death
January 3 - 7:
Friday, January 7th, 2022
Credit: ABC screenshot
In last week’s soapbox, I shared my hopes for some happy couples, adventure and mystery on General Hospital in 2022. Well, this first week of the year delivered on the mystery, threw in a major return, and brought the shocks!
2022’s First Double Blindside
It’s always great when Tracy returns to town, but viewers also know it likely means trouble is afoot. However, the writers really hit us over the head with a whammy when Tracy revealed Luke had died in a cable car accident in Austria while following up on a new get-rich-quick scheme. Okay sure, Anthony Geary is not likely to return to the soap anytime in the future… or maybe ever, but to kill off Luke? Surely this is a lie!
More: General Hospital tapings halted due to COVID
Bobbie immediately refused to believe the circumstances of Luke’s “death,” and it appears she is is on the right track. Victor’s cryptic call from someone unknown to discuss the fact that Luke had been dealt with, and they were proceeding with the next step in the plan for Laura seemed to indicate all is not what it seems. Victor has also dropped hints that Drew has information he needs to access, which is why he likely needs to know how to activate his conditioning. If all of this isn’t connected back to Helena on some level, then I don’t know what is going on. However the unknown, the mystery, the drama… this is the way right to start a new year off on a soap opera.
Above: She was always obsessed with Luke and Laura. Is Helena’s return imminent?
Some on social media have begun to speculate that Luke was the mysterious screaming prisoner being held in the dungeon in Greece by Victor, though we’d have to ignore the fact that nurse Chloe and Drew both spoke of the individual as a woman. Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a soap has glossed over some minor details and thrown in a rewrite. This entire story could set up the return of the still imprisoned Holly, and who knows, maybe we could see Lucky and Ethan back too? Hey, I can dream, even if they only return for a limited run.
I love #GH current use of legacy characters. I hope they leave the Luke storyline to them.
— LovaticsSupportGroup 🦋 (@Lovatics820) January 7, 2022
The Worst Kept Secret Baby Swap
Secrets on soaps never stay secret for long, but when far too many people know the secret, is it even a secret anymore? The Bailey Louise drama is the current example of one that far too many know about, with Tracy being the latest to figure out who BLQ’s baby belongs to. If Tracy has figured it out along with Chase, then why hasn’t Valentin put it all together? I mean his IQ has got to be triple both of theirs combined.
Above: Tracy thinks Bailey looks more like a Louise.
More: Kirsten Storms’ daughter grows up before our eyes
Not only has Valentin not realized what’s going on, but neither has Anna or Felicia, who vowed to work together to find Louise. How can everyone be so blind at this point? Especially given how tied at the hip Brook Lynn and Maxie have been. To add insult to injury, Victor is playing on Valentin’s anger and pushing him to punish Brook Lynn. While Valentin has every right to be angry, going back to his Cassadine ways for revenge will not sit well with Anna, and the Vanna fans don’t want to see their ship run ashore again.
Brook Lynn – Obviously up to something.
Also Brook Lynn – “What makes you think I’m up to something?” #GH
— Courtney (@Iaurascorpio) January 7, 2022
Could He Fall Back Into the Coma?
Peter waking up was not likely at the top of many’s 2022 wish list, yet here we are. Mac questioning whether Peter might possibly fall back into a coma was hilarious, and I think many of us were hoping for the same. And somehow Peter is sucking more people into his depraved existence, this time hiring Martin to defend him.
Above: Isn’t it time for another meal from chef Brad?
Martin is supposed to be the decent brother, but this is something Cyrus would do. Martin’s grown on me as a character, and this feels like he’s backsliding in his growth. Is this simply business as he told Maxie, payback for Valentin’s temper tantrum about him dating Lucy, or dare we hope Martin plans to tank Peter’s case? As Martin pointed out, Peter is facing charges in multiple countries at this point, but does anyone think he’s going to get convicted? Yeah, unfortunately, me neither…
More: Younger actor shares character’s possible dark turn
The Nixon Falls Fallout Continues
As much as I’ve come to adore Ava and Nina’s friendship, Ava’s delight over Sonny and Carly’s troubles saw her giving Nina some pretty crummy advice in suggesting perhaps Nina had a chance with Sonny. That sent Nina back into the land of delusional thinking, which is what always gets Nina into trouble. Fortunately, Phyllis brought her back to reality and warned her to stay away from Sonny, but will Nina listen? If I asked a Magic Eight Ball I’m pretty sure it would tell me the answer is no!
Above: Carly has mastered the “if looks could kill” stare.
