A Love That Never Was

The Port Charles Update is a General Hospital Podcast covering all the juicy GH storylines week to week. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, most podcast platforms and YouTube.

This past week we witnessed Jason at his wits end over Carly’s relationship with Brennan. He went to Lucas, talked about it with Diane, and ended the week at Carly’s where he made it clear to her that no one would be more devoted to her than he would be. Based on that kitchen conversation it became clear that Brennan wasn't the only person Jason didn’t trust to care for Carly. Looking back, even when Carly was with Sonny, Jason had definitely stepped up for Carly in ways Sonny had not, particularly regarding Nelle. While there are legitimate differences between the WSB and the mob, let’s be real, this is a relationship that Jason can’t manage from the inside.

Over 20 years ago, Carly pursued Jason and when her feelings were finally reciprocated, the romance was short lived, ultimately torturing the fans rooting for Carly and Jason back then. Long time fans know that the door to a romance was shut many years ago the moment that Carly slept with Sonny in 1999, something that was brought up this week. The conversation between Jason and Carly after she slept with Sonny made it clear that he would never allow her the opportunity to hurt him again. 

During the kitchen conversation this past week, I kept flashing to this particular moment in GH history, and was surprised that it was then brought up in the scene, and with a notable comment from Jason. Given how hurt he was back then, he seemed very forgiving, acknowledging that there was more to the story. Why this is so pivotal is because they drew a comparison between this moment that set the course for Jason and Carly for years to come and Carly’s situationship with Brennan. This reference and comparison appears to be a callback to a defining moment they are clearly looking to reopen and redefine. It then makes sense why they chose to showcase Jason showing up to the hospital this week prioritising Carly even though Elizabeth was the one who was in the hospital recovering from a car crash. This moment is significant because it shows Jason’s tunnel vision regarding Carly without being sidetracked by Elizabeth specifically, given that Elizabeth was the reason Carly slept with Sonny all of those years ago. Carly went by Kelly’s and saw Jason and Elizabeth slow dancing through the window, and when Carly showed up to Sonny’s he really pushed the idea that Jason was in fact seeing and falling for Elizabeth. This moment is how Jason and Carly became nothing more than ‘best friends’, because no other title captures a relationship based on a love that never was. 

Jason and Carly truly did manage to have a friendship over the years, however, Carly’s jealousy and possessiveness regarding Jason would pop up now and then, and Jason always prioritized and protected Carly and her kids throughout all of her marriages and his own. While I rooted for Carly and Jason twenty six years ago, it was clear over the years that they had settled into their own romances leaving any idea of a hookup between Jason and Carly so clearly off the table. They both had epic romances, Jason with Sam and Carly with Sonny and these romances were epic for a reason. Each of them captivated audiences and had us rooting for them to go the distance, however, just like in real life people evolve and so did these characters.

The Carly and Jason characters are not the same people that they were back then. These characters ultimately grew up together and hugely influenced who the other became. Carly grew into a more grounded person, someone others could rely on. Jason expanded his world over time, letting others in and becoming more expressive. Looking back on old scenes, you can see Carly grow into loving and respecting herself, even with the current Brennan storyline. On our latest podcast episode titled Platonic Love, we talk about Brennan acting as a literal human shield to protect her from Jason’s affections. We also talk about how accessible Jason’s feelings may be for Carly since he “died” shortly after their wedding. Carly, on the other hand, had time to put distance between herself and any feelings that came up for Jason during their hours-long marriage. Between things falling apart with Sonny, losing Bobby and her relationship with Drew, life moved Carly further away from her feelings for Jason, while Carly became Jason’s reason for being while he was away. 

Intentional or not, when you look back on Jason and Carly’s history, the undercurrent of a romance that never was becomes more apparent the more GH highlights the intensity of their love. It is brilliant and something that could only exist in a soap opera where you can be there from the very beginning throughout the decades. It is certainly a valid debate, when would the time ever be right for two ‘best friends’ to become more, especially with the Sonny factor, but I think so much has changed in their dynamic that it could actually be possible. The funny thing is, Sonny was and has continued to be the factor between Jason and Carly. When you have two characters with a history like theirs, it is not a leap that can be taken lightly or without the intention of longevity behind it, and I think this is the very move GH is making. The last time Carly and Jason got together, they promised each other a real marriage that would last a lifetime. Even then, they were hesitant, there was a lot of fear around losing each other if they ever crossed that line again, the way they had decades earlier. 

Given who their characters were 26 years ago, I am not sure they were ready, or that their romance would have reached epic levels. However, I do think that the Jason and Carly characters have grown into people who could be amazing partners to each other today, especially with the remarkable foundation they have established over time. Even Luke and Laura eventually stopped being Luke and Laura, and became Luke and Tracy and Laura and Kevin. Luke and Laura’s new romances made sense for the people they became and I think that this can be true for Carly and Jason. The more life that happens, what really matters becomes clear, and with Sam’s passing, Michael’s accident, not to mention the turmoil ahead with Brennan and Monica, these two may be forced to confront their past, present and future together.

When I am not watching GH, posting about GH, or blogging about GH, I am often having fun creating and working on other projects. A recent project was creating a coloring book with my kids, including all the types of pictures they like to color. Together we created the Cutie Pie Coloring book, that isn't just a coloring book, but a world where you can create and name your characters to be added to our Cutie Pie Collection on instagram. Let’s be real, it’s a fun way to immortalise your child’s creation, making it easier when the images secretly make it off the fridge and into the recycling bin. You can check out the coloring book on Amazon USA or Canada and share it with anyone who loves to color and create. Visit our Cutie Pie Coloring Instagram page where you can submit your Cutie Pies and join our World’s Largest Cutie Pie Collection. 

The Port Charles Update is a General Hospital Podcast covering all the juicy GH storylines week to week. You can find us on Apple Podcasts,Spotify Podcasts, most podcast platforms and YouTube.