44 Story Lines That Had Fans Hooked
A few of us didn't grow up watching General Hospital, which has been running since 1963. Here are some plot lines in all of its 62 seasons that a few of us might not have seen coming. Spoilers incoming; you've been warned!
When Love Won Against All Odds
For years, Luke Spencer and Laura Webber had a controversial love story, and many thought that they wouldn't make it. Their love started under tragic events when Luke thought that the mob would kill him. But, they managed to defy all odds.
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Everybody Watched The Epic Wedding
The wedding of Luke Spencer and Laura Webber was a cultural phenomenon that drew over 30 million viewers to become one of the most-watched episodes in daytime TV history. The couple's controversial love story leading up to the fairy-tale-like event was highly anticipated.
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When A Mysterious Stone Kept Everyone On The Edge
Initially believed to be a statuette, the Ice Princess turned out to be a massive uncut diamond. The Quartermaines, the Cassadines, the Spencers, and the WSB were all after this precious diamond, knowing that it contained a global weapon.
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There Was A Battle For World Domination
The Ice Princess plot took the characters from Port Charles to far-off locations and introduced new enemies. The Cassadine family wanted to use the diamond for evil purposes, but Luke Spencer stepped up to save the day. Who knew that a diamond held such power?
When Robin Scorpio Was Diagnosed
In the mid-1990s, General Hospital took on an incredibly sensitive issue when Robin Scorpio was diagnosed with HIV. This topic held so much stigma in the 1990s, and the show's creators wanted to tackle a topic that matters to society.
It Was A Bold Move In The 1990s
Robin contracted the virus from her first love, Stone Cates, who tragically died. At the time, the topic was rarely discussed on television, let alone a soap opera. Fans were moved by this storyline as Robin has been on the screen since 1985.
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When Our Favorite Town Was Left In Terror
What started as a normal day quickly spiraled into chaos when a masked man and his associates took everyone hostage in the Metro Court Hostage Crisis. Even main characters like Carly Corinthos and Emily Quartermaine weren't spared, and as the crisis unfolded, secrets no one thought of were revealed.
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A Man With Two Faces Was Behind The Crisis
It turned out that after plastic surgery, Jerry Jacks returned to town as James Craig to steal a precious briefcase. The crisis was over when the SWAT deployed tear gas, and although legal charges could be established, everyone knew the truth behind the masked man.
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A Man With Two Lives
After a car accident, Jason awoke with no recollection of his former life as the privileged Jason Quartermaine. Instead, he became Jason Morgan, a mob enforcer under Sonny Corinthos. Was Jason's true identity the man he was or the man he had become?
Escaping Traumas Led To A Dangerous Life
Jason's upbringing probably influenced his decision to denounce his family and lead a dangerous life. Robin tried to stop him, and when she couldn't, she begged Sonny to fire him. Years later, Jason changed his ways, all thanks to one woman who believed in him.
When We Experienced A Bittersweet Strategy
Maxie suddenly suffered from a heart attack, and the doctors told her mother that a heart transplant was needed to save her life. While her family is fighting against time, Miguel Morez saves children from a van accident that claimed some lives.
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Everyone Deserves A Second Chance at Life
Unfortunately, BJ Jones couldn't make it as she was declared brain dead, but her heart was found to be a good match. The doctors decided to donate her heart to Maxie, saving her life. However, her family was torn apart by conflicting feelings in one of the most emotional storylines.
When Fans Had A Deep Look Into Mental Health
General Hospital decided to explore Sonny Corinthos' bipolar disorder to shed light on a serious mental health issue rarely addressed in daytime television. Sonny's condition often impacted his relationships and decisions and showed his struggle with mania and depression, leading to some of the most intense moments on the show.
Raising Awareness About Bipolar Disorder
When this storyline was introduced, it was quite rare for daytime soap operas to discuss such sensitive issues. The show presented that in some cases, people like Sonny can act violently because of the struggle they're going through.
