Over the past few months I have been waiting in vain for something to happen on General Hospital that would captivate my attention or at least give me the impression that something was about to happen to hold my interest. As it turns out that was an exercise in futility because everything I have seen these past few months has convinced me that the show is in a slump, not a "please-be-patient-while-the-storylines-are-building" slump, but a real honest-to-goodness slump, the kind that makes every episode seem exactly the same. I can't even really find anything constructive to say about the show anymore because it feels like the storylines never change. They all involve the same players doing exactly the same thing. Even the dialogue is being recycled from one day to the next. I can't remember a time before Sonny said something that didn't involve some variation of the lines "Johnny's gonna die", "I would never hit a woman", "I wouldn't have shot him if I'd known he was my son", or "You're not going to take my kids away from me". It feels like there's no end in sight and at this point I know exactly what is going to be on every episode without ever turning on my tv. Carly will make spiteful comments about Dante and Lulu behind their back. Dante and Lulu will have sex. Sonny will get upset and do something impulsive. Liz will complain about losing Lucky. Patrick will act like a jealous jerk, and the list goes on and on. The only thing new that has happened recently, besides the Michael rape storyline, which doesn't even deserve a mention, is that Maxie got a new 'do and I think most people would agree that wasn't exactly a step in the right direction.
I doubt if I'm alone in saying that there is a lot wrong with General Hospital these days. While it continues to be one of my favorite soaps there are many changes I would make immediately if I had the power. Below is a list of the top ten suggestions I have for the way the show could improve. 1. The Claire/Sonny storyline needs to be dropped. It isn't working. Their conversations are boring and the context of their relationship is, well...icky. 2. Amp up Lisa's craziness. Despite my earlier distaste for a Robin/Patrick/Lisa triangle, the obsessed ex-girlfriend angle is working. It's interesting and very soapy. 3. Ronnie needs to be established as either a cop with a chip on his shoulder or someone who works for Franco. So far I haven't been able to tell whether Ronnie falls more on the side of good or bad because this character hasn't been clearly defined. 4. Brenda's life away from Port Charles and the people that surround it need to become an int...
Paula,
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe Franco will stir things up then? I'm kinda getting bored with the Jason/Sam thing and Jax mooning over Carly (seriously dude, what's to see in her?). I thought that Maya would make things interesting but so far, not much. I'm hoping that it's just a temporary slump...
Peggy
Hi Peggy!
ReplyDeleteI bet the Franco storyline will put a lot of the other ones on hold, maybe that's why the show feels like everything is sort of in a holding pattern right now.
The Jax/Carly thing has me puzzled. She's not mad at him at all anymore. I don't understand. I would have thought she would have taken longer to start wanting him around all the time.
In my opinion the Maya thing isn't working. She doesn't seem to have any chemistry with any of the actors and the storyline is going nowhere. Weren't they at one point going to bring on her younger sister? Was that idea dropped or just postponed?
Paula
Hi Paula!
ReplyDeleteAgree! Agree! Agree on all counts!
The same dialog over and over and over....SOoooo tired of it.
GH writers have shown they can produce compelling shows...The problem is that if it isn't sweeps - it's a snoozefest!
Hi Michele!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! They need to spread their compelling storylines out a bit so we don't stop caring when sweeps roll around.
Paula
Paula,
ReplyDeleteYes, the Carly/Jax plotline is a bit strange because I've been trying to figure out how this plays into her revenge against Dante and Lulu. It just sort of creeps me out when she looks at him like she's changed her mind and then he doesn't fall for it (thank goodness).
I'm just wondering who's going to die in the car bomb without doing a google search to see whose contract is up. I just hope it isn't Milo or Max. I'd like it to be Sonny but only to injure him so then he knows what it means to be a victim and maybe changes a bit.
Even kitty is getting tired of the show and is being rather iffy with the kitty hugs. That's pretty bad, eh?
Peggy
Hi Peggy!
ReplyDeleteSomething will definitely happen with the car bomb thing. Kristina will probably get hurt somehow too. I can't believe Luke was the only one who thought "you know Sonny what if Kristina is around Johnny Friday night?" duh! Why can't he get a clue?
Yes you are right, when your pets are practically rolling their eyes during the show you know it's time for some new plotlines! lol!
Paula
I can't agree more, Paula. I've actually taped episodes and was too bored to watch. I hope the Franco thing isn't a retread, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Drama Deary!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Paula's Soapbox and thanks for commenting. I hope you'll come back often.
I've actually found myself counting down the minutes until certain episodes are over. You know the storylines are bad when I start doing that.
Paula