The Wildest Storylines In General Hospital History

"General Hospital" earned a Guinness World Record for the longest-running American soap opera on air and, needless to say, it has absolutely mastered the art of the soap opera. The series offers a unique form of escapism with its often wild (and wonderful) plots. Viewers can watch characters as they find themselves battling an evil twin, getting framed for a crime they didn't commit, reuniting with recently resurrected relatives, or coming face to face with their long-lost secret child.

The show, which first premiered in 1963 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in April 2023, has even captivated fans with its more realistic storylines, like Alexis' battle against lung cancer in 2006. However, it's the series' outlandish and unbelievable plots that have left fans reeling. From the high camp hijinks of the 1980s to more recent science fiction-inspired escapades, "General Hospital" has consistently dared to push the envelope, fearlessly exploring the farthest reaches of storytelling.

In 1981, Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) clashed with the elitists known as the Cassadines for the first time and ignited a family feud to rival the Capulets and Montagues. Mikkos Cassadine (John Colicos), the machiavellian head of the family, hatched a scheme to use his weather machine and the threat of a fatal frost to bring world governments to his heel.

To execute his plan, Mikkos pursued possession of the world's largest uncut diamond, The Ice Princess. Concealed within the gem's base lay the formulaic equation to create carbonic snow, and Mikkos planned to use this snow to power his weather machine. Securing the diamond proved difficult since Alex Quartermaine (Renee Anderson), WSB Agent Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers), and several others also sought ownership of the jewel. Eventually capturing his prize, Mikkos demonstrated the devastating power of his device by sending Port Charles into an out-of-season deep freeze. Knowing they needed to stop the madman, Luke Spencer, Laura Webber, and Robert Scorpio teamed up to take him down. By the time the dust settled, Alex Quartermaine and Tony Cassadine (Andre Landzaat) had perished. Mikkos was also dead, and Luke and Laura had saved the world.

The Ice Princess Adventure was the first battle in the unholy war between the Spencers and the Cassadines (with the Scorpios occasionally entering the fray) that continues to this day.

"General Hospital" stunned fans in 2001 by revealing Stavros Cassadine (Robert Kelker-Kelly) hadn't actually perished in 1983. Long believed dead after a confrontation with Luke Spencer, the discovery that Stavros had been secretly placed in a cryogenic chamber by his mother, Helena, until medical advancements could revive him sent shockwaves throughout the audience.

Stavros adopted the alias Lucien Cain, clandestinely observing his brother Stefan, son Nikolas, and the object of his obsession, Laura Spencer. Posing as Lucien, he manipulated Chloe Morgan into ending her relationship with Stefan. When Chloe uncovered the ruse, he murdered her and framed Stefan. Stavros tricked Gia Campbell, Nikolas' love interest, into sharing information about Nikolas and broke into Laura's home, leaving reminders of her time on Cassadine Island. He and Helena plot to release a biotoxin but are foiled by Luke. The two fight, leaving Stavros clinging to the edge of a pit. Locking eyes with Luke, Stavros let go laughing as he fell into the abyss.

Resurfacing in 2013, Stavros shifted his fixation to Laura's daughter, Lulu. He kidnapped and brainwashed her, claiming she reminded him of his past with Laura. Dante rescued Lulu, and Luke and Laura locked Stavros in a cryogenic chamber to suffer the same frozen fate as his father, Mikkos. In 2014, Stavros returned, abducting Lulu again with plans to create a family via her egg and his sperm. However, Dante intervened, fatally shooting Stavros and finally ending his reign of terror.

In 1995, Jason Quartermaine (Steve Burton) was the favored son of his family, while his brother A.J. (Sean Kanan) was the black sheep. Their choices one cold night would alter their destinies and change the course of "General Hospital" forever.

The winter of 1995 found A.J. fighting a losing battle against alcoholism. Following a heated argument with his father, Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon), A.J. stormed out of the house. Knowing A.J. was unfit to drive, Jason followed, promising to bring him home safely. In the driveway, Jason confronted A.J. When Jason demanded A.J.'s keys, A.J. refused. Trying to prevent a tragedy, Jason climbed into the passenger seat as A.J. sped away. The resulting crash left A.J. with minor injuries, but Jason suffered severe head trauma. When he regained consciousness, tests revealed Jason had lost all memories of his life with no hope of recovering them.

No longer the even-tempered peacemaker of the family, devoted to Keesha Ward (Senait Ashenafi), and with aspirations of a medical career, Jason had transformed into a hostile stranger who rejected the Quartermaine's affluence and influence. Assuming his grandmother Lila's surname, Morgan, he bonded with local mobster Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Bernard), rising through the ranks of Sonny's organization to become his enforcer. Jason refused to rekindle his relationship with Keesha, instead exploring a connection with Robin Scorpio. Over the next few years, he created a life far removed from his previous existence.