When A Spy Came Back
After years of being presumed dead, Anna Devane's sudden return surprised everyone. Problems with her ex-husband and new romances made everyone wonder about her true agenda. Could such a character be trusted after being gone for so long?
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She Had Too Many Secrets To Bear
To many, Anna Devane was one of the most mysterious characters on the show. Her fake scar, a previous marriage she never told anyone about, and her life as a double agent were all red flags. However, several times, she's been voted one of the most popular GH characters.
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When A Dangerous Affair Left General Hospital In Chaos
In another taboo-breaking storyline, General Hospital explored the theme of forbidden love. When Ava Jerome seduced Morgan, her daughter's boyfriend, audiences were left in shock. Their secret relationship affected the Corinthos and Jerome families in irreversible ways, specifically staining Morgan's relationship with his father.
It Was Too Much To Handle
The dangerous and unexpected Ava didn't stop there. Her games and Morgan's emotional instability created a volatile mix that had devastating consequences, especially when she cheated on him with his father, Sonny. She was later revealed to be pregnant, which kept fans on the edge wondering about the father's identity.
When Tragedy On The High Seas Hit
The Haunted Star was a luxurious yacht owned by Luke Spencer, but it was actually the yacht that brought Tony and Victor Cassadine to Port Charles. After it was used to smuggle the Cassadines, Mikko's widow decided to give it to Luke and Laura as their wedding present.
Karma Had Another Say
With the karma of Nikko's death on Luke's hand, he probably shouldn't have accepted his yacht. But he did, only to sell it shortly after his beloved wife disappeared. After a new name, it was turned into a casino, only to be robbed several times. HAH!
When Port Charles Was Gripped By Fear
Who was this mysterious person? Victims received ominous text messages just before meeting their untimely ends with the Text Message Killer, who left the entire town on edge. As the body count grew, loved ones feared for each other's safety, not knowing who could be next.
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Revealing The Mystery
Carly Corinthos Jacks tried to solve the mystery after receiving suspicious messages. She mistook Cooper Barrett for the culprit, and even Coop was framed for the murderers. However, after his death, the crimes continued until Diego Alcazar revealed that he did it all to avenge his father's demise.
When The Struggle to Come Back Was Intense
When Carly Corinthos fell into a coma after giving birth, her loved ones were left with a dilemma. Could love bring someone back from the brink? Dealing with the uncertainty of her recovery kept everyone on their toes.
A Life Changed
After waking up, Carly realized that her biological father was trying to send Sonny and Alcazar. She got trapped in an elevator with her husband's lover and confessed that Sonny was actually her daughter's father. She kept this secret from Sonny, who didn't forgive her.
When A Villain Turned Into A Hero
Soap operas like GH are known for unexpected changes. Franco's storyline is one of them as he underwent one of the most dramatic transformations in General Hospital history. However, his path to redemption was long and complex.
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Love Can Do Miracles
It's highly unlikely for a serial killer to change fronts, but Franco changed, especially when he fell in love with Elizabeth Webber. While many in Port Charles found it difficult to forgive his previous actions, Franco worked tirelessly to prove he had changed.
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When Innocence Was Shattered
Young Michael Corinthos was accidentally shot in the head, and it sent shockwaves through Port Charles. What was intended for his father, Sonny, left Michael in a coma, and the guilt of those involved was unbelievable. Could he ever recover?
The Pain Continued
Despite his recovery, Michael displayed fits of rage that left his loved ones in pain. But after a while, he begins to recover memories and eventually kills Claudia. However, his father was arrested, and Michael eventually confessed to be sent to prison.
When A Mother Searched For The Truth
In another emotional storyline, Nina Reeves was determined to find her long-lost daughter. After a 20-year coma, induced by her mother's attempt to make her lose the baby, she discovered she had given birth to a daughter. However, the child had been stolen from her.
