Sonny dies in surgery – Maurice Benard officially retires ABC General Hospital Spoilers

Welcome back to the ABC General Hospital Spoilers Channel. Today, we dive into the ever-evolving storm surrounding Sonny Corinthos and the increasingly volatile world of Port Charles. As the city reels from explosive secrets, shifting alliances, and personal crises, the fate of its most iconic residents is being rewritten in real time.

Port Charles is no stranger to chaos, but recent months have upended the city’s balance of power like never before. The arrival of Jen Sidwell, rumored to be a covert agent of the World Security Bureau, has sent shockwaves through both the criminal underworld and law enforcement circles. Behind his calm exterior lies a dangerous man with deep knowledge of Sonny’s operations and a mysterious agenda that could change everything.

The tension deepens with WSB Chief Jack Brennan, now portrayed by Chris McKenna, who has taken an unusual interest in Sonny’s past—and possibly his future. Brennan’s recruitment of his former stepdaughter into the bureau has blurred the lines between personal vendettas and official business, pulling the Corinthos family further into the shadows of government operations.

The WSB has always been a lurking presence, but now its moves are overt. Covert missions and hidden agendas are destabilizing the delicate loyalties of Port Charles, putting even Mayor Laura Collins in a difficult position as her longstanding friendship with Sonny becomes a liability. Meanwhile, Sidwell’s rumored involvement in the penthouse bombing and his quiet pursuit of Sonny’s property indicate a broader scheme, one that could shake the city to its core.

The Corinthos family, once a bastion of strength and unity, now stands on the edge of tragedy. Each of Sonny’s children faces their own unraveling. Michael Corinthos, gravely injured in the penthouse explosion, remains in critical condition. His absence has left a void not just in the family but in the moral center of the Corinthos name. Dante Falconeri, still recovering from personal losses, finds himself emotionally adrift and increasingly drawn to self-destructive tendencies. Kristina Corinthos-Davis, deeply wounded by recent trauma, hovers on the brink of a breakdown. Her pain is simmering dangerously close to eruption.

Adding to the strain is Sonny’s bitter legal battle with Ava Jerome over custody of their daughter Avery. The courtroom has become a battlefield where each appearance further wears down Sonny’s resolve—and his health.

At the heart of it all is Sonny himself. For decades, he’s ruled with strength and fear, but now he faces his most relentless enemy: his failing heart. Months of worsening symptoms have left Sonny with no choice but to undergo a life-saving cardiac procedure, likely involving a pacemaker. And yet, in true Corinthos fashion, he delays treatment, putting his family’s safety and his criminal empire ahead of his own well-being.

The secrecy surrounding his condition, known only to a select few, has made him more vulnerable than ever. Rumors swirl that Sidwell may be planning an attack during Sonny’s surgery, raising the terrifying possibility of a deadly betrayal when Sonny is at his weakest.

While the drama unfolds on screen, changes behind the scenes have also been monumental. A new creative team led by Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten is guiding General Hospital into a daring new chapter. Their collaborative approach is already paying off, weaving complex plots and deepening character arcs. With a fresh vision rooted in GH’s legacy, the new writers are poised to carry the show through its next era, delivering a volatile mix of emotion, intrigue, and transformation.

Looking ahead, the tension shows no sign of easing. Michael Corinthos’s story arc continues to unfold with devastating impact. His absence has created a power vacuum, and the fallout from his injuries is reshaping every character connected to him. With long-standing villains like Cyrus Renault set to face justice, themes of retribution and legacy dominate the current storyline.

The question that now consumes Port Charles is whether Sonny will survive his surgery—and if he does, will he choose to walk away from the mob at last, prioritizing his family and health over power and vengeance? Or will he be pulled back into the fray, risking everything one final time?

What is clear is that General Hospital remains a masterclass in transformation. Through decades of storytelling, it continues to balance timeless themes of love, betrayal, and redemption with modern, socially resonant narratives. Sonny Corinthos now stands at a crossroads, and the choices he makes will change everything.

