The Best And Worst On BTG, B&B, DAYS, GH And Y&R The Week Of April 7-11

(From l.) GH’s Ava (Maura West), DAYS’s Sami and Johnny (Alison Sweeney and Carson Boatman) and Y&R’s Martin (Christopher Cousins)

General Hospital: Ava Blackmails Alexis

Alexis came to work in a great mood, which prompted Diane to ask, “Did Ric die?” Actually, he almost did — thanks to Alexis’s daughter Kristina, who cut the brakes on his car thinking it belonged to her hated enemy, Ava. Armed with video proof, Ava blackmailed Alexis: Her silence in exchange for the Cassadine money Ava had been awarded (when she divorced Nikolas) that later got clawed back into a fund controlled by Alexis.

“Should I give this to the police or should you and I come to an understanding?” taunted Ava. Alexis called her bluff, saying the video only showed Kristina heading for the car with wire cutters and, besides, Ava broke the chain of evidence by keeping Ric’s car. Ava retorted that her next stop was Kristina’s half sister Molly if Alexis didn’t pay up. That’s a problem, because the siblings have a rocky relationship and Molly’s father is… Ric.

Backed into a corner, Alexis turned to her law partner for help. Diane’s advice? Have Kristina committed to Ferncliff because — best-case scenario — she’s facing 15 years in prison. “Whatever’s done in darkness,” warned Diane, “always comes to light.”

Or maybe not, if Alexis pays up…

Young and Restless: The Abbotts Expose Martin

After Traci alerted Jack to the red flags involving her fiancé Alan, Jack roped Ashley in and assured his sister he had beefed up security for their family. Hardly: Alan was upstairs menacing Traci at that very moment.

“Do you doubt my honesty?” Alan demanded after Traci hesitantly asked if she could postpone their wedding. As the argument escalated, Traci surreptitiously dialed Jack’s phone from her pocket so he could hear Alan’s voice. Jack and Ashley raced to her room and they all confronted him. Alan accused Traci of calling Jack to save her, and she hit back with, why would she need saving from him? A fight ensued. Alan said he needed “time” and left, which gave Ashley the time to tell Traci her fiancé wasn’t Alan, but Martin — Alan’s psychotic twin, who everyone thought was dead.

Jack called Chance and they all intercepted Alan, er Martin, at the bar. Chance hauled him away as the siblings vowed to hold Martin accountable. Traci stepped away to flash back on her engagement and then sadly removed her ring.

Beyond The Gates: Anita Fights Back

Anita’s daughter Dani was having a rough time, what with her ex-husband Bill marrying the much-younger Hayley and being fired from her managerial job by her own daughter. At least Dani’s fashion show for charity (starring multiple Duprees as models) was a big success, right?

“Effective today, you will no longer be a member of the board of First Gen,” decreed a snooty lady named Hannah at the country club (as Bill and Hayley looked on gleefully). Seems the charity frowned on Dani shooting up Bill’s wedding. Anita approached and Dani accused her mother of being in on it. Never! Anita took off, leaving Dani to face Bill and Hayley alone. “We were trying to mind our own business but…” baited Bill. “Try harder,” snarked Dani.

Cut to Anita informing Vernon their daughter had been unceremoniously dumped, and then opening the door to the snooty charity lady. “We’re getting rid of you,” Anita announced to Hannah, who had forgotten how much the Duprees donated to First Gen. The Dupree Heritage Foundation will now launch a “new and improved” competing charity, chaired by — who else? — Dani.

It’s so refreshing to see a soap family stick together. To paraphrase Vernon, don’t get on the wrong side of Anita Dupree!

Days of Our Lives: Sami Returns

“Well, isn’t that sweet?” derided Sami when she entered EJ’s hospital room to find her sister at her ex-husband’s bedside. Belle ordered Sami to stand down, but Sami didn’t appreciate her baby sister declaring her love to the father of Sami’s children and then treating Sami like she’s the intruder. “It’s obvious EJ is using you as a substitute for me,” huffed Sami.

Next up: Johnny, who recently learned he was conceived when EJ raped Sami. He asked his mom how she could have fallen in love with EJ after that, and Sami tearfully explained she had never wanted Johnny to know. She said there are a hundred answers to that question and she’s in therapy now to figure out her toxic cycle. EJ, Lucas, Arnold, Alan… Sami has put up with too much bad behavior. But, she added, she’s been the aggressor, too. She drugged Austin and tricked him into sleeping with her (which Carrie and Austin forgave) so when EJ offered her the deal of sex in exchange for Lucas’s life it felt like karma to her. Like she was punishing herself to be with EJ? Yes, Sami told Johnny.

The most important thing, stressed Sami, is that her son knows he is one of the greatest blessings in her life. But she does have a question. brriinggg! Sami took a phone call as Johnny flashed back to stealing Roman’s gun the night EJ was shot. Guess that question will have to wait.

GH: Natalia Sinks Lower

Since her debut in 2024, Natalia has struggled to establish ties with our Port Charles faves and shown few redeeming qualities. She chased her daughter Blaze out of town with her blatant homophobia, covered up her marriage to criminal Jenz Sidwell (angering Sonny), and is now dumping all over her son.

“You trashed your [music] career to spite me,” she scolded newcomer Marco at the Metro Court. Marco fought back, saying he’s been a lawyer for 10 years and any other mother would be proud. He also reminded Natalia that when he told her he was gay she tried to stuff him back in the closet. “I wish I had handled things differently,” she allowed.

What about how Natalia is handling things now? Her son is an accomplished lawyer with a new job in PC and she’s berating him for not going on the road with Blaze (who still won’t speak to Natalia)?! Marco could have been a “star” but his father manipulated him into going into law? Imagine trashing your child for achieving success! Eva LaRue is a good actress with a proven track record, but it’s hard to watch a character who is such a bad mom.

B&B: Deacon Goes All Karate Kid

Deacon and his daughter Hope have barely shared meaningful scenes in months, so it was jarring when he burst into Forrester Creations to beat up Hope’s most recent boyfriend.

“You’re Hope’s dad,” said Carter (nothing gets by him). “You want to defend her.” Deacon spit that Hope lost her fashion line and her job because of Carter. She trusted him and stood by him. Carter cheated on Hope (when Daphne kissed him) and he’s going to pay.

“Enough!” yelled Carter. “Last time I checked you were the first man to break her heart.” Deacon went ballistic, kicking and karate chopping Carter until he responded with a punch. Daphne burst in and threatened to call security until Carter identified Deacon. “Are you here to defend Hope’s honor?” sniffed The Nose. “No need, she has none.” Charming, eye rolled Deacon.

Is Deacon so desperate to prove he’s there for Hope that he would resort to physical violence against her latest lover? Or was this just an excuse to take advantage of Sean Kanan’s martial arts skills and Cobra Kai connection? Either way, the scenes felt out of place and unnecessary.