A Gift From The Other Side
For years, Nina made peace with the fact that her daughter wasn't alive. But her late mother left a clue. A woman called Sasha Gilmore claimed to be her estranged daughter, but it was a hoax. And she later found out that her daughter was actually called Nelle Benson.
When Fans Anticipated Helena's Revenge
Helena Cassadine's thirst for revenge fueled some of the most diabolical schemes in General Hospital history. She was relentless in her pursuit of control over Port Charles, and her deep-seated hatred for the Spencer family, particularly Luke, led to a series of elaborate plots aimed at destroying her enemies.
It Was Hard To Keep Count
From cursing Luke and Laura on their wedding day to taking control of the Cassadine fortune, no one seemed to stop Helena. She even crept out of bed after being paralyzed to kill Katherine and frame Laura for the murder.
When The Search For Lost Memories Continued
In another amnesia incident, Lulu Spencer Falconeri lost her memory after being frozen at the Cassadine compound in Greece. But it wasn't just her past that was wiped away; it was her whole identity that devastated Dante and her parents.
Fans Asked If Remembering The Truth Was Worth It
Lulu started to remember things about her past life, and she was anticipating the birth of her child. However, she's horrified by Maxie's obsession with the baby only to discover that Connie was actually Maxie's child.
When A Mother's Wrath Was Unleashed
Dr. Liesl Obrecht was a character whose thirst for revenge knew no bounds, especially when it came to her daughter Britt. Obrecht had an intense and complex relationship with Britt, and it drove her to commit shocking acts. The fans were always guessing her next move.
Caught In A Web Of Lies
Trying to help Britt, Obrecht claimed that her daughter was carrying Patrick's child. At the same time, she wanted to punish Anna for stealing Faison's affections. She ends up forcing Duke into a coma. However, despite her struggle, Faison refused her again.
When Family Ties Were Cut Deep
GH loves revenge. Ric Lansing's vendetta against his brother Sonny Corinthos also drove him to extreme lengths. Ric's deep-seated resentment of Sonny for what he believed was favoritism from their shared father led to years of bitter rivalry filled with lies and betrayals.
Revenge Took Over
After his wife Elizabeth miscarried their child, Ric accused Sonny of being responsible and kidnapped his pregnant wife. After he came back to his senses, Ric got back to Elizabeth, who eventually divorced after being consumed by his quest for revenge.
Do Ghosts Exist In GH Universe
Ava Jerome's life has always been filled with turmoil. However, nothing was as eerie as when she got convinced that she was being haunted by the ghost of her daughter Kiki. Ava fell into paranoia, and fans wondered—was Kiki's presence real, or was Ava's guilt manifesting in supernatural ways?
The Mind Can Play Dangerous Games
After her untimely passing, Ava probably blamed herself for taking her daughter away, making her daughter believe that her father was dead. She never forgave herself, knowing that her new lover was actually responsible for Kiki's death.
When Willow's Secret Identity Was Revealed
Willow Tait's past was shrouded in mystery, but when the truth about her identity began to surface, it made everyone puzzled. The secrets of her connection to key characters were revealed and Willow's world was turned upside down. Each new revelation brought more questions.
A Mother's Grief Was Intense
It was later revealed that Willow was the biological mother of the child Brad and Lucas adopted. However, she never knew that her son didn't make it. Fans later also found out that she had this child with the leader of the Dawn of Day cult leader.
When Fans Were Shocked By A Scandalous Love Triangle
After two troubled marriages, Courtney Matthews focuses on charity with the help of Jasper "Jax" Jacks. They marry despite the reappearance of her ex, and it seemed like Courtney was finally ready for her happily ever after.
A Plan That Backfired
As she struggled with opting for surrogacy, Courtney is devastated to know that Jax is bonding with the surrogate mother. She found comfort in Nikolas Cassadine, who was married to Emily Quartermaine, and the two started an affair. Her surprising pregnancy left the three battling for the child that both men claimed.
