GH: Thoughts about the Nurses' Ball 2018

Below are my thoughts about the 2018 "General Hospital" Nurses' Ball. This is just about the episodes that aired May 16, 17, 18, and 21, 2018.

The first day was red carpet coverage again like 2016 and 2017. This year Nick Viall was a guest as was George Pennacchio and Coleen Sullivan. The only character who was part of the red carpet crew was Nina (Michelle Stafford). The main sponsor this year was Oil of Olay which Lucy reminds the audience more than once about throughout the four day event.

Robin was back in town for the event. Franco and Liz were happily together. Oscar and Joss were on the carpet as were Curtis and Jordan. Maxie went with Peter, Spinelli was there with Jason though not on the carpet. Finn and Alexis came together, but Anna falls for Finn literally. Olivia and Cook 2 (aka Carla Hall) talk, and Olivia gets her to cater the ball. Robert is still being held hostage. Stella comes on the night of the ball, Mike decides he wants to go. Sonny says he will go with his father and Stella though Carly was still being held in jail for Nelle's fall down the Quartermaine stairs.

The second day was the actual beginning of musical content for the ball. The nurses sing "Everyday People", which for me is a song in advertising, and nothing more... Epiphany took the headline role. Felix, Bobbie, Amy, and Deanna are the only named characters in the routine. Chase performed "Feel It Still", by himself as Dante lied that other cops would be backing him up during the song. When Chase did really well, Dante felt embarrassed as Lulu praised her husband's partner. Obstacle Illusion was Curtis' magic act with Nina as his assistant. Curtis brought Jordan up to the stage, and he proposed, she said yes, and everyone, Stella was happy about it. Otherwise, we had material about Peter being Heinrik, and Robert being held captive. Also Emma was there with her mother and grandmother.

The third day had Finn and Anna talking, and Alexis overheard the conversation. Alexis has no idea why Anna isn't with Finn, and Finn assumes it is about Anna's health. Molly was going to give the speech for her mom instead of Finn, and we did hear that, though she was upset over what happened. Kim was with Julian, who went after Alexis. Ned with Olivia backing him up sings "Peace Love and Understanding" in retro outfits. Michael stays with Nelle at the hospital, and they get into it about Carly. Joss and Oscar sing "I never knew", he is mainly playing the guitar, which is a throwback to his first interaction with the extended Quartermaine family. Valentin performs "The Book of Love" on the piano and as the episode ends Robert arrives and punches him.

The fourth day had more with Maxie leaving with Peter, and him delivering his nephew. Robert arrested Valentin, and Nina was upset over finding out about Heinrik and Peter being the same person. Of course, Jason, Sam, and Spinelli also realized this based on the lighter, and other information. Mike sings "The Summer Wind" though part of the way through, he loses the lyrics, and Sonny goes to help him. Drew and Sonny shook hands, as Drew appreciated how Sonny went on stage with Mike. Kiki's dress was damaged, Amy helped to fix it, and Dr. Bensch leered at her. Griffin saw this, and Ava saw their hug not knowing what was going on, it seems like Ava and Griffin are falling apart. Ava decides to sing "You Don't Own Me" instead of the pre-planned (and unknown number.) It is a bit awkward as some people were uncomfortable though Scott loved it. Cook 2 gets a job with a restaurant overseas, which thrilled Olivia, though she wasn't looking forward to telling Monica. The last song was "I'll Be Your Champion"which was sung by the same group of nurses that performed the opening number. Elsewhere we had Maxie in the hospital, and Peter and Anna meeting at the pier, and she's shocked about his identity.

This year there were less performances with many cast members. There was no major girl or guy routines, and other than the nurses' group only two people were on stage together. This probably was a lot easier to rehearse. There was no speech from Robin about living with HIV though Sonny and Robin said hello, and Emma was only a guest and not a performer. The only younger cast members performing were teens Joss and Oscar. At least this year, there was no story about chemical weapons being unleashed by children or much focus on Morgan's death.