GH: This Week's GH Thoughts, PART A

[SmillaSOS]

1. Alan

If last week was Brad Maule's turn to try and get the Emmy, this week belongs
to Stuart Damon who was superb as Alan.

Watching Alan the entire week, you saw how completely useless and ineffective
he has become as an overall human being. How, the things that used to define
his life: being a doctor, a husband, a father, are no longer there for him.

We began the week with the shooting. Now, Alan is just standing there, in a
daze. He doesn't know how badly Brenda is shot, and he's so deep in his drug
induced haze, that he doesn't know where he is. Emily wound up thanking Alan,
but, if you will recall, it was Monica who tended to Brenda.

When they all got back to the house, Emily tried to thank Alan. And, she tried
to bring the family closer by comparing Alan with Jason. She knows how he feels
about Jason. Seeing that they had something in common, she thought, would help.
Alan bit her head off. The pain in Alan about Jason is so deep. I have said
from the beginning that Alan used the pills to try and dull the pain within
that came from losing Jason Quartermaine. When Monica came in and chewed him
out, Alan seemed apologetic, but, not really. He didn't want to hear any of it
at all.

The next day, he tried apologizing to Emily, and, she thought he wanted her
honesty, which he didn't. As she told him the problems she had seen with Alan,
he once again, completely bit her head off. When he was flailing his arms and
she flinched as if she were afraid he would hit her, the look on Alan's Face,
was as if a lightening bolt had hit him. The horror in Emily's eyes completely
matched his own. His daughter thought that he was capable of hitting her. She
thought he was capable of violence towards her. Alan does have a violent side,
but, it has never been directed towards his children. An invisible line had
been crossed. Alan knew he had to try and get some help.

I thought the conversation with Monica in the foyer was quite dumb. Monica
Quartermaine is entirely smarter than she has been portrayed. She would not
have let Alan just go like that, with no idea as to how or when he would be
home. It could have been done better.

The scenes at the motel were some of Damon's best work in years. What a
statement: Dr. Alan Quartermaine, Chief of Staff of General Hospital, Scion of
one of the wealthiest families in America, at a seedy motel attempting to
detox.

I thought the choice of pictures was very symbolic for Alan. Why one of just
Monica and Emily? Are they his island of sanity? He wouldn't have chosen one of
Jason, because Jason is the center of all the pain that he's in right now. But,
why the exclusion of AJ? Because, I think he sees his hipocrisy and
self-loathing where AJ is concerned. I am still convinced that the revelation
of the addiction will be the catalyst for an entirely new AJ/Alan relationship,
one based on love and understanding. That Alan will know that he does love AJ,
despite what he told Jason. And, that AJ will be able to understand his father
unlike many others. I think that AJ's love and compassion will be the thing to
see Alan through this difficult time.

The dream with Emily was one of the darkest moments I have seen on daytime.
There were father and daughter, sharing and bonding. Of course, they are
sharing and bonding over addiction. Did you truly see the demon of addiction?
The bond of parenthood is supposed to be so overwhelming that it overrides all
else. Yet, there was Alan, and his need for this substance are so overwhelming,
that, it's OK to bond with his child, as he has her do a substance too. No
wonder Alan sat up in his bed following that nightmare. As a parent, you can't
imagine anything being more powerful that you would willing damage your child.
That was a strong scene indeed.

Damon did a wonderful job showing the physical agony that Alan was in. The
shakes and sweats. The inability to even pour himself a glass of water. The
doubling over in pain that Alan is feeling. How profound was it when they had
Alan go from just rumaging the garbage can looking for the pill bottles early
in the withdrawal, to having him licking the insides of the bottles themselves?
How Alan has fallen.

You must imagine, Alan has not showered or shaved. He's spent this time
sweating up a storm. But, he finally breaks down and calls the hotel clerk. I
got amused watching him trying to straighten himself up, as if the clerk wasn't
going to take one look at Alan and not know what the problem was. Seeing Alan
resort to street buying, that was the last step in the chain for Dr.
Quartermaine. He is among the dregs now.

