Episode Discussion II: The TFGH

[Suicidy]

13 hours ago, ffwbe said:

LMAO they recast Molly again. Thank god because the last woman was unwatchable. Seriously miscast and her acting was painful. Let’s hope for better with #4

Seems like an improvement.  We’ll see.  I’ve been hoping that Haley Pullos gets her shit together and returns.  But that doesn’t appear likely at this point.

[Suicidy]

6 hours ago, KittyQ said:

I wondered that as well. After Kristina offered her congrats, TJ's expression looked like she had delivered some kind of threat or insult. I, too, asked myself, what his problem was. He should try to be part of the solution, not the problem. As the jack-of-all-trades doctor at GH, shouldn't his psychiatric experience helped him to figure out the interpersonal dynamics between the sisters?

He might be stretched. A bit thin.  Consulting on cancer cases, assisting in bypass procedures, and doing rectal exams he keeps busy.

10 hours ago, statsgirl said:

Acting and music would be two professions that zi thinks would have more experience with addiction than some others. (Doctors too have a high incidence.)

Table of one here but I liked Eddie's song. Maybe.it's because I'm old and it brought back memories of that kind of music.

Eddie "he dropped the Quarter" Maine dedicating that kind of song to Olivia + Brook Lynn wishing her mom were there made me think that she was going to show up at the end of the episode.

Although I'm good with the cliffhanger being Sasha challenging Gladys to confess to the police. I thought that both the actresses did a good job with those scenes.

I'm really tired of everyone putting down Scott. Plus, I think that Kin looked pretty fine today.

She won't be any better than the previous Molly unless the writing gets better. I thought that the previous actress was okay enough but the writing for her was awful. It doesn't look like it's going to get any better since today TJ saw Kristina and moved to protect Molly. From what? From her sister congratulating her? I have no idea what the writers are trying to do with Tolly other than make the audience glad when there's something wrong with the baby. And they really shouldn't be encouraging that, there is enough meanness in the world without writing in more.

That's what I thought, that Spencer was going to say that in his mixed up childhood he had missed the chicken pox vaccine and didn't want to infect anyone on the trip.

It's interesting that this wasn't a scheme of Esme's as I expected it would be, but something from the daycare. The show is still not sure how to position the character.

It looks like Kin maybe dropped a few pounds, possible hitting the gym too.  Good for him.

[CeChase]

Well, I think the whole chickenpox thing was just about giving Esme something to do.  She is a completely useless character and they have nothing for her.  That won't change until they either give her back her memories, or, Nicholas is perm recast and returns.  Or both.  

[Auntie Velvet]

Me hitting on Molly at the Savoy" "Hey, babe, are you Monica's daughter? Because your face sure is changeable." 

OK, it needs workshopping, but for real, it's getting funny at this point. I'm glad the Kristina recast is holding steady, at least. 

The hostility toward Kristina continues to bug. Not only is being willing to be your surrogate a NICE thing, but she didn't even make them an offer? Molly overheard her discussing making the offer (which she probably wouldn't have ended up doing, thanks to Sam and Alexis' counsel.)

Edited September 28, 2023 by Auntie Velvet

[rur]

12 minutes ago, Auntie Velvet said:

Me hitting on Molly at the Savoy" "Hey, babe, are you Monica's daughter? Because your face sure is changeable." 

I guess we've both been watching for quite a while if we remember Dawn!

[MarciNJ]

11 hours ago, ciarra said:

16 hours ago, TVbitch said:

Pretty sure by next month I will be playing Molly. 

and I'm sure you will do a better job than anyone we've seen so far...... (though, in fairness, I am a week behind and haven't seen the latest incarnation, but I have very low expectations....)

 

[dubbel zout]

14 hours ago, Tenshinhan said:

I'm not sure what the point of that whole chickenpox thing with Sprina was, but it feels like it was all more about Esme than anything else.

Maybe to show that Ace is Spencer’s priority no matter what? To reinforce it to Trina? That’s all I could think of, especially since it wasn’t a scam by Esme to keep him in Port Charles.

[YaddaYadda]

So the Molly role is now an ejectable seat. Must suck for the actresses coming in. 

