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My Thoughts On 'General Hospital' in 2013

4/18/2013

13 Comments

 
Picture
My favorite supercouple, Jason & Sam
Let's talk GH'ers. It seems that with even a brand new writing and production team (Ron Carlivati & Frank Valentini, formerly of "One Life to Live"), "General Hospital's" path is still working in extremes. Around 2007, "The Mob Era" wore out its welcome, the writing became stale and characters who were an asset to the show got cut (ex. Nikolas Cassadine & Jasper Jacks). Fans loved the mob-clique characters (i.e. Sonny Corinthos, Jason Morgan, Sam McCall, Carly Benson, Damien Spinelli, Johnny Zacchara, etc), but yearned for flexibility and diversity in the storylines so everyone could have a chance to shine. For a second there, Carlivati & Valentini provided a happy medium; we had our mob, we had our hospital and ratings were greatly improving, but eventually, things went completely left. Jason (Steve Burton) was presumed dead and Carly (Laura Wright) and Sonny's (Maurice Bernard) storylines were reduced to chasing after their ill-reciprocating love interests. Since when in GH history does Caroline not have a real storyline (by the way, I've always felt the writers have not taken full advantage of Wright's talent and ability)?

There are some other plots of interest, but fans are somewhat indifferent about them (ex. Tracy vs. A.J., Connie vs. Kate, Sabrina vs. Britt), while major talents are being underutilized (ex. Rebecca Herbst, AKA Liz Webber). No one said eliminate the mob clique; just make camera time more even! Plus, it seemed like the writers switched focus from one group to another as “One Life to Live’s” refugees Todd (Roger Howarth), Starr (Kristen Alderson) & John (Michael Easton) became major players and plot-lines from the series were reincarnated on GH (as one fan put it “the role of GH will now be played by OLTL”). Just like character centralization hurt GH in the late 2000’s, it might sting again now; OLTL is returning as a web-series and due to character licensing issues, Todd, Starr & John may have to permanently leave Port Charles.  What the GH team has chosen to do as a result of the negotiations between ABC and OLTL’s new home, Prospect Park, have yet to unfold on-screen (Howarth, Alderson & Easton return reportedly as new characters May 10th). The writers/producers have tried to rebound by bringing back characters from the much beloved 90’s and the spin-off “Port Charles,” but even that has come to be frustrating to the current generation of fans. Again, extremes aren’t going to work. The future of GH lies within its current characters and its youth.

Usually on soaps, the youth are the heart of steamy and intense plots, but on GH, the youth are painfully boring and/or immature. Michael, for example, is spineless, inconsistent and easy to manipulate; he was edgier as a child. The return of Michael’s previously presumed dead biological father, A.J. Quartermaine presents a number of storyline possibilities by itself, as A.J. has surprisingly lured Michael into ELQ. Which, am I the only one who thinks they too quickly made A.J. a redeemable ‘good guy’? Anyhow, bring back Michael's easily-SORAS-able half-brother, Morgan, and give us the dynasty war we've been waiting on. Now that Michael wants to ride the fence between being both a Quartermaine and Corinthos heir, it would be delicious to see him take on Morgan, who’s the real Corinthos. Yes, Morgan was primarily raised by Jasper Jacks, but who’s to say he won’t want to get know his father for himself outside of Carly and Jacks’ opinion? As for the other younglings, Kristina Corinthos Davis is part mob-princess, part Cassadine. HELLO?! Need I say more? Now that Stravos is back and wiped Lulu’s memory (I don’t believe for a second we’ve seen the last of him), things can get interesting really quick. Let’s not forget that Kristina’s sisters, Sam and Molly, are part Cassadine as well.

Coming back to AJ, I'm sure while he was cozying up to Michael, Liz and even Sam, Jason was tumbling in his watery grave, so how intense would it be for Jason to resurface (which really should've happened soon after A.J., showed up, but what do I know?)? Some fans were eager to see what a few call "The Holy Hitman" go, but the majority- especially those who started watching GH in the late 90's and early 2000's-lost their reason to tune in, as Jason and Sam's complicated marriage was a key plot in 2012.

Whether you're a JaSammer or not, I think everyone can agree that the show's pace and the roll Carlivati and Valentini were on has dramatically slowed down since Jason left the landscape last October. 
Recasting a role defined by an actor like Steve Burton seemed impossible then, but now seeing the depth of the hole in the canvas, especially in terms of Sam's storyline, I think fans are more open to the idea. Carlivati and Valentini said they didn't have any immediate plans to recast Jason because it "opened up fun opportunities for Sam," but all I've seen for Sam is ridiculousness (i.e. being attacked by men parading as vampires). A recast should happen now (it would've been a great way to cap off the anniversary week in addition to the return of Robin, but again, what do I know?). Coming down from the high of the 50th anniversary (the anniversary week was absolutely splendid!), I hope GH’s team has some great material to keep our engines hot. Don’t get me wrong, I think the team has no doubt turned GH around for the best in the last year and I’m more addicted to the soap than I have been in awhile; these are just some points I wanted to throw out. What are your thoughts? 

