General Hospital's HIV Storyline

[numbersguy82]

So I've watched General Hospital for 23 yrs since I was 6 years old. They have had an HIV storyline with one of the main characters Robin Scorpio since the mid 1990's. She contracted it from her street thug boyfriend named Stone when she was a teenager. Stone passed away in a very touching scene. Robin has gone on to get treatment, become UD, get married, have a child, and all-in-all live a normal life.
http://youtu.be/AUxIiHczzYk

Recently the actress announced her intent to leave the rumored to be cancelled sudser. The writers have chosen to kill off her character who has literally grown up from a toddler on the show to a grown woman. Her exit storyline is that her HIV strain suddenly changed and she became resistant to her old medication. She has now gone on to try 3 new protocols without success. Fearing the worst she has chosen to leave town and asked her best friend to step in and care for her husband and baby in her place.
http://youtu.be/Eh3TxIsbAR0

I guess my question is how realistic is it that suddenly a patient would become resistant and see all treatment options fail? Are the writers just being lazy and killing her off unrealistically? Perhaps an HIV related illness would have been a better explanation other than just a rapidly dropping cd4 count and out of control VL. What are your opinions?

[denb45]

Well, you gotta give abc-TV kudo's for awareness of teh AIDS @ least   

[WillyWump]

I guess it could be realistic if she were only 50% adherent and blew through all combos available to us. Otherwise I dont think she would just become spontaneously resistant, maybe Newt or some other well heeled member could clear that up for us.

But at least GH has actually tried too halfway get it right in regards to HIv. I've seen so many TV shows get it wrong and it gets irritating.

-W

[weasel]

              Suddenly is the KEY word !

        It would take a while to go threw all the meds .

     I agree thou !

     Bravo to General Hospital to even go there and KEEP it running so long !

     If you are adherent to your meds life will be a normal life span , I have heard
   
     this very often , I do believe it .

                                                            Carl 

[surf18]

i remember when that story line came out. i was like oh how terrible for her. But this will never happen to me............ Well years later ........ ugh

[tednlou2]

It sounds like this storyline will cause many to think this is what inevitably happens to every poz person.  I don't believe Hollywood should sugarcoat things, but it would seem the more realistic storyline would deal with health issues longterm survivors have to deal with and not treatment failure where the character is leaving town to go off and die?? 

I don't watch the show.  Perhaps I'll tune in to see how they handle this storyline, before it goes off the air.  Katie Couric is suppose to get her own network show on ABC this Fall that is believed to be the replacement for GH.

Edited for spelling

[Joe K]

I hope they give the three new combos enough time to try and work.  If she's jumping from combo to combo, that's very unrealistic.  It would seem to be easier to have her get resistant, have her numbers plummet, get an OI and have a great death bed scene.  But it's TV so you can never expect them to show the reality of treatment.

Joe

[Hellraiser]

I thought that's how it worked before I was infected.  I thought that it was a death sentence and you just worked your way through the meds until you had no options left and then you died.  I imagine most people are completely clueless about the disease progression and treatment options for HIV.

[bocker3]

Holy crap folks ---

This is a SOAP OPERA!  Reality and soaps don't exist in the same time-space continuum. 
How can you expect anything to mirror the real world here when folks routinely return from the dead -- every person in town gets amnesia at least twice in their life.  Everyone has an evil twin and marries just about everyone else in town.
If you want TV to educate -- watch the Smithsonian channel -- otherwise take network television for what it is -- an adverstising platform that MAY, just MAY offer up a little decent entertainment.

Mike

[Ann]

Why can't she just "suddenly" step out in front of a bus? Why does she have to die of hiv related causes? Many of us don't, after all.

[denb45]

Why can't she just "suddenly" step out in front of a bus? Why does she have to die of hiv related causes? Many of us don't, after all.

I've tried to step out in front of a bus many times, but the bus would always stop, here in New Mexico, I can't even get thrown under a bus 

[wolfter]

They should have her having an affair and not disclosing her status and just send her off to prison for life. 

Wolfie

[hope_for_a_cure]

Soaps are a dying breed.  Talk shows and reality TV are the rage now as you know. 

I use to watch one years ago.  That Young and the Restless (aka Hung and the Breastless) and can still remember when Phillip Chancellor died in that auto accident back in the late 70s.  Old lady Chancellor was hitting the booze and and smoking those cigarettes like there was no tomorrow.  Snapper was a hottie!! 

Sorry... digressed a bit.  An HIV storyline depicted in most dramas typically has ended badly. 

[Raf]

Why can't she just "suddenly" step out in front of a bus? Why does she have to die of hiv related causes? Many of us don't, after all.

This is exactly what I thought. Why she has to die precisely from teh aids when a piano might fall over you on the street any moment? (obviously I'm putting this as an over the top example lol) or die from another unrelated disease?

Ah well, at least they got it right regarding aids. Kudos to them, If I have the chance of viewing that show online or something, I'll do (I'll check if my cable company have that channel).