This incarnation looks more like the first actress they brought in. Still think the girl who played Betty should've gotten the Molly role. I feel bad for the second Molly. If anything, she should have been cast in the role of the surrogate. I think she's capable, just wholly miscast in the role. And since her name isn't Cameron Matheson, then she gets to be kicked to the curb.

The dress they put the actress in was just awful. I feel like they're digging clothes from their vault, or something.

Anyway . . . 

I ffed through everything to do with Eddie Maine, Michael and Willow business. Those two are as riveting as always.

Sasha/Gladys were by far the best part. It just felt like it was a long really long time coming.

[Asp Burger]

10 minutes ago, YaddaYadda said:

So the Molly role is now an ejectable seat. Must suck for the actresses coming in. 

And still more for the actresses going out! 

Re: ages of related soap characters. I remember on DOOL in the '90s when they kept flipping Austin and Billie Reed. Austin was the older sibling at first (backed up by childhood flashbacks with two kids, et cetera), but then when he was recast with an actor about eight years younger than the original Billie, the whole dynamic between them changed, and she was even saying "my little brother" like a proto-Spencer Cassadine. A few years later, a younger Billie actress took over and they reverted.  

At least GH kept consistent, even though it wasn't believable on the visual evidence. We didn't have NuKristina telling NuMolly, "You're my big sister and I love you!" 

Edited September 28, 2023 by Asp Burger

[jsbt]

So wait, why is the test tube mutant child gaslighting or stalking Anna or whatever? What is this all about?

Speaking of Charlotte, is it just me or is it weird for them to test her and Jake? Like most of Liz's boys he called Lucky Dad for a lotta years growing up. He literally was raised as 'Jake Spencer' for a long time. I am glad they invoked the Drew connection though because Billy Miller's Drew and Jake were very close. The show tried to put him over with Steve after that because they knew that bond was there with Jason's ringer, but I never bought it.

[YaddaYadda]

55 minutes ago, Asp Burger said:

And still more for the actresses going out! 

That too.

Edited September 28, 2023 by YaddaYadda

[KittyQ]

1 hour ago, jsbt said:

So wait, why is the test tube mutant child gaslighting or stalking Anna or whatever? What is this all about?

I want to know what the Tarot cards have to do with it. Are the writers harking back to Raymond Shaw's trigger in The Manchurian Candidate? That would be interesting. 

[ciarra]

14 minutes ago, KittyQ said:

I want to know what the Tarot cards have to do with it.

Drew was the first to be controlled by Victor, using Tarot cards. 

[KittyQ]

4 minutes ago, ciarra said:

Drew was the first to be controlled by Victor, using Tarot cards. 

Aha. So each Tarot card has some meaning other than the traditional ones used in Tarot readings? I can see using the cards to control someone, but I would think it takes time to set up the actions related to the cards in order for it to be effective. When did Victor do this with Charlotte?

[lala2]

Well, if I didn’t think Gladys was irredeemable, I certainly think it now! She is straight trash! I’m shocked Sasha trusted her to go to the cops and confess!! Gladys only cares about herself! 

I hope this is part of a larger plan! 

ETA: Yes, I’m thinking this is part of a larger plan, which is good because I was about to be ticked if they locked up that girl again! 

ETA again (lol): Ok …… maybe they want to catch Montague in the act of drugging her?! That’s what I’m hoping! 

Edited September 28, 2023 by lala2

[ciarra]

Victor mailed the Tarot Cards to Charlotte at her boarding school.  She lied to Valentine and said a girl at camp gave them to her.

Here is Drew's history with mind control tarot cards.

https://general-hospital.fandom.com/wiki/Tarot_Cards

[PatsyandEddie]

And the torture porn of Sasha continues…….

Drew woke up

[lala2]

I feel for Sasha and can only hope a larger plan is at play here. The show has to know this sick plot of a doctor abusing his power and drugging and practically killing a girl has to come up an end, right? It’s not entertaining on any level! 

Gladys can go to jail or Hell! I don’t care which but I need that POS off my television screen! There’s no redemption for her in my eyes! She’s straight trash! 