13 Comments
Shay D.Smith
4/29/2013 08:17:42 am

Our problem with these 2 people are they had GH folks take a back seat to OLTL 3.ME should have never came between JaSam.We loved Todd,but Starr was not to best to bring over.The NB was gross, while bringing some of the old folks back, they should have brought back some of the old writers.Once again they have Liz is yet again another triangle with men wanting her.Why?Lets get real, 2 men after Liz,please, now thats as dumb as the Vamp s/l.If they couldn't get Robin back, than they should have moved on with Liz and Patrick,not some young girl, who they should have paired with Michael.Connie/Kate has run it course months ago. Bring Brenda back to be with Sonny.Get rid of Olivia.Like Anna and would have loved to see that she might be related to Sam. I think they would and could make a excellent storyline together.Sam is a PI, there are lots of s/l for her,give them to her.I don't think RC really knows how to do action stuff,because Anna and Sam would be great doing that.Carly, I wish Jaxs had stayed, they were great together.I just thin that FV or RC were right for GH, and along with the OLTL3, they should have gone back to OLTL!Folks this is the 2013,women fly jets!

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Tami Jam
4/29/2013 08:54:46 am

I hope the role of Jason is not recast...leave it open for Steve Burton to come back when he is ready. RC/FV should've kept their words and show us the fun opportunities they have for Sam. Come on, Sam's adventurous! I am not liking these current story lines. I hope that when the ex OLTL actors come back on GH, the story lines are better than what they have right now.

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Lucy William
4/29/2013 09:03:05 am

I hate how Carlivati and Valentini handled Jasam's love story. Must be why Steve left. LOL. Carlivati and Valentini are leaving too many stories hanging and that is ridiculous.

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Kathy Glagowski
4/29/2013 09:15:23 am

I totally agree with your take! I still watch the show but after the 50th Anniversary week,I find myself playing on my Ipad as I watch unless Sam and Danny are on. It just isn't as interesting without Jason and Sam. Ron and FrNk ruined a super couple for their Llandview 3 and look how that turned out! Now they are coming back as different characters,that should hVe happened in the first place!

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Louise Coleman
4/30/2013 12:48:08 am

ITA

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Anna
4/29/2013 11:03:57 am

Jason Morgan has been my favorite character since JQ:s car crash and the show is sorely missing him.

SB might be the ultimate and forever1st actor choice for Jason, but the loss of this uniqe character can't be based on one actor leaving the show. Jason is a character who in many ways was/is involved with everyone on GH and it's kind of akward that he is almost forgotten by everyone already....

Not even a memorial for your presumed dead son/husband/best friend/uncle, Monica/Sam/Sonny/Carly/Spinelli/Michael etc... WTF??? (The writers suck in this regard)

I want a recast stat!!!

Reply
Christine
4/29/2013 01:16:09 pm

I want a recast of Jason too!! Sam, really has no adventures without her husband.

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Anna
4/29/2013 02:22:29 pm

It's kind of sad that Sam has no real action.... I remember when she first came to PC.. Then it was: Trouble, thy name is Sam.

Elizabeth Johnson
4/29/2013 02:51:02 pm

I agree Recast Jason Morgan or GH bring Steve Burton back. You GH are loosing your fans and soon will be off the air. People has watched this show for years you GH do not listen to you fans you can't take 5 fans and decide the show. The two men has lost what it takes to keep the fans interested. The Super couple should never have gone through that of Jason nor knowing that was his baby after wanting one with his wife since 2004. And they were done like that it was not right. And then brought one life in and change GH all the way around when they had no business coming in that level if so they should have been on the bottom you do do not take the top workers and drag them in the mud. So Steve/ Jason or recast need to be brought back and that is quick before it is too late.

Louise Coleman
4/30/2013 12:56:47 am

They have totally forgot about Jason no one talk about him except Carly Those writers have had no respect for Jason and I realize one character don't make the show but GH is BORING without Jason my opinion only I think they need to recast SB until he decide to return because his role on YR is BORING also

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Elizabeth. Johnson
4/29/2013 11:54:32 am

Bring Steve Burton back as Jason Morgan to his family. Jason interacted with everyone on the show. And for them to tear up a beautiful story line of this SuperCouple it is a shame and it needs to be restored back together. They do have all of these stories going and nothing is making sense and finishing nothing. Stupid vampire that never should have been in the this soap at all. Sonny between to women my goodness it ain't that much thinking and seeing you are dealing with something that ain't real. Liz the what ever trying to play her as the goody two shoe woman ain't never done anything wrong except push herself off on men and then it was just a fe months ago she was in Jason face trying to still tear him and Sam up. These two writers sucks they really have messed this show up and it is heading to be off the air . And the only tho g that is going to save it Is Steve/Jason when he walks back the ought that PH door.

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fran
4/30/2013 12:25:23 am

They need to do whatever it takes to bring back Steve Burton & ony Steve Burton, never recast such a powerful role & talanted actor, they manage to work around Anthony Geary & others, & not Steve Burton? g.h. IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT HIM !!!

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Cath
5/2/2013 12:44:35 am

ONLY Robin belongs with Patrick and Emma. They suffered enough bring apart. NOT Liz, Sam, the perfect nurse who was handed Robins family with slanted writing only Robin. Kimberly has been available but FV and RC are so worried about their OLTL pets and PP instead of using the time and money to get Kimberly back to film scenes. Also they are too worried about their pet nurse who they handed Robins family to. Scrubs should have left together with their daughter. They could have brought Jason Thompson back as another char then to ruin Scrubs and the Robin story who is GH history

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