[denb45]

But you all are forgetting that awareness of teh AIDS on tv, radio, ads or anywhere else is what's really important here "awareness of teh AIDS"  gives us hope for the future 

[Ann]

But you all are forgetting that awareness of teh AIDS on tv, radio, ads or anywhere else is what's really important here "awareness of teh AIDS"  gives us hope for the future 

I'm much rather that the "awareness of teh aids" is based in fact. When it's not, it usually only furthers the stigma and discrimination we face.

[Basquo]

Holy crap folks ---

This is a SOAP OPERA!  Reality and soaps don't exist in the same time-space continuum. 
How can you expect anything to mirror the real world here when folks routinely return from the dead -- every person in town gets amnesia at least twice in their life.  Everyone has an evil twin and marries just about everyone else in town.
If you want TV to educate -- watch the Smithsonian channel -- otherwise take network television for what it is -- an adverstising platform that MAY, just MAY offer up a little decent entertainment.

Mike

Mike, you have to acknowledge that there are people out there who think all those things do happen in real life, and they don't have the money for Smithsonian or some other higher-grade channel and they're going to believe what's shown to them. I think what most of us are saying is it'd just be nice if the writers at GH would make their storyline a little more realistic when it comes to something everyone here on this site knows about...and I'm not talking about denb45's evil twin sister.

[denb45]

I'm much rather that the "awareness of teh aids" is based in fact. When it's not, it usually only furthers the stigma and discrimination we face.

Well paint my toe-nails and call me Denise  thanks for the auto-correct miss Ann 

[Ann]

Well paint my toe-nails and call me Denise  thanks for the auto-correct miss Ann 

You're most welcome, Denise. But can I give you a pass on the toe-nail painting? I don't do my own, let alone others.

[bocker3]

Mike, you have to acknowledge that there are people out there who think all those things do happen in real life, and they don't have the money for Smithsonian or some other higher-grade channel and they're going to believe what's shown to them. I think what most of us are saying is it'd just be nice if the writers at GH would make their storyline a little more realistic when it comes to something everyone here on this site knows about...and I'm not talking about denb45's evil twin sister.

Yeah, but where is the concern or outrage over all the other untrue, unrealistic and over-the-top storylines.  Anyone who actually thinks soap operas should educate hasn't watched many.  I used to watch a few back in my younger days -- there is nothing that resembles reality.  If this was a different sort of show, I'd readily agree -- but a soap??  and GH to boot (I used to watch this high school, I've seen the insanity -- freezing the city, etc) -- it is hard for me to really care about their storyline. 

I get that it might hit close to home, but many other storylines probably hit close to home for someone else -- amnesia, other ailments -- I didn't get upset over those, so I see no reason to do so here.

edited to add:  You are right -- some folks will believe this story.  I'm not sure that a more realistic portrayal would do much for them - it's the sensationalistic pieces that stick in their minds.  These are the folks that keep the National Enquirer in business.

Mike

[Miss Philicia]

So I've watched General Hospital for 23 yrs since I was 6 years old.

no comment

[numbersguy82]

no comment

What an interesting debate about fantasy versus reality depicted in any form of media only to end with this... Are you more bothered that I spent my summers plastered to the tube watching People stranded on islands or finding out they had children they don't remember giving birth to, or are you hating on my age

Oh and Ann I agree with you. My point is we have seen a beautifully depicted storyline over 20 yrs that showed a woman's growth in dealing with this disease and living a normal life. To just end it easily by having her crash and burn as a result of HIV sounds unrealistic in today's day and age of medicine. I mean soap's have killed people with yes poison pancakes in the past POISON PANCAKES surely they could find a different way.

Oh for the record I no longer watch GH on a regular basis. I now get my soapy goodness fix from watching across the pond's Eastenders... now that is a soap worth watching!!!

[Ann]

Oh for the record I no longer watch GH on a regular basis. I now get my soapy goodness fix from watching across the pond's Eastenders... now that is a soap worth watching!!!

Eastenders? Good lord, that program makes me want to slit my wrists. I watch Emmerdale and Corrie, at least they serve up giggles with the doom and gloom.

[numbersguy82]

Eastenders? Good lord, that program makes me want to slit my wrists. I watch Emmerdale and Corrie, at least they serve up giggles with the doom and gloom.

Hmmmm I haven't seen those.... I will have to look them up. Eastenders just has awesome pacing and I love(d) Peg. I'm not opposed to the doom and gloom as long as it makes sense. GH makes no sense at times it's almost unwatchable.

[WillyWump]

Why can't she just "suddenly" step out in front of a bus? Why does she have to die of hiv related causes?

Actually thats an excellent point. "Spot On" as you redcoats say.

-W

[Rev. Moon]

Numbersgurl, shame on you boo.  Soaps are hedious.  I watched like three episodes of "One Life To Live" many years ago and was appalled by the cheesy settings, silly plots, and crappy acting (it's like almost intentionally bad).  I guess I just don't have the patience or time to watch something that never ends.

Nothing like a good ol' telenovela (especially the Brazilian ones) if you like that kind of drama.  They last only three or four months however.  Nowadays many of them offer English closed captioning for those who only speak American.

[Miss Philicia]

Nothing like a good ol' telenovela (especially the Brazilian ones) if you like that kind of drama. 

