A Step in the Right Direction

 

When Garin Wolf was first pronounced the new head writer of General Hospital, I will admit that I had a less than demur reaction - -  

 

Then, he did a couple of interviews tossing around words like "balance",  and "multi-generational stories", and "identifiable emotion" and I began to have noticeable heart palpitations  

 

Finally, after endless weeks of waiting (and slogging through HORRENDOUS stories like Lulu's bordello adventure and Jax's drugging) Garin's first day finally arrived, and I have to say - - I was not disappointed.

 

Okay, I was a little disappointed because I was truly hoping that Tuesday's show would open with Edward tossing and turning in his bed as flashbacks of the past few years played in fuzzy-focus across the screen.  Suddenly, Edward would sit bolt upright, awakened by the realistic terror of his nightmare.  Rushing downstairs to the Quartermaine living room in his bathrobe and nightcap (you just know Edward wears a nightcap), he would find a very much alive Alan, AJ, and Emily sitting with Monica, Tracy, Dillon and Ned arguing over the last ELQ stock report or the latest protocol change that was being implemented at General Hospital while Alice and Reginald served breakfast. 

 

A bit too whimsical? 

 

Perhaps, but I would not have objected in the slightest if the new headwriter had elected to merely ignore the past five years or so and begin fresh. 

 

Alas, it appears that Mr. Wolf appreciates a challenge and intends to pick up where Guza left off.  It will no-doubt take a good deal of time and effort to change the Titanic's course, but if Tuesday's show is any indication I think he's on the right path.

 

Let's review - -

 

No Sonny or Carly  

 

Monica is back  

 

Robin and Patrick spent some long overdue (stalker-less) alone time  

 

Helena reminded Lulu (and viewers) about the long-standing Cassadine/Spencer feud

 

Lucky is back to being a police officer  

 

Molly and Alexis may have stumbled upon a mystery of sorts  

 

Nikolas is back

 

We have apparently decided to cut our losses on Siobhan   

 

Shirtless Johnny Z. is back  

 

 

There really is a long way left to go, but these are all positive signs for the future direction of the show. 

 

At this point, I couldn't possibly ask for anything more.

 

Comments

[saw]

Im going on every blog site and gushing. I cant help it. I have to share my joy with those who are genuinely as excited and happy as I am.

I mean seriously we endured (and it has been torture) a horrific decade of Guza-pen and in one day WOLF (you're AWESOME!!!!) gave us Epiphany sighting, Cassadine mentions and accurate history, Laura mentions, Monica back and giving Jason the bizness, shirtless Johnny, SCRUBS lovin' that lasted the whole dern episode (wow), Nikolas lurking and returning looking all kinds of super fine and princely, Helena just being HELENA and that in itself is awesome (love her insulting quips) a JASON/SAM/LIZ awesome great soapy moment that had the promise of a future triangle... at the very least we got a respectful mention of Liason history in it....and NO SONNY,CARLY, or MABBY. Awesome.

All sorts of soapy goodness! Wolf, I think I love you.

[Beth R.]

You forgot one CRUCIAL good point....NO JACKAL PI! PRAISE BE TO THE LORD!

[imfunny2]

ContinuityHistoryContinuityHistoryContinuityHistory....and Cassadines for dessert! Yay.

[Ufgnuk]

Welcome back to the General Hospital we love! Great show on Tuesday. Congratulations to Garin Wolf for giving the fans back their show.

[Gina]

Garin is a breath of fresh air. Yay!!!!!!!! No Sonny, Carly, or Jason. I was doing the dance of JOY!!!! And the handsome Prince Nikolas back, too bad it isn't for good. Please Garin bring Nik back for good we need the Cassadines back with some riveting story lines. His interaction with Helena was priceless. Finally some dialogue he could sink his teeth into and finally someone Helena thinks twice about going up against (if only for one second). Even his interaction with the whiny Lulu was great.

And Monica back!!!! Can't wait to see Stuart Damon.
If this is just a preview of what's to come I will definitely be watching GH again.

Keep up the good work Garin. Please, please, bring back Nikolas, the Cassadines, Quartermaines, etc. No more newbies. Bring our show back to its former glory. Give us back our GH and we will be extremely grateful.

[Gina]

Wait! Garin, I have a great idea, bring Tyler back as recurring, his groveling fans would be grateful.

[Robb]

Now we get to see what a GOOD headwriter can do!

[scrimmage]

Wow! This new writing staff really has hit the ground running. They’re doing damage control on several characters, bringing back the callously fired and carelessly discarded Jax and Nikolas, and salvaging what they can from some of the more unfortunate storylines we’ve had to endure these last few years, although no one can make sense of why Helena would try to pass off a Spencer as a Cassadine heir. It’s been very subtle, but it’s apparent the new writers are trying to re-establish and define some situations and relationships.

Along those lines, I’ve also been enjoying the General Hospital History Review that Garin Wolf and company are giving us to refresh the memories of long time viewers, and get newbies up to speed. They’ve mentioned Mikkos, Stavros, and Laura’s captivity on the island, Stephan’s relationship to his older brother and his influence on Nikolas. They reminded us that Nikolas came to Port Charles as a bone marrow transplant donor to save the life of his infant half-sister, Lulu, and Monica mentioned Alan, A.J., and Emily, and how Jason is just about all the family she has left.

There’s also been more sex on the show in the last two days than we’ve seen in the last two months! And if that wasn’t enough, they also had Carly talk about her childhood, and had Dr. Steve tell a story about his namesake, the original GH leading man Dr. Steve Hardy. Olivia even talked about her family’s car business and her affinity for fixing engines (which we haven’t seen since she went to work for Jax) and her relationship to her cousin Kate. We also heard about Lucky’s previous addiction, and got a little backstory on Dr. Steve and Shawn. I just hope Shawn isn’t really leaving, and it seems that whatever (or whomever) led Dr. Steve to leave Memphis and return to Port Charles is going to be explored.

Now THIS is professional writing!

When you look at everything they’ve touched on, and when you can see the obvious respect and affection the new writers have for the rich history of General Hospital, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s early, but so far it’s much, much better, and it’s happening a lot faster than I dared hope for.

[pat]

ya but today patrick questioning robin if she's jealous? of carly? wow does he have memory loss and forgot about the hell his ONS cause to robin? nooooo noooo Patrick I mean why would she be jealous your just being friendly to her ARC enemy. bet Carly will help patrick get custody of Emma from robin in the future.

[Sandy]

Loved that Monica told both Jason and Liz what she thought about little Jake, who, by the way, is on-screen more now that he's dead than when he was alive!