General Hospital meets Casablanca in super couple send-off

From the moment Holly Sutton (Emma Samms) set foot back in Port Charles, fans knew her time would be limited. Not by full confirmation from ABC, but because it’s Holly Sutton. If there were a poster child for an impending departure, it would be her. However, when it was revealed that Holly was Sasha’s (Sofia Mattsson) mother, fans speculated she might finally have an extended run while she tries to bond with her long-lost daughter, even if Sasha was quite the unwilling participant.

On the Nov. 12 episode of General Hospital, there was one expected and one unexpected goodbye for the audience. The writing has been on the wall for a while. It’s no secret Holly Sutton and Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) have been a power couple of the show for well over two decades. And with Holly’s history of running, Robert did try to settle down and embark on a relationship with Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy). A duo that much of the audience was not feeling.

Diane finally put two and two together, even after seeing Holly and Robert embrace more than once. But she held on to her pride and let Robert down easy. Even though he is a great man, and they were happy, his heart belonged to someone else. And Diane was right. Even she deserves to have a man look at her the way Robert looks at Holly.

General Hospital: Same old Holly... same old con

Meanwhile, Holly went to Anna Devane (Finola Hughes). Yet another blast from Robert’s past, and the mother of his daughter, Robin (Kimberly McCullough). Holly knew it would hurt Robert to see her go again, even if they were no longer together and he was locked in another relationship.

It was mere seconds ago Sasha was kidnapped over the diamonds Holly stole. Finally, she reveals to Anna that she took one remaining diamond to cash in for a high-stakes poker game because she has a debt to pay with a criminal syndicate. If she doesn’t pay said debt, they will go after Sasha and Robert and presumably kill them. Holly believes this is her best shot to keep the two people she loves most in the world safe.

As much as Holly and Anna can’t stand each other, they are very entertaining to watch. Despite their faults and flaws, they both love Robert very much. It’s the one and only thing they have in common. Even through the disdain, Anna does try to help her by giving her advice. Holly asks for Anna to look after Robert while she’s away.

"Anna, I realize this fits into our never-ending narrative. I drop out of the sky and blow up Robert’s life. You’re good. I’m bad. I get it. But I do love Robert. And you can doubt whatever you like about me but never doubt that."

- Holly Sutton

The last sage advice Anna gives Holly is, instead of doing her sly getaway act, to go to Robert and tell him the situation. To tell him that she has to leave for Lisbon to put distance between him and Sasha for their well-being. And if she can’t do that, to tell him goodbye once and for all. To stop reappearing in his life to break his heart over and over again. Holly has always put the life of a con artist above all else in her life. She loves the chase and thrill of living on the edge. But I do believe now she’s realizing what it cost and what it took. And now she’s trying her hand at the honorable thing, but is it too little too late?

Twists and turns

For the first time in what seems like forever, Holly attempted to go to Robert to bid her farewell instead of her usual disappearing act. He wasn’t in his office, so she left a note. The time for take-off is ticking, and she tries Robert’s phone one last time. But he wasn’t going to let the love of his life slip through his fingers this time. She pleads she would rather not leave him, and he replies, “In that case, turn around.” And there he was in all his glory, just in the nick of time.

It was a scene that looked straight out of Casablanca all the way down to the hat Holly wore, similar to Ingrid Bergman in her role. It was truly a picturesque rendition straight to the bottom of the fog. Robert nearly laughs when Holly admits she’s in big trouble. Well, it’s Holly. What else is new? She’s a master of chaos. But they’ve missed out on too much time together. He makes a promise to her and Sasha that this will be a round trip ticket. And just like that, the scene fades to black and white, reminiscent of an old-fashioned movie from the '40s. It’s not goodbye permanently but the start of what should have always been.

Could this be the last we see of Tristan Rogers and Emma Samms?

It doesn't appear so. There's a rumor going around that General Hospital has plans for Holly and Robert to return to the show in the coming year. But again, this is just a rumor, and nothing has been confirmed. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before this beautiful duo is back on our screens. There is still so much up in the air with their storylines. For now, it looks like a temporary parting.

Let’s hope Robert can once again get rebellious Holly out of the turmoil she is in. I would love them to return and be the parents that Sasha deserves. The young woman has been through so much trauma that it seems the writers of the show almost enjoy showing her suffering. She may have Maxie and the rest of the Scorpios, but nobody is more deserving of a safe place than her.

A big round of applause and congratulations out there to those diehard Holly and Robert faithfuls. Frank Valentini (executive producer) did a marvelous job of doing this couple justice. You don’t often get to see even the super couples of daytime have this kind of happy ending. It’s also not very often fans are listened to and rewarded for their long-time dedication. Emma Samm’s told SOD this was for them. I couldn’t have written a better goodbye-for-now if I tried. Until we meet again!

Watch what’s next on General Hospital on your local ABC listings or Hulu.