- General Hospital
- News
General Hospital’s Next Step for Esme Is Guaranteed to Tick You Off… But Only at First!
Thursday, March 2nd, 2023
Wait for it. Wait for it…
Understandably, General Hospital viewers loathe Esme. She manipulated Spencer. Humiliated Josslyn and Cameron. Framed Trina. Seduced Nikolas. Her litany of sins goes on and on — which is especially impressive for a character who’s been on the canvas for less than two years!
Related Story
But what happens next could altogether change our impression of the villainess. Here’s how…
The Bad Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree
Sure, thus far, Esme has been portrayed as being rotten to the core. Why, though? She’s messed up. She’s been twisted by Daddy Dearest Ryan since before we met her. Now that he’s in the grave and Esme isn’t doing his bidding, who is she? Who does she want to be?
At very least, Esme had the good sense to be horrified upon learning that she was the offspring of not one but two serial killers. Perhaps free of Ryan’s hold on her — and no longer desperate to learn the identity of her mother — she’ll attempt to turn over a new leaf. She might even find an unlikely ally as she attempts to do so.
“Anyone’s tolerable after three of these.”
Credit: ABC screenshot
Game Recognizes Game
If anyone understands the undertow of having done things that she regrets, it’s Ava. So although she and Esme have fought as bitterly as ever two characters did, with the whole truth about Spencer’s ex now out in the open, the older woman might be moved to take pity on her. Ava knows all too well how masterful Ryan was at pulling his puppets’ strings.
Plus, if General Hospital plays it right, as Esme’s memory returns, even we might be forced to sympathize with her as she grapples with the magnitude of her misdeeds and her foolishness in doing Ryan’s bidding. If she feels bad enough, we might actually feel bad for her. That would create a whole other unexpected scenario…
We know: It would be surprising.
Credit: ABC screenshot
No — Seriously!
If Ava takes Esme under her wing and bighearted Trina can offer her any compassion — Esme may not deserve it, but as sweet as Trina is, she could still do it — even Spencer may come to see his nephew’s mother in a new light. And considering that he was once attracted to her…
Could we actually be in for a Trina/Spencer/Esme love triangle in which we feel like Esme deserves love? Possibly. While nothing is going to stop us from shipping “Sprina,” it would be a classic triangle — and one that’s become increasingly rare in recent years — in which we can kinda see where the character in the middle would be drawn to the ones on both sides.
In the end, Spencer would have to declare that, while he appreciates the changes Esme has made, his heart now and forever belongs to Trina. They’d move merrily along being the cutest couple in daytime, and Esme would wind up being a viable love interest for someone new. Maybe an on-the-rebound Cameron? A newly widowed Michael? A suddenly single TJ? Who knows?
Review the latest additions to the cast’s collection of portraits in the below photo gallery.
Most Popular
Advertisement
Image: ABC
1/217
<p>Prepare to feast your eyes on the official ABC portraits of the cast of <em>General Hospital</em>: solo shots, couple pics and, as you can see, some pretty amazing group photos, too. First, though, let’s suss out just who’s who…</p>
Image: ABC
2/217
<p>… plays Sonny Corinthos, the dimpled don who can impregnate a woman by doing no more than flash a smoldering gaze like… Ack! Like <em>this</em> one! Look away before it’s too late! Look away!</p>
Image: ABC
3/217
<p>… cranking up the heat on Sonny’s smoldering gaze.</p>
Image: ABC
4/217
<p>… now with more pepper in Sonny’s hair than salt.</p>
Image: ABC
5/217
<p>… serving up a reminder that Sonny is always “one to watch.” Get it?</p>
Image: ABC
6/217
<p>Because that was not the last picture — surprise! Here’s Benard with a marginally different T-shirt!</p>
Image: ABC
7/217
<p>… is Carly, Sonny’s mercurial ex-moll, who can go from “till death do us part” to “if looks could kill” faster than you can read this caption. And that’s even if you’re a <em>mega</em> fast reader.</p>