Meanwhile, Sonny headed home with his tail tucked between his legs to try and make things up to Carly. As often as I call Carly out for her hypocrisy, she definitely won this round with Sonny. Carly was right in pointing out that she came clean with Sonny about Jason within days of his return, while Sonny kept the truth about Nina from her for months. And as much as Sonny keeps saying he wants to be with Carly and move on from Nina, his constantly thinking of Nina tells another story.
Odds’n’Ends
- I had high hopes for a PCU storyline involving Alexis as a professor, which would have been a great new direction for her character. Alas, it seems her criminal record nipped that career in the bud before it got started, and she’s taken the job with Shawn at The Invader. I’m trying to keep an open mind, but so far, it seems like her character still has no real direction. However, her and Sam toasting while watching Dante arrest Tracy gave a glimpse at the old Alexis, who’s still in there somewhere.
- I was glad to see Alexis and Harmony patch things up on New Year’s Eve because Alexis really needs a friend other than Diane. However, I’m still wondering why Harmony returned to her Dawn of Day name instead of reverting back to her real name, Lorraine. Maybe the writers thought it would just confuse viewers?
- Sasha’s thrown herself back into work, but her colleagues think it may be too soon. Hopefully, this doesn’t take the predictable turn into Sasha turning back to drugs. But that looks like exactly where this is going.
- Gladys’ scenes consoling Brando were surprisingly refreshing given this is Gladys we are talking about. Liam’s tragic death actually has brought out the mother in her we’ve never really gotten to see.
- How can Valentin continue to hold onto Drew’s voting shares when Drew isn’t actually dead?
- I found Ava’s talk with Spencer about his working at the gallery not to pay her back, but to make amends to Trina, refreshing. For one small moment, Ava and Spencer actually connected and gave me hope that they could move past the stalker business.
- Esme dropped more hints about her adoptive family troubles and her hatred for people who tear marriages and families apart. Clearly, that’s a big hint about who she really is and what she’s up to. Plus, exactly what was that prescription she picked up from the hospital? Birth control, or a surprise for Ryan?
These are just my opinions, and I always enjoy hearing yours. Please leave them in the comments below and join the discussion with fellow General Hospital fans.
Before you go, take a look at the all-new General Hospital cast portraits in the photo gallery below.
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<p>Prepare to feast your eyes on the official ABC portraits of the cast of <em>General Hospital</em>: solo shots, couple pics and, as you can see, some pretty amazing group photos, too. First, though, let’s suss out just who’s who…</p>
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<p>… plays Sonny Corinthos, the dimpled don who can impregnate a woman by doing no more than flash a smoldering gaze like… Ack! Like <em>this</em> one! Look away before it’s too late! Look away!</p>
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<p>… cranking up the heat on Sonny’s smoldering gaze.</p>
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<p>… now with more pepper in Sonny’s hair than salt.</p>
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<p>… serving up a reminder that Sonny is always “one to watch.” Get it?</p>
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<p>Because that was not the last picture — surprise! Here’s Benard with a marginally different T-shirt!</p>
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<p>… is Carly, Sonny’s mercurial ex-moll, who can go from “till death do us part” to “if looks could kill” faster than you can read this caption. And that’s even if you’re a <em>mega</em> fast reader.</p>
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<p>… doing Carly’s best “Who, <em>me</em>?” expression.</p>
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<p>… flashing a warm smile that says, “Eh, who needs the Metro Court, anyway?”</p>
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<p>… never fails to turn heads. In this case, her own. But you know what we mean.</p>
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<p>… competing with the sun to determine which of them is more radiant.</p>
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<p>She’s in black, yes, but don’t you <em>dare</em> call Carly basic.</p>
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<p>… brings to life Dante Falconeri, the PCPD detective who is… Oh, awkward. He’s the firstborn of the city’s most notorious mobster. Let’s focus on Mom instead, shall we? Next picture…</p>
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<p>But we really <em>are</em> heading toward the mother lode. Honest, we are.</p>
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<p>… portrays Olivia Quartermaine, the Bensonhurst babe who married so far up, she now lives in <span style="text-decoration: line-through">her Richie Rich husband Ned’s</span> Monica’s mansion.</p>
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<p>… is money, as the kids would say, as Ned Quartermaine, the heir apparent to grandfather Edward’s fortune — <em>and</em> his testiness. Good luck with that, buddy!</p>
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<p>… striking a pose that lets the world know that Ned is an ELQ MVP.</p>
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<p>… is Leo Quartermaine, Olivia’s son with late mobster Julian Jerome and Ned’s adopted son.</p>
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<p>… builds a bridge to Brook Lynn Quartermaine, the feistiest firebrand this side of her mama, the much-missed Lois Cerullo.</p>
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<p>… issuing a reminder that Brook Lynn doesn’t have to wear bright hues to be a colorful character.</p>
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<p>… serving glam to the nth. Maybe even whatever comes after the nth.</p>
