March 10, 1998 - Soap Opera Weekly

GH'S LUCKY LEARNS LUKE'S SECRET

STILL REELING FROM THE attack on Liz, Lucky's world takes a major hit this week on General Hospital when Nikolas tells him a little bit of Spencer family history.

As Lucky tries to help Liz cope with the trauma of having been raped--he takes her on a date hoping to distract her--Lucky is feeling especially close to Luke, and his respect for his dad is greater than ever. Then Nikolas--who has a breakthrough in regaining his ability to speak and actually utters his first full sentence--drops a bombshell: He tells Lucky what happened nearly 20 years ago between Luke and Laura in the Campus Disco.

Caption: Luke may tumble off his paternal pedestal when Lucky hears the truth about his parents' past.

March 17, 1998 - Soap Opera Update, from the sneak peeks

General Hospital

Luke is haunted by his past with Laura

Liz's rape sets the stage for a gut-wrenching revelation that will pit the Spencers vs. the Cassadines--and Lucky against his own father. - Nikolas feels awkward around Sarah in the company of Robin as he develops new feelings for the new girl in his life. - Tess plans to make "James" the fall guy for Jax' s assassination--unaware that James is Mac.

1998 - source unknown

1998 - Soap Opera Magazine

This bit comes from an interview with Gary Warner on the making of the prime time anniversary special.

SOM: How about Denise Alexander?

GW: She was terrific. She gave us so much material. She told us that many years ago there was going to be a romance with Luke and Lesley. Tony confirmed it and said that their characters had played some flirtatious scenes. Then the show decided to go with the Luke/Laura/Scotty triangle instead.

SOM: Off-screen, Kin Shriner has a great deadpan humor. Did that come out in his interview?

GW: (Laughs) Yes. We asked him what went wrong with Laura and Scotty. He took a beat and said, "Disco. Some curly haired string bean came along and mucked everything up. His name was Luke Spencer."

--Michael J. Maloney

Caption: Among the clips producers uncovered in their research for the retrospective tribute was Anthony Geary's first appearance as the indomitable Luke Spencer.

March 17, 1998 - Soap Opera Update, "News"

This photo ran in a news story about GH's primetime 35th anniversary show, which aired on April 2, 1998.

Luke and Laura are still alive in GENERAL HOSPITAL story.

March 17, 1998 - Soap Opera Update, "People Are Talking About..."

...Honoring The Past on GH

If soap opera writers are strapped for ideas, all they have to do is look to GENERAL HOSPITAL headwriter Robert Guza. The writer has made a name for himself by focusing on old and forgotten stories and characters. Recently, Guza showcased his expertise by having Lizzie attacked--which brought up old memories of Luke's "rape" of Laura years ago. It has never been revealed if Lucky knows how his father met his mother. It would be interesting to see how Lucky would react if he learned of his father's past. This story will give Emmy winners Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Anthony Geary (Luke) a chance to shine instead of merely playing the supporting roles they've had this year.

GENERAL HOSPITAL knows the key to great story lies in its history.

March 17, 1998 - Soap Opera Weekly, "Dream Ballot" These excerpts are from the magazine's "dream ballot" for that year's 25th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Outstanding Lead Actor Larry Bryggman (John, ATWT; left), Anthony Geary (Luke, GH; right), Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, PC), Robert Newman (Josh, GL) and Stephen Nichols (Stefan, GH). How We Did In '97 In '97, SOAP OPERA WEEKLY and Academy voters agreed on a lead actress (General Hospital's Genie Francis), a lead actor (GH's Anthony Geary)....

August 12, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest, "You Heard it Here"

"They felt that Luke and Laura was a fluke, and that it was just something that would pass."
--Genie Francis
(Laura, GH), on Hollywood's opinion of her success, 7/1/83

November 10, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest

Scot-Free Scoundrels

Luke (Anthony Geary) and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) had the best--if not homicidal--intentions when they loosened a railing on one of Wyndemere's parapets prior to the Bacchanalia Ball. The plan: Alexis would lure dastardly Helena to said balcony and--oops!--watch in "horror" as the witch took a header. The plot fell apart, however, when Katherine Bell took the plunge. Since neither Alexis nor Luke were at the scene of the crime, they weren't implicated. By the law, anyway. Helena knows, in her shriveled, black heart, that Alexis and Luke are the culprits.

