What Happened On Chad Duell’s Last General Hospital Episode As Michael

Away We Go: Carly (Laura Wright) gave Michael (Chad Duell) the choice about where to undergo treatment.

The Tuesday, January 21 episode of General Hospital marked Chad Duell’s final appearance in the role of Michael Corinthos following his decision to exit the show after a nearly 15-year run. Here’s how the show wrote out the character, who earlier in the month suffered life-threatening burns to the majority of his body after catching on fire when an explosion rocked Sonny’s penthouse.

 

Outside of Michael’s hospital room, Willow explained to Sonny and Jason that she had agreed to allow Michael to decide where he wanted to go for treatment — Johns Hopkins or the clinic in Germany, which could offer him an experimental treatment. Portia clarified that taking Michael out of sedation for a brief period of time was acceptable — but that she would “sedate him immediately” if the pain became too great. Willow nodded that “no one wants Michael to suffer.”

Inside his hospital room, Carly laid out Michael’s options to her bandaged son as he struggled with his immense pain. “Germany,” he managed to say. “Germany.” Carly assured him they would make it happen, and mother and son exchanged “I love you’s” before Carly went to fetch Portia. Michael stopped her and choked out Sasha’s name. Carly looked confused.

Back outside of Michael’s room, Carly shared with the group that Michael had requested to see Sasha before he was put under again. Jason volunteered to track her down on the double. Carly relayed to Sonny and Willow that Michael had opted to go to Germany, and began making arrangements. Willow piped up that she needed to see her husband.

Willow went in to see Michael, and Carly complained to Sonny that hopefully, Willow would not be Michael’s wife for much longer. Sonny noted that Michael and Willow still loved each other, but Carly snapped that if Willow loved Michael, she wouldn’t have cheated on him. “Michael’s the one in agony,” she fumed. “It’s not his job to make Willow feel better!” Sonny calmly argued that Michael and Willow needed a chance to say good-bye.

In Sickness And In Health: Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) paid an emotional visit to her estranged husband.

Willow took a seat next to Michael’s bed and told him how sorry she was for everything. “Wiley and Amelia, they miss their dad and they love you so much,” she added, imploring him to get better for the sake of their children. Taking his bandaged hands, Willow declared that no matter what had happened between them, she would always love him. She vowed that their kids would always know how much he loved them. Suddenly, his body was wracked with a wave of sharp pain, and his monitors began to beep. Willow cried out Michael’s name, alarmed.

The action resumed outside of Michael’s room, with Jason arriving with Sasha while Carly blasted Willow for causing Michael’s setback. Portia emerged from the room with the news that Michael was stable, “but I had to sedate him to ease the stress on his system.” Sasha asked Carly if Michael had said why he wanted to see her; Carly said no, then got in another dig at Willow for needing to “ease her conscience.” Jason led Carly away, chastising her for taking her anger out on Willow. “We have to focus on helping Michael,” he pointed out. Carly told Jason that she was going with Michael to Germany.

Later, at Deception, Sasha informed Natalia and Maxie about Michael’s imminent departure for the German clinic. Once alone with Maxie, Sasha (who is carrying Michael’s child) told Maxie that she’d been at the hospital for her first prenatal checkup. She spoke of her growing excitement about having a baby. Maxie asked again about the identity of the baby’s father, and Sasha confirmed again that he wasn’t in the picture.

So Emotional: Carly had an angry outburst at Willow as Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Sasha (Sofia Mattsson) looked on.

Back at the hospital, Carly announced to Sonny and Portia that a medical jet was waiting to take Michael to Germany. “You don’t want to know,” she told Sonny when he asked how she had managed to swing that. “That’s what I thought,” he replied. Michael’s parents crossed over to the window of his room to gaze upon their son.

A few feet away, Kristina thanked Willow for allowing Michael to choose his own course of treatment. “I just hope we can all find a way to forgive each other,” Willow sighed, saying that the last thing her children needed was “their mother at odds with the rest of their family.” Kristina could barely contain her disgust when Drew sauntered in and approached Willow. Willow stopped Drew from continuing his rant about how the kids belonged with her by reminding him, “Michael’s health is on the line.” She told him that Michael was well enough to be transferred to a specialized burn facility, and Kristina clarified that the facility was in Germany. Willow talked him through how Michael had voiced his preference. Carly overheard Drew suggesting that Carly had manipulated Michael into going along with what she started and called him out. “Drew, you don’t belong here, okay?” interjected Sonny. Willow said she wanted Drew to stay. Privately, she insisted to Drew that going to Germany was what Michael truly wanted.

Sonny tasked Kristina with telling Dante and the rest of the family that Michael was being transferred, but not to come to the hospital as Michael’s immune system could not handle more visitors. After Kristina left, Carly reported to Sonny that Josslyn was packing a bag for her and would meet her at the airport. She promised Sonny she would keep him updated on everything. “Take care of our son,” he told her, his voice thick with emotion. “I will,” she whispered, fighting back tears.

In the hospital chapel, Willow lit a candle as she continued to assure Drew that Carly and Sonny didn’t pressure Michael. Willow gasped when Drew revealed that he had had Tracy arrested. Willow was aghast when Drew said they still didn’t know where her children are. Willow voiced her objection to using Michael as leverage to get Tracy to come clean about their whereabouts. “Let’s just hope that the threat of prison is gonna be enough,” Drew reasoned. Willow panicked that perhaps she had ruined her chances of getting Wiley and Amelia back. Drew was confident that she would prevail. Jason walked into the chapel and was far from thrilled to see Drew and Willow in a cozy moment.

Three’s A Crowd: Jason (Steve Burton, l.) interrupted Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Willow’s chat.

At the airport, Carly voiced her appreciation to Brennan for arranging Michael’s flight and entrance into the clinic. “I’m glad I could help,” he told her. “I’m glad I know you,” she replied.

Ava and Sonny got into a heated conversation — and after she left, Sonny collapsed to the ground in an apparent cardiac episode.

What did you think of Michael’s send-off? Let us know in the comments below!