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<p>… and ‘it’ is glam to the oth. Not the nth but the oth. Thank you for your and Brook Lynn’s help in clearing up this matter.</p>
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<p>… walks mile after mile in the shoes of Michael Corinthos, the corporate-minded offspring of Carly and <span style="text-decoration: line-through">A.J. Quartermaine</span> Sonny. Never mind that scratch-out; those in the family or its “business” know better than to discuss it.</p>
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<p>… defying Michael’s reputation as a buttoned-up type by altogether skipping that top button. That’ll show <em>us</em>!</p>
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<p>… is Michael’s girlfriend Willow, a sweet-hearted former schoolteacher who learns every day that in a town like Port Charles, it’s easy to get it wrong when you’re trying to do right.</p>
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<p>… offering us the sweet smile that’s going to make Willow such a great nurse.</p>
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<p>… looking for all the world like the calm before the storm.</p>
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<p>… demonstrating how Willow takes news that’s best received sitting down. There’s a <em>lot</em> of that kind in Port Charles!</p>
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<p>… giving us a hint of what <em>All My Children</em>’s Jenny Gardner might have been like, had she survived that awful jet-ski incident.</p>
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<p>… plays Wiley Corinthos, Michael’s son with the late Nelle Benson and, for a time, the kid most likely to be the potato in a game of parental hot potato.</p>
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<p>… played Harmony Miller, Willow’s late mother who, even after leaving the cult in which she raised her daughter, was still keeping plenty of secrets… like that she wasn’t actually Willow’s mom. </p>
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<p>… rocks as Carly’s chip off the ol’ block, Josslyn Jacks, a Ms. Popularity with enough fire in her to reduce to cinders anyone crazy enough to hurt her nearest and dearest. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, we might add.</p>
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<p>… serving the side-eye that has reduced most of Joss’ detractors to rubble. (We love Joss, and we’re even feeling sorta rubble-ized!)</p>
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<p>… is Dex Heller, the ab-fabulous mystery man whose first step in Port Charles was onto a minefield that is as unlikely to leave him unscathed as he himself is to wear a shirt. (Translation: not very.)</p>
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<p>… here demonstrates the <em>Home Alone</em> OMG expression that the audience so often wears as they watch Nina Reeves make one questionable choice after another.</p>
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<p>… keeping Nina chill even as her storyline gets hotter, hotter, hottest.</p>
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<p>… missing the scarlet letter “A” that Carly would like to affix to Nina’s blouse for sleeping with Sonny.</p>
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<p>… back to show off the “Whatevs” expression that Nina reserves for her face-offs with Carly.</p>
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<p>… is the real-life alter ego of Alexis Davis, a former attorney and occasional hot mess who knows the law inside and out. As in, she hasn’t just represented criminals, she’s served time herself.</p>
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<p>… turning out the ultra-serious look that lets us know that Alexis means business. And not the funny kind, dang it!</p>
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<p>… plays Alexis’ oldest daughter, Sam McCall, P.I., mother and all-around action figure. She’s kinda like Nancy Drew with a better right hook and edgier wardrobe.</p>
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<p>… this time, with an expression that asks whether we are really questioning the last caption. Um, no. No, ma’am. Never.</p>
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<p>… brings <span style="text-decoration: line-through">back</span> to life Drew Cain, the “late” Jason Morgan’s “late” brother. Until an accident and some serious plastic surgery rearranged Drew’s face, he shared not only his twin’s taste in love interests but his handsome mug, too.</p>
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<p>… reminding us that Drew’s always looking for stubble. Er, <em>trouble</em>.</p>
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<p>… after what was apparently not a metaphorical close shave.</p>
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<p>… <em>has</em> to have seen it all in her years as Monica Quartermaine. The actress is the soap’s longest-serving cast member.</p>
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<p>… is Elizabeth Webber, the nurse you most want to administer your shots, if only because she can distract you with tales from her bat-[bleep]-crazy life. Pro tip: Ask her about the time she married a serial killer whose homicidal tendencies were contained in a brain tumor.</p>
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<p>… demonstrating Liz’s preferred method for trying, always trying, to leave her troubled past behind her. Don’t turn around, whatever you do!</p>
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<p>… working the plucky expression that has seen Liz through the toughest of times.</p>
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<p>… looking not at all like a Maroon Five but a Maroon 10.</p>
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<p>… makes it a point — see what we did there? — to enliven any scene as Cameron Webber, the teenage dream whose life has been, not to put too fine a point on it, a nightmare.</p>