I never thought I would say this but I loved Joss today. I enjoyed her chat with Trina, and the scenes btw her and Ava were surprisingly good! She’s so much better when she’s not channeling Carly. She was less abrasive and less annoying today. Ava gave her good advice about Dex too! They need to write her more like her own person instead of a Carly clone. 

I was in Sprina heaven today. Great scenes btw them. I’m so happy to see them happy and having fun for once that won’t be interrupted. Yay for them! 

I want them to speed up this Cyrus and Austin/Mason’s boss stuff. Is Cyrus definitely the boss? Is there anyone else in this operation that’s the boss? I just wish we could kick this story into second/third gear or whatever to get it going! Haha! 

Edited September 28, 2023 by lala2

[YaddaYadda]

Well would you look at that, how beautiful it is. Justice for Drew! Our white collar criminal who shouldn't be in Pentonville. Give me a break. This whole thing has gotten so offensively stupid. He decided to plead guilty to save his girlfriend who will drop him in a heartbeat if she so much had a whiff of Jason.

Gladys is complete trash. I was hoping they'd have a recording device in the interrogation room to catch her and her accomplice talking. I don't even care that she didn't know the extent of what he was doing to her. She decided to return her to Ferncliffe knowing full well that Sasha wasn't lying or unhinged. 

Please make this stop. 

I still don't care about Sprina.

And we have reached the day of the year where Jocelyn isn't an asshole. 

[statsgirl]

Who made Carly the queen of the hospital? She gets to be told information she shouldn't have, she gets to go into the ICU room where only family are allowed (and does Drew's family including his daughter even know what happened?), the nurses ask her what they can get for her, the deputy mayor and prison warden allow her into Drew's interrogation.

And once again, the problem is the person who nearly got Drew killed is the one who tipped off the SEC, not the people who committed the crimes. Thanks Joss.

Why isn't Dante insisting that Sasha needs a different doctor because Montague is under investigation? I am so sick of this storyline Just when I think it's finally over, it's back to Ferncliffe and Montague threatening her life.

33 minutes ago, lala2 said:

I feel for Sasha and can only hope a larger plan is at play here. The show has to know this sick plot of a doctor abusing his power and drugging and practically killing a girl has to come up an end, right? It’s not entertaining on any level! 

It's not just Sasha torture porn but  torture porn for anyone who trusts their doctor.

Spencer: "We are in the capital of the Western world."  Spencer, you are in the capital of the western US, maybe. For someone who went to school in France and whose family comes from Russia and Greece, your viewpoint is strangely parochial.

How does Spencer not know that the expensive caviar is black? That's a cheaper fish roe you ordered there, guy.

Trina optimistically changed into lingerie for him. Good luck, girl.

I think that the pink dress is wrong for Trina.  I see the shiny, bright dress, not Trina in it.

The 180 of Joss actually being nice to Ava is giving me whiplash. Probably to set up when the Carlys find out that Ava knew Nina's villainy.

[Gam2]

I know a lot of viewers like Sprina but I still can’t get into them as a couple. They act like 8 year olds together.

[dubbel zout]

That is one fugly hotel room Spencer and Trina are staying in. I didn't like that Trina was in a robe and Spencer was fully dressed. There's something gross to me about that imbalance.

Does Spencer not know about the will-call window at theaters? There are also electronic tickets so you don't have to pick up anything in the first place.

6 minutes ago, statsgirl said:

Spencer: "We are in the capital of the Western world."  Spencer, you are in the capital of the western US, maybe. For someone who went to school in France and whose family comes from Russia and Greece, your viewpoint is strangely parochial.

That cracked me up. I wonder if NAM messed up that line and there should have been another word in there: "the art capital of the Western world, " maybe. We know the show won't do second takes unless the scenery actually collapses, if even then, so no wonder they kept that possible mistake in.

10 minutes ago, statsgirl said:

I think that the pink dress is wrong for Trina.  I see the shiny, bright dress, not Trina in it.

The color looks great, but the dress style is a little too prom for me.

Joss playing cowboys with her sisters was pretty cute.

Ugh, Mason. Why isn't he dead?

12 minutes ago, PatsyandEddie said:

Drew woke up

I was on pins and needles. His talk of rooting out corruption was hilarious. Drew Cain: Savior of Port Charles. Spare me.

