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Star of the Week

GENERAL HOSPITAL Interview

Nik of Time: Elizabeth and Lucky and...Friend

— By Joe Diliberto

There may be a "new" Lucky in town (Okay, so it's Jonathan Jackson again...), but GENERAL HOSPITAL's Elizabeth is looking at old friend Nikolas in a new light. Rebecca Herbst puts Liz's latest relationship in perspective.

Rebecca Herbst and Tyler Christopher
GH's Liz and Nikolas (Rebecca Herbst and Tyler Christopher)
— ABC

Soap Opera Weekly: Is the weight of Elizabeth's history with Lucky keeping her from being happy with Nikolas?
Rebecca Herbst: Well, I think it's because they're brothers. I don't think that she feels that unable to be in a relationship because of her history with Lucky — it's the history of Nikolas and Lucky. They've had such a rocky relationship. And now, not only would she be losing Lucky, but Lucky would be losing a brother. That's what's keeping her from letting herself go through with this.

Weekly: What's different about the Liz/Nik dynamic now?
Herbst: With Nikolas, this is a very new chemistry that they're feeling. They have been "just friends" for more than 12 years, and it's a very interesting relationship right now because it's new waters for both of them. They're not quite sure why they're feeling like this, but they do.

Weekly: What changed?
Herbst: For Elizabeth, a lot of it stemmed from Rebecca coming in and deceiving Nikolas. At that point, Elizabeth became very protective of Nikolas. That's probably where it started. Both of them need a void filled in their lives. It just happened, but now it's turned into real feelings.

Weekly: This isn't just a hookup?
Herbst: It really goes beyond the typical hookup and "Oh, maybe I have feelings for you." They already love each other. Not in a romantic sense, but they've loved each other for a long time. So it's going to be complicated.

Weekly: Because they want to preserve their friendship?
Herbst: A friendship, yeah. They are each other's closest friends. If something happens and they have a falling out, where are they going to go? Whom are they going to turn to? It's really going to be sad for the both of them.

Weekly: Do you like the idea of putting these friends together romantically?
Herbst: It's a very interesting dynamic to play on, because Lucky is the knight in shining armor [for her], and all of a sudden this new circumstance has presented itself. There's a lot of turmoil and a lot of conflict in Elizabeth's life, and I think it's really good timing to do that.

RELATED RESOURCES

Reader Comments 
Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 12:26 PM — By Cindy

I am looking foward to this story the most on the show. And I am glad BH, JJ and TC are all together again.

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 12:25 PM — By Susan

It's like RH really needs to watch the show.

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 2:36 PM — By chrissy

I love the RH interview. I love the pairing of Nikolas and Elizabeth. I didn't think I'd like it at first back in April when they kissed. But I couldn't look away and then the chemistry these two have is off the hook! I can't get enough of Niz its the only reason i watch GH now!

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 2:50 PM — By MLee

Great interview. Thank you! Rebecca Herbst is my reason for watching General Hospital. I am absolutely loving her and Tyler Christopher in this story. They really have smoking hot chemistry! Go Niz!

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 3:24 PM — By Tracy

Nice interview. It's always interesting to read an actor's take on their character's story. Sometimes it even fills in blanks that the show's writers leave. (Not sure I agree with the whole "Lucky is the knight in shining armor" thing, since I've thought for years that they have a terribly dysfunctional relationship, but perhaps this will finally put an end to it.) Anyway, this is one of my favorite stories on the show right now. TC and RH have made a believer out of me - they're both doing wonderful work!

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 5:04 PM — By Linda

I'm with Susan, RH really NEEDS to watch the show. Liz and Nik were kissing long before the truth came out about Rebecca. So let's not put the blame there OK? Anybody who Liz can chase is her "closest" friend. That's because she sneers at everyone who isn't a potential bedmate.

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 6:12 PM — By Tessa

Thanks for the great interview. I agree with RH's interpretation. Elizabeth's feelings about Nikolas did appear to start undergoing a change after Rebecca appeared and Elizabeth was suspicious of her motivation. RH didn't say anything about when the kissing itself began. And really, the only kisses that happened before the whole truth about Rebecca came out were the one Nik staged at GH and then the drunken one at Jake's. They talked about that one afterwards from time to time, but both essentially tried to dismiss it, and agreed it would be best to remain friends only. It was when they found out the whole truth about Rebecca that the "serious" kissing started up. Not sure why some insist on seeing Elizabeth as such a predator. I've never seen that in the writing for her. She's complicated and conflicted, and more than capable of making poor choices, just like everyone else on the show. I love the character, and RH's portrayal of her.

Posted Mon Oct26, 2009, 6:22 PM — By kiki

i think back then Liz really did love lucky, but that was back then then their was jason and i think liz knows she can never really have jason because of his life style and the danger the kids will be in....also he loves sam Now Liz looks like she likes nik now but could be on the verge of loving him..she already is thinking about him almost every second of the day

Posted Tue Oct27, 2009, 12:21 AM — By nina

This is the ONLY reason to watch GH right now. The rest of the show is horrible.

Posted Fri Oct30, 2009, 3:54 PM — By Beth

I've wanted to see Liz & Nik as a romantic pair ever since she was first introduced, I love this s/l and its the reason I gave GH another chance this year.

Posted Tue Nov 3, 2009, 5:58 PM — By Cara

This was an interesting inteview. I think Liz and Nik are a bad Idea. That's Lucky's brother! I know, and this is a soap, but to me it keeps destroying Liz's character. First she has a baby for Zander,(best friend em's boyfriend)yeah I know he and em were broken up but still, then Jason, she lies about that. I was really looking forward to her redeeming herself, and bringing out the characters better qualities for a change.

Posted Wed Nov 4, 2009, 11:42 PM — By Megan

I'm not really happy about Liz/Nikolas, but I know that JJ's portrayl of Lucky finding about this will be extremely heartbreaking. That is what makes it worth it.

Posted Wed Nov11, 2009, 11:18 AM — By GHLuver

I abosolutely hate the NIZ storyline but I understand that the show needs to explore other things for Liz and Lucky. Hopefully Lucky will find a nice girl, then Liz will realize what she gave up to be with the ever growing (workout much?), Nik. He seriously needs to lay off the protein shakes. Then Liz can beg for Lucky's forgiveness and we can all enjoy LNL2 again.

Posted Thu Nov12, 2009, 1:15 PM — By sonnylove

This is wrong. Lucky and Nicholas are brothers for God's sake. Why? There are so many other single ladies in PC for Nicholas, and single men for Liz (MATT!!!???). If it weren't for Sonny, Jason, Carly, Johnny, ... I'd be outta here.

Posted Mon Nov16, 2009, 2:30 PM — By Angel

I love Nikolas and Elizabeth together! Like she said, this is just the right time to do it, and I think at this stage in their life, it could work. If she would just stop lying to Lucky, break up with him, and THEN go for Nikolas, everything would be perfect =]

Posted Fri Feb 5, 2010, 10:40 AM — By Doreen

Personally I am sick of Elizabeth - she portrays herself as this picture of godliness and she can't make up her mind who or what she wants. She is always whining and feeling sorry for herself. Loved the scene where Lulu let her have it in front of the whole GH staff. I would be happy to see Elizabeth ride off in the sunset - maybe she could dissappear with Sonny!


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