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<p>… scrubs in as Dr. Hamilton Finn — Finn to his friends. Also Finn to pretty much everyone else. No one wants to compete with the musical to be called Hamilton anymore.</p>
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<p>… threatens us daily with cuteness overload as Violet Barnes, Finn’s daughter with… Say, where <em>is</em> Hayden, anyway? By the time you read this, we may already be finding out.</p>
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<p>… plays Molly Lansing, the future RBG who longs to follow in mom Alexis’ footsteps. Minus the whole going-to-prison part, though. She could do without that.</p>
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<p>… is Molly’s significant other, TJ Ashford, possessor of what is arguably the winningest smile in Port Charles. Possibly even all of New York; we haven’t checked — yet.</p>
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<p>… that smile still utterly winning again.</p>
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<p>… all but saying, “Erm, could TJ have a storyline? ’Cause I’d slay it.” Your move, <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
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<p>… nabbed two Daytime Emmys for her portrayal of Curtis’ scene-stealing Aunt Stella Henry. She tells it like it is whether you’re remotely prepared to hear it like it is!</p>
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<p>… slays as Curtis Ashford, not only the coolest cat this side of the freezer section of the grocery but the club owner whose presence is what makes his bar more than a spot, a hot spot.</p>
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<p>… making us wait to catch a glimpse of that dazzling smile again. Will we get it?</p>
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<p>… puts on the kind of happy face that’s so contagious… Wait, what? Are we actually in a better mood now? That’s one potent smile!</p>
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<p>Here, he gives Curtis an enigmatic look that leaves us asking questions. Questions of the sort that don’t make us care all <em>that</em> much whether we get answers; the questions are enough.</p>
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<p>… makes the rounds as Portia Robinson, a doctor whose romantic entanglements are likely to get her diagnosed with “acute twitterpation.”</p>
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<p>… flashing a Portia smile so bright, you’d swear the doc had just come from the radiology department.</p>
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<p>… adding “-souciant” to the saying “The doctor is in.”</p>
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<p>… embodying the seriousness of the next leg of Portia’s journey. Here’s hoping that she packed snacks.</p>
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<p>… held the “honor role” of Trina Robinson, the kinda kid you’d be proud to call your own — and in a town as prone to abductions as Port Charles is, might be tempted to! She was recast with…</p>
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<p>… who stepped into Trina’s shoes just in time for the heroine to be marched toward the ultimate trial. And also a literal one.</p>
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<p>… in this shot revealing the brilliant smile that poor Trina has had altogether too few excuses to pull out.</p>
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<p>… who we don’t know for <em>sure</em> was attempting to make it appear that Trina was thinking of Spencer. But c’mon, let’s be real! If that isn’t the look of love, what is?</p>
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<p>… was rookie cop Rory Cabrera, an Officer Nice Guy that we could only hope wouldn’t finish last. Spoiler alert: He did. RIP, Rory.</p>
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<p>… is Jordan Ashford, Port Charles’ police commissioner as well as Curtis’ ex. It is, as you’d imagine, complicated.</p>
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<p>… proving that Jordan doesn’t have to whip out the handcuffs to create an arrested development. That gaze!</p>
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<p>… looking so lovely that we are reminded, “Why doesn’t she have her own storyline?”</p>
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<p>… deserves a tip of the hat for his work as Curtis’ long-lost, newly-found father, Marshall Ashford.</p>
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<p>… bringing Marshall into focus. Or maybe in this instance, the camera did that.</p>
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<p>… played Shawn Butler, the ex-con who, like Alexis, was rebuilding a life for himself on the outside. Step No. 1: Score some of that chili at Kelly’s. What? Like you wouldn’t?</p>
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<p>… has run through almost all of the ABCs as Robert Scorpio, going from the WSB to the D.A.’s office while remaining every step of the way an MVP.</p>
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<p>… illuminates Port Charles’ dark prince, Nikolas Cassadine, heir to not just a fortune but enough blood-spattered family baggage to keep him on Kevin Collins’ couch for life. </p>
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<p>… is Nikolas’ estranged better half, Ava Jerome, an art dealer and sometime mafiosa whose warm smile belies the fact that she’s been known to put the “fatal” in “femme fatale.”</p>
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<p>… reminding us with a single image that we’re close, so close to Happy Hour and Ava’s favorite beverage, a martini as cold as her glare.</p>
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<p>… seeing if Ava can convince anyone that she’s not the baddest of bad girls by wearing white. Better luck next time, toots!</p>
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<p>… modeling Ava’s favorite blouse. Mainly because there’s so much room to stash something up its sleeve.</p>
