GayTV Recap: General Hospital (Episodes 14248-14249)

Now back to being a major part of the General Hospital landscape, Ryan Carnes got more screentime this week, leading to some focus on his character, Dr. Lucas Jones, thanks to developments in his professional and personal life. Episode 14248 aired on January 21st and found Lucas paying a visit to his sister Carly's son Michael (played by Chad Duell), who surprised his uncle with a gift for Lucas' adopted son Wiley. Taking his role as godfather very seriously, Michael delivered information on a college fund he had setup for the infant. Lucas appreciated the gesture, commending Michael on his grace and attitude towards Wiley, given the loss of his own child. Of course, neither man knows the truth that Wiley is the child that Michael believes is dead.

Lucas & Michael headed to the Metrocourt Hotel where they arrived to see Carly having a tense conversation with her nemesis Ava. They avoided that drama, only for more drama to come through the elevator door, as reporter Lulu stumbled in after being stabbed by the town's serial killer. Lucas sprung into action to try to stop the bleeding, as paramedics were called.

Lucas enlisted Michael's help with the triage, while Lucas & Lulu's mother Laura unsuccessfully tried to keep her conscious. Lulu was rushed to the hospital where Lucas updated Laura and Lulu's father-in-law Sonny on her condition. They were joined by the surgeon, who informed them that Lulu had been stabilized and was headed for surgery.

The following episode, 14249, picked up where things left off at the hospital, with concerned family gathering to support Lulu while she was in surgery. Lucas ran into Michael, who worried about his sister-in-law's condition. Lucas updated him and then Michael revealed the police suspicion that Lulu might have been a victim of the killer. Meanwhile, Lucas' husband Brad arrived with Wiley at the pub, where they ran into Lucas' father Julian. A nervous Brad revealed he didn't think Julian would be there, surprising Julian.

Back at the hospital, Lucas agreed to help Michael get the word out about Lulu, but knowing it would be a long night for everyone, they agreed to grab some food first. Meanwhile, at the pub, Brad explained that Lulu told him Julian would be at the Metrocourt. Julian revealed his plans changed due to a staffing shortage. He took the time to cradle Wiley, despite Brad knowing that was a bad idea. However, given Julian's efforts to help him keep Wiley through the adoption crisis, Brad allowed it.

Talk of the lengths Julian went through, to help the adoption move forward after the baby swap & birth mother issues, made Brad uncomfortable, but Julian assured him that everything was working out in their favor. Unfortunately, things only got more tense when Lucas & Michael arrived at the pub. Lucas was surprised to see Brad, but even more surprised to see his father holding their son, leading him to wonder what Brad was doing there.

Lucas quickly removed Wiley from Julian's arms, upset that Brad was taking Wiley to visit his father in secret, despite their agreement with the birth mother when it comes to Julian. Brad told Lucas that it was all a misunderstanding. He had taken a restless Wiley out for a drive to get him to sleep. He stopped into the pub for coffee and ran into Julian. Lucas then asked Michael to watch the infant so that he and Brad could talk alone. Michael happily obliged, annoying Julian.

Outside the pub, Lucas scolded Brad for disobeying their agreement with the birth mother. Brad reiterated that seeing Julian wasn't planned. He also reminded Lucas that he's repairing his relationship with his father, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Unbeknownst to them, the birth mother Willow, who recently befriended Michael, arrived at the pub seeing him with the child that she believes is the one she gave up for adoption, thanks to Julian's prodding. Back outside, Lucas told Brad that it was still important to him to respect the birth mother's wishes about Julian, despite it not being legally binding since the adoption was finalized.

With Julian watching from afar, Willow was instantly uncomfortable as Michael introduced her to his godson Wiley. Both Willow & Michael remain in the dark about Wiley's true identity. The two have been bonding through their grief over losing their unrelated babies. Michael doesn't know Wiley was a product of Willow's adoption and Willow doesn't know her baby died and was swapped with Michael's. Lucas & Brad returned to the pub, where Michael introduced them to Willow. Of course, Brad & Lucas don't know Willow is the birth mother behind their original adoption. The group made small talk about Wiley before Lucas & Brad departed for home, not realizing their family could be on the verge of crumbling, as all of the involved parties get closer and closer.