There is no way to not believe that Alan Quartermaine is an addict. In fact, I
know that many people complain about the length of this story, but, in fact, I
believe it's been the most realistic. From the beginning to when Alan came to
the motel, we have seen every step of the way. How it was one pill to get him
through the pain of the surgery, then more, and more. We have seen Alan become
a pathological liar, a thief, a forger. We have seen him commit numerous
crimes. We have seen him, a doctor, endanger the life of one person, at least.
We've seem him neglect his family, and put his own grandson's life in danger in
order to cover his addiction. We have seen Alan Quartermaine descend into a
common junkie, like all the rest. I have felt anger, disgust, even pity for
Alan, as I watched his antics. But, this is so realistic, it's scary.

Kudos to both Guza and Damon continuing on with this story until its bitter
end. Watching this story, and I don't feel insulted as a viewer.

2. Emily

I thought that Amber Tamblyn was great this week as Emily.

The scenes with Alan and Monica this week were wonderful.

After the shooting, as Emily tried to have her conversation with Alan, I saw
some things about Emily. That poor girl gets no attention from the Q's. So,
when someone does give her attention, she latches onto it hard. Nikolas and
Lucky have forgotten about her. AJ moved in, but, they've not been seen
bonding. She related most to a 30-something year old cousin. I don't think that
the Q's realize what an honor it was for Emily that Jason THOUGHT about her
enough, to ask her to be Michael's Godmother. Or that he wanted to protect her.
She saw something in Alan, with whom she's felt terribly estranged, since the
kidnapping, and was hoping that she could relate one positive part of her life,
to another.

I thought that Amber played Emily's reaction to Alan's rage wonderfully. The
look of shock on her face...then the eyes. They filled with tears, but, didn't
fall down the cheek. She was knocked back into the place of lostness that she
was since the kidnapping. Her sitting on the steps in the Q foyer was very
reminiscent of before she started taking drugs , and she felt isolated and
lonely in the Q Zoo.

When Alan came back to her and apologized, she was being a teenager who
believed her father. He said he was sorry and asked her a question, and she
thought that he was actually interested in an honest answer. When he exploded
on her a second time, she went back into that shock. When she flinched, you
could see the terror in her eyes. She honestly believed that her father was
capable of hitting her. That realization, I believe, shocked them both. And,
showed how much their relationship has deteriorated. I couldn't help but think,
as Emily was describing the different Alan's that she was encountering, that
there should not have been more recognition on Emily's part about the
addiction. After all, the family could have said the same thing about her mood
swings when she was on heroin. I can't help but think that Emily will blame
herself for not recognizing the signs, in hindsight.

The quiet talk with Monica was heartwrenching, when she said that something was
broken in Alan. Such a perceptive young woman.

And, finally, the nightmare of Alan's. I thought that Amber was great as the
all-knowing Emily who just wants to help Dad. The sight of father/daughter pill
pops was very unsettling. And the line about them finally having something in
common was chilling.

3. Luke

I thought Tony Geary was excellent as Luke this week.

Luke's life is completely unravelling. He has lost his son. His wife and
daughter are in another city. He and his sister are not as close.

What could make Luke's life worse?

Katherine Bell.

In one of the most stunning develops of the week, they had Katherine Bell tell
Luke that Stefan was in love with Laura.

I have problems with this scene. Mainly because of the reaction of Luke
Spencer.

I think a number of things about the character of Luke Spencer. There are many
adjectives that can be used to describe him.

DUMB/IGNORANT have NEVER come to mind.

The reason why this scene fell flat for me, was because Luke Spencer is just
not ignorant in that way.

From the beginning of this story, when Laura told Luke about Nikolas, he has
ALWAYS suspected something deeper behind the scenes. Remember, Luke was under
the impression that Helena was raising Laura's child. Laura had NEVER told him
about Stefan, which is something that upset him from the very beginning. And,
then, there was Laura's repeated defense of Stefan when he came to town. That
he was a different kind of Cassadine.

Next, there is the fact that Laura went to Switzerland. Even Luke said, when
they were going to Switzerland, that he knew that there was something deeper
than met the eye. But, he never pushed it. He knew from when Nikolas came to
see about Laura/Lulu/Lesley, during the Egg Story, that, Nikolas would not
allow for Stefan to physically hurt Laura and family, so, he knew that the
threat was not physical. So, what was it.

And, then, we have the recent conversations between Lucky and Luke, outside of
the Webber House, where Luke finds out who told Lucky about the rape. Remember
Lucky told Luke that Nikolas had told him. And, Stefan had told Nikolas. He
asked Luke, how could Stefan have known? Who could have told him? I remember
exactly the look on Luke Spencer's face when Lucky said that. He had to turn
away from Lucky, and there was fear in his eyes about the answer.