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<p>… flouting convention by wearing white even though Ava is a dyed-in-the-wool black hat. Or at least a gray hat!</p>
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<p>… hides behind Victor Cassadine’s cheerful demeanor enough schemes to teach a master class in chicanery. The character is, in short, a classic Cassadine.</p>
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<p>… plays Nikolas’ son Spencer, a teenager every bit as troubled and brooding as Dad was at that age. Maybe a nice girl could set him down the straight and narrow. Oh, Triiina…</p>
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<p>… giving us a hint of what Spencer’s picture would look like on the cover of <em>Tiger Beat.</em></p>
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<p>… missing only the angel that Spencer usually has on one shoulder and the devil that he usually has on the other.</p>
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<p>… asking with Spencer’s eyes, “Would you please believe in me?” Um, sure, kid. You’re literally right there.</p>
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<p>… giving us a smile that implies that better days are ahead for Spencer. Which, we hate to break it to him, we doubt there are.</p>
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<p>… is scheme weaver Esme Prince, a conniver that you can just tell has at all times a thought bubble over her head that reads, “Muahaha! I’m fooling them all!”</p>
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<p>… with a thought bubble above Esme’s head that reads, if you really squint, “Crap! I didn’t fool Soaps.com for a second!”</p>
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<p>… seeing if a “Butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth” expression might throw us off. Keep trying, Avery!</p>
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<p>… gives heart to Valentin, once described as the most fearsome of all the Cassadines… by characters that we assume were very, very frightened of handsome, charming fellows.</p>
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<p>… this time showing off Valentin’s Casual Friday look.</p>
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<p>… is Port Charles’ Jane Bond, Anna Devane, the born butt-kicker you can always rely on to be the voice of reason. Unless it was during that unfortunate period where she thought that Peter August was her son. Then, er, not so much.</p>
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<p>… in black, yes. But don’t you dare call it basic.</p>
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<p>… radiating the level of confidence for which Anna is known. And with which we’d love to be at least vaguely associated.</p>
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<p>… if only to make us wonder where Anna has hung the portrait of Dorian Gray that allows her to remain forever young.</p>
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<p>… plays Sasha Gilmore, who, since arriving in Port Charles, has stared down so many disasters, it’s a wonder she hasn’t started walking around with her eyes shut!</p>
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<p>… reminding us with a single intriguing glance why Sasha is the perfect “face of Deception.”</p>
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<p>… not that the first two times weren’t also the charm.</p>
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<p>… was Brando Corbin, the distant relation of Sonny’s who fit in with the Corinthoses like an offer you couldn’t refuse. If only he hadn’t gotten (cough) The Hook.</p>
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<p>… taking to Brando’s heart ZZ Top’s words of wisdom: “Nothin’ drives the girls crazy like a sharp-dressed man.”</p>
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<p>… is Gladys, not only Brando’s mom and a hoot and a half but our pick for the Best Tough Broad of 2021. No, really — <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/gallery/daytime-soap-operas-best-worst-2021-couples-scenes-photos/" target="_blank">there’s an award for that</a>, and she won it, hands down. If she hadn’t, knowing Gladys, she would’ve bribed the judges.</p>
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<p>… kept the batteries recharged in the Energizer Bunny of villains, Peter August, a second-generation antagonist who proved the old adage about only the good dying young… at least until finally, he did. </p>
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<p>… is always in vogue as fashionista Maxie Jones, who hopes to break her pattern of getting mixed up with one jerk (Peter) after another (Levi Dunkleman) after another (Logan Hayes). Where’s her next Nathan West, for Peter’s sake?!?</p>
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<p>… plays <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Todd Manning</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Franco Baldwin</span> Austin Gatlin Holt, the doctor son of Edward’s bastard heir, Jimmy Lee. Or at least this week he is. The show changes the Emmy winner’s characters almost as often as we refill our chip bowl.</p>
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<p>… this time serving Austin sunny side up.</p>
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<p>… portrays sometime PCPD detective Harrison Chase, given the thankless task of being a genuine good guy in a town that’s overrun with not-so-good ones for whom we still root.</p>
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<p>… and still smokin’, as if there was any doubt that he would be.</p>
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<p>… is Gregory Chase, Finn and Chase’s father and obviously from whom they get their good looks.</p>
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<p>… letting Gregory throw sparks all the way back to that picture of Alexis a few images ago.</p>
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<p>… lends his gravitas to Cyrus Renault, the most formidable mobster to hit Port Charles since Frank Smith. Oh, and he also happens to be Laura Collins’ brother, whether she likes it or not… which she most definitely does not. </p>
