Aurora2

Thank you, ulkis, for the list of contract actors. Makes it easier to think about who might be chosen (or choose) to stay on GH and who might leave. I am pretty well convinced that any one could leave. RC's tendency to back burner characters for blocks of time and/or write them in very background, supporting roles makes a lot of the current cast vulnerable. They could easily have their back burner time gradually extended until they just fade away completely. Considering who we have rarely seen recently, I'd say that Sabrina and Silas are at the top of the list of contract players who could leave. I'd add TJ, but the show needs some viable teens. Jordan and Shawn could be vulnerable, too. I hate to say it, but I also see Anna as potentially leaving, depending on where this current story goes. FH certainly hasn't been used to her full potential. Nina and Franco have been a hit with some, but they and their story are pretty much existing as separate entities apart from other characters and stories. So, if that separation were to continue, they could be easily be written out. Ava was meant to be a very short term character - one who has now been here almost two years. But she is another who could easily be written off the show. Same with Julian. I think he was spared with the Julexis pairing. Yes, he has family ties with Lucas and Sam, but those are barely developed, making him vulnerable. I agree that, at least for now, Spencer saved Nik's place on GH. However, we'll see what happens after this "dark Nik" story. I could see Tony Geary as Luke retiring soon. Health issues have been a plague for both him and for the show runners. And then there is the late 20s/early 30s foursome of Dante, Lulu, Maxie and Nathan. GH desperately needs to develop this age group. However, these four have become too much alike - and too "good," "sweet," "adorable," "nice," "happy" - and really need some shaking up. Johnny has been providing that much needed shot of adrenalin, but apparently his visit is ending. I don't see these characters leaving - especially Lulu and Maxie. As I said, GH NEEDS to develop this group - and Lulu and Maxie are richly connected with GH history. But I could see some recasting. Contrary to what some think, I do think that Dante is especially vulnerable. He has become Sonny's superfluous son - the one called in when needed for a few plot points. He barely, if ever, interacts with his family and is rarely mentioned by them. Up to the last couple of weeks, he has been playing a supporting role to Lulu who has become herself a rather marginal character. So much so in Dante's case that I've seen him referenced as "Mr. Lulu." And then there is Nathan - who is playing much of the role assigned to Dante as the handsome, good guy cop and the ever-faithful man in a happy love story. Olivia has had nine lives and has been flexible enough to support a variety of stories, but it would be easy to send her back to Bensonhurst. So many possibilities of actors leaving - or being offered fewer guaranteed minimum episodes - or being changed to recurring - or being offered significant pay cuts at contract renewal or review times. I know I'll be watching the next few months with much interest and some nervousness for my faves.

Don't want to go off topic, but RC did write some good bits for Lulu and Dante when he (RC) first came to town in 2012.

Yes, they both did look like idiots. I get that Lulu will always have a soft spot for Johnny . I think most of us would for someone who was willing to take the rap for a murder to protect us. But she is - or should be smarter - than this. And jealousy does NOT look good on Dante - not at all. But his big mistake was suggesting that it was easy for Lulu to give up the Haunted Star - a business which has been important to her in the past and which has significant Spencer family connections. Personally, I preferred both Dante and Lulu's POV the first time this story was told (summer 2012). And I thought yesterday's scenes were a considerable regression from the depth and reasonable POV established by both characters in these about their relationship (Aug 2, 2012). Hopefully the writers intend to circle back to something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9SFohu3OPw

So much varied and interesting POV on Michael, Morgan and Lucas after Friday’s episode. I think I’m Team Lucas because of one line! Some of you created better dialogue than the writer-du-jour did, but Lucas did have a line which just about sums up the long term and short term scenarios with the brothers Corinthos. He told Michael he was: “… oversimplying a very complicated mess” And complicated and messy it is. I am SOOO tired of the golden child Michael dominating so much story time and so much of his family’s attention over the years. And I can see Morgan as the sometimes forgotten child – as the “spare.” However, I have all kinds of sympathy for Michael’s current personal crisis, and I do think he has every right to be angry. That said, not all the objects of his current hate are equally guilty and I hope he starts realizing that soon. On to another topic, did anyone else find the following scene amusingly ironic: Sonny’s inept enforcer hearing Fluke complaining about the ineptitude of his subordinates? Just goes to show how hard it is to get good help these days. I know Shawn, with an assist from Jordan, rescued Ric, but I’ll wait until Monday to pass judgment on his current skill level. We’ll see if he gets out of the house on Elm Street without being caught. Re the ménage à sept (at various times, Patrick, Sam, Jason, Liz, Ric, Carly and Robin’s memory and visits), I have no horse in the race, so I just enjoy the scenes as they come. What is interesting to me is how the writers are rebuilding Jake’s life somewhat as it had been with the significant women in Jason's earlier life. The friendship/confidant(e) role with Carly. The friend who could be more (but likely not because of “complications”) with Liz. It’s interesting that a younger Robin was at a younger Jason’s bedside when he awoke with his memory loss. Will she return to play a support role now just as she did then? And then Sam – her role is still unfolding and, because she is held at arm’s length, she appears destined to be where he lands eventually. So I liked watching Jason & Liz and Sam & Patrick for the moments they were in. That’s all for now. As more the tragedy of errors at the Haunted Star … more to follow.

Yes, he did - when he and Nathan showed up at the end of Maxie's and Lulu's girl talk at the Metro Court - and Lulu most definitely reacted to what he said. Ugh! I remember that time all too well - and how ticked off I was that Starr had to prance into the Haunted Star and interrupt Laura and Lulu's long-awaited reunion. Yes, I am always bemused when the dialogue echoes the sentiments of many of the viewers. And I'm with you and Jordan on this one! YESS!! Johnny did look look . Now do you think "hair" could now focus on Dante! If we aren't going to get delicious scenes of Dante and Anna, please stop teasing us with "bed head." And. on a serious note, I liked VA yesterday, too. It's the little things in acting that mean so much - the nuances and feelings even in just a few lines. I remember a scenario with another actor when the vocal tone and facial expressions delivering a single word - "yeah" - changed the mood of the entire scene and created some emotional resonance for me. My kind of quality acting!