You compound this, with the discussion that led up to the fight on the dock at
Spoon Island with Stefan. As Stefan described so accurately what happened
between Luke and Laura that night, Luke knew that Laura had told Stefan about
the rape. Which answered some questions, and opened the others.

I suppose I am saying, that, after watching these clues, since the beginning of
this story, I do not buy the premise, at all, that Luke Spencer had no idea
about a relationship between Stefan and Laura. Luke Spencer is entirely too
smart to be played for that dumb.

Usually Tony Geary can convince me of anything. But, he couldn't convince me
that Luke is that unaware.

I loved the scenes with Taggert. It's good to see actors who don't usually get
a chance to play against one another, have a scene.

And, the pain on Luke's face, as Lucky rejected him and Laura and their life,
was so obvious. He walked away in complete dejection.

I am curious as to what's on that painting. I have a sneaking suspicion that
Stefan switched paintings on Luke. Although, I almost salivate anytime Geary
and Nichols enter into a scene. To me, it's like watching the "Three Tenors" at
work. But, in this case, there are only Two men. I hate Guza's term, Titans.
But, if anyone qualifies for me, it is these two men.

4. Sarah

I can't believe it. I enjoyed Jennifer Skye.

I don't care for Ms. Skye or the character of Sarah Webber, but, I thought that
she handled the breakup scene with Nikolas extremely well. I suppose I feel bad
for Sarah, because, after being direct and honest with Nikolas, he sat there
and lied to her face. She deserved better than that. And, considering the turn
that other women have done on GH as of late, to see Sarah handling herself with
such class and dignity is quite a surprise.

I believe, if they are going to continue to have Sarah on the show, that she
must be used more in the main story of the Hardy women: Lizzie and Audrey's
rape. I find that they have not had Lizzie and Sarah bonding over such a
tragedy as almost inexcusable. I like the relationship developing between Lucky
and Lizzie, but, still believe it to be unrealistic that Lizzie's mainstay of
support is a teenage boy. Sarah has a ready built story in Lizzie and Audrey.
If she is to stay, please start using her in it.

5. Nikolas

I like Tyler Christopher, but, thought Nikolas was a heel this week.

We didn't see much of Nikolas this week. We saw him contemplating the breakup
with Sarah. And, it was good to see him in such a quandry about the breakup. I
thought that he could have been more of a gentleman and told Sarah the truth
about his growing feelings for Robin. And, I also believe that he should try
and answer the questions that Sarah asked him. Why did he shut her out when he
was hurt? Because, if one does not learn from experience, then, what's to say
that Nikolas won't do the same thing to the next woman if something bad happens
to him.

6. Katherine

I don't know what to say about the character of Katherine Bell. So, I suppose
that's a testament to the skills of Mary Beth Evans.

When Katherine learned from Nikolas that Helena thought Stefan was obsessed
with Laura, she left and went to Luke. Now, what was the purpose of her visit.
Was it a Mercy Mission? Did she have only the truest of motives in her heart?
If that is the case, then Katherine showed a level of complete idiocy rarely
seen on the soaps.

Or, did she, as some have thought, have nothing but malicious intent on her
mind, as she finally left Luke Spencer, who never was short of insults for her,
with his mouth open on the floor? Now, if this was a calculation on her part, I
am trying to comprehend the purpose of it? Is Luke supposed to control his
wife? My goodness, Laura hasn't been in Port Charles for over a year. She's had
practically no communication with Nikolas or Stefan, so, what did telling Luke
accomplish. And, possibly, I could argue that Katherine doesn't understand the
situation. Strange thing, she understands everything about Luke and his
situation: a) She knows that Luke raped Laura. b) She knows that Luke and his
son are estranged, c) She knows that Laura knows nothing about Luke, Lucky and
Nikolas, d) She knows that Stefan was the one who told Nikolas. I mean, she
knows everything, and still she chose to fan the flames between the Spencer and
the Cassadines. Please give me some logic as to why she did this.

I thought I had seen it all when she told Luke. But, I was wrong. I watched,
completely astonished, as she told Stefan, to his face, that she had told his
mortal enemy his darkest secret. There is a detachment in her logic, that I am
just not seeing. And, I've thought about this for several days.