Shocker: Gladys doesn't do the right thing and turns in Sasha instead of confessing.

If Gladys is still Sasha's guardian, shouldn't she be able to countermand Sasha being in Ferncliffe? Get her a new doctor? Put her in the psych ward at GH instead. There have to be options other than Ferncliffe.

[Desperado]

1 hour ago, lala2 said:

I feel for Sasha and can only hope a larger plan is at play here. The show has to know this sick plot of a doctor abusing his power and drugging and practically killing a girl has to come up an end, right? It’s not entertaining on any level! 

Gladys can go to jail or He’ll! I don’t care which but I need that POS off my television screen! There’s no redemption for her in my eyes! She’s straight trash! 

I hope there’s a bigger plan too. I was very excited when I saw Sasha a the door Tuesday, then what I saw of the confrontation yesterday (I still skip 30-40 min of the show) was disappointing, as I felt Gladys’ contrition was flat (now I know why) but today made me turn the whole thing off. 

And yes, “the capital of the Western world”, my *ss.

[DanaMB]

Really show? Whoever turned Drew in for breaking the law could have gotten him killed? Do fuck off. 
 

Are they serious with this Sasha torture shit again? I’m done. 
 

Trina’s dress was ugly. I’d love to enjoy these scenes because I was a fan of the couple. But the way they’ve put obstacle after obstacle in the way and the fact that 

Spoiler

The actor playing Spencer is leaving

I can’t get invested. 

[TVbitch]

I wish they would decide if it is Dr. Montah-hyoo or Dr. Montih-gyoo. But no way is Dante gonna let her get drugged again. I just hope she is in on it and they are not unnecessarily terrorizing her. 

I still don't think they are gonna to let Trina and money-bags consumate. And PS. for the owner of the Cassadine estate, that diamond was pretty microscopic. 

[Daisy]

you know. it would have been something if they really tied into the fact that Gladys was doing a lot of these things because of her addiction - not because they just needed a bad guy here. what a whiff. (just like everything else)

[Sake614]

I get that Trina is young but she isn’t THAT young. Women do not go to dinner in NYC dressed like they’re going to the senior prom or a wedding. The blue dress she wore to get there would have been perfectly fine. I kind of felt like they ere channeling Pretty Woman with the dress and necklace. At least in the movie they were going to the opera and Richard Gere was in a tux. if Trina wanted d to get lucky, she should have just suggested room service.
 

i FFed thru the whole Carly and Drew scenes. I just cannot stand to watch them together. 
 

mark this date in your calendars because it may never happen again: josslyn was not only civil, but polite and downright friendly with Ava! I liked their conversation, especially when Ava told her to keep her eyes open and take care of herself

[statsgirl]

48 minutes ago, TVbitch said:

And PS. for the owner of the Cassadine estate, that diamond was pretty microscopic. 

He is only managing the estate since Nik is missing (and apparently soon to turn up because he doesn't want Spencer running things (smart guy)). Spencer has only his trust account for himself although that should be pretty healthy since he is living off of Laura and Kevin.*

Even microscopic, I get the feeling that Portia is not going to be happy with  the gift.

* Is Esme banking her Invader wages minus the cost of the daycare? That should give her a nice next egg to move on, although the Cassadine estate should be paying Ace's costs.

[SiouxB]

1 hour ago, TVbitch said:

 

  And PS. for the owner of the Cassadine estate, that diamond was pretty microscopic. 

Totally agree that the diamond was microscopic but what I really objected to was the length of the chain; a single diamond on a chain should be worn higher, closer to the throat to highlight the microscopic diamond !

Also, I shook my head both times Trina said NYC instead of New York.... never in all my years as a New Yorker, have I ever heard anyone refer to New York that way ! These writers :(

[Fellaway]

12 hours ago, rur said:

I guess we've both been watching for quite a while if we remember Dawn!

I even remember Decker. I watched Subspecies for him and Anders Hove. Good times.

[Grinaldi]

You're not the only ones who remember Dawn. I'm still pissed they gave Monica a daughter and then killed her off seemingly moments later.

[Auntie Velvet]

I try not to have performative "white savior" reactions to these kinds of things. But did anyone else go from clocking how cool it was to see two Black women in power positions at the beginning of the episode, and then feel progressively sickened by the way they were bowing and scraping to Saints Drew and Carly with each passing moment?

