It’s Only My Opinion: The Evolution of Soap Characters Like General Hospital’s Ric
Soap opera characters do 180s all the time — bad girls are redeemed, heroes fall from grace. The key, of course, is that it’s done with finesse, so that viewers aren’t left feeling whiplash. Carolyn Hinsey examines how General Hospital, Young and Restless, Days of Our Lives, Beyond the Gates and Bold and Beautiful are handling the evolution of players like GH’s Ric, DAYS‘s Steve and B&B’s Ridge.
The Evolution Will Be Televised
Soaps make changes to characters to keep them viable or advance story. Either way, they have to convince us the evolution is real to make us buy it.
GH’s Ric Lansing has been slowly inching towards likable ever since his return in 2024. Prior to that, he kidnapped Carly, drugged wife Elizabeth and married Nina for her money (among other outrageous acts), so it was an uphill climb. The show started Ric’s change for good by solidifying his relationship with his daughter Molly and launching a bumpy but humorous romance with Ava that resulted in the duo blackmailing Alexis. Alexis retaliated by teaming up with Ava and Kristina to strap her ex to a cot in the basement. Ironically, that’s what the former district attorney says sparked his metamorphosis.
Alexis: “I find it hard to believe my basement was that transformative.”
Ric: “I heard you and the girls upstairs talking. I couldn’t make out the words, but I head a lot of laughter. It made me realize how alone I am. I want to have laughter in my life and arguments and conversations, and I want to do it with people I care about who care about me.”
Alexis: “Which is why you’ve decided to help Rocco and Michael and Sonny? Out of newfound love for family?”
Ric: “I’ve wasted so much time with this vendetta. For the first time in a long time I don’t have an agenda.”
Indeed, Ric’s vendetta against his half brother, Sonny, fueled him during his first 20 years in Port Charles. But there he was defending Michael against a possible murder charge and suggesting he might even get a financial settlement from the city thanks to Chase’s interference.
Alexis: “Are you that hard up for cash now that your blackmailing days are over?”
Ric: “I’m only looking out for my client’s best interest.”
Alexis: “Your client Michael, son of the man you hate.”
Ric: “I don’t hate my brother.”
Ric went on to say that Sonny and his kids are the closest thing he has to a real family and that’s why he’s been lending his legal services. Alexis was skeptical, but she hasn’t seen Ric’s slow transition to “guy we could actually root for” like we have.
Conversely, this new version of Nathan make no sense. He returned from the dead (despite us seeing his body with little interest in his mother Liesl or sisters Nina and Britt, and zero desire to see his comatose wife Maxie. After Maxie woke up, they broke up in one episode. I’m going to need more than Mutter calling Nathan out for telling her to mind her own beeswax if we’re to believe Nathan isn’t “himself.” The only explanation for the detective’s bizarre lack of curiosity about where he’s been for seven years is that he knows the answer. Six months into his return, GH needs to start telling that story if we’re to invest in Nathan 2.0.
The heartless shift in B&B’s Ridge can only be explained as a need to advance story. All of a sudden, Ridge decided it risked his father’s health to continue working and he planned a surprise retirement party for him. Eric was offended, horrified, resistant, upset; Ridge ignored him. Forrester Creations blithely carried on without the legend who created it, so Eric offered his services to Katie’s new fashion house Logan. Ridge got wind of that and turned on a dime (again), saying he regretted his behavior and “mishandled” things.
Eric: “You have to let me live my life.”
Ridge: “My fear is I walk into your office and you’re on your desk, dead.”
Eric: “My fear is living with no purpose. If I die at my desk, I die at my desk. You have to let me do it my way.”
Ridge finally heard his father (after months of ignoring him) and told him to come back to Forrester. Not so fast, said Bill and Katie citing Eric’s agreement with Logan.
Bill: “It’s wonderful you and your dad had that kumbaya moment but it doesn’t change a damn thing.”
Ridge: “Eric is not working for you anymore.”
Katie: “Are you kidding me with this?”
Great question. Ridge’s whiplash may have served this arc, but it did no favors for his character. The Forrester scion would be less of a Class A jerk if B&B had told this story a few years ago when Eric almost died, or if they had resurrected Eric’s health issues more forcefully before Ridge forced his dad into retirement. But at least he came around.
Ridge: “I feel I always know best. Turns out I don’t.”
Growth!
Ivy also did a curious 180. After years of milquetoast appearances as a Forrester-adjacent jewelry designer, suddenly she’s a manipulative shrew ruining her niece’s life. Desperate to keep Electra from Will (which would have made sense when Luna was stalking him), Ivy decided now is the time to spy outside Will’s house, blackmail Dylan into leaving town, and steal the heartfelt letter Electra wrote to Will trying to salvage their romance.
Electra (crying): “Why is this happening?”
Ivy: “I’m here. You can always count on your Aunt Ivy.”
To suddenly sabotage your life.
On the bright side, Daphne finally has a purpose besides creating perfume off-screen — she saw Ivy purloin the letter and confronted her.
Daphne: “You’re directly related to your niece’s heartbreak.”
Ivy: “Don’t you dare tell anyone.”
On the contrary: Tell Carter who can tell Ridge who can bust his cousin Ivy and start earning back his hero status.
Marlena: “My instincts tell me he would not hurt her.”
Kayla: “I am telling you Jeremy Horton stalked and kidnapped my daughter. He may have sold this whole ‘I’ve changed’ act to everybody, including you, but I am not buying it.”
Cut to Jeremy trying to save Stephanie while she screamed at him until a man appeared in the doorway.
Jeremy: “I just want you to get out of here!”
Man (entering): “Too late for that.”
Stephanie: “Oh my God. Owen Kent.”
Yup: The guy behind Stephanie’s abduction in 2009 who was completely overlooked by her ace P.I. father. Sigh.
One day BTG’s Hayley was a loving trophy wife and the next she was a murderous black widow. That’s okay because we didn’t know her. But now that we do, it’s time for the supposedly smart people around her to wake up and smell the poison coffee (okay, tea). Bill calling Randy “Sammy” in front of Joey was a good start.
Joey: “I covered for you and Mrs. Bill Hamilton but the minute you bring the mess to my front door you are no longer an asset to me.”
Randy: “I owe you, boss.”
Buy a clue, Bill!
Phyllis bulldozed every person, company and norm to steal Newman Enterprises on Y&R, which was very true to her character. Her actions also sparked believable changes in the people around her. Daniel finally stood up to his mother, and the normally mild Sharon called out her “friend.”
Sharon: “You didn’t ‘acquire’ Newman. You hacked in and stole it.”
Phyllis: “Kiss the ring or get out of my way.”
Nick: “We will crush you.”
Phyllis: “Come work for me!”
Hey. It’s only my opinion.
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