In 2011, little Jake Spencer (then James Nigbor) was the victim of a hit-and-run and declared brain dead. His parents, Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) and Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst), then made the agonizing decision to donate his organs to save the life of Carly Corinthos' daughter, Josslyn Jacks (then Mckenna and Karleigh Larson). When the investigation reveals Jake's grandfather, Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary), as the driver behind his accident, the Spencer family descends into emotional chaos. Lucky angrily confronts his father, sending Luke into a lengthy downward spiral and playing a part in Lucky eventually leaving Port Charles.

In the years following, Elizabeth tries to move past the pain of losing her son, but her heart never quite heals. She received a miracle when, in 2015, we learned Jake hadn't perished after all. Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers), the greatest enemy of the Spencer family, was holding Jake hostage on Cassadine Island. Luke saves his grandson, allowing him to right the wrong of five years ago, and Lucky takes Jake back to Port Charles and returns him to Elizabeth's loving arms.

In 2004, Diego Alcazar (Ignacio Serricchio) arrives in Port Charles as a foster child and is placed with Courtney Matthews (Alicia Leigh Willis). Despite Courtney's attempts to be a good influence, Diego was drawn to the power of organized crime and aspired to be part of Sonny Corinthos' organization. He eventually discovered powerful mafia boss Lorenzo Alcazar was his biological father. Attempting to get revenge for his deceased cousin Sage, Diego drugged Maxie Jones and Brook Lynn Quartermaine and took compromising photos of them.

After a brief stint in prison, Diego returned. A friendship with Georgie Jones (Lindze Letherman) settles him until Diego gives in to his dark side again, scheming with Lulu Spencer to destroy Georgie's relationship with Dillion Quartermaine and getting involved with his father's illegal empire. When Sam McCall shot and killed Diego in November 2006, viewers assumed they'd seen the last of him.

In 2007, the Text Message Killer came to Port Charles. They attacked Sam, Maxie, Carly Jacks, and Alexis Davis, and killed Leticia Juarez, Georgie Jones, Emily Quartermaine, and Cooper Barrett. The TMK confronts Sam, and when they remove their ski mask, she's stunned to see Diego. He explains he wants vengeance on Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan for murdering his father, and because they didn't fear death, he chose to target those they loved. After failing to kill Sam McCall and Elizabeth Webber, Diego finally meets his end during an altercation with Nikolas Cassadine.

In 2012, infamous villainess Heather Webber (then Robin Mattson) manipulated her son, Steve Webber (Scott Reeves), into supporting her release from Ferncliff Sanitarium. She then quickly sets her sights on ending her son's relationship with Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero). Olivia doesn't buy Heather's alleged reformation and recovery and tries her best to get Steve to see the light about his mother. Despite Olivia's objections and catching Heather in numerous lies, Steve didn't believe Heather was dangerous. Unfortunately for him, Olivia was right, and Heather was as treacherous, obsessive, and unhinged as ever, which she proved by attacking Olivia and injecting her with an overdose of LSD.

Olivia survived the ordeal, and the authorities arrested Heather, but the story didn't end there. The LSD had the unexpected side effect of giving Olivia prophetic visions of the future. Olivia's premonitions often needed to be interpreted, but several events she foresaw would come to pass, such as Steve's stabbing and Maxie Jones' betrayal of Lulu Spencer. Her abilities have disappeared in recent years, but we never know when they may reappear.

In 2013, "General Hospital" revisited the lore of its spin-off soap, "Port Charles" and introduced the tainted love of Olivia "Livvie" Locke (Kelly Monaco) and Caleb Morley (Micheal Easton) to new viewers.

Shortly after returning to Port Charles, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) stumbles across John McBain (Micheal Easton) and Samantha Morgan (Kelly Monaco) in Kelly's. She calls John "Caleb" and implores Sam to take her son, Danny, and run. When Sam doesn't listen, Lucy attacks John, stabbing him. Lucy is arrested and sent to Ferncliff Sanitarium. Meanwhile, Alison Barrington (Erin Hershey-Presley) and her son, Rafe Kovich Jr. (Jimmy Deshler), arrive in town. Rafe connects with Molly Lansing (Haley Pullos), while Alison has an unpleasant run-in with John and Sam. When Alison turns up dead, Rafe and John are both suspects in her murder. They join forces to find her killer.

John discovers "Caleb" was the stage persona of a musician named Stephen Clay, who became a serial killer after the death of his wife, Livvie. Caleb pursues Sam and Danny, posing as John. Sam eventually identifies him as Caleb, leading to a confrontation. John, Lucy, and Rafe intervene, and John stabs Caleb with a silver arrow. Anna takes a disbelieving Lucy to see Stephen/Caleb's body. After some convincing, Lucy finally accepts that the dead man is not a vampire. After they leave, Caleb reveals himself and walks out of the morgue. A short time later, Stephen Clay's brother, Silas Clay, moves to Port Charles.