Also, prisoners unfortunately get into serious scuffles all the time in jail -- it doesn't turn into a literal get out of jail free card! And even if they do send you to a regular hospital instead of the infirmary surgeon, they certainly don't leave you alone with a visitor for hours on end.

[Suicidy]

14 hours ago, CeChase said:

Well, I think the whole chickenpox thing was just about giving Esme something to do.  She is a completely useless character and they have nothing for her.  That won't change until they either give her back her memories, or, Nicholas is perm recast and returns.  Or both.  

It would be hilarious if they got her in a love triangle between her, Dex and Joss.  It would give me something to cackle gleefully about.

[Suicidy]

9 hours ago, KittyQ said:

I want to know what the Tarot cards have to do with it. Are the writers harking back to Raymond Shaw's trigger in The Manchurian Candidate? That would be interesting. 

After what Helena did to Danny some years ago, it wouldn’t be out of the question.  And Victor is just as big a monster as Helena.

15 minutes ago, Auntie Velvet said:

I try not to have performative "white savior" reactions to these kinds of things. But did anyone else go from clocking how cool it was to see two Black women in power positions at the beginning of the episode, and then feel progressively sickened by the way they were bowing and scraping to Saints Drew and Carly with each passing moment?

Also, prisoners unfortunately get into serious scuffles all the time in jail -- it doesn't turn into a literal get out of jail free card! And even if they do send you to a regular hospital instead of the infirmary surgeon, they certainly don't leave you alone with a visitor for hours on end.

It isn’t racial.  All must bow before Drew and Carly, regardless of race, gender, orientation, or religion.  Because reasons.

[Cheyanne11]

25 minutes ago, Auntie Velvet said:

Also, prisoners unfortunately get into serious scuffles all the time in jail -- it doesn't turn into a literal get out of jail free card!

BUT DREW DOESN'T BELONG IN PENTONVILLE--EVERYBODY AGREES!  I'm frankly shocked the warden and Jordan didn't vow to Drew that they would find the real criminal that almost got him killed.  No, not the ones who beat him up.  Nah, not whoever ordered the beating.  I'm talking, of course, about the whistleblower who dared to report Drew's crime.  That is who truly needs to be behind bars. #ThisFuckingShow

[Suicidy]

9 hours ago, KittyQ said:

Aha. So each Tarot card has some meaning other than the traditional ones used in Tarot readings? I can see using the cards to control someone, but I would think it takes time to set up the actions related to the cards in order for it to be effective. When did Victor do this with Charlotte?

Victor did have her sequestered at boarding school in Europe for several months offscreen, to leverage Val into doing his bidding.  So presumably then.

[Auntie Velvet]

58 minutes ago, Suicidy said:

It isn’t racial.  All must bow before Drew and Carly, regardless of race, gender, orientation, or religion.  Because reasons.

That's not quite what I meant. 

[mbluecpa]

8 hours ago, lala2 said:

I loved Joss today.

Agree 100%. I’m glad the writers offered something up to EM other than being a snot or screwing Dex. She nailed that cautious burying-the-hatchet vibe in those scenes. 

7 hours ago, dubbel zout said:

That is one fugly hotel room Spencer and Trina are staying in. 
 

Ugh, Mason. Why isn't he dead?

We had those switch plates and round dimmer switch in the house I grew up in. It was built in 1976. 

I’ve got a feeling that if Mason’s been ordered to go after Ava, one of them will end up dead. And it won’t be Ava.

Did the ICU room have bad lighting or was the spray tan on CM/Drew ridiculously bad?

[susannah]

Gladys is just as evil as Dr M. I was hoping that leaving her in the room with him was a set up for him, that Gladys was wearing a wire or something, but no, she and Dr M walk away, while the torturing of poor Sasha goes on.

42 minutes ago, Auntie Velvet said:

That's not quite what I meant.

I know what you meant, and IMO it wasn't about race, or "bowing and scraping." The "important" character was set as "wrongfully imprisoned," therefore the grave injustice committed against him must be rectified. The races of the warden and lawyer don't factor into that scenario but people can inject whatever viewpoint they want to. 