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<p>… is Cyrus and Laura’s brother, Martin Grey, an attorney who is just a “tad” on the shady side.</p>
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<p>… plays doctor as Britt Westbourne, a reformed scheme queen whose twinkling eyes still say, “I can hatch a plot with the best of ’em — try me.” Sorry, our insurance doesn’t cover plot-hatching.</p>
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<p>… executing the seen-it-all expression that only a character like Britt can use without having to exaggerate.</p>
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<p>… this time, ensuring that we see eye to eye with Britt.</p>
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<p>… is Cody Bell, who made one heck of a splash by parachuting into Port Charles — and Britt’s life.</p>
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<p>… turning the “handsome” up to 11.</p>
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<p>… hoping that his animal magnetism will make us stop questioning why Cody would hesitate for a second to establish a family tie with one of Port Charles’ most beloved denizens.</p>
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<p>… is Terry Randolph, a dedicated doctor who just happens to be daytime’s one and only transgender character.</p>
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<p>… before her unexpected passing in 2022, was Epiphany Johnson, the R.N. you most wanted to show up at your hospital-room doorway if what you really needed was a kick in the pants. She is, and always will be, sorely missed.</p>
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<p>… is enjoying the Get Out of Jail Finally card that was given to Brad-Not-Bradley Cooper only days before he had to decide what color after orange would be the new black.</p>
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<p>… because he’s not drawn that way, he’s Brad.</p>
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<p>… is Selina Wu, Brad’s aunt and the mobster most willing to cut off a branch of the Five Families’ tree.</p>
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<p>… unleashing Selina’s “Don’t tempt me” glare. We won’t, ma’am. We won’t.</p>
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<p>… is the beloved vet who plays Bobbie Spencer, the unlucky-in-love nurse who’s never been able to come up with a cure for heartache.</p>
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<p>… started 2022 back on contract as Felicia Scorpio, the enduring heroine whose 1980s adventures with ex-husband Frisco Jones made her a daytime legend.</p>
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<p>… in an outfit that leaves no doubt about the color that Felicia intends to paint the town.</p>
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<p>… hinting that Felicia’s favorite band is the Psychedelic Furs by looking so very pretty in pink.</p>
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<p>… challenging the springtime to so much as <em>try</em> to look brighter.</p>
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<p>At least this is the last but not least of this series of images of the <em>General Hospital</em> vet.</p>
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<p>… has taken Mac Scorpio from top cop to beer slinger and back without discarding one iota of his charm along the way.</p>
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<p>… making Mac look like the handsomest Lens Crafters model of all time.</p>
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<p>… never fails to make a scene an actual <em>scene</em> as Liesl Obrecht, the doctor about whom we’ve always been mad. Yes, even back when Lex Luthor was looking at her misdeeds and going, “Gracious! Take it down a notch, missy.”</p>
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<p>… is so beloved as Scotty Baldwin that fans flipped their collective lids when a Twitter post made it sound like he might have left Port Charles for good. (Spoiler alert: <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/619039/general-hospital-fans-react-kin-shriner-scotty-done/" target="_blank">He hadn’t and hasn’t</a>, thank heavens!)</p>
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<p>… plays mild-mannered shrink Kevin Collins. Not to be confused with…</p>
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<p>… as Kevin’s homicidally maniacal twin brother, Ryan Chamberlain, who’s not nearly so easy to tell from his sibling when he isn’t rocking a straitjacket.</p>
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<p>… but without the straitjacket, is it Kevin… or Ryan?</p>
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<p>… keeps alive the legend that is Laura Spencer, the rare heroine who can fill in <em>all</em> the boxes on her If It Could Happen On a Soap, Did It Happen to You? bingo card.</p>
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<p>… suggesting that OK, perhaps she has a favorite pose. Who could blame her? It’s a good one.</p>
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<p>… turning the other cheek.</p>
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<p>… who until the end of time will be who we call to mind when we “think of Laura.”</p>
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<p>… her smile belying what, beneath the surface, is clearly a blue mood of Laura’s</p>
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<p>… who leaves us with an expression that layers mischief under its obvious somberness. Well played, Laura!</p>
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<p>… to put on a soap opera. And a whole lotta talented people both in front of <em>and</em> behind the camera. (One of them even took this group shot.)</p>
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<p>The Emmy-winning triumvirate that plays Ava, Carly and Nina is close in real life. <em>Literally</em>, as you can see. All three got their starts on New York-based soaps in the 1990s.</p>