November 17, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Hot Plots"

TRAPPED Luke goes to extremes to reconcile with Lucky

Everyone is looking for Luke, but for different reasons. When Jerry brings Stefan incriminating evidence against Luke, Stefan is more eager than ever to find his adversary. When Liz cannot find Lucky, she contacts Nikolas, who asks his uncle to help. Liz is quite distressed. She and Lucky have hardly been apart since February and the night of her rape, so she turns to Bobbie for help. But Liz finally gets a call from Lucky, and though the phone goes dead just as he reveals that Luke has kidnapped him, she feels better knowing that at least he's safe with his father. She brings the news to Laura, who echoes that Luke will let no harm come to his son.

Meanwhile, Luke had nabbed Lucky in a desperate desire to resolve his differences with his son. But Lucky--even though he is a captive audience--wants no part of his father's plan, and, finally, Luke has no choice but to let him go. But in an ironic twist, Luke ends up caught in the same trap he laid to prevent Lucky from leaving. --R.F.

From the recap: ...Luke returns to Port Charles.... Jerry finds Luke's mask from the Bacchanalia ball....

November 24, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest, "You Heard it Here"

"I couldn't get arrested in this town because they said I was too special, too strange, not good looking enough, too good looking, my eyebrows were too bushy, whatever."
--Anthony Geary
(Luke, GH), 12/20/83

November 24, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "SONNY COMES HOME"

From a short blurb about Maurice Benard's return to the show:

Tony Geary (Luke) told SOM: "I hope we get to work together. We've been two guys who can sit down and talk about what's going on in our lives." In the past, Luke and Sonny had scenes together but never shared in a major storyline. Wouldn't it be nice if they are given that chance?

November 24, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "WE'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THIS FACE..."

From a photo spread on Sonny's history, upon Maurice Benard's return to the show:

November 24, 1998 - Soap Opera Weekly, "The News"

LAURA LEARNS LUKE WAS INVOLVED IN KATHERINE'S 'MURDER'

The Spencers manage to affect a fragile reconciliation this week on General Hospital, but thanks to Stefan, their newfound family harmony is about to hit another discordant note.

After Lucky returns to the cabin and finds Luke in the throes of delirium, reliving the night he raped Laura 20 years ago, father and son ultimately have a soul-searching conversation that allows them to start to heal their relationship. "Luke says, 'I'm your father. I'm a human. I'm not a hero, and I can make mistakes, too,'" head writer Robert Guza Jr. says. Lucky explains that he realizes now that what happened between Luke and Laura and the Cassadines is history and not his business, just as what goes on between him and Nikolas "is between us, and the sins of the father are not going to be vested on your sons. They actually do come to an understanding, but it takes a cataclysmic, monumental moment to spin this thing off."

Stefan witnesses Laura's arrival at the cabin and the subsequent family reunion. He hears her express the hope that she and Luke might reconcile, and realizes he has no time to waste if he wants to keep them apart. When Jerry gives Stefan proof that Luke was at the Bacchanalia Ball, implicating him in the plot that accidentally caused Katherine's near-fatal fall, Stefan makes sure Laura learns the truth. "He has an infinite supply, a drawerful of secrets, and he lets Laura discover the evidence that implicates Luke," Guza says. "He is a Cassadine, lest we forget. I believe that in that situation would do the same thing to Stefan. In fact, when Luke comes back, he does. They are the two titans, and we love setting the titans against each other." --Linda Susman

Caption: Luke's part in Katherine's fall is no longer a secret to Laura (right).

