General Hospital Message Board

There is nothing more complicated in this world than the relationship between and among women.

In April of 2008, the dynamic among Sonny, Kate, and Claudia generated a situation that turned into a tragedy on screen, the shooting of Michael, Sonny’s stepson.

With Kate’s encouragement, Sonny decided to end his dealings in the mob and to focus on his legitimate business. Something that Connie might have wanted him to do when they were teenagers back in Bensonhurst many years ago. Sonny and Kate were trying to reach a happiness that was elusive for most of their lives.

Kate suggested to bring Michael to Sonny’s warehouse so that he could witness his father engage in business that was not tainted by the mob. Kate was the woman who was trying to bring hope into Sonny’s life by making him believe that change was possible. Even though Sonny was far too deep in the mob.

Claudia, on the other hand, was looking for payback. It was not made distinctly clear what her motivation was, but it could be speculated that she was seeking revenge for the abuse and humiliation that she had endured previously in her interactions with Sonny. As such, she ordered a hit on Sonny in the same warehouse and at the same time that Kate was to bring Michael there. Unaware of the coincidence.

The set up was probably intentional. Kate was the woman Sonny “admired” and Claudia was the one he “loathed”. The woman that he put on the pedestal brought Michael to the warehouse and the woman he thought of as “trash” ordered the hit. The shot was fired, and Michael ended up with a bullet in his head.

Tragedy on the screen. A tragedy that was a result of the dynamic among Kate, Claudia, and Sonny. A result of the distinct and stark characterization of the two women in this story. The black and white depiction. The animosity and antagonism.

This same dynamic was yet again the source of conflict towards the end of that year, when the rivalry between these women became a contributing factor leading to Operation Cast Lead.

April 7, 2024