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<p>Uh-oh. Based on Dante’s expression, he knows that what comes next in the saying is “Boy loses girl.” We’re not gonna be the ones to break it to Sam!</p>
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<p>Jordan who? Curtis is now hot ’n’ heavy with Portia. Which may explain why it’s suddenly become so hard to get an appointment with her!</p>
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<p>Don’t mind if the tag team that brings to life Shawn and TJ does just that. If only life in Port Charles gave their <em>characters</em> as many reasons to crack a smile and laugh.</p>
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<p>Thankfully, Molly has inherited Alexis’ strong-mindedness, not her alcoholism and attraction to mobsters. Not yet, anyway.</p>
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<p>Does TJ and Molly’s relationship have what it takes to stand the test of time? Only you-know-what will tell.</p>
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<p>Eh, gorgeous, yes. But happy? That was never really in the cards for these two. </p>
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<p>Cameron and Josslyn were bonded by the fact that they’d mourned loved ones together, survived terrifying misadventures and were both just really, really cute. On the other hand, that Dex guy was hella hot.</p>
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<p>Joss traded up. <em>Way</em> up. (Sorry, Cam.) Enough said.</p>
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<p>The apple of Finn’s eye never fails to put a little extra twinkle in ours. No wonder she made our list of soaps’ cutest kids of all time. (<a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/gallery/soaps-cutest-kids-children-all-time-photos/" target="_blank">Check it out here</a>.)</p>
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<p>OK, maybe not <em>all</em> of the gang, but more than half a dozen of the ABC soap’s finest.</p>
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<p>Nevertheless, Dante’s photo op with Sam was crashed by <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Ryan from <em>All My Children</em></span> her ex. #awkward</p>
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<p>A whole year after that last shot was snapped, and “Sante” are still together. Not only that, but they’re looking…</p>
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<p>If Dante turned away from Sam for even a second, we suspect we’d see stars in his eyes.</p>
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<p>Somehow we doubt that Valentin would like the sound of that. Victor, on the other hand…</p>
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<p>You’d think that by now Nina would have learned not to so much as <em>gaze</em> at fellas who are involved with other women. And yet…</p>
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<p>Family matters to Curtis and Stella. Enough said.</p>
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<p>Ha. It’ll be a cold day in hell, we suspect, before Esme and Josslyn can even exchange smiles that aren’t fake.</p>
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<p>Finn and Elizabeth hoped that in one another they’d found a chance at a new beginning. Well, a <em>new</em> new beginning. They’ve gone through quite a few, haven’t they?</p>
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<p>No doubt, Carly inherited not only her beauty but her fearlessness and knack for making trouble from her mom, reformed hell-raiser Bobbie.</p>
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<p>Never mind how bitterly Sonny and Carly can argue. It’s called passion, people! Passion! And they have it to spare.</p>
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<p>Luke who? Kevin is the better half who’s on Laura’s arm now. And always? Erm, well, <em>General Hospital is</em> a soap opera, so 50/50 chance?</p>
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<p>Life in Port Charles can be a lot more fun than these expressions might suggest. Deadly, yes… but fun, too.</p>
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<p>… tense. At least it did at first when Marshall reentered the lives of Jordan and TJ.</p>
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<p>… Jordan is TJ’s mother. Not his sister or love interest… his <em>mother</em>. Clearly, the watercoolers at the PCPD are filled from the Fountain of Youth.</p>
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<p>And just like that, your day got a whole lot more cheerful, didn’t it?</p>
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<p>Nikolas and Ava can be just as light and carefree as any couple, dang it. Just not, you know, for too long at a stretch.</p>
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<p>“Do as I say, not as I’ve done” might as well be Nikolas’ motto when it comes to parenting Spencer.</p>
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<p>Erm, Dante, maybe you should save <em>that</em> kind of a glance for your significant other, not your mother.</p>
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<p>It hasn’t always been easy for the PCPD detective to have a career criminal for a father. If only he could get Dad outta that shady “coffee-importing” business…</p>
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<p>On second thought, if this is the way these two bruisers are coming at you… <em>run</em>!</p>
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<p>If there’s one person you want on your side in a bar fight more than Sonny, it’s Brando’s take-no-prisoners mama!</p>
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<p>Here’s Harmony and Finn together. OK, then.</p>
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<p>Turning the girl power up to 10, 11… <em>overloooad</em>!</p>
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<p>Something — as in this photo — tells us there’s unfinished business between Sam and Drew.</p>