November 24, 1998 - Soap Opera Weekly, "Critical Condition"

from "13 THANKS FOR THE GIVING" by Marlena De Lacroix

12. My favorite soap actor--and yours: Every soap fan has one actor who never fails to brighten a soap-viewing day. These performers are usually immune to bad storylines and bad writing, and are virtually shows all to themselves. My favorite is Anthony Geary (Luke, GH)....

December 1, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Hot Plots"

Bobbie (pictured) tries to get Luke to work out his problems with Laura.

GH: LOVE MIRACLE: BRENDA SAVES JAX AFTER HE LOSES V, WHILE LUKE AND STEFAN HEAD ON A COLLISION COURSE

...Meanwhile, fanned by the flames of jealousy, Luke is after Stefan with a vengeance. He shares his plans with Bobbie, who suggests he try to work things out with Laura. Luke knows he must deal with his family problems, but there may be greater troubles in store for him. Realizing that, he decides he must see Alexis, his partner in crime. Alexis returns from Monte Carlo and is surprised to find Luke waiting for her. But his news is not good news--he knows that Stefan is on to them. --R.F.

December 1, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Character Timeline: Great Scott"

This photo appeared in a piece on the history of the character Scott Baldwin.

December 1, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Recaps"

Luke reunites with his family

Laura asks Stefan for help in finding Luke and Lucky. Stefan lies and says he will do all he can. Lucky rescues Luke from the bear trap and decides to stay with his father. Luke is plagued by nightmares of when he raped Laura. Stefan fears Luke may tell Lucky the truth about Nikolas being his son. Stefan watches as Laura reunites with Luke and Lucky. Luke warns Bobbie about Jerry. Laura discovers that Luke was involved in Katherine's "death." Jerry shows Stefan proof that Luke was at the ball....

Caption: LUKE: Back with Laura and Lucky

December 8, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Buzz In The Biz" IS LUKE LEAVING GH? It came as a surprise when another soap publication reported that Tony Geary (Luke) would be off the canvas for the next six weeks because the show didn't have any storyline for im. But contrary to these published reports, a spokesperson for the show says Geary is taking four weeks off at Christmas for the holidays, that his departure has nothing to do with the storyline and that the Spencer/Cassadine feud is not only explosive but pivotal. When Geary was reached for comment, he diplomatically replied, "I'm hppy to be able to go to Europe for Christmas and New Year's." (For more on this story, see What People Are Talking About on page 8.)

December 8, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "What People Are Talking About"

With the imminent return of Sonny, GH fans were all geared up for a chance to see pivotal scenes between two great friends--Luke and Sonny--and the start of a riveting storyline. But Sonny will be returning to a Lukeless Port Charles--at least for the first few weeks of his return. Have Stefan and Laura made Luke the odd man out? Will Laura--and head writer Bob Guza--let Luke stay away long? These are the questions soap fans want answers to. And they are hoping the answer will be no!

December 22, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest, "Late-Breaking News" GH'S LUKE TO RETURN WITH A BANG Don't worry Luke fans! Despite the fact that his portrayer, Anthony Geary, is off on a holiday great story awaits him when he returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL. Luke will come back with an agenda," hints a GH insider, "and information directly related to Stefan, Laura and particularly Nikolas." As for Geary's departure, the insider explains, "He always leaves at this time of year, but he is coming back. This is a regularly scheduled vacation, and it has nothing to do with story. Any talk of that was erroneous. The show knows about this stuff well in advance, and they built it in to the story a couple of months ago. [Geary] is great about stuff like this; he always gives plenty of notice. It's perfectly planned." "That's right," states Geary "I appreciate the cooperation that [Head Writer] Bob Guza and [Executive Producer] Wendy Riche have shown me. And," he winks, "I'm glad that Luke is coming back with an agenda."

December 22, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest, "Late-Breaking News"

GH: LUKE SETS A TRAP

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Luke puts the screws to Stefan this week after discovering that Katherine and Nikolas are having an affair. "He puts two and two together after seeing Nikolas and Katherine in semi-compromising positions," explains Head Writer Robert Guza, Jr. "But since he never actually walks in on them. Katherine and Nikolas have no idea that Luke knows."