[statsgirl]

If there aren't any recording devices in that police interview room or no one turns them on, the PCPD deserves all the contempt we throw at them. Lawyer/client conversations are privileged, Gladys/Montague ones aren't.

[Tenshinhan]

3 hours ago, Auntie Velvet said:

But did anyone else go from clocking how cool it was to see two Black women in power positions at the beginning of the episode, and then feel progressively sickened by the way they were bowing and scraping to Saints Drew and Carly with each passing moment?

I know exactly what you mean.  And, yes, it is an unfortunate thing to have play out on screen.

I was half-afraid they might have Carly take over as the new Warden, the way these stories have been going.

 

[susannah]

22 minutes ago, Tenshinhan said:

know exactly what you mean.  And, yes, it is an unfortunate thing to have play out on screen.

So the warden and lawyer can't regret incidents occurring on their watches, as fits the storyline, because of their race and the race of the victim?  Their saying, "Oh well, it happens, get over it," as might be more realistic, wouldn't fit the storyline.

[Tenshinhan]

4 hours ago, susannah said:

So the warden and lawyer can't regret incidents occurring on their watches, as fits the storyline, because of their race and the race of the victim?

They can do it, yes, but because of their races, it's going to send a certain message to the viewers. Regardless of whether it fits the storyline or not.

[CeChase]

I'm suspicious of Joss being friendly to Ava.  I wonder if it's Ava who ends up revealing Nina now?

[dubbel zout]

15 hours ago, SiouxB said:

Totally agree that the diamond was microscopic

Anything too much bigger would have been inappropriate for this stage of their relationship, IMO. And I wish the show would stop assuming that all women crave diamonds. Some of us prefer other stones!

4 hours ago, CeChase said:

I wonder if it's Ava who ends up revealing Nina now?

I think this will happen inadvertently, i.e., Ava once again says something about it to Nina and the wrong person overhears. For someone who claims to be able to keep a secret, Ava can be awfully mouthy about said secret.

[Asp Burger]

12 hours ago, mbluecpa said:

Agree 100%. I’m glad the writers offered something up to EM other than being a snot or screwing Dex. She nailed that cautious burying-the-hatchet vibe in those scenes. 

I'm not a fan of the character—or of the actress, most of the time—but once in a while EM does something for which I have to give her credit.

Something that went by quickly but lingers in my mind is her facial reaction when Dex beat up Spencer at that bar a few months ago. She was very authentic and clear in Josslyn's POV, without words. She doesn't always get along with Spencer, but even if he was asking for it on that occasion, she didn't want him to get seriously hurt. I remember her looking horrified and covering her mouth. Like if it hadn't escalated with such speed, she would have tried to restrain Dex or get between them. I liked Josslyn just slightly more than usual that day. 

[Sake614]

Some of us would rather have puppies than Diamonds 🤣

[ciarra]

I haven't seen today's show yet.  I would think that had the chicken pox "emergency" panned out, that Spencer (and his $10000/month allowance) could pay for a private nurse to help Esme out for the weekend that he would be away.

[statsgirl]

Sex day! Liz and Finn kiss in the shower in the open locker room where anyone can walk in; Sprina finally do the deed.

Drew wakes up and needs to know how Wiley's tee-ball team is doing. But not one word about his own daughter. He really has been sucked into the Carlys vortex.

I liked Nina's conversation with Sonny. It all got put out there is an open and adult manner. A big contrast to the Carly/Michael conversation which once again was blaming the whistleblower and the judge for Drew's beating.

Michael and Carly want Alexis to run a hit piece on the judge. I hope that she's better than that. (This is such a US plotline. In other countries, judges are appointed, not elected.)

Sonny wants to elope with Nina. So I guess the SEC truth will come out as they get back.

[ffwbe]

Judges being hard on criminals during election years isn’t some big controversy and I can guarantee that there would be absolutely no public outrage in the case of a rich, white man serving jail time for a white collar crime that he pled guilty to. This show is seriously delusional to think there would be some public outcry that someone like him finally had to pay. Wasn’t the max sentence either 20 or 25 years anyway? His sentencing was light compared to what he could have gotten