But he’s not the only one with a reckoning ahead.

Elsewhere, danger encroaches on General Hospital itself. As Sonny lies unconscious in his recovery room, a deadly plot moves quietly into place. Using intel gathered from Natalia Ramirez, who was recently fired from Deception after her ties to Sidwell were exposed, Sidwell orchestrates a chilling assassination attempt. A fake nurse enters Sonny’s hospital room with a lethal injection, threatening to turn a place of healing into a crime scene.

Natalia, once trusted by her colleagues Maxie Jones, Lucy Coe, and Brook Lynn Quartermaine, now finds herself cast out. Her desperate vulnerability made her an easy target for Sidwell’s manipulation. Her firing creates new fault lines within the Deception team, raising questions about loyalty, secrecy, and just how far someone will go when they have nothing left to lose.

Meanwhile, Molly Lansing-Davis makes a discovery that could destroy the fragile peace in her own family. After supporting her sister Kristina through the crisis involving their father Ric Lansing, Molly stumbles upon a document that appears to be connected to a failed plan to have Kristina committed. The implications are horrifying. With their mother Alexis Davis once having considered that very option, Molly now faces a new storm of conflict that could tear the Davis women apart once more.

In Germany, another emotional storm brews. Willow Tait Corinthos travels abroad to confront the man she once loved. Michael, still recovering at the Botenbotten Clinic from the burns sustained in the explosion, is unaware that Willow is bringing with her not just pain and regret, but the legal guardianship papers she was manipulated into signing. These documents give Drew Cain control over Wyatt, Amelia, and potentially Scout Cain. Willow’s doubts about her decisions are growing, and her reunion with Michael is likely to redefine the course of their fractured relationship.

Drew’s motives are increasingly unclear. Trina Robinson and Curtis Ashford have both raised suspicions about his true intentions, especially as Drew continues to keep the children isolated from Carly and other family members. Once seen as a protector, Drew is now being painted as a calculated player in a high-stakes game, using guardianship not as a responsibility, but as leverage.

Jason Morgan, long a stabilizing force, emerges as an unexpected peacemaker. While Carly Spencer’s fury burns hotter than ever—especially after Willow’s move-in with Drew—Jason steps in to prevent a violent confrontation. His intervention not only calms the moment but hints at a deeper plan to bring peace to a fractured family. Still, Jason is walking a fine line, balancing loyalty to Carly, sympathy for Willow, and concern for Michael’s legacy.

Willow’s internal struggle is the emotional center of the week’s storylines. Isolated, judged, and filled with regret, she must confront the consequences of her choices. Her journey to Germany is not just about Michael, but about seeking redemption—for herself and for the family she’s struggling to protect.

As each character takes their next steps, their decisions send shockwaves through Port Charles. From Deception’s internal shakeups, to the power plays surrounding the Corinthos children, to the Davis family on the verge of implosion, every storyline is now interconnected in a tapestry of secrets, betrayals, and hard-fought loyalty.

And at the center of the storm is Michael Corinthos.

This week, we also reflect on the real-life transformation of Chad Duell, the actor behind Michael Corinthos. His departure from the role marked not just a shift on screen, but a profound personal evolution. After more than a decade, Duell chose to step away to prioritize family and reconnect with his passions. The death of his father and the birth of his child led him to reassess what mattered most.

His departure was filled with emotion. As he opened up in a candid conversation with co-stars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson on their podcast, Duell discussed the challenges of grief, fatherhood, and finding peace outside of the soap opera grind. While the door to General Hospital remains open for his return, Duell’s journey has become a symbol of growth, reminding fans that behind every character is a person navigating life’s most complex paths.

Michael’s final scenes—a dramatic explosion, a silent exit, and a solitary recovery abroad—offered poetic closure while leaving fans with hope. And now, as rumors swirl about Chad Duell’s return to General Hospital, one thing is certain: Michael Corinthos’s story is far from over.

In Port Charles, the past always finds a way back. And the next chapter may just be the most explosive yet.