If you're feeling nostalgic for pre-pandemic General Hospital, you're in luck! A collection of 2018 episodes are now available for live viewing on the ABC app and at abc.com.
How Does It Work?
To watch, go to abc.com and click on Live TV at the top of the screen. A list of channels will appear including a channel titled General Hospital Spotlight. Click on the channel to begin viewing. Or just click on this link.
Why Should I Watch?
These aren't exactly classic episodes from GH's golden era. It's all from 2018 and billed as Mike's Alzheimer's Collection. There's way too much Oscar and Peter August. None of that is particularly appealing. But don't worry - there's plenty of other bright spots to make binging General Hospital Spotlight worth your time. Tune in if you want to see the following:
1. Popular GH couples fully intact
Franco and Liz, Carly and Sonny, Jason and Sam, Drew and Sam, Finn and Anna, Curtis and Jordan, etc. They're all there and still in love. The writing team in 2018 wasn't perfect by any means but they could write romance and knew chemistry when they saw it.
2. All the men in love with Anna Devane
If you're an Anna Devanne super fan, you'll have plenty to enjoy! Sure she's stuck in the icky Peter August story in 2018 but she has the adoration of Finn, Andre and Valentin, It's nice to see a bunch of men attracted to a woman because she's strong and exciting, something we don't see in 2023's Port Charles.
3. Corinthos family united
I was not as big of a fan of the Mike story as others were. I admit I may be in the minority. It's a bit too sad for me. However, it was so nice to see the Corinthos all working together to take care of a beloved family member. Internal family conflicts are always the best soap. As a side note, the Ashfords, FrizFam and Quartermaines were all great back then too.
4. The Jim Harvey story
The Jim Harvey story may not be for everyone but I thought is was so well done. The cast all nailed their performances (sadly none of them submitted an Emmy reel that year) and put a lot of emotion into a difficult story line. It addressed an important issue while still having a lot of romance, danger, adventure, mystery and unlikely friendships.
5. The beginning of the Jason, Sam and Drew triangle we never got
I forgot how good the start of this triangle that never happened was. Kelly Monaco in particular slayed it and made my heart break a few times. The Jasam bench scenes, Dream breakup, and Faison will-reading were all excellent.
6. Characters we care about
Robin, Franco, Julian, Kiki, Griffin, Andre, Original Recipe Finn, Nelle...all loved characters who we no longer have in Port Charles. Most are dead now with a few enjoying their lives outside of Port Charles. Today's GH is littered with Cody, Sasha, Willow, bald cousins and sleazy music industry dudes. Nobody cares about these characters enough to justify their overuse - at the expense of beloved fan favorites no less - and it makes for very bad TV. It's refreshing to see good characters with good actors played frontburner as they should be.
7. Ava battles her fears that her daughter will steal her man...again
The Ava and Griffin courtship was really good story for Ava. The wounded femme fatale struggling with her fear that history would repeat itself in the form of her boyfriend falling for her beautiful daughter was soapy. Maura West's ability to make Ava both strong and vulnerable at the same time is why Ava remains such a great character.
8. Julexis dealing with Alexis' mayoral run
Alexis' failed attempt to become Port Charles' mayor might not be what one thinks of when they think of Julexis. Especially since Julian and Alexis weren't even together anymore. But they got a lot of good angst out it! Yes, fans will see the start of Julian and Kim's romance while Alexis is having comfort sex with her new friend Finn but they were both so jealous the whole time. There's plenty of longing looks and conversation to enjoy.
9. The 55th anniversary episode
GH has kept up its tradition of special anniversary episodes and they are always enjoyable. The 55th anniversary episode is one of their best. Just a bunch of fan favorite characters gathered at bar and enjoying each others' company. Simple yet so effective at getting viewers in their feels.
10. Maxie mourns Nathan
There is too much Peter in the General Hospital Spotlight. He's everywhere and not any better upon second watch. Unfortunately for Maxie fans that also means most of her scenes are centered around this awful character. Amongst the Paxie sludge, we get Maxie feeling her loss of her husband. She has some great scenes with Sam, Anna and Lulu. Kirsten knocked it out of the park.
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