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<p>Olivia and Anna manage to be Superwomen without the capes or the flying. Although the flying <em>would</em> be cool. And come to think of it, either or both of them would really rock a cape.</p>
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<p>… Felicia and Anna. What, did you think Trina and Esme were gonna get it?</p>
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<p>At least it is when you’re making a sandwich of cutie-patootie Violet.</p>
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<p>Here, Terry and Liz experiment to find out whether laughter really <em>is</em> the best medicine.</p>
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<p>… what can’t they get through?</p>
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<p>Valentin and Anna took just about the bumpiest route imaginable to one another’s arms.</p>
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<p>Well, four, in this case: I’ve got your back. We’ll save the other 996 for a different occasion.</p>
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<p>No matter what trouble comes their way — and there’s always <em>some</em>! — these two make it, ahem, Valentin’s Day.</p>
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<p>Rule-breakers Michael and Willow got the whole “First comes love, then comes marriage” thing all wrong. Yet it still worked out all right.</p>
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<p>Thanks to her romance with Michael, Willow has wound up raising Wiley, the little boy she originally thought was her biological son.</p>
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<p>By the time you read this, <em>General Hospital</em> may have clued Willow in to the fact that Nina is her mother. Or not. This show keeps us guessing!</p>
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<p>To say that there’s no love lost between Willow and Nina would be the understatement of the <span style="text-decoration: line-through">week</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through">year</span> decade.</p>
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<p>We have a feeling that, in the long run, these two will manage to bond. If Carly and Bobbie could do so back in the day, anything can happen!</p>
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<p>Harmony might not have been the best mom, but she was the only one Willow had. Or so the young woman thought… </p>
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<p>If anyone in Port Charles is as formidable and fiery as Carly, it’s her Mini Me.</p>
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<p>Mess with one of the Corinthoses, you mess with them all. And you do <em>not</em> want to mess with them all.</p>
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<p>… is more or less <em>any</em> offer made by a member of Port Charles’ First Family, the Teflon don and his (currently estranged) nearest and dearest.</p>
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<p>The reason that Sonny is estranged from his loved ones is… well, his <em>other</em> loved one, girlfriend Nina.</p>
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<p>When Sonny recovered from amnesia, he couldn’t forget the feelings that “Mike” had developed for Nina. A certain sensation crept into Carly, too. What was it again? Ah, yes…</p>
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<p>Or, considering that Sonny cheated on Carly with Nina, would that be… <em>adulterated</em> loathing?</p>
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<p>Off screen, Carly and Nina’s portrayers go back all the way to their days as co-stars on <em>Guiding Light. </em>Come to think of it, their characters didn’t get along so well on <em>that</em> show, either.</p>
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<p>If they’re smiling, we’re suspicious. The mortal enemies have been known to insist that one another “talk to the hand.”</p>
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<p>… is what we’ll say more than sing when finally, finally Spencer and Trina get together. These two have had more obstacles thrown at them than a Major League catcher has baseballs.</p>
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<p>It took two Trinas, a prison stint (Spencer’s), an exorcism (of sorts, of Esme) and a dead boyfriend (RIP, Rory) to clear the path for “Sprina.”</p>
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<p>If only Britt hadn’t been dying and all, <em>and</em> so determined to leave Port Charles, she and Cody might have made a cute couple. Heck, they did, at least long enough to snap this pic.</p>
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<p>Aw, damn. No matter how hard Drew and Carly tried, they couldn’t step out from under the shadow of her endgame ex.</p>
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<p>The lighting in this image is terrific. And yet… if you look closely enough, you can see Sonny’s shadow looming over “Darly.”</p>
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<p>… are Chase and Brook Lynn. The trouble is, her tendency to scheme leaves them less likely to crank out hit after hit than to hit…</p>
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<p>All we can do is hope that these two crazy kids figure it out. Their wedding portraits would be cowabunga! Gorgeous!</p>
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<p>Ned knows by now that slim and none are the chances that Brook Lynn will heed his good advice.</p>
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<p>A Martin, that is. He’s a bit of a handful, but even Laura would have to admit that he’s still a lot less lethal than Cyrus.</p>
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<p>At least she knows best the whopper of a secret that she’s keeping regarding Trina’s paternity.</p>
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<p>When things get rocky with Portia, Trina can always turn to Ava, with whom she’s carved out a close relationship.</p>
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