7. Tony

Brad Maule wasn't on much this week as Tony, but, he made the most of when he
was on.

I loved the scenes between Tony and Bobbie. Bobbie is trying to protect her
son. And, Tony still doesn't see that he really did anything wrong. After all,
he doesn't kill people. He hasn't made a habit of lying to people all his life.
He doesn't start strikes that cripple the city. He doesn't do any of those
things. And, since the man who DOES do all of those things is walking around
Port Charles free, Tony believes he deserves no less.

It is fascinating to watch how GH has taken Tony's lesser qualities, his
self-righteousness and his self-pity and add a little psychosis. Because,
listening to Tony, you realize that he truly believes everything he is saying.
And, he was so smug and sure that he would be able to get character witnesses
for himself. How many kidnappers are able to say that. His lack of remorse, by
repeating over and over again, that he would do it all again, is laying a
brilliant defense for diminished capacity. I think if he showed any remorse,
then, they would be able to keep him, by saying that he was completely sane.

I think Tony is crazy, but, also smart as hell. The two are not mutually
exclusive. Does the name Ryan Chamberlain mean anything?

8. Bobbie

I enjoyed Jackie Zeman as Bobbie this week.

I thought it was touching, the scene that she had with Carly outside of Robin's
hospital room. Both mother and daughter want the other to say that the moment
meant something. But, both have entirely too many battle scars to trust the
genuineness of the moment between them when Michael was found. I thought that
both Jackie and Sarah played the scene to perfection. It left you wanting for
more between this mother and daughter duo.

You see the new relationship between Bobbie and Luke. Yes, she still loves
Luke, but, I don't remember Bobbie being as brutally hard on Luke that he
couldn't wink or smile his way out of things. I still don't understand why she
won't tell Laura. I suppose I understand that she gets that if you tell Laura
one thing, then many other facts must be told also.

I thought her talks with Lucas were sweet. Bobbie doesn't tear down Tony in
Lucas' eyes. She's trying to be the best mother she can be for him, and yet,
it's breaking her heart that she can't protect him from such ugliness.

Finally, the scenes with Tony. She is trying to find the man that she married.
The man who was a good father above all else. And, it was on her face; the more
that she looked at him, the less she recognized him at all.

9. Robin

Kim McCullough wasn't on much as Robin this week, but when she was, it marked a
turning point for Robin.

When Carly came to see Robin in the hospital, Robin was surprised. Carly tried
to be nice, but, she asked her about why she didn't go to Jason or the Police.
Robin realized that Carly was right in that she can't go around saying that
she's broken up with Jason. So what, if Carly is the 'wrong' person in Robin's
mind for Jason. It's his life. I thought that Robin needs to stop expressing
that it is such a burden for her to know about Michael's paternity. If it
really bothers her moral fiber, then, she should tell AJ. I don't happen to
believe that is the reason for her silence. And, I wish that she would
acknowledge the reason for her silence: if she told AJ, it would be honoring
her moral code, but, Jason would never forgive her. And, that still means more
to her than anything. I hope that we see Robin expanding her life in Port
Charles. I want to see more scenes between her and Mac. Her and Nikolas. Robin
getting a job and life of her own.

10. Lizzie

I thought Becky Herbst did a good job as Lizzie this week.

The scenes that they chose for Lizzie were interesting ones this week.

Her relationship with Lucky is growing slowly. I don't like how we've had no
followup between Audrey and Lizzie after such shattering revelations. I thought
that they would focus serious time on the healing of both the Hardy women. But,
we did not see them this week.

Going to the Police Station and inquiring about the status of her attack was an
important step for Lizzie. She has decided to take back her life.

The recounting of the rape itself was interesting to watch. She asked herself
all sorts of questions: why didn't I scream when I had the chance? Why can't I
remember what he said to me? Why didn't I notice how close those bushes were to
the bench.

But, if I am grateful to Lucky Spencer for anything this week, it is that he
got Lizzie to say the words that I've been waiting for: " It's not my fault."
Up until then, even with Audrey's confession and assurances, Lizzie has not
been able to say it. But, she said it, and with conviction. The second time
with more force and anger. I cannot wait to see Lizzie own the anger that she
has because of this. I cannot wait to see her begin to truly fight back and
heal herself.

[[[[ THIS WEEK'S GH THOUGHTS WILL BE CONCLUDED IN PART B]]]]