Naturally Luke plans to use the information to his own advantage. Instead of going to Nikolas or Katherine--or even to Stefan--Luke contrives for Stefan to find Nikolas in a compromising position with Katherine," previews the scribe.

On Friday, Luke will meet with Katherine at the Q mansion to find out who helped Stefan investigate the parapet accident. Luke then follows Ms. Bell to the Port Charles Hotel, where she plans another tryst with Nikolas. Just outside her room, Luke phones Wyndemere (pretending to be a hotel employee) claiming that Nikolas needs Stefan to come to Katherine's room as soon as possible. Will Stefan heed the call?

December 22, 1998 - Soap Opera Digest, "Best & Worst '98"

Best Story
Luke And Laura: The Rape Revisited,
GENERAL HOSPITAL

Theirs is a flawed romance, it's true. The relationship of Luke and Laura (as long-time viewers already knew and newer ones now know) was born of a violent act that both of them preferred to keep buried in the past. But to actually take the terrible truth-Luke raped Laura 20 nearly 20 years ago-and unearth it, as GH's team of writers did this year, was a brave, risky task as complex as the assault itself.

When the rape originally occurred in 1979, it was treated by GH's then powers-that-be as a "seduction." Because the crime was glossed over and Laura feel in love with and married her rapist, the challenge for the current regime was to translate the '70s interpretation into modern-day standards.

Deftly, the scribes initially revisited the rape through the eyes of Luke and Laura's son, Lucky, who learned about his father's heinous transgression during an argument with his half brother Nikolas. In one of the most emotionally wrenching and well-written scenes in daytime history, Luke was forced to confront the past by retracing that fateful night to Lucky, who had idolized his dad.

Soon after came another heartbreaking conversation, this time between Luke and Laura, in which they addressed the issues surrounding the rape that had privately plagued each of them for so many years. In purging their demons, the couple found a clearer road back to one another, but had to face the reality that their relationship with Lucky had been forever altered. Through it all, the stellar Anthony Geary (Luke) and Genie Francis (Laura) proved why they're still as popular today as they were nearly two decades ago. And Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) is, indeed, a chip off their acting block.

How brave GH was to take a dark chapter in its history and turn it into a storyline so compelling that we're still feeling the aftereffects. If only every show were as effective with its history lessons. GENERAL HOSPITAL, you get an A+.

Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) tried to solidify their future by finally confronting the past.

December 22, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "What People Are Talking About"

Tony Geary's (Luke, GH) latest vacation from the show is not only providing Net surfers a lot of intriguing reading material, but it's giving actors on competing shows something to mull over. Although ABC stated that published reports of Geary taking a vacation because the show isn't writing for him is simply untrue, that his vacation had been planned, it hasn't stopped the buzzing among fans and actors on both coasts. The one thing we're sure of is that Luke/Laura storyline goes on.

December 22, 1998 - Soap Opera Magazine, "Remote Control"

--PAUSE
Uninvited guests on GH

Why does it seem anyone and everyone is able to sneak into the Quartermaine mansion on a whim? With other mansions, the guards and alarm systems are more than enough to turn away uninvited guests. Yet Helena recently visited Katherine to warn her to stay away from Stefan--and its not likely that she shimmied up the drainpipe like a raccoon. Nikolas, as well, was able to trespass at the Qs and slip into Katherine's room. There could be a logical explanation, though. Maybe there's a short in the electrical circuits of the alarm system, and maybe the guards are blind and deaf.

Wyndemere is also invaded periodically. They might as well just give Luke his own key, he crashes the place so often. It's practically his second home. And since Stefan expects intrusions from Luke, shouldn't there be a guard on Spoon Island? Yet the alarms ring real fine and the attack dogs bark real loud when it serves the storyline. In other words, when things work sometimes and not others, without explanation, are we not supposed to notice?