Image: ABC
8/217
<p>… doing Carly’s best “Who, <em>me</em>?” expression.</p>
Image: ABC
9/217
<p>… flashing a warm smile that says, “Eh, who needs the Metro Court, anyway?”</p>
Image: ABC
10/217
<p>… never fails to turn heads. In this case, her own. But you know what we mean.</p>
Image: ABC
11/217
<p>… competing with the sun to determine which of them is more radiant.</p>
Image: ABC
12/217
<p>She’s in black, yes, but don’t you <em>dare</em> call Carly basic.</p>
Image: ABC
13/217
<p>… brings to life Dante Falconeri, the PCPD detective who is… Oh, awkward. He’s the firstborn of the city’s most notorious mobster. Let’s focus on Mom instead, shall we? Next picture…</p>
Image: ABC
14/217
<p>But we really <em>are</em> heading toward the mother lode. Honest, we are.</p>
Image: ABC
15/217
<p>… portrays Olivia Quartermaine, the Bensonhurst babe who married so far up, she now lives in <span style="text-decoration: line-through">her Richie Rich husband Ned’s</span> Monica’s mansion.</p>
Image: ABC
16/217
<p>… is money, as the kids would say, as Ned Quartermaine, the heir apparent to grandfather Edward’s fortune — <em>and</em> his testiness. Good luck with that, buddy!</p>
Image: ABC
17/217
<p>… striking a pose that lets the world know that Ned is an ELQ MVP.</p>
Image: ABC
18/217
<p>… is Leo Quartermaine, Olivia’s son with late mobster Julian Jerome and Ned’s adopted son.</p>
Image: ABC
19/217
<p>… builds a bridge to Brook Lynn Quartermaine, the feistiest firebrand this side of her mama, the much-missed Lois Cerullo.</p>
Image: ABC
20/217
<p>… issuing a reminder that Brook Lynn doesn’t have to wear bright hues to be a colorful character.</p>
Image: ABC
21/217
<p>… serving glam to the nth. Maybe even whatever comes after the nth.</p>
Image: ABC
22/217
<p>… and ‘it’ is glam to the oth. Not the nth but the oth. Thank you for your and Brook Lynn’s help in clearing up this matter.</p>
Image: ABC
23/217
<p>… walks mile after mile in the shoes of Michael Corinthos, the corporate-minded offspring of Carly and <span style="text-decoration: line-through">A.J. Quartermaine</span> Sonny. Never mind that scratch-out; those in the family or its “business” know better than to discuss it.</p>
Image: ABC
24/217
<p>… defying Michael’s reputation as a buttoned-up type by altogether skipping that top button. That’ll show <em>us</em>!</p>
Image: ABC
25/217
<p>… is Michael’s girlfriend Willow, a sweet-hearted former schoolteacher who learns every day that in a town like Port Charles, it’s easy to get it wrong when you’re trying to do right.</p>
Image: ABC
26/217
<p>… offering us the sweet smile that’s going to make Willow such a great nurse.</p>
Image: ABC
27/217
<p>… looking for all the world like the calm before the storm.</p>
Image: ABC
28/217
<p>… demonstrating how Willow takes news that’s best received sitting down. There’s a <em>lot</em> of that kind in Port Charles!</p>
Image: ABC
29/217
<p>… giving us a hint of what <em>All My Children</em>’s Jenny Gardner might have been like, had she survived that awful jet-ski incident.</p>
Image: ABC
30/217
<p>… plays Wiley Corinthos, Michael’s son with the late Nelle Benson and, for a time, the kid most likely to be the potato in a game of parental hot potato.</p>
Image: ABC
31/217
<p>… played Harmony Miller, Willow’s late mother who, even after leaving the cult in which she raised her daughter, was still keeping plenty of secrets… like that she wasn’t actually Willow’s mom. </p>
Image: ABC
32/217
<p>… rocks as Carly’s chip off the ol’ block, Josslyn Jacks, a Ms. Popularity with enough fire in her to reduce to cinders anyone crazy enough to hurt her nearest and dearest. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, we might add.</p>
Image: ABC
33/217
<p>… serving the side-eye that has reduced most of Joss’ detractors to rubble. (We love Joss, and we’re even feeling sorta rubble-ized!)</p>
Image: ABC
34/217
<p>… is Dex Heller, the ab-fabulous mystery man whose first step in Port Charles was onto a minefield that is as unlikely to leave him unscathed as he himself is to wear a shirt. (Translation: not very.)</p>