Oh yes, especially the one with Caua Reymond in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl28nUyBJDM

... but that was years ago, now he does actual movies, and looks even hotter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRmL11VRys

that last clip makes me reach for a bottle of poppers

[spacebarsux]

Well, you guys have obviously not had a taste of Indian soap operas.

They're really something else!! I don't even know where to begin describing what they're like. LOL

For anyone with a curious eye here's a free preview. Language barriers won't ruin the effect, I promise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dIH2sSims

PS- Don't say I didn't warn you! 

[Rev. Moon]

Oh yes, especially the one with Caua Reymond in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl28nUyBJDM

... but that was years ago, now he does actual movies, and looks even hotter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyRmL11VRys

that last clip makes me reach for a bottle of poppers

A favorite of mine was "Xica Da Silva".  I loved the shameless sexuality, even for the gay characters.  If this was available on DVD I might actually buy it.

Xica da Silva

[mecch]

If they go with this unlikely reason for death, hopefully they will pile on more turds.  Get some cheesy rapper or pop star to do a maudlin farewell to the the AIDS martyr song, all the cast shedding tears over her brave fight against the killer virus and what an innocent victim she was, after all the years of good living, of some immoral criminal thug guy in her naive youth. etc etc etc

[Ann]

Hmmmm I haven't seen those.... I will have to look them up. Eastenders just has awesome pacing and I love(d) Peg. I'm not opposed to the doom and gloom as long as it makes sense. GH makes no sense at times it's almost unwatchable.

Barbara Windsor (who played Peg) is a national treasure over here. Have you ever seen her in a Carry On film? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrey1g-Qogg

Numbersgurl, shame on you boo.  Soaps are hedious.

British soaps are quite watchable. Most of them are on in the evenings. They're really nothing like the American afternoon soaps. I never followed the American soaps, but I've watched enough of them to know what they're like.

Anyone remember Dark Shadows? Now that was a soap!

[Jeff G]

The only soap I ever loved was Passions ... and that was because it was so over the top and mostly a spoof on other soaps . There was Precious, the obsessive orangutan nurse who loved gin . Precious was the nurse because they were poor and an orangutan nurse was all they could afford . That was some good daytime TV .

[Hellraiser]

The only soap I ever loved was Passions ... and that was because it was so over the top and mostly a spoof on other soaps . There was Precious, the obsessive orangutan nurse who loved gin . Precious was the nurse because they were poor and an orangutan nurse was all they could afford . That was some good daytime TV .

One name says it all "Timmy the living doll"

[tednlou2]

Maybe they'll bring Richard Simmons back to save her.  Didn't he play a nurse years ago?  Or, maybe she kills herself when she has to deal with him. 

Or, perhaps she becomes possessed by the devil like Marlana on Days.  Or, it was all a big dream and she's in the shower with Bobby Ewing.  It's a soap, so they find a cure using some substance they find in a magical cave or from special t-cells from her evil twin, but the twin resists and wants control of the hospital. 

Knots Landing had an actor with AIDS who died in real life.  Obviously, they didn't write that into the show.   I remember being very sad--seeing him deteriorate on the show until he could no longer do it.  But, that was real life and not scripted, so I digress.  That was circa 1991.

[Rev. Moon]

Knots Landing had an actor with AIDS who died in real life.  Obviously, they didn't write that into the show.   I remember being very sad--seeing him deteriorate on the show until he could no longer do it.  But, that was real life and not scripted, so I digress.  That was circa 1991.

Yeah, I remember him.  It didn't get as much press as Rock Hudson and his evident case of teh AIDS in the mid-eighties season of Dynasty.

Most mainstream shows deal with HIV/AIDS in fairly lame and ignorant ways.  I can't think of one single show that had a good strong character living with the virus.  Then again, it still happens in the movies as well.  Many a gay film deals with tragic queens (or someone who dies horribly) never a decent role model who actually LIVES with HIV.

[bocker3]

Anyone remember Dark Shadows? Now that was a soap!

They are making a Dark Shadows movie -- Johnny Depp is playing Barnabus Collins.  could be interesting -- or a disaster............

[spacebarsux]

  Many a gay film deals with tragic queens (or someone who dies horribly) never a decent role model who actually LIVES with HIV.

Well not a role model I'm sure, but the later seasons of Queer As Folk (US Version) had this guy called Ben (very hot  ) who's Michael's boyfriend and he seemed to be a normal guy living  with HIV and not decaying or wasting away. I didn't see all of the episodes after this Ben character made an entrance though, so I may be mistaken.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChiiTlnRGg

[spacebarsux]

Barbara Windsor (who played Peg) is a national treasure over here. Have you ever seen her in a Carry On film? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrey1g-Qogg

Ann, have you seen "Carry on Camping?" She left quite an impression. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0J9FdN8oqA

[denb45]

They are making a Dark Shadows movie -- Johnny Depp is playing Barnabus Collins.  could be interesting -- or a disaster............

YES    I use to run home from school just to watch "Dark Shadows"  they did a re-make for TV back in 1990 for NBC-TV it was a mini-series, but it was a disater, and got very poor ratings.....