Image: ABC
35/217
<p>… here demonstrates the <em>Home Alone</em> OMG expression that the audience so often wears as they watch Nina Reeves make one questionable choice after another.</p>
Image: ABC
36/217
<p>… keeping Nina chill even as her storyline gets hotter, hotter, hottest.</p>
Image: ABC
37/217
<p>… missing the scarlet letter “A” that Carly would like to affix to Nina’s blouse for sleeping with Sonny.</p>
Image: ABC
38/217
<p>… back to show off the “Whatevs” expression that Nina reserves for her face-offs with Carly.</p>
Image: ABC
39/217
<p>… is the real-life alter ego of Alexis Davis, a former attorney and occasional hot mess who knows the law inside and out. As in, she hasn’t just represented criminals, she’s served time herself.</p>
Image: ABC
40/217
<p>… turning out the ultra-serious look that lets us know that Alexis means business. And not the funny kind, dang it!</p>
Image: ABC
41/217
<p>… plays Alexis’ oldest daughter, Sam McCall, P.I., mother and all-around action figure. She’s kinda like Nancy Drew with a better right hook and edgier wardrobe.</p>
Image: ABC
42/217
<p>… this time, with an expression that asks whether we are really questioning the last caption. Um, no. No, ma’am. Never.</p>
Image: ABC
43/217
<p>… brings <span style="text-decoration: line-through">back</span> to life Drew Cain, the “late” Jason Morgan’s “late” brother. Until an accident and some serious plastic surgery rearranged Drew’s face, he shared not only his twin’s taste in love interests but his handsome mug, too.</p>
Image: ABC
44/217
<p>… reminding us that Drew’s always looking for stubble. Er, <em>trouble</em>.</p>
Image: ABC
45/217
<p>… after what was apparently not a metaphorical close shave.</p>
Image: ABC
46/217
<p>… <em>has</em> to have seen it all in her years as Monica Quartermaine. The actress is the soap’s longest-serving cast member.</p>
Image: ABC
47/217
<p>… is Elizabeth Webber, the nurse you most want to administer your shots, if only because she can distract you with tales from her bat-[bleep]-crazy life. Pro tip: Ask her about the time she married a serial killer whose homicidal tendencies were contained in a brain tumor.</p>
Image: ABC
48/217
<p>… demonstrating Liz’s preferred method for trying, always trying, to leave her troubled past behind her. Don’t turn around, whatever you do!</p>
Image: ABC
49/217
<p>… working the plucky expression that has seen Liz through the toughest of times.</p>
Image: ABC
50/217
<p>… looking not at all like a Maroon Five but a Maroon 10.</p>
Image: ABC
51/217
<p>… makes it a point — see what we did there? — to enliven any scene as Cameron Webber, the teenage dream whose life has been, not to put too fine a point on it, a nightmare.</p>
Image: ABC
52/217
<p>… scrubs in as Dr. Hamilton Finn — Finn to his friends. Also Finn to pretty much everyone else. No one wants to compete with the musical to be called Hamilton anymore.</p>
Image: ABC
53/217
<p>… threatens us daily with cuteness overload as Violet Barnes, Finn’s daughter with… Say, where <em>is</em> Hayden, anyway? By the time you read this, we may already be finding out.</p>
Image: ABC
54/217
<p>… plays Molly Lansing, the future RBG who longs to follow in mom Alexis’ footsteps. Minus the whole going-to-prison part, though. She could do without that.</p>
Image: ABC
55/217
<p>… is Molly’s significant other, TJ Ashford, possessor of what is arguably the winningest smile in Port Charles. Possibly even all of New York; we haven’t checked — yet.</p>
Image: ABC
56/217
<p>… that smile still utterly winning again.</p>
Image: ABC
57/217
<p>… all but saying, “Erm, could TJ have a storyline? ’Cause I’d slay it.” Your move, <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: ABC
58/217
<p>… nabbed two Daytime Emmys for her portrayal of Curtis’ scene-stealing Aunt Stella Henry. She tells it like it is whether you’re remotely prepared to hear it like it is!</p>
Image: ABC
59/217
<p>… slays as Curtis Ashford, not only the coolest cat this side of the freezer section of the grocery but the club owner whose presence is what makes his bar more than a spot, a hot spot.